Update: West Coast Anti-war Student Conference

by Mike E. Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2003 at 5:57 PM

Update on the West Coast anti-war Student Conference at San Francisco State on Jan. 17th.

This conference is coming up really soon, and in addition to this next to last announcement, we want to encourage people to do some last minute things.

Please send your delegate information as soon as possible! We will have a specific chairing procedure where we need to know who our delegates are specifically during the conference. The sooner we get the information about all delegates that will be coming, the better. Thanks to all the schools that have provided their delegate information so far.

We will be ordering a pizza lunch for the conference, so please bring some money to be collected at the beginning of the conference. There is also a Chinese food place and a couple other restaurants open on campus.

Please bring any banner and sign making material you have, and/or money to donate for signmaking and flyer making for after th conference.

Announcement:
Students Against War at SFSU is planning to host a conference for west coast college campus organizations. As Bush is preparing the war on Iraq which will most likely take place by late January, if not sooner, we think that it is absolutely crucial that the grassroots student anti-war movement set up an organizing network to be able to take on the Bush war machine to the best of our ability. This is a conference to discuss mass orgainzation between college campuses, set up a network of campus groups against the war on the West Coast as well as to plan for futher action against the war with Iraq.One of the most exciting aspects of this conference is that students on the East Coast in Washington D.C. at George Washington University will be having an organizing conference on the same day, and through modern technology we could potentially coordinate actions and organize work at the national level.

Procedure:
We ask that two delegates are sent to represent each campus and have decision making power in order to have balance and some democracy at this meeting. The representatives can be from any anti war organization on your campus. Anyone else who would like to attend is of course, encouraged to, but only the delegates will have decision making power. One of the main reasons why SFSU Students Against War voted for this conference to be delegated is because we thought it would be more fair that way. An anti-war group of 5 or 6 people just getting started should have have much say as to action planning and coordination as a group of 70 or 80 people, for instance.

As soon as your delegates are selected, please forward their name and contact information to leticiaarellano2000@yahoo.com and noozle83@hotmail.com.

Proposed Decision Making Procedure:
A basic parliamentary decision making procedure is being proposed for this conference, where delegates vote on decisions and the majority decision passes. A more detailed explanation of how this procedure works is included at the end of this message. This is meant to be a basic guideline. Any questions or alternate proposals should be sent to Leanna at noozle83@hotmail.com.

Proposed Agenda and Conference Schedule
A complete agenda of the conference will be later finalized, and we are open to any ideas that anyone might have. We feel that for this conference to be as successful as possible, agenda points and proposals have to generated by the conference participants themselves. Please bring your ideas and creative energy; we are looking forward to seeing you. Here is a proposed agenda put together by students from San Francisco State University, UC Berkleley, Stanford University, and City College of San Francisco.

All proposed agenda items can be sent to wcstudentconference@yahoo.com.

1.)11-11:30 am-Introduction to the Conference, Explaining Procedures, Current Issues with the War discussion

2.)11:30am-12:15pm-Campus Check-In and Introductions

3.)12:30pm-1pm-Voting on the Proposed Agenda

4.)1pm-2pm-Conference Call with George Washington University, where we decide National Network name, National Conference proposal

5.)2pm-3pm-Lunch, Press Conference, Lunchtime Discussions, Including CSU Humboldt presention

6.)3pm-5pm Committee Discussions

*Future Actions/Emergency Response Network

*Newsletter/zine

*national conference

*outreach

*coordinating committee

7.)5pm-5:20pm-Committee Breakouts

8.)New Proposals, brought up over the next couple days over email or at the conference itself, to be discussed and decided upon

* after the general meeting is over, we will assemble signs and other materials for the Student Contingent which will be meeting at 10am, at Bush and Battery Streets, outside of the Montgomery Street BART station in San Francisco

Endorsements and Attendance
We are asking for endorsements from any and all of your campus committees and coalitions, particularly those on the West Coast. Here are a list of schools who have either endorsed the conference or are planning to attend.

*San Francisco State University-Students Against War

*UC Berkeley Stop the War Coalition

*University of California, Davis

*University of California, Santa Cruz

*University of California, San Diego

*University of California, San Francisco

*California State University, Humboldt

*Notre Dame De Namur University, Belmont, CA

*University of San Francisco

*Stanford University

*Mills College, Oakland, CA

*Scripps College, Claremont, CA

*Occidental College, Los Angeles

*Santa Monica City College

*University of Washington, Seattle

*Seattle Central Community College

*University of Utah

*Portland State University

Oklahoma State University

University of Michigan

University of Vermont

George Washington University

Please send any other endorsements to wcstudentconference@yahoo.com.

Housing
We will also be organizing housing for anyone who needs a place to stay. Lara from UC Berkley is the point person for housing. She can be reached at mellowlark@yahoo.com. If you will need housing in the Bay Area , please contact her as soon as possible. Thanks.

General Information

when: Friday January 17, 2003

Time: 11am-6pm

Where: San Francisco State University, Rosa Parks Conference Room, in the basement level of the Cesar Chavez Student Center (just look for the big building in the middle of campus with a mural of Malcolm X and Cesar Chavez on the front of it).

Location
San Francisco State University is located at 1600 Holloway Ave., in the Sunset District of San Francisco. Its crosstreets are 19th Ave. and Holloway. It is located off of the 280 John Daly Boulevard Exit. It is accessible via several forms of public transportation:

MUNI bus lines-17, 28, 18, 29, 26

MUNI train line-M

There is also a shuttle that runs back and forth between Daly City BART station and SF State about every 10 minutes.

Contacts for endorsements and general information: Leticia Arellano leticiaarellano2000@yahoo.com and LeAnna Sharp noozle83@hotmail.com, Students Against War, SFSU

Hope to see you there!

Students Against War, San Francisco State University


this is a brief explaination of the procedures that we can use at the conference. it isn't too detailed but should be able to give a new comer an understanding of how the meeting shall be run. if you have anything to add, please do.
LeAnna

Introduction to Robert's Rules of Order

What Is Parliamentary Procedure?
It is a set of rules for conduct at meetings, that allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion.
Organizations using parliamentary procedure usually follow a fixed order of business. Below is a typical example:
Call to order.
Roll call of members present.
Reading of minutes of last meeting.
Officers reports.
Committee reports.
Special orders --- Important business previously designated for consideration at this meeting.
Unfinished business.
New business.
Announcements.
Adjournment.
The method used by members to express themselves is in the form of moving motions. A motion is a proposal that the entire membership take action or a stand on an issue. Individual members can:
Call to order.
Second motions.
Debate motions.
Vote on motions.
There are four Basic Types of Motions:
Main Motions: The purpose of a main motion is to introduce items to the membership for their consideration. They cannot be made when any other motion is on the floor, and yield to privileged, subsidiary, and incidental motions.
Subsidiary Motions: Their purpose is to change or affect how a main motion is handled, and is voted on before a main motion.
Privileged Motions: Their purpose is to bring up items that are urgent about special or important matters unrelated to pending business.
Incidental Motions: Their purpose is to provide a means of questioning procedure concerning other motions and must be considered before the other motion.
How are Motions Presented?
Obtaining the floor
Wait until the last speaker has finished.
Rise and address the Chairman by saying, "Mr. Chairman, or Mr. President."
Wait until the Chairman recognizes you.
Make Your Motion
Speak in a clear and concise manner.
Always state a motion affirmatively. Say, "I move that we ..." rather than, "I move that we do not ...".
Avoid personalities and stay on your subject.
Wait for Someone to Second Your Motion
Another member will second your motion or the Chairman will call for a second.
If there is no second to your motion it is lost.
The Chairman States Your Motion
The Chairman will say, "it has been moved and seconded that we ..." Thus placing your motion before the membership for consideration and action.
The membership then either debates your motion, or may move directly to a vote.
Once your motion is presented to the membership by the chairman it becomes "assembly property", and cannot be changed by you without the consent of the members.
Expanding on Your Motion
The time for you to speak in favor of your motion is at this point in time, rather than at the time you present it.
The mover is always allowed to speak first.
All comments and debate must be directed to the chairman.
Keep to the time limit for speaking that has been established.
The mover may speak again only after other speakers are finished, unless called upon by the Chairman.
Putting the Question to the Membership
The Chairman asks, "Are you ready to vote on the question?"
If there is no more discussion, a vote is taken.
On a motion to move the previous question may be adapted.
Voting on a Motion:
The method of vote on any motion depends on the situation and the by-laws of policy of your organization. There are five methods used to vote by most organizations, they are:
By Voice -- The Chairman asks those in favor to say, "aye", those opposed to say "no". Any member may move for a exact count.
By General Consent -- When a motion is not likely to be opposed, the Chairman says, "if there is no objection ..." The membership shows agreement by their silence, however if one member says, "I object," the item must be put to a vote.
By Division -- This is a slight verification of a voice vote. It does not require a count unless the chairman so desires. Members raise their hands or stand.
There are two other motions that are commonly used that relate to voting.
Motion to Table -- This motion is often used in the attempt to "kill" a motion. The option is always present, however, to "take from the table", for reconsideration by the membership.
Motion to Postpone Indefinitely -- This is often used as a means of parliamentary strategy and allows opponents of motion to test their strength without an actual vote being taken. Also, debate is once again open on the main motion.
Parliamentary Procedure is the best way to get things done at your meetings. But, it will only work if you use it properly.
Allow motions that are in order.
Have members obtain the floor properly.
Speak clearly and concisely.
Obey the rules of debate.
Most importantly, BE COURTEOUS.

Main Motion to take action on behalf of the body debatable; requires majority vote
Adjourn end the meeting not debatable; immediately voted upon and requires majority vote
Call for Orders of the Day asks to stick to the agenda not debatable; requires 1/3 majority to sustain
Call to Question closes debate and forces vote not debatable; requires 2/3's majority vote
Motion to Limit or Extend Debate limits or extends debate not debatable; requires 2/3's majority vote
Point of Order is a question about the process or a particular motion automatic if granted by Chair
Point of Information to ask about the process or particular motion automatic
Motion to Rescind to change the results of a vote requires 2/3's majority vote to reverse results of earlier vote
Motion to Suspend the Rules suspend formal process for a short period debatable and requires 2/3's majority vote

About Debate
Each motion that is debated receives ten minutes of debate. The member initiating the motion speaks first. The Chair asks for a rebuttal. All members wishing to speak about the motion receive the opportunity to speak before any one member speaks for a second time.

About Voting
Majority vote is more than half of the members. 2/3's vote is more 2/3s or more of the members. Be sure to announce what is being voted on before the vote.