• Environmental Justice
  "System change not climate change"
  To help facilitate System Change for an equitable, sustainable world.

  Read full description and committee blog >>
• Food Not Bombs
  Food Not Bombs is an independent group that provides food to Occupy Vancouver events. They are great!

  Read full description and committee blog >>
• InterCity
• Legal
• Logistics & Finance
• Media
• Medical
• Sound Crew
• Spokes Council
• The Occupied Vancouver Sun
• The People's Library

Finance committee meeting
Occupy Vancouver
March 13, 2012

Present: Bob Ages, Eric Doherty, David Ravlin, Tosh Hyodo, Sharkoo,
Andrew Ages, Thomas Hoff
Regrets:  Sema, Maxim
Meeting called to order at 5:10 pm.

Report from Andrew on effort to recruit additional signers.
He has asked Eric D., Natalie P., Oliver H., Carla F., Dayla H,  and
Tom H. to become additional signers on Vancity account. Natalie
declined.

Agreed and approved: Undine Clara Foulds, Eric Doherty, Thomas Hoff,
Oliver Harwood, Dayla Hart.
Tosh will arrange a meeting with Nashila aiming for this Thursday

Reimbursements requested:
$167.58  to Eric Doherty - move of material from Vancouver indoor
storage to Richmond outdoor storage last Wednesday March 8, 2012.
Receipts received for truck and garbage fees (.3 ton of garbage!)
Approved

$90.23  to John Langdon - submitted receipt from Oct 15th 2011 - John
asked for cheque to be made payable to Courtney Harrop and given to
Sharkoo to deliver to her.
Approved

$254.85 to Kathryn Campbell (lawyer) for legal administrative expenses
(parking, photocopying) in relation to injunction court case. Invoice
dated Jan 31 2012 received.
Approved

$72.11 to  Bob Ages for 90 foot extension cord and power bar for sound
at rallies. Receipt received.
Approved

$13.44 to Sean Flynn-Magee for printing for Free Market. Receipt
received. (Eric D. will deliver as well as last week's cheque to Robin
Pickell)
Approved

$249.95 to Tosh. Receipt received for $22.34 for wooden sign handles +
$115.61 for megaphone and 4 windsticks topped up. Receipts received.
Approved

Discussion on current location of windsticks - Tosh, Cameron, Sharkoo
confirmed. Sharkoo will give hers back to Tom A. Believed that Dana
had one. Tom will confirm with her if she has it or gave it to someone
else.
Courtney and Cameron are actively live-streaming so we will approve
the topping up of two in the coming month.  From now on we will ask
people with rocket sticks to top them up themselves and bring receipt
and bring them in to confirm physical possession. If necessary we will
pay for top up but will require proof of physical possession and use.
People with rocket sticks asked to bring them next Tuesday to begin
physical confirmation tracking.

Eric reported on outstanding invoice from Smithrite for porta-potties.
Total is around $2500 but includes $1800 damage charge which seems
very excessive. Invoice dates from Nov 21, 2011. Payment will not be
approved unless Smithrite gives us an itemized list of what they
fixed, including pictures of the damage and reasonable justification
for charge.  Bob will investigate and negotiate and bring back to
discuss at next committee meeting.

Storage update
There is still another truckload left in the indoor storage that needs
to be transferred to Patrick Jennings' shared storage under his
apartment building. $100 preappoved for transportation. Eric and Sean
will coordinate.

Eric discussed three deep cycle batteries and a inverter (110 v from
12 v) that we have but need charging. Decided we won't buy a charger
until there's confirmation that we are going to re-occupy and will
need it. Eric will talk to Bruce Edwards, where batteries are being
kept, about bringing one into city for possible use for events.

Suggestion:  gather various rally supplies and place into a single
bin, put contact name of who it should be returned to on container.
Tosh will coordinate.

Meeting adjourned: 6:45 pm. 

Minutes, Logistics and Finance Committee
Meeting Feb 21 2012
Present, Sean Dreads, Eric D., Andrew, Bob, Tosh, Denise

Old receipts for reimbursement - approved and signed
        - Sharkoo  - office supplies Oct 20 /11 $42.72
        - Denise is back - brought bills - reimbursed $212.52 for dome
materials back in October

New cheques - approved
        - Bob Ages for Maple Leaf storage space rent to Mar 18th - $350.56

New Cheques - requested
        - Kelsey - art supplies  - $5.32
        - Tosh - art supplies (paint sticks)  $82.33
        >> will be brought to Spokes

Additional cheque signers -
 - ask Natalie P. and Eric D. (if Natalie is willing to rejoin OV
Finance) and look for one or two more people

Miscellaneous
Andrew will be absent April, May, June  :(
(going tree planting)

Storage
storage issue - need to be out of there by March 18th, 2012!!
Sean, Eric, Andrew will go to Norman's place re. outdoor storage,
check condition and do inventory.
Sean tried to get stuff out of Maple Leaf locker, scoped out the
volume vs. space available at other potential site and there wasn't
enough room.
        - Sean is avail. to work with Eric
Sean and Eric will organize moving stuff out of indoor storage

Bob - proposal that we agree to show up at one meeting per week (GA or
SC) and resume making minor financial decisions at that meeting. As OV
moves into doing spring actions we need some way to get authorizations
approved.

Financial Decisions
- discussed resumption of small expenditures for current Occupy
actions
-  agreed will bring to Spokes on Tuesday nights starting tonight. If
no quorum will consult with whoever is around from OV. Not perfect but
better than working groups and committees not being able to access OV
funds or our committee making unilateral decisions.

Meeting times
- changing time from 4:30 to 5pm (still Tuesdays) next meeting Tuesday
Feb. 28, 5pm at W2.



Minutes Occupy Vancouver Logistics and Finance Meeting Feb 28, 2012

Present:  Bob, Tosh, Eric, Denise, David

Agenda:

-Go around

-Previous minutes

-Outstanding reimbursements

-Financial Update

-Items from SC mtg feb 21 (W2 spending/ Art supplies budget)

-Storage Update

-Signers Update

-Cortes Solidarity Debrief

-Request for pop ups, banners and powersupply updates

-Upcoming Update (general)

REIMBURSEMENTS:

Tosh: $82 (poster supplies)

Robin Pickel: $22.40 (House  Paint)

Dan Stover:  $8.95 (Hand Knife)

Kelsey Grimm:  $5.32 (Paint Supplies)

Follow up: Tosh will determine whereabouts of these items.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

About $5200 in account. We still have an outstanding damage claim of $1800 from portable toilet company.

ITEMS FROM PREVIOUS SC

$200 approved to be spent on art supplies for cortes action, ~$115 was spent.  Tosh has agreed to follow up to determine where these items are being kept.

W2 donation

-have been using W2 on an informal basis for 2 and a half months.

-Various amounts have been proposed to be paid to W2 to continue using this space.

-$1250=full partnership

-People discussed paying some money at last SC.  This was deemed reasonable.

-Proposal to pay $400 for the time we’ve spent here, $400 for continued use in March

Decision – Make proposal to spokes to offer a one time donation of $1200 in honour of our appreciation.  It will be mentioned that we haven’t had enough ongoing attendance to make more/an ongoing contribution.

-Denise to research use of Carnegie centre space

STORAGE UPDATE

-Eric to send a call out to VDLC list, “Friends of Occupy”, OV moderated FB and other progressive types to find anyone who has space to accommodate our stuff from Maple Leaf.

-We have shed building capabilities for anyone with outdoor space.

-Andrew needs to call Brooks to let him know that Mia gets back in one months time.

-Eric will make a copy of padlock key

-Andrew will contact Sean to determine his availability:  Andrew, Eric, Dave and Bob are good M-F week of March 5^th (day time hours) to look at richmond stuff

-Approval to rent a modo truck for richmond excursion if necessary.

SIGNERS UPDATE

-No update

CORTES ACTION DEBRIEF

-Go around: A better sound system would have helped, only a megaphone was available most of the time; would have been nice to livestream with other contemporaneous Cortes Actions; Peacekeepers could have done well to have worn High-Vis; Ran out of battery power for live feed; Organizing cmtes should have up to a six week time line for events if possible to create groundswell and make sure items are procured from the necessary ppl.

POWERSUPPLY, BANNER AND POP UP UP DATE

-Action re robo calls, likely a rally this Saturday the 3^rd noon at the VAG  Probably won`t need a pop up.  We will need a Banner.  Tosh has a banner, it needs sewing and some telescoping poles (Tosh has telescoping poles).

-We have 3 deep cycle batteries

-one 1000 watt inverter

-Dave is building a pedal powered generator

-Proposal to find somebody to talk to Allan to figure out how we deal with the sound eqmt. Bob will confer with Oliver to see if he can be involved in this process.

UPCOMING ACTIONS UPDATE

-March 1^st  EI event. 





Important Update from the Logistics/Finance Committee

At our regular meeting Tuesday night we discussed what the authorization process should look like as we head into spring – having pretty well finished reimbursing people for expenses at the VAG and a few other minor items flowing from it. The following is a brief summary of our consensus observations and conclusions.

• There is a lot of good activity already getting underway organized through committees and workgroups. Bill C-30 protest, Cortes Island campaign, Environmental Justice work and much more.
• These actions and budding campaigns do not appear to be hampered at all by the fact that both the GA and SC seldom if ever achieve quorum
• This lack of any official decision making body is probably not a problem for any committee or workgroup except ours. We are the only committee that cannot simply “do our own thing”  as we have responsibility for the financial and material resources of the movement as whole.
• We do not feel it is right in this situation to simply take the “safe” route and refuse to provide resources for any project, no matter how worthwhile, without “official” approval.
• We therefore decided that we will continue to commit to be being present every Tuesday night at 7 pm for Spokes Council at W2. If there are logistical or financial proposals/requests presented to our committee (beyond the routine matters handled at the committee level) we will discuss them with whoever else is there from Occupy Vancouver and see if there is consensus. And we will act on that consensus, whether that means loaning out materials we have in storage or writing a cheque.
• If there are more than a handful of people so a little organization is needed we will use the kind of informal consensus-style facilitation that has worked very well for our committee since the beginning of the occupation. If there are enough people to justify a full Spokes Council meeting we will present the proposals with our committee recommendations or comments. Extraordinary major or controversial decisions can be taken to a General or Special Assembly with recommendations from this meeting.

Our hope is that as activity picks up and people feel the need for greater coordination and joint decision making they will begin turning up again in significant numbers. We think this will be more likely if a simpler and more informal consensus model grows organically out of our work together and the lessons learned over the last 5 months or so.  

In any case, spring is on the way and we have a world to change. Come hell or high water the work of the logistics/finance committee will go on as always. We look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday nights. If not next week, perhaps the one after. In the meantime keep up your spirits and your efforts. Occupy something!



Please note that minutes are posted each week just for committee members to review, add or correct items. They are then posted here, on OV's public site, after the following week's meeting. As always, all OV supporters are welcome to attend our committee meetings as guests, to make proposals, ask questions or review financial documentation.

Minutes OV Logistics and Finance meeting Tues Feb 14

Present: Bob A, Eric D, Andrew A. Sean by phone for part of meeting.

1) Storage situation:

Sean has found a location to move indoor storage to in East Vancouver, and suggests that we pay 50% of ML storage locker cost ($175 = 50% of $350). Decision: Authorize $175 and Sean to move goods to new location, if he can get it organized in short amount of time remaining (Option A - Action Sean). If not, pay another month storage (Option B Action Bob)

Note that Tom A did a great job organizing the storage locker. Thanks!

Sema and Andrew have moved the last of the medical supplies out of the locker too. Thanks!

We also need to check on outdoor storage situation (Action Eric / Andrew / Sean)

Inventory on spread sheet is also needed. (Action Sean, Andrew, Bob, Eric)

Large canopies need to be checked for completeness and condition, and readied for use. Extra grommets needed on some.

We need longer term storage. Action: Eric D to email friends of occupy list etc to try to find space.

2) W2 situation.

An update from the group liaising with W2 is needed. Is there a proposal to take to spokes / GA. Action Bob

3) Financial update. One outstanding item to follow up on - Tom H receipt(s) totalling $90. Action Bob. 

Noticed we forgot to post these minutes to this website committee blog space. Earlier minutes are from before we started using Google Groups for sharing information. When I have time I will see what I can find and combine them into one document and post here for anyone interested.

Logistics/Finance Committee Meeting January 24, 2012

Domes, wording of repo agreement discussed, add to agreement:
location, intention. Apply to more general policy of lending out
logistics.  Need some sort of criteria or process, minimal: in
writing, person responsible, purpose of action, nature of action ,
start and duration, location of action. If potential issues then refer
to SC or GA.

W2 space – discussions ongoing, looking at options for individual and
organizational support for paying for space here. Perhaps GA/SC would
approve some moderate contribution from OV’s funds. Next meeting next
Tuesday at 2 pm.

Reimbursements, note that paying for 4 rocket sticks. $25/mo, may be
advisable to go to $35 for unlimited.

Agreed to pay cost of storage locker at Maple Leaf storage, $350.56 to
take us to February 19. We need to look at alternative free or less
expensive storage. Note, previous costs paid for by unions supporting
Occupy.

Thomas Hoff, $361.96 for rechargeable power system previously
approved  by GA.

Reviewed amounts reimbursed to Eric D. and outstanding. Total owing
$795.40
Also reviewed some routine reimbursements for essential expenses and
wrote cheques as required. Receipts will be in binder and recorded on
web.

Spokes Council finance policy. Referred to next meeting due to time.

Parking tickets, as was no stated policy we will pay parking ticket
presented today but this is done without precedent or prejudice, ie.
No more tickets will be reimbursed in the future, with the possible
exception of parking tickets received in the course of an occupy
direct action (unloading or loading)

New business
Eric D. turned in last of petty cash in his possession. $35 USD, $17
Cdn. Bob noted that he purchased money order for just over $1000 to
Occupy from funds safeguarded by him and will bring it next time so
can be deposited in Vancity.



Note: Minutes are provided to committee members after each meeting. If there are no changes they will be posted here immediately following the next week''s meeting. Logistics/Finance Committee meetings are held every Tuesday at 4:30 at W2. As always, every member of the OV community is welcome to come if you have questions or requests.

Minutes of Logistics and Finance Committee – February 7, 2012
Present: Tosh, Andrew, Eric D., Bob
Issued routine cheques from last meeting to Bob, Dan and Susan as
previously approved.
Took time to review receipt book for any outstanding. None found. (If
you have expense receipts to submit or believe you have a
reimbursement owing please contact a member of the committee.)
Issue of space for meetings, W2 or other location raised. No update
available. Need to check with people working on this.
Storage space: Work group needed to look at options. We need a space
about the size of a single car garage. Eric and Andrew agreed to
investigate possibilities, Sean Dreads will be asked if he wants to
help on this. Other volunteers welcome. Noted that next payment of
$350.56 will be due to Maple Leaf Storage February 19. We hope to have
alternative space by then but if move not completed agreed to pay for
another month.
To do: storage workgroup will visit Richmond storage space we are
using and check on condition of tent and contents. 

Logistics and Finance Committee Meeting -Minutes:
2012-01-31 4:30pm Upstairs at W2.
 
In attendance; Tosh, Bob, Andrew, Chris, Tom, Jarred (Doc), Natalie.
 
Routine reimbursements:

 Bob to be reimbursed $50.00 for paying Mya’s parking ticket from the Free Market.

  New reimbursements:
Dan Richardson $69.00 (dollar amount rounded off by Dan, accepted by
the committee for Kamloops trip. Up to $75 had been approved by GA)
 
Susan (aka G-Ma): presented her history at the encampment, she was asked to pay for supplies for the Tea House and use her vehicle during the move, Tea Tent receipt 24.47 (found to be valid will be paid by cheque) and parking ticket $105.00 (found to be valid and will be paid by cheque); $121.00 for moving violation ticket (not paid as there is no precedent for OV to pay moving violations.) Susan provided her full name and address for the cheques to be sent.
 
Read into minutes from last meeting: Parking tickets: As was not stated policy we will pay parking ticket presented today but this is done without precedent or prejudice, i.e. No more tickets will be reimbursed in the future, with the possible exception of parking tickets received in the course of an occupy direct action (unloading or loading) [This is the reference from last meeting regarding prior knowledge of Susan’s parking issue from the day of the move. It is agreed no further parking tickets will be
considered from this point on.]

 
Spokes Council Finance Policy:
 
The GA has not given explicit financial consideration to spokes, spokes council would need to make this explicit to the GA and seek their approval. Finance committee, routine logistical matters e.g. cheque writing so if presented with a situation they may act. Finance doesn’t have explicit authority from GA to make financial decisions but what has been approved to date has been to do with the encampment. Tom raises the issue that Spokes was mandated to find space, so can it spend money on rent?

Natalie asserts explicit authority was not given to Spokes Council to spend money on rent in that mandate. Suggestions to define Finance Committee dollar amount so that it can deal with financial decisions. Suggestions; to put a proposal through GA then it’s done; Up to x amount finance can approve, x amount spokes can approve, rest goes to GA. Hearing similar concerns, finance has done what needed to be done up until now.

 Suggestions ; Finance decides that we continue emergency small stuff, spokes up to 500 if we ok it,if higher than that then need to go to GA, we announce it as an interim policy until GA, no agreement is reached on these suggestions. It is pointed out there are no emergency decisions with no encampment.
The question is asked why there is so much effort to "go around" the GA?
The meeting is reminded there is a proposal regarding Spokes Council and finance that has had its first reading. It is noted that at that at the first reading there was a recommendation from the GA there be a limit imposed on Spoke’s financial decision making ability, if it is approved at all, the recommendation was ignored. The GA participant (Rob) clarified the recommendation was a very strong one, to spite indications of support from other OV members attending the GA that night, it was ignored a second time. Further this recommendation was not added to the minutes of that GA.

Chris suggests The Finance Committee adds to its regular meeting agenda the reading of Financial Considerations raised in the Spokes Meeting minutes. Tosh suggests it would be Spokes and GA minutes and this is agreed to. The question is put to the meeting what purpose this serves? Reason given was discussion, possible recommendations to GA but not for the purpose of approval as this authority has not been given by GA. Andrew agrees to take on reviewing meeting minutes for next Tuesday’s meeting. Onus is put on Spokes Council to establish explicit financial decision making authority from GA, not the Finance Committee.
 
Cheque book; Chris asks if there are issues with it not being available when Tosh is away. Chris suggests splitting the cheque book to two people or more. Tosh suggests there is no issue at this point that makes this necessary. Reconciliation is easier if cheques are used in sequence. Bob agrees there is no issue, he keeps the book of receipts, Tosh keeps the cheque book. There has never been an issue with this set up and there is no reason to anticipate one. Chris ask if we need more cheques, Tosh assures him there are still plenty of cheques. Chris asks if anyone can just go and get more cheques for the account? The answer is yes with three signing officers; even cash can be taken from the account with 3 signing officers. [Something to consider when allowing new signing authority.]

 Bob volunteers Andrew and Eric D. to address finding and vetting new signing officers. Currently there are 5 signing officers, do we need more? GA has approved up to 10. (Qualified as it stands; Maxim, Andrew, Sema, Tosh, Bob.) Bob suggests Finance will put out call to the committee email list to see who is interested. This raises the issue that there are aprox 19 people on the email list, but who is actually a participating member? New signing authority seekers need two pieces of ID and show up in person for an appointment with all current qualified signers.
 
Natalie raises the issue Committee decision discussions that take place outside of the meeting should include everyone who is actively participating in meetings. Right now the agreed communication is Google groups.  
New business: motor home 3-4 dollar/day in insurance, gmc hightop/ mobile medic as vehicle or what we want to us it for. Gasoline powered. Bob reminds the gentleman Spokes or GA is the place to bring
forward proposals.
 
Doc suggestion; “reddit” as a tool for social media sharing, to organize, replaces facebook etc. Bob reminds the group we have just settled on Google groups.
 
Andrew will take on minutes from Spokes and GA for next meeting.
 
Spoke for this Spokes Council meeting will be Tosh. Also attending from Finance and Logistics; Natalie, Andrew and Bob.
 
End meeting.

Updates from the Occupied Communities of British Columbia

Welcome to the second edition of the newsletter. If you had this forwarded to you and want to sign up, do so here. If you want to read the first edition, go here.  Feedback is welcome (formatting, smart phone compatability, etc)! A map of Occupy Canada and a growing database of info for each city is linked to at the bottom of this edition.

Occupy Vancouver
Last week: Dr. Martin Luther King Vigil, successful car load of people to Kamloops to put on workshops, another edition of our evolving newspaper (see below)
Currently: Environmental Justice Work Group gaining momentum
Coming Up: System Change Not Climate Change Workshop,
Hot topics of discussion: Role of GA vs spokes council, quorum, anti-harassment protocol, still trying to find a permanent indoor space, Brookfield logging on Cortes Island
Website: occupyvancouver.com
General email: info.occupyvancouver@gmail.com
Side-projects: People's Library, Floccupy
Active Committees: 12-16, depending on criteria. Only 8, including caucuses on Spokes Council so far
To see the latest edition of the Occupied Vancouver Sun, click here. There is a link there where you can subscribe to future editions.

The People's Assembly of Victoria
Last week: Flash meeting on health care outside of hotel where premiers were discussing health care without the public, community call-outs to help neighbours and street-involved folks during the snow, Enbridge Think Tank formed
Currently: Presentation by Occupeer at Provost's Diversity Research Forum, 3rd Umbrella group meeting - getting smoother
Coming Up: Conversations with Activists Panel at UVic, Flash Camp, Feb. 1st Student Day of Action, Feb. 4th rally against Omnibus crime bill
Hot topics of discussion: New website without 'hierarchy', respect vs. free speech, shit disturbers
Website: paov.ca
Side-projects: Harm Reduction Campaign
Active Committees: we have 3 umbrella groups that contain about 13 working groups (we don't use the term committee)
Anything Else?: Some people are talking about reoccupying.. legislature lawn - would need physical support of people from elsewhere in BC (Victoria just isn't engaged enough to have the people power)

Occupy Revelstoke
Currently: making plans for Cinema Politica - style film nights
Coming Up: pretty quiet in town - too much snow
Hot topics of discussion: gardening in the springtime and where to host our film nights
Website: facebook.com/occupyrevelstoke
Active Committees: 1 main group

Occupy Powell River
Last week: Held first GA : 50 people in attendence, 7 new committees formed, much enthusiasm.
Currently: Preparing 2nd GA, getting committee websites online, prepping for action.
Coming Up: "Unemployment Fair!?" Donated labour to Tla'ammin Nation?
Hot topics of discussion: Should we tent? Paper Mill (our main economic driver, going bankrupt soon.)
Website: occupypowellriver.org
General email: oprwebteam@groupspaces.com
Side-projects: numerous, we're just starting up.
Active Committees: 4-5
Anything Else?: Unemployment Fair is an idea of an event where unemployed and underemployed come together to 1. See in person and show solidarity with one another. 2. get a list of skills 3. a list of resources 4. brainstorm and form collective businesses/initiatives.

Occupy Kamloops

Last week: Occupy the Interior presentation in Kelowna
Currently: Working to increase participatory members
Coming Up: Corrupt banking system awareness day at a bank corner downtown
Hot topics of discussion: Organization, how much work there is to do, Fiat currencies and corrupted institutions
Website: occupykamloops.org
General email: occupykamloops@gmail.com
Side-projects: Smart meter awareness, direct democracy implementation and education, website that has shopping advice based on moral history of company
Active Committees: Direct action, Community outreach (usually all covered in meetings together)

Occupy Kelowna
Last week:  Fair Shake: A public forum on social change and progressive solutions hosted by Occupy Kelowna, Council of Canadians and the Okanagan Institute. This was our most successful event yet.  We peaked at Justin Trudeau with about 300 people in attendance.  Many of the connections we have worked hard on came out and pledged their support!

Occupy Whitehorse
Currently: -35 degrees Celcius