Dallas Peace Center Board Meeting Minutes September 15, 2005
Members present: Stephen Brown, Sidney Burkins, Delia Castillo, Len Ellis, Bill Matthews, Michael Millican, Danna Pyke, Bobbie Nehman, Nelda Reid, Kimberly Truitt, Ron Wilhelm
Members absent: Farrukh Hamid, Holsey Hickman (ex officio), Mary Ellen Irving, Bill McElvaney, Iyas Maleh, Sam Nance (ex officio), Liz Wolff
Staff present: Lon Burnam, Trish Majors
Visitors present: Henry Irving, Artie Turner
I. Introduction and Centering: Bill called the meeting to order at 7:21 p.m. Bill presented a quote from Petra Karin Kelly: "A truly free society must not include a "peace" which oppresses us. We must learn on our own terms what peace and freedom mean together. There can be no peace if there is social injustice and suppression of human rights, because external and internal peace are inseparable. Peace is not just the absence of mass destruction, but a positive internal and external condition in which people are free so that they can grow to their full potential."
II. Review of July minutes: Kimberly moved acceptance of minutes. Motion seconded by Bobbie. Motion passed by voice vote.
III. Treasurer’s Report: Nelda presented an oral and written report. Total August expenses = $9,954.49. Total August revenue = $8,142.45. Overall cash flow for August = ($1,812.04). Actual year-to-date revenue = $59,849.77. Budgeted year-to-date revenue = $80,207.43. Michael moved acceptance of the report. Stephen seconded the motion. Motion passed by voice vote.
IV. Team Reports
A. Infrastructure: Henry presented an oral and written report.
1. Staff: Henry reported that Jamillah and Valerie have both resigned. In their absence Rita Clarke, Jan Sanders, Ellen Danielson and others have volunteered their time to manage the office. The board recognizes their substantial contributions to the continued functioning of the center. The committee recommends that exit interviews be conducted by Liz Wolff with both departed staff. Board members were encouraged to recruit volunteers to staff the office until full time staff can be employed.
2. Board development/recruitment: The committee is working on a draft proposal for board recruitment procedures to be presented to the board at the October board meeting. The committee developed guidelines for the nomination of board officers each year. The three board members (Bobbie Nehman, Liz Wolff, Nelda Reid) whose term expires in 2005 have been asked to serve another 3 year term. Henry asked current board members to help identify potential board members. Mary Ellen has submitted her resignation from the board. Bill will send a letter of thanks for board service to Hai Ly and Mary Ellen.
B. Communications
1. Dallas Peace Times: Trish presented an oral and written proposal to move the DPT to an on-line newspaper. In addition, a print version of the DPT will be instituted as a monthly 6 page newsletter to focus on building community, publicizing upcoming events, reporting on local events sponsored or co-sponsored by the Dallas Peace Center, DPC committee reports, monthly calendar of events, summaries of important DPT online stories.
2. DPC website: Trish and Artie presented the proposal for redesigning the DPC website.
3. The committee proposed a board retreat entitled "Healing ourselves, healing our world" with an external facilitator. A facilitator and date need to be determined.
C. Peacemaker Award Dinner: Lon presented an update on the dinner. Lon presented the committee’s nominations and also nominations of Rita Calvert and the Potter’s House by individuals.
1. Nominations: Stephen moved that Hadi Jawad and Johnny Wolfe be awarded the Peacemakers of the Year Award. Ron seconded the motion. Michael moved to table the motion until Len and Lon can meet with Hadi and Johnny. Board members will be notified via e-mail regarding outcome of the meeting.
2. Phoenix award: The committee recommended that Cindy Sheehan be recognized for resurrecting the anti-war movement. The board reached consensus that she be given the award.
3. Memorial award: Danna moved we acknowledge Parker Wilson en memoriam. Motion seconded by Sidney. Motion passed by voice vote.
D. Dismantling Racism: Delia reported on the workshop. The board recognized her work in organizing the workshop.
V. Committees, events
A. Middle East: No report.
B. End the war - 9/24 Coalition: Lon distributed a flyer regarding the concert and peace rally to be held at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters/Naomi Bruton Theatre, corner of Canton and Akard from 12:00-5:00. For more information www.endthewar924.org. Proceeds will go to the Veterans for Peace Camp Casey 3 in Covington, LA.
C. Peace One Day: Lon reported the event, organized by the Children and Youth Committee, was a very successful event.
VI. Other Business arising
A. Dismantling Racism Brown Bag, "What Katrina exposed for all of us to see: Institutional Racism and Economic Justice," Thursday, Sept. 29th 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to be moderated by Jan Sanders.
B. "Bring the troops home" rally at Congressman Joe Barton’s office every Friday from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
VII. Announcements and adjournment
Bill adjourned the meeting at 9:36 p.m.
Submitted by Ron Wilhelm
