The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman, The invocation was given by Rev. Senley Jack. Rev. Jack thanked Ed Bloch and B. Fleishman for attending the open house of his Community Mission Church on May 7th . Their Church is a mission to those who are down and out.

Rabbi Wineman said the April minutes seemed to indicate that we were sweeping the Darfur situation under the rug. B. Fleishman said that was not our intention but that we are looking for a specific proposal or a project to support.

Motion to approve the minutes of April 10th , passed.

Treasurer's Report. Carol Tyrell reported that there are 41 paid members. The dinner cost $3825.99 and brought in $4651. So the income was $825.

The agenda was approved.

Committee Reports

Electoral/Campaign reform. Betsy Swan said that the Fair Campaign Practices Committee is getting known and receiving complaints to act upon. NYS is not in compliance with the deadline in the Help America Vote Act. The League of Women Voters is addressing this issue.

Violence/Anger Management: No report.

Harriet Warnock-Graham discussed the Christian Right in particular three organizations: Council For National Policy for the Right (CNP) whose members are notable in many spheres, in Congress, in right wing Christian groups, The group is described as a 'network that encompasses the entire spectrum of right wing politics.' They meet privately to discusses and promote programs; The Arlington group includes many right wing Christian organizations that work collectively and individually; and The IRD (Institute for Religion and Democracy) a funding group which has been supported by right wing corporate foundations. The IRD opposes feminists, gay rights, and abortion. They support the war and increased military. They oppose environmental initiatives, especially the Kyoto Treaty. They oppose social programs, and oppose hate crime legislation. The IRD is not a group from the people, but from government people. They are after political control. Right now they are focused on changing the structure of the mainline churches so as to control their influence. Their activities are not reported by the press.

Harriet explained that Dominionism is the belief that 'Christians alone are Biblically mandated to occupy all secular institutions until Christ returns'. Soft Dominionists are Christian nationalists. Hard Dominionmists want the United States to be a Christian theocracy following Old Testament Biblical laws.

Executive Committee report

• Our corporate meeting was held May 1st. Anne Marfey and Carol Tyrell were elected to replace Deb Riitano and Gene Roland.
• Dinner honoring Fr. Peter Young. 107 attended.
• Capital District Alliance for Universal Healthcare, Lou attended the meeting. There was a big attendance. All agreed that we need to move toward universal health care. Other countries have better care for less money.
• TIA Radio Station. They are trying to get local radio out lets. There is a Station in Springfield, Mass. that carries the program on Sunday at 5:00.

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff

Next Executive Committee Meeting: 9:00 a.m Monday, May 31st at Friendlys on Rte 7.

Next Membership Meeting: 9:00 a.m. June 12th , 2006 at Latham Community Baptist church.

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