We kicked off the meeting by sharing with each other what people need, have, or would like to contribute to the community to improve their lives and careers, and then we spent time strategizing how an online platform could help us do just that.

This month we engaged in a comprehensive review of tools freelancers use for professional success! Facilitated by member Lynn, we reviewed what resources the organization already offers, what exists more broadly, and ways we could craft creative solutions to shared challenges ourselves.

Attendees at this month's meeting kicked it off with a useful small-group activity, where they compared notes on their strengths and challenges as freelancers- and what they can teach each other. Then we developed tactics to hit the ground running on another round of lobbying for the Freelancer Payment Protection Act!

At the July meeting, Organizer Kaitlyn presented background on the new mutualist values of Freelancers Insurance Company and how it relates to the work of member leaders. Our own Information Architect led an exercise to help us improve our website, and the meeting wrapped up with a tour of the prototype online Sample Contract tool and celebratory Sample Contract cake.

Marking the sixth meeting of 2011, this month's attendees paused to evaluate the meetings as a stepping-stone to freelancer community and solidarity, both online and off. Members conducted a brilliant brainstorm on the Jobs Board and shared their own updates in our new "Lightning Rounds." See the full minutes from June.

The day after our powerful and exciting day in Albany, the May meeting was the perfect time for participants to share their experience with new members and each other. We had a robust roundtable conversation to strategize next steps in the "Get Paid, Not Played" campaign. See the full minutes from May.

This month, members met our new team member Chris and got a sneak-peek at the beginning of the member PAC Fundraiser Committee, which will be hosting an event in autumn. We also brainstormed how to reach our goal of recruiting 100 members for the May 17 Lobby Day in support of Freelancer Payment Protection Act. See the full minutes from April.

The highlight of this month's meeting was a teach-in led by members of the District Meetings Working Group. Members designed training materials to prep freelancers for our upcoming lobbying meetings with New York State Senators. We role played asking them to sponsor or vote for the Freelancer Payment Protection Act. See the full minutes from March.

This month, members led a great conversation about the ideal business contract. The New York District Meetings Group shared their progress on scheduling meetings to lobby for the Freelancer Payment Protection Act and recruiting for a volunteer phone bank. See the full minutes from February.

With about 30 members present, we talked about 3 main projects to help further our Get Paid, Not Played campaign: the Freelancer Bill of Rights, a Sample Contract Working Group, and organizing meetings with elected officials. Visit the blog to see the complete minutes for this meeting.

We, the freelancers … are drafting a Freelancers' Bill of Rights! We need your feedback, so we're developing a place for you to virtually gather and debate: What kind of fair treatment do you expect to receive as a freelancer? Stay tuned for launch!

Our first meeting was bursting at the conference-room seams! Members came together to brainstorm for a public accountability campaign. Critical conversations about the status of freelancers were abundant and laughs were many. We'll have to move on to bigger and better spaces next time around.

The Midterm Elections demonstrated the collective power of independent workers to come together to make positive change. To get members more deeply involved with our advocacy work, we'll be hosting Monthly Member Meetings where you help shape our campaigns and interact with staff as we craft our 2011 legislative strategy.