OW 10/8/12

Meeting Notes
10/8/12
Happy Birthday Occupy Worcester
We had about 50 people, food, and cake.

Breaking into groups to discuss the last year of Occupy Worcester.  What worked, What didn't and where can we go from here?

Report backs:
What worked:  Occupy networked around the country, it brought inequality to the national/global discussion, we strenthened what already existed, we were/are part of a national and global movement, free school
What didn't work:  infighting/ intergroup fighting, split over occupying or not, spent too much time and energy on the tactic of occupying, it was difficult for people to find us when we went inside in the winter, GAs were too long and draining, trying to follow models of Boston or other Occupys, people misrepresenting us or being bad spokespeople,
Going forward: training, take smaller, more manageable actions, solutions oriented, smaller affinity groups around specific issues, alternative economies (free school, time trade, cooperatives, worker-owned business, local businesses, cooperative rooming houses) disrupting capitalism/systems, a place for meetings, outreach (talking at schools), focusing on a single goal at a time, helping people who need heat and housing this winter, focus on our commonalities, not our differences in opinion/tactic, networking hub - promoting and reporting on activist activities, progresses and issues in Worcester and beyond, OW annual event (like vegworcester)- with tables for activist groups, community groups, speakers, food, music,

Our next meeting is planned for next Sunday, October 14th at 4:30pm at The Shop at 97D Webster Street, Worcester

Other groups Upcoming Events/Meetings that were promoted at the meeting:
Unemployment Action Group
meets Tuesdays at noon
St. John's Church

Walmart Action
http://corporateactionnetwork.org/campaigns/stand-up-live-better-october-10th
Wednesday, October 10th 11am
meet at Olive Garden off of 146 (walmart way)

Solidarity and Green Economy (SAGE) Conference
Saturday October 13th 9am-4pm
at Clark University - Jefferson Building
http://www.worcestersagealliance.org/?page_id=41