9/24/07    Saratoga Peace Alliance Meeting with David Easter

Present:  Patty Christensen, Claire Cafaro, David Easter, Jim Fulmer, Jeffrey Halpern, Pete Looker, Barbara Murphy, Dan Riley (alligatordan@hotmail.com), Joe Seeman, Joan and Harry Thornhill's (harrythornhill@hotmail.com)

 1-  A delicious pot-luck was shared by all.

 2-  The following items were discussed briefly:

·       Patty: Syracuse rally 9/29/07

·       Joe and Jeff: Peace and Justice Walk and Panel Discussion

Oct. 13, Saratoga Springs

·       Barbara:  May Saffar’s presentation Oct. 19, Clifton Park

·       Interest in joining Saratoga Friends in writing a Statement of Conscience, facilitated by Jens Braun

 3-   Our main reason for this gathering was to hear a presentation by David Easter of  Upper Hudson Peace Action.  This organization has a long history in the capital region, dating from its previous work as Sane/Freeze, to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Many neighboring peace groups have affiliated with Peace Action, which has its national headquarters in Washington D.C., publishes 3 newsletters per year, and holds weekly (or bi-weekly) conference calls to strategize. There is a local Steering Committee which meets the first Monday of every month. Affiliated groups have a pot-luck four times a year (the next one Thursday 9/27) to share experiences and support each other in whatever they are doing. Each group operates independently, depending on its members’ interests and capabilities.  Financial arrangements are also decided by individual groups.

David manages a web-site which could provide a link to Saratoga’s.

There was consensus among those present for  Saratoga Peace Alliance to affiliate with Peace Action, the SPA planning committee will make this recommendation and a decision will be made at our next meeting, October 18^th 2007.

 Claire Cafaro

(unofficial minute taker)