Automated Summary:

The East Bay Gray Panthers held their monthly meeting to discuss recent activities and future priorities.

Betsy Morris and Carol Crooks, the co-conveners, presented photos and details from a recent die-in protest they helped organize to protect Medi-Cal and Medicaid from budget cuts, which drew approximately 50-60 participants.

The group discussed their involvement in affordable housing initiatives, including a tour of cooperative housing in Berkeley and potential collaboration with organizations like Neighborship and the California Alliance of Retired Americans (CARA).

Members shared personal updates and concerns about healthcare, housing affordability, and mental health services, with particular attention to rent control in Berkeley and the need for tenant unions.

The conversation ended with discussions about upcoming events including a Juneteenth festival table and plans for a potential housing summit or teach-in to address affordable housing needs in Alameda County.

Mental Health and Housing Initiatives

Christopher shared information about a new lobbying group in Alameda County advocating for more investment in people with serious mental illness, which Betsy agreed to follow up on. Christoverre also discussed the Clubhouse organization as an alternative approach offering peer support and professional resources for those with mental illness. The group then discussed a recent affordable housing tour led by Betsy, where Candida shared her observations about cooperative living and the importance of intergenerational preservation of housing, noting gaps in education and stewardship that need addressing.

Grey Panthers Strategy Planning Meeting

Betsy discussed recent activities of Grey Panthers, including visits to housing projects and their endorsement of social housing through the Housing Now platform. She asked the group about priorities for the next six months and encouraged members to get involved with California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA), a related organization with which Grey Panthers are affiliated.

Juneteenth Festival Partnership Planning

The group discussed plans for sharing a table at the Juneteenth Festival, with Michael suggesting that Berkeley Tenants Union and Grey Panthers would be appropriate organizations to partner on this effort, particularly given housing challenges facing older residents. Julia, a former long-time member and chair of the Berkeley Tenants Union steering committee, provided context about rent control in Berkeley, explaining how the Costa-Hawkins law has weakened rent control protections and noting the need to monitor and potentially restart efforts to repeal it. The discussion ended with Betsy asking about booth reservation status for the Juneteenth Festival.

Housing Summit Planning Discussion

Betsy discussed plans for a housing summit focused on public financing and community organizing around housing issues, suggesting that Grey Panthers could lead a national tenants movement. She proposed bringing in a speaker from the National Law Center for Low Income Housing to discuss affirmatively furthering fair housing laws. Michael confirmed he and his wife would attend the upcoming June 21st event, and Robert mentioned he would follow up on pending matters with Dolores Cooper.

Homeless Services Oversight Discussion

Christoverre explained his work with the continuum of care for homeless services in the county, highlighting concerns about lack of independent oversight and advocacy for participants in housing programs. He described creating "Home Buds" to serve as ombudsmen for program participants and conduct audits to ensure proper use of federal funding. Betsy discussed the history of social housing and co-housing, noting that while some earlier group housing projects were sold, some have been preserved through community land trusts, and mentioned current efforts to help tenant groups purchase their properties in Berkeley.

Housing Collaboration Strategy Meeting

The meeting focused on housing issues and potential collaboration between organizations. Arlene proposed partnering with ACE to address a 300-unit senior building in East Oakland, suggesting the possibility of forming tenant unions and considering class action lawsuits against property managers. The group discussed the importance of expanding efforts beyond Berkeley to other areas in Alameda County and potentially working with the Legal Services Foundation on a national level. They also touched on the idea of organizing a housing teach-in across the county and utilizing the health community to improve housing quality.

Cooperative Housing and Tenant Protections

The group discussed housing and health connections, with Julia sharing information about habitability laws and tenant protections.

Organization Updates and Announcements

The group discussed several updates and announcements. David reported that the FBI has taken a small contract to start a nationwide bird surveillance program, and he announced that the organization endorsed the Connect Bay Area transit measure to fund BART and MUNI for the next six years.

The group also learned about an upcoming Wood Street Commons block party on Friday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at 2103 San Pablo Avenue, where Arlene will be tabling with the Laney Poor People Campaign.

Group Discussion and Social Planning

The group discussed various topics including art, language, and voting. David shared a quote from Ursula Le Guin about the misuse of language and its impact on society.

Chat highlights / resources / links

Invitation

Welcome to 2026! and our monthly speaker meeting (generally the fourth Wednesday of the month).

Today's speaker is: YOU!

(and all of us - taking this opportunity to reflect and appreciate what we see in the mirror)

Let's take this "bonus" extra post-Holiday week of May to look back at all that we have accomplished and hear from Panthers who have been part of:

• Affordable Housing Month events, including our Social Housing is Real walking tour this past Saturday.
• Last week's Die-In to preserve Medicare, home health, and healthcare for all
• Lobbying days in Sacramento with our California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) allies.

Plus an open discussion about all of our strategies for next week's election! And planning ahead for our booth at Berkeley's Juneteenth celebration, and a chance to share what's exciting for you, what you'd like to hear about.

1:30 PM

• Greetings: Welcome New Members and other Introductions
• Suggested Meeting Guidelines

BOARD AND MEMBER REPORTS

Co-Convenors Carol Crooks & Betsy Morris

ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

Our General Calendar:

• Board/Member Meeting - 1st Wednesdays
• Member Socials - 2nd Wednesdays
• Public Meeting - 4th Wednesdays
  

Adjourn 3:15 with a closing poem

RSVP on this page to get the Zoom link. We look forward to seeing you there! Spread the word.