"As a local catalyst for a Department of Peace, striving to build a culture of peace through our personal and co-operative action, our mission is to be a community resource for conflict resolution and non-violence. We support the passage of peace related legislation." ( Our Mission Statement)

August DoP Minutes

August 11, 2011 Minutes for the Department of Peace Campaign Meeting

Present: Wade Adams, Mary Lou Boughton, Martha Cavazos,Wayne Conner, Marilyn Eccles, Bobbi Jo Gamache, John Kinch, Scott Spicer, and Luana Van Dam.

1. The meeting was called to order by Luana Van Dam at 6:40 pm.

2. Luana Van Dam gave a peace testimonial on the Hiroshima commemoration event at Bronson Park on Sunday, August 7. Wade Adams reported on tv coverage of the event. Peace Meditation followed.

3. Wade Adams reported on the Celtic, World, and Folk Music concert for peace and justice scheduled at Skyridge Church for September 1 at 7 pm. A $10.00 per person donation is suggested.

4. Scott Spicer introduced Martha Cavazos, his new business associate, who will collaborate with him on his business projects.

5. Bobbi Jo Gamache reported on our yard sale plans for September 27 and highlighted related printed material that covered re-sellers, sales volunteers, pricing, payment, hold policy, and oversized items. She summarized all the actions completed and those yet to be done.

6. Marilyn Eccles gave the finance report. Our current total balance is $2,622.00, checking and savings combined. $177.00 from the Changemakers grant will be applied to the Peace Pizzaz account. Scott Spicer will be asked to provide us with a monthly invoice reporting his services and costs from now on.

7. The next meeting for People for Peace and Justice will be October 13, our community outreach endeavor. Also Sweet Maya reunion concerts are planned for September 30 and October 1 during which local peace organizations will be recognized.

8. Luana Van Dam reported on plans for the next Peace Pizzaz event scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2011, in Bronson Park. The theme will be opposition to bullying.

9. Mary Lou Boughton reported on a local organization called Kidnet through which we can promote Peace Pizzaz.

10. The next meeting of the original NVC (non violent communications) group will meet on October 5 where NVC techniques will be practiced. New NVC groups are being organized and launched in the community.

11. Bobbi Jo Gamache suggested that local peace groups march together in sequence in the Kalamazoo Holiday Parade as we did in the Doo Dah Parade this year.

12. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon Kinch, secretary

Our next DoP meeting will be on Thursday, September 22nd (note the change of date from from September 8th).

PEACE AND JUSTICE CONCERT

"Four Shillings Short" Celtic, Folk & World Music

THURSDAY, SEPT 1st, 2011 7:00 to 9:00pm

SKYRIDGE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

394 South Drake Road, Kalamazoo, MI

For info: (269) 352-1226

Suggested Donation $10

Sponsored by Kalamazoo Non-violent Opponents of War (KNOW)

"Four Shillings Short" play a fantastic collection of world instruments:

North Indian Sitar, hammered dulcimer, mandolins, Renaissance woodwinds, bouzouki , recorders, tinwhistles, banjo, percussion & psaltry.

www.fourshillingsshort.com

Four Shillings Short

Be There for the DoP Annual Yard Sale

It is coming. What? Our once a year DoP fundraising event:

Date: Saturday, August 27th 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Location: Front yard of Skyridge Church for the Brethren, 345 S Drake Rd, Kalamazoo MI

Here is the scoop:

"Our purpose is to provide people with a peaceful event to acquire gently used merchandise at a price they determine is kind to their wallet."

Our goal is to have fun doing it.

We need your gently used stuff

Merchandise Drop Off Dates:

Thursday, Aug 25th, 3:30 – 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug 26th, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

No TVs or monitors.

Anything over 40# or oversized bring Saturday morning.

We need you for a couple of hours. Sign up for one or more shifts. Donations of baked goods are appreciated. (cookies, brownies, pies etc.) Thank you!!

Volunteer to setup, sell, or cleanup.

Thursday, Aug, 25th, Accept and sort merchandise

3:30 – 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug, 26th, Accept and sort merchandise

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday, Aug 27th

7 – 8 a.m. - Heavy lifters. Set up canopy & tables

7 – 9 a.m. - Merchandise setup

8:30 – 11 a.m. – 1st Sales Shift

11 a.m. – 2 p.m. – 2nd Sales shift

2 – 4 p.m. – Clean up

Contact Bobbi Jo to volunteer at bobbijog@... or 269-998-7446

We always CELEBRATE! Join us Saturday, Aug 27th at 4 p.m.

We need your help to spread the word.

Tell everyone especially those whose wallet feels the pinch. Just copy and send the email message below to your friends and family:

Peace Pizzazz

DoP Yard Sale

Saturday, August 27, 2011

9 AM – 2 PM

Rain or shine

Front yard of

Skyridge Church of the Brethren

345 S Drake St, Kalamazoo MI

Bargain Hunters Paradise

Merchandise from many households

Most items sold on a donation basis

Your donation funds the southwest Michigan Campaign for the Department of Peace (DoP)

Come and mingle for the fun of it!

Mackinac Bridge Peace Gathering

The weekend festival and bridge walk at the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day will be a capstone event of Moveable Peace, uniting our diverse efforts so that we can send a message of peace and solidarity that will be heard throughout the state. For more details see www.moveablepeace.org or contact Kevin Szwala, our DoP state coordinator on Facebook.

People for Peace and Justice Meeting

Please mark your calendar for our next Peace and Justice collaborative meeting on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at Skyridge Church of the Brethren. Refreshments will be available. We will gather at 6:30.

Peacefully submitted by Chuck Harmon and Luana VanDam, co-chairs for DoP