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Participants: Bill Bryce, Ariel Dougherty, Dave Elsila, Reg McGhee (chair), Joel McKinney, Lou Novak, Sylvia Orduño, Karlos Gauna Schmieder.

Agenda: Reg presented an agenda that included preparations for the June 22 kickoff meeting, a report on the last Detroit LOC meeting, a proposal from Sylvia on the work of the Communications WG and Technology WG, Website development, Posting of Communications Director position, Next meetings, and Other business. Ariel asked to include a discussion of how to work with alternative media.

Media Release on June 22 kickoff: Reg drafted and sent release to other WG members for input. Reg will take responsibility for getting it out, primarily to Detroit-area media. Maureen Taylor and Will Copeland are both quoted in release. Karlos has also drafted a release for social network sites, and suggests that everyone try to get information out through Twitter, Facebook, and other social network sites. Karlos offered to talk about using social networking at our next meeting. Bill Bryce will be listed in the release as the media contact person, at the SE Michigan Jobs with Justice office, 313-961-0800, ext. 235. He, Lou, and others will be at the June 22 kickoff at Central United Methodist Church.

LOC meeting report: About 30 people attended the meeting, Reg reported, and reviewed a slide show and printed materials that can be used in outreach. There was a helpful discussion on how we frame and characterize the social forum, ending up with several good points that emphasize the specific challenges facing people, as opposed to broad political language. Lou agreed that there had been constructive discussion on messaging and content and said that there is a very large set of slides available that any presenter can pick and choose from, tailoring them to specific audiences.

Outreach: The outreach committee is moving forward fast and we need to work more closely with them, Reg reported. The committee needs photos that depict the economic tsumani facing Detroit. Sylvia said that Project South is finalizing a DVD on the Atlanta USSF and will distribute 1,000 copies. Others reported that a Peoples Freedom Caravan video is almost done, and that a DVD on liberating gender and sexuality is available at Snakegirl.net. All of these could help in reaching out to various audiences as discussion moves forward on USSF2010.

Local Concerns: Sylvia suggested that the tech and communications committee work closely together and noted that we don’t yet have a fully functioning tech committee. Lou said we need more people in on our conversations because things aren’t moving as rapidly at the local level as they are at the national level. Reg said we need a face-to-face meeting, and Bill said he would organize one prior to the kickoff. Nancy has asked for comments on the website by June 13. The communications director position has not yet been posted, pending some clarification on the budget.

Local and Alternative Media: Karlos urged special attention be paid to local independent media in publicizing USSF2010. The Alternative Media Conference in mid-July in Detroit could help build the USSF, and Ariel urged that we focus on how we can best interrelate with the AMC. She is organizing a women’s panel for July 16 and there will be a caucus on women’s issues on July 17. There was general agreement that USSF LOC people should get out to the AMC meeting in order to publicize USSF2010 as well as learn some pointers on how we can build USSF. The Save the Date flyer and other materials will be provided for AMC attendees. Sylvia said that registrations will be available as a result of sponsorship. The group recommended that half of the LOC should attend the AMC.

Next WG conference call will be June 26. A reminded that the kickoff is set for June 2 at Central United Methodist.

Note: Reg is out of town for four weeks but will be accessible by telephone or e-mail. Dave is out of town during July but will be accessible by phone or e-mail.