Head count: 17 total. (5 women, 12 men).

Committee Announcements

Outreach: Meeting at James’ place, Monday Feb 20th, 8pm.

Indigenous Solidarity: Families of Sisters In Spirit rally went well. Colin made a tableau. There’s an event on Feb 27th at 8pm, 10 Stuart St., about the history of Algonquin people in this area. Indigenous Solidarity meets Feb 20th at 5pm, at the Bridgehead on MacLaren.

Political Action Committee meeting tonight is cancelled. The committee will meet Wednesday Feb 22nd, at 8pm, at the Occu-tims on Metcalfe & Laurier.

Facilitation: Reviewing past GA videos with the idea of getting information for the best time for GAs. There’s a Facebook poll on the Occupy Ottawa site asking for suggestions for GA times.

Finance: Will have a bank account by tomorrow.

Arts & Culture: Shanghai Art Show Feb 28th. There will be an event on March 7th focusing on female participants and artists. Amin is filming testimonials, Saturday Feb 18th from 12pm to 2:30pm.

Direct Action: Giving out free hot chocolate at Confederation Park Saturday, Feb 18th, at 3pm.

Women’s Caucus: Met on Sunday, moving to an evening time soon.

No Committee Proposals

Individual Announcements

• A concern was raised about offensive material on an Occupy Ottawa Facebook page. The page in question may be one that Occupy Ottawa has no control over.
• Arts & Culture is making Occupy Ottawa business cards.
• More Facebook mods would be nice.
• The Daily Grind coffee shop is interested in doing an arts fundraiser for the homeless.
• A friend in Peterborough made pins involving the Canadian flag with a heart and the word "Occupy". Could be good promotion.
• A silk screen is available for use if desired.
• Merchandising should be brought to the GA.
• Carleton University’s first General Assembly will be held on March 26th. Desire for teach-ins prior to the event on how consensus works, etc.
• OPIRG Carleton is having anti-oppression training on March 1st at 7pm, at Carleton University, Canal building, room 3400.

Individual Proposals

Houselessness, Mental Health, and Addictions group wants to become a formal working group/committee. The group will meet Wednesday Feb. 22nd at the Occu-tims to form a mandate.

Mediated Discussion

Scheduling GAs:

• Last GA voted to change the schedule. Expressions of concern about the new schedule.
• Research being conducted on past GAs will help a clearer picture emerge.
• Possibility of increased attendance in April discussed.
• Sunday evening was good in St. John – stores were closed and most people weren’t at work.
• Thursday evening was tried.
• PAC tried different times and found support for one.
• Discussion on one GA a week or two.

Proposal: New GA schedule for the foreseeable future is Wednesdays at 7pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Proposal PASSED with consensus.

Naming:

• Idea of changing the name came about because several people sense that others do not like the name "Occupy".
• The name has never gone through a GA. It was influenced by OWS.
• The issue has now come up at GAs and committee meetings.
• Some express a desire to achieve support from those whose land was taken.
• Oakland splintered over this issue: a vote was held to change the name, the proposal failed, and a group splintered off and formed their own group.
• Some have expressed support for the name "People’s Assembly". "Occupy" is more of an action; we are a people’s assembly.
• The name "Unify" has been suggested.
• Question over whether changing the name is enough.
• Denver kept "Occupy", but consulted Indigenous groups. These groups drafted a statement that achieved consensus at Denver’s GA.
• Not just Indigenous people do not like "Occupy".
• Occupy has positive connotations too – going back through centuries of resistance.
• The "Occupy" brand is tainted, because of media coverage. Re-branding might bring in other groups.
• Arts & Culture is actively fighting that negative perception of "Occupy".
• "Indignados" etc. is used elsewhere.
• Vancouver uses "Occupied Vancouver".
• Support expressed for more discussion on this issue in the future.

GA adjourned.