February 10, 2009

Erie Peace Initiative Meeting
1001 State St., room 715
Feb. 10, 2009
In attendance Bob Johnson, Lora Caldwell, Mark Mateja, Anne Zielinski, Beth Rockwell, Jane Kirk, Deb Spilko, Kaye Cofini
1. Intros and agenda
2. Evaluate last 2 weeks of actions
--Update on National Guard project? No update
--Empower Peace presentation at McDowell: Bob and Lora attended
-- Mark Mateja did demo supporting Gaza on Jan. 10 by himself

3. Upcoming actions for discussion
6 year anniversary of the start of Iraq war
1. Protest at the Pentagon -- are we getting a bus or joining with Pittsburgh's? Rebecca got prices. Anderson costs about $ 2,500. Coach USA costs almost $3,600. Works out to about $50-60 per seat.
Richard McVay contacted Allegheny. March 21 is a feast day for the Benedictines so they would not be available.
Bob Johnson offered to drive down but is not interested in marching on the Pentagon so he decided not to go.
Deb Spilko suggested contacting Sandy Kelson…she will call.
Decision needs made by Feb. 24
Jane Kirk offered to put down payment on bus. 10% deposit Mark Mateja and Beth Rockwell would also be glad to help finance
Rebecca suggested fundraising/ phone calls/ sponsors for bus
Mark will print out bus “tickets” if we have enough interest to do the bus
Lora could send out the EPI entire list regarding Mar 21^st March event
Kaye Cofini, Beth Rockwell, Anne Zielinski would sponsor a seat.

Speaker: Darrel Vandeveld, antiwar vet, March 19 at the Unitarian Church, 7 p.m.

Flyer: Deb Spilko will design
Richard McVay will do press release
We will offer payment to Darrel, and to the Unitarians for the use of their building.
Free will offering


Co-sponsors? Let's make contacts by Feb. 24

We’ll have table with EPI info and possibly buttons for sale
Mark Mateja suggested possible demo the 19^th or 21^st
Update on speakers:
Raed Jarrar: No update

Uzma Sharaaf: Feb. 17 at 7pm. Open to public…not EPI sponsored but encouraged to attend
Counter-recruiting: Rebecca ordered brochures. Mark donated $20. Fee was $37.50. Rebecca presented letter and Bob and Lora signed.

Ribbons -- Lora says no update this week

Other
Announcement: KEEP fundraiser at the Sunset Inn Sun Feb. 15 at 3:30 p.m.
Street demo: Friday Feb. 13, intersection of 8^th and Bayfront 4:30-5:15

Next meeting: Tuesday Feb. 24. Mark Mateja will lead.