Dallas Peace Center Board of Directors Meeting Minutes March 17, 2005
Members present: Nadine Bell, Sidney Burkins, Delia Castillo, Len Ellis, Farrukh Hamid, Mary Ellen Irving, Bill McElvaney, Iyas Maleh, Bill Matthews, Mike Millican, Bobbie Nehman, Danna Pyke, Nelda Reid, Liz Wolff,
Valley Reed, Lon Burnam;
Mary Beth Matthews, visitor and temporary recording secretary.
I. Intros and Centering: Bill Matthews opened the meeting at 7:07 pm. Bill told a story about everyone writing all their “I Can’ts” on a piece of paper and then placing them in a box, and then burying them. Then you are only left with “I Cans”. He reminded us that WE CAN.
II. Minutes of February Meeting were presented. Len moved acceptance of minutes. Nelda seconded the motion. Motion passed on voice vote.
III. Treasurer’s Report: Nelda presented an oral and written report.
February Expenses $ 5414.47
Revenues $ 6713.89
Overall Cash Flow $(3640.34)
This leaves a balance of $ 22,409 available funds currently. There followed discussion regarding the fact that DPC is in a critical need for increased monies as that only gives us about 4 months of operational expenses available. Bill McElvaney moved acceptance of report. Liz seconded. Voted
IV. Enhancing Board Effectiveness: Nadine Bell made an oral and written presentation about improving communication and effectiveness of the board. Three problems were identified.
A. That there was a need for discussion of points by the board before voting.
B. That there was an issue of a DPC event scheduled on a Major Religious Holiday, namely, the Jewish Passover, which would serve to exclude this group from attending the event. There was an overall lack of discussion, by the Board at the last meeting, raising questions of responsibility for planning according to a Calendar, responsibility of points being raised by those affected so that there was certain discussion and sharing, and the need for sensitivity to all religious groups so as not to infer disrespect any group. Feedback included the idea of a DPC fundraiser Interfaith calendar. Nelda brought up and showed a DISD calendar, and Iyas brought up the AMEX calendar, both of which have ALL major religious holidays listed.
C. That there is a Gulf between the DPC and the Dallas Jewish Community and discussion of the ways that this could be “repaired”. Suggestions included forming groups of representatives to deal with our constituencies, and possibly reviewing the Middle East statement. Bill McElvaney moved that the Infrastructure and Dismantling Racism work on the task of building a calendar, Mary Ellen seconded. Bill Matthews stated there was an Infrastructure meeting on 3/29/05. Motion passed by voice vote.
*Addition to the Agenda: Bill Matthews stated that Len Ellis had drafted an editorial that needed to be discussed and voted on. Len Ellis presented the paper in reference to the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq and the opposition to the continued war effort. The date is officially 3-18-05, and there followed discussion on whether to approve his writing and editing so that it could be sent to the Dallas Morning News Paper for the soonest possible publication as an opinion piece in Viewpoint or such. Bobbie moved approval, Mike seconded. Motion passed by voice vote.
V. Team Reports:
Swords into Plowshares Team
A. Middle East Committee: Bill McElvaney presented oral and written reports. Highlights:
a. Ron Young Exec Dir US Interreligious Committee for Peace in the Middle East speaking; March 31st at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 7 pm in the Family Center, and April 1st at 10 am at the Temple Emanu-El in Linz Hall. He has had 100 letters printed and many sent out as invitations to Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders in the area to urge attendance.
b. Hagit Ra’anan & friend: Bobbie reported on the possibility of a July Event as the April possibility fell through.
c. “Peacewalk” : idea of neighborhood walk with possibility in the Spring Creek area where there are several Churches, a Mosque, and a Synagogue all within walking distance of each other. There is a meeting on 4-7-05 where this will be discussed.
d. Partners for Peace/Jerusalem Women Lecture. Iyas trying to get Bios on the event scheduled for the Summer Dinner Lecture on June 23rd at FunAsia. There was discussion about the need to work on this event as it is the 2nd largest money raising event of the year for the DPC. Lon urged more involvement as the committee of three at the present may not do it. Bill Matthews volunteered to be assist the committee. A Silent Auction is also planned for this event.
B. Ending the Occupation of Iraq orientation held earlier with Laray and the members of DPC who are visiting every congressional office in the Dallas area tomorrow ending with a protest at 3 pm in front of Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s office. This was reported by Lon Burnam, who also added the need for the revamping of the Military Service Resistance Committee. which has become inactive.
C. Fair Trade- written report by Ron Wilhelm who was absent stating that 8 members had attended a workshop on CAFTA in Austin last Saturday.
D. Infrastructure Committee: Bill Matthews recommended guidelines be developed for Coalitions. The next meeting is 3/29/05.
E. Children and Youth : Valley reported on a number of events scheduled and in the planning, Highlights:
a. Next Event April 23rd, at Fun Asia hosting an event Film and lecture. Fair Trade vs Slave Trade. Also a High Tea Reception. Hoping to have Peace Cookies for sale and will have a Recycled Art Creation station for children.
b. Parents as Peacemakers begin with a test bakeoff of a signature fundraising item for DPC. The Dove shaped cookie will be made and sold at Grace UMC for a first run.
c. TAFFY working on finding out when the next gun buy back is a scheduled for and to do an event where recycled trash and violent toys are made into instruments.
F. Fundraising Team:
a. House Dinner Coordinator: Mary Ellen has offered to chair a committee and to provide a location where people can host dinners as a fundraising and recruitment tool. The Host Board member would be responsible for gathering 20 people and being there to host the dinner. ME would provide the food and entertainment if needed. Sidney made a motion to approve, Voice vote passed.
b. May 8th- Mothers Day or May 30th Memorial Day event- Classical Concert, still need venue with organ or piano. Art Auction possibly get the artist who designed the Umbrellas for Peace to donate a piece of work.
c. April 23rd Fair Trade vs Slave Trade Kevin Bales lecture at FunAsia
d. May 15th Basant Festival Farrukh has gotten sponsorship from 1600 AM Radio an important Ethnic station, and is talking to Trammel Crow about possible support. This could be a great opportunity for a major fundraising event.
G. Communications Team Mary Ellen reported on how the team was discussing practicalities of communication, and looking at the WWGW- what would Gandhi write - idea. Mike reported a Pentecostal church would host a Peace event and that he had talked to the Pastor. He also told the Board about an event in San Antonio on 4/23/05. John Deer, a Jesuit Priest a longtime nonviolence advocate would be speaking. People could contact Larry Brown for info.
H. Dismantling Racism: Dana reported on the planned
a. August 19-21st event at the Catholic Retreat Center in Oak Cliff. Bringing the Train to Damascus back.
b. Strong Mayor Opposition coordinating with the Greater Dallas Community of Churches to increase participation for the April 10th educational event.
c. Discussion continues regarding sensitivity issues about scheduling events on religious holidays, and are looking at the possible revision of the Mission Statement of the DPC.
I. Announcements and Adjourn
Bill Matthews brought attention to the new brochure that he developed and that 500 copies had been printed and were available for distribution. Bill McElvaney said we should use them at the Ron Young Events coming up, and all concurred.
Lon brought attention to Trish’s report regarding the all time low subscription of 316 to the Dallas Peace Times. DPC prints 5000 copies.
Thanks to Henry Irving for the Road to Recovery Photos. Delia voiced concern about some of the wording of the piece regarding our dependence on MidEast Oil, and that we are striving to be interdependent. More discussion to follow.
Bill Matthews closed at 9:35 pm with an Irish Prayer in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.
Mary Beth Matthews, recording secretary (temporary)
