SNOW - Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War

General Meeting 10/29/02 MINUTES (SNOW member orgs and full meeting schedule
at end)

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, November 6, 7 p.m. at University Friends Meeting
(4001 9th NE). SNOW is an explicitly Nonviolent Coalition to Prevent a U.S.
War on Iraq; organizations and individuals interested in working with others
who commit to nonviolence in our actions, including respectful language to
all, invited to work together with 28 member organizations and growing;
request Points of Agreement from Jean bb369@scn.org More info at F.O.R.
206-789-5565.

Marcia Mullins, facilitating. Thanks to the two new attendees who generously
volunteered to take notes at the meeting. No names were signed on the
minutes so I can’t give them name recognition but we are greatly
appreciative of their contribution. (MM transcribing the minutes.)

WELCOME! By meeting facilitator. 

INTRODUCTIONS 

ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES

Meeting Schedule – (at end of minutes.) This was reviewed with places
noted for the next two meetings. We are still in need of locations for the
meetings after November 14. Please write to Jean at bb368@scn.org or call
the WWFOR office (789-5565) if you can offer a place for one of our
meetings. It was suggested that we revise the meeting schedule to the end
that our meetings always happened on the same day of the week. A poll was
taken regarding the suggestion and it was decided that we would keep the
meeting schedule as previously outlined with the possibility of revising the
system (to one in which we always meet on the same day of the week) after
January 7th.

List Serve - Tom Shea, our tireless list serve coordinator reviewed, once
again, some of the critical elements of the productive use of the list
serve. It was suggested that we have a second list, for which our website
moderator, Carl Meyer, would take responsibility . If one were on this
"moderated" list, one would get only important (as defined by the moderator)
announcements/notes. One could then check the "archives" on the regular list
in order to check into fuller discussions and postings of articles. This
would address the concerns that some seem to have about the volume of mail
coming through on the regular list serve. A vote indicated that there was
significant support for this dual option. We will be informed when this
second list is up and running and we will be directed as to how we can move
from one list to the other.

Treasurer’s Report – We had $962.00 in the bank before expenditures for
the flier distributed on 9/26. The cost of the flier was $200.00, leaving us
with a current balance of $762.00

Activism and Commerce – David Baum, submitted a proposal which would link
his "greenhammer.com" site to SNOW in a commercial way. His proposal was to
sell t-shirts (designs can be seen at the SNOW website) with SNOW logos. He
would take all of the financial risks but would then share proceeds (split
not yet determined) with SNOW. This issue was referred to a small committee.
The group will return with a firm proposal, outlining details of a possible
arrangement. There will, at that time, be more conversation about the
ethical issues involved and then a vote as to whether to enter the
relationship or not.

Democratizing SNOW – A small group has met to discuss this but is not yet
ready with a firm proposal. This will be an agenda item at the next meeting
at which time a proposal will be brought forth for the group to consider.

Endorsement – We voted to endorse a series of presentations in Bellevue
and Kirkland at which Bert Sachs will speak and at which some portion of the
Scott Ritter video will be played. Bellevue Library – November 10 –
2:30-4:00 and Kirkland Library –December 5, 7-8:30. (INOC has done the
organization for these presentations.)

REPORTS

Birthday Party for U.N. - Mary Evans reported on the event that was held on
Thursday, 10/24, at 6:00 at Westlake Mall. (See her email for further
details.).

Cartop Signs – This project continues to develop well. "Maintenance Forms"
are now available both for ordering signs and to note any problems people
have mounting or maintaining them. There will be a Cartop Caravan held this
Saturday, November 2nd at the Crossroads Shopping Center in Bellevue. The
group will converge at Albertsons at 11:00. Those who are able will go on to
the north end to caravan for either Rick Larson and/or Jay Inslee. Their
campaign signs have been adapted for this purpose.

Other Signs/Fliers – No decisions made on the following data collected.
Work will continue on how to further our visibility.

Howard Gale reported that a bus sign which would be in place for 4 weeks and
would cover 50% of King County would cost $22,000.

Mary Evans reported that billboards would cost $5000/month.

Vigils –

Women In Black Vigils – Thursday nights from 5-6 at Westlake Mall- ongoing

Green Lake Vigils – Sundays now running from 1:30-3:00 – ongoing

Vashon Island vigil downtown at "4 Corners" on Wednesdays, 5-6:30

Educational Materials - .The committee working on this is asking for input
regarding the flier that was developed and passed out on 10/26 (with Iraqi
children on the cover). There was also a question of printing another 5000
at a cost of $400. There was a question about whether there might be inserts
which would make the flier more appropriate for a variety of events and
venues (a special "Bellevue" insert, for instance with details on events in
that area). There was much support for the project and the committee will
bring a specific proposal for revised content, inserts and costs to the next
meeting.

October 26th Support – Concerns expressed about the lack of coordination
for optimum visibility for SNOW and about lack of materials to pass along to
folks on the streets. There were 2000 fliers distributed at the event but
these were mostly given out at the rally. Several people attended
tonight’s meeting because of the flier.

Elections – Rick Larson still is asking for help with phone banks, door to
door contact, etc. Contact Tom Shea if you are able to help with this
between now and November 5th.

Support City Council Member, Heidi Behrens, as she has been courageous in
her stance on the war as well.

It was also pointed out that there is a U.N. vote coming up soon and it was
urged that all write letters or send faxes to Security Council members. This
can be done very easily through the True Majority.org website.

Ceremony of Commitment – December 7th or 8th are the dates. Committee is
still looking at speakers and venues and will report more fully at next
meeting.   

C.D. and Court Dates – The 12 SNOW members arrested in an action in the
Cantwell/Murray offices last month will be arraigned on Thursday, November 7
at 8:45 at the Federal Courthouse, 1010 5th Avenue. A group has met to
discuss how to support these 12. The following actions are requested: Appear
at the arraignment so that the group sees friendly faces in the crowd.
Don’t be prepared for any public action but it’s fine to wear buttons.

Contribute to a fund to support the group financially. Contributions can be
made at the next SNOW meeting or before that by contacting Marcia Mullins at
206-322-8846 or mmmullins2@attbi.com

A press release written and speakers for the media immediately following the
event. (A small group is working here so this item has been addressed.)

Attend another "support group" meeting on the evening of the arraignment,
November 7th at 7;00 at Marcia’s house – 2600 E. Helen Street. Call her
for directions.

Attend a fund raiser to raise money for legal support. (Details of these
fund raisers forthcoming.)

OTHER PROJECTS TO CONSIDER

Neighborhood Organizations. – Fred Miller is launching a campaign to get
these organized around the city. Lake City, Rainier Valley, Beacon Hill and
Madison Valley are already working away on this. Fred will put further
information on the website.

Study Circles are being organized to talk about ways to move our work to the
more general issues beyond the war in Iraq. More information on the website
about how to form or get connected with a Study Circle.

Call the FOR office (789-5565) if you have people in other cities who would
use "No Iraq War" yard signs. The office can help you send a bulk of these
signs at a low cost.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tacoma Peace Vigil at the Federal Courthouse from 5-6 every day.

There is some move to have armed guards searching cars and people on
Washington State Ferries. A Vashon Island affinity group will be
demonstrating on this.

Hate Free Zone is sponsoring support for the local Iraqi community with a
panel presentation on November 8th. (See website for further details.)

Meeting Schedule – all meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. 

 

Wednesday Nov 6 –University Friends Meeting – 4001 9th NE
Thursday Nov 14 –RV Unitarian Universalist Congregation - 4620 S. Findlay
*** Skip a week

Monday November 25
Tuesday December 3
Wednesday December 11
Thursday December 19
*** Skip a week-end

Monday December 30
Tuesday January 7
Sound Nonviolent Opponents of War
SNOW Member organizations as of 10/21/02 (**=new)
2 or 3 Episcopalians (Seattle)
American Friends Service Committee, Pacific Northwest
Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Seattle Chapter
Church Council of Greater Seattle
Eastside Friends Meeting
Fellowship of Reconciliation, Olympia Chapter
Fellowship of Reconciliation, Seattle Chapter
Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq (INOC)
Lutheran Peace Fellowship
No Name Affinity Group (Seattle)
Nonviolent Peaceforce Seattle Affinity Group
Palestinian Solidarity Committee (Seattle)
Pax Christi Pacific Northwest
Peace and Justice Resource Center (Seattle)
Peace Studies Working Group at Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma)
People for Peace, Justice, and Healing (Tacoma)
Plymouth Congregational Church - Peace Action Group (Seattle)
**St. Patrick Catholic Church Social Justice Committee (Seattle)
Seattle International Human Rights Coalition
Seattle Mennonite Church
Seattle Women In Black
Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Leadership Team
Social Action Board of University Congregational United Church of Christ
(Seattle)
**The Interfaith Community Church of Seattle
University Friends Meeting (Seattle)
University Unitarian Church Peace and Justice Committee (Seattle)
Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
Wizards and Clowns for Peace