SNOW General Meeting - May 12, 2003

Facilitating: Ruth Yarrow
Notetaker: Marcia Mullins

1. Introductions/Agenda Review

2. Neighborhood Reports: 15 neighborhood groups were represented at the meeting and reports of vigils, tabling, meetings and educational events indicate that, though activity has scaled back, there is still much activity in the SNOW neighborhoods. (See website for specifics.)

3. Coordinating Committee Report: We heard about interviews for the new position of SNOW organizer, of fundraising efforts and about the possible move toward SNOW incorporation. For more complete information on the CC business, check the minutes of recent meetings on the SNOW website.

4. June 1 Planning Committee Report: The major SNOW event planned for 6/1 will be held at the Seattle Labor Temple, 2700 1st Avenue from 1-4:30 on June 1. Free parking is available. Fliers were ready for pick up at the end of the meeting and all were encouraged to help us get out the word to our SNOW neighborhood groups. An overview of the day (large group gathering by neighborhood with some music and very short speeches, breakout educational and action planning sessions and a reconvening for a closing activity) was given along with requests for volunteer help on and around the day's events.

5. General Meetings: There was discussion of how we would best be using our general meeting time in the coming months. Suggestions were:
   • having some social time at each meeting with a sort of celebratory spirit (music, food?)
   • spending 20 minuets/meeting on policy discussions
   • time for skills training (how to talk to those who disagree, how to make a compelling leaflet
   • consider going to only one meeting/month for June, July and August
   • using one meeting/month to focus on a presentation or educational event
   • develop an information sheet which can be distributed at SNOW meetings and which outline the SNOW process for getting things on an agenda, for getting endorsement, etc.
   • bring literature, etc. to SNOW meetings for dissemination to others
   • have time during the summer for non-partisan focus on elections
   • post announcements so that we don't need to use meeting time to make them orally
   • pass the hat

   There was a poll taken on the question of meeting only once/month. Feedback will be considered by the CC (after some collection of feedback from others who weren't present at this meeting) and some decision announced if meetings are to go to once/month.

6. LEIU: Ellen F. reported on her recent attendance at a meeting of groups to discuss a response to the LEIU presence in Seattle in early June. Several events are being planned by other groups including a meeting at Town Hall on the evening of June 1 and a rally at Westlake on June 2. We discussed endorsement of the rally on June 2nd and the majority present did not favor endorsement. Again, the final decision on this will be made by the SNOW CC. There was considerable support for making the overarching question relative to "civil liberties" a focus of our own June 1 event. LEIU is a "teachable moment", calling attention to the need for vigilance vis-à-vis civil liberties and police action.

7. Announcements:
   • Rolling Thunder Seattle invites SNOW work with them in a reciprocal relationship on events of mutual interest. They will promote the 6/1 event through their channels and ask that we promote their event on 7/5 ("Interdependence Day")
   • A meeting to advance the articulation of the SNOW Mission will be held at the SNOW office on 5/13 from noon to 2. All are invited.