Saturday, January 26, 2008 Meeting Notes

MEETING NOTES FOR PEOPLE FOR PEACE, JUSTICE, AND HEALING
January 26, 2008

People for Peace, Justice and Healing met January 26, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at Associated Ministries. Present for check-in: Rob, Mark, Sally, Sallie, Karen, Colleen, Ray, Karen, Vivi, Sheila, Kyle, and Sol.

Discussion: Political campaigns -- Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, and other environments.

AGENDA:

1. OUR DINNER WITH 'MY DINNER WITH ANDRÉ': Sallie and all
We picked the title for this fundraiser (above) to take place Sat., Mar. 1, in our front meeting room at Associated Ministries. Concern for and plans to find a copy of the film were discussed. Both Rob (from Seattle) and Sallie (from Berkeley) will obtain copies of the hard-to-find film. Two copies will insure one good available film, running for approximately 80 to 90 minutes. A dinner will follow the showing of the film. Members will purchase and prepare (some on-site) the meal. Discussion of whether offering should be solely vegetarian. Karen is in charge of the vegetarian offering and Colleen is in charge of the buttered chicken, East Indian offering. We will also offer wine with the meal. Group decides to ask $20, rather than $15, for each ticket. Cost of who pays for the wine and food inconclusive although a general feeling was expressed that no one person should absorb too much of the cost for the food and wine. We need someone to make the dessert. Discussion of the collection of further contributions from guests. Ideas: have a basket on each table for donations, pass the basket for donations, don't hassle too much for money. Who will preside as "host," announcer, or headwaiter (in tux) inconclusive. Stay tuned for further assignments. Event Tickets for sale coming soon.

2. AL ROWWAD: Nancy and all
Although Nancy wasn't able to be with us, she asked for our input on the visit of Palestine human rights worker and artist who created Al Rowwad (http://alrowwad.virtualactivism.net/) the Palestinain children's theater center. Nancy has scheduled his event for March 4. Sallie thinks the event will be at the First Congregational Church. Nancy asks for our endorsement of this event. It was the consensus of the group that we'd already given that endorsement. Other possible sponsors might be South Sound Peace and Justice. UFPPC has already endorsed the project. Questioned about the Middle East Forum, it is the assessment of the group that they are not meeting at this time.

3. LEONARD PELTIER: Nancy and all
Nancy is doing the PR for this event scheduled for February 15 at 7 p.m. at King's Books. There will be a showing of the film "Incident at Oglala," followed by a presentation by Arthur Miller and an answer/question/discussion period. Mark will bring the projector. Rob and Sallie are each bringing a copy of the film. Sol will place notice of the event in the Quaker Newsletter, PR will go to the Pierce County Religious News and Channel. Announcement info has also been sent to Air America.

4. INTERFAITH YOUTH CAMP UPDATE: Sallie
Discussion of getting the word out about the camp. E-mails seen as one of the most effective ways of reaching people. Sallie said a recent appeal to parents for support resulted in a very positive parental response to the camp. They are in the process now for planning for the coming summer event. Grant writers are needed and being sought.

4. KICK BACK GUERRILLAS: Karen
This group is meeting and discussing ideas for street theater actions re: Iraq War "Anniversary." "Spontaneous," surprise events being considered by the group.

5. PACT: Ray
Ray missed last meeting and will report next Saturday on current plans. Interest has been expressed by some members of the group in finding a unifying focus for various interest groups.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.FOCUS THE NATION: Rob
This international recognition of issues re: Sustainability will be considered in a meeting, Thurs., Jan. 31, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the local Evergreen Campus. City Leaders involved and appearing on a panel include John Ladenburg, Bill Baarsma, and Tim Ferrell. Rob reported that events on the Lewis and Clark Campus are so extensive they are closing down the school to focus on the day's events.

2. 'THE GHOSTS OF ABU GHRAIB' (film): Colleen
ACLU will be presenting this film at Tacoma Public Library in the Olympic Room at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6.

3. DEATH WITH DIGNITY CAMPAIGN
Kick-off event on Sunday, February 10 at the Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation (1115 S. 56th St., Tacoma) at 2:00 p.m.

4. STEPS FORUM: Sol Coming the first Sunday in March.

5. DIGGING DEEPER XL (ARE WE ROME?) CONTINUES: Mark
UFPPC's book study circle, known as Digging Deeper, meets Monday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mandolin Café (3923 S. 12th St., Tacoma, WA). The "Are We Rome?" series continues for one more Monday (Jan. 28), examining some recent books that draw parallels between the Roman Empire and the United States: 1) Cullen Murphy's Are We Rome?: The Fall of an Empire and the Fate of America (Houghton Mifflin, 2007); 2) Charles S. Maier, Among Empires: American Ascendancy and Its Predecessors (Harvard UP, 2007); 3) Terry Jones's Barbarians: An Alternative Roman History (BBC Books, 2007); 4) John Pilger's Freedom Next Time: Resisting the Empire (Nation Books, 2007). There is no charge for participation and sessions are open to the public. Digging Deeper XLI will focus on sustainability.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen