Schenectady Neighbors for Peace  May 15, 2008
Facilitator: Anita Paul

Members present:  Anita Paul, Lisa Fine, Bertha Kriegler, Mark Klein, Dave Gerhan, Bill Ragg (sp?), Valerie Ackerman, John Detwyler, Martin Manely, Rich Angehr , Mabel Leon

Here is a list of the items discussed and the upcoming events. Note that our events are labeled as “SNP activity.” There are additional notices of events that members know of or are involved with in the community.

Activity calendar and discussion

·        May 16, 2008: (SNP activity) I Miss America: Meet at Muddy Cup by 5:30 sharp; perform at 6PM. Mabel organizing this. May cancel if rain, but some discussion of arcade and under marquee. Mabel has sashes. Press to be informed. Many attendees expected. Mabel has flyers and sashes. Martin and Ed Peterson to carry banner. Dave / Mark bringing cameras. SNP to contribute 50% for flyer printing costs (500 flyers produced).

·        May 21 (SNP activity) Wednesday Scotia Parade: rally same place as last year: Vine Street (past downtown; a road on the right (North) that connects to the main drag). Anita and Dave will get there about 6:15 to hold a spot. People should show up around 6:30 or 6:45. Start of the parade is probably around 6:15, but it takes a while to merge into the parade. Perhaps pizza at Visco’s afterwards.

·        May 28 or May 29: (SNP activity) Rich: counter recruitment letter and followup is resulting in a likely meeting. Meeting with Schenectady High person hopefully Wed or Thurs May 28 or 29. John Detwyler and Bertha Kriegler interested in attending

·        May 30^th (SNP activity) Holly Near, 8^th Step, 7:30PM $25.  Tabling before and at intermission. Sale of cranes, etc.

·        June 4 noon (SNP activity) Wednesday Peace Action Albany vigil, but done on the west side instead, using the Cost Of War banner, and doing I Miss America for the state workers.

·        June 7 Sat. (SNP activity) Kids Art Day – downtown – We will have a table doing kids’ crafts and handing out peace literature. Help needed! Email elaineklein@hotmail.com

·        June 12 (SNP activity) Farmer’s market Niskayuna: Needed—things to sell. No foodstuffs, but cranes, postcards, photographs. Canopy (courtesy Martin/ church) to be used. (Note that this is a week later than what we said at the last meeting). We will have the “Cost of War” banner and need helpers with this. Contact Anita or Elaine about  helping with this.

·        June 13 (SNP activity) Regular Friday vigil at corner of Jay and Liberty. We will have the “Cost of War” banner and need a nice turnout of people to accompany it.

·        June 19 (SNP activity) next monthly meeting. (Dave/ Anita cannot attend.)

·        July 18 (SNP activity) SummerNight 4:30-10PM. Canopy with banner, fund raise/ awareness. Maybe fireworks?

·        August 7/9? (SNP activity) Hiroshima/Nagasaki  memorial day: (SNP activity) Post meeting discussion with Malcolm. We will probably be connecting with the rest of our Upper Hudson Peace Action chapter on this. Mabel: Iraq war vets—possible tie in to meet with high school kids.

Treasurer’s report: $259 balance

 Additional Community Activities

·        May 18 Dorothy Dix Play: Sunday the 18^th (some discussion whether this is still happening or not) (contact Mabel for details)

·        May 20 Iraqi student project. 6PM at Union College- Beuth House. Fundraising to bring a student to Union

·        May 29 Veterans demonstrating re: DU at 11AM. WAW may have this on their website.

·        June 8 Sexual Inclusiveness, Gay Pride Capital Pride 2008!; Parade and Festival; 12noon-5pm, Rain or Shine; Capital Pride in Washington Park in Albany  

·        June 16 Friendshipment stop #19: aid to Cuba. Buses from Maine and Montreal will be in the area. Donations of medicine, Pentium computers, Spanish textbooks, English medical texts, money to go to churches for distribution. Mabel is planning to travel to Cuba.

·        June 28 5:30 PM Rural Ministry fundraiser, and honoring Barbara DeTomasso 365 State Street Albany. Enter at Sprague street (below Robin). (spelling? Date?).

Miscellaneous items

·  John Detwyler needs to be added to email list detwygeo@gmail.com

·  Elaine Klein will send reminder email on parade and other events.

 Minutes Submitted by Mark Klein