Meeting Notes April 7, 2003

Yesterday’s meeting was well attended. Highlights follow:

Structure:

• Treasure’s Report: We have a balance of $107.13 in our account. All outstanding bills have been paid. David reported that our $500 donation to Doctors Without Borders has been mailed to them for their work in Iraq. These were funds that came from donations through our Rice For Peace Campaign. Great work to all members and friends of Kootenay FOR involved in our Rice For Peace Campaign.
• Consensus reached: Trish and Isaac will serve as co-chairs for Kootenay FOR. Congratulations!

Announcements:

• Lloyd Berg (fifty plus year member of FOR), from the Chapter Development Office of FOR in Nyack, New York will be in Nelson on May 12th or 13th. We will have a chapter building meeting with him and perhaps a public event, still to be planned. We should have Lloyd's itinerary within the next week and can then plan for his visit to Nelson in more detail. Lloyd Berg who also edits FOR's newsletter, "Witness", (with a distribution to 18,000 people) informed Kootenay FOR that a large article (with photo/s about Kootenay FOR and this region's history of peace activity is now out. Kootenay FOR has been sent 150 copies to disseminate for our outreach work.
• Helen Caldicot, an expert on the hurtfulness of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy will be speaking at the Brilliant Cultural Center on April 29th at 7:00 pm. Her topic will be on her new book: New Nuclear Danger, George Bush’s Military Industrial Complex.
• Future Potlucks will be held in Nelson for ease of attendance. Location soon to be announced.
• Special meeting of FOR will be held this Sat at the United Church at 4 pm. Please see full description of the planning at the end of these notes.
• Every sat at 3 pm there will be a vigil at the Court house in Castlegar. This is being organized by USCC and KRUNA.
• Kootenay FOR will work to organize our events in coordination with other peace organizations in our region. Example: This will allow our members to be present in support of USCC and KRUNA's peace events, and in order for USCC and KRUNA to attend Kootenay FOR events. We discussed the importance of supporting each other's organizations and peace activities and cooperating in this effort, ...in solidarity with all peace organizations in our communities.
• May 3rd Light For Peace Forum is being planned currently. Watch for future announcements.

Action:

• Rice For Peace Campaign:

  There are approximately 200 pkgs left to diseminate to the public at our Rice For Peace Table. This will be done by FOR members and friends over the next few weeks.

  Debate was held about the wisdom of sending a letter to a sympathic MP and ask that s/he call attention to this Campaign in the House. Isaac will send the letter and discuss the appropriate strategies.

  Trish and David will author a letter to the NDN about our successful local campaign as part of a larger National Campaign and about the $500 raised and donated to Doctors Without Borders for their work in Iraq.

• The Mennonite Central Committee is collecting relief kits for shipment to Iraq. You can help MCC respond to this urgent need for basic hygiene supplies for those living in desperate conditions.

  To assemble one kit [provided in an open (unsealed) cardboard box for shipping]:

  4 bars bath soap

  1 plastic bottle of shampoo (put in plastic bag)

  10 cups powdered laundry detergent, (double bag in re-sealable bags)

  1 tube toothpaste (min. 6 oz.)

  4 adult-size toothbrushes (leave in packaging)

  4 NEW bath towel (med weight, NOT white)

  1 each, hairbrush, wide-tooth comb and fingernail clipper

  1 box adhesive bandages, (40 minimum, assorted)

  1 package of sanitary pads (18-24 thin maxi or ultra thin)

  Please deliver to Nelson United Church (602 Josephine, at Silica) in Nelson,

  by May 13th. Kootenay FOR will be responsible for delivering all kits

  to Abbottsford by May 15.

• Call or Fax Prime Minister Chretien and give him support for staying out of the war:

  Fax: 1-613-941-6900

  Hot line Foreign Affairs: 1-866-880-437

  E-mail pm@pm.gc.ca

Next Meeting will be on Mon. April 28th 7 pm at Nelson United Church (602 Josephine, at Silica). Enter up the stairs at the far end of the church. (This meeting is a week later than usual, due to Easter.)