February 20, 2005 Minutes

Members Present: Dennis Mills, Ken Schwilk, Laurel Vredenburg, Patricia Hoppa, Molly Gibbs, Larry Kerschner, Bob Rudolph, Ralph Blankenship, Rod Campbell Sr., Jim Shulruff, Jeanie Mykland, Duane King, Christi McGinley, John Cusick, Terry Zander, Jody Tiller, Debby Pattin, Cheryl Crist, G. Jim James, Craig Corrie, Don Broadwell

Guests: Robert Poteat, Ray Campbell, Jerry Muchmore, Iris Allison

Laurel Vredenburg facilitated.

Meeting began with a welcome and brief introductions of everyone attending. Dennis Mills, President then asked for a minute of silence in memory of Elizabeth Triffit, who at 91 had passed away earlier in the month. Elizabeth was a true patriot who spent much of life working for Peace and Justice.

Ken Schwilk, Sec/Treas.,  then gave the Treasurer’s Report where it was announced that with the purchase of the Tee Shirts our balance was $15.16. (As a result of monies then obtained from the Tee Shirt Sales and other fundraising activities our balance is now $755.96) It was also stated that each quarter a quarterly report will be created showing our expenses and revenues. The Funds Action Team’s goals/objectives were then read and approved by the membership. (See www.vfp109.org for this document) One of the goals is to create a budget which will require each Action Team to provide information regarding what they estimate will be their expenses for their proposed activities.

Two representatives spoke to us about the “Hands for Peace” project. (See link on www.vfp109.org) It was initiated in New Zealand where a monument, spiral in design with handprints embedded in the walls of the monument, “hands for peace”. They were inspired by this and formed a 501c3 non-profit organization. Met with GSA, Cultural Resource Mgr., about securing land on the Capitol Campus for such a memorial, the First Memorial/Monument to Peace. GSA representative was very enthusiastic about the project. Volunteers are needed. Letters need to be written in support of their efforts. Signatures are being collected. Funds will need to be raised. T. Zander suggested that they also work through the Peace Scouts and get children directly involved in the project because that’s really what this Monument is about, the children of the world coming together in Peace.

Christi McGinley then led a discussion on the Listserve, specifically who should have access to the messages. After some discussion, the members present felt that only members should receive information on the Listserve if they wanted . Members would also have the option of not wanting their e-mail address on the Listserve. Anyone who wanted to know more about the workings of our chapter could be referred to our web site. www.vfp109.org

We also would endeavor to place pending members on the Listserve, but at the same time monitor to ensure that National recognize their membership.

REPORTS

Counter Recruitment Action Team now known as Truth in Recruitment: Molly Gibbs, Team Leader,  spoke of the activities of the Team and working with Eatonville and Interns at Evergreen. Introduced the “Know All You Can Know” involving the Evergreen students who want to work with H.S. students. This would involve not just local schools but also schools in Seattle and Eastside as well. Mentioned to group David Lynn who is an Evergreen student who is wanting to provide a safe place for returning Iraq vets. It was suggested that  VFP members consider joining VFW and other veteran’s organizations as we seek “common ground” with them on PTSD and other Veterans Affairs issues.  Regarding Eatonville they rejected our material and Jessica, a lawyer hired by Bill Compher, a member of VFP109, is reviewing this with ACLU as a possible 1^st Amendment violation. In addition laid out for membership approval the goals/objectives of the Team which were approved by the members present by consensus. Details of the activities and the goals/objectives can be found on the www.vfp109.org web page under Action Teams.

Depleted Uranium Action Team- Molly former Leader now Patricia Hoppa has assumed Leadership role also laid out it’s goals/objectives for the year. Members present also approved them by consensus. Details can also be found on the the web page under Action Teams 

Don Broadwell discussed a proposed Dennis Kyne visit. Dennis, a veteran, who had spoken last year about Depleted Uranium last year in Olympia as well as having been involved in protests during the Republican Convention in New York where he was arrested and charged. Discussion ensued regarding the procedure for bringing in speakers. After much discussion and disagreement between members, it was decided that it would be appropriate for a process to be developed for future speakers; however with regards to Dennis Kyne, it was decided that if others would volunteer to work on his visit, we would approve it. As a result, enough members did volunteer to work on this project, i.e. a Team was formed and Dennis Kyne will be in the area in early April. Secondly Terry Zander agreed to take on the task of reviewing the idea of developing a procedure for a Speaker’s forum.

Media Action Team- Duane King, leader of team, announced that his Team had negotiated with John Ford of KAOS to put on a one hour radio program once a month. Jim Shulruff would produce the shows with Rod Campbell II being the on-air host. The members enthusiastically supported this effort, and after Duane reviewed the goals/objectives of the Media Action Team, the membership officially sanctioned its formation. In addition Duane mentioned the efforts to create a program for VFP109 on TCTV. A corporate membership was required and the $120 needed for membership was approved at that time.  A check for that amount was then given to Duane for that purpose. Duane then encouraged additional members to sign up for training at TCTV so that we could aggressively go forward with our plans.

Membership Action Team- Jim James, co-leader, submitted goals/objectives for the Team. Debby Pattin agreed to take on the leadership of this Team in the future. The teams goals/objectives were then approved by the chapter. The specific goals/objectives can be found under Action Teams on the web page.

New Membership (Orientation) Kit- Craig Corrie, member of Team gave a report on what the Team was working on, emphasizing the collaborative process that our chapter aspires to.  Membership approved its activities. The team was reminded that all teams need to provide an estimate of expenses for the year for their activities/projects. There was considerable discussion and some disagreement regarding what the role of this Team would be in the future.

Funds Team- Proposed that as a fundraising tool, we “pass the hat” at each meeting. It was approved by membership with one change. That a “donation” jar be provided in the future.

A possible change in the By-laws was discussed regarding the Facilitator’s tenure. Currently it’s 3 months. In any case in the March meeting it will be necessary to elect a new administrator. Laurel had indicated due to work requirements he couldn’t continue beyond the March meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Terry Zander mentioned the upcoming OMJP events on March 19^th  to include the Thousand Drums for Peace which he is organizing.

March Meeting will be at Plenty’s again however we will meet from 3-6pm at the request of the owner of Plenty’s .

Respectfully Submitted.

Ken Schwilk/ Sec/Treas.