[lavplist] Notes (& events) of Feb 11, 2008 meeting

Tue Feb 12 23:15:53 PST 2008

Notes & Events List from the Los Altos Voices for Peace February 11,
2008 Meeting

Events:  *This Friday, February 15, 12 Noon – 1 PM:  Iraq Moratorium
event:  Picket and Protest at the New Military Recruiting Office, El
Camino & Grant Road, Mountain View.  Raging Grannies will sing.

Saturday, March 15, 2008, 12: Noon, King Plaza at Palo Alto City Hall:
Speakers, music and march.  Organized by Peninsula Peace & Justice
Center.  www.PeaceandJustice.org <http://www.peaceandjustice.org/> 

Wednesday; March 19, 12 Noon – 1 PM:  Los Altos Voices for Peace Vigil
marking 5th Anniversary of Iraq War, Singer Plaza at State & Main
Streets.  Details to be announced.

Saturday, March 22:  MVVP 5th Anniversary of Iraq War rally.  Details to
be announced.

Wednesday, April 2, 7 – 9PM, Talk at the Los Altos Library:  “Beyond
Tolerance.”  Details coming.

Meeting Notes:  Barbara Kyser facilitated the meeting.  After
introductions, her inspirational message was that many more people are
voting in the primaries!

LAVP Strategic Plan was accepted last meeting.  The plan is:  “Los Altos
Voices for Peace (LAVP) stands for, and gives voice to, those who seek
peaceful answers to local and global violence.  We wish to inform,
educate and persuade others, including public officials, to find
peaceful solutions to conflict.  This must be accomplished in a positive
non-violent manner.”

Events:  For the Feb 15 protest at the recruiting office, it was decided
that a flyer with alternatives to the military be found or developed.
It is important to give positive options to those considering service in
the military.

LAVP will hold a vigil on Wed, March 19 to mark the 5th anniversary of
the Iraq War.  Noon – 1PM was chosen as a time when more people will be
downtown.  The date is just before Easter, traditionally a time for
peace demonstrations.  Karen Meredith, a Gold Star Mom, is available to
speak.  A committee of Judy & Ray, Donna & Darwin, Barbara & Kevin &
Sara (a new member!) plan to meet on Monday, Feb 25 to plan the event.
The new LA police chief must be informed about the event.  (Kevin?)

Events for March 19 are being planned in all 435 Congressional
districts.  Congress will not be in session.  Barbara Kyser was part of
a conference call brainstorming ideas for these events.  Visit
www.5yearstoomany.org <http://www.5yearstoomany.org/>  for information.

For the April 2 Library Talk, more publicity is planned, coordinated
with the library.

Treasurer’s Report:  There are $641.75 in unrestricted funds and $500
for the Peace Scholarship.  Last month a record of $123 was collected.
A visitor asked how we spend the money.  About ½ is spent as
contributions to groups associated with our speakers.  The rest is spent
on regular and event costs including the community picnic.

LAVP Website:  Ray spoke with a website designer.  Her normal charge is
$100/ hr, but it is $60/hr for nonprofits.  She estimated a total cost
of $800 - $1200 for her work.  After much discussion about whether LAVP
should spend that much money for a website & should the designer be
invited to present her ideas to us, it was decided to postpone the
decision.  To help make the decision, Rob suggested that we visit other
peace group websites and note what we like about them.  Please send your
comments & suggestions to the webmaster @ www.losaltospeace.org
<http://www.losaltospeace.org/> .  

The movie “No End in Sight”:  Several people viewed and were impressed
with this documentary, firmed by a local person.  One member has a copy
and it is available to anyone to borrow.  Just respond to this email.
For more info visit:  www.noendinsight.com
<http://www.noendinsight.com/> .  

Counter-recruitment:  Will be discussed next meeting.

Reports:

Challenge Team:  Fundraiser breakfast is May 8.  This group of school
principals, police chiefs, city officials and community leaders works to
prevent youth violence by offering youth alternatives!  LAVP will
sponsor a member to attend, costing $50.  Barbara Kyser attended last
year.

Gold Star Family License Plates:  The effort to issue these special CA
license plates did not succeed.  Karen Meredith thanked those who wrote
in favor of the proposal.

PPJC asked LAVP to cosponsor “National Assembly to end the Iraq War and
Occupation.”  This meeting in late June in Cleveland, OH will bring
local peace groups together to work to achieve the named goal.

Announcements:

Sami announced that San Jose City College will invite David Ledesma to
have a table for his counter recruiting efforts near recruiters!

William Perry, Clinton’s former Secretary of Defense, spoke at the
Morning Forum.  He is an excellent speaker and his work to limit nuclear
warheads was impressive, eliminating 10,000 in Russia and Ukraine.  He
is currently working with Sam Nunn, Henry Kissinger and George Shultz to
end the nuclear danger!  Look for their opinion piece in the January 4,
2007, Wall Street Journal, “A World Free of Nuclear Weapons.”  

Next Monday is the Japanese Day of Remembrance, regarding their
internment.

Karen Lemes will facilitate the next two meetings.  Notes by Donna
Poulos.

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