Meeting Notes May 26, 2003

Our Kootenay FOR meeting began with the singing of peace songs. We continue to grow, and though five of our active members were out of town on summer trips, we still see strong participation with eight of us in attendance.

Structure:

• Treasure's Report: There is about $160 which Isaac has for our treasurer, David from the Peace Table donations. Bonnie has been paid $60 for the website. It was proposed that FOR donate $100 for the use of the upstairs meeting room for the year. This does not include use of the main hall for public events. Liz will update our FOR membership contact list.

Announcements:

• Quaker Presentation in Nelson: Review of the May 22nd gathering attended by a number of our Kootenay FOR members: Jane Orion Smith and Janet Ross Melnyk visited Nelson and presented information and discussed the so-called War on Terrorism and their biblical and Quaker traditions of seeking peace with justice. A key component of this presentation was the dialogue amongst participants as we struggle together to find ways forward in this critical time. Both of these Quaker leaders presented a very useful analysis that led to a worthwhile, illuminating discussion by meeting participants. The Quakers and FOR have a tradition of work together that goes back to FOR's beginnings in England in 1914, and continues strong to this day.
  
  
• Trish and Isaac will get together to brainstorm a new campaign to oppose the Missile Defense system.
  
  
• Kootenay FOR assistance to the MCC relief package campaign: The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Abbotsford has just this week received 36 relief kits due to the Kootenay FOR campaign in Nelson and area. In its May 29th issue the Nelson Daily News had a captioned photo showing the unloading of the boxes of relief items at the Nelson Post Office. Kootenay FOR wishes to share our deep thanks to Canada Post, Kevin at the Castlegar Post Office, and all the staff of the Nelson Post Office for their help in the transit of these Iraqi Relief items.
  
  
• A date for a Kootenay FOR community sing-along and Potluck for August will be discussed at a future meeting this summer, closer to the date.
  
  
• The 3rd Light For Peace "Peace-Time event is being planned currently. Watch for future announcements.
  
  
• Call or Fax Prime Minister Chretien and thank him for staying officially out of the war with Iraq, and call for his and Canada's non-participation in the Missile Defense System with the US. Fax: 1-613-941-6900 Hot line Foreign Affairs: 1-866-880-437

Next meeting: June 16, 2003 - 7PM United Church (602 Silica, at Josephine. Up the stairs at the far end of the building on Josephine. Then come up to the third floor.)