March 4, 2009

Erie Peace Initiative
Meeting minutes 3/4/09
1001 State St
7:10 p.m.: meeting called to order by Mark Mateja
In attendance Al Richardson, Mark Mateja, Bob Johnson, Lora Caldwell, Claire Kennedy, Anne Mccarthy, Jane Kirk, Richard McVay, Kaye Cofini, Beth Rockwell
Phone-a-thon…four people called to inform people about our March events. Beth Rockwell found a sponsor for a bus seat. Interest from Islamic center about EPI possibly speaking at one of their occassons. Recommended that we do the phone a thon idea again.
Mar 19^th Sponsorship for Vandeveld…..LEAD (Kaye Cofini) Doris, The Green Pty (Tim Reim)
Richard suggested 1/3 to EPI, 1/3 to Darrell, 1/3 to UU church
Flyer needs confirmed and finished and distributed…also adding the noon street demo
Mike Mahler will finish flyer. Rebecca will update details w/ Mike.
Anne McCarthy will follow through with title and confirmation w/ Darrell
Flyer dist: Jane Kirk -- Mercyhurst/ Behrend, Claire Kennedy -- Gannon, Mark Mateja -- Porreco Ctr, Richard -- Edinboro, Kaye -- local bulletin boards.
Dahlkemper talk update….environmental talk. Rebecca passed out lots of flyers there.
Jen Highfill may possibly be doing bus from EDU and had hoped to be at meeting for update.
Mark Mateja, 833-2874, can car pool from Erie to Pitts for Mar 21^st event. Bus leaves 6am sat 21^st. Another driver may be needed (possibly Jane Kirk) March on The Pentagon Washington. Option of going day early and staying at Merton Ctr www.pittsburghendthewar.org
Agreed to give Darrell 100.00 as well as UU church 100.00 for 19^th event
Hope to have pizzas donated. Lora Caldwell will donate cookies. Church coffee maker can be used if someone knows how to use and cleans up. Al suggested cider.
Bob Johnson asked that we think about continuing to use “end the war” slogan. Anne suggested all troops out now…no permanent bases. Ongoing occupation goes back to our original mission
Mark mentioned we remember that at this time there is the largest # of troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ribbon update…group of volunteers taking them down Mar 5^th at 11:15. Help will be needed hanging ribbons Mar 19^th at 6pm at the UU church, and taking the ribbons down right after the event.
Upcoming actions:
Next EPI meeting: Mar 17 7pm 1001 State St rm 715
Presence at Federal Building: Mar 19^th 12-1:00. Bring your own sign and we’ll have extra
Speaker Darrell Vandeveld -- 7pm Mar 19^th UU church
Recommended listening: WQLN's program On Point, WBUR: Great interviews on ending the war