Members and visitors present: Bernard Fleishman, Joe Norton, Nicholas Fuller,
Anne Marfey, Jean Cowan, Joe Norton, Carol Tyrell, John Brueggemann, Pete
Mathis, R. K. MacCrone, Deb Riitano, Gene Rowland, Bob Lamar, John Amidon, Rev.
Dr. Senley E. Jack, Ed Bloch, David Maendel, Lou Ismay, Liz Pearson, 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.
Deb Riitano told us about Stan Ehrlich's funeral which she and Ed Bloch attended. Stan Ehrlich was dearly loved and will be missed, particularly by the young people of the Bruderhof. The funeral was a very moving experience.
Bob Lamar moved to approve the minutes, 2nd Joe Norton, passed.
Treasurer's report: There was $160 income, routine expenses, the contribution to Sojourners, and reimbursement of trip expenses for Lou Ismay. The remaining balance is $2808. The Treas. Report was approved.
Committee reports
Electoral campaign Reform
There were three complaints considered by the Fair
Campaign Practices board. Clyne, Soares, and Cusack all were found to have
violated the pledge. There was mention in TV news and an article in the paper
about the decision. Cusick retracted the ads in question.
Violence committee
A note of thanks was received from the Consultation
Center.
John distributed copies of a brochure prepared by Am. Friends Service committee entitled 'Do You Know Enough to Enlist?' which cautions youth considering enlistment. It would be good to have it distributed in schools.
Nov. 11 Veterans for Peace will be marching in the parade and anyone can join them. (Meet 10:30 a.m. at Ontario and Central)
Criminal Justice/ARISE
The committee of ARISE, Criminal and Economic Justice,
is visiting legislators.
Cusick accused us of supporting Soares. We agree with Soares on the Rockefeller Drug Laws but we made no statement of supporting any candidate. We had asked Clyne to speak at our meeting but he declined. A newspaper reporter wrongly stated that we supported Soares. Joyce wrote a correction letter.
Executive Committee
The nominating committee has been appointed: Pat Beetle, chair, and Bob
Lamar and Anne Marfey.
Deb Riitano reported progress on the event planed for April 14. She preferred to call it a 'Friend Raising' event, not fund raising. Awareness and connection to other groups is more important. The plan is to have it at Temple Israel with a Kosher menu that all faiths can eat.
Campaign for Fiscal Equity
Bernie F. and Ed B. continue work on the
brochure. The focus is on pointing out that they are looking for new money and not
taking it away from other schools. They are using the approach that educating
all children is a moral requirement. Copies will be forwarded to other
state organizations so they can distribute it to their constituents if they wish.
John A. made a motion to contribute $100 to Latham Community Baptist Church for use of the building for our meetings. Seconded by Deb. R., passed.
Bernie has invited Steven Gottlieb to speak at our next meeting.
Speakers Bureau. Joe Seeman and W. Taylor volunteered to work on developing dialogs with the 'religious right'.
David Maendel gave us copies of a biographical piece about Stan Ehrlich, written by his granddaughter.
John A. said Kathy Kelly, founder of 'Voices in the Wilderness', will be in Albany Dec. 12-13.
John said we need to know what people in Israel are going through.
Bruderhof folks are still considering sending a delegation to Israel.
There is a Geneva Plan, written by Israelis and Palestinians who conferred at Geneva. It is a detailed plan for addressing problems in Israel. The plan is being promoted by a lobby group in Washington.
At the Albany Public Library, Karl Breyman showed a video tape of conditions in Israel and it caused some heated response. David Maendel said it is important not to take sides as there are problems on both sides. It is important to become more informed and bring people together.
Upcoming Events
Lou I. said we need to get an update on the Patriot Act. Gene said there
was a program upcoming at the Schenectady Library.
Bob L. noted that there are two upcoming events, on Nov. 9 an Interfaith Commemoration remembering Kristallnacht and on Nov. 21, the Great Ecumenical Thanksgiving, celebrating the big step forward in ecumenism that occurred with the 2nd Vatican Council.
Pat B. gave us a flier about a Peace Protest November 13 called by Women Against War.
Carol Tyrell distributed a flyer about World AIDS Day events November 30 to December 2.
Ed B. and Lou I. will be speaking Thursday at the Niskayuna Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Florence Skiff
Next Executive Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m Monday November 29 at Friendlys Rte 7.
Next Membership Meeting 9:00 a.m December 13, 2004, Latham Community Baptist Church.
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