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