Oregon Chapter of the National Writers Union (NWU)

Three people attended the meeting. Two officers sent word that they could not attend. The meeting opened at 4:00 PM.

1. Introductions were done.
2. It was moved, seconded and carried that the minutes from our previous meeting be approved.
3. Oregon AFL-CIO affiliation: It was reported that out affiliation is still in motion. Michael Funke was appointed to represent our Chapter on the Central Oregon Labor Chapter (COLC). Michael discussed the COLC presence in central Oregon. Michael does a podcast. Elissa Edge reported on the work of the Marion-Polk-Yamhill Central Labor Chapter (MPYCLC). Elissa Edge was appointed to represent our Chapter on the MPYCLC. Marty Hart-Landsberg will send a letter certifying Michael Funke as our representative to the COLC.
4. Eviction Representation for All: It was moved, seconded and carried that we donate $50.00 towards the purchase of a statement in the voter’s pamphlet supporting the Eviction Representation for All measure.
5. Chapter building: It was reported that Marty Hart-Landsberg and Bob Rossi recently met with a Portland-based freelancer regarding NWU. It was decided that Marty Hart-Landsberg and Michael Funke will follow up with another pro-labor freelancer. We hope to organize a Zoom meeting with 3-6 freelancers. Making personal connections with freelancers are necessary for Chapter growth.
6. Fair Shot Oregon: Supporting the Fair Shot Oregon campaigns was raised. Marty Hart-Landsberg and Michael Funke will follow up.
7. Legislative attacks on journalists and other writers in Florida: Such attacks could come to Oregon. These are attacks on all writers and on freedom of expression.
8. Getting an article about our Chapter in The Northwest Labor Press: Michael Funke will follow up.
9. Discussion on our Chapter e-mail and social media: It was suggested that we should forward Oregon AFL-CIO e-mails to our Chapter members or ask the Oregon AFL-CIO to add NWU members to their lists. No decision was made.
10. Our Chapter’s labor resources list: It was agreed in principle to add to our list.
11. Discussion on our Chapter using labor media: A freelancer and Bob Rossi may appear on Michael Funke’s podcast.
12. Chapter tee-shirts: This project has been tabled.

Michael Funke would like to talk to NWU members in central Oregon about local activism. Michael can be reached at funkeredfinn24@gmail.com.

The meeting closed at 5:00 PM.

Our next meeting will be held on Sunday, May 14 at 4:00 PM. The Zoom information is as follows:

The Zoom link and related connection information is as follows:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86833169280?pwd=NEhuQWlPSHBTUEoyRFY2K2IzRXdKQT09

Meeting ID: 868 3316 9280

Passcode: 433196

One tap mobile:

+12532158782,,86833169280#,,,,*433196# US (Tacoma)

 Dial by your location:  +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Meeting ID: 868 3316 9280

Passcode: 433196

Bob Rossi

Chapter Secretary

National Writers Union Oregon Chapter

The meeting opened at 4:18 PM with 5 people present.

We began the meeting with introductions.

Marty Hart-Landsberg reported on the following:

1.       He had good initial contact with the leadership of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Writers Union. Additional follow-up is needed.

2.       Our Chapter previously endorsed Measure 114. That is now in the courts. We also endorsed the Eviction Representation for All measure in Multnomah County. That measure is headed to the May ballot in Multnomah County.

The Chapter is open to endorsing issues brought forward by Chapter members. Please send in your suggestions and Chapter leadership will try to respond within one week.

Lura Frazey reported that the Chapter has $7372.13 in hand. Our $100 donation to the HarperCollins strike fund has not been processed through NWU. The strike continues.

Discussion on Oregon NWU Chapter tee-shirts. It was suggested that we produce a Chapter tee-shirt with our union logo and a state map. Bob Rossi will coordinate with Elissa Edge and Pat Riggs-Henson. We need a camera-ready graphic from our national union.

Discussion of Oregon AFL-CIO affiliation. It was moved, seconded, and carried that we affiliate with the Oregon AFL-CIO. Sister Pat Riggs-Henson offered to be our delegate. Delegates serve between Oregon AFL-CIO conventions Our President will appoint a delegate. If members are interested in serving in this capacity, please notify Brother Hart-Landsberg before our March meeting. Brother Hart-Landsberg will notify our national union of our decision to affiliate. A copy of our affiliation letter will be included with these minutes.

Discussion of our reading of What 1930s Radicals Totally Knew: Scott Borchert on the Federal Writers’ Project by Scott Borchert and Susie Day.

Members are invited to suggest readings for discussion at our meetings. These should be on-line and accessible. If you have a reading to suggest, please notify us before our March meeting.

Our meeting closed at 5:30 PM.

Our meeting schedule is as follows:

        Mar 12, 2023 04:00 PM
        May 14, 2023 04:00 PM
        Jul 9, 2023 04:00 PM
        Sep 10, 2023 04:00 PM
        Nov 12, 2023 04:00 PM
        Jan 14, 2024 04:00 PM
        Mar 10, 2024 04:00 PM

The link to these meetings is:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86186555977?pwd=Nk1COGY1SVMrNzNJNGphRGg0TVRyQT09

Meeting ID: 861 8655 5977
Passcode: 735400

One tap mobile
+17193594580,,86186555977#,,,,*735400# US
+12532050468,,86186555977#,,,,*735400# US

Dial by your location
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 861 8655 5977

Oregon NWU Chapter Steering Committee Meeting

Present: Elissa, Stefan, Lura, Marty, Bob

We discussed our organizing capacity and building our chapter. After lengthy discussion the following decisions were made:

1. Continue to meet and invite people into the processes of getting to know one another, finding common interests and common work.

2. Remain independent as a chapter within the National Writers Union.

3. Meet every other month and do shared readings and discussions of the readings.

4. Stay connected to other NWU chapters.

5. Have Oregon NWU tee-shirts made (Marty, Elissa, Bob)

6. Possible support for the strike at HarperCollins: making a donation, leafleting (Marty, Bob)

7. Our first reading will be: https://monthlyreview.org/2022/03/01/what-1930s-radicals-totally-knew-scott-borchert-on-the-federal-writers-project/. We will discuss this at our next meeting.

Our next meeting will be held on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 4:00 PM. Our meetings will be informal, with a fling-the-doors-open approach. Members and friends can gather in a coffee shop and participate together.