The Meeting was held at McClure School (1915 1st N) on Queen Anne.
Meeting opened with the usual introductions and reports from neighborhood groups. Some of the activities mentioned in reports were: leafleting, bannering on overpasses, potlucks/"Eating for Peace", and political activity related to the "Impeach Bush" campaign.
Mike Yarrow gave the Coordinating Committee Report: The CC is looking at the possibility of incorporating, has endorsed a fund-raising project for WaterPartners International and decided to join the national coalition of "United for Peace and Justice". (It was noted that since Ellen Finklestein was going to be in Chicago on other business during UPJ's upcoming conference, she would represent SNOW there and bring back information which would help to decide whether it was well advised that SNOW continue to be part of that coalition).
The latter item provoked a discussion about SNOW decision making process. This topic will be taken up again, particularly as it involves the process of incorporation which, in turn, involves creation of by-laws which will set forth clear decision making processes. Commitment to transparency and inclusion of grassroots feedback were noted as significant values for SNOW. (See minutes of CC meeting 5/19 for other details.)
Marcia Mullins (and others) gave an update on June 1 with purpose (focus on networking between neighborhood groups and on action ideas for neigbhorhood groups in coming months), overview of program and request for volunteers.
Delila Leber reported on the "People of Color Coalition Against the War At Home and Abroad", inviting SNOW to participate in its activities. There will be a protest on June 4th at 5:00 PM at various Starbucks locations.
It was noted that the SNOW Coordinating Committee was committed to working on building a more multi-racial peace force and, to that end, will plan an event sometime in July. The likely date is July 12th, the location the University Friends Social Hall and the time from 10-4. To help with planning for this event, one can contact either Mike Yarrow or Jay Gerring on the SNOW Coordinating Committee.
The group then focussed some discussion on what SNOW might do in late summer or early fall relative to politics. There were several ideas mentioned and these will go to the SNOW Coordinating Committee for further reflection and some initial proposals to come back to a general SNOW meeting. There was general agreement that underlying educational issues (such as "Black Box Voting" and voter registration and candidate records) were ones that could well be a focus for SNOW.
The meeting concluded with several announcements and a question about whether or not SNOW would want to participate and help plan the Seattle Peace Day on September 20th. A more detailed proposal about how this might come about will be presented at the next general meeting.