Facilitator: Jay Gerring.
Location: Rainier Beach Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave. South, Seattle
Neighborhood Reports
9 neighborhood reports were given. Activities noted included: petition gathering for King County Council resolution opposing the USA Patriot Act, tabling, canvassing neighborhoods, forums on a variety of topics, community meetings w/ legislative representatives, book discussions, meetings.
Several groups reported working on projects or events with other neighborhood groups.
The Ranier Valley and Ranier Beach groups have merged.
Wallingford Neighbors for Peace and Justice is buying a film projector and is interested in advertising their popular film series more widely and in being a film resource for other groups.
USA Patriot Act Update
Ellen Finkelstein reported that the King County Council had begun considering the resolution in opposition to the USA Patriot Act on November 3. Some Council members have expressed reservations that the resolution is too partisan. The SNOW Web site contains resources indicating the bipartisan nature of opposition to the Patriot Act.
There are plans for a public hearing at the next King County Council meeting (Monday, November 10, at 9:30 am, at 516 3rd Ave, 10th floor). Groups are encouraged to activate phone trees and e-mail lists to call their Council members, particularly the Republicans on the Council and the Democrats who have not sponsored the resolution, and to get all petitions into the SNOW office. (The resolution was introduced by Dwight Pelz and co-sponsored by Dow Constantine, Larry Gossett, and Cynthia Sullivan.)
Ellen reported that there are now over 200 communities that have passed similar resolutions. The working group is considering what the next step of the campaign will be when the King County resolution has been voted on.
US Out/UN In
Ruth Yarrow reported on the other major SNOW campaign. A summary of the kick off event with Stephen Zunes is available and will be posted on the SNOW Web site.
Ruth described the successful work on the survey in Ranier Valley. Most of those people who were talked with felt less safe as a result of the war. Almost all were in favor of multilateral solution and many brought up the UN without prompting from the interviewers. Lots felt responsibility to Iraq, to clean up the mess that US created.
Ruth reported the average conversation was 5 minutes, and that people were happy to talk about the issues. She will send a report about their findings to the list and post on Web site.
Ranier Valley Neighbors will be sending a report to Jim McDermott before their scheduled neighborhood speakout on November 15.
Some concrete suggestions: have 2 people work at same time, go down two sides of the street, chose place and time to meet up at end; have a cup of tea and debrief.
It was suggested that the survey was a good tool both for getting out in the community and seeing what people think and giving people something to do (a way to build energy and gain momentum).
Ruth also reported on a campaign (proposed by John Gilbert) to take back the holidays and capitalize on the spirit of Giving. She attended INOC meeting and discussed ways to work together.
Others interested in joining this working group are invited to attend meetings (Thursdays at 3:00 in the SNOW office) or to contact Mike Yarrow (wwfor@connectexpress.com or 206-789-5565).
Financial Update
Ruth relayed Brenda Collier summary of SNOW finances: we need money. There is enough money to fund Spencer (Webmaster) through the middle of December and Tom (organizer) through the end of the year.
Fundraising
A number of fundraising endeavors are being pursued. The fundraising committee welcomes new members. Contact Tish at 206-448-7188 or Tom at the office 206-789-2684 to help in this effort.
One effort is to get people to pledge a regular amount to SNOW. There are pledge cards available for people to take to meetings. It was suggested that a PDF version of the card be posted on the SNOW Web site so neighborhoods can send it out to their lists. Another idea is to hold fundraising dinners. There are also people looking into grants (although this is not the time for most grant cycles).
Tiffany Larscheid reported on her project to sell holiday cards for SNOW with all proceeds going to SNOW. These cards are now featured both on the Web site and in the last Bulletin. People can make a security deposit for the cards (money will be refunded for cards not sold). Groups or individuals should contact Tiffany to help distribute these beautiful cards at peacecards@mindsoring.com. The more cards that get out, the more $$ SNOW gets. Check out http://peacecards.home.mindspring.com
Another line of peace cards (not strictly holiday items) developed by Ric Powers are now available. They feature photos from Iraq taken by a number of people. A pack of 5 cards costs $10. There are available from the office. Call 206-789-2684.
Announcements
Several announcements were made and the meeting was adjourned.
Minutes submitted by Ellen Finkelstein