Progressive Alliance

Minutes: Wednesday, March 9, 2005 9:00 p.m.

I.             Introductions

               A.           Lars: introduces self and asks the group to do the same

                              1.            Name, organization and something you like beginning with T or W.

II.            Discussion: What do we want the Progressive Alliance to be?

               A.           Open discussion

·        Omar Hasan (Dems): each group should send liaisons to coordinate group activities.

·        Jenna Carls (Dems): meetings should be informal, more food, create connections

·        Scott Simmons: In addition to everything else, we should have fun!

·        Kyle Schafer (NOWAR, The Protest, SEJ): Should not just be an exec board coalition.  Ned to bring in general members to prevent deal-making (cosponsorships, etc.)

·        Mateo Hinojosa (?) (NOWAR, The Protest): Should only meet once per quarter.

·        David Rubenstein (Dems): should come together to help one another achieve common goals rather than just coordinate activities.

·        Pauline Ekholt (FMO): FMO coordinator elections coming up and candidate Michael Collins is productive and outward-looking.  Craig is not.  Everyone should come and vote.

·        Person Who Pauline Has Never Seen Before (Cassandra Chen?): There’s a lot of activist/progressive sentiment on campus and we need to mobilize it.

·        David: Agrees.  Need to overcome apathy and organize.

·        Patrick Keenan-Devlin (ASG): ASG can help, has lots of money.  ASG also dominated by progressive people

·        Mateo: Three main points that are being discussed and we want to get done:

1.      Communication (esp. via Internet, as per Leslie Gittings of Rainbow Alliance and Devin Novgorodoff of Chicago Coalition of College Democrats)

2.      Coordination: coordinating campaigns and mutual assistance with common agendas

3.      Enjoying ourselves!

·        Kyle: PA should probably not hold its own events.  Don’t want it to become just another student group.  Needs to remain a coalition.

·        ?: Lots of input and popular sympathy for progressive groups, but lacking in resources and organization to facilitate output.

·        ? (hidden person sitting to my left): Need to delegate and form task forces or committees to get things done.

·        ? (Scott?): Should advertise policy and ideals as well as events like PSAs

III.          Motions and proposals

·        Mateo: motion to adjourn by 10:30.

§        How do we decide things?  Proposed: 2/3rds majority of groups present. à Passed.

§        Proposed: must have a party soon! à Passed unanimously

·        Ammendment: must be a rockin’ good time. à passed

§        Proposed: send liaisons  to next meeting, Wed. March 30, K 2-412, 9 pm à passed

§        Proposed: make a website to coordinate, power to do so given to 4-person team à passed

IV.          Final comments and business

·        Kyle: will send invites to NUprogressive@yahoogroups.com

·        Others?

V.               Meeting adjourned