Progress Report – 2007

This report was compiled by Karen Chadwick with assistance from Bobbi Jo Gamache and used as an application for the STAR Award for Volunteer (sponsored by Kalamazoo Gazette and the Volunteer Center). It works doubly well as a Progress Report. Thank you, Karen and Bobbi Jo.

State coordinator Linda Henderson issued a year-end report for all of Michigan. She complimented our district for the Swami Beyondananda show, the Kalamazoo City Commission resolution in support of the DoP legislation, and the excellent media coverage we have attained. She wrote that we in “had a very successful and productive year!” Yes, we have. Thank you, all.

As we move forward in 2008, we will:

• Co-host a night of improv peace comedy, featuring Crawlspace Eviction.
• Hold our first Annual Meeting, which will include adoption of our bylaws and election of our executive committee.
• Attend the DoP Midwest Regional Conference in Schaumburg, IL, June 19-21 (for information and to secure a room—paid for by our DoP group—contact Bobbi Jo Gamache at 269-998-7446).

Please mark your calendars and consider attending all of these events.

Star Awards – Group Nomination 2/1/08
U.S. Department of Peace (DoP) campaign in Michigan’s 6th Congressional District

1. Organization served and time given – Where and how many hours did these people volunteer? Who may we contact to verify this information?

The campaign to establish a Cabinet-level Department of Peace within the U.S. is a national effort. Our group is active in Michigan’s 6th U.S. Congressional District (Southwest Michigan).
Members: nearly 600 of whom approximately 50 volunteered 2,445 hours in 2007.
Contact District Leader, Robert Weir, 269-978-6803 for verification of this information.

2. Volunteer activities performed – What did they do?

• Leadership/Administration
  Monthly meeting preparation; mailings to members; merchandise management; data base management; phone tree organization; marketing of events; website development and maintenance; preparation of handout literature; money management
• Political Liaison
  Obtaining and sending citizen petitions to Rep. Fred Upton, signed by 675 persons, asking him to support of the Department of Peace and Nonviolence legislation (House Resolution 808); meeting with Rep. Upton and Senators Levin and Stabenow and/or their aides; sending a monthly letter to Rep. Upton, signed by attendees of our meeting; seeking and obtaining adoption of a resolution in support of H.R. 808 by the Commissioners of the City of Kalamazoo
• Public Outreach
  Hosting information tables at festivals, community events, Town Hall Meetings, fundraisers, block parties; making citizen outreach telephone calls; speaking at churches, Town Hall Meetings, and civic organizations; collaborating with peace, global warming and citizen activist groups
• Media Outreach
  Writing and sending letters to editor and being interviewed for articles that appeared in SW Michigan newspapers; being interviewed for cable access television, WKZO Radio and WMUK Radio; sending monthly media releases to all newspapers, radio and television stations in 6th Congressional District
• Fundraising events
  Hosting a yard sale at Skyridge Church of the Brethren and connecting with hundreds of people; hosting a performance by nationally known peace comedian Swami Beyondananda at Kalamazoo College; showing the movie, “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama,” at Unity Church of Kalamazoo; hosting a euchre tournament; receiving donations from distribution of promotional t-shirts, tote bags, buttons and bumper stickers.

3. Overall impact – How did they make a difference?
Number of members on roster in 2007: 581
Number of members on roster in 2006: 126
% of change: 461%

Average number of volunteers at monthly meetings in 2007: 19
Average number of volunteers at monthly meetings in 2006: 7
% of change: 271%

Number of citizen petition signers in 2007: 675
Number of citizen petition signers in 2006: did not seek any petition signers

Number of citizens communicated with in 2007: 2,100 *
Number of citizens communicated with in 2006: 550
% of change: 382%
* does not include untold numbers who heard DoP interviews on cable TV or various radio programs, or read articles and letters to the editor in newspapers throughout SW Michigan

Citizens in attendance at Kalamazoo College Swami Beyondananda event: 300

4. Obstacles overcome.
Some of our volunteers’ passionate efforts for this purpose have meant that they sacrificed time and income to further this cause. The increased career visibility and professional networking offset the obstacles.

A challenge faced by some of the volunteers has been issues such as coming from a military family and having to deal with the issues this brought to their home life.
Another obstacle has been name and purpose recognition of the organization by the general public and congressional representatives, specifically, the limited understanding of the purpose to pass H.R. 808 versus local peace activism. The group’s focus as a citizen lobby group to encourage Rep. Upton to become a co-signer for the bill is separate from the work of local peace activists and yet this confusion is an ongoing struggle for the group’s work.
Another obstacle has been volunteer recruitment to support group activities. The growth of the group’s membership due to increased interest in current political realities has made the difference.

The greatest obstacle has been the unwillingness of Congressman Upton and Senators Levin and Stabenow to support the Department of Peace legislation despite frequent communication with our federal representatives.

5. Other relevant information.
The quality of energy and dedication of our volunteers is impressive. For instance, as we took on the task of bringing the comedian Swami Beyondananda to Kalamazoo College in September, we had to figure out how to sell advance tickets. One volunteer allowed her private home phone to be listed on the flyer. It’s surprising how many people thought this phone number led to 24/7 master ticket line and called her home at all hours of the night. She took this with grace (as did her husband!) and continues to be enthusiastic with her volunteer efforts.

Our yard sale could have been a disaster. At the end of a long day, we had thousands of items left. A community businessman volunteered his pick-up truck and took the leftovers to needy people in the community, a kind gesture that averted a huge problem. Our district leader literally jumped in, and with assistance of our volunteers and several on-the-spot volunteers, packed these items in the back of the truck. And we have to be grateful to the many citizens who donated items for the yard sale, and the dedicated crew who priced and organized an avalanche of goods.

The primary skills of the group are to be cheerful, informative and display peaceful interaction as they meet and greet the general public. Occasionally we receive hostile responses, but we, as persons of peace, always exhibit grace under pressure.
It has been inspiring to watch these volunteers come to common ground with respect and enjoyment of each other. Our group has found a soft approach to helping ordinary private citizens find their political voice with the purposeful effort of supporting H.R. 808.
Adoption of the DoP resolution by the City of Kalamazoo was a significant accomplishment because it involved a decision by local government officials. A copy of this resolution is attached [here].