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[OPIRG-EVENTS] George Bush Welcoming Committee Regional Planning Meeting - March16
REGIONAL PLANNING MEETING TO OPPOSE
GEORGE W. BUSH'S VISIT TO OTTAWA
10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, March 16, 2003
Ottawa, Ontario
Porter Hall
Carleton University (see directions below)
========
CONTENTS
========
1) Callout for Regional Planning Meeting
2) Proposed Agenda
3) Decision-Making Structure
4) Facilitation and Protocols
5) Action Proposals
6) Logistics Proposals and Planning
7) How to Get to Porter Hall
8) Billeting and Registration Information
9) Contact Info
=========================================
CALLOUT FOR THE REGIONAL PLANNING MEETING
=========================================
Anti-capitalist Community Action (ACA) and the Committee for Peace in
Iraq (CPI) invite all organizations, individuals, and affinity groups
to a regional planning meeting on Sunday, March 16, 2003 to prepare
for a visit to Ottawa this spring by George W. Bush.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
+ 10:00am +
+ Sunday, March 16, 2003 +
+ Ottawa, Ontario +
+ Porter Hall, Carleton University +
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
With the arrival of George W. Bush in Ottawa on May 5, 2003
Anti-Capitalist Community Action (ACA) and the Committee for Peace in
Iraq (CPI) felt it was only fitting to help create a welcoming
committee of all those who oppose his policies. At present, this
welcoming committee includes members of both groups as well as other
community activists from both sides of the Ottawa River.
We would like to include you and your group, organization and/or
union local too. ACA and the CPI will co-convene a regional planning
meeting on Sunday, March 16th, where groups and individuals can begin
to collaborate and organize collectively in preparation for May 5th.
While we recognize the right and desire for groups to organize
autonomous actions, we encourage groups both in Ottawa/Gatineau (and
Outaouais area) and groups in other communities organizing around the
GWB "state visit" to get in touch and co-ordinate with each other.
Our aim is to help build a large coalition of groups and individuals
who oppose the policies of the Bush administration and the systems of
oppression which that administration represents. We aim to empower
and mobilize as many people as possible to let George W. Bush and his
hosts know just how unwelcome he is. The March 16th meeting will be
an opportunity us to share information, propose actions and
frameworks for action, and to collaborate and support each others'
actions, based on mutual affinities.
Organizers of this meeting have a variety of goals. We would like
participants to bring a variety of proposals about specific actions
and kinds of activity forward for everyone's consideration and
critique. Ottawa-area groups and organizers see a need for both mass
actions as well as support for decentralized actions. The purpose of
the meeting is to share information about the kind of activities that
groups are interested in or already working on, and suggest proposals
about specific actions and frameworks.
We aim to work together in a grassroots, non-sectarian and
non-authoritarian way, in spite of differences (organizational or
otherwise) which may exist in organizing communities. This includes
creating a respectful space for consideration of proposals and
constructive critique in a spirit of solidarity.
We hope that March 16 initiates a dialogue among groups in the
continental northeast and locally about actions and frameworks for
May 5th, and to help groups identify opportunities for collaboration.
===============
PROPOSED AGENDA
===============
9:00am Registration opens
10:00am Welcome
10:15am Introductions of delegates and observers
11:00am Review and approve proposed agenda
11:15am Review and approve proposed decision-making structure
11:40am Preliminary reports on GWB visit itinerary, security, etc.
11:50am Action proposals (informal and formal)
13:05pm Lunch
13:50pm Action proposals (continued)
3:30pm Logistics proposals
4:45pm Wrap-up, decision about future meetings, opportunity to
announce further meetings, etc.
5:00pm Close
=========================
DECISION MAKING STRUCTURE
=========================
The regional meeting is a delegated assembly which is also open to
observers. Decision-making is by delegates only, while observers
have "voice with no vote". Your organization can register up to two
(2) delegates, either in advance or at the check-in at Porter Hall.
If you are coming from out-of-town you can use the online billeting
form (see below) to register delegates (recommended). Otherwise send
an email to <mailto:gwbfanclub@ziplip.com>gwbfanclub@ziplip.com with
"Delegate Registration" in the subject header.
While the primary purpose of the regional meeting is to share
information and ideas, delegates still may make formal proposals.
Each delegate will be issued a set of coloured cards (Yes/No/Abstain)
for voting on formal proposals.
The following proposed decision-making structure is recommended by
the organizers:
1. Proposal - A (concise) statement indicating what is being proposed
for a decision by the group.
2. Clarifying questions about the proposal - Questions from the room
which clarify the intent of the proposal, allowing for (minor)
amendments where the original proposal is imprecise.
3. Straw poll to gauge the feeling of everyone in the room - This
poll includes both delegates and observers participating in the
regional meeting, and is done without the use of voting cards. The
facilitator will ask to see a show of hands for objections,
abstentions and in favour of the proposal.
4. If there is unanimous approval or disapproval re: the proposal,
the facilitator will move immediately to a formal decision using
voting cards. If there is no unanimity re: the proposal, the
facilitator will open up a period of discussion and debate by giving
those who voted against the proposal and those who abstained from the
decision a chance to explain why. If amendments are brought to the
proposal, it is up to the maker of the proposal to determine whether
or not the amendment is "friendly" and should be incorporated into
the proposal under discussion, or whether it should stand as a
separate proposal.
5. An indication of interest in speaking to the proposal will be
sought from the room. Time limits for speakers will be established
by the facilitators based upon the number of speakers and time limits
on the item. Debate will continue until time limits force it to be
cut off or until the facilitators judge that discussion has been
exhausted.
6. Right before an official, recorded vote is held, groups will be
given 3 minutes to caucus with their delegates.
7. An "official" vote is taken. Facilitators will ask delegates and
individuals with voting cards to raise them to show objections,
abstentions and votes in favor of the proposal.
8. It takes 90% of votes in favor of a proposal for it to pass. The
90% is calculated out of the total number of votes for and against
the proposal. Abstentions are not included in calculating the
percentage of votes in favor of or against a proposal. However,
abstentions are counted and recorded by the notetaker.
9. If 10% or less of delegates voting against a proposal indicate
that acceptance would require them to remove themselves from the
process entirely, they will given a final opportunity to state the
reasons for this. Facilitators will convene for a maximum of 10
minutes to decide whether or not to reopen the proposal, and to
explore with the maker of the proposal along with supporters and
objectors whether conciliation is possible.
What do votes mean?
For a proposal (GREEN card): I/My group agrees with the proposal,
will endorse the proposed demand, statement or action, and/or will
participate in the action or campaign proposed.
Against a proposal (RED card): I/My group disagrees with the proposal
and wants to block it, will not sign onto the proposed demand,
statement or action, and/or will not participate in the action or
campaign proposed.
Abstaining (YELLOW card): I/My group can live with whatever decision
is made regarding this proposal; am/is not mandated to vote a clear
position one way or another on this proposal.
==========================
FACILITATION AND PROTOCOLS
==========================
Facilitation will be done by a team of four activists from different
groups, and several activists who will keep speakers' lists.
There will be no active media reporting (including Indymedia) allowed
in the room.
Further details on facilitation and protocols will be available at
the check-in.
================
ACTION PROPOSALS
================
Groups and individuals are encouraged to provide written summaries of
action proposals, even if they are still a work-in-progress.
Proposals can be emailed to
<mailto:gwbfanclub@ziplip.com>gwbfanclub@ziplip.com and if received
by 6:00pm Saturday, March 15th will be photocopied and distributed at
the registration desk. Groups are also free to make proposals from
the floor, and/or to bring their own photocopied documents.
The regional meeting is primarily an opportunity to share ideas and
for groups to gain an indication of interest and feedback for both
informal and formal proposals, and to identify organizing
opportunities based on mutual interest. It will be incumbent on
groups to work on developing and adjusting their proposals and
returning to future meetings or spokescouncils to deal with any
questions of general coordination.
================================
LOGISTICS PROPOSALS AND PLANNING
================================
While Ottawa-based groups and individuals are prepared to take on the
bulk of logistics work, the regional meeting is open to suggestions
and specific proposals on matters such as:
- media and liaison
- website and electronic communications
- legal support
- street medics
- food
- intelligence and street communications
- housing
- facilities
- fundraising
- transportation subsidies
- related events planning
We will also have sign-up information for volunteers both in-town and
out-of-town for logistics support (by area of interest and
experience) for May 5th at the registration desk.
=========================
HOW TO GET TO PORTER HALL
=========================
Campus Map:
<http://www.carleton.ca/cu/campus/>http://www.carleton.ca/cu/campus/
Accessibility Guide for the University Centre (UC):
<http://www.carleton.ca/cu/campus/bldgs/access/uc.html>http://www.carleton.ca/cu/campus/bldgs/access/uc.html
From the 417 Highway (by car):
Take the Bronson Ave. exit, which is the first one past the Rochester
St. exit from the west and the Metcalfe St. exit from the east. If
coming from the east, turn left onto Bronson Ave. at the intersection
with Catherine St. If coming from the west, turn right onto Bronson
Ave. from the off-ramp. Keep south for about 3 km, past the Rideau
Canal/ Dow's Lake bridge, and take a right at the intersection of
Sunnyside Ave. and Bronson Ave. onto the Carleton University campus.
Keep right. Take a left at the 3-way stop onto Campus Ave. Keep
going until the second parking area on the right past the bus and
O-Train stops, just past the intersection of Library Rd. (Lot 2 on
the campus map). Enter the UC (oblong brick building, Building 7 on
the map) on foot from the entrance on the north end, and go up one
flight of stairs to Porter Hall. Alternatively, you can come in from
the entrance to the loading dock area which is at the northwest
corner of the building.
From the Voyageur Bus Terminal (by bus, approx. 15 minutes):
Take the #4 bus headed west on Catherine St. to the entrance to
Carleton University campus (intersection of Sunnyside and Bronson).
Get off at the stop just past the O-Train station on the left (see
above).
From the Train Station (by bus, approx. 45 minutes):
Upon leaving the station, cross the pedestrian overpass and take the
#95 or any other westbound bus going downtown (double-check with the
driver). This stop is close to "St. Laurent and Belfast" on the bus
schedule (see below). Exit at the stop between O'Connor and Bank
(second one after the Rideau Centre). Cross Bank St. and transfer to
either the #4 Hurdman or #7 Carleton southbound. Both the #4 and #7
routes take you onto the university campus. Exit on Campus Ave. by
the O-Train (see above).
OC Transpo:
Bus fare is $2.50. Day passes are $5.00 and can be obtained from bus
drivers. If coming to Carleton University by bus, please note that
Sunday service is less frequent. See
<http://www.octranspo.com/maps_menue.htm>http://www.octranspo.com/maps_menue.htm
for precise schedule information.
==========================
REGISTRATION AND BILLETING
==========================
All observers and delegates will be asked to register prior to
joining the regional meeting. Registration is at the tables in front
of Porter Hall (northeast end of the 2nd floor of the Unicentre).
Requests for billeting for out-of-towners can be made online
(preferred) and also by phone. Online registration and billeting for
the evenings of Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th is
available at
<http://www.jenn.ca/gwb/ineedhous.shtml>http://www.jenn.ca/gwb/ineedhous.shtml.
If you need to register by phone, contact John at (613) 244-0122 and
leave a message. You will need to indicate the following:
- name and organization (if any)
- gender
- email/phone contact info
- # in group (if registering as a group)
- which evenings billeting is requested for
- special needs (if any)
Your billet will contact you and/or contact info for your billet will
be provided by Friday, March 14th. Please contact us as soon as
possible with your request so we can do our best to ensure housing
for all out-of-town participants.
============
CONTACT INFO
============
For more information contact:
<mailto:gwbfanclub@ziplip.com>gwbfanclub@ziplip.com or Lindsay at
(613) 241-1615
--
Read reports from the Iraq Peace Team at http://www.nowar-paix.ca/
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