Minutes: Board of Directors Meeting Oct 20, 2005
Members present: Sidney Burkins, Delia Castillo, Len Ellis, Iyes Maleh, Bill McElvaney, Bill Matthews, Mike Millican, Danna Pyke, Nelda Reid,
Staff present: Lon Burnam, Shane Taylor
Visitors: Rashid Dara - Board Member prospect
1. Centering: Bill Matthews opened the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Bill offered centering comments focused on All Saint's Day and Day of the Dead.
2. Minutes: The Minutes of the September meeting were presented. Delia moved acceptance of minutes, Michael seconded; Minutes accepted as presented.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Nelda presented an oral and written report. Of note, the $1000 donation for the new website development. First $5,000 for the Awards Dinner went into the checking account, rather than the savings account this year. Bill McElvaney moved acceptance of report, Danna seconded; Treas. Report accepted as presented.
4. Service of Gratitude and Rememberance: Bill Mathews presented the Nov. 1 project of an Interfaith Memorium Service. The location will be Unity Church of Dallas, Tuesday, Nov 1, noon. It is possible that the service is close to the time of 2000 U.S. Military dead in Iraq, and Danna wanted to ensure we also recognized the number of Iraqi dead. Discussion that this event was not for the purpose of just this milestone, that it was to remember all who have died in any conflict, and we would be sensitive to the timing and the focus.
5. Peacemaker Dinner: Len gave an update on the status. He urged Board Members to network and promote organizations to buy tables, and for each of us to volunteer at the event. Michael expressed concerns about Cindy Sheehan's possible speech, that it perhaps would not use nonviolent communications. Suggested we ask her to talk about peace or about her appreciation for Hadi and Johnny's efforts. Although we cannot direct what she says, we can at least be prepared to respond to the press if an issue comes up. Suggest we have one spokesperson the press would interface with.
6. Team Reports:
A. Children and Youth: no report.
B. Communications: Lon passed around mock-up of new DPT newsletter format. Focus will be on the online version.
Michael discussed the "Creating a Culture of Peace" event at Camp Hoblitzel that he and Larry Brown conducted. They will also be doing a 3-week seminar series at Northhaven Methodist Nov. 6, 13 and 20th, 9:30am.
Danna talked about how exciting the NVC workshop she is taking has been, followed be discussion about DPC Board doing a workshop together; Michael will ask Judith (instructor) to come to the November meeting to do a short presentation.
C. Dismantling Racism: Delia announced that the group that attended the Dismantling Racism workshop in August met October 15th for a follow-up.
D. Fundraising: no report.
E. Infrastructure: Bill McElvaney read report on nomination process.
Lon informed us that Shane was brought on in on interim basis.
Discussed that the annual planning meeting is scheduled for Jan 7, 2006.
F. Swords into Plowshares:
Ending Occupation of Iraq: written report included. Reminder to join the Friday noon assembly near Sen. KBH office.
Middle East: none.
7. Announcements: Len reported that in addition to the action on Friday afternoon at Sen. KBH office, there is a CodePink action at Rep Joe Barton's office in Arlington, 4-6pm.
8. Adjourn: Bill McElvaney moved to adjourn, Michael Millican seconded.
submitted by Len Ellis
acting Secretary
October 21, 2005
