Minutes: Board of Directors Meeting November 16, 2006
Members present: Bill McElvaney, Delia Castillo, Nelda Reid, Bobbie Nehman, Liz Branch, Michael Millican, Len Ellis, Danna Pyke, Marian Avalos, Sidney Burkins.
proxies: Bill Matthews.
Staff present: Lon Burnam, Trish Majors.
Visitors: David Reid, Gene Tien, Asma Salam, Joy Flora.
1. Opening: Delia Castillo called the meeting to order at 7:10pm, and read a centering prayer.
2. Minutes: The October minutes were presented. Liz moved to accept, Bill second.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Nelda reviewed the October report and our year-to-date status. It was noted that the $25000 Challenge Grant was met. Bobbie moved to accept the report, Danna second.
4. Ten Thousand Villages request: Danna requested that TTV be allowed to use the DPC mailing list for promoting the organization and soliciting support. Key to the discussion was our policy on using our mailing list for outside commercial organizations and the expectation of our members that their personal information would not be shared. It was decided we could allow an inclusion in the weekly email announcing the TTV was coming back to DFW, along with an advertisement in DPT.
5. Teams:
Communications Team [Trish] - written report re: computers. A webpage on MySpace has been set up by Beth Freed and Stephen Webster; content is in development
Dismantling Racism [Delia] - discussion of Dec 2 event and panelists. Followed by a lengthy discussion of the situation in Farmer's Branch, review of background information from emails. It was decided a special meeting to further discuss the position and action (if any) that DPC should take will be called for December 7, 7pm.
Fundraising [Sidney] - written report. This is the last board meeting before the Peacemaker Awards Dinner, so a reminder for board members to help out where needed at the event.
Organizational Development [Joy] - written report from Joy on the officer vacancies yet to be filled.
Peace Education [Michael] - no meeting since the Nagler event; no new items to report.
Swords/Plowshares [Liz Branch] -Written report. SOA Watch Caravan leaves tomorrow. A question came up about clarification concerning lobbying efforts; Lon indicated that any volunteer is allowed to lobby, but DPC cannot expend funds for lobbying. Lon also stated that the meetings with the Police Dept prior to the Nov 6 rally, and the nonviolence training, added to the success of keeping the message on track without conflict.
6. DFW International Volunteer Day: there was a great deal of email traffic on this subject, and we reviewed it in conjunction with discussing if DPC should be a sponsor of this event. The main concern was the appearance of glorifying war, and our not wanting to recognize or condone the use of violence to solve conflicts. We desire to aid veterans without glorifying war, and this event did not seem to separate the two. Lon will contact DFW Int'l and ask our name be removed from the DFW website as sponsors.
7. Announcements: Bobbie stated that Interfaith Environmental Alliance was supporting efforts to stop the new coal-fired plants fast-track approval. We discussed the need for monitoring and taking action on environmental issues, but we need chair persons to come forward to energize these issues.
8. Adjourn: Danna moved for adjournment at 9:30pm, Marian second.
submitted by Len Ellis
Secretary
November 20, 2006
