Friday, November 6
Notes from GGJ Membership Call
Agenda for Full Membership Call
Intros/Check ins - 5 minutes
Report back from September CC/Co-leads meeting (Jorge Glackman, Environmental Health Coalition, Political/Popular Education Co-lead) – 5 minutes
Reports from World Social Forum International Council and US Social Forum National Planning Committee meetings (Cindy Wiesner, GGJ Program Coordinator) – 5 minutes
The Road to Detroit: Planning for the US Social Forum, Part 1– 20 minutes
Discussion questions
What activities is your organization planning for the US Social Forum?
How many people are you planning to take to the USSF?
The Road to Detroit: Planning for the US Social Forum, Part 2 – 35 minutes
Social Forum Standing Committee recommended goals and activities for the USSF (Maria Poblet, St. Peter's Housing Committee, Co-lead Social Forums Standing Committee) – 5 minutes
Discussion and feedback – 30 minutes
Next steps – 10 minutes
Updates – 20 minutes
Inter-Alliance Dialogue – 5 minutes
Communications – (Jen Soriano, GGJ Communications Coordinator) – 10 minutes
Membership Assembly – proposed dates and hosting request – 5 minutes
Friday, February 26 - Sunday February 28, 2010
On Call:
Jihan Gearon, IEN
Jen Soriano, GGJ communications staff
Michael Guerrero, Cindy Wiesner, GGJ
Kali Akuno, Kamau Franklin, Saki Hall, Malcolm X
Leah Wise, REJN
Serena and Will, MWC
Carlos Jimenez, JwJ
Mary Kay Harris and Fred, DARE
Earlina Fisher, CVH
Genaro Lopez- Rendon and Che Lopez, SWU
Louis Head and Monica Cordova, SWOP
William Copeland, USSF staff (guest on call)
Tammy Bang Luu, LCSC
Jorge Glackman, EHC
Mari Rose Turac, APEN
Le Tim Ly, CPA
Vinnie Villano and Steven, CVH
Maria Poblet, St. Peters Housing
Angaza Laughinghouse, BWFJ
Dave King, Portland Jobs with Justice
Priscilla Gonzalez, DWU
Steve Williams, POWER
Report back from September CC/Co-leads meeting (Jorge Glackman, Environmental Health Coalition, Political/Popular Education Co-lead) – 5 minutes
Please Refer to PowerPoint that was sent out today by Michael.
Post G20 activities and actions, we had a CC and Co-leads meeting in Pittsburgh.
We did an evaluation of GGJ's work and have some initial recommendations on work from now until the Membership Assembly.
We also spoke about the priorities for the alliance in 2009-2010: Inter-Alliance Dialogue (IAD) process and USSF.
Challenges within GGJ: we may have fragmented the membership when we created 7 working groups and standing committees. Working groups have not had a lot of member participation, but we affirmed the importance of the issues to the membership: militarization and war, global well-being, and globalization and migration.
GGJ has had less success organizing campaigns, Participation in working groups has been waning.
Generally we have had more participation in the Standing Committees which address over-arching needs, not specific issues. We have also had more success getting broader member participation in specific events or “points of convergence”.
Recommendations from the CC and Co-leads meeting:
- Scale back work of Working Groups until Membership Assembly in 2010. Fulfill outstanding obligations.
- Map out points of convergence
- Maintain Standing Committees and cross-cutting work.
- Institutionalize international connections & work
- Focus GGJ's energy towards the US Social Forum.
Reports from World Social Forum International Council and US Social Forum National Planning Committee meetings (Cindy Wiesner, GGJ Program Coordinator and Tammy Bang Luu, LCSC, co-chair Outreach WG/NPC) – 5 minutes
Meeting in Montreal October - important meeting towards the organizing in Dakar, Senegal in 2011, the site of the next WSF.
Next year is 10 year anniversary of WSF
There was a lot of reflection on where are we at as social movements, also in relation to the global multi-dimensional crises.
There have been some major advances in global movements in the last 10 years, but a lot of fragmentation globally as well in the international movements, we haven't been able to collectively respond to crisis - hot spots of militant response but no collective response overall. Some alternatives mostly in Latin America, but not a collective global challenge to the failures of capitalism. We need to utilize this year of forums as a mechanism to address the state of resistance, development of alternatives, challenges to the neo-liberal model.
Regional and thematic forums, about 20 between now and Dakar 2011 eg. world forum on education in Palestine, Iraq social forum, economic crisis forum in Mexico in May
What is the thread that connects all of these? How do these build momentum toward next WSF?
No unity at the IC on new slogan. How to make connections from Social Forum to another Social Forum.
USSF seen as important and strategic. Many IC members wanting to come and participate. Also how to internationalize a global response to the global crisis's (food, economy, climate).
There is discussion on a Global Day of Action around Crisis on June 24, 2010 (3rd day of the USSF)
To view all of the forums being planned in 2010, check out the link.
USSF NPC report back:
Meeting was in Atlanta, 2 weeks ago. It was really productive and we advanced on a lot of work.
Large delegation from Detroit there, met folks in Atlanta who held down logistics for USSF 2007 was a breakthrough for NPC meeting
Still trying to figure out what are the fronts of struggle and what's the political framing - next NPC meeting in January, will be important to think about this and what opportunities are present
Clarified goals for social forum, similar to what was stated before but with amendment that each city hosting the social forum should have deepened resources and capacity/enhanced movement through the social forum.
Revised Goals for the USSF 2010
- Create a space for social movement convergence and strategic discussion
- Advance a social movements agenda for action and transformation
- Build stronger relationships and collaboration between movements
- Deepen our commitment to international solidarity and common struggle
- Strengthen local capacity to improve social conditions, organizing and movement building in Detroit
Consulta process, agreed on program tracks - would be good for GGJ members to fill out consulta form - GGJ committed to 20-25 member groups filling out form, especially give feedback on program tracks. Look out for the email that will go out in this next week.
The Road to Detroit: Planning for the US Social Forum, Part 1– 20 minutes
Discussion questions
What activities is your organization planning for the US Social Forum?
How many people are you planning to take to the USSF?
USSF ACTIVITIES AND MEMBER MOBILIZATION
MXG
1. Panels and possibly plenaries - Take Back the Land based on some of the practices in Miami keeping people in foreclosed homes
2. Police misconduct
3. People's Assemblies: local elections and turn that mobilization into a people's assembly: increase participation post election.
10-15 people from around the country
CVH
In the past, workshops on public housing and welfare, not fleshed out yet.
25+ people
JwJ
Workshops to present case studies, not fleshed out yet but will get back (economic crisis, jobs campaign)
500 people
MWC
Probably workshops about distro of stimulus money, neighborhood accountable development
15-20 members, beginning to do fundraising. Any information on logistics would be appreciated.
BWFJ
Discussion around state of emergency: job layoffs budget cuts slashing resources for cities
models of people's assemblies, share the successes. What the crises and neo-liberalism is doing to our communities and the working class.
DARE
Beginning to talk about doing workshops or participating in workshops
We want to bring a bus load, maybe 75 people.
SWU
Active member of the NPC and co-chairing PMA and Resource Mobilization WG, and youth from organization are taking a lead on calling for the re-establishment for the Youth Working Group, looking to have a phone call next week.
Work Brigade, currently in Detroit.
People's Freedom Caravan, setting up a web-site
100 members plus 100 people from allied orgs
SWOP
Figuring out what's going on with youth and the social forum
Moving forward with People's Freedom Caravan
Last year mobilized two buses, this year targeting 15 allied orgs in New Mexico
about 200 people
EHC
Develop climate justice, land use campaigns in collaboration with CEJA delegates to represent these issues, form alliances
Workshops around leadership development showing leaders who've transformed their communities
2-10 people
IEN
Bring indigenous people to the social forum, focus on climate justice issues, national and international energy policies, green jobs
Indigenous tent with speakers and ceremonies
around 20 people
PORTLAND JWJ
Have begun to have discussion. But looking at bringing Union members
about 20 people
DWU
Workers congress, bringing together workers who have been left out of job protection processes
10-15 people
St. Peters Housing
Reach a higher level of alignment and common work R2C
Merging with Just Cause Oakland, foreclosure crisis and black and latino community work central to merger
20 people?
APEN
How to bring the Ecological lens, been working with local groups and have been working with Movement Building Project. and CEJA
5-10 people
CPA
Organizing in Chinatowns around the country, continue to connect work through social forum
12-20 people
Southeast Regional Economic Justice Network
BAJI, Black immigration network took hold last April 2009 social forum not on radar screen yet census and redistricting big political moments, figuring out how to take advantage of opportunities
LCSC
Been an active member of the NPC and the co-chair of the Last time, criminalization of black and brown communities, state of the black left and state of the left in general. Brought 25 people to Atlanta, will look to increase participation. How to use social forum to convergence with other groups
PODER, SF
Sent a report on Focusing on bringing Youth from California. There is a goal to bring 4 buses of youth from L.A., the Bay, Central Vally and North CA. They are doing p.e. with their youth on Social Movements. She was suggesting that we talk about how to coordinate possibly with a National Freedom Caravan.
75 people
Just Transition Alliance
Sent a report that they will bring 4 folks to the forum. They want to do workshops on social ecology with all the forum breakouts. We would also focus on any environmental track.
4 people
NEXT STEPS:
- Send in updates about workshops
- Join the Social Forum Standing Committee Call on November 16 (information below)
- Look out for consulta form and fill it out
- Post info on website, look to website for updates ggjalliance.org
Angaza: Question: Detroit-As the model of the crisis.
TBL: there has been conversations on how Detroit is the model of the issues that have been happening.
There has not been decisions yet, but the NPC is thinking on how this can be incorporated
Leah: question about local organizers involvement
MLG: the goals have been clarified, local national collaboration has been discussed
January NPC is meeting discussion on the political aspects of the USSF
Will Copeland: not a lot of people are involved in the organizations that are involved in social forum, great support from activist groups, disconnect between activists and local communities. Talking about a Detroit local people's movement assembly to focus on issues in Detroit as part of PMA. Community tours to connect struggles across the country, Neoliberalism automation globalization of capital, discussion of alternatives, glad we're moving toward being on the same page.
There is an internal conversation that needs to go in this next period from now to the Member Assembly on the contribution of GGJ to the movement building efforts in Detroit.
The Road to Detroit: Planning for the US Social Forum, Part 2 – 35 minutes
Social Forum Standing Committee recommended goals and activities for the USSF (Maria Poblet, St. Peter's Housing Committee, Co-lead Social Forums Standing Committee) – 5 minutes
GGJ GOALS FOR USSF (from social forums standing committee)
Goal: Deepen unity among GGJ organizations through practice, political education, platform development and celebration;
- "Assembly" referred to for March is GGJ Membership Assembly
- Recommendation of CC mtg last June re. GGJ role and campaigns; i.e. World March of Women involving 60 countries/regions, with major issue areas, but focus is political unity and they have points of unity for each area;
- GGJ has been most successful on convergence work; question is whether we want to launch campaign in preparation for USSF, develop a political platform, etc.
- Possibly related – Peoples' Movement Assembly – process and not singular day, and continue through all the days of the USSF; this can fit well within whatever GGJ decides to do;
Goal: Make local to global connections real in preparation for the USSF
- GGJ track of workshops – last time inspired by Right to the City and the way RTTC workshops flowed; could be guide for series that could highlight organizations and roles GGJ plays re. critical political issues of the current moment; link grassroots responses in both the GS and North (eg rural and urban displacement); identify a couple of major issues and bring people together;
- Identify individuals and organizations that can work on this
- Tour (as listed)
Goal: Strengthen strategic relationships and coordination with national and international allies
- Food crisis/security – conference in DC in September focused on this, could be a good area (could be a really good fit with folks in Detroit – including relationship to climate justice)
- Bring in key people that relate to current issues (like now, it would be someone from Honduras)
- Set of Intl networks we are targeting for relationships – Hemispheric Social Alliance (trade, related), World March of Women, COMPA, several indigenous networks, Climate Justice Network, Friends of the Earth International, Via Campesina – strengthen strategic partnerships already being developed;
Goal: Build convergence with other social justice sectors
Build with other sectors in the US, i.e. Women's Movement, Labor (Workers Centers and traditional Unions)
Identify new allies
Goal: Participate actively in the NPC and Working Groups
- How many GGJ members are on NPC at present? Eight, looks like (Actually more like 10 - IEN, Padres Unidos, SWOP, POWER, Project South, SWU, LCSC, St. Peter's, PODER, Jobs with Justice) Others are active on working groups, like Afro Eco
- Possible to focus on getting more participation on NPC by GGJ organizations? Several do not have a lot of infrastructure and enough capacity to participate in NPC; others said that they wanted to come back on; Standing Ctte exists in part to play conduit/communications role with lower-capacity organizations; some outreach is being done; connections for groups need to be relevant to their ongoing work (goals/objectives); some are doing educational work within their own organizations or others – would be helpful if GGJ pop ed folks could work on this;
- PMA developing materials that may be of use to this process
Goal: Have large and visible representation of GGJ at the USSF 2010
500 GGJ members
50 International allies
Overall Questions/Next Steps
- How is all of this going to be carried out?
- CC to bring threads together and feed back; Membership Assembly will be prep towards USSF?
- Recommendations coming in should be how to integrate everything such that they focus on the USSF
Standing committee - would like more people to join the standing committee to make these goals happen, looking for a co-chair
Next Social Forum Standing Committee Call
Monday, November 16 at
3pm EDT, 2pm CDT, 1pm MDT, Noon PDT
If you want to get involved in this committee or need more information: Contact Maria Poblet:
BWFJ: We would love to see coordinated action for GGJ members at the USSF.
Leah - how does program direction address tension within our movement - what role is GGJ playing in lifting voices of people of African descent internationally - need discussions
Maria: workplan doesn't specifically address this, hope is this work will raise visibility of work that already does exist like freedom caravan that was addressing black and latino unity and hopefully other work will arise
Jorge: the school raises discussions about gender, race, other issues need to talk with NPC about how this can be incorporated into USSF
Michael: how do we start to bridge all these different issues, identifying these kind of things are really important. how much of this is generated by orgs within GGJ South by Southwest process was really significant, figuring out ways to build relationships that got people in conversation and being part of a community