Minutes/General Meeting/2012-04-17

More input needed from NC members

 * Simon and Brendan seemingly the only two active NC members presently.
 * Transparency of operations acknowledged
 * Direction required such that members are aware of current activities and accomplishments acknowledged
 * List of goals or tasks to be completed suggested as a simple solution
 * Secretary (Brendan) and IT/S have been working to overhaul systems so that a central communications platform can be established
 * Increased prescence/availability of NC members requested.

Tweets

 * Messages can be suggested for retweeting by adding @piratepartyau

Openpad

 * OpenPad should continue to be utilised for fast collaboration, but permanent documentation should be transferred to the wiki.

Engagement of new members

 * Welcome e-mail would help engage new members immediately
 * Mailing lists have been thus far ineffective

Summary of PPI-GA 2012

 * Positive: Greece and Croatia given membership
 * Positive: Travis McCrea (PPCA) elected as board member
 * Failure to vote on most statute amendments
 * Entire day wasted on forming PPEU
 * Remote delegates ignored
 * Argument over gender neutrality of words
 * Argument over legal first names and nicknames
 * PPCAT membership referred to Court of Arbitration
 * Brendan did not achieve majority support in his candidacy for board member; has accepted a position as a alternative board member
 * Mozart elected to Court of Arbitration, 20 out of 23 in favour
 * 50% of delegates voted AGAINST a secret ballot
 * Remote delegates scapegoated for technical problems and incompetence
 * Consideration into whether PPAU will attend any PPI-GA's in the future, and whether to withdraw our membership from PPI
 * Consideration into lodging a formal complaint to PPI; to be decided at the Next National Council meeting

Weekly summary of PPAU

 * Show activity within the party
 * Temporary stopgap until the Pirate Gazette is running
 * Publicised on the website

Revival of the Gazette

 * terribleivan has volunteered to help
 * Distribution format to be decided later
 * Published monthly, starting 1st of May

New webcast lauched

 * Hosted by Sam
 * Released on a fortnightly basis
 * Transcript available in the wiki

Suggestion for PPAU to engage in profitable ventures

 * VPN services, sale of merchandise
 * PPAU already has a ABN
 * Requires reliable people with business experience and an active treasurer
 * VPN market saturated
 * Merchandise - t-shirts, stickers, goodies bag
 * Could detract from core policies
 * Comission from referrals (affiliate accounts)

Sticker packs

 * Utilise existing inventory
 * Stickers can be requested online and will be mailed out by terribleivan
 * 10 per pack, donate option available on the request form

ACTA action

 * Europe is engaging in anti-ACTA protests
 * 'Sing like a pirate' to gain media attention suggested by Simon; may be ineffective
 * David and Simon went to the TPPA stakeholder meeting to inform stakeholders and negotiators of the issues
 * Acknowledged by ADA, EFF and KEI

Brisbane Pirates meetup

 * Mostly non members
 * Have been given membership forms

Privacy Awareness Week

 * Too late to organise any events
 * Promote on PPAU website and social media

Other

 * Statement of intention not to re-run for the position of secretary by Brendan

Action Items

 * Transfer 'permanent' pads from OpenPad to thewiki
 * Creation of wiki pages for leaders of the party with contact details
 * Joakal to create weekly reports for next fortnight until next National Meeting.