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The Progressive Alliance meeting convened in Carr 137 at 5:38 pm with 28 people in attendance. Natalie Lamela (nl12) moderated and Chris Paul (cjp2) took notes.
Agenda items were announced to include Democracy South, the Staples Campaign, Vagina Monologues, the Progressive Constitution, SERC, BJB/New Era, Student Peace Action Network Chapter Charter, and MLK week reflections.
Adam Sotak, from Democracy South of Carrboro, spoke about 2 month summer internship positions working on campaign finance reform in North Carolina. The program starts in late May, and has a $1000/month stipend. See www.all4democracy.org
Laura King (lek3), Allison Brim (agb7), and Chris Paul (cjp2) spoke on the newly adopted Staples campaign to get them to use more recycled paper products in their stores. This Thursday, Jan 31st, there will be a phone-in to Staples from the Bryan Center Walkway, in preparation for the Protest Party of the new CEO, who will be starting next Monday, Feb 4th. A consensus decision was reached to provide up to $30 dollars from our budget towards this campaign, with hopes of some reimbursements from the Dogwood Alliance. Contact Allison, Chris, or Laura for more info on how to help with the campaign, and you can check out www.stopstaples.net and www.dogwoodalliance.org.
Pavithra Vasudevan (pv5) discussed the upcoming Vagina Monologues for V-Day (to end violence against women). There will also be discussions in concurrence with the shows, which will be on the 14th and 15th of February. A consensus decision was reached to purchase a $50 half-page ad in the program, to show Progressive’s support of the program. Natalie volunteered to work on the design and it was agreed it would include our mission statement, taken from the constitution. Volunteers are needed, please contact Shannon Johnson [shannon.johnson@duke.edu] For more info, visit http://wc.studentaffairs.duke.edu/vday.html.
The Progressive Charter and Constitution was presented by Chris Paul (cjp2). Jillian noted that we also must find a faculty sponsor. Mariana and Natalie said they would help look into potential sponsors. Suggestions included Dr. Burian in Classics, Dr. Warren in African American Studies, Dr. Kiss in PS, and Dr. Wilson. It was decided by consensus that voting on the constitution would be postponed, but that the drafting would be continued with possible decision over the listserv.
Chris Paul (cjp2) requested group input for the newly acquired website, including a logo design.
Jonathan Harris (jfh4) and Allison Brim (agb7) presented the latest on the Mt. Olive campaign. Jim Wilkerson, head of purchasing for Duke, is currently in dialogue with both Mt. Olive and FLOC. It was requested to the group that someone write an Op-ed for the Chronicle, to keep the issue in the student body’s awareness. There will be tabling this upcoming week on the issue, including the creation of a petition supporting Jim Wilkerson, and his support of these human rights issues, so that he is aware of the student body’s general support of the issue.
Progressive will be sponsoring a Thursday Night Pickle Picket with FLOC at the Hillsborough road Kroger on Jan 31st from 5:30-6:30 pm. There will be rides from the West bus stop at 5:15 pm sharp. Progressive is responsible for bringing at least 15 people although we should try for at least 30 to keep the momentum with this campaign- bring a friend! Contact Jonathan (jfh4) for more info.
Allison Brim (agb7), Michaela Kerrissey (mjk15), and Jonathan Harris (jfh4) presented the latest updates on the New Era/BJB Duke apparel campaign. The boycott continues, as does the strike- Allison distributed stylish union made hats that proclaim “Don’t buy new era caps.” Members are needed to write letters of solidarity to the BJB workers in the Dominican Republic. See Allison for more info.
There will be a Jobs with Justice meeting on Monday February 4th at 7 pm on 331 West Main St. There will be a ride from the West Campus Bus stop at 6:45 pm. Contact Jonathon (jfh4) for more info.
Sam Hummel (sdh2) and Allison Brim (agb7) presented information on the GrassRoots Organizing Weekend, which USAS/Progressive will be sponsoring with a large part of the budget (~$3000). Allison said she would help work to find other campus organizations/departments willing to help shoulder the costs. Despite scheduling challenges, GROW was decided to be held on March 1-3, also the weekend of the home Duke/Carolina game, which was speculated to reduce attendance. Contact Allison to assist with planning, and visit http://www.usstudents.org/cgi-bin/ussa?/grow for more information.
Pavithra (pv5) presented the latest on the Student Employee Relations Committee, and passed around a sheet to gain more names of interested students. The grow training will tie into a new campaign to be launched by SERC regarding accountability of the university to labor issues here on campus. Contact Pavithra for more info.
Allison Brim (agb7) announced that USSA will be providing free Electoral Action Training from February 8th-10th. This weekend workshop will focus on campaign finance reform, and will complement the upcoming GROW weekend. Allison suggested that we try to invite other groups, like the Campus Democrats and DSG.
Jillian Johnson (jnj) and Chris Paul (cjp2) presented information on a new organization that is part of the Progressive Alliance, a Duke chapter of the Student Peace Action Network. It was decided that a separate meeting would be held to ratify the constitution and organize the group.
Please email Natalie (nl12) with comments or concerns on her moderating this evening.
The next progressive meeting will be Sunday, February 10th, 2002, in Carr 114 at 7:00 pm. Michaela Kerrissey (mjk15) will be facilitating. Please email Michaela with agenda items.