Department of Peace Minutes from May 12th Meeting

May 12, 2011, Department of Peace Meeting Minutes.

Present: Peg Bozarth, Lowey Dickason, Marilyn Eccles, Bobbi Jo Gamache, Chuck Harmon, John Kinch, Janice Lakers, Scott Spicer, and Pat Sullivan.

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 pm and introductions were made around the table.

2. Each of us provided personal reflections on the popular response to the news of Bin Laden's death.

3. A moment of silence was held to honor peace.

4. Chuck Harmon accepted the co-chair position previously held by Janice Lakers. Other changes involved investiture of new trustees Janice Lakers, Peg Bozarth, and Lowey Dickason.

5. Lowey Dickason announced the award of a grant from the Upjohn Foundation to support our annual Peace Pizzaz event. This will result in a monetary surplus after it has taken place.

No Department of Peace merchandise will be sold at Peace Pizzaz this year.

We will just distribute information and ask participants to fill out and submit a three item questionnaire.

6. Volunteers to work at Peace Pizzaz on May 22 are encouraged to step forward and have a very good time.

7. Discussion was held on how to emphasize the US Department of Peace campaign within the Peace Pizzaz program on May 22.

8. Bobbi Jo Gamache reported on our yard sale plans for August 25-27 at Skyridge Church of the Brethren. It will run from 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday, August 27. The two preceding days will be devoted to collection and organization of sale goods.

9. Marilyn Eccles gave the treasurer's report. Currently, we have assets totaling $3,777. $2,046.60 of this covers expenses of Peace Pizzaz.

10. Scott Spicer reported on our online Community Outreach Calendar. It is accessed via Google. It will be linked to our website.

11. John Kinch reported that the next Non Violent Communication meeting wlll be held at the Kinch home (1725 Hillshire, Kalamazoo) at 5:30 pm on Sunday, May 15. At 6:30 others will arrive who are interested in starting a new NVC study group.

12. We have opportunities to participate in the Memorial Day parade, the Doo-Dah parade, and the South Haven Fourth of July parade this year. A new banner that says People for Peace and Justice will be ordered to use in the Memorial Day parade.

13. We will participate in the June 4 Doo-Dah parade with a Peas on Earth theme. We will not mount an information table in downtown Kalamazoo this year on that date due to undesirable table location assignment .

Meet us in the MPI Research parking lot on Lovell St. before 11 am in order to join us in this fun parade event.

14. We will collaborate with KNOW to raise funds for Moveable Peace with a concert by Kevin Szwala at Milham Park on June 18.

15. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

John Kinch