OC Van proposal

[Sugar]

OC Van proposal - Insurance quotes are still being researched. They will be presented on Sat and posted here once they are available. We also still need 2 day time drivers with good driving records, dedicated history to Occupy, responsible, and are willing to take this on. If interested, please write me at SugarSolidarity@gmail.com

Title holders: Ruth & Sugar

Proposed Drivers (Would like to have 4 drivers… Ruth will have a key but is only for back-up)

Day M-F:

Evening M-F: Sugar (depending on work schedule) & Abel

Weekends: Sugar & Able

Parking Location: 500 W Cermak

Expenses

Gas: Requesting an initial $100 for gas (4 gas cards with $25 for drivers). After that, gas cards purchased with Petty Cash through Treasury.

Insurance: Business insurance with <INSERT COMPANY NAME> for $<INSERT COST> per month. This insurance will cover all licensed drivers. Automatic payment will be set-up through 8th Day.

Regular maintenance: Oil changes, etc. With GA approval to maintenance, 8th day will process those bills as needed. Title holders are responsible for having this done.

Emergency money: If the van gets towed, has a flat tire, or has a mechanical issue, we will need funds quickly. This will come from petty cash through Treasury.

*Tickets: Payment will be processed through 8th Day
*Tickets from parking where we should not or excessive speeding will be up to the drivers to cover. We understand that we will be targeted and pulled over unreasonably, however, if the drivers are not following road rules or parking rules, then that is on the driver to pay. But tickets that are just harassment will be covered by OC.

Purpose of use: Limited to OC business. Transportation of supplies, people, etc. This van is NOT for personal use of any kind.

Out of town trips: OK as long as the trip is OC approved for a group to go on and gas is approved by GA. A driver must be available to do such a trip and scheduled ahead of time.

Rules

· No drinking or drugs in the van

· No smoking in the van

· Only service animals in the van

· It is up to the driver to keep it clean after a trip

· Drivers will fill out form tracking: purpose of trip, mileage start & end, amount of gas added, etc

· Report ALL accidents

· If you are driving under the influence, you are responsible for all damage, tickets, etc AND you will no longer be allowed to be a driver.

· Seatbelts by drivers & passengers at all times.

· As Jerry says, “run that van as straight edge as a church bus”

[m_x]

How frequently are we expecting use this van? Seems like we could burn through cash fairly quickly.

[mattjohnson]

What is the make/model/year of the van? What is the mpg of the van? What are some situations that have come up that we needed a van and didn't have one? What are some projects that weren't considered before but will now be a possibility with a van?

[sheryl]

Good questions. Vans can be rented easily with some notice. Could be much easier on the budget. Will be interesting to see the list for anticipated van usage.

[sheryl]

List of useage has been posted. Is this a daily use need? (a better question)

[Sugar]

The van has not been purchased yet. It is a donation from an awesome donor. They request that GA has it's ducks in a row before dropping the money on it. so, this proposal is just that.

We are talking about a 15 passenger van.

We have not needed much transport in the past, so we do not expect that we will need it much, however, it is a much better solution then calling upon our friends to transport goods and such around, as we have in the past, or renting something out of our own pockets. I personally have called upon friends 3-4 times in the past to transport supplies and I know that we have needed to rent trucks on multiple occasions, most of the time with no reimbursement of that expense.

Out of town trips is another things that has caused us to rent cars.

A&R has events going on throughout the city, so does DAC. It wold be awesome to be able to transport banners, signs, water, etc to events and back would be highly useful. Like we did a Greece Solidarity action and there were very few signs. It looked a little sad. Education may find use for this, as well as other comms. It opens up opportunities to think on a bigger scale.

We are coming up to spring. TONS of mass actions that will need mass supplies. There may also be unforeseen needs come April and May that the van would be helpful for utilizing.

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

One thing you did not mention that I thought was a priority is shuttling people between OC Cermack and J&L HQ for the GAs. This was something talked about earlier and left unfinished.

[m_x]

I think running a shuttle service is going to run us into the ground. If someone is commuting to Jackson and LaSalle why wouldn't they be able to commute to Cermak? Just seems like a lot of money to be spending.

Perhaps there should be a limit to how much the van can be used each each month and for what reasons, any additional use or alternative purposes would require GA apporval? With donation money not flowing as much it may make more sense to be careful with our use of cash.

[marymcmahon@clear.net]

It'a a short trip. I can't see how that would run you into the ground. It could be limited to voting days or a couple of days.

In general I suspect people are being blockheaded about why it isn't easy for some people to make the trip. The reasons have been posted repeatedly by many people. Arguments have been made here and in google groups. It falls on deaf ears.

The problem is a lack interest and empathy. Not everyone enjoys the same circumstances as those who feel Cermak is an easy trip, and easily tacked onto to anyones service at J&L.

Also it would be a good thing to transport first timers, and they would be more likely to try a GA in the company of others into an unfamiliar area. A little hospitality would be nice. Granted you can take of yourself but not everyone can.

If I sound frustrated I am.

[Ella Mae]

My understanding of the use is it would include a shuttle-type service. It's looking like maybe usage should be added to the proposal. I believe, also, that it will be used to transport groups of people and their signs, banners, etc. to protest sites and events.