Capital District Interfaith Alliance
Interfaith Alliance of New York State



Capital District Chapter TIANYS Meeting Report
February 13, 2006

Members present: Shirley Drake Byers, Ayala Wineman, Jeroo Kotval, Carol Tyrell, Ruth Fleishman, John Amidon, Lou Ismay, Harriet Warnach-Graham, Joe Seeman, Bernard Fleishman, Joe Norton, Lois Quillinan, Rev. Joyce Hartwell, Paul Rehm, Mussarat Chaudhry. Anne Marfey, Robert C. Lamar, Gene Rowland, Patricia Beetle, Linda Rackliffe, Rev. Dr. Senley Jack, Jean Cowan, Ed Bloch, Florence Skiff.

The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman, The invocation was given by Rev. Senley Jack. We mourn the death of member Nicholas Fuller.

Treasurer's Report. Gene Rowland said that after paying expenses and receiving dues the balance as of Jan. 22 was $3288.

The agenda was approved with several additional items.

Committee Reports

Electoral/Campaign reform: Nicholas Fuller was one of the representatives on the board of the Electoral Reform project with the League of Women Voters so we will need to select a new one by the April meeting.

Violence/Anger Management

John Amidon said the next Anger Management program will be starting in March.

Economic/Criminal Justice

Rev. Hartwell is working on the school violence problem. Kids are upset and can't tell any one of their concerns. Gang prevention programs by the city aim at identifying gangs but do not address the causes.

Election of Chapter Officers for 2006

The slate of officers presented by the Nominating Committee is:

Chairman: Bernie Fleishman
Vice Chairman: Jean Cowan
Secretary: Florence Skiff
Treasurer: Carol Tyrell
Executive Committee: Senley Jack, Ann Marfey and Mussarat Chaudhry

There were no additional nominations from the floor so the Chairman asked the secretary to cast one ballot for the nominees.

Executive Committee report

There was a request for support from the Statewide Senior Action Council. It was moved, seconded and passed that we support them.

There was a motion to support and donate $25 to Environmental Advocates. Seconded and passed.

Bernie Fleishman, Shirley Byers, Kate Button, Ed Bloch and Mussarat Chaudhry will be going to the TIA National Leadership gathering March 3-5.

Deb Riitano was not here today but Ed said preparations continue for the April 27th Dinner Honoring Fr. Peter Young.

Sign on for Peace Campaign - The plan to put up many signs "support our troops, bring them home" on Mar 15th. Executive committee recommends giving $100 (to be used to have signs made). Approval was requested for this endorsement of the project, seconded and passed.

Community and Congress Talk Darfur requested support. They are urging the government to take an effective stand on this issue. The UN has asked the US to supply troops.

Dr. Bernard Fleishman Reported on the book "The Republican War on Science" by Chris Mooney. The book details many instances where the current administration and a number of conservative think tanks have misused science. "They have edited reports by the National Academy of Sciences, the EPA and other agencies that link global warming to the emissions of fossil fuels. The religious Right challenges and often distorts science to further its own moralistic agenda; and the Bush White House leans over backward to support them." In the past politicians not infrequently made decisions contrary to scientists recommendations; but now we have distortion of reports and pressure on scientists to report what the administration wants to hear.

At the March meeting Paul Rehm will report on his Christian Peacemaking trip to Palestine.

Announcements

Ed Bloch said the Emergency Shelter is putting on a fund raiser.

Senley Jack invited everyone to the Black History program 4:00 p.m. Feb. 26 at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

Meeting adjourned at 10:36.

Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff

Next Executive Committee Meeting: 9:00 a.m Monday, February 27th at Friendlys on Rte 7.

Next Membership Meeting: 9:00 a.m. March 13th, 2006 at Latham Community Baptist church.



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