Kacey Carpenter

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.

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.