May 2007 Local Meeting
From SP Boston
The Socialist Party of Boston met at noon on Sunday, 27 May 2007 in the Lucy Parsons Center. We did a lot of boring stuff, to be brutally honest, but also had some interesting discussions about upcoming elections and organizing on local and state levels.
[edit] Agenda
- Introductions and agenda approval
- Reports on recent events
- May Day.
- Wake Up the Earth Festival.
- BioJustice 2007.
- George H.W. Bush protest at Salem State.
- "Ending the War: Which Way Forward?" forum.
- Boring stuff
- Finances and bank account.
- Review old by-laws, see if any changes should be made.
- New flyers and statements, June/July bulletin.
- Future events and actions
- Opt-out rally on 6/1.
- Antiwar actions and the Democratic Presidential primaries debates in New Hampshire, 6/3.
- YPSLCON and the US Social Forum (6/27 - 7/1) in Atlanta.
- Anti-imperialist Fourth of July picnic in Western Mass (7/1).
- Assembling Peace V (7/13) and antiwar strategy session (7/14).
- SP Mass Convention oven the summer
- The National Convention in the fall, 19-21 October in St. Louis, MO.
- Get-together later in June?
[edit] Minutes
- Introductions and agenda approval
- The meeting was attended by Matt A., Chas H., Chris P. and David S.
- Reports on recent events
- In addition to the actual reports, we discussed the best way to get in touch with people like the Salem State Socialists when events (such as the George H. W. Bush protest) take place in their neighborhood.
- Boring stuff
- We filled out some of the necessary paperwork for opening up a bank account. There was general agreement that the whole process could best be described as a pain in the ass.
- We made relatively extensive revisions to the old SP Boston By-laws we had received from Bill Shakalis. Most of the changes were simply changing wording; however, we also made local dues voluntary.
- Chris proposed changing our jurisdiction from a 25-mile radius around the State House to a region based on electoral districts. We'll develop proposals for the state meeting in North Amherst following the Fourth of July picnic on 1 July.
- We reviewed the June/July bulletin and some other literature, fixed a few omissions and agreed on a few additions.
- Future events and actions
- David mentioned two upcoming antiwar events taking place in the week after the meeting. An opt-out rally where some 1000 opt-out cards will be delivered to the State House on Friday and protests at the Democratic Presidential Primaries Debate in New Hampshire on Sunday.
- There was a lengthy discussion of local and national elections, especially focusing on Matt Geary, an at-large candidate for City Council who is a member of Socialist Alternative. Although we had little information on him and his campaign, several expressed interest in getting more information.
- David reported that the City Councilor in his district was not running for re-election, but that he had decided not to throw his hat into the ring.
- Chris was enthusiastic about getting out to Kennebunkport to protest during Bush's vacation there in August. More details on that will be posted as they become available.
- Chris recommended more frequent meetings. David suggested reactivating Greater Boston YPSL and holding its meetings in between SP meetings. David also suggested some sort of social gathering later in June.