Logistics and Proposals

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At the 04 Mar 2009 NPC-LOC conference call, NPC organizers asked the LOC to consider and research logistical information and organizing needs in advance of the March 27-29, 2009 meetings in Detroit.

Here are the three main points from Cindy Weisner:

• Division of labor. Suggest anchors discuss if that structure makes sense, and be ready to present what works, ideas, e.g., fiscal (bank account).

Per NPC's suggestion, does it make sense for the LOC to have one "regional organization" lead the organizing process?

Does this model work for Detroit?

Are there other ideas about how we can divide up the work to be done?

What are the local reporting and decision-making processes we envision?

How will we establish a local bank account? Who will oversee it? How will payment decisions be made?

How will we incorporate other groups and individuals into this process?

How will we develop a collective work plan with a time line and bench marks?

• Pros and cons of different venues for 20,000 people—activities, territories, universities, vacant lots, parks, fields, etc.

Cobo Hall (per Maureen Taylor)): GREAT NEWS!!! The visit to Cobo Hall was wonderful. We secured space in all but one meeting room, so we verbally contracted for 74 mtg. rooms, four auditorium spaces, and meeting space on Friday, March 27th, from 9-7 with lunch tentatively at 12:30pm that afternoon. We secured Hart Plaza also. Cost for all the space at Cobo is $30,000 for six days, from 9am to 10pm each day - spaces cleaned daily included. Because we are Detroit residents, price might come down at contract signing. Cost for Hart Plaza rental for same period is $3300/per day, and that includes all space cleaned daily, and all venues up and down. At contract signing, this price can go down also. NEWS! We are able to invite food vendors to the underground area and they are able to make money for their businesses! We will have to talk about what fee to charge them to defray other costs, but this is a blessing! We have to secure audio-visual support on our own for Cobo Hall, and all microphones also, so that is a cost we will have to manage. Total basic cost so far: $30,000 - Cobo/ $16,500 - Hart Plaza...$46,500.00 for all the space we need! WOW!!! (per Dianne Feeley) As of now, Hart Plaza is available June 21-26, 2010. Nothing is locked down at Hart Plaza until we turn in our application. Someone else has an application out for the same dates (more or less) so it would be important to do that as soon as possible. I have the electronic application and can send it to Will or wherever it needs to go. I guess we'll have to try to write up a brief report. Having it a Cobo/Hart Plaza is important in a city where there is little transportation. We would also be able to use WCCC, which is a short walk. I was thinking that we should talk to Wayne State--but I was thinking about their dorms. Understand they are nice, and that might be cheaper than hotel housing.

WHO ELSE CAN RESEARCH POSSIBLE VENUES AND TERRITORIES...

Wayne State University?

Wayne Co Community College (WCCC), Downtown Campus?

Downtown hotels?

Vacant lots?

Local parks?

Fields?

Old theaters?

Meeting halls? (including churches)

Other gathering locations? Unique Detroit settings?

• What are the staffing needs? Job descriptions?

Josué is searching for Atlanta lists.

More specific ideas and thoughts from Cindy, including establishing meeting objectives for March meeting:

• Have team for facilitation committee for NPC 3/27-29: William, Bryce, Elena, Sharon, Jerome, (others?).
• Create Social Forum territory, e.g., tents, youth camp, cultural events. How will Detroit bring forth this vision? Pros and cons of space? E.g., in Guatemala, struggle around university for space and public use…participants took it over.
• Clarity around roles and decision making, parameters—how? Back and forth process? Review working group model—national, regional and local.
• Coordinating volunteer time and efforts from political commitments. Who’s chairing what? Set up a local working group for now? What about 6 months from now?
• Collective work plan? Develop timeline and bench marks.
• Approving budget for Social Forum.
• Resource mobilization and action—group has been meeting since last Social Forum. What is the budget as a whole? Priorities? Cadillac plans? Bare bones budget?
• Develop staffing needs from work plan. What’s the division of labor?
• New recruits to NPC? At this point no new members. Need to determine who, how, gaps, representation questions. Need bigger outreach strategy and clear expectations.
• Laying out ground work, mapping of social movement groups—who do we do outreach to? Build the movement process. Many are waiting for Social Forum dates.
• NPC having team meeting on 3/5/09 to draft Detroit meeting and some logistics; thinking through needs.