A person who is not a member of sds may participate in the planning if
a proposal is passed by the convention planning body specifically
inviting them. People who do not meet this description will be asked
to not participate in calls and will not be accepted to the planning
email listserv.

Decisions will occur by someone making a proposal to the group, then
the facilitator will ask if there are any concerns or amendments to
that proposal.  If yes, they can be incorporated by the proposer if
considered friendly, and will be dropped otherwise.  If there are no
concerns or amendments the facilitator will ask for BLOCKS, or
objections.  If there are none, the proposal passes.

In the case of a BLOCK, discussion will occur, and finally it will
take a 2/3rds majority of members voting for a decision to pass, not
counting abstentions.  The vote will be taken by roll call.

Decision making will take place on conference calls unless otherwise
decided by the planning body.

No more than three votes are allowed from members from the same
chapter.

Every conference call will have a facilitator and a note-taker.
Facilitators should compile an agenda for the call and send it to the
planning list at least 24 hours in advance of the call, while note-
takers should distribute meeting notes within 24 hours after the call.
In making decisions, all members will assume good faith in others on
the planning body and work cooperatively.  The organizing process for
the National Convention is a learning experience for everyone, and so
we will be constructive and gentle in our criticisms of ideas.

There was an unfriendly amendment from DJ from Florida to count
abstentions.  There was also an unfriendly amendment from Monty,
proposed through Jason from UMW to create a body to decided who was a
member for the purposes of the planning body.

12-yes
2-no
2-abstain

======
2. Goals
(4/21/08)

**Goal #1*: Pass and *implement* a national structure that meets our needs
as an organization, especially in terms of facilitating and formalizing
communication between chapters and regions and enabling them to work
together on joint campaigns, actions and projects. Provide tangible ways for
members to get involved and connected in the work of coordinating our
national organization.

*Goal #2: *Clarify SDS’ approach to anti-oppression / collective liberation
work, and deepen both a politics and a practice around combating white
supremacy, patriarchy, heteronormativity, capitalism and other forms of
institutional oppression.

*Goal #3: *Build the organizing skills and political analysis of SDS members
through practical and purposeful workshops and other sessions.
*
**Goal #4*: Encourage and enable the largest possible number of SDS members
and chapters to participate in the convention.  For those not able to attend
physically, report on the events in a timely manner so that all SDSers are
aware of the proceedings.

*Goal #5: *Circulate proposals to all members and chapters in advance of the
convention so that we can have an inclusive and productive discussion that
all of SDS is prepared for.

*Goal #6:* Create space for small-group discussions about national structure
and other proposals, so that all attendees can engage with the decisions
we’ll be making, and that the all-group plenaries can be as efficient and
democratic as possible.

*Goal #7: *Schedule adequate time for social interaction and networking in
order to foster solidarity and supportive community within SDS.
*
Goal #8: *Have a visible and democratic process for coordinating necessary
convention decisions, i.e. last-minute schedule changes, room changes, food
issues, etc.
*
Goal #9*: Provide adequate facilities, resources and spaces (sober space,
crisis response, child care, a variety of food options, etc.) to meet the
needs of everyone that attends the convention.

*Goal #10:* Make every effort to ensure that everyone has a positive
experience at the convention. 

Yes: 19
No: 5
Abstain: 5

=========
3. Proposal inviting Alan Haber to be part of the planning process
(4/28/08)
*I would like to propose for the next call that Al Haber, founder of the
original SDS of the 60s and movement veteran, be invited to participate in a
non-voting role in the National Convention Planning process.

Al is a personal friend of mine, and has been a close ally to the new SDS,
since it was formed 2 years ago. He has participated in a very positive
fashion during the planning of last year’s National Convention, displaying
what an older ally of SDS should be by giving helpful advice and perspective
from 40+ years of organizing.

Intergenerational organizing is important, and working with older allies who
value our project and respect our democratic decision-making process can
strengthen our movement.

Passes by consensus!

====================
4. Media Proposal
(4/28/08)

1. We will not actively seek outside media to cover the convention.
However,
if outside media contacts anyone about covering the convention, all
requests
will be sent to the national media working group, who will deal with
each
media request on a case-by-case basis.

Passes by consensus!

=====================
5. DJ’s Proposal on Amendments
4/28/08)

In order to create a more efficient and inclusive decision-making body the
2008 sds planning committee accepts the following proposal:

*Amendments to proposals shall be deemed “acceptable” or “debatable” by the
author(s) of the proposal.

*Acceptable amendments are immediately added to the language of the original
proposal.  Debatable amendments will be debated and voted on if and only if
the original proposal was passed.  They will be discussed immediately after
the proposal is passed.  If the debatable amendment is passed (using
standard procedure) then it is added to the language of the original
proposal.  Debatable amendments that are not passed may be written as new
proposals that can be voted upon later.

Explanation:
Some have criticized the language of “friendly” and “unfriendly” as words
that can erode solidarity and that attach negative connotations to
amendments before they are even discussed.  This proposal seeks to undo that
potential for damage.  It all seeks to formalize the procedure of amendments
and ensure that debatable amendments are handled in a prompt and efficient
matter.

Yes: 5
No:1
Abstain: 4
=================