VETERANS FOR PEACE, CORVALLIS

Minutes 22 September 2008


I. Introductions: Phil Scott, Leah Bolger (president), Bart Bolger, Dianne Safford, Todd Allen, Esmeralda Allen, John Gaylord, Bob Stebbins, Bob Winget, Joe Magner, Del Shirley (scribe).

II. Administration
*Welcome Chapter 929 members from Eugene: Hank Dizney, Jim Schmidt. They are trying to get their own chapter going and are welcome to come to our meetings in the meantime.
*Rogue Valley Chapter 156, located in Grants Pass, was given their Charter at the recent VFP Convention. Decided to spend $30 for VFP Flag to give this new chapter.
*Treasurers Report $600 in liquid funds. Other funds are designated with $1350 total in the bank. Leah’s Parking for Peace brought in $20. $45 was expended for our website renewal.
*T-shirts—we have 40 or so remaining and they are selling for $15 each. They can be viewed on the VFP web site.
*Website—Two new entries--the event calendar of important dates and pictures of the VFP convention. Thanks to Phil Scott.
*National Dues: Chapter will pay for any members that cannot keep up on their National dues—just speak to her privately. It is important to keep membership dues up.

III. Actions/events status and debrief
*Peace and Justice Coalition (Peace, Justice & Environment Project): The guy setting up websites is doing it for free. All the members of the coalition will get websites for each state. Leah is helping find contact information about projects to be added. (see PJEP.org or WAnet.org)
*Keep the Guard Home Campaign : Leah collected sheets from members with 50+ signatures tonight. We can download more blank copies at the Peace and Justice Works web site. Phil put the link on the website. They will be delivered to the Legislature when they reconvene in January, 2009. It is suggested--when you go to meetings like candidate forums, take signing sheets. We want to show that all the people of Oregon support keeping the Guard home.
*Million Doors for Peace—Del Shirley, Bob Stebbins, Bob Winget, Bob Sonn, and Leah Bolger collected signatures.
*VFP National Convention – Leah put her report on the website.
Leah is on the ballot for national Board of Directors. She would like us to vote for her. Eight people are running for 4 spots with 3 incumbents.
We discussed the preemptive raids and demonstrations at the RNC. Eight people were charged with felony terrorism and their charges have not been dropped. Non-violent actions are resulting in terrorism charges.
*Last Second Saturday Event--James Burmeister is in jail and was the beneficiary of the September Second Saturday Concert. Next event will feature homeless musicians and the beneficiary will be the drop-in center.
*Conference Call by National to discuss new emphasis on Afghanistan (tomorrow evening)

IV. Future actions/events
*Democracy Days—LBCC (14-15 October) VFP is invited to set up a table. A lot of LBCB students are veterans. Joe Magner suggested the students need to develop a veterans group that is non political. Volunteers to do a shift are John Gaylord, Bart Bolger, and Phil Scott.
*George Mann concert (22 October at 7pm. Odd Fellows Hall has been reserved. He was here in July and is coming again (promoting his latest CD, Farwell to the Thief)
*Homecoming Parade—The plan is to walk and carry the VFP banner. Saturday, November 1. Volunteers to march: Esmeralda Allen, Bob Stebbins and Leah Bolger, Decided to authorize the $15 entry fee.
*Veterans (day) Commemorative Parade Tuesday 11 November— This is the last year that the VCA (Veterans Commemoration Association) will put on the parade. Leah suggested that perhaps the city of Corvallis might want to take over this parade and reclaim it as an “Armistice day parade” –a celebration of peace. The theme this year is “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.” Last year they did not read out our 5-7 lines to describe who we were. This year if they don’t read what Leah sends in, she will use her bullhorn and read it for them. They ask us for money but don’t explain why they don’t read our full statement. Bob Winget suggested doing some kind of non-violent action in front of review stand. Joe suggested by doing a float that is controversial and it gets attention. A small committee was suggested.
Decided: Cost of War cards (with VFP purpose on the other side) will be distributed along the parade and if they don’t read our entry statement like it is written, Leah will read it and we will stand with her.
*Hotline—GI rights hotline for active duty vets –It is a civil rights program for active duty personnel. It would give advice specific for Oregon.
*Action Team reports
--Counter-Military Recruitment—Bob Stebbins (Bob Winget, Bob Sonn. Rebecca, Bart Bolger, Lindsay Rahmun, Bobbi Hall, and Aleita Hass-Holcomb are potential and active helpers.)
*Expand to Philomath. October 1 names can be submitted and thus is the deadline for submitting Opt Out forms. Aleta H-H might go to Philomath. Bart Bolger and Bob Winget will help. There is a woman that works at Philomath HS that would like to help.
*Corvallis HS – we think it is covered.
*Crescent Valley HS --Bob Stebbins and Bobbi Hall. 12:35 At CV, (4th Thursday). If anyone is interested they can come on the 4th Thursday.
--Depleted Uranium/Cluster Bombs—Dianne
*State legislation for DU testing.
*Federal legislation --There is a Bill to stop using cluster bombs.
--PTSD—Doug Clark and Bob Ross want to have a public educational forum proposed for around Veterans Day.
--Homelessness—Jim. Leah reported no additional info on the shelter
*October Second Saturdays Concert
--Veterans’ Affairs—Bart
--Resistance—Rebecca
--Membership/Community Outreach—John Gaylord
*Social event -- Crowbar behind American Dream Pizza. All members of the peace and justice community are invited. We picked a date 3 weeks from tonight, which will be Monday the 13th of October from 6 to 8 for peace and pizza.

V. Wrap-up
*Personal notes re our membership:
Oct 5-- 1pm service for Todd Allen’s son at the United Methodist Church.
Bob Winget’s brother died 3 weeks ago.
Joe Magner’s mom died 3 weeks ago.
Don Anderson—has been in the hospital with an infection and pain. He has the support an in house care giver. PTSD is also an issue. He is on the contact list

Important Dates

Daily, 5:00 to 6:00 pm—Corvallis Peace Vigil, Benton County Courthouse
Fridays, 4:30 pm--Albany Peace Vigil, Linn County Courthouse
Sep 28--Coalition meeting
Oct 9, 6pm New student welcome at Westminister house.
Oct 11--Second Saturday Concert
Oct 13, 6pm—Peace & Pizza
Tue, 14 Oct to Wed, 15 Oct—Democracy Days, LBCC, Albany (VFP Tabling)
Wed, 22 Oct, 7:00 pm, George Mann Concert, Odd Fellows Hall.
Mon, 27 Oct—7:00 pm, Next Chapter Meeting, Unitarian Fellowship.

Adjourned 9pm