Schenectady Neighbors for Peace Minutes from the June 11, 2007 Meeting 

The meeting began late, as we were locked out of the church. The pastor fortuitously arrived, and unlocked the door. SNP remains very grateful for the hospitality of the First United Methodist Church. 

Maxine Borom facilitated the meeting. Members present included Elizabeth V., Pete L., Anita P., Linda, Mabel L., Bertha K., Elaine K., Bonnie K 

Discussion included
Recap and short reports of events members participated in: 

Schenectady Neighbors for Peace Events: 

5/19 Members marched under our banner in the Niskaday Parade, in solidarity with the Niskayuna Neighbors for Peace

5/23 Members marched under our banner in the Scotia Memorial Day Parade

6/2  Downtown Schenectady Kids Day peace activity table, Maxine chaired arrangements, Elaine projects.  Good mingling Schenectady Families.

6/5  Documentary at the Main Schenectady Library, “Stealing America, One Vote at a Time,” re electronic voting machines, with speaker and voting rights activist, Andi Novak,.

6/9 SNP Monthly Roving Vigil held at Michael’s Hair Salon with the GLBT community.  Unsuccessful in drawing that community out, due to inadequate outreach and publicity glitches

Also: weekly ongoing downtown Schenectady vigils on Tues.’ and Fri.’s 

Members Also Participated In: 

Flag Day Parade – Burnt Hills- Pete- joined with anti- domestic violence group 

Albany Memorial Day Parade – Linda, Pete, & Barry marched w/Veterans for Peace  

Tulip festival:  Grannies’ vigil, and Elizabeth assisted with Peace Action tabling.  Lots of new email list members resulted 

Jewish Community Center peace activist concert,  and controversy re. supporting it – Some misunderstanding between local Jewish community and SNP 

SNP co-sponsored and participated in the End the (Israeli) Occupation Rally in Albany 

Women Against War events 

Caren Crootof’s memorial – Middleline Rd. - Anita helped to reset the flags 

Upper Hudson Peace Action Neighborhood Branches potluck meeting to share ideas between  county groups  

DISCUSSION OF UPCOMING EVENTS/ONGOING ACTIVITIES 

Elizabeth reported on information from Upper Hudson Peace Action – efforts to make a Middle East policy statement- various needs to consider – National Peace Action and Peace Action New York State (PANYS) support an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.  As this is a complex issue,  Upper Hudson Peace Action is developing a position statement, and local branches are free to make local decisions – some parallel to support the troops (US in Iraq), but call for their return home 

Elizabeth reported on regional telephone conferences PANYS  and Upper Hudson Steering Committee– PANYS is hiring an executive director- may also be possible       to get some lobby training from Upper Hudson? 

Truth in Recruitment/ Counter-recruitment – Eliz. reported that since meeting with Schenectady Board of Ed., two months ago, no further interactions occurred withadministration.  Further help with counter recruitment efforts needed, including a committee meeting. Need to call school lawyer and make an appointment to meet with her and Guidance Office to review and place Truth in Recruitment material, primarily AFSC.  Cary contributed helpful booklet on Counter Recruitment, which Elizabeth discussed with members. Anita reported the Quaker Meeting considering using $250 to buy peace oriented book covers that could be distributed at schools by SNP. Inquiry needed regarding school’s rules on book covers. Bertha may know veteran interested in connecting with counter recruitment group. 

Mabel and Bertha traveling to DC for training and action with Code Pink. 

Roving Vigil- discussion of place – decided on corner of Jumpin’ Jacks, Scotia – Torture Awareness Day - June 26, 6-7:30- future possibilities?           

Film Series –chaired by Terri Roben- may skip summer?  

Hiroshima/Nagasaki Remembrance in August –  upcoming committee meeting Malcolm W. chairman 

WAW – Mabel reported on various activities 

Publicity- more help is needed. Elizabeth noted that METROLAND and THE GAZETTE omitted coverage of press releases and of group activities, like Kids Day, our documentary and speaker presentation, and the GLBT and SNP Peace Vigil.

            General consensus that PR needs targeted and more consistent effort. 

Call for increased lobbying in the future. Perhaps some training – Elaine knows someone who has agreed to come and do some lobbying training. Bertha and Mabel are    getting some training in DC by Code Pink. 

Elizabeth V.: T-shirt orders in for shirts with line, “We will not be silent.”

            Cost: $10. May still be possible to order shirts?? 

ACTIONS 

The group voted to give the night’s offering of $40 to help towards Mabel and Bertha’s training and actions (including lobbying) in DC with Code Pink. 

Anita stated, (in Dave’s absence, that the group treasury = $209.92. 

Members signed letters developed by Elaine to Schumer, McNulty, Clinton protesting the Military Commissions Act, torture, refusal of habeas corpus, etc.  There was discussion that in future members might want to deliver these in person. 

(Members are invited to augment these minutes with any material that was inadvertently omitted). Respectfully submitted, Elaine