Veterans For Peace Chapter 104 Evansville, IN P.O. Box 6713 Evansville, IN 47719 Veterans For Peace Meeting Notes July 24, 2008 Central Library, Browning Events Room A Present: Rick Underhill, Gary Manley, Ken Back, Bonnie Heilman, Rodney Wilson, Ron Greenfield, Bob Wessel, Sam Melchior—NEW MEMBER—author of Legacy of War: Profiles of the 67 Brave Young Men From Evansville, IN Who Perished in the Vietnam War--, Dave Helfrich, Clark Field, Tony Schmitt, Ralph Nichols, Ed Scharf, Gary May; Guest Michael Wilson. Old Business Committee Reports Events—Clark Field Spaghetti Supper & Auction A great success!!! Events committee performed admirably. James Yee Negotiations still underway. Dr. Wes Milner @ U of E has been apprised of our progress and asked for dates available in the new student center. Ron Greenfield (a member of the U of E Alumni Association) will follow up re: completing arrangements with Dr. Milner Book Discussion Robert Wessel & Clark discussed Naomi Klein’s Shock Doctrine on July 16. 14 people attended. Feedback was positive overall. The Events Committee was encouraged to consider this type event for the future. Fundraising—Rodney Wilson 9 license plates sold at VFP Midwest Chapters Meeting in St. Louis. Chapter will donate a license plate and bracket to National to be auctioned at the National Conference. Orders for new plates/brackets will be submitted AFTER receipt of order and payment. Merchandise Sales—Bob Wessel Low inventory of apparel. $170 sold since May meeting. Chapter will acquire additional merchandise at National Conference. Parades Haubstadt Sommerfest—Rick Underhill—good reception and enthusiasm. Evansville Freedom Festival—Dave Helfrich—Tepid response and smaller crowd Research Project—Bonnie Heilman—VFP members underwent changes in political orientation, insight and sense of purpose as a result of military service. VFP membership is “no accident”…members are attracted to progressive philosophy and learning from experience. Findings will be presented in a workshop at the National Convention and will be made available to local members on the Chapter webpage. Thanks to all who participated!! Chapter commends Bonnie for her exemplary work! Regional Meeting—Gary Manley & Rodney Wilson—Manley, Wilson and May attended meeting in St. Louis on June 7. Chapter 104 compares very favorably with chapters in the region, including chapters from more urban population centers (St. Louis, Chicago). Among agreements was a commitment for regional chapters to participate in other chapters’ events. The regional structure is an excellent way to share experiences, to support each other and to compound effectiveness. VA Clinic Cookout—Dave Helfrich—another smashing success! 125 dogs served. One refusnic who didn’t agree with us and refused a free dog (probably a Navy vet!). Will schedule another cookout for late Summer/early Fall Honorary Membership—Gary May—Mr. & Mrs. Alan Marty awarded an honorary membership in VFP Chapter 104 to Jane Owen of New Harmony. Life-long peace activist. Photos will be posted on Chapter website. Chapter Officers/Structure—Gary May—most chapters operate from consensus (no identified authorities, the “will of the body” rules) or minimal officers (Chair, Treasurer, Secretary). At May meeting, concerns were expressed about pitfalls of bureaucratization…consolidation/abuse of power, cumbersome procedural requirements (Robert’s Rules of Order), and general over regulation. May suggested offering a slate of candidates for Chair, Treasurer & Secretary at the August meeting and having a vote at the September meeting. Position descriptions for all offices will be available for discussion at the August meeting. (Since we don’t operate pursuant to Robert’s Rules, there was no vote and no opposition was expressed, so we’ll do it!) Treasurer’s Report—Dave Helfrich Beginning Balance (May 15, 2008) $1,784.37 Activity since last report
Receipts Merchandise Sales $126
Spaghetti Dinner Auction $75.50 Donations $57 Dinner $1143 Misc. $83.50 Total Dinner $2035 (Dinner Net) $1618.91!!!! VA Cookout Donations $35 Merch. Sales $47 Total Receipts $2243 Checking Account Interest $1.15 Expenses Check # 1107 Dinner Food $95.74 1108 Dinner Drinks $84.35 1109 Patchwork Rent $110 1110 VA Cookout $94.30 1111 VA Cookout $6.98 Total $391.37 Checkbook Balance as of July 24, 2008 $3,637.15 New Business Parade invitations
Tell City Sweitzerfest—August 2 (Show up by 2:00) (Rhodes’ deuce .5 not available) Ft. Branch Heritage Days—September 13 Chapter meeting schedule through June 2009 posted at Gary May blog (check www.vfpevansville.org for link) Other Komen Race for the Cure—Rick Underhill will attempt to assemble a VFP team, otherwise chapter will participate as “walk ons” Obama Campaign—Ken Back—7 vets (5 VFP Chapter 104 members) met with 3 local Obama campaign staff last night. Campaign wants vets to call from “vets list” to elicit support for Obama. Vets want to know more about candidate’s positions on issues…never the twain shall meet! Next meeting August 20, details to follow. In the meantime, campaign staff gave vets lists of ~200 “vets” to call—the consensus was that it ain’t gonna happen as it is generally perceived as a waste of our time. Ian Martinez from the campaign committed to being at tonight’s VFP meeting. Some of these issues are addressed in my blog. Check www.vfpevansville.org for link. Next meeting August 21 (moved forward one week because of National Convention) in Large Group Room, Evansville Central Library. Submitted by Gary E. May July 24, 2008 |