Members present: Delia Castillo, Len Ellis, Reza Badiee, Asma Salam, Elizabeth Villafranca, Lynn Walters, Elaine Emmert, Rob Evans, Roger Kallenberg, Mehry Cornett, Diane Baker, Valley Reed, Michael Lynn Walters, and Ernest McMillan.
Staff present: Lon Burnam, Daniel Williams, Trish Major
Visitors: Hadi Jawad
Prospective members: J Kendall Johnson, Mike Ghouse
I. Opening: Delia called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm; introductions all around. To promote centering down, Delia read a selection about Martin Luther King.
II. Minutes: The December 2007 minutes were reviewed: Rob moved to accept the minutes and Mehry seconded the motion. The motion was confirmed by voice vote.
III. Treasurer’s Report: Reza presented out year-to-date financials: The month of December showed a negative $6,130 balance of income net of expenses. Len moved to accept the report, Ernest seconded the motion. The motion to accept was affirmed by voice vote.
IV. Board Development Committee
A. Two names were submitted as nominees for the Board of Directors, each to serve three years: J Kendall Johnson, Mike Ghouse. Rob moved to accept the nominees to the Board, Roger seconded the motion. All others indicated acceptance to the motion by voice vote.
B. Crawford Peace House: No request for action was requested at this time. The issue of developing a more formal relationship with the Crawford Peace House will be investigated and Board members that are available will attend the Peace House Board of Directors meeting on January 26, 2008.
C. Hadi presented the opportunity for the Dallas Peace Center to participate and sign a petition in support of a boycott of the “Big Three Oil” companies on February 23. The boycott is being organized by Consumers for Peace and Hands off Iraq Oil. The movement is in its infancy, but will involve a press conference at “Oil Places”. Mehry moved to support the boycott of the “big three Oil” companies. Diane seconded the motion and all affirmed by voice vote.
D. Stakeholders Retreat: Len Ellis provided a written summary of the activities at the Stakeholders Retreat.
V. Team Reports
A. Communications – a written report was provided. The question arose about the appropriateness of accepting ads from political candidates. The Board was reminded that if such ads are accepted from one candidate, equal space must be provided for opposing candidates. It was perceived that this would not be a problem considering the readership of the Dallas Peace Times
B. Dismantling Racism - no report
C. Fundraising – written report
D. Infrastructure and Long Term Planning – Job descriptions for Dallas Peace Center employees were completed and submitted to the Board for approval. Roger moved to accept the revised descriptions with Mehry as second, affirmed by voice vote.
E. Peace Education – No report
F. Swords into Plowshares
1. The Don’t Attack Iran Committee requested that the Board support the draft Resolution that was submitted with written committee reports and encourage the Dallas City Council to adopt the resolution. Rob made the motion to support the Resolution, Valley seconded, the motion approved by voice vote.
2. Roger requested that the Dallas Peace Center allocate $600 to join the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. The request was made in light of the fact that the economy of Dallas is heavily dependent on defense related contracts. Thousands of workers owe their livelihood to these contracts and should the current level of conflict abate, thousands could be out of work and the local economy would be in a state similar to that of Michigan with the decline of the auto industry. By joining the Chamber, the need for diversification in the economy could be introduced as an issue. Mehry mad the motion to approve the expenditure of $600 for the Chamber membership. Diane seconded the motion and it was approved by voice vote.
3. Alternatives to Military Service Update -
VI. Events
A. Gandhi the Man Class – started Jan 13, 2008 and is on going at 2 pm at DPC
B. Civil Disobedience Retreat - January 20-21 at CRC in Ft. Worth MLK Parade
VII. Other Business
A. It was requested the Dallas Peace Center be a sponsor for the Season of Non-Violence. A written report explaining the 64 day season was submitted. Diane moved to sponsor the Season of Non-Violence. Rob second and the motion passed by voice vote.
VIII. Adjournment - Diane moved, Rob second, to adjourn at 9:35.
Submitted by Elaine Emmert
Secretary
January 28, 2008