Draft Agenda for the LASC Strategy Meeting

November 21st, 6-9 PM,
Howard Johnson’s, Columbus GA

Part 1 (6-6:30)
A. Report Back from Miami/Protest of FTAA Ministerial Meeting; State of the campaign to Stop FTAA and CAFTA.

B. State of the campaign to Shut Down the SOA; legislative update and strategy. This year’s protest; what can we expect?

C. LASC campaign to Stop US Military and Economic Intervention in Latin America and the Caribbean. Report from the May 2003 Hemispheric Forum in Chiapas.

Part 2 (6:30- 9)
A. What is the LASC? Why does LASC exist?
Review LASC history and principles.
Review past conferences and April 2003 mobilization.

B. Why does the LASC exist and what can LASC realistically do or accomplish?

C. Who belongs to LASC?
Are we a loose Network or a Coalition of groups with certain responsibilities? Are there different levels of membership (core and associate members)? What are the criteria for membership? Who makes up the coordinating committee?

D. How can we grow the Movement?
What kind of movement do we want to create?
Where are the Gaps in membership?
There is a critical need for more diversity:
We have a deficit of Latin/Hispanic, African American, immigrant, environmental, and anti-corporate groups. How can LASC improve outreach and communication?

E. Do we want an office, staff person? How would it be funded? Structure?

Break: 15 minutes

F. Review and update points of unity. What’s being left out?
Under the present political situation, are these points strong enough? Too Strong?

G. Suggested actions for 2004:
Possible campaigns, conferences, mobilizations.

LASC endorsements:
1. III Hemispheric Meeting Against the FTAA, January 2004 in Havana, Cuba.