NAWC meeting notes
October 14, 2007
Present: David Moulton, Ozone, Adam Ritscher, Mike Rogge, Peter Krause, Hal Bertilson, Joel Kilgour, Gary Sorensen, Scott Cameron, Suzanne Griffith, Ron Miller
GROUP PROCESS/COALITION-BUILDING
At the September 30 meeting, we agreed to a two-meeting/month schedule, in part so we have more time to talk about issues of group process, coalition-building and strategy. Joel K identified a few issues that have been raised, but not fully addressed, at past meetings:
1- Decision-making. Separate proposals have moved that we use only consensus, or limit votes to one per member organization.
2- Becoming more welcoming to new activists.
3- Structure. Do we want to move forward as a coalition of many groups or function instead an autonomous committee?
4- Strategy. What's the best use of our Coalition's energy? Can we identify some concrete, achievable political goals?
5- Equal distribution of responsibility. A small group of NAWC members have shouldered most of the work for the last few events. How can we empower other people to take a more active role?
We spent twenty minutes discussing coalition-building and decision making.
We agreed to stick with our current decision-making process, for now (strive for consensus, but fall back on supermajority (2/3) vote if needed. Anyone who attends a meeting has equal voice and vote). There was also a general sense that NAWC should continue as a coalition, but that we need to actively recruit greater participation from our member organizations, and bring in new organizations. Peter K and Joel K are appointed to review the discussion, gather input from people who have been but are not currently involved in NAWC, and come to the next meeting with concrete proposals for coalition-building and improving group process. Anyone with ideas or interest in serving on this committee should contact Joel (jrkilgour(at)yahoo.com).
OCTOBER 19
NAWC will organize a picket and forum on the third Friday of every month, in conjunction with the Iraq Mobilization. Each month will target a different constituency - and neighborhood - with the goal of building our activist base. The October 19 theme is "Support the Troops, Bring them Home." We'll host a picket from noon to one at Memorial Park in Duluth (Grand and Central Aves). Everyone is invited and encouraged to bring a sign on the theme. A veterans panel will take place that evening at 7pm at Chester Creek Cafe. Peter K will invite mothers of soldiers to emcee the panel. We're still looking for younger veterans to participate.
OCTOBER 27 BUS TO CHICAGO
The Hayward bus has been canceled. Twin Ports bus departs 5am from UW-Superior, returns early Sunday morning. The cost is $50 per person, but we'll make an effort to accomodate anyone who can't pay the full amount. To reserve a seat, contact Carl Sack (northlandiguana(at)gmail.com) ASAP. We've raised $1,000 toward cost, but are about $1,000 shy. We agreed to borrow the remainder from the NAWC general fund, if needed. Donations are encouraged: Northland Anti-War Coalition, P.O. Box 16853, Duluth, MN 55816.
Ozone will advertise the bus at UMD. Suzanne and Hal will advertise at UWS.
OUTREACH to CHURCHES
Adam mailed a letter to faith groups in the area, introducing NAWC and asking for contacts with social concerns committees. He proposed that our 3rd Friday event in November focus on faith communities, with possible themes of the SOA/military violence in Latin America, or religion and war. The proposal was accepted, to be discussed in detail at the next meeting.
MAILING LIST
Adam also updated and alphabetized the NAWC mailing list. If you haven't received mailings and would like to, please send him your address (adamritscher(at)gmail.com).
WEBSITE
Ozone is still working on it and would like other people to help with administration and posting.
NEWS-TRIBUNE
Scott Cameron was contacted by the News-Tribune about a story on disenfranchised veterans. Contact Scott if you have leads.
UWS STUDENTS
Hal Bertilson (hbertils(at)uwsuper.edu), is looking for social justice projects for his students to get involved in. Contact him with ideas.
NEXT MEETING
October 28, 2pm, Chester Creek Cafe
October 16, 2007
OCT. 19: Picket for Peace & Veterans Speak Out
On Friday, October 19 the Northland Anti-War Coalition is going to be sponsoring two events.
1. PICKET FOR PEACE: From noon to 1pm we will be holding a picket/vigil at the Memorial Park on Grand Ave. in West Duluth. The theme of the picket will be "Support the Troops, Bring Them Home!". Please show your support by joining us and holding a sign. Feel free to bring your own, though we'll also have some extra signs on hand.
2. VETERANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE WAR: At 7pm in the basement of the Chester Creek Cafe [1902 E. 8th St., Duluth] we'll be holding a panel presentation of local veterans talking about their experiences, and their views on the current war in Iraq.
Both of these events are free and open to the public. They are being held in solidarity with the Iraq Moratorium Project, which is calling on local peace groups to hold events on the 3rd Friday of every month. Last month NAWC held the Strike for Peace in solidarity with this project. This month, and the next several months to come, we plan on holding pickets and forums in different communities of Duluth/Superior on the 3rd Friday of each month. Mark your calendars!
NORTHLAND ANTI-WAR COALITION
P.O. Box 16853, Duluth MN 55816
www.northlandantiwar.com
www.northlandantiwar.blogspot.com
1. PICKET FOR PEACE: From noon to 1pm we will be holding a picket/vigil at the Memorial Park on Grand Ave. in West Duluth. The theme of the picket will be "Support the Troops, Bring Them Home!". Please show your support by joining us and holding a sign. Feel free to bring your own, though we'll also have some extra signs on hand.
2. VETERANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE WAR: At 7pm in the basement of the Chester Creek Cafe [1902 E. 8th St., Duluth] we'll be holding a panel presentation of local veterans talking about their experiences, and their views on the current war in Iraq.
Both of these events are free and open to the public. They are being held in solidarity with the Iraq Moratorium Project, which is calling on local peace groups to hold events on the 3rd Friday of every month. Last month NAWC held the Strike for Peace in solidarity with this project. This month, and the next several months to come, we plan on holding pickets and forums in different communities of Duluth/Superior on the 3rd Friday of each month. Mark your calendars!
NORTHLAND ANTI-WAR COALITION
P.O. Box 16853, Duluth MN 55816
www.northlandantiwar.com
www.northlandantiwar.blogspot.com
October 5, 2007
Report from the Sept. 30 NAWC Meeting
Present: Adam R., Heather B., Mike R., Hal B., Sue G., Steve C., Cathy A., Andy A., Joel K., Sue D., Steve W., Carl S..
1. Strike for Peace feedback and processing
Feedback on the Strike for Peace was shared. What people thought went well:
-Our media work, including press conference before hand
-Most of the workshops � attendance and quality of presentation
-Great lineup of rally speakers
-Good turnout for a weekday � almost the usual weekend rally turnout
-Biggest Iraq Moratorium event listed on their website
What needed improvement:
-Mainstream media coverage was awful, mostly about 10 people getting arrested with little real content. It was suggested that for future NAWC actions, one person be designated a NAWC reporter, whose only job during the day would be to take notes and pictures. It was also suggested that people write letters to the editor calling for better reporting.
-Distributing the workload. It was a lot of effort for a few people who stepped forward to make it happen. For future actions, we need a larger committee of people who will commit to taking on responsibilities. It would have been good to have more volunteers manning the workshops as greeters, etc.
-There was discussion aroung the feeling that the Civil Disobedience action conflicted with media coverage of the event and was too closely associated. It was suggested that future CD actions be more geograpically and/or chronologically separated from official NAWC actions.
-Police presence for the march and rally was friendly by very strong. It was suggested that we might reduce police presence by holding peacekeeper trainings before future actions.
-It was suggested that a stronger focus and narrower goals might improve the effectiveness of future actions.
2. October 27 Bus to Chicago
Carl has taken on organizing a bus to Chicago for the October 27th regional protest, part of a national mobilization called by UFPJ. He invites anyone who wants to help co-organize the bus to step forward. This is a one-day trip, and everyone who can go is highly encouraged to.
A 47-passenger bus has been reserved. The cost will be $2835. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the NAWC mailing list to fundraise. Veterans for Peace will sponsor one or more people, and UMD Students for Peace also is doing some fundraising.
A call will be sent out for a bus committee. Adam and Joel volunteered, and Steve W. said he would try to find a Students for Peace person to volunteer to serve on the committee.
3. Meeting Structure
Joel proposed that NAWC start holding 2 meetings a month, because we never get a chance to discuss issues related to strategy. The proposal was passed � future meetings will take place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. There was discussion around how to split the meetings between strategy and action points, and it was agreed that meeting agendas would be announced via listserv ahead of time. Strategy and Process will be first on the agenda next meeting.
4. Future Actions brainstorm
We brainstormed possible actions for the future:
-Making $2 a "vote for peace"
-Questionnaire for the community (go through Zenith Research?)
-Mock Impeachment/War Crimes Tribunal
-Street Theater � use Vets for Peace float as a stage?
-Talent show for Peace community
-Intensive media work, guerilla media
-Organizing returning vets � Daniel Fanning is 1 person away from an IVAW chapter in Minnesota
-Truth in Recruiting activities
-Target Oberstar
-Monthly forum series
-Roving pickets in different neighborhoods around the Twin Ports
-Outreach to National Guard members
-Peace Concert Series
-More outreach to other groups � Steve W. is putting together a comprehensive list
-Speakers' bureau � Andy, Hal and Sue will work on this
5. Future 3rd Friday Plans
We came up with a tentative plan for activities to take place with the Iraq Moratorium every third Friday. We will hold a picket/vigil at noon in a different neighborhood each time, then a forum in the evening. The Direct Action Working Group is putting together separate CD actions for each Friday. The actions will build toward a mass action in the spring, likely involving a regional War Crimes Tribunal headed up by Vets for Peace.
The October 19th picket will take place at Memorial Park in West Duluth at noon. The theme will be Support the Troops, Bring Them Home! There will be a forum in the evening on a returning veterans theme.
[Notes taken by Carl Sack]
1. Strike for Peace feedback and processing
Feedback on the Strike for Peace was shared. What people thought went well:
-Our media work, including press conference before hand
-Most of the workshops � attendance and quality of presentation
-Great lineup of rally speakers
-Good turnout for a weekday � almost the usual weekend rally turnout
-Biggest Iraq Moratorium event listed on their website
What needed improvement:
-Mainstream media coverage was awful, mostly about 10 people getting arrested with little real content. It was suggested that for future NAWC actions, one person be designated a NAWC reporter, whose only job during the day would be to take notes and pictures. It was also suggested that people write letters to the editor calling for better reporting.
-Distributing the workload. It was a lot of effort for a few people who stepped forward to make it happen. For future actions, we need a larger committee of people who will commit to taking on responsibilities. It would have been good to have more volunteers manning the workshops as greeters, etc.
-There was discussion aroung the feeling that the Civil Disobedience action conflicted with media coverage of the event and was too closely associated. It was suggested that future CD actions be more geograpically and/or chronologically separated from official NAWC actions.
-Police presence for the march and rally was friendly by very strong. It was suggested that we might reduce police presence by holding peacekeeper trainings before future actions.
-It was suggested that a stronger focus and narrower goals might improve the effectiveness of future actions.
2. October 27 Bus to Chicago
Carl has taken on organizing a bus to Chicago for the October 27th regional protest, part of a national mobilization called by UFPJ. He invites anyone who wants to help co-organize the bus to step forward. This is a one-day trip, and everyone who can go is highly encouraged to.
A 47-passenger bus has been reserved. The cost will be $2835. It was suggested that a letter be sent to the NAWC mailing list to fundraise. Veterans for Peace will sponsor one or more people, and UMD Students for Peace also is doing some fundraising.
A call will be sent out for a bus committee. Adam and Joel volunteered, and Steve W. said he would try to find a Students for Peace person to volunteer to serve on the committee.
3. Meeting Structure
Joel proposed that NAWC start holding 2 meetings a month, because we never get a chance to discuss issues related to strategy. The proposal was passed � future meetings will take place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. There was discussion around how to split the meetings between strategy and action points, and it was agreed that meeting agendas would be announced via listserv ahead of time. Strategy and Process will be first on the agenda next meeting.
4. Future Actions brainstorm
We brainstormed possible actions for the future:
-Making $2 a "vote for peace"
-Questionnaire for the community (go through Zenith Research?)
-Mock Impeachment/War Crimes Tribunal
-Street Theater � use Vets for Peace float as a stage?
-Talent show for Peace community
-Intensive media work, guerilla media
-Organizing returning vets � Daniel Fanning is 1 person away from an IVAW chapter in Minnesota
-Truth in Recruiting activities
-Target Oberstar
-Monthly forum series
-Roving pickets in different neighborhoods around the Twin Ports
-Outreach to National Guard members
-Peace Concert Series
-More outreach to other groups � Steve W. is putting together a comprehensive list
-Speakers' bureau � Andy, Hal and Sue will work on this
5. Future 3rd Friday Plans
We came up with a tentative plan for activities to take place with the Iraq Moratorium every third Friday. We will hold a picket/vigil at noon in a different neighborhood each time, then a forum in the evening. The Direct Action Working Group is putting together separate CD actions for each Friday. The actions will build toward a mass action in the spring, likely involving a regional War Crimes Tribunal headed up by Vets for Peace.
The October 19th picket will take place at Memorial Park in West Duluth at noon. The theme will be Support the Troops, Bring Them Home! There will be a forum in the evening on a returning veterans theme.
[Notes taken by Carl Sack]
October 2, 2007
National Mobilization - Get on the Bus!
Spread the Word!
On OCTOBER 27, there will be a national mobilization of protests against the war in Iraq, spearheaded by United for Peace and Justice. The mobilization will consist of REGIONAL PROTESTS in 11 cities around the country. The MIDWEST regional protest will be held in CHICAGO. For more information, see www.oct27chicago.org.
Already so far, OVER 20 BUSES will be going to the Chicago protest from Wisconsin. The Northland Anti-War Coalition will be taking at least one bus from Duluth/Superior, while Peace North will likely also take a bus from the Ashland and/or Hayward area. The cost for these buses will be $50 per person; however, for those who make a commitment to go and cannot pay the full amount, there may be sponsorships available. The bus will leave at 5:00 AM on the 27th (Saturday) and return early on the 28th (Sunday), with no overnight stops.
IF YOU WANT TO GET ON THE BUS, LET US KNOW NOW! Send your name, address, phone number, and amount you can pay if not the full $50. In the Twin Ports and points south (including Rice Lake and Eau Claire), contact Carl Sack at northlandiguana@gmail.com. In the Chequamegon Bay and Hayward areas, contact Carol Hannah at carolh@cheqnet.net.
WE ALSO NEED DONATIONS! We have to pay for the buses in advance of the trip, which costs several thousand dollars. If you can't go but feel that mass protests for peace are important (and they are!), please consider sponsoring one or more bus riders. Send donations to the Northland Anti-War Coalition, P.O. Box 16853, Duluth, MN 55816.
See you on the bus!
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