May 12, 2010

Strategy Conference, 6/19:  Friends Center, Harvard Square: Reserved for the day but will make it available by 1:30. Room off the kitchen that holds 60 people. We would have to help clean up so we could get the room as soon as they have finished. Let’s do 2-5. Can we get it all in? Not our first choice. Discussion as to whether or not to hold Strategy meeting there.
 
Cole: Speaker has confirmed that he would get a visa and will be here Sat, Sun and Mon. He will speak for an hour. Discussion about second hour: Climate Change or not? Better to have good discussion after Afghanistan. Let Maggie Z. bring it up but not a separate presentation. Do Climate Change at the next Strategy Session. Ideas for solution to Afghanistan policy followed by strategy session. Also what UJP should be doing for the Fall. Third should be committee for a task force. 
 
One hour for Afghan speaker followed by discussion about political ramifications: What Obama and Congress can do. Break. Summer conferences and strategy (30 minute): Presentation on Social Forum and Albany Conference. Task Force Report on Human Rights (30 min). Endorsement Policy printed on back of program. Nuclear Abolition Group Report, Shaw’s Strike Report, Jobs for Justice Report and others. (10 minutes or less)
How long? 2 to 5:30 PM. 
 
ENDORSEMENT POLICY
ABCD have been agreed to. Further a. b. c. have to be clarified.
DISCUSSION on (a) [Endorsement by a task force or committee]: 
 
Is a month enough time? Can object. Can call emergency meeting if necessary. Define “sensitive issue?” (splitting type issue) Use other word? Many ways to take action. We can decide which issues are sensitive. Reasonable to take time. Agree to accept what is written. Clarify sensitive issue.
 
Task Force can endorse what they want but cannot contradict UJP principles. We should know what TF is endorsing. Duncan will rewrite.
 
(b) [Financial Donations and endorsements] Can vote on separately from endorsement. 
(c) [Urgent requests for endorsements]  Urgent requests can be resolved within 48 hours. Any two members can call an emergency meeting and, if there is a quorum, voting members of the Planning committee can decide as long as it is not a sensitive issue.

ANTI-WAR CONFERENCE
Marilyn is not here so tabled. Proposal should be sent to UJPlanning Committee.
 
ANTI-MUSLIM HYSTERIA
How can we reconnect with communities about this? Temple in Brighton or Allston that welcomes Muslims. Will do research. Fit this in with immigrate strategy. Ask Arab community what we can do. Paul will take that up. Will be raised at Monday night’s meeting.
 
BROWN BAG VIGIL May 19 noon
1 Government Square 
Important! Afghan supplemental is up for a vote. This is not budgeted for. This is request for the escalation of Afghanistan War.
A lot going on. McGovern bill, etc.
 
NUCLEAR ABOLITION TASK FORCE
2,000 Japanese there, large youth contingency, BANG (international abolition group). Group that went down were inspired and 35 grateful people from MA UJP were bussed there. Weren’t covered in paper media. PBS used view of march. Spirits were high. Nuclear-free zone in Middle East supported at UN. Nevertheless, nuclear power is sought after by all countries. US Labor sponsored one of the seminars. Put together by NY PEACE ACTION. 
Israel not sitting at the table. US is not going to stop giving Israel money for weapons. Israel has most nuclear weapons in the Middle East. This should be raised more often. Tony instrumental in getting bus to NY.  It couldn't have happened without him.  We are grateful.