DNC General Meeting April 6th, 2013

DNC General Meeting April 6th, 2013

Facilitators: Richard Cunningham and Debbie Krull
Helpers: Leo, Lorna, Richard, Roland, Jacek, DJ, Kelly, Jaeme, Jason

Doors open at 2:30pm
People begin to feast.

Jean Swanson brings the sound system from the CCAP office with the
help of Jamie Richardson.

Garvin agrees to read the constitution

Debbie prepares to begin the opening song

Richard begins the meeting. "Welcome to our first general meeting of 2013"

Debbie does an amazing job with the opening song
Richard begins doing the housekeeping
Garvin reads the constitution

We introduce the new board members to the general membership. Each
board member gives a brief introduction to themselves.

Ann gives a brief introduction to the history of the DNC
Mentions Jean Swanson and DERA, mentions CCAP reports, also VANDU, and
subgroups like WAHRS
Because we had no resident's association, we had the first meetings in 2010.

Ivan Drury and Wendy Pedersen speak from the floor. They claim that we
are ramming through the agenda. There is general mayhem and argument.
Jean Swanson also jumps up and claims that the conflict is still going
on and there needs to be a resolution.

Dave Diewart comes forward and volunteers to reconvene the conflict
resolution committee
Motion on the floor to reconvene the conflict resolution committee.
Richard Seconds the motion.

Debbie talks about why the conflict resolution process has not been
continued by the board.

Garvin talks about the conflict resolution as well. We are in the
process of implementing the issues in the conflict resolution
recommendations. He urges the crowd to be patient.

Jean asks to speak in favour of the conflict resolution process. She
claims to know several members of the board that are not comfortable
coming to board meetings. There needs to be a process to resolve the
conflicts. Dave Diewart claims that he can reinstate the conflict
resolution process of last year.

Motion passes.

Homeless Dave gives a speech about his hunger strike.
Lists the many organizations that have endorsed his hunger strike.
Dave lists his 3 demands.
We need to be united today more than ever.

The break out sessions start at 4:04, Long after the planned time of
3:00. Debbie describes how each facilitator should lead the
discussions.
A healthy, lively break out session begins. Lots of productive
conversations ensue at the tables.

Rob gives the first report:
Citizens committee that meets with Police should exist.
People should go to PIVOT and demand a class action lawsuit.
25% of condos in cole harbour are empty. They should be taxed if they are empty.
Street Market - not good to have a lot of drinking there. There should
be a market
during the week as well.
Salvation Army should show their books. We want to see the books
before the next election.
Welfare rates need to be raised, people are selling drugs to get money to live.
LAPP - 30% social housing, because if we ask for 30 we might get 25%

Garvin
Take control of some of the ticketing. There is way more ticketing
done in the DTES.
Concern that there is a large population of people with health issues
without proper
services. this is overwhelming the service providers. People with
mental issues are
living along side people without and this is causing problems.
BC Housing should be more concerned with the retail spaces in their buildings.
Should be a federal housing and homeless strategy. Someone had a year
of manditory
transitional housing and could not get BC Housing until their year is up.
Street Market should expand to include food, arts, music and not be
just binners. There
should be a vendors council. There should be a neighbours relation committee.
Shelters - A charter of rights for homeless people in shelters. It
should be housing
and not shelters.

Yesterday
Needs to be monitoring of police to document what is going on now.
Housing - 10,000 units mayor promised
Street Market - we shouldn't allow people to sell hot stuff. It gives
the police a
reason to shut down the market. there should be more days not just sunday.
Shelters - there should be a bill of rights. This needs to be in all shelters.
LAPP - we did not know what this was.
Welfare - we need rates raised. we need food security.
Better process for people getting DDB2

Kelly
Police brutality in the DTES. no more racism. we need to enforce our
rights to vend in public spaces.
An independent complaints office in the DTES. Have a no weapons day.
Accountability for things that are siezed. a lot of stuff is binned,
and they should be
able to get it back.

Tina
Welfare - its related to ticketing. People that have a job do not get
the same tickets and do not
go to jail.
LAPP - DNC should speak with one voice when at LAPP meetings.
Reverse psychology for ticketing.
Stop the ticketing. They are only allowed to vend one day a week.
Shelters - SROs are full of bed bugs.

Ann
Welfare rates are way too low. 846 a month. Shelter allowance is stupid low.
LAPP - people don't know about the LAPP
Policing - the police are in charge. No one holds them accountable.
Create chronic offenders. Racial profiling. People don't know that
they can say no to a search.
Housing - people are underhoused. Get stuck and can't get a better
place. Can't complain when moved from SRO to SRO room. bed bugs rats
alleys mice. SROs are dirty. Call for a squat before the election.
Street Market has changed so much. Not good for mobility. Gentrifition.
Shelters - stolen belongings. Need appeal process.

Herb stands up and speaks about the LAPP.
No motion is entertained.

Motion to Adjourn. Motion is passed. Moment of Silence.