Chapter 132

VETERANS FOR PEACE, CORVALLIS

Minutes, August 24, 2009

 

I.   Attending: Bart Bolger, Leah Bolger, Bob Stebbins, Del Shirley, George Hutchinson

 

II.  Administration: 

 

Treasurers Report--Bart Bolger,

Total in account:  $1283

Designated: $400

Available:883

 

Gave George Hutchinson $50 to help fund the Bus.

 

III.  Past actions/events status and debrief

 

Benton County Fair booth debrief—Bart Bolger & Bob Stebbins.   Considered effective.  Talked to a lot of people.  Leah thanked Bob for all the work in setting up and staffing the booth.

 

VFP National Convention debrief–Leah Bolger .

 Leah was pleased with the speakers and program.  Leah’s request for a bylaws change to allow an associate member to be a member of the National Board was ultimately denied.  First, the by-laws committee denied the proposal.  It then went to the Board and Leah was the only one supporting it.  In plenary session it was defeated.

 

One of the more contentious (a lot of debate) resolutions that passed was to create a Vet Rep (outreach counselor).

 

A resolution for witholding of military funding for Israel–Approved.

Sanctions against Israel--failed.

 

A resolution for a one state solution for Israel & Palestine--Failed.

 

We are gaining members (big upsurge in Associate Members) & financially we are doing OK.

 

IVAW now has formed their own 501(c)3 organization.

 

RAWA is a women’s group. 

The group was represented by a woman using a synonym:  Leah listened to her for hours an one of the most impressive things she told Leah:  “The Afghan people feel like they have 3 enemies, war lords, Taliban, and Americans.”

 

Oct 12 Military Rape Awareness Week.  Leah will not be in town so someone else will need to organize.

 

 

IV.  Action Team reports and planning

 

Eugene “Stand Down” for homeless vets (Aug 29)—Bart Bolger. 

It will offer counseling, clothing etc for vets.   There will be a dental clinic, counseling for transitional housing, etc.  The DOD will be donating surplus clothing and sleeping bags.  Friday is setup day.  The Stand Down is on Saturday.  Bart has one place in his car and is going to Eugene on Friday and back on Saturday.  

 

Project Connect October 23 in Corvallis

This is similar to the Eugene Stand Down and is dedicated to provide shelter and other services for homeless.  Amy Rose Simpson, an America Corps/Vista volunteer, with the Community Services Consortium, is the contact person.

 

Truth in Recruiting Opt Out Forms—Bart Bolger & George Hutchinson. 

Philomath has now separated out the Opt Out question so the question is now separated from institutions of higher learning.  And it is on the same form, rather than a separate paper, making it is more likely to be considered: yes or no.

 

Int’l Day of Peace Corvallis Peace Fair (Sep 19)--Leah Bolger. (web site:   internationaldayofpeace.org ) 

Corvallis is listed with other places all over the world that are holding events that day.  Our Fair is September 19th in Central Park. It starts at 1p and ends at 4p.  Volunteers are still needed especially for publicity.  Other events needing volunteers include:  parade, video, audio, music, crafts, at show, drums, dance, Tabling/exhibits, logistics, sponsors/fundraising.  This event is a celebration of peace; it is not an anti-war protest event.  Planning meetings are held at 7pm on Wednesdays at New Morning Bakery.  Come to planning meetings, we need help.

 

 

Truth in Recruiting for upcoming school year—Bart, Bob and George are working on getting the opt-out forms for review and finding out if the forms go to all students (not just juniors and seniors).

 

Books for recommended reading:

Dissent:  Voices of Conscience, by Col. Ann Wright—Two copies distributed

Book Report – Come Home, America by William Greider Bob Stebbins.  Bob read from p90.

 

War resistors:

Travis Bishop 30 days in Jail and Victor Agosto received a one year in sentence.  They are both in the Bell Co Jail, 113 West Central Avenue, Belton TX 76513

 

V.  Scheduled Future actions/events

 

Crosby, Stills and Nash Concert.  Sept 11: Bart, Leah, George and Jim Schmidt will staff VFP table.

 

Sept 12 @ 6pm  Second Saturdays Benefit Concert, Sunnyside Up Café. 

Laurie Childers invited the SVENS.  The beneficiary is it the International Day of Peace, Corvallis.

 

September 19, 1-4pm  International Day of Peace Fair, Central Park

 

Sept 28, VFP monthly meeting

 

Regular events:

 

Daily, 5:00 to 6:00 pm—Corvallis Peace Vigil, Benton County Courthouse

 

Fridays, 4:30 pm--Albany Peace Vigil, Linn County Courthouse

 

 

Del Shirley

Scribe