Minutes to the July 2 MSA Convention

Municipal Socialist Alliance Convention #2 — Saturday, July 2, 2 p.m. E.T.

Attendance: Alanna, Sarah, Karie, Kiri, Mark F., Barry, Daniel, Miguel, Kris L., Adam G., Judy K, Yukun, Charles T.. Abby C.

1. Indigenous Land acknowledgement - Miguel

2. Welcome. Elect chair and secretary.

   1. Daniel volunteers to take minutes.

   2. Adam volunteers to compile a list of tasks to be completed by the next monthly convention. 

   3. Mark nominates Barry to be chair. Barry accepts

   4. Mark moves adoption of agenda. Daniel seconds. Adopted unanimously. 

3. Scheduling of a news conference/rally to present MSA candidates - Barry

   1. To be hosted in front of Toronto City Hall, each candidate to speak for a few minutes, introduced by an event MC

   2. Either Monday July 11, Tuesday July 12, or Wednesday July 13 at 8 am

   3. Alanna can’t make Tuesday. Miguel, Mark, Daniel, Kiri can make any day. Sarah cannot make any of these days.

   4. Daniel moves that the MSA press conference be held on Wednesday, July 13 at 8 am. Seconded by Alanna. Carries unanimously. 

      1. Candidates Kiri, Mark, Adam, Daniel, Miguel will be present.

      2. Sarah will write a statement or record an audio statement

4. Production of MSA banner, news release, publication of MSA platform, fundraising plan

   1. Banner

      1. Daniel suggests that Adam G. get a quote from NetPlaza and Miguel A. get a quote for a 4’ by 10’ foot banner

      2. Adam suggests that “socialistalliance.ca” should be used instead of “Municipal Socialist Alliance”

      3. Agreed on 4’ by 10’

      4. VistaPrint seems like the best printing option. Will request sewn sleeves of at least 2.5’’ diameter

      5. Mark moves that the banner include both “Municipal Socialist Alliance” and “socialistalliance.ca” below in smaller font

         1. Motion carries with one abstention

      6. Abby will make a simple text design

      7. Abby moves that the banner have a yellow background, “Municipal Socialist Alliance” in black and “socialistalliance.ca” in red. Daniel seconds. Carried unanimously. 

   2. Barry volunteers to draft a news release and MC the news conference

      1. Barry will bring sound equipment. Adam G. will be able to help.

   3. Publication of MSA Platform

      1. Adam and Abby volunteer to work on this

   4. Fundraising Plan

      1. Peter was stalled in opening an MSA banking account

      2. Mark F. pledges $100

      3. Daniel T. pledges $100

5. Consideration of new policies 

   1. Abby: More charging stations for electric cars

   2. Miguel: More parking for e-bikes

   3. Mark F.: Adopt Montreal’s free WIFI platform

   4. Barry: Popular Budget decided via participatory democracy

   5. Adam: What does expropriation of vacant housing mean for LandBack? 

      1. Consult with Indigenous leaders

   6. Miguel: Aboriginal Affairs Office to be independent of city manager

6. Issuing of MSA statements on issues arising.

7. Next MSA meeting

   1. Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m. E.T.