Department of Peace meeting minutes for June 10, 2010

Present: Peg Bozarth, Karen Culp, Marilyn Eccles, Chuck Harmon,John Kinch, Janice Lakers, Luana Van Dam

The meeting was called to order at 6:45 pm by Luana Van Dam.

New person Karen Culp was introduced to others present and vice versa.

The candle was lit for a period of silence for peace.

Peace testimonials about recent events were contributed by attendees.

A video discussion about the Department of Peace bill between Dennis Kucinich and Walter Cronkite was shown.

Marilyn Eccles gave the treasurer's report. No finance report was handed out due to lack of data before this meeting. It will be submitted via the internet soon.

Peg Bozarth reported on Peace Pizzaz. Seven schools and six churches were involved, an increase over last year, but total numbers of people were less. More entertainment groups were booked this year than last year. Audience response to the entertainment was enthusiastic.

The peace rally that took place during Obama's appearance on Monday, June 7, was a successful collaboration of Department of Peace, KNOW, Skyridge Church, and Peace Jam.

Janice Lakers summarized the events at the Midwest Department of Peace Conference in Livonia in May. It was reported that at least 265 congressmen support the Youth Promise Act. Another peace bill in Congress that needs support is the Restorative Justice in Schools Act that would train school personnel in conflict resolution. Bishop Gumbleton of Detroit was the keynote speaker at the conference.

This year's Labor Day weekend yard sale is being planned. Bobbi Jo Gamache is chairperson for this event, and committee members are needed to work on it.

Luana Van Dam reported on plans for our June 23 Non Violent Communication presentation for a women's group at the First Baptist Church. Our presentation will include explanation, demonstration, and games.

ISAAC events were discussed. There is a Porch Patrol event on this Saturday, June 12, in which people will be interviewed on community needs in their neighborhoods. Department of Peace is working with ISAAC on the Youth Development Task Force committee.

Luana Van Dam spoke on improving our tabling activity. Perhaps we need to organize a strategy session to determine how to approach people effectively while tabling.

Marketing our group more effectively was discussed. Bobbi Jo suggests we contract services from Spicer Consulting at http://spicerconsulting.com. Bobbi Jo is encouraged to follow up on this to get further details. Possibly we could benefit from a presence on Facebook or Twitter. Our presence in Kalamazoo Gazette's Jottings brought Karen Culp to our meeting tonight. We will be listed in Jottings again in the fall.

Announcements included the Gay Pride event in Acadia Creek Park this Saturday. Also, we are still awaiting delivery of the corrected version of our new information handout cards.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, August 12. We're taking a July break from our monthly meeting, but the yard sale committee will be active and some of us will be involved in ISAAC activities.

John Kinch moved adjournment at 8:35 pm. Exeunt all.

Respectfully submitted,

John Kinch, recording secretary