next PLOC meeting: Thursday, March 5 at 6pm, West Kensington Ministry
Notes from Feb 19, 2015 on phone-Keith, Aaron, someone else whose name I missed (sorry!) in person-Deeq, Cheri, Jeremy, Ali National outreach: -National Alliance of HUD Tenants, Right to the City, Organize Ohio, Refuge in St Petersburg want to be added as partners Aaron-reaching out to organizations in DC Keith-working with a few others on outreach in New England -there have been a lot of questions about transportation, housing -anyone want to volunteer to help field questions sent to outreach@ussfphilly.org? -possibly set up webinars geared toward different states/regions to share info about USSF Philly? -we should organize local dialing days and street teams-lots of lists of organizations and people that need to be called Movement School -a day for core USSF organizers to get together and talk about the political elements of the Social Forum to help to develop a shared vision and shape programming (not just logistics) -proposed for March 28 in Philly-people from national USSF would come and spend the day with us -reply or send email to outreach@ussfphilly.org if you would like to participate or invite others to do so -will check with Keith about whether AFSC could be available for this event Work Groups Youth-Youth United for Change has become an anchor organization locally, youth work group also taking a national lead in USSF planning Food/Environmental Justice-next call: Monday, Mar. 2, 7pm EST -talking about having a "climate strike" PMA -a lot of interest, lots of people on last conference call Faith & Justice-Rev Adan and Pastor Dave-two meetings coming up for faith community -there will be a PMA on the roll of justice in faith community -concrete project-figure out where low income people can sleep Arts & Culture-had conversation on Saturday -working on setting up venues, bringing in big name artists -US Department of Arts&Culture (not actually related to the govt) getting involved -Leeway Foundation-possible funding source Resource Development-new PPEHRC intern Aaron interested in fund development -finalizing the money amounts that will be asked for from endorsers, supporters, etc. -hoping to work with various committees to put together fundable projects -Bread&Roses-encouraged us to submit coalition proposal -there are other organizations out there that would probably help with travel expenses Grupo Defensores de Puerto Rican (contact-Ben Ramos) -PMA on Puerto Rican independence, working on representation from Puerto Rican community, esp. youth + cultural events Communications and Technology -sent out "Save the Date" email blast -registration is now live for individuals and organizations at http://ussocialforum.net -people can also apply for workshops or PMAs-workshops require at least 2 organizational sponsors, PMAs require at least 4 -we had a conference call with national Comm/Tech to discuss how we can support interactivity between USSF sites -will be testing video conferencing software developed by May First/People's Link -expecting to have a few designated period of times for sharing between sites about what is happening at each location -had meeting with PhillyCAM, who will be great resource for us locally in gaining access to media equipment and volunteers -they may be willing to help us create promotional videos leading up to the Social Forum and provide video coverage during the Social Forum, including potentially broadcasting this footage as a pop-up TV station Budget/Registration Update registration number donation number Logistics Venue Spaces -$16,300 is the cost for Howard Gittis student center -we have reserved it, just need to get them the money -still trying to work some internal politics with people we know in Temple departments to get some help in paying for the space -open questions: how many dorm rooms?-Cheri throws out 500 number, going to ask about cost -also want to ask about food vending in student center -Aaron and Jeremy created a map of American St in Kensington -Aaron putting together language for negotiations for city permits -somewhere in area between Lehigh and Diamond -cultural events, workshops -festival atmosphere like in other World Social Forums -also need to work on logistics for large tents (anyone with connections to tent companies?) -Keith will look into venue insurance Website -we would like people to send info (and an image/photo) about the PMAs which are being planned to commtech@ussfphilly.org, so that we can add this to the PMA section on our local website -we are also adding new partners to the website Housing Update -developing a section on website to offer or request housing -hoping to set up a similar system as Global Climate Convergence used in NYC -Cheri going to follow up with Unite Here, who can help with hotel negotiations -talking with clergy as well for use of religious spaces for housing Tabling -starting to receive requests (AK Press, PM Press) -will charge for tables, depends somewhat on venues, number of tables available -need point person to deal with tabling Food -local vendors along American St