11/13/17 Minutes: Russian Revolution Discussions?, Library Committee on Nov 27

In attendance: Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Event Review – We hosted our discussion, “The Russian Revolution: 100 Years Later” on Saturday. We had a decent turnout, and a good talk. Ty notes that while he enjoyed our discussion, it still wasn’t quite what we had intended and advertised. With many people in the room knowing so little of Russian history, Jackson and others spent nearly the first 90 minutes just setting up the people and events of 1917 itself, which left very little time to explore the modern relevance of the Russian Revolution. Two hours just wasn’t enough time! Jackson has started investigating the possibility of a multi-week series of classes, possibly as a successor to DSA’s successful (but soon to be completed) Socialist Feminism series (and possibly with DSA as co-sponsors/organizers).

2. Upcoming Event – We’re showing _Sir, No Sir_ on Friday night. We just need to set up the room, and it’s free to stream online.

3. Book Donation – Ty’s mom offered us some queer books! We added one of them, and Ty will take the one we already had and the one that doesn’t really fit our library to the LGBTQA+ Resource Center.

4. Winter Calendars – Ty will have the calendars designed and printed on Thursday.

5. Library Committee – We have decided that our November 27th meeting will be dedicated to cleaning up and re-organizing our lending library.

Tabled items: Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, labels, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop

Meeting adjourned: 7:35 PM

10/30/17 Minutes: Winter Calendar, Prep for Nov Events

In attendance: Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Upcoming Event – We’re running Reds on Friday night. Jackson still needs to figure out the final details on the pizza we’ve promised to serve, but we’re otherwise ready for it!

2. November Events – We put our last two fall events up on Facebook and our website.

3. Winter Calendar

December:
Saturday, December 2nd, 1-3 PM – Discussion?
Saturday, December 9th, 5-7 PM – Family Movie Night: An American Tail
Friday, December 15th, 7 PM – Popcorn Politics (Co-Hosted by DSA Lincoln): RoboCop (1987)

January:
January 12 *tentative*, 7 PM – Popcorn Politics (Co-Hosted by DSA Lincoln): American History X
Date TBD – Movie Night: Trapped (2016 documentary about abortion access)
Date TBD, 1-3 PM – Discussion
Date TBD – Counter-Protest to the Walk for Life

February:
Saturday, February 3rd, 1-3 PM – Sankara and the African Fight Against Imperialism
February 9, 7 PM – Popcorn Politics (Co-Hosted by DSA Lincoln): TBD
February 23, 7 PM – Movie Night: Whose Streets? *tentative*

Discussion ideas: liberation theology, national liberation movements/separatism (maybe focusing on Kurdistan or Spain/Catalan?), prison-industrial complex (“Modern-Day Slavery”?), reading discussion? — “10 things every white teacher should know when talking about race” (https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/10-things-every-white-teacher-know-talking-race)

Tabled items: Winter Calendar, Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, labels, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop

Meeting adjourned: 8:30 PM

10/16/17 Minutes: Winter Calendar discussion

In attendance: Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Event Review – We ran They Live for our second Popcorn Politics movie on Friday night. It was a fun, with a great turnout and a great discussion afterward.

2. Upcoming Event – Robert’s presentation on Factory Farming is this Saturday. Ty reports that we may need a laptop with Windows on it to open his PowerPoint. He’ll look into it.

3. Winter Calendar –

We and DSA are interested in continuing Popcorn Politics into the winter with three more movies. Major suggestions raised on Friday after THey Live were RoboCop, Full Metal Jacket, Dr. Strangelove, American History X, and The Terminator.

Jackson suggests that we perhaps do another race-centric February lineup in honor of Black History Month. We are also currently considering adding Whose Streets as a February movie, depending on its availability. (It’s still being shown in theaters.) Ty suggests that the February discussion could be on the racists dimensions of the prison-industrial complex, possibly with a provocative title calling it something like “Modern-Day Slavery.” Jackson is intrigued, but concerned about the specifics of marketing that event so that we’re clearing saying “blackness is treated as criminal” and not awkwardly implying that “black people are criminals”.

Ty also thinks we should maybe have one of our discussions on immigration.

Family-Friendly Movie Night: An American Tail
Or: The Iron Giant, The Secret of NIMH, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa

Reed brought up a Frank Little independent film and book that recently came out. And we could potentially discuss him or screen the film.

We had a discussion about national liberation movements and international solidarity, but as far as turning it into a discussion, we’d have to work on making sure it’s not overly theoretical and able to be accessible for folks who don’t know much about the topics.

Some ideas that were left over from the Fall Calendar planning:

Discussion Group: “10 things every white teacher should know when talking about race” (https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/10-things-every-white-teacher-know-talking-race)

January/February: Trans Clothing Exchange

Chris is interested in doing a presentation on Thomas Sankara.

Tabled items: Winter Calendar, Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, labels, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop

Meeting adjourned: 8:15 PM

 

10/2/17 Minutes: Winter Calendar Brainstorming

In Attendance: Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Event Reviews – We ran two movies since our last meeting. Blade Runner went really well, with a really good turnout and discussion. Jackson just thinks he needs to be better about announcing the snack table before starting the movie. We also ran The Brave Little Toaster, which wasn’t well attended. We probably could’ve promoted it harder. We’ll try to run another family-friendly animated movie in the winter calendar.

2. Next Week – Jackson reports that Indigo Bridge is hosting a panel discussion “Activists, Academics, and Altruists: Environmental Activism” to inform people about getting involved in environmentalist work. While that sounds interesting, we probably won’t be going and will leave our meeting on as scheduled.

3. October Events – We spent some meeting time to work on getting our October events onto Facebook and our website.

4. Winter Calendar –

Family-Friendly Movie Night: An American Tail
Or: The Iron Giant, The Secret of Nimh, Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa

Some ideas that were left over from the Fall Calendar planning:

Discussion Group: “10 things every white teacher should know when talking about race” (https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/10-things-every-white-teacher-know-talking-race)

January/February: Trans Clothing Exchange

Chris is interested in doing a presentation on Thomas Sankara.

Tabled items: Winter Calendar, Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, labels, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop

Meeting adjourned: 8:15 PM

9/11/17 Minutes: Event Review, AK Press

In Attendance: Chris, Jackson (secretary), James, Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Event Review – We had our reading/discussion group on “Everyday Anti-Fascism in the Era of Trump.” We had a good turnout, and a pretty lively discussion. We probably should’ve moderated better, as it was heated at a couple of points. Ty thinks we could’ve been more assertive. James thinks we should’ve asked more questions to maybe better understand some of the disagreements in the room.

2. Railroad Safety/Solidarity – Chris gave a report back on railroad safety and the legal importance of a current legal case against two Canadian rail workers.

3. DSA Fundraiser – James reported back on the DSA fundraiser in town last night.

4. AK Press Sale – Ty informed the group of AK Press having a sale on their books. We spent the rest of the meeting looking into adding some anarchist literature to our lending library.

Meeting adjourned: 8:45 PM

Tabled items: Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop)

8/28/17 Minutes: September 25th Meeting, Button Labels

In Attendance: Dino, Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Event Review: We hosted “Dismantling the Patriarachy: Via Communication.” Jackson reports that it went well, that he paid out the $50 speaker’s stipend we agreed to last week, and that our speaker Serendipiti may be in town for a while longer and expressed interest in doing more workshops here soon. We would be excited to host her again.

2. Upcoming Event: Jackson reports that the Lincoln DSA will be hosting a discussion on Venezuela here tomorrow evening. He will be opening up and having the room ready for them.

3. Self-Care For Activists: Ty reports that there will be an interesting event on campus on Monday, September 25th called “How to Change the World and Have a Good Time: Self-Care For Activists” from 7:30-9 PM in the New Cather Dining Center. We agree that we’d like to check that out, so we’ll cancel our meeting that week.

4. Graphic Designer: Ty has friends volunteering to design buttons for us! And he has a lot of ideas for new designs and updates on our existing inventory. Tabled to next week.

5. Labels for Buttons: Jackson reports that he can get us 100 sheets/12,000 labels for $29.90 including shipping. Ty thinks we can burn through those eventually, and suggests that we go for it! Jackson placed the order at the meeting and will be reimbursed $29.90 for the labels.

6. September Web Events: We spent the rest of our meeting posting our movie nights for the latter part of September.

Meeting adjourned: 8:18 PM

Tabled items: Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop)

8/14/17 Meeting Minutes: Solidarity for CVille, Fall Calendars!, Last-Minute Events?!

In attendance: Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Event Review – We ran Fukushima Uncensored (maybe) on Friday night. Jackson may have accidentally loaded the wrong documentary, which had also been posted to YouTube under the same title. We had a great turnout though, and a pretty lively discussion afterward.

2. Vigil – We co-hosted an emergency vigil along with DSA Lincoln on behalf of the anti-fascists attacked by Neo-Nazis in CVIlle, Virginia this weekend. On less than 36 hours notice, we helped to rally about 500 people to Downtown Lincoln and raised almost $1000 for the survivors’ medical bills.

3. Solidarity Donation for CVille – We’ll also make a $50 donation to the comrades in Virginia from our treasury.

4. Reimbursement – Ty got our fall calendars printed, and he needs to be reimbursed. We agree that he’ll get his $12.07 back.

5. Calendar distro – Ty and Jackson made plans to get our fall calendars up tomorrow.

6. September Reading Group – Jackson took a few minutes of our relatively light meeting to get our first fall event up to Facebook, and Ty copied it to our website.

7. Last-minute Summer Events – DSA has contacted Jackson today about running another Young Socialists educational discussion on Tuesday the 29th. Jackson is free that day, so he’ll open up the House and host them.

We’ve also received an email about a travelling speaker who wants to host a workshop called “Dismantling the Patriarchy: Via Communication” here on Saturday the 26th from 6-8 PM. We’re interested in this event, and Jackson can open the House and host. Jackson will call the provided number and work out the logistics.

Meeting adjourned: 7:50 PM

Tabled items: Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, labels, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop

7/31/17 Minutes: Website Renewal, PayPal button, Fall Calendar

In attendance: Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Upcoming Event – “What is Anarchism?” is this Saturday! We should read up a bit, and share it on Facebook. We should be ready by Saturday.

2. Web Renewal – Our website hosting is due for its annual renewal expenses. It will cost Jackson $193.39, and we agree he will be reimbursed from the treasury.

3. Fundraiser – Ty took a few minutes of meeting time to make some changes to our website to better accomodate Robert’s fundraiser. We now have a PayPal button!

4. Fall Calendar –

September:
Saturday, September 9, 1-3 PM: Reading Group:“Everyday Anti-Fascism in the Era of Trump” (https://roarmag.org/magazine/everyday-anti-fascism-trump/)
Friday, September 22nd, 7-10 PM: Popcorn Politics (Co-Hosted by Lincoln DSA): Blade Runner
TBD: Another movie night?

October:
Friday, October 13, 7-10 PM: Popcorn Politics (Co-Hosted by Lincoln DSA): They Live
Saturday, October 21, 1-3 PM: Factory Farming Awareness Coalition Presentation: Impacts of our Food Choices
TBD: Another movie night?

November:
Friday, November 3rd, 6-10 PM: Popcorn Politics (Co-Hosted by Lincoln DSA): Reds (1981)
Saturday, November 11th, 1-3 PM: The Russian Revolution: 100 Years Later (a community discussion)
Friday, November 17th, 7-10 PM: Movie Night: Sir! No Sir!

TBD: Family Movie Night: The Brave Little Toaster (potentially collaborating with the Repair Cafe? The themes of the film and why we’d show it in the first place also meshes nicely with their mission. Jackson will message folks he knows from that group on whether they would want to co-sponsor the event somehow)

Future ideas:
Discussion Group: “10 things every white teacher should know when talking about race” (https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/10-things-every-white-teacher-know-talking-race)

Ty’s unavailability (greyout days): September 22, 29, 30; October 27
Football game days (blackout): September 2, 16, 23; October 7, 14; November 4, 24
DIO Fest September 14-17th
UNL Fall Break October 14th-15th
Thanksgiving November 24th-26th

5. Sama – Jackson tried to contact Sama today for follow-up on her touring plans, but she did not respond to him in time for a report at this meeting. Tabled.

Meeting adjourned: 8:18 PM

Tabled items: Sama, Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, labels, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop

7/17/17 Minutes: Popcorn Politics, Fall Calendar

In Attendance: Anthony, Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:00 PM

1. Event Review: We co-hosted the movie Pride with the Lincoln DSA. It was a good turnout and a really good film. Jackson says we should consider running it again.

2. Upcoming Events: We’re hosting a DSA discussion on Wednesday and running The Great Dictator on Friday night. We’re ready for them, but Ty reminds us to make sure we promote it well on Facebook.

3. Popcorn Politics:

September: We have decided to start the series on Friday, September 22nd. This is in accordance with two polls on the DSA Facebook, which stated a preference for Friday nights and no preference as for which Friday in September. We have decided that we will run Blade Runner for the first movie night. Anthony will run two more polls on the DSA Facebook to see about film and date preferences for October. We decided we will let the winner of the poll be our October film. It will be an open poll, but it should be pre-loaded with the following films that have already been recommended:

They Live
Reds
Get Out
Mad Max: Fury Road
Snowpiercer

4. Fall Calendar:

September:
Friday, September 22nd, 7-10 PM: Popcorn Politics (Co-Hosted by Lincoln DSA): Blade Runner

October:
TBD: Popcorn Politics #2
Saturday, October 21, 1 to 3 PM: Factory Farming Awareness Coalition Presentation

November:
TBD: Popcorn Politics #3
Date TBD: Movie Night: Sir! No Sir!

Ideas:
Discussion Group: “10 things every white teacher should know when talking about race” (https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/10-things-every-white-teacher-know-talking-race) OR “Everyday Anti-Fascism in the Era of Trump” (https://roarmag.org/magazine/everyday-anti-fascism-trump/)
Family Movie Night: The Brave Little Toaster (potentially collaborating with the Repair Cafe? The themes of the film and why we’d show it in the first place also meshes nicely with their mission. Jackson will message folks he knows from that group on whether they would want to co-sponsor the event somehow)
October Revolution 100 year anniversary: Movie Night “Reds” (potentially part of Popcorn Politics) AND also a discussion event.

Ty’s unavailability (greyout days): September 22, 29, 30; October 27
Football game days (blackout): September 2, 16, 23; October 7, 14; November 4, 24
DIO Fest September 14-17th
UNL Fall Break October 14th-15th
Thanksgiving November 24th-26th

5. August Events – We still need to get them posted to our website and Facebook, but we don’t have time or energy left to do that tonight! Tabled.

Meeting adjourned: 8:20 PM

Tabled items: August events, Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, labels, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop)

7/3/17 Minutes: A Very Short, Internet-less Meeting

In attendance: Jackson (secretary), Ty (moderator)
Start time: 7:02 PM

1. Event Reviews – We showed Paris is Burning on Friday night. The turnout was low, as unfortunately we wound up competing against a fundraiser at the Indian Center.

We also hosted our discussion on Racism, Capitalism, and the American Revolution on Saturday afternoon. We had a good turnout, and a lively discussion. We were even visited by an anarchist from Sweden!

We wound up having two pretty good events, even if we awkwardly dealt with not having Internet access at the House this weekend!

Meeting adjourned: 7:20 PM

Tabled items: Articles for Discussion, Graphic Designer, Stuff to Buy (canopy, stuff to secure bike rack, labels, 7×7 no-slip outdoor mat for porch, new SSD hard drive for public laptop)