Minutes 11/20 Meeting

Here are some of the important details covered in our meeting Thurs 11/20.

Next week's meeting has been changed to Tuesday 11/25 at 9 pm at our normal meeting place, room 220H Snyder Hall.

RSO Leader Training
We really need a YDS member to sign up for a simple 2-hour session offered by the Department of Student Life.
Wed. Dec 3
6-8 pm
Please contact Allison ASAP if you are free to do this training. It is very important YDS have this as a resume item. The training consists of Financial Management and Organization Structure training. It's not the most exciting topic, but the facilitator has expressed interest in making sure YDS is present at this session.

Obama/Socialism Presentation
We are still working on choosing a date.
Possibly supplement Bobby Seal event (Jan 14-16) with this presentation as sort of preface or follow-up? Discussion with the DuBois society on this is underway. This could ease event promotion and bolster interest and attendance for both events.
Check your inbox for the newsletter with links to the current presentation
Please contact the corresponding members if you are interested in contributing to:
Video introduction: Reid
Defining Socialism: Ryan, Allison
History/Overview of US Socialist Movement: Austin
Obama Foreign Policy:
Obama Health Care: Christina, Cory
Obama Economy: Allison, Cat
Conclusion: Reid
Presentation Logistics and Promotion: Reid
(links are to emails)

Peace Over Prejudice: Know Your Allies Presentation
Date: Monday 12/1
Time: 6:30 pm (duration approx. 2 hours)
Location: Wonders Kiva
We will be presenting a version of the "chip game." We still need to figure out logistics such as materials (where we get them, how much we need). Austin will provide literature on the game rules to assist presenters. Rules should be available on blog soon also.
Delicious food will be served after all the presentations, and we will have a table for others to visit. We will have our banner and literature to pass out. We discussed having a way to expand upon the chip game at the table. What that actually entails has not been specified, and is open for discussion.
Reid and Ryan are our PoP members, and will be presenting. Contact them if you wish to contribute or have any questions.

Bobby Seal Event
Jan 14-16
Right now the DuBois society is working on the details of the firm offer. Soon we will need YDS members to assist with the media blitz for the event (tentatively tied to our Obama presentation) as well as logistics such as escorting Mr. Seal during his 3-day visit. There is soon to be a sign-up for hour-by-hour slots to cover the escort process.
If you are interested in helping with the event, please contact the DuBois Society's Jennifer White or our very own (and very awesome) Ryan.
YDS members must attend the dinner with Bobby Seal. Austin can provide excuse notes for work class obligations. Luckily, it is early in the semester so no one should have lots of homework or big tests or anything. Please notify your bosses/professors soon, get substitutes for work, whatever, and don't hesitate to ask Austin for an excuse note if you need it. It is very important for everyone attend!

External Affairs: 21st Century Chautauqua, MADI
Despite our strong presence at past MADI Leadership programs, our membership discussed scaling back efforts to maintain YDS presence at these functions. The 21st Century Chautauqua events have been garnering much more attention, and discussion was held to create a Chautauqua Liaison Committee. This (potential) committee would consist of several members whose responsibility is to ensure YDS has a presence at each week's Chautauqua. Reports back during general membership meetings are recommended. Look forward to deciding on this committee during our next meeting.

(Dean Esquith really wants Austin to hold some of these Chautauqua discussions specifically on critical race relations and political economy. In that case, we do not have to spend the entire discussion convincing the facilitator to cede to our fundamental points of argument, they will be the very topic of discussion.)

Debate: Blog Rules and Regs
It is important to maintain a positive image of YDS, particularly in what we say in our blog. Discussion was held regarding administrative rights on the blog and the power of removal. It has been suggested (not decided) that everyone have the right to remove another member's post. Guidelines should be established regarding what is and is not acceptable. If a member feels another member's post should be removed, swift action is encouraged. However, after removal substantive debate justifying publication and removal is necessary, and the membership should come to a decision on the post. This is only a suggested solution, but some members feel it is better to have removed something and replace it, rather than have debatable/objectionable material online for long periods of time. This is up for discussion and will be on the agenda for our next meeting.

RCAH Reading Room
Members are encouraged to solicit free books from their respective local libraries over winter break. We are in the process of getting a reading room bookshelf for the RCAH, and want *good* leftist/socialist literature. We need a volunteer to draft a summary of the focus for the socialist reading room, with both RCAH students and faculty in mind. Please contact Austin if you are interested in helping with this.

Educate Yourself
While the ultimate goal is to create a series of links to alternative news sources for our blog readers/users to utilize, here are a few good starting points. Views expressed by some sources (whose political agendas are more clear than others) are not necessarily explicitly shared by MSU YDS.
Democratic Socialists of America
The BBC
LibCom
The Real News Network
This list is in its infancy, please contact Peter with your further suggestions, as these resources will go on our blog.

DSA Newsletter is attached to your email

If you have new ideas, event opportunities, information or other business, please email YDS in order to add it to our upcoming meeting agenda. Thanks!

Tentative Meeting Agenda 12/2
Old Business
1. RSO Leadership Training: finalize details
2. Obama/Socialism: Update on presentation, discuss date/time finalization
3. POP Presentation: Update, make sure all materials are secured, verify presenters and attendees
4. Bobby Seal: specifics on this contingent upon feedback from DuBois Society. Possible sign-up for escorting, verification of dinner attendance
5. Chautauqua Liason Committee: Decision on committee creation, sign-up to be member
6. RCAH Reading room: Discuss or draft summary
7. Alternative News Sources: further suggestions for sites to visit?
Action Items
1. Discussion: Debate regarding blog content parameters, content removal rules/regs
New Business
?
Adjourn