Minutes of the SNOW Coordinating Committee

Date: October 6, 2003

Present: Linda York (facilitating), John Bito, Ric Power, Mike Yarrow (recording), Jay Gerring, (Will Rose absent for illness)

Guests: Brenda Collier (treasurer) Bill Loewen, Linda Warren

1. A study of SNOW: Bill Loewen, a SNOW activist and professor of organizational behavior, asked if he and a half dozen students could study SNOW. He believes it is a model that needs to be communicated widely. The study will include interviews, study of documents and observation of some meetings. No names of people will be used in the articles Loewen plans to write.

   Action: Notice of the study will be placed on the SNOW website and people with reactions or suggestions will be urged to communicate with their liaisons or bring them to the SNOW general meeting on Oct. 13th where Bill will introduce the study.

   The CC approved the study as presented with a vote of 5 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions. Prof. Loewen with present a more detailed plan as it is formulated.

2. Oct. 22 Coalition Rally and March: Linda Warren asked us to endorse, advertise and provide a speaker for the Oct. 22 Coalition Rally and March against police brutality and to endorse the book project "Stolen Lives" with documents police killings.

   Action: 3 in favor and 2 abstentions so the measure did not pass by the 75% majority rule.

   Action: The CC voted 5 in favor to put a notice of the event in the SNOW bulletin.

3. The CC voted 5 in favor on endorsing the ESPN Patriot Act program as an all areas event.

4. Minutes of the September 15th meeting were approved.

5. SNOW IRS no. and neighborhood groups: The CC voted 5-0-0 not to let Neighborhood Groups or other SNOW affiliates us our IRS number to open bank accounts. It was feared that this could lead to a real nightmare if it ever came to an IRS audit. Instead Neighborhood Groups can get their own IRS numbers through a simple procedure which we will post on the SNOW Website.

6. Website: It was noted that a few of the postings on the website have had inaccurate information. It is up to groups posting notices to check that the information is correct and send corrections to webmaster@snowcoalition.org

7. By Laws: It was agreed that one of the main challenges in reforming the by-laws is coming to a workable and representative decision-making process. Mike Yarrow will write up one or more proposals to stimulate and focus feedback. The next CC meeting will devote the first hour to a discussion of by-law revisions. We will urge SNOW participants to send their thoughts to the CC by Friday Oct 17th to coord@snowcoalition.org

8. Agenda for SNOW General Meeting, Oct 13 at Broadview United Church of Christ at 125 St. just east of Greenwood.
   • Reports from Neighborhoods
   • Presentation of Bill Loewen’s research project.
   • Report on the Patriot Act Campaign with a content presentation.
   • Report on the US out of Iraq Campaign with a content presentation.
   • Request for By Laws suggestions
   • Report on Fund Raising
   • Announcements

9. Financial Report: Brenda presented the monthly financial report. It was noted that income has been very sparse in the last few months. Brenda sends out thank you notes to contributors. Brenda will send the list of the $100 Club members to Tom so that the Fund Raising Committee can ask them if they would be willing to be listed on the website to encourage other contributors.

10. Fund Raising Committee Report: John and Jay reported that pledge cards will be distributed at the door at the Zunes speech and a collection will be taken.

    The committee will also be working on printing seasons greeting cards for sale with Tom's photos of peace signs and Dave Berrian's photos of Iraqi Children.

    Ric Power volunteered to print the cards for a low price.

11. Patch Adams' film showing: All of the CC voted to abstain on endorsing this event.

12. Water Partners Fund Raiser: The CC reaffirmed its approval of endorsing this event.

13. Peace Studies Association Meeting at Evergreen State: We were asked to put a link on our website. We decided to ask Spencer about this but since the event is this week the issue is mute.

14. SNOW Announce: Marcia suggested that we send out the SNOW Announce bulletins on Monday instead of Friday. The CC agreed that Friday was too late to announce weekend events but was concerned that Monday would be before the CC or General Mtg. We will ask if sending it out on Wednesday would be possible.

15. Marcia Mullins: Asked to be on next CC Mtg agenda. We will ask her to come at 8 pm on Oct 20th.

Meeting ended near to 10 pm. There was a cooperative spirit during the meeting.

Minutes by Mike Yarrow.