Sept. 15, 2015

Post date: Sep 15, 2015 7:5:41 PM

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE NOTES - SEPT. 15, 2015

Attending: Margaret Browne, Alice Waco, Rick Krouskop, Roger Kluck, Sharon Moon, Nancy Hutchins

Pre-conference Workshops

Roger knows of the leaders who have made the gender work proposal. They come recommended and have presented to AVP in South Africa. No word has been received from "Whites Against Racism." Margaret will reach out again. The Transformer article does ask for proposals also. A decision does not need to be reached before it is time to put registration up on the web. However, it would be good to have this settled prior to the winter Transformer (deadline: Nov. 15).

Speaker(s):

Lora Magnoni of AFSC and author of Beyond Prisons: A New Interfaith Paradigm for our Failed Prison System, has been suggested. She did speak at the 2011 Conference, but that does not rule out a second invitation. The local committee is still brainstorming and working on other possibilities, including leaders in Restorative Justice and Lisa Calderone, head of a re-entry program locally. A panel is a possibility.

Entertainment

Margaret is pleased that an intern has taken on the job of coordinating entertainment. Rick reminded everyone that he has the copy of In an Ideal World if there is a desire to use it in some way at this conference also.

Budget

The preliminary budget still needs updating with final costs from the University and with costs of coffee/tea service and snacks. The budget in the form we have tracks expenses but registration fees may differ from what is shown. For example, depending on how many rooms are available, costs for single rooms may need to be set with more of a differential. Final budget approval needs to be before end of December so the registration can go up.

Website

Rick reminded Margaret that work can begin on the new website whenever she wants, as it is behind the scenes right now.

Theme

The local group has proposed "Retribution to Restoration--Envisioning Alternatives to Violence". The Conference Committee suggests reversing the order of the two phrases, but agree that the final decision is up to the local group.

Scholarship Committee

Sharon Moon does have the materials sent to her by Dustin. She will contact Sister Barbara to see if she wants to remain on the committee. Margaret will ask for a local volunteer. We decided that the scholarship application could drop the requirement for a reference letter as it seems like a burden, and reference is already required. Also, the Scholarship Committee might want to make the application itself simpler. Rick explained how people apply online.

Next Meeting

October 20, 2015, noon EDT

Notes by Nancy Hutchins