Minutes: Board of Directors Meeting Dec 15, 2005
Members present: Danna Pyke, Bill Matthews, Len Ellis, Delia Castillo, Nelda Reid, Bill McElvaney, Kimberly Truit, Joy Flora, Mike Millican,
Staff present: Lon Burnam
Board nominees present: Laray Polk, Rob Evans, Liz Branch, Marian Avalos.
Visitors: Peter Johnson
1. Opening: Bill Matthews called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. and Danna opened with a centering statement.
2. Minutes: The Minutes of the November meeting were presented and reviewed. Bill McElvaney moved to accept, Delia seconded; Minutes accepted as presented.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Nelda provided the Treasurer's Report; some discussion about profit from the Awards Dinner to be around $9000, and the need to bring in more money to support the programs of the DPC. Bill McElvaney moved to accept the report, Rob seconded.
Nelda also presented the budget for 2006. Discussion to change expenses of Dismantling Racism from $6000 to $1000; delete the GDCC Dinner; adding a Development Director for greater outreach to faith communities (Lon will work on a job description for this position). Shane will be leaving the end of December. Bill McElvaney moved to accept the budget with changes and subject to revision during the year, Danna seconded.
4. New Board Members: The Nominating Committee presented for election Rob Evans, Rashid Dara, Laray Polk, Liz Branch, Marian Avalos (2yr term); Nelda Reid was re-elected to a 3yr term, Liz Wolf and Bobbie Nehman to 1yr terms. Members voted approval.
5. Election of Officers: The Nominating Committee presented Bill Matthews, Mike Millican, Delia Castillo and Nelda Reid continuing in their current roles as President, Vice Presidents and Treasurer respectively, and Len Ellis as Secretary. Members voted approval.
6. 2006 Planning Retreat: Scheduled for Friday Jan6 potluck dinner (with spouses/partners) 7pm at Joyce Hall's house, and Saturday Jan 7 at Grace United Methodist, 9am - 3pm. Cherry Haymes will organize the lunch for Saturday.
7. 2005 Committee Review:
Children and Youth - not functioning this year.
Communications - NVC: Michael and Larry have led two retreats; introduced NVC to DPC Board and suggested a group workshop.
Peace Times - Trish provided a written report; new printed and on-line formats are receiving favorable response.
Dismantling Racism - Workshop held.
Fundraising Team - Awards Dinner: Len provided written report; requested board members head-up a team next year.
Summer Dinner - needs a Sponsor and subject for next year.
Infrastructure - needs people to work on the teams. Joy will continue as chair of the Development team and Jan as chair of the Volunteer team.
Swords into Plowshares - written report from Middle East Committee. The Sudan, Landmine, Military Resistance and School of the Americas committees are not active due to lack of participation.
8. MLK Day Activities: Peter Johnson gave an overview of the planned activities. He suggested the NAACP and the DPC board should meet. Plans by the city include to have military and guns back in the parade, and this is contrary to Dr. King's message. Suggested DPC withdraw from parade (although we are not yet registered to march), issue a statement, consider some other activity for Jan 14 instead of the parade. Marian talked about her experience at other parades and suggested we distribute leaflets with a positive message, Peter said he could get volunteers to help distribute. Proposed that we initiate a nonviolent protest in the form of Dr. King's April 4, 1967 speech read to the Dallas City Council meeting on Jan 11, 2006. Each speaker is limited to three minutes; Laray, Danna, Peter, Len, Michael, Bill McElvaney and Bill Matthews indicated they would participate in this action. Each speaker needs to sign-up (at City Hall) to be put on the agenda.
9. Defense Fund Agent: Lon asked if DPC would allow our name to be used as a fiduciary agent for people arrested during the Camp Casey Dallas actions. Kimberly moved that DPC accept the fiduciary responsibility based on the belief that the arrests were illegal. Michael seconded, motion passed.
10. A Season For Nonviolence: Len presented information about this international event, sponsored by the Gandhi-King Institute, now in its 9th year, and asked DPC to sponsor the 64-day event. Possible participation would be to post the daily practices on the website. Michael moved to accept in principle, Bill McElvaney seconded, motion passed. Details of participation will be presented at January's board meeting.
11. Adjourn: moved to adjourn at 9:50 p.m.
submitted by Len Ellis
acting Secretary
December 26, 2005
