Occupy Madison Inc. Board of Directors Meeting

Occupy Madison Inc. Board of Directors Meeting

March 10, 2014

Social JusticeCenter

Directors present

Allen Barkoff, Betty Ybarra, Bruce Wallbaum, Carol Weidel, Chris Derrick, Garrett Owen Lee, Jen Thompson, Linda Ketchum, Luca Clemente, Noah Phillips, Russ Albers, Trina Clemente

Other Members Present:

Will Gruber, Keith Valiquette, Peter G

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 6:31 pm by Allen. The board agreed to a timed process that limits speakers on proposals to 2 minutes. The meeting will be limited to 2 hours, unless extended by the majority. This will be on a trial basis.

2. Reports of Officers

Co-President (Allen)

An OM member has medical/mental issues that affect communication. These need to be addressed. Garrett and Jen, as part of the member relations committee, will explore these issues in a respectful way.

Other Officers have no reports at this time.

3. Workgroup Reports

a. Shop/Tiny Houses (Keith)

House #3 is ready for the roof. The axle is in place.

House #2 is getting tires next, it needs trim.

House #1 needs some final touches.

LaFollette HS students will build a house, but currently this is just a concept. A discussion followed on when house this will be built. Will it serve as a model, or be house #4 or house #5? Bruce pointed out that we are pressed for cash right now, as we try to raise the money for the down payment and the move. Solar could cost $500 per house, but Bruce needs research done. He recommends that we do notstart #4.

4. Unfinished Business

Moving the trailer and house (Chris)

The trailer and Tiny House #1are placed on different streets in order to have a lower profile in the neighborhood. Dave W is doing a fine job moving these two.

5. New Business

a. Designate House #4 for Hap

The other people who were “grandfathered” in have not been involved in OMI recently. Allen and Bruce moved the assignment of this next house to Hap. Discussion followed. Hap has the next highest number of hours in sweat equity earned. Approved on an unanimous vote.

Garrett and Trina moved that we complete #2 and #3 before commencing on #4. Discussion. Motion withdrawn.

b. Standing Committee to review people for Tiny Houses

Allen and Noah moved that we “form a standing committee to review equally qualified top eligible people for Tiny Houses and determine the steward of Tiny House #5 when construction begins on House #5. This committee will bring its recommendations to the Board at the April Board meeting”.

After considerable discussion, Garrett and Trina proposed an amendment. Insert after “standing committee”, the words “of current stewards also known as the Village People, made up of Keith, Betty, Chris, Russ, Hap and others.

After more discussion, the was a motion by Bruce and Luca to table this proposal until the Village People get more experience meeting and discussing the issue. The motion to form this committee was tabled.

c. Purchase of Property

Bruce reported that there will be a meeting with Bachman on the upgrades needed for the building, A committee is working on the site plan (see Facebook OM Logistics page). A letter of intent has been summited which could result in OMI getting $75 to $200,000.Further discussion was tabled by consensus.

d. Join Opportunity Village in Eugene Oregon as Sister Village.

Bruce and Jen moved that we become sister villages. Discussion. This is another opportunity for media coverage. The Village People will develop details of this partnership. Partnership approved without objection.

e. Rotating Facilitation at Meetings

Allen suggested that we rotate facilitation duties at Board meetings. Discussion included a brief meeting prior to board meeting to set the agenda. Eight boards members are interested: Garrett, Noah, Bruce, Linda, Allen, Trina, Luca and Jen.

f. Veterinarian/Social Services Consultant

Garrett circulate a one-page description of this ideaknown as WisCARES. He will invite these people to our April GMM. By consensus, the Board approved this invitation.

g. March 29 General Membership Meeting

WisCARES speaker will be on the agenda for early in the meeting.

h. Old Grandfathered List

The old list was discussed again. The remaining people on that list have not been active in OMI. Garrett, Trina moved that we close the old grandfathered list [secretary’snote: the list approved at the July 10, 2013 Board meeting includedBetty, Chris, Russ, Keith, Hap, Terry, Brian and Ronnie.]

Motion passed with Jen abstaining.

i. Next Board Meeting – March 24 at 6:30

Much is happening. We need to meet more often. On next agenda

• Report on House #1, #2 and #3.
• Shop Operations Update
• Report on Shop Manger relations.
• Prepare for Urban Design Commission on April 23.

6. Announcements

OM member stooped in to discuss a personal problem with Shine’s services.

7. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 10:05 pm.

Minutes prepared by Carol Weidel

2014-03-10 BOD Minutes.docx

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