Hi fam! #NYCGA is about to start at 60 Wall; we’ll livetweet here and @LibertySqGA2, @LibertySqGA3, @LibertySqGA4. #NYCGA #OWS

Andy and @bana_be are facilitating; Andy is telling us about his facilitation style, which he describes as “active.” #NYCGA #OWS

.@bana_be tells us the plan for tonight: working group reportbacks, a discussion on Vision and Goals’ Vision stment, & a discussion frm DA.

Andy: “We’re going to do the DA conversation first; this will be a discussion-based GA. We won’t come to consensus on anything…”

Cont’d: “…so it should be a different feel.” Andy reviews our process. “If you’d like to speak, here’s our stack taker; put a hand up…”

Cont’d: “…and she’ll see you, and you can get on stack.” Sparkle fingers up = you like, sparkle flat = not sure, sparkle down = not a fan.

Andy cautious us about how we use down-twinkles, because sometimes it’s disrespectful to express negativity while someone is talking. #NYCGA

Andy also reminds us that a point of information – one finger up – isn’t an opinion. “You’re helping someone to create a more formed idea..”

Cont’d: “…with a very relevant piece of information.” Also nods to clarifying questions (mk a C w/ yr hand), bt we likely won’t use tonight.

Working group reportbacks! Christine from Accounting starts, tells us they’ll begin to report on our finances each Saturday GA going fwd.

Expenses and donations are published at http://t.co/YrZWLbTS. (I’ll get specific numbers later.) #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Class War WG. “Free Ellis!” Also, they’re working on getting Class War Radio going, and on a “Smash Capitalism” march for May 31st.

Class War WG meets Wednesdays at 5pm at Charlotte’s Place. “Fuck Monsanto,” Anthony finishes. #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba from Outreach reminds us about Occupy Town Square, a pop-up occupation in Tompkins Square Park all day tomorrow! #NYCGA #OWS

Outreach also reminds us about the City-wide GA scheduled for April 14th. #NYCGA #OWS

SIS notes that since the office closed, they’ll move equipment to SIS, where working groups can borrow things lk netbooks, etc. #NYCGA #OWS

The process for borrowing netbooks is on a daily basis, you leave your ID as collateral and need to return it by 7pm same-day. #NYCGA #OWS

Casper (SIS) hopes that folks will take advantage of “the netbooks not sitting gathering dust somewhere,” like using them to take minutes.

Next, Facilitation reports back. “Our Spokescouncil will be making a 1-night-only appearance at 56 Walker, 7pm, Monday.” #NYCGA #OWS

Also, “on February 29th,” Facilitation will offer direct democracy training during the pop-up occupation in Bryant Park! #NYCGA #OWS

Next, Direct Action is really excited about #F29. “There’ll be some fun actions, including having the Plus Brigade come out, so we can…”

Cont’d: “…show the world we’re not super serious all the time!” Plus brigades are fun “blocs”, i.e. a clown bloc, a dancing bloc, etc.#NYCGA

Also, “May Day is where we’re going to shut down- no school, no work, no shopping, non-compliance w/ this capitalist system!” #NYCGA

Ah, apparently direct action won’t be presenting their proposal tonight, so we’ll have most of GA to discuss the Vision and Goals proposal.

Andy: “They’ve got a set of 3 questions they’d like to give; I’d like to discuss them in breakout groups and then come back,” report back.

Andy: “With breakout groups, you’ll get a really awesome representation of the overall thoughts on these questions from the whole group.”

Andy suggests we give 30 minutes for the breakout groups. Vision and Goals will introduce the discussions. #NYCGA #OWS

.@shushugah : “Right now, we don’t feel the crowd sourcing process is working, so we’d like you all to discuss other ways we can..” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “..develop our vision and goals.” Sumumba also wants to talk about whether #OWS is “a mass movement or something else.” #NYCGA

Sumumba: “Are we just talking about what we feel about it, or are we trying to mobilize the whole city?” Preserve radical identity or not?

Yoni: “And can we have a vision and goals document that represents all of #OWS? Is that concept viable or not?” #NYCGA

Sumumba asks folks to mix it up, try to sit with folks they don’t know as they form their breakout grps. “We should all be friends!” #NYCGA

So, we’ll count off into breakout groups, discuss the ?s, and then return w/ reportbacks in about 30 minutes. See you in a bit! #NYCGA #OWS

OK, GA is starting up again! We’ll hear reportbacks from the breakout groups first. #NYCGA #OWS

First: “I’m from Charlotte, just got here last night, was here the first week. One person is not happy b/c on this thing it doesn’t…”

Cont’d: “…address the new laws that have gone through, like NDAA, or aggression towards Iran, and other things that have happened…”

Cont’d:”…and we need to all agree, so one idea was to put something in here to address all the things that have popped up since the start.”

Next: “Can we make a vision statement? We think it’ll be difficult, but if we try to keep it simple and broaden our image, we can keep…”

Cont’d: “…everyone happy.” They believe we’re a mass movement already, should stay that way. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “First, is it possible to have a statement for 99%? And… ppl weren’t quite sure, in the onset, before discussion. Ppl…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…also said they were interested in a mass movement, and how do we communicate with a larger audience?” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “It was also felt ppl really need to check their hubris; OWS began as an action and some ppl feel is still an action…” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: And, “we must go to the original source” of what made the movement happen. “Visions are important for the world; this is…” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…a mass movement, and the vision is for #OWS, as all occupations are autonomous. But know that ppl do look to #OWS.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “Do not let labels and things get in the way;” think of each other not ideologically but as human beings. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “We can’t let it fade away. What’s happened is it’s started as an action, but galvanized a lot of ppl who didn’t know what…”

Cont’d: “…was behind the action.” Labels are divisive, think of things as human beings and “of a time beyond the horizon, 5 years from now..

Cont’d: “…what’s that going to look like?” Next: “We believe that #OWS reps itself on any proposal, don’t represent other occupys.” #NYCGA

Cont’d: “We shouldn’t be presumptuous to think we represent anything outside of our working groups” and GA. “How do we represent a grp…”

Cont’d: “…one way to do it is to produce it in a working group, then show overlay of how it relates to GA.” Suggests we split it, go…

Cont’d: …point by point, and then “present the overlay” to the document and then you can “see how this document represents OWS.” #NYCGA

Next, question, to whom is the Vision statement addressed? “I think it’s addressed to ourselves and we invite the world to ‘eavesdrop’ on..”

Cont’d: “…our conversation about the values we share.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, feel like maybe now isn’t the time for this, should put on back burner. “Actions are a good representation of who we are.” #NYCGA

They also questioned the idea that we need a Vision statement, since one was not needed “for us to show up here.” #NYCGA #OWS

They also talked about an idea for each working group to have its own vision statement. RE: radical vs reform, “some of us felt like…”

Cont’d: “…if we’re a radical movement, maybe we shouldn’t have to become more moderate; how do we deal w/ disagreements between radicals…”

Cont’d: “…and reformists?” Suggests we take opportunities to learn about each other, find some common ground. #NYCGA #OWS

Also, “we’re not a representative body of the 99%, and not of the most marginalized and oppressed.” Maybe not focus on vision, but… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…outreach, and organizing from the margins, and seeing where other communities are and what their goals are and work with them.”

OK, that’s it. There is actually one other proposal! And then announcements, and a bit of debrief to close. #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba closes by mentioning that he’s hosting conversations about our strategies at 7pm every Friday. #NYCGA #OWS

Here’s the proposal, from Rayshaun Ratcliff. http://t.co/GuG30uY6 #NYCGA #OWS

Rayshaun: “In business, you have to convince ppl that the sky is red when it’s really blue, but in this situation we don’t have to do that.”

“It’s a Marketing strategy. So, we’re targeting people who don’t believe in magic.” Ppl who you ask to join an organization, and they…

Cont’d: “…don’t have time for it.” So he wants to design a poster that targets different folks’ issues, like better schools, better jobs…

Cont’d: …”like, universal issues that everybody can relate to.” Post them around the city; at the same time, go on trains, start feeding…

Cont’d: …everybody in the city, with a t-shirt on that says OWS and our website.” This would get folks involved, he says. #NYCGA #OWS

“We take the posters, we put em out for issues that everybody likes,” wants to tape it all, make commercials, posters, any media they want.

Andy notes it sounds like an idea for a campaign, which is great, and we can talk about and develop it more now. #NYCGA #OWS

Daryl: “What you’re really talking about is branding, which has kind of a dirty connotation, but it’s about making a name for yourself…”

Cont’d: “…so that ppl know who exactly you are,” and then ppl have an image of you they recognize. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “One of the things I thought of, too, was like, the signs off of bridges? You get like thousands of ppl seeing message every day.”

Cont’d; “So, yeah, man. I like where you’re going with that; I think we need to get on some outreach and get rock and rolling.” #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba notes that Outreach is already doing some of it, and invites Rayshaun to their meeting, 6:30pm on Mondays. #NYCGA #OWS

Next: “That’s great; I hope the stuff you’re organizing achieves what it means to do.” Takes issue w/ calling #OWS an organization… #NYCGA

Cont’d: “…it’s a collective.” And thus there’s no “membership or anything like that.” Says it makes it sound like a political party. #NYCGA

Cont’d; “It’s more about participation. I hope that makes sense.” #NYCGA #OWS

.@Shushugah says it’s a great idea; hopes he’ll work with others doing similar things. He does take issue with charity, “it’s like a…”

Cont’d: “…bandage solution” to a deeper wound, “or something.” Also feels that it’s more than a brand that needs to spread… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “…#OWS is an entire process,” not something that can be expressed “in one message or on a tshirt.” #NYCGA #OWS

Lopi says his strategy reminds her of Black Panthers, doesn’t sound lk charity, “it’s abt taking actual actions to create positive imagery.”

Lopi notes that Outreach, Kitchen, Screenprinters could be involved, asks if we’re going to collaborate b/w working grps for things lk this.

Cont’d: “I encourage you to go to those three working groups I mentioned and getting them inspired about it, and then using an action…”

Cont’d: “…committee or something to make it happen.” [Oooh, awesome point and idea… -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS

I think next comment is about being careful that large-scale messaging doesn’t offend people who don’t agree with it. #NYCGA #OWS

Steve points out that getting everybody working together to do something is a great idea. “That said, I also think doing outreach through…”

Cont’d: “…community service is absolutely essential to this movement, b/c if we want to grow,” but aren’t doing work w/in communities…

Cont’d: …that would be bad, basically. He loves the idea. #NYCGA #OWS

Dallas: “Not to be a wet blanket, just for liability issues,” maybe not giving out food, but certificates, due to safety issues. #NYCGA #OWS

Also, “we’re trying to empower the working class and the unemployed,” mentions there’s a guy on the D train who hands stuff out… #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: …but “he’s not doing anything else.” #NYCGA #OWS

Next, “I like the idea;” willing to help work w/ it. Thinks it would have been beneficial to have it in writing. Lks idea of service. #NYCGA

Cont’d; “You know, we need to do more things.” Will propose we run in a “race” together to raise money for a cause. #NYCGA #OWS

And last: “What I understood is that your audience is going to be relevant ppl… is that what you were saying?” #NYCGA #OWS

A: “That’s a bad choice of words.” CQ: “But, relevant persons?” Suggests he gets rid of 99%, feels that is divisive. “All humans…”

Cont’d: …she feels is who we should include. “No difference, we’re humans.” #NYCGA #OWS

OK, that’s it for stack, interesting little messaging discussion. Finally, announcements. #NYCGA #OWS

Sam: Feb 28, Union Square, “all #Occupy movements have been beaten down, it’s time to stand up.” 2pm! Rally and march. #NYCGA #OWS

Next, “I just wanted to make a quick save-the-date for March 17th, which is #OWS’ 6-month anniversary!” #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “I think the theme is going to be 6 month anniversary, 24-hour occupation,” someone also suggested a party. #NYCGA #OWS

Sumumba announces the location of #leisurecaucus, and reminds folks that MRG are having an informational meeting at West Park, tmrw, 7pm.

Cont’d: “Come and meet the people that are trying to support us,” with funding for projects raised from outside. #NYCGA #OWS

There’s going to be a meeting of Accountability and Transparency at 1pm, at Occupy Town Squares tomorrow in Tompkins Square. #NYCGA #OWS

Cont’d: “Some ppl who read on website may be under impression we’re about hounding accounting — no!” Want to get info spread. #NYCGA #OWS

Lady invites everyone to “occupy Zuccotti Park” at all times! “There’s a guy who stays out there all the time; he’s there frm 12pm to 8am..”

Cont’d: Lady suggests we go out there and support and Occupy, she recently did with four people. “It was awesome!” #NYCGA #OWS

That’s it for announcements. Andy: “I’m going to try to suck the last bit of energy for you guys,” asks ppl to yell out opinions about…

Cont’d: ..how having a discussion makes you feel.” “Warm, fuzzy, empowered,” “lifted,” “happy,” “mellower, more connected,” “let’s go,”…

Cont’d: “…organic,” “refreshed, “super-sexy!” Woohoo! “Super sexy! Everybody have a good night!” [Thx fam! See you Monday. -Ed.] #NYCGA #OWS