Members and visitors present: Bernard Fleishman, Joe Norton, Nicholas Fuller,
Anne Marfey, Rev. Wendy Van Orden, Gene Rowland, Bob Lamar, John Amidon, Rev.
Dr. Senley E. Jack, Stan Ehrlich, Ed Bloch, David Maendel, Lou Ismay, Liz
Pearson, Joyce Hartwell, Pat Beetle Rev. Dr. Walter E. Taylor, Rabbi Aryeh
Wineman, Florence Skiff.
The meeting was called to order by B. Fleishman and the invocation was given by Rev. Senley Jack.
The minutes were approved as written.
Treasurer's report: $500 grant was received, $500 was paid out for the Kateri conference, $200 was paid for the Capital Region Social Forum (a worldwide movement to pose alternatives to the World Economic Forum. Local committee is formed and programs to be held Oct. 13-14. Support voted at our August meeting). Balance remaining, $3049. Financial report of Kateri conference was available. Treas. Report approved.
Agenda: no additions
Committee reports
Electoral campaign Reform. Gene Rowland said the fair campaign Practices mailing has been sent out and the hearing panel activated. No complaints have been received so far.
Violence committee. The Anger Management program is proceeding with 9 attending. The Kateri program was successful.
At the recent army recruitment rally several groups protested vigorously without any trouble. John wrote a letter of thanks to the police for their good handling of the situation.
The military display was frightening to small children. It was clearly for the purpose of recruiting.
Ed B. expressed praise for John's splendid handling of the protest.
Pat B. said the event was a propaganda mission with negligible history and strong support for the present war. The NY Times reports plans for building a Military history theme park with staging of battles.
The course of Homeland Security needs to be monitored. It is big business. It costs $300 to attend informational meetings. Should we send a delegate to see what they are doing?
A visitor center is being planned near West Point. A lot is said about "no draft", so the army is using publicity. The effect on public attitudes is important.
Lou pointed out that the wars are a lot about economic dominance and it is very complex.
ARISE: Rev. Hartwell.
The public meeting was not as well attended as they had hoped (they wanted 1000 but only about 400 attended). The success of Soares has shaken the powers in Albany. The sticking point with the Rockefeller Drug law discussion is Judge discretion.
Money is being cut from government programs and shifted to religious organization. The churches are not ready to take it on. They do not have the trained staff. Every year funds are cut and grants go under funded. Meetings with Sen. Bruno were disappointing. The D.A's Assn and Senate recognize a threat and are dragging their heels. They will be meeting with Sen. Silver. There will be a meeting of ARISE with sister organizations in Syracuse and Buffalo in May. B. Fleishman spoke to the Rensselaer D.A. and she seemed flexible and willing to consider alternatives. Perhaps we could ask her to speak to our group.
Soares empowers the community to solve their own problems.
There will be a meeting at Joyce Hartwell's place, 453 N. Pearl, with Lisa Goode who runs an excellent program.
Executive Committee
The executive committee sent $60 to the Sojourners "God is Not a Republican or a Democrat" project and signed TIANYS on.
Stop the Hate Program: Nothing specific yet. Deb wants to have a fund raising event honoring several people.
Campaign for Fiscal Equity. They are working on a publication addressing parents, teachers, etc., to alert them that legislature should act and not drag their feet. The NYS Teachers Union also wants to see action on this. Many upstate people think our money is going to NY City but the opposite is true.
The push is not to take money away from upstate schools but to get new money, perhaps from income tax at the higher income level.
We asked Gene R. to put the Amicus Brief and a letter on our e-mail. The letter is to respond to an article by Mr. Odato in Oct 10 Times Union that showed a very superficial understanding of religious faith and current election issues.
Charter Schools erode the public school system and represent an attack on teacher unions. So far they have not demonstrated effectiveness.
Lou Ismay attended the state wide meeting of Campaign for Fiscal Equity and said there is concern throughout the state. Schools are pulling together across the state.
Muslim Community
Pat Beetle said the Solidarity Network sought individual as well as group support. We will contact Mussaret Chaudhry for information on how to help. B. Fleishman made a motion to contribute $100 to the support fund. Seconded by J. Norton, passed. Contributions may be sent to: Masjid As-salam Families Fund, 274 West Lawrence St., Albany NY 12209.
Pat B. said there would be an Alternatives to Violence workshop this weekend, preceded by a presentation by Por Venir, volunteers who help develop water supplies for rural Nicaraguan people. Alternatives to Violence also has a program in prisons to help prisoners develop self esteem and to teach conflict resolution etc.
Meeting adjourned at 10:43.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff
Next Executive Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m Monday, October 25 at Friendlys Rte 7. Next Membership Meeting 9:00 a.m November 8, 2004, Latham Community Baptist Church.
E-mail The Interfaith Alliance of NYS
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