99 Unite

Civic Forum

Sharing Visions for 2015

December 17, 2014

Welcome
The 99 Unite Civic Forum is a vehicle for collaboration
towards a common vision, drawing from strengths and
wisdoms of conservatives, moderates, and progressives
alike. In this age of increasing polarization and
radicalization, we hope to be a voice of moderation and
conscience that puts people before politics, common good
before endless struggles.

Our origins and history

The instigator (often otherwise known as the founder)

Former libertarian-turned-radical-socialist

Ideological shift correlated change of socioeconomic status (abstract ladder)

Also a former priest

And currently pursuing M.Div. in feminist theology

Fine artist with seven years of working history in Portland

Occupied full 39 days

Founded and successfully organized the Interfaith Guild of Chaplains

Over 20 faith-specific and interfaith events

Over 10 active volunteer chaplains representing various denominations

Post-Occupy soul-searching

Painful adjustment after having invested so much

Disillusionment with dysfunction and ideologies

Found another perspective and enlightenment in classical conservatives

Organizing the 2013 Occupy Portland

Summer Capacity-Building Conference

Over 40 attendees
Two-day weekend event
Plenaries and breakout sessions

What came out of the conference?

What brought 10,000 people out?

Keeping conversations alive
Collaboration across different groups

99 Unite Civic Forum conceived

Test-rebranding Occupy as a way of renewed outreach/new

market segments
Specific goals to engage the middle-class, business owners,
PTA moms
Creating respectability/renew credibility when Occupy
became a liability
Retaining and further developing positive aspects of the
movement
Strategies: Oregons political realities requires buy-in from
business community leaders.

99 Unite Civic Forum launched in

November 2013

Monthly topics, open-ended discussion

Public policy report generated for Street Fee (May 2014)
Decline in attendance (again): People arent interested
in meetings-for-meetings-sake
Tasks and objectives over process
Overall lack of direction and leadership
A few committed core members remain active

2015 Visions

Positioning 99 UCF as one of driving forces to fill in the

post-Occupy leadership vacuum
Continuing mutual aid with FOOP
Recognizing needs for initiatives, leadership, and
visibility
Uniting again the moderate conservatives and the
liberals towards common grounds
Emphasizing the importance of civic values

Inspirations
Ralph Nader, 2000 Green Party presidential candidate
Founder of US Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), consumer advocates
Author, Unstoppable
Works with Grover Norquist on issues such as excessive police force, prison
overpopulation, drug policy reform
Robert Nisbet, 1950s traditionalist conservative thinker, sociologist
Author, Quest for Community
Local civic communities are safeguards of liberty against tyranny
Resonates with Catholic theology of subsidiarity; conservative/libertarian
emphasis on local government; and progressives desire for localized community
Regarded as a must-read for classical conservatives

Focus Areas
1. Empowering local economy and creating
economic opportunities.
2. Defending human rights and safeguarding
the liberty.
3. Promote a clean and accountable
government.
4. Building common civic values around our
mutual commitment to the common good.

Towards Project-Oriented Organizing

Projects create things to do that people with
different backgrounds can come together and
collaborate on. Aside from specific results,
working together on tasks helps create stronger
bonds of community. Projects lead to results,
and results lead to stronger organization and
greater support.

Project: Entrepreneurs Toolkit

Sarah A. Morrigan will be authoring an informative print
book and web-based service that help and inspire local small
and medium business owners (as well as aspiring start-up
entrepreneurs) to make business decisions that are
conducive to a stronger community, robust local economy,
sustainability, and ethical labor practice.
The book/website will contain both objective reviews
(Consumer Report-style) of various resources and options, as
well as narratives from/about existing business owners on
how they are making real differences in the community.

99 Unite Certified Business Certification

Program
In the Portland Business Journal (May 11, 2012):
Among the ideas Occupy Portland hopes to implement in the next
month:
A guidebook that will help small businesses make the switch from
national banks to Oregon banks and credit unions.
Window stickers for businesses that bank locally, the financial
services equivalent of Willamette Weeks Best places to eat badges.
An ad-hoc bank that will accept donations and redistribute the
money to those most in need, an idea with its roots in efforts by
other West Coast Occupy chapters to start credit unions.

99 Unite Certified

Small annual certification fees to benefit FOOP

(provides residual revenue to sustain the movements
infrastructure and general outreach efforts)
Window decal and license to use symbol on their
business cards, ads, etc.

Five Areas of Certification

Requirements
Keeping money local: banking, financing,
purchasing/sourcing
Sustainability: green practices, buildings, waste/recycle
management, sourcing
Fair trade: locally and globally
Giving back to the community: CSR and local involvement;
reaching out to marginalized population in service and hiring
practices
Ethical labor practice, satisfied workforce: HR practices,
employee satisfaction, wages and benefits

How you can get involved

Outreach and networking with business community and
start-ups
Recommending businesses
Certification committee: sets standard and evaluate applicants
Advisory committee: business, HR, labor, environmental,
financial, etc.
Programming: Ruby on Rails to create custom interactive
website that is secure and tamper proof

Project: Law enforcement

accountability and criminal justice
reform

Police violence is pervasive problem in America

Portland Police Bureau under court sanction over
excessive force use
Reforming police subculture is critical
We cannot continue arresting and jailing away
social problems
Breaking societys addictive dependence on police (9-1-1
is not magic pill)

Framing this as a moral decency issue

Annunciating a set of ethical codes for police

Medieval and ancient societies had warriors code of
honor
The more power is given, the more responsibilities are
demanded
Institutionalized violence should not be the first
response.
Re-cultivating community as safeguards for public safety

Critical reviews of police and

correctional policy documents

Daylight is a good disinfectant

Power corrupts and corruption thrives in
secrecy

Advocating for vulnerable populations

Women
Latinos/Blacks
LGBTQAIP
Immigrants/refugees/foreigners
Mentally disabled/ill
Members of non-mainstream religions

Public education

What are human rights? Why are human rights

American value?
Where can conservatives and liberals agree on this?
Breaking our thirst for retribution and cruelty
Breaking our addictive dependence on the police
Non-violent communications and interventions
methods

Project: Municipal Identification Card

Background
In 2008, Gov. Ted Kulongoski imposed restrictions on DMV ID cards/DL, calling undocumented
immigrants come to Oregon for nefarious purposes. The legislature, at the request of the governor,
followed up in 2009 with a bill.
Unintended fall out: New law affected more than undocumented immigrants
Veterans
Victims of domestic violence
Homeless
Recently released prisoners
LGBTQAIP - due to name/gender changes
Measure 88 (SB 845 of 2013) sought to partially ameliorate the situation by creating driver cards.
The Measure failed in all Oregon counties except Multnomah County.
Willamette Week post-election analysis indicated strong support FOR Measure 88 in most of
Portland west of I-205.

Why Multnomah County?

Historically, public policy of Multnomah County is future

statewide policy

Smoke-free workplace
Same-sex marriage/domestic partnership

Multnomah County commissioners and voters are likely to reject

nativist resistance
County government handles vital statistics and social services, so
existing resources and infrastructures can be used to implement
programs without lots of new investment
Growing immigrants and low-income population in East County
outside Portland (Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview...)

Why Municipal ID card?

ID-challenged population lacks adequate human rights protection.
Many major cities in the U.S. are already doing it with success.
Relatively low cost for implementation, with abilities to recover (San Francisco:
$828,000).
Immigration reform is stalling, and even if passed, will be a while before
implementation.
Many Oregon ID card holders are unable to renew expired cards, and the number
is growing while meaningful remedy fails in the legislature.
Useful second piece of ID for many others.
Social service agencies may find this a lower-cost temporary solution for their
clients.
Model legislation is on our website (http://99unitecivicforum.weebly.com)

Project: Economic Empowerment

Academy
From Zero to Entrepreneurship
Micro-enterprises for low-income residents with barriers to employment
Zero to low capital start-up solutions
Incubator
Partnership with local businesses
Sales (consignment)
Co-op advertising
Mentorship and networking
Addressing poverty mentality and cultural paradigm shift

How will 99 UCF be structured in

2015?
Regular monthly meetings continue
Third Wednesdays
Summer forums
Action alerts and other electronic updates (see http://99unitecivicforum.weebly.com )
Subscribe to our Mailchimp list
Join our MeWe group
Taskforce meetings and work parties
Legislative advocacy
City
County
State
Public education events
Co-operation with national groups with similar objectives

Thank you for your continued

support!
99 Unite Civic Forum
http://99unitecivicforum.weebly.com
99unitecivicforum@nonpartisan.com
Twitter @99unitecivicfor
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