The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman and the invocation was given by Rev. Senley Jack. Minutes of the December meeting were approved.
Treasurers Report. Gene R. distributed copies of the annual financial report. In Dec. $475 was paid out for the NYSUT - CFE Brochure. The remaining balance was $1,896.05. Dues of $30 for '05 are now payable. Notices are being sent out. There are now about 130 on the mailing list. Ed said he occasionally removes some names. Carol T. suggested that some notices should be sent out saying that this is being done. Treasurers report was approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Electoral/Campaign Reform
Gene R said the committee with LWV will be inactive now until the next e
lection.
The Clean Election Mop up Crew will be demonstrating today at Brunets fund raiser.
The possibility of discussions with conservative Christian groups is still under consideration but there is no immediate proposal.
Two people who objected to Pataki's Prayer Breakfast (at $300/plate) have been 'isolated.' For not being cooperative. Walter T. has written a letter to the editor in response. These people need our support. This is an infringement of their freedom of religion. Walter mentioned a book, 'Original Intention' by David Baritone, which says that the framers of our constitution intended this to be a Christian nation and other religions would not be tolerated.
In discussing this issue we must take a positive approach and emphasize being pro religion and clearly state what moral values we consider important.
Violence/Anger Management -
John Maiden is going to Colombia with Witness for
Peace and is asking for financial support. Senley Jack made the motion and
Pat Beetle seconded it that we allocate the $103.46 remaining on the Anger
Management Grant to this purpose. Motion passed. Individuals can also help by
making donations to Witness for Peace.
ARISE/Economic and Criminal Justice.
Joyce H. said there will be a board
meeting tomorrow. They will also be meeting with David Soars to talk about his
policy. Bernie F. and Joyce will attend. The changes to the Rockefeller
Drug Laws were minimal. They will still be sending poor kids to jail and not
the 'kingpins.'
Executive Committee
Plans for the April 14th dinner. Bishop Howard Hubbard will chair the fund
raising committee.
Rev. Gadders focus has been 'How we take on the religious right.'
Ed B. described how Deb Riitano's job at the Rotterdam Senior Center has been cut and the seniors went to the Town Board meeting in great numbers to support her.
Nominations:
The report of the nominating committee was mailed with the
minutes. There were no nominations from the floor. Joe Norton made the motion
that the secretary cast a ballot for all the nominations. Motion passed.
Officers: - Bernard Fleishman - President, Jean Cowan - Vice President,
Florence Skiff - Secretary, Gene Rowland - Treasure, Other members: Rev.
Senley Jack, Deb Riitano, Mussarat Chaudhry, Ed Bloch (ex officio).
Senley Jack thanked the committee for their work.
Brochure -
The brochure on financing of schools was announced at a press
conference. Only one press rep. came. They talked at length but nothing was
put in the paper.
Discussion: Where are we at? New priorities, directions???
School financing:
We have reported to the national Interfaith A. on our
use of the grant money. Pataki's speech made no mention of a plan so school
funding is up to the legislators. There is not much more that we can do other
than write individual letters. There are more brochures if anyone has an
opportunity to distribute some.
Despite bad weather there was a demonstration for legislative reform on Jan. 6th at the LOB. People came from Buffalo, Rochester and NYC. Rules for reform of the legislature are to be decided today. Gene said he obtained a copy of the Brennan Report pointing out the deficiencies of the NY legislature and proposed solutions. He will distribute it to our e-mail list.
Bernie F. distributed a copy of his written report of the past year.
Lou I. Said he was shocked by the degree of hatred against Islam expressed by some people he spoke to. Joyce H. said she was surprised by the hatred expressed by people from the 'Salt Box' (right wing Christian group) against her multicultural center.
We should continue the fight against Rockefeller Drug Laws and support the work of Soares.
Anger Management, continue programs.
Discussion of moral values: make clear what moral values we believe are important, be careful of our choice of words, and consider the social and economic consequences of actions.
Social Security: There is danger that the program will be dumped. A speaker is available.
John Amidon reported on Anger Management. Veterans for Peace and the Consultation Center they are planning an anger management program for returning veterans. All present were in favor of supporting this.
Lou I. Said there were speakers available from the Reformed Church on an effort to help Gypsies or Roma in Hungary and the Ukraine. It was decided not to pursue this.
There were several announcements of events this week. Morris Dees of Southern Poverty Law Center will be speaking at Siena College on Jan 27, 7 pm.
There will be a meeting of the National Interfaith Alliance on March 6.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:40.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff
Next Executive Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m., Monday, January 31st at Friendly's,
Rte 7.
Next Membership Meeting 9:00 a.m., February 14, 2005, Latham Community
Baptist Church.
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E-mail The Interfaith Alliance of NYS
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