Ottawa 2011-12-13 minutes

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The meeting on December 13th was small, but eventful. There was a great amount of conversation and a number of materials were shopped around including a proposed pamphlet design. We were also visited by a prospective member and had some large advertising signs in the window of the Tim Hortons. The highlights are as follows:

  • Advertisements / Paraphenalia
    • Flags are now available with a $100 donation to the PPCA
      • Gray currently has one in his possession
      • Ascroft will be ordering one tonight
    • PPCA Signet Patches are available in minimum orders of 12 for $6/patch. Cost per patch decreases as order size grows. Ascroft will be ordering a set of 12 to judge quality. If this works out well, we can use this as another avenue for revenue for the party, or to fund local PPCA activities.
    • PPCA Logos are all in scalable format, but the secondary logo (Pirate Ship) does not seem to scale well. The image becomes fuzzy as it increases in size.
    • Several boards have been done up to advertise PPCA activities. During the meeting the boards were propped in the window for people to see from outside.
    • Digital version of English-only pamphlet was previewed. General nod as to the look of it, but difficult to properly appraise on netbook screen. A printed copy is to be brought out at the next meeting.
    • We should also try to find a translator so we can create a French version of the pamphlet. Ottawa is a very bi-lingual city and with only a few modifications (removal of meeting schedule) the pamphlet can be used nation-wide.
    • After draft approved, Gray will send copy to second new translator in NB with schedule removed.
    • Ascroft will be obtaining a used RV in the next few days and would like to emblazon it with PPCA logo & QR codes. Can work as a PPCA “bus” for events & a possible tour during the 42nd General Election
    • Need to look into making additional connections with local Flikr, Small Business, and Linux groups as this will be a prime market for recruiting membership that are very capable in contributing elements that will be of great use to the PPCA
    • Also need to make more use of free event-notification sites prior to meetings/events:
      • Kijiji, Craigslist, OttawaEvents
    • Gray will print up a bunch of QR-code stickers to be slapped around Ottawa, this campaign is low-cost and takes advantage of people’s inherent curiosity to bring them to the PPCA website
      • The website needs to be better organized for this campaign to be truly effective, but the core elements are good
  • Membership Ideas
    • A proper membership drive needs to be done soon. Some expenses must be incurred to do this properly.
      • Gray pointed out that once the pamphlets are approved, this will be easier as a membership form has been built into the pamphlets, so these can be printed up across the country.
    • Talk of membership bundling options
      • Only one “membership” level, but people can choose to donate at same time.
      • All members should receive a basic window sign, decal or otherwise so they can advertise their membership at their home. This works with many other organizations as any visitors are guaranteed to see it in their doors
      • Also suggested that at certain levels of donations with sign-up, promo items such as T-shirts, flags, etc should be included.
        • This would depend greatly on the costs of these items and stock levels
        • This would also depend on the increase in shipping costs
      • Should be some additional benefits for renewals, like a membership loyalty program
        • Ie 2-yr, 3-yr, 4-yr, 5-yr, 10-yr, 25-yr promo items
        • Idea of a sash that members can wear proudly to local meetings and PPCA events with additional patches that could be added.
        • Ascroft is going to do up a sample to see how it looks, aiming for the Swedish Pirate Party’s purple.
  • Local Events
    • Trade Show Booths
      • Need to find out what events are coming up, which ones are appropriate, and what we can trade in contra to reduce costs of setting up a booth
      • Ascroft very interested in manning booth, Gray can do on Saturdays and Sundays without excessive difficulty
      • Signage is already well prepared for this task, just need pamphlets and dedicated volunteers to work toward setting it up
    • Protests
      • We need to increase our presence at local protests. People are dissatisfied with current operations of the government, which makes many of these groups prime recruiting areas.
      • With the flags and pamphlets in hands, that greatly increases the visibility and recruitability that could be garnered at these events
      • Not all protests are appropriate, so it would be a good move to pick and choose what to attend
    • Pirate Adventures
      • This summer, we should partner with Pirate Adventures to run a summer fundraiser
      • The PPCA could “sponsor” the Pirate Adventures portion of the event, with children and families invited from the “Boys & Girls Club”, “Children’s Wish”, “Easter Seals”, “Juvenile Diabetes Association”, “Big Brothers, Big Sisters”, etc to ride the pirate ship for free.
      • Where the adventure docks, the PPCA could set up a refreshment stand/BBQ, with all required permits, and sell hot dogs, sausages, burgers & beverages. Funds raised could be split between PPCA & any partnered charities.
      • Currently possessed signage & materials could be used to advertise party’s involvement with the event. Additional areas that may work would be in cup designs, hot dog/sausage/burger papers, napkins, etc.
      • This would function as a major local profile gain and should be explored fully
  • Current Events / Platform-related Issues
    • Garbage Inspections & Plasco
      • In Ottawa, there is a lot of talk about increasing garbage inspection to ensure people do not throw away recyclables. This is a great expense and focuses on punishment instead of incentive, something that is never very conducive toward solving problems
      • The municipal government has also signed a 20-year deal with Plasco, which will take garbage and, through a process called “gasification”, generate electricity. This works in a manner that is counter the Garbage Inspection slated earlier
      • The high-end difficulty with recycling & composting in Ottawa has been getting people to sort their own garbage. Some municipalities have a “sorting plant”, which generates a lot of jobs for individuals without experience or education, removes home-based hassle of sorting, and takes recycling from 60% adoption to 100%
      • A plant of this sort could work as a great asset, and possibly be profitable if the services are sold to neighbouring municipalities (or if run as an independent small business).
      • Alternately, this “sorting” condition should be built into Plasco’s contract, thereby implementing it as a by-product of their energy generation service
      • This would also reduce travel & inspection costs as garbage inspectors would no longer be needed as they would be replaced by sorters who take care of this issue in a safe environment.
    • Air Force, F35s
      • Government is considering a reduction in the quantity of F-35s to order as a result of the US pulling their order from the project and increasing prices
      • The claim had repeatedly been made that a contract had been signed for a certain quantity of aircraft, if modifications are to be made, then we should consider withdrawing from the contract
      • It would be a great boost for the Canadian economy and would help rebuild our severely weakened aeronautic manufacturing sector to employ Canadian companies to develop and build these aircraft
    • Surveillance
      • On issue of OC Transpo busses considering implementation of surveillance system to monitor passengers (not employees), generally against the idea, especially as many issues are being had with fault to drivers as well
      • Additionally, surveillance is not a deterrent. The more cameras, the less people care that they’re there. Witness swarm mob activities now occurring through UK, where everything is captured on camera.
      • If you’re watching everyone, you’re watching no one.
    • Facial Recognition Software
      • Facial recognition software takes images of people captured through cameras and tries to find matches elsewhere
      • This includes moving through Facebook/Diaspora/Google+/whatever accounts to find matches in order to lay charges
      • The use of this software without obtaining a warrant to obtain information through these social media channels is a violation of an individual’s privacy, and this should be something that we investigate and respond to in the future
      • Google+ is adding facial recognition software, which may be a prime cause for concern
    • Key challenges for platform
      • Need to relate the platform to specific and concrete benefits that people will feel
      • What are the specific benefits of an Open Internet that people will notice?
      • Also need to stay away from using punishment as a tool, or doomsday style scenarios should certain things occur
      • Stick to the facts, but relate them in a way that people can comprehend
  • Fringe Connection
    • Connecting with, and adding some stances from other small parties to our own could widen our appeal and bring some of their membership into our fold
    • How can we do this without losing our focus?
    • Parties (and entities) to connect with need to be researched, but may include:
      • PC
      • Marijuana
      • FPNP
      • Animal Alliance
      • Western Bloc
      • Canadian Action Party
      • United
      • Online Party
    • Even if we do not actively seek to fold them into ourselves, an ongoing communication between small parties should continue to be pursued as combined resources could lead to combined activities that bring attention to all the small parties involved.
  • PPI Conference 2012
    • With locations now closed for sending in applications to host the 2012 PPI conference, it appears it will be in the Czech Republic
    • Gray expressed an interest in attending, but was uncertain if he could afford the costs
    • Floated that the PPCA should pay to send someone over, either the leader or a political board representative
    • This is something that should be pushed further in Federal Council / Political Board meetings
    • This would not only be a great chance to network internationally, it would also provide a good research trip in order to prepare for the hosting of a PPI Conference in future years

The next meeting is scheduled for December 27th @ 7:00pm

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