Kacey Carpenter

April 14, 2024 by Kacey Carpenter, agenda and slides

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:05 PM. 

Welcome and introductions: Marty Hart-Landsberg, Michael Funke, Bob Rossi, Kacey Carpenter, Lura Frazey, Zachariah O’Keeffe

Marty reviewed our meeting agenda

Kacey Carpenter, Secretary shared Meeting Minutes March 10, 2024: Approved

Marty shared our proposed future meeting schedule and format that would be the second Sunday alternate months from 4:00 – 5:30 pm. The meeting will combine the Writers Corner with the Members Meeting agenda. Members agreed with the proposal.

Kacey provided a digital tools update.

• We are now using the NWU.org Zoom account—that will not require passwords for easy access by members.  
• We transitioned our member communication from nwuoregon@gmail.com to newsletter@nwuoregon.org to support unsubscribe and be compliant with CAN-SPAM rules.
• We are using google drive to centralize our documents for easier access and backup. 

Treasurer’s report: Lura Frazey, Treasurer and Webmaster reported that we have $7436. 

Chapter Endorsement Discussion. Bob Rossi led our Chapter Endorsement discussion with reasons for “why not” and “why” for endorsements summarized in the  Endorsement discussion notes. We all discussed the issues. Bob volunteered to convene a meeting with NWU folks and Portland Mercury workers, who are members of the new Index Media Union (NewsGuild-CWA). Zachariah volunteered to engage with some of the local writers and artists he is talking with to help us bring in more people.  

Delegate Assembly: Marty reported on the Delegate Assembly

• Revised bylaws
• NWU National is planning a Delegate Assembly in late summer or early fall with a delegate election process coming soon. Chapter Chairs are automatically included in the Delegate Assembly.
• Election process planned for NWU with 2-year terms
• New committee formed for Solidarity / Political Education 
• Marty is also part of a new NWU web page redesign committee
• New logo with NWU merchandize planned for shirts, hats, hoodies

Reports from Labor Council/Chapter Representatives:

• Michael Funke, Central Oregon Labor Chapter (COLC) reported: canvassing for local candidate, school levy, and general political stuff.
• Bob Rossi, Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chapter, reported that the goal to combine the two chapters across 6 counties is going well. Bob is supporting the Freedom School Project to support teachers with liberal approach.  

Member meet ups.  Marty proposed we plan an in-person meetup in Salem. We discussed and agreed it would be a good idea to approve a budget for food to encourage turnout and foster relationships. Bob volunteered to help support and Laura volunteered to help plan it. 

Our next meeting will be Sunday, May 19 2024 at 4:00 PM  (the Sunday following Mother’s Day), featuring the Writers Corner with Gus Frederick. Stay tuned for more details.

The meeting ended at 5:20 PM.

March 10, 2024 by Kacey Carpenter, agenda and slides

Lura Frazey, Treasurer opened the meeting at 4:00 PM.

Members did introductions.

The Writers Corner Program:

-Kacey Carpenter provided a brief overview of the The Writers Corner Program with Sean Weeks, our speaker today, and two speakers on Sunday, May 19, 2024, David D. Levine at 4:00 PM and Gus Frederick at 4:30 PM.

-Sean Weeks delivered his presentation “In the Land of the Blind” with this video recording, followed by questions and appreciation, and discussion of next steps.

Meeting Minutes November 12, 2023: Approved

Treasurer’s report:
-Treasurer Lura Frazey reported that we have at least $7266.54 (pending recent membership dues).

Chapter election results: Stefan Ostrach acted as elections officer in December 2023. There were no opposition candidates nominated resulting in the election of
-Chair: Marty Hart-Landsberg
-Treasurer: Lura Frazey
-Secretary: Bob Rossi
-Steering Committee: Pat Riggs-Henson
-Steering Committee: Kacey Carpenter

Pat Riggs-Henson proposed a motion to approve Kacey Carpenter in the Secretary role. It was approved with one opposed.
-Chair: Marty Hart-Landsberg
-Treasurer: Lura Frazey
-Secretary: Kacey Carpenter
-Webmaster: Lura Frazey
-Steering Committee member: Pat Riggs-Henson

Chapter Endorsements: Pat and Bob led discussion about the importance of NWU Oregon Chapter endorsements and the special circumstances for endorsements. Our chapter previously made endorsements for local issues but not for candidates. It was discussed that we need an endorsement process for the future but due to the circumstances of the cancellation of our January members meeting due to the storm and power outages it was decided to consider endorsing a limited number of candidates.

-Pat Riggs-Henson proposed a motion for a “special circumstances” process that would be limited to this one-time-only situation. The motion passed.

-Pat Riggs-Henson proposed a motion to endorse both Val Hoyle for Oregon Congressional District 4 and James Manning for Oregon Secretary of State. The motion was seconded and passed by the members.

-Pat Riggs-Henson proposed a motion to endorse Lisa Fragala for Oregon House District 8. The motion did not receive a second and did not go forward.

Reports from Labor Council/Chapter Representatives:

-Michael Funke, Central Oregon Labor Chapter (COLC) reported: Endorsed petition to increase the size of the Deschutes County Board Of Commissioners, endorsed Phil Chang, Deschutes County Commissioner. The COLC recommended that the Oregon AFL-CIO endorse the Just Cause measure if it is on the ballot. This is a proposed ballot measure petition that is circulating and that, if passed, would put a version of just cause into law. The Bulletin workers joined the NewsGuild, a CWA affiliate.

-Bob Rossi, Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chapter, reported that the Chapter is expected to merge with the Linn-Benton-Lincoln Central Labor Chapter this Spring. Elissa and Bob will keep their NWU seats in the merged body. The Woodburn Freedom School Project is supported by the Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chapter and the Woodburn Education Association. Other sponsors are welcome, including the NWU. Bob requested books and materials for the project, including copies of the banned books.
Report on National Union activities:

Kacey Carpenter reported on National Union activities including collaboration with Dan McCrory, Book Division Chair, and the NWU New Logo Survey. Please complete the survey by Wednesday, March 13th.

Our next meeting will be Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 4:00 PM.

The meeting ended at 5:29 PM.