Feasibility study authorization delayed
The City Council vote to authorize a feasibility study on a public bank didn’t happen at the July 18th meeting as expected. Instead, this item has been moved to the agenda for September 19th. According to Council staff, the vote was put off due to the overly long agenda for the last meeting before summer break.
This delay is a big disappointment, of course, but there’s plenty to do in the next two months. The new budget provides only $75,000 of the study’s total cost of $100,000. When the Council does finally authorize it, their authorization will be contingent on finding outside sources for the last $25,000. So, fundraising is now a top priority for us.
How you can help grow our grassroots movement
In addition to fundraising, we need to continue building a broad base of public support for the Public Bank of Oakland. You can help by connecting us with local groups that you know about. We need:
� Tabling opportunities. We have been tabling at First Fridays and farmers’ markets around town, and we are looking for other locations. Know of an upcoming neighborhood festival or other event? Spots in East Oakland and West Oakland are especially needed.
� Speaking opportunities. We are looking for locaal organizations that would like to host a talk about the benefits of public banking. Can you suggest a political group, union local, religious community, neighborhood association, business or coop?
� Signers for our letter to City Council. More thhan forty local groups, including Causa Justa::Just Cause, Ella Baker Center, and Idle No More Bay Area, have already signed our open letter in support of PBO. We’d like to keep growing the list. Please let us know of groups to reach out to.
Talking up our public bank
We’ll need more people to do all the tabling and speaking events we’re lining up. Talking about public banking is fun! Most of the people we talk to are really glad to find out about it. If you’d like to join our outreach efforts by tabling or just passing our petition around your neighborhood – please contact us or attend our next outreach meeting on Tuesday, August 1st at 6:00pm. We’ll be in the outside seating area at Max’s Diner, 500 12th Street, Oakland.
A small reminder about donating
We don’t want to turn our newsletter into a constant plea for money, but donations and pledges are definitely needed. All thhe work of FPBO is done by volunteers. Please donate directly on our website or pledge by emailing contact@friendsofpublicbankofoakland.org. Thank you!