Department of Peace minutes of August 13, 2009, meeting
By Secretary Peg Bozarth

In attendance: Janice Lakers, John Kinch, Lynn Kinch, Luanna Van Dam, Lowey Dickason, Marilyn Eccles, Peg Bozarth, Chuck Harmon, Bobbi Jo Gamache, Alice Noecker, Carolyn Dixon, Guest Speaker Adrienne Eliseo

Meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by co-chairs Luanna Van Dam and Janice Lakers with a Peace candle lighting and a minute of silence for peace. This moment of peaceful reflection was followed by a request for testimonials about "peaceful incidents" that the members encountered. Lowey Dickason told us about a peace movement in Palestine where they read and discuss the way toward peace using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s teachings. Marilyn told us about her experience at the Kalamazoo National Healthcare meeting and how cordial all of the people were.

Correspondence – There were no letters this month. We have not had a response from Representative Kildee regarding last months letter.

Guest Speaker – Adrienne Eliseo, Handiworks, is a anthropologist, hand mapper and tarot expert. She spoke to us about a book she is writing that explains the human hand as a blueprint for the soul, and the tarot deck as a blueprint of human development.

Reports and Discussion

Finance – Reported by, Marilyn Eccles, Treasurer.
Income $97
Expenses $0
Balance as of /31/09 $1,302

Church Outreach – The Outreach committee has met with the Quaker community and Unity Church, but have not heard from them. They are going to meet with Skyridge this fall. They are discussing St. Lukes and ISAAC to reach the 2009 goal of 5 church communities to endorse the bill.

Tabling Opportunities – John Kinch suggested tabling at SW Michigan Community Harvest in Scotts. Alice Noecker represented the DoP at last years fest and felt it was not a good fit. We also discussed being represented at the Paw Paw festival 9/11-13 and the Kalamazoo County Festival 10/3-4. John feels our group is too small to attend multiple day festivals. There was a discussion about the necessity to enjoy the opportunity when tabling. John will investigate the possibility of tabling at the Harvest Fest in Kalamazoo October 3 and 4. There will be free tabling opportunities at the Presbyterian Church during the November 6th Art Hop and selling peace themed jewelry as Christmas gifts was discussed. We plan on participating in the Holiday Parade on November 14th.

John and Lynn Kinch attended training for nonviolent communications in Cincinnati. The program was very rewarding it was held at Unity Church and was taught through role playing. The have very informative handouts and a CD with Marshall Rosenberg teaching NVC. It was attended by a large group from throughout the Midwest. Marianne Orr is developing a NVC program for the Kalamazoo area.

YARD SALE – We will be having a yard sale at Skyridge Church on Saturday, September 5, 2009. If you have any items you would like to donate they can be dropped off on Thursday and Friday September 3 and 4 between noon and 8 p.m. If the items are large (furniture) please drop them off on Saturday. All who are planning to attend the regular DoP meeting that evening come prepared to work. If that is not convenient contact BobbiJo Gamache for an alternate day and place.

We need bags and boxes for packing items. TELEVISIONS AND COMPUTERS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.

Other Events - International Day of Prayer for Peace is September 21st. Peace week at WMU is October 22nd, Phyllis Bennis, guest speaker, will discuss the Mideast. KNOW is sponsoring Hiroshima Dy, it will involve children, music, and meditation. Steve Senesi is going to Kalamazoo Churches to ask for support of Nuclear Weapons Ban.

We want to thank you for your continued support and invite you to attend a meeting if you have the opportunity.