WPP Gathering 17 January 2010

Attendees:  Dudley Leggett, Paul Margolin, Sol Millin and Ricardo Johansson

Apologies:  Jarel

Start of gathering 6 PM

Topics of conversation:

Markets

It was agreed that our presence at the Byron Markets, just like our presence at the early Byron Symposiums at the Byron Community & Cultural Centre and Mullum Hall, was useful in establishing a community awareness that we exist.  It’s our belief now that we need to discontinue the presence at the Byron Markets and more efficiently use our time and talents by moving on to the the next level of community activity: targeted education.  Dr. Wendy Sarkissian was scheduled to have her last workshop on ‘Governance’ from her book ‘Kitchen Table Sustainability’ at the next Byron Market on 7 February 2010, but that will be cancelled.  Wendy has stated that she would like to have the opportunity to address that issue with the WPP group at a future date.

The question now is how to engage in this targeted education.  The other topics of conversation address this.

Use of on-line technology

Our combined efforts in creating the Byron Shire’s People’s Referendum on the United People site proved that we can successfully use the technology.  That was a great start.  It was felt that it’s now time to advance to a higher level of use.  Therefore, everyone is encouraged to publish an issue on the United People site for any subject matter concerning the Will of the People Project.

Getting the word out

Sol Millin said he is currently researching Open Social technology (API - programming interface) - an application that will potentially virally spread the word about WPP and Upworldgov.org.  Sol will talk with Jarel about this..

Paul Margolin reminded us that there are individuals who are ready to help us (pro bono) in our programming needs.

Suggestion for new campaign

Ricardo is nearly finished with his memoir.  It’s his personal story about the experiences that eventually led him to being involved in the WPP and United People System.  His main purpose in writing the book is to very briefly provide some background and definition to the WPP and the United People System - so people can really understand quickly.  It will be our very first significant tool to help educate those who are close to us about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.  Initially, it’s perceived that anyone of us can have cards made up with brief invitation to read the memoir (giving the web address where it can be downloaded freely) and call back for a one-hour discussion about the WPP Project.  Ricardo will post this as an issue on the United People site so others have an opportunity to fine tune the approach.

Sol mentioned the WPP website issues and campaigns need updating.  He personally will update the Economy of Love, and Affordable Housing to include container homes.

Sol agreed that a well advertised peaceful gathering to help improve our Byron Council could also form a spearhead of change and allow WPP to grow.

Others are encouraged to also post issues on the United People site concerning the development of their ideas for educating members of our community about what the WPP is all about.

The Game

Sol Millin said we are in a middle of having created something and engaging it.  We need a sort of jump-start mechanism that can give people a hand’s-on experience of what we’re all about.  He suggested we create a game in which people from Byron Shire, and all over the world, can learn and experience how to truly think and act as a Sovereign individual - something quite different from how we think and act as subjects.   We can even experience how to use a truly honest and transparent money system in the game.  One of the challenges is to make it fun and intriguing.

Sol notified us that he has published a new proposition on the United People site in the issue: ‘Economic Remedies Prescribed by the People.’  He has titled it ‘Economy of Love.  He also mentioned that his nephew Mark Millin, a very well known academic economist and lecturer in South Africa, is considering doing his doctorate thesis on The Economy of Love.  Also a mathematical model of the EOL, to show it will work, is being built in MATLAB with the help of an advanced programmer in Holland.

Ricardo is impressed with the idea and thinks it’s perfect to tie in with Australia’s Green Cauldron concept where the tourist industry is looking for new and innovative ways to attract people from all over the world to this area.  He will be including it in his memoir - to possibly get help from people around the globe to help create it.  A “Game” issue will be created on the United People site as well.

Living Together Gathering

Dudley Leggett said that the target date for the next Living Together Gathering is two weeks after Easter weekend.

Everyone agreed that the Living Together Network would be a wonderful tool to pull everything together in one place.  It will be an ideal place to tie in the ‘Game’ idea as well.  Management is key.  Anyone wishing to participate in helping organise and manage the up-coming Living Together Gatherings are requested to contact Dudley.  Paul Margolin suggested that we begin the Living Together Gathering with a parade in Byron, and he would like to offer musical entertainment for the effort pro bono.

Anyone with ideas concerning how to improve the LTG are encouraged to submit them as proposals on the www.livingtogethernetwork.net website.

WPP Meetings

As we’re encouraging an increased use of the United People site for discussing issues, the need to have physical meetings should materialise naturally.  As time goes on we’ll be communicating with each other via phone, email, etc. - along with what we’re doing on the UP site.  At any time, when one or more of us feels its time to get together with a limited number of people, or the whole bunch of us, we can each take the responsibility to follow our feelings and set up a time and place for the gathering and make the appropriate invitations.  We all liked the idea of spontaneous gatherings rather than a rigid schedule.  We also agreed that as the leaders in this movement, we need to practice what we preach - and that’s using the on-line technology to discuss and decide issues.

Closing note

After reflecting on what's happening in this Shire and around the world at this time, and affirming the importance of this effort, Paul Margolin made a statement that sort of wraps it all up. He said, "I believe it's just the right thing to do."

Gathering concluded at 8 PM