Minutes: Board of Directors Meeting May 18, 2006
RevA
Members present : Bill Matthews, Laray Polk, Liz Wolff, Mike Millican, Delia Castillo, Nelda Reed, Bill McElvaney, Marion Avalos, Sidney Burkins, Dana Pyke, Bobbie Nehman, Holsey Hickman, Liz Branch.
Staff present : Lon Burnam
Visitors: Joy Flora (Dismantling Racism), Vicki Millican, Karen Blessing, Linda McLemore (Art Spirit).
1. Opening: Bill Matthews called the meeting to order.
2. Minutes: The minutes of the April meeting were presented. It was requested to amend the end of the Treasurer’s report to show that a motion was offered to allow setting up of a bank checking account at the Women’s Credit Union. As amended, the minutes were accepted.
3. Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer’s Report was presented and accepted. Lon Nelda noted that the payroll taxes would now be paid monthly ($99.51) rather than quarterly. Also highlighted the negative YTD cash flow of almost $14,000 ($13,958.47) and current available operating funds of $4,116.47, but noted that about $4,000 had been received in May so far.
4. Proposal: Art Spirit invites the Dallas Peace Center to partner with them and Umbrellas for Peace together with the Bishop Arts Merchants, for a Block Party Peace Festival in the Bishop Arts District of Oak Cliff to celebrate World Peace Day (celebrated internationally on Thursday, September 21). They shared their plans thus far and said that the Dallas Peace Center could participate in any way board felt was appropriate. Vicki Millican agreed to be the coordinating link for the Dallas Peace Center and that she plans to work with peace moms and children’s groups.
Liz moved and Bill seconded the motion that we affirm in spirit our interest in participating in the Festival and will continue to explore clear ways that participation can be realized in a culturally sensitive manner. The motion was approved. It was decided not to be included in the Art Spirit letter at this time, awaiting clarification of details regarding coordination with the Mexican American community around the choice of date, Saturday, September 16. Until details and full acceptance of, our participation is defined and approved.
5. Teams:
Fundraising [Sidney] - Sidney encouraged the board to be diligent in paying pledges, and securing funding for the DPC. He reported on the upcoming fundraising event - the Summer Dinner Lecture with speaker Tom Hayden and encouraged teams to buy a table.
Communications Team [Laray] - Written report provided. A group of four met with Artie to begin training on team web pages.
Dismantling Racism [Joy] - Joy Flora led a Role and Assessment dialogue based on the Mennonite Damascus Road training. In her assessment and that of the committee, DPC has, in some areas, moved from the passive to the symbolic change stage. The stated goal is to become more inclusive, make structural changes and get to identity change stage. Using as one example the complete lack of statement or active participation, as an organization, in the recent immigration Rights action. The committee met with the NAACP to explore working on a panel to address institutional and systemic racism.
Organization [Lon] - Lon reports that this team does not have a lead yet. Joy notes that the Board Development committee is working.
Peace Education [Michael] - Michael moved and Nelda seconded the motion that “the Dallas Peace Center would serve as a non-financial sponsor/co-sponsor of two presentations by Michael Nagler in Dallas on September 29, 2006 on Nonviolence and September 30, 2006 on Spiritual Disciplines For Our Spiritual Crisis and authorize the Nonviolent Communication Team to facilitate the event. The motion was approved.
Swords/Plowshares [Liz Branch] - Written report provided. In addition Lon reported that the presence at the McCain reception was small but seen by McCain, and that it included several young students from the area who came to join in. Laray reported on the Women in Black being present in front of the Federal Building, Houston St., to help people being recruited to join the military to know their rights, and alternatives. Two published articles, one in CounterPunch, and the other in the June issue of DPC Times give details.
6. Brown-Bag Lunch Sponsorship: Mike moved and Rob seconded that we table the proposed “Endorsement Disclaimer” submitted by Len. The general feeling was that this is a needed statement and this is a good beginning. Any suggestions for revision are to be sent to Len.
7. Announcements: Bill Matthews presented information regarding the proposed schedule and venues for Prof. M. D. “Nonu” Nalapat, Editor of The Times of India, June 11-June14.
Bill also shared a letter from Larry McMullen regarding his request that we possibly find a venue for a talk by Antonia Yuhasz, author of “The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time.”
8. Adjourn: moved to adjourn at 9:30p.m.
submitted by Liz Branch
acting Secretary
June 5, 2006
(ammended 6-12-2006 L.E.)
