Dallas Peace Center Board of Directors Meeting Minutes April 21, 2005
Members present: Nadine Bell, Stephen Brown, Sidney Burkins, Delia Castillo, Len Ellis, Holsey Hickman (ex officio), Hai Ly, Bill McElvaney, Bill Matthews, Bobbie Nehman, Danna Pyke, Nelda Reid, Kimberly Truitt, Ron Wilhelm, Liz Wolff
Members absent: Farrukh Hamid, Mary Ellen Irving, Iyas Maleh, Mike Millican, Sam Nance (ex officio)
Staff present: Trish Majors, Valley Reed
Visitors present: David Marquis, David Reid, Diana Marquis, Laray Polk
I. Centering: Bill Matthews opened the meeting at 7:07 p.m. Nelda offered a centering prayer. Every person introduced herself or himself and stated a favorite childhood game.
II. Minutes of the March 17th meeting were presented. Kim noted that in item H. Dismantling Racism, Danna’s name was mispelled. Danna noted also on item H. Dismantling Racism that part C should read “Discussion continues regarding sensitivity issues about scheduling events on religious holidays, and are looking at the possible revision of the mission statement of the Dismantling Racism team.” With those corrections noted, Bill McElvaney moved acceptance of minutes. Nelda seconded the motion. Motion passed on voice vote.
III. Treasurer’s Report: Nelda presented an oral and written report.
Total March expenses =$5,962.96.
Total March revenue = $3,954.29.
Overall cash flow for March = ($2,008.67).
Bobbie moved acceptance of report. Nadine seconded the motion. Motion passed by voice vote.
IV. Dismantling Racism Team proposal:
A. Proposal against Strong Mayor Proposition: Delia presented a written proposal and an oral explanation. David Marquis, media relations coordinator of the Coalition for Open Government, spoke about the campaign to defeat the Blackwood Proposition. The board agreed to change the title of the proposal to “Opposition to the City of Dallas 2005 Strong Mayor Proposition.” The board agreed to change paragraph 4 to delete “Analysis shows that” and to begin the paragraph with “WHEREAS, The majority.” The proposal passed on voice vote with two abstentions (Bobbie and Steven).
V. Proposal to establish a Dallas Peace Center policy to determine what events and actions we will support and what language will be used to publicize events and actions.
Nadine presented a written proposal for board discussion. The board decided to continue to work on the proposal at a working meeting of the executive committee and interested board members on Saturday, May 14th. Ron agreed to create a hard copy and an electronic notebook of past minutes of the DPC board to facilitate access to past board policy decisions.
VI. Team Reports:
A. Children and Youth: Valley presented a written and oral report. Highlights included baking peace cookies to sell at the Fair Trade vs. Slave Trade event on April 23rd at FunAsia.
B. Communications: Trish presented a written and oral report. Highlights included plans for the Peace Video Festival on Aug. 6th. The Dallas Video Festival has asked the DPC to pay $1,000 toward the $5,000 cost of renting the Theater Center. Laray and Dawn Branam are looking for affordable outdoor and indoor newsstands for the DPT.
C. Dismantling Racism: No report other than the proposal. (See item IV.)
D. Fundraising: Sidney reported that the DPC has received $5,000 from the Harold Simmons Foundation. Valley reported on the Fair Trade vs. Slave Trade event this Saturday, April 23rd at 2:00 p.m.. The DPC received another $5,000 from one of our generous supporters. Kevin Bales’ book Disposable People will be sold at the event. Valley noted the committee has conducted a cost analysis for a new venue for the Peacemaker of the Year Award banquet.
E. Infrastructure: Liz presented a written and oral report. The committee asked the board to authorize $300 for May and $200 for June to spend on computer services people. Motion passed on voice vote.
F. Swords into Plowshares
1) Ending the occupation of Iraq: Laray Polk gave an oral report. Jan Sanders will present a position paper to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson next week. Laray will send the position paper to board members for comments by Thursday
2) Fair trade: Ron distributed a flyer regarding an event on May 28th regarding the Bible and Social Justice at Greenland Hills UMC and a brochure for the Dallas Interfaith Coalition for Economic Justice.
3) Middle East: Bill McElvaney presented a written and oral report of future activities. Highlights included: the DPC summer dinner featuring the Jerusalem Women Tour on June 23rd at FunAsia; Ron Young event in June (12th or 26th); Hagit Ra’anan in July (sometime between 10th and 16th); Abrahamic Peace Walk in October. Bobbie reported on plans for an interfaith walk involving Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities. She also reported on difficulties in organizing an event around Hagit Ra’anan.
4) Sudan Peace & Justice: Cheri Hadley provided a calendar of events of the group.
VII. Announcements and Adjourn:
1) Valley announced a panel on May 7th, Downtown Public Library, Women’s Peace Conference featuring Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
2) Liz distributed a flyer regarding pending legislation (SB 629) to reform Contracts for Deed, a property financing arrangement whereby ownership remains with the seller until the total purchase is paid. ACORN is campaigning in favor of the bill, which would reform the current practice of “rent to own.”
3) Len announced the Peace Center Arlington is working with UTA to bring Arun Gandhi to the area in September. He asked whether the DPC wanted to participate in the event.
4) Bobbie moved adjournment. Bill adjourned the meeting 9:25 p.m.
submitted by Ron Wilhelm, Secretary