People for Peace, Justice and Healing met September 10, 2005, at Associated Ministries at 10:00 a.m. Present for check-in were Sally, Sallie, Karen, Mark, Colleen, Vivi, Sheila and Kyle.

AGENDA

Conversation Cafe
Mark has been asked by Monty Smith to be a speaker at the Interfaith Commemoration of 9/11 Tuesday night at First United Methodist along with Bix and others. Karen K. has promised to be present at the Mandolin at 7:00. Mark says the group is in the process of spreading the responsibility around and asking "regulars" to host or facilitate the conversation. Suzanne and Jan have both offered to do so. There were ten people present at the last Tuesday meet. Question: What does the beginning of the fall season signify for you?

Citizen's Oversight Committee: Colleen
Colleen says the Committee is at a critical point. Complicating factors at this time are the presence of a new City Manager, who has not expressed enthusiasm for the idea. He's been loosely quoted as saying that Citizen's Oversight Committees "don't do much." Another current obstacle is the condition of the City Budget. The Committee needs at least a budget of $150,000 to be effective. Colleen's group is meeting to lobby City Council Members as well as the new City Manager. They need letters to the editor from concerned supporters. They are also seeking help from the Black Collective. They need people of color to step forward. The local ACLU group is making this a top priority -- They say an Oversight Committee will save the city money in law suits. (See Brame case.) Colleen will keep us informed as to continuing events.

Interfaith Camp: Sallie
This group is planning a kick-off/Brainstorming Event and is looking for a place for a 50 - 60 people event to meet and plan for the camp planned to take place in the summer of 06. Places suggested included a branch library meeting room, TNT meeting room, et al. VIP's that will be invited include the mayor, city council members, and leaders from Jewish, Muslim/Islamic, Bahai, and Christian groups.

Counter Recruitment: Sallie
C/R is meeting with college students and young people to help man counter recruitment tables in the city's high schools. But older folks are also needed to talk to students about their options and choices -- other things they can do besides signing up for the military. There is 2-hour training available before you volunteer. Recruiters will be at Stadium ll days a month during the school year at the noon hour.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SEPTEMBER 23 - Meet Olympia Peace Rally at Ft. Lewis. Please see Mark's announcement on the listserv.

SEPTEMBER 24 - Rally and March, Noon, Westlake Plaza in Seattle. Sponsored by A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition

Kyle reported that he is collecting a box top looking label promoting education from cereals and soups. 'Box tops' are printed on a white background with lettering on a pencil that says for education. To be found on Cheerios and Campbell Soup products.

FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION is sponsoring a Nonviolence Training in Olympia this coming weekend - 9:00 a.m. Friday through 3:00 p.m. Sunday - 9 to 9 on Friday and Saturday, till 3 on Sunday. Sliding fee scale is $20 to $300. Some housing available. Contact Glen Anderson at glen@olywa.com or .net

United for Peace of Pierce County will begin Digging Deeper IX: Connecting the Dots, a new 4-week study circle at 7:00 p.m. on Mon., Sept. 12, at the Mandolin Café. Five books will be read, shared, and discussed: Matthew Simmons, Twilight in the Desert: The Coming Saudi Oil Shock and the World Economy (Wiley, 2005); Andrew Gumbel, Steal This Vote: Dirty Elections and the Rotten History of Democracy in America (Nation Books, 2005); George Lakoff, Don’t Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate -- The Essential Guide for Progressives (Chelsea Green, 2004; orig. ed. 2002); V.S. Ramachandran, A Brief Tour of Human Consciousness: From Impostor Poodles to Purple Numbers (Pi Press, 2004 [paper 2005]); and William Engdahl, A Century of War: Anglo-American Oil Politics and the New World Order, revised ed. (Pluto Press, 2004). No charge for participations; books available for borrowing or purchase. More information here or call Mark Jensen at 253-756-7519. (Mark)

Respectfully,
Karen