Minutes for SNOW General Meeting - Dec, 13, 2004

Linda York and Marcia Mullens facilitating, Kiwi-Bob timekeeper. 14 organizations and neighborhoods represented, 22 people in attendance.

The meeting opened with reading of The Points of Agreement and introductions with short comments about what people thought were their group's major achievement of the year.

The Iraq Working Group reported on their first meeting and the suggested following actions:

1. Steve L. has composed a statement about Fallujah that he ha submitted to Jim McDermott for review. The plan is to ask people "of standing" in the community to sign on to the statement and call a press conference to officially publicize it. The statement in essence asks for withdrawal of troops from Fallujah, an independent investigation of violations of international law in Fallujah, and a campaign to deny any further supplemental budget requests that might fund war crimes. Steve will pursue this project.
2. Maureen J. suggested a creation of "Action of the Week." She will research time sensitive issues and suggest an action, which will be posted on Snow-Announce and on a specially created "Action of the Week" web page. The plan was agreed on.
3. Gunnel C. suggested making large posters of Iraqi children hurt in bombings with their case histories. She also suggested that Snow work closer with the Arlington Northwest project adding these posters to that display. It was suggested she discuss with the Veteran's for Peace and the Evergreen P&J community to find out if their vision of the project could include such a display. There was a suggestion that the display should include happy children so as not to turn people away. These posters could also be used at neighborhood vigils. The posters could also be used at neighborhood vigils. Shannon voiced the need for a budget for this proposal.
4. Bert S. pointed out how important it is to watch dog the media and influence our local papers to cover events truthfully. He reminded people of Citizens Committee for Responsible Journalism, and organization he's spearheading. It is now up and running again after laying dormant because of Bert's health problems. Next meeting is December 30th, 5107 Phinney Ave. N. at 7 pm. It was decided to include a link to the website www.ccrj-wa.org in the next Announce.

Ellen F. mentioned that the Eyes Wide Open exhibit (the Boots) is coming to Seattle in April for several days. She will pursue if and how Snow could be helpful with the exhibit. Stay tuned.

Mike Y. Talked about connecting with Human Services people to point out how the cost of the war affects the budget for all domestic programs. A group of people took on to work with Mike to write a leaflet and to go to Olympia to lobby the legislators on the issue.

Marcia M. reported from an ad hoc group consisting of representatives from various peace organizations in the region. The group has come together feeling that there is a need for strategic, long range thinking, involving large local actions like the MLK march, the March anniversary of the outbreak of the Iraq war, the International Woman's Day, and on. CC was empowered to send a representative from Snow to the next meeting.

A short discussion followed about UFPJ suggestion for a White Ribbon's campaign. Marcia M. will put a link to UFPJ on the next Announce to get the information out to SNOW this and other future actions suggested by UFPJ.

MLK March. It was agreed that we would encourage Snow Groups participation in the MLK march by posting on the list serves, including the new Snoworg-contacts and Snow-Announce. In so doing we will stress the theme "Speak Truth to Power, End Racial Disparity," and ask people to volunteer time before the march as well. The meeting voted unanimously to contribute $200.00 to MLK.

Diana F. reported that ACLU has decided to try to make WA the 5th state to pass a resolution against the so-called Patriot Act. She attended a meeting at ACLU and will continue to be our contact with them on the issue. We voted with one abstention to endorse this effort.

Jobs with Justice. Steve L. as the liaison to JwJ has written up a proposal that JwJ once again include the war as one of their organizing tools for the coming year, titled Worker Organizing Impacted by War. He has submitted the proposal to the JwJ staff and it will be voted on at their next steering committee meeting in January.

Mike Y. voiced his concern about the number of great projects Snow seemed to be taking on that could outstrip our ability to carry them through. He recommended that the CC hold a daylong meeting to identify and prioritize projects to which we could agree to commit our energy and resources.

Shannon T-C reported on the great work Eric M. is doing with our website. The Web site committee submitted a web proposal to the CC.

The meeting ended with announcements and adjourned at 9:05 pm.

The CC met after the general meeting and accepted the web committee's written proposal which spelled out Eric Maia (SNOW's new webmaster) and the web committee's tasks and responsibilities.

Minutes by Gunnel Clark