No society has ever governed by 100% consensus. It is inefficient and allows disruption of the society by the pettiest of grievances slowing its progress.  We have members of the organization who have stepped into leadership roles, in the form of committee members. I appreciate their dedication and time commitments to this movement, but this does not make them our representatives. The proper response to the Houston’s Police Department request for a meeting should have been, “We are lead by consensus, we will inform participants in the Occupy Houston movement of the appointed time and place of the meeting and all that are interested shall attend.” 

Last night’s meeting caused a great deal of discord within the Occupy movement’s general assembly both over the assembly rules and the committee selected to meet with the Houston Police Department over tomorrow’s march. I would like to suggest the following;

1.      Limit the general assembly for voting on propositions to one time per day, 7pm is best attended.

2.      Post all agendas on the Occupy Houston website 24 hrs prior to the meeting.  

3.      Eliminate 100% consensus and move to a 2/3 majority.

4.      For the sake of keeping this movement inclusive and attracting support, we must keep the focus of this collective as limited as possible.               “End corporate corruption of democracy” through campaign finance reform that removes excessive private and all corporate contributions to candidates and their political parties at all levels of government: city, state and federal and elimination of corporate person hood through the reversal of the Citizens United decision.

5.      Increase use of the ocuppyhouston.org forums for constructive discussions.

It is my sincere hope that this Occupy Houston movement continues and that last nights conflicts be forgotten and those that were offended, forgive the growing pains of this growing movement and stay with us. We need you, your experience and opinions to make this a movement we can all say we were proud to be part of.

Sincerely,

Paul Hoffman