We meet every Wednesday at 1:30 by phone or Zoom.

The fourth Wednesday of each month we host a public program with guest speakers on special topics, along with reports and updates on our ongoing campaigns or new initiatives brought to our attention. Join East Bay Gray Panthers to receive emails about Speaker Meeting programs.

The last half hour is for continued discussion, general announcements and social time.

The other Wednesdays of the month, members of the board meet between 1:30 and 3 to make endorsements, plan and share upcoming actions, make executive decisions and shoot the breeze! Members, partners, and newcomers are welcome to drop in! but you may want to call the convenor if you'd like time on the agenda.

In the fall we often host proposition and candidate forums; The OCTOBER Speakers Meeting is also an annual Member Meeting for Election to the Board of Directors and related business. We do not meet during Thanksgiving week, so look for other dates on our events calendar.

October meeting focus: Dark Money in Politics

All are welcome! Please share widely.

AGENDA:

1:30 Welcomes, introductions

Dark Money in Berkeley - Outside groups buying into our local elections - Who, What, Why? and what can we do about it? Discussions with Igor Tregub, outgoing Rent Board Commissioner and other invited guests.

2:15 Renter Protections Berkeley Measure MM and Proposition 21 --- presentation and request for endorsement by Julia Cato, and Matthew Lewis, Berkeley Tenants Union.

2:30 GP Business - member motions; zoom poll opens

2:40 - Reclaiming Nursing Homes from COVID-19 and Capitalism - with Mike Dark, staff lawyer of the California Alliance for Nursing Home Reform. See their 10-point plan online at www.canhr.org or at www.eastbaygraypanthers.org event link.

3:30 Members Business/Final Motions from the Floor and VOTING by ZOOM Poll

Endorsements, Motions, and Nominations may still be made and seconded from the floor by voting members. Thank you to outgoing Board Members: the Hon. Carole Kennerly, Ms. Shereen Rahmen, Ms. Gracie Jones, Ms. Angeles Gottheil.

4PM ADJOURN

Campaigns/Coalitions/Issues currently tracking - more bird-dogs always welcome!

Nursing Home Safety, Accountability, and Worker Solidarity under COVID and beyond
California Master Plan on Aging/Community Health Equity
Medicare for All
Accessibility, Disability, Inclusion Solidarity and Advocacy
Eviction Defense/Renters Rights and Rent Control
Homeless Solidarity/Landless Peoples Alliance
Concerns of Local Senior HUD Housing Tenants/National Alliance of HUD Tenants
Racial Justice & Right of Return/Black Lives Solidarity
Berkeley Fair and Just Policing Initiatives
Design & Development at BART, Adeline Corridor
Climate Emergency Mobilization/Green New Deal/
State Legislation tracking with CARA and EBHO

Long Term Support Services; Nursing Home Accountability
California Master Plan for Aging: We are part of Panther Networks working together to shape policy.
Eviction Defense & Homeless Solidarity: People’s Park Defense Committee
Senior Housing Reports (National Alliance of HUD Tenants (NAHT) and Redwood Gardens)