Minutes to the July 28 MSA Convention

Municipal Socialist Alliance Convention #3 — Thursday, July 28, 6:30 p.m. E.T.

Attendance: Elizabeth B., Barry W., Alanna J., Miguel., Alex B., Maya P., Ester M., Sandra G., Adam G., Rosalyn M., Peter D., Kiri V., Jay W., Judy K., Mark F., Wali A., Al M., Larry R., Talar., Isabelle G., Kevin, Shiam A., Rubina C., Corey D., John O., Beau D.

1. Indigenous Land acknowledgement 

2. Welcome. Elect chair and secretary.

   1. Mark F. nominates Elizabeth. Peter seconds. Elizabeth declines.

   2. Daniel nominates Alex. Alex stands.

   3. Daniel volunteers to record decisions

3. Candidate Registration + New Candidates

   1. Elizabeth: Bank account finally created. 

      1. $425 in donations, $80 spent on 100 flyers, current balance of $345

      2. $320 for website, $250 for banner, $45 for leaflets, 

      3. Isabella pledges $25, Peter pledges $50, Talar pledges $50

   2. Candidates: 

      1. Adam submitted papers (City council for Ward University-Rosedale)

      2. Isabella has collected enough signatures (for mayor)

         1. Danie moves that the MSA endorse Isabella for Mayor. 

            1. Motion tabled.

      3. Wali almost has enough signatures; deciding between school board trustee and city council for Ward Toronto-Danforth

         1. Barry moves that the MSA endorse Wali, provisional on deciding which he will run for. Wali agrees with the principle of MSA campaign. Will continue to review the platform. Peter seconds. 

            1. Passes unanimously

      4. Sandra submitted papers for school board trustee in Ottawa. Ward 12. (former teacher). Only person who has declared so far. 

         1. Daniel moves that the MSA endorse Sandra. Barry seconds. 

            1. Passes unanimously

   3. Rosalyn: 

      1. Question about accountability if someone is elected. What to do if someone from our alliance is elected?

         1. Adam: radical honesty — hold our own elected members accountable to the truth and to our principles

         2. Daniel: develop a pledge based on our “Basis of Unity” document

         3. Mark: candidates to represent the policies we democratically develop together

      2. What to do if someone else is running in a Ward on the left? Strategic withdrawal? 

         1. Barry: prioritize running one strong candidate in every possible race to build up the biggest possible movement

4. Weekly picnics + Other Events/Actions

   1. Daniel: Moves that the MSA host a picnic each Saturday at 4 p.m. E.T. unless another rally/action event is happening at the same time. Next picnic to be hosted on Saturday, August 6, at 4 p.m. E.T. Barry seconds. 

      1. Carries unanimously

   2. Maya: the MSA should be more active on social media to promote these events. Maya volunteers to set up a Twitter/Instagram/TikTok

      1. Daniel moves that Maya establish a Twitter and Instagram account for the MSA. Maya stands. No opposition.

   3. Talar volunteers to draft on a few logos.

   4. Wali: invest in bluetooth speaker for picnics

      1. Maya willing to donate bluetooth speaker

   5. Developing an activist calendar

      1. Adam working on this — “events that threaten to change the system”

         1. https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r?cid=N3N0YzVlY2xlZnBjMG4wbnZkY3RkbWd2MXNAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ&pli=1

   6. Upcoming POOF rally (Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. ET, Bloor and Bedford)

5. Developing Questionnaire for Candidates

   1. Daniel: develop a questionnaire to distribute to candidates to see their perspective on important issues

      1. Wali and Adam volunteer to work on drafting this questionnaire with Daniel

6. Publication of MSA Platform

   1. Simon volunteered to work on this

      1. First draft only includes topics of our platform rather than specific policy points

      2. Barry: suggests 11x17 inch brochure with comprehensive platform

      3. Daniel will reach out to Simon

7. Website + Logo Design

   1. Talar enjoys graphic design

8. Consideration of new policies 

   1. Barry: participatory budget making based on Porto Allegre model

9. Issuing of MSA statements on issues arising.

10. Next MSA meeting

    1. Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. E.T. on policy

    2. Thursday, August 25 at 6:30 p.m. E.T. convention