National Writers Union – Oregon Chapter

Meeting Minutes, Sunday, November 9, 2025

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:02 pm. 

Attendees welcome and introductions: Lura Frazey, Martin Hart-Landsberg, Michael Funke, Jim Gourley, Zachariah O’Keeffe, Jonathan Rosenblum, Jim Smith, Kacey Carpenter

• Jonathan Rosenbloom announced his upcoming book event at Powell’s Books on Burnside, Portland, on Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. Several members plan to attend. Jonathan will reach out to Powell’s to arrange a NWU book table. Kacey will bring signs, bookmarks, and a clipboard to capture contact information

Minutes September 14, 2025, shared minutes and approved without objection.

Treasurer’s report: Lura shared the balance of $7985.70 as of September 2025

Delegate Assembly Report 

• Held virtually with Chapter representation by Bob and Marty.
• Union affiliation discussion on NWU’s temporary affiliation with the AFL-CIO, which expires December 31, 2025.
  • National President Larry is exploring continued affiliation options, including:
    • Partnership with CWA–Newspaper Guild (approx. 7,000 members).
    • Maintaining similar dues structures to the UAW model.
    • Shared interests: AI, freelancers, independent workers.
    • Positive support to continue these discussions.
  • Michael shared updates from the October DALU (Directly Affiliated Local Unions) meeting organizing by NWU President, Larry Goldbetter

• NWU Oregon’s temporary DALU status will expire at year-end.
• Michael will follow up with Larry and report back on the Newspaper Guild affiliation.
• Resolutions discussed at Delegate Assembly:
  • Convert the Translator Organizing Committee into a full division – Approved.
  • Create a committee to clarify chapter rights and roles in NWU bylaws – In progress.
  • Establish a hardship scholarship fund for members (20 scholarships for six months) – Positive feedback with further discussion for specifics about the amount and time with positive feedback.

2026 Pilot Proposals

• Overview shared in the in-person meeting discussions in Eugene.
• Postcards: Kacey shared a pilot proposal for Chapter Author Postcards
  • Two-sided postcard modeled after existing bookmarks:
    • One side: NWU Oregon chapter info
    • Other side: Featured Oregon authors
  • Purpose: Handouts for events, libraries, and book fairs.
  • Estimated budget: $1,000
  • Will include QR code linking to membership info.
• College Campus events: Zachariah shared a pilot proposal for college campus events, list of org contacts for PSU, UofO, and OSU.
  • Target campuses:
    • Portland State University
    • University of Oregon (Eugene)
    • Oregon State University (Corvallis)
  • Goal: Build partnerships, speak in writing/union studies programs, and connect with student writers.
  • Volunteers:
    • Zachariah (lead)
    • Marty – PSU liaison
    • Jim Smith – UO liaison
  • Potential expansion: Community colleges and Vancouver, WA.
• Social media intern Kacey shared a pilot proposal for social media intern.
  • Proposal for a 10-week, part-time social media intern to build NWU Oregon’s online presence.
  • Tasks: content calendar, event promotion, engagement tracking.
  • Potential budget: $1,000–$1,500.
  • Candidate sources: Local colleges, Digital Media Group contacts, and National NWU members.
• Discussion:
  • Jonathan emphasized tabling at the November 20 Powell’s event.
  • Jim Gourley raised postcard cost concerns; Kacey clarified these will be hand-distributed, not mailed.
  • Jim Smith noted similar outreach would have improved the Eugene meeting turnout.
  • Lura noted the timing aligns with National NWU’s 2026 budget planning.
  • Consensus to start with Portland pilot first, then expand regionally.

Chapter Elections 2026

• The Oregon Chapter follows the NWU Bylaws requiring Chapter leadership elections at least every two years, with all candidates and voters being members in good standing. Our Chapter last held elections in 2023, filling five leadership roles: Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Steering Committee members. 
• The Election Committee will include the Steering Committee and at least one additional member.
• Process:
  • Call for nominations via newsletter – two-week window.
  • Online voting (Google Form) three-week window in December.
  • Results finalized and approved at the January 2026 meeting.
• Action: Marty, Laura, and Kacey met to coordinate the process.
  • A two-week nomination period will run in November, followed by a three-week voting period in December, with all voting completed before December 31.
  • Election results will be presented and certified at the January Chapter meeting, and new Steering Committee members will be installed at that meeting
  • Link to meeting and next steps

Delegate Assembly – 2026 Planning

• Next in-person assembly planned for mid-2026, with the election process managed by NWU National.
• The Oregon Chapter will budget for travel stipends for at least one member as previously approved.

Solidarity Support – Francisco Aguirre Velasquez

• Member Bob Rossi submitted a request for the Oregon Chapter to support Francisco Aguirre Velasquez, a labor and immigrant rights leader from Portland, Oregon. Originally from El Salvador, Aguirre Velasquez fled violence, has long organized immigrant day laborers, and lives undocumented in the United States with his wife and two daughters. He remains at risk of deportation and is seeking a gubernatorial pardon ahead of his December 4 immigration hearing. The request is led by the Jobs with Justice Faith Labor Committee and endorsed by Oregon AFSCME Council 75.
•  The Oregon Chapter leadership team, Marty, Lura, and Kacey, approved the request for the Oregon Chapter signed on in solidarity with other unions and St. Augustine Church in support.

New Business & Member Updates

• Michael reported on Newspaper Guild organizing efforts in Bend:
  • 10-member unit advocating for fair workload (company dropped 10-story quota).
  • Demonstrations held Tuesdays and Thursdays in front of the Bend Bulletin.
• Jim Gourley highlighted the Oregon Governor’s SNAP funding action during the state government shutdown and suggested we thank our Governor.
  • Kacey suggested this as a model for social media engagement, connecting union visibility to real-time community issues.

Next meeting: Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 4pm Pacific

Meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m.

Meeting Minutes

Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Time: 1:00–3:00 p.m.

Location: Hodge Podge Books, Eugene, Oregon

Attendees: Jim Smith (host), Lura Frazey, Zachariah O’Keeffe, Kacey Carpenter

1. Welcome & Venue Appreciation

• Special thanks to Jim Smith for organizing and hosting the Oregon Chapter’s summer in-person meeting at Hodge Podge Books, a new bookstore and event gathering space near the University of Oregon campus.
• Members enjoyed the opportunity to browse books and sample food and drinks before and after the meeting.

2. Administrative Updates

• July Minutes: Previously shared and posted on the chapter website.
• Financial Report: No changes since the July meeting.

3. National Union Update

• AFL-CIO Affiliation:
  • The National Writers Union’s temporary affiliation with the AFL-CIO will end this year due to structural issues in establishing a permanent relationship.
  • Historical context: the union previously ended an affiliation with the United Auto Workers (UAW) over concerns related to freelance-union legal challenges.
  • The national body is exploring new partnerships, possibly with a communications or media-focused union, or negotiating a short-term extension.
• Delegate Assembly:
  • Discussed the upcoming NWU’s fall virtual quarterly DA on Thursday, October 9 from 5-8pm ET. While only delegates and national officers can vote, all members can participate in discussion on resolutions or other agenda items.

4. 2026 Event Planning

• Campus Outreach:
  • Proposal to host in-person events at three Oregon campuses: Portland State University, University of Oregon (Eugene), and Oregon State University (Corvallis).
  • Goal: build relationships with students, faculty, and local writers to grow membership and awareness.
  • Members will present detailed proposals at the November meeting.
• Other Locations for Consideration: Bend, Astoria, and other communities.

5. Member Support & Promotion

• Value of Membership:
  • Lura shared how union legal resources improved her book contract negotiation.
  • Members emphasized the union’s role in fostering solidarity and advocacy for writers.
• Author Promotion Initiative:
  • Jim presented a two-sided postcard promoting both his book and the Oregon chapter.
  • Proposal: create a similar postcard or digital feature highlighting recently published works by chapter members for distribution at events, bookstores, and through social media/email campaigns.
  • Budget and design options to be discussed at a future meeting.

6. Communications & Social Media

• National office now provides some staff support for platforms including X/Twitter, Facebook, and Bluesky.
• The Oregon chapter currently lacks a dedicated social media coordinator.
• Goal: identify a volunteer or secure grant funding by 2026 for a sustained digital marketing strategy.

7. Community & Solidarity

• Members reflected on the importance of social solidarity in challenging times and the role the union can play in supporting writers and broader solidarity and justice movements.

8. Next Steps

• Develop proposals for 2026 campus events (Portland, Eugene, Corvallis).
• Explore budget and design for the author-promotion postcard or similar outreach tools.
• Identify potential social media coordinator(s) or grant opportunities.

Adjournment: 3:00 p.m.

Next Meeting: November 9, 2025 (Zoom, details to be announced).

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

Welcome and introductions: Marty Hart-Landsberg, Lura Frazey, Jim Smith, Alison Clement, Kevin Foster, Kacey Carpenter

Agenda: Marty reviewed our agenda. No amendments were proposed.

Writer’s Corner Presentation: James Smith shared from his new book, The Future Starts Here: The Wild and Scary 2020s. Watch the session recording here.

Members Meeting:

• Minutes May 18, 2025: Were shared and approved without objection.
• Treasurer’s report: Current balance is $7,687. 
• Upcoming events
  • Willamette Writers Fair: We have a NWU Table at the Willamette Writers Fair, Friday, August 1, 5-7pm, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Portland, Oregon (1441 NE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97232). Hope to see you there.
  • AFL-CIO Convention September 5-6: Our Chapter can send two delegates to the event in Seaside with budget available for hotel and registration.. Contact Lura, Marty, and Kacey to submit your interest. 
  • Members Meeting in Eugene: Our September 14 Members Meeting planned to be in Eugene. Stay tuned for more details.
• Resolution Proposal: Requirements for Chapter Delegates and Other Voting Representatives. Approved.
• Delegate Assembly Report Back:  Marty and Lura shared an update from the July 10 Delegate Assembly meeting including committee reports (journalism, AI, resolutions), adhoc finance working group, website update project.
• The next Meeting is Sunday, September 14,2025 in-person in Eugene. 
• Meeting concluded 5:22pm

Lura, opened the meeting at 4:07 pm. 

Welcome and introductions: Lura Frazey, Elissa Edge, Bob Rossi, Zachariah O’Keeffe, Kacey Carpenter, and Jim Smith

Agenda: Lura reviewed our agenda. No amendments were proposed.

Writer’s Corner Presentation: The Writers Corner featured Natasha Hakimi Zapata and her book Another World Is Possible: Lessons for America From Around the Globe (The New Press)  

Jim asked about Natasha’s book publishing experience and best practices for book marketing.

Check out the video recording here.

Members Meeting

Approval of Minutes: The previous meeting minutes were shared and approved without objection.

Treasurer’s Report: Current balance: $7,895. Lura noted efforts at the national level to improve financial transparency and readiness.

Report from the Delegate Assembly (March 29):

Laura,  Bob, and Jim  provided highlights:

• Budget approval and delayed staffing/payroll updates.
• Two financial resolutions considered to improve transparency and oversight.
• Concerns raised regarding the ongoing annual deficit at the national level.
• Emphasis on the need to expand membership and streamline dues collection through improved web infrastructure.

Discussion:

• Bob stressed the need for a clear strategy and noted missed opportunities, including participation in Authors Against Book Bans and the AFL-CIO meeting.
• Jim emphasized the importance of increasing cash flow and suggested exploring affiliations with other unions.
• Kacey noted Oregon’s strong financial standing and potential to engage new members locally.
• Zach requested more information about legislative engagement and shared outreach he had initiated with a local representative.
• Bob reinforced the need to protect libraries and align with efforts opposing book bans.

Labor Report: Cascades to Coast

Alyssa reported an update on participation in the newly combined Cascades to the Coast chapter, merging two counties to increase opportunity and collaboration.Two chapters of the Oregon AFL-CIO have merged to form the Cascades to Coast Central Labor Chapter. The new chapter combines the Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chapter withLinn-Benton-Lincoln Central Labor Chapter.  Bylaws and officer roles are in place. Lots of opportunities to participate. 

Endorsement and Action Process Development

Lura and Kacey introduced a process for evaluating endorsements, partnerships, and political actions for discussion and feedback. Drafted by Kacey, Marty, and Lura.

Key Points:

• The goal is to improve transparency and allow for timely, strategic responses.
• Three levels of action were outlined:
  • Quick decisions by the leadership team.
  • Member input or national union engagement.
  • Long-term expansion into structured volunteer roles.
• Prompted by the recent opportunity to comment on the Pacific Northwest Labor Council’s vote regarding the police union.
  • NWU Oregon leadership supported a member’s participation

Discussion:

• Bob voiced concern about the speed of the process and urged caution about missed opportunities and relationship missteps.
• Kacey recognized the concerns and shared background about why the leadership team met to create this process, and clarified goal of the document is to standardize responses, not to prevent action.
• Zach asked, What is stopping us today?
• Kacey responded that nothing is stopping us today, but our siloed process limits our collective impact.
• Bob emphasized the importance of partnerships, relationships, and standing with those who are asking, which can be more important than the why or what
• Kacey agreed that partnerships are critical to our union strategy. Many of us are acting independently at protests and actions, opportunity to engage more strategically
• Lura emphasized the need for strategic coordination to prevent fragmented decision-making.
• Zach mentioned engaging conversations from the May Day events.

Protest Sign Distribution

• National NWU protest signs are available
• Zach, Bob, and Alyssa requested signs; Kacey committed to distributing them.
• Kacey suggests a good organizing best practice is to bring signs to the weekly and monthly protest rallies and engage folks in conversations with the bookmarks a powerful tool to engage new supporters and members. Share photos with NWU signs and logos on social networks.

In-Person Meeting Request

• Jim requested a future in-person meeting
• Kacey shared this is a great idea and we need to plan something for this summer. With zoom, we can host a meeting from anywhere. Last year, we met up in Salem. 
• Members, please let us know if you would like to host an in-person event this summer.

Next Steps and Adjournment

• Members are encouraged to review the endorsement process draft and submit feedback.
• Our next meeting will be Sunday, July 13, 2025, at 4:00 PM Pacific
• Meeting was adjourned at 5:35pm

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:04 pm. 

Welcome and introductions: Elissa Edge, Jonathan Rosenblum, Stefan Ostrach, Lura Frazey, Martin Hart-Landsberg, Michael Funke,  Bob Rossi, Norm Baxter, Zachariah, Tom Henderson, Alexis Gunderson, Charles Wynns, Tom Henderson, Sarah Buel, Kacey Carpenter

Agenda: Marty reviewed our agenda.

The Writers Corner featured Jonathan Rosenblum, a union and political organizer, writer based in Seattle, and National Recording Secretary of the National Writers Union. He spoke with Oregon members about the intersection of media work and movement-building and shared news of his forthcoming book, Revolutionaries Inside the Halls of Power (OR Books), due out later this year.

Jonathan led our breakout discussions, focusing on three strategic organizing questions:

1. What are you/we doing right now to fight big tech, either in your work as a writer/media worker, or in the growing movement against Trump, Musk, and the decimation of public services?
2. What particular talents and skills do we have as writers and media workers that can further contribute to these fights?
3. Who else among writers and media workers who are not yet members of NWU can we involve?

Check out the video recording here. 

Additional resources: 

• NWU GET ACTIVE IN YOUR UNION! (draft)
• NWU AI Working Group Zine

Members Meeting

• January 9, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Approved
• Lura Frazey shared the Treasurer’s report
  • Income: Member Dues $107.50 (rising)
  • Balance Total 7,742
• Reports from Labor Council/Chapter Representatives:
  • Michael Funke, Central Oregon representative. Appreciate the opportunity to engage with AFL-CIO and keep engaged. Helping Transportation Workers with campaign for expired contract, helping Bend media organize to get first contract, fighting layoffs down to 11 members with Carpenter Media takeover. Smaller unions encouraged by wins. Supporting library training sessions in Sisters with history of unions and Unions 1.0 for Labor Council to help bridge the knowledge gap. Compiling number of union members in central Oregon (7000 counted so far. 

• Strategic organizing
  • Marty shared our organizing resources available including bookmarks, buttons, t-shift, and hats.  With the support of Worx, a worker-owned union co-op, NWU now has our own merch shop! You can order NWU-logo T-shirts, tote bags, hats, and mugs. We also have NWU Oregon Chapter bookmarks available for members to request here.
  • Marty led group discussion to answer the question, “what do we want to achieve here in NWU Oregon Chapter?”
  • Zachariah O’Keeffe: Americans are damaged and isolated and need to talk with each other in local communities. Leading Meet Me at the Crossroads events in Portland to meet people and talk with each other and create community foundation.
  • Marty: We are in a very real struggle right now to defend our rights and values, and writers and journalists are key to the effort, pushing back and helping people understand what is happening. 
  • Kacey: Writers have the power of the pen, write letters to the editor to support federal, state, and local legislation (Authors Against Book Bans, Political Librarian, book reading events, newsletters, etc…)
  • Lura: I came here to our union because this is a place in my life where I exist, am not alone, with resources and people who support me. 
  • Bob: Attended the AFL-CIO Legislative Conference in Salem where over 200 union members and staff gathered and Authors Against Book Bans for SB 1098 hear to oppose book bans. Bob shared an opportunity to support important Legislative Bills relevant to writers, entrepreneurs, freelancers, not included in AFL-CIO priorities. Raised the opportunity to engage more strategically with partners and our role. 
  • Michael: Learned about SB 686, a bill to support journalism jobs in Oregon. The NewsGuild, SAG-AFTRA, and other groups (AABB, Authors Guild, Libraries, etc..)are pushing for changes to ensure funding goes directly to working journalists rather than administrative costs.
  • Marty: We need to focus on one or two priorities, create our strategic organizing program in our next members meeting.
  • Kacey: We can also engage in this moment before the next meeting by sharing our resources and knowledge, Zoom calls for smaller groups, etc..
• Our next meeting will be Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 4:00 PM Pacific (Sunday May 11 is Mother’s Day so we pushed out a week)
• The meeting ended at  5:25 pm.

by Kacey Carpenter

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:03 pm. 

Welcome and introductions: Martin Hart-Landsberg, Zachariah O’Keeffe, Bob Rossi, Jim Smith, Norm Baxter, Paul Bowman (Chicago), Joseph Hancock (LA), Kacey Carpenter

Agenda: Marty reviewed our agenda.

The Writers Corner featured Martin Hart-Landsberg.

Marty recently traveled to Taiwan for Le Monde Diplomatic with an assignment to learn what he could about current political-economic developments and, most importantly, the aims and strategies of social movement activists there.  He will share some of his experiences and insights. 

Check out the video recording here.

Members Meeting

• November 10, 2024 Meeting Minutes: Approved
• Treasurer’s report
  • Beginning Balance 7,559.97
  • Income: Unit Dues Share 74.58
  • Income Total 74.58
  • Expense Total 0.00
  • Balance Total 7,634.55
• Updates
  • Marty: The web committee is moving forward to upgrade with a hired web developer and input from others
  • Marty: NWU Chairs are now having monthly meetings which also include Division heads.  Bob Rossi and Marty are part of a committee that writes a chair handbook.
  • Marty: NWU now has an organizing committee which is tasked with supporting internal and external organizing.  It has met twice so far. Anyone can join the meetings
  • Marty: NWU Delegate Assembly November 15-18. Oregon Chapter was represented by Jim Smith, Bob Rossi, Lura Frazey, and Marty with a focus on organizing strategy. Jim attended in person in New York and assured that everyone worked very hard with purpose.

• Organizing strategy and discussion
  • Kacey: Our new bookmarks were distributed to all members. Please contact Kacey if you would like more for local book events, libraries etc..
  • Zachariah: hosted an organizing event in Portland.
  • Marty: Opportunity to focus on organizing strategy in our next week to consider issues including library censorship. 
  • Kacey: Selected to submit paper for a special edition of our academic journal, The Political Librarian, which will be released early in the new year. This special issue will be devoted to what the 2024 election may mean for the future of libraries and library work.
• Our next meeting will be Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 4:00 PM Pacific
  • Marty suggested a priority agenda to focus on organizing strategy
  • Kacey asked for writers for the upcoming Writers Corner.
• The meeting ended at  5:30 pm.

by Kacey Carpenter

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:07 pm. 

Welcome and introductions: Martin Hart-Landsberg, Zachariah O’Keeffe, Alexis Gunderson, Bob Rossi, Jim Smith, Kacey Carpenter

Agenda: Marty reviewed our agenda.

The Writers Corner featured Zachariah O’Keeffe. Check out the video recording here.

Members Meeting

• September 8, 2024 Meeting Minutes
• Treasurer’s report skipped
• NWU Delegate Assembly November 15-18
  • Oregon Chapter represented by Jim Smith, Marty Hart-Landsberg, Lura Frazey, and Bob Rossi
  • Alexis shared an overview of the agenda in development with the DA planning committee with the goal to build community relationship, share vision, strategic organizing. Friday night film and fundraising event. Saturday plenaries, workshops, and discussions. Sunday resolutions
  • Alexis shared details of an ongoing issue regarding leadership decisions related to procedures around chapter operations and delegate eligibility that may negatively affect discussion at the DA.
• Organizer resources update and discussion.
  • NWU organizing merchandize is now available here. 
  • Kacey to add link to our website here
  • With the support of Worx, a worker-owned union co-op, NWU now has our own merch shop! You can order NWU-logo T-shirts, tote bags, hats, and mugs.
  • We also have NWU Oregon Chapter bookmarks available for members to request here.
  • We have 1000 NWU Oregon bookmarks for organizing. 
  • Members request bookmarks here. Kacey will mail bookmarks out to members and submit costs for reimbursement (postage, envelopes). 
  • Jim suggested we share additional organizing materials such as a recent letter from President Larry Goldbetter and postcards he produced with famous NWU writer quotes and how to sign up as a member. 
  • Bob encouraged we need to develop an organizing strategy
  • Alexa suggested Organizing for Power’s training Feb 13-March 20, 2025
  • Marty encouraged a local meeting with members of Oregon and Washington Chapters as soon as possible. 
  • Bob suggested to pick a location that is most accessible
  • Kacey suggests we engage with writers, creatives, and ally organizations. Proudly wear your NWU t-shirt, hat, and button, and attend community events to meet people and organizations and create conversations to raise awareness about the National Writers Union (NWU) and our priorities in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. The NWU advocates for fair pay, rights, and benefits for writers, promoting solidarity among creatives. Sharing bookmarks with a scan code and URL to our website provides easy access to information and membership sign-up. Organizing is vital now. Let’s build a stronger, connected community of writers and creatives.

Our next meeting will be Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific.

The meeting ended at  5:30 pm.

by Kacey Carpenter

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:06 pm. 

Welcome and introductions: Martin Hart-Landsberg, Zachariah O’Keeffe, Jim Smith, Dan McCrory, Jonathan Rosenblum, Kacey Carpenter

Agenda: Marty reviewed our Agenda

The Writers Corner 

• Kacey Carpenter introduced the Writers Corner program and shared the presentation, READY, SET, GO! Engage, Energize, and Empower the Writers Community
• Group discussion for our vision statement: independent creative workers, for the future, nurture
•  Check out the video recording here

Members Meeting

• July 14 Meeting Minutes
• Treasurer’s report skipped

• Organizer committee update and discussion.
  • We have our new logo and buttons and plan to use a union printer to print bookmarks and possibly postcards as part of an organizing kit to be used by chapter members. 
  • An NWU merchandize committee is working to build a “swag” shop that will make it possible for individuals and chapters to order shirts and other swag.
  • Discussion about good value of union shirts, buttons, signs, bookmarks, and postcards with compelling image on front and details about the who, why, and how to join our union
• NWU Delegate Assembly coming up in November
  • Open to all
  • Jim Smith, Marty Hart-Landsberg, and Bob Rossi will represent the Oregon chapter and plan to meet up to discuss likely issue and how best to represent our members
• Outreach
  • Marty provided an outreach update.  He has been in contact with the president of the Oregon Society of Professional Journalists and, after reading a few of their newsletters, will work with other chapter members to place a blurb on our work in one of their future newsletters. He is also working to contact someone at the Portland chapter of the Asian American Journalist Association
  • Dan suggests PEN America as a good organization for partner coalition
  • Discussion of promoting our work during Banned Book Week 9/22-9/28 
• Organizing brainstorm discussion
  • Dan suggested a speakers bureau to speak with students in writing and journalism college classes.
  • Jim suggested building on Freelance campaign that is active in NY and LA in the Pacific Northwest
  • Zachary shared the value of FSP newsletter
  • Discussion about meeting with members from the Pacific Northwest Chapter to share experiences and explore collective organizing strategies.

Our next meeting will be Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM featuring the Writers Corner with Zachariah O’Keeffe. Stay tuned for more details.

The meeting ended at  5:30 pm.

by Kacey Carpenter, Agenda

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:03 pm. 

Welcome and introductions: Martin Hart-Landsberg, David D. Levine, Lura Frazey, Bob Rossi, Stefan Ostrach, Joanna Brook, Jonathan Rosenblum, Kacey Carpenter

Agenda: Marty reviewed our Agenda

Writers Corner: Kacey introduced The Writers Corner featuring David D. Levine, the Hugo- and Nebula-winning author of the space caper novel The Kuiper Belt Job. You can watch the video recording of his presentation and Q&A discussion here, “The Future Predicts Science Fiction” here. 

Meeting Minutes May 19, 2024: Approved

Treasurer’s Report: Lura shared our current report incremental membership dues of $270, hosting fee ($20.18) current balance $7,683.86 with AFL-CIO dues payment pending.

Organizing committee: Marty shared plans for an organizing committee to develop a plan and organizing kit to build awareness. In addition to our new buttons, the goal is to create NWU t-shirts, bookmarks, and other organizing tools with our new logo, a quote from Toni Morrison, url to our website, and scan code.  

• Quote: “We don’t need any more writers as solitary heroes,” said Toni Morrison in the speech she gave in 1981, on the day a caucus of 3,000 writers gathered to form what would become the NWU. “We need a heroic writers’ movement—assertive, militant, pugnacious. That is our mission and our risk: we have chosen it. It is also our power: we have earned it.” Source: Freelance Solidarity Project
• Joanna suggested an abbreviated quote on the t-shirts so that the perception is not “we don’t need any more writers.” Perhaps, “We need a heroic writers’ movement—assertive, militant, pugnacious.’
• Kacey shared that the organizing committee will create concept samples for review and feedback with our members.
• Bob shared that this is a good thing but emphasized the need to integrate with a strategic plan and target audience.
• Lura shared that she loved the idea and believes it can work to raise awareness and agreed with Bob that we need a strategy with easy actions and a path to get there.
• Marty suggested that we add this topic to our next meeting in September.
• Jonathan agreed these are the right questions and suggested that the strategic plan should address the key issues and needs of the writers in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest to excite people to get involved with a campaign. He suggested that we invite members of the Washington Chapter to collaborate and participate in the upcoming meeting. Action: Kacey will work with Jonathan and the Washington Chapter Chair to invite members to join.

Reports:

• Delegate Assembly report: Marty shared that the Delegate Assembly has not been scheduled yet but is planned for October. Marty will represent us as Chair automatically; Bob was elected, and Jim Smith was elected. Still, there is an issue that Jim is not a current member of the Oregon Chapter.
• Union Unilateral Announcements:  Marty shared background about Unilateral Announcements and the history of NWU and UAW. There is a discussion about current approaches with specific publications given that many freelancers do not work long-term for a single publisher but freelance across many different publications. Three paths include:
  • Target high-profile publishers to create pressure on others
  • Hire Steward staff to support freelancers in the grievance process with these publishers
  • Survey members to better understand needs, issues, and publishers since NWU does not have this information.
  • Discussion:
    • Kacey recommended starting first with the member survey to better understand issues and needs.  
    • David shared that we can learn from the recent Screenwriters Guild grievance process. Also, there is a difference between NWU freelancers and other unions that make us different from organizations such as the UAW since we do not have a collective bargaining agreement and process between staff and management but potentially an infinite number of publications to negotiate with, making the situation different and difficult to sustain. Though it’s important to deal with the world the way it is.
  • New buttons: We have buttons with our new logo available to members. To get your button(s) send an email to Marty with the number of buttons you need and your address. Contact Marty at: marty@lclark.edu.

Reports from Labor Council/Chapter Representatives:

• There were no reports

Open comments:

• Bob shared a fundraiser for  Linda Tirado. During the George Floyd protests in 2020. She lost an eye and suffered TBI and is now dying of her injuries. Hospice care is expensive. Please contribute if you can and learn more here.

Our next meeting will be Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 4:00 PM featuring the Writers Corner with Kacey Carpenter and a joint meeting with Oregon and Washington Chapter members to collaborate on our organizing strategy and plans as recommended by the organizing committee. Stay tuned for more details.

The meeting ended at 5:20 PM.

May 19, 2024 by Kacey Carpenter, agenda and slides

Marty Hart-Landsberg, Chair opened the meeting at 4:06 PM. 

Welcome and introductions: Marty Hart-Landsberg, Gus Frederick, Zachariah O’Keeffe, Pat Riggs-Henson, Lura Frazey, Bob Rossi, Kacey Carpenter

Marty reviewed our agenda

The Writers Corner: Gus Frederick, a native Oregonian, writer, conceptual artist, photographer, filmmaker, and animator presented an overview of the creation of a book using the Lulu Print on Demand service. You can watch the video recording here. 

Meeting Minutes April 14, 2024: Approved

Meet up in Salem. Lura provided a report on the planning committee for a members in-person meeting in Salem. Bob and Elissa researched options and recommended the Marco Polo Restaurant in downtown Salem with free parking next door. Lura will send a google survey form to all members with several meeting dates to prioritize in June or July (two Saturday options and two Sunday options). 

New buttons: Marty reported that we have 70 member buttons available with our new logo. We plan to distribute them to members at the Members Meeting in Oregon and mail to those not able to attend. If you need buttons sooner, please contact Marty.

T-shirts: Marty reported that NWU national is working on t-shirts with our new logo to be orderable from the website soon.

Nwu.org web redesign committee: Marty reported that the committee had created a statement of needs to scope work for a web designer to improve the experience for new and existing members.

Delegate Election and Assembly: All members should have received an email “Candidates Announced for 2024 NWU Elections!” with candidate statements here. As our Oregon Chapter Chair, Marty is automatically included in the Delegate Assembly that will take place in late summer or early fall. Thanks Marty!  In addition, James Smith has submitted his candidacy for this election. Marty is in communication with James about our Oregon Chapter meetings and membership.   Action to all members: Think about what important issues and concerns you want our delegates to bring to the Delegate Assembly including topics such as transparency, grassroots organization at the chapter level, etc… We will discuss it as part of our agenda at our next meeting. 

Future meeting Idea: Marty proposed an idea for future members meeting to invite Jonathan Tasini (former NWU President from Oregon 1990-2003) to speak and share history of Oregon NWU.

Reports from Labor Council/Chapter Representatives:

• Pat Riggs-Henson raised her concern about the situation with a combination of the two chapters across 6 counties. 
• Bob Rossi reported on efforts to create a merged Labor Chapter bringing together the Mark-Polk-Yamhill and Linn-Benton-Lincoln labor chapters. This proposed merger will create Oregon’s largest labor chapter. Three NWU members are directly involved in the merger discussions. Bob does not believe that the merger is off to a good start and attributes this to the difficulties of trying to blend different union cultures in a short time frame, tensions between horizontal and vertical unionisms, and disagreements over Oregon AFL-CIO rules and directives.

Open comments:

• Bob shared that today, May 19, is the anniversary of the Matewan Masscacre. One of the most infamous events of the West Virginia mine wars was a deadly shoot-out in the mining town of Matewan in Mingo County. The incident, which occurred on May 19, 1920, 
• Bob shared that our next meeting on July 14, will be on the anniversary of the first national railroad strike that began July 14, 1877, also known as the Great Railroad Strike and Great Upheaval.
• Kacey reminded us that  May 21, 2024. Election Day is Tuesday, May 21 – VOTE then help your family and neighbors! 

Our next meeting will be Sunday, July 14 2024 at 4:00 PM featuring the Writers Corner with David Levine. Stay tuned for more details.

The meeting ended at 5:30 PM.