Peace with Justice committee

Minutes of 2-22-06 meeting

(Note: These minutes are not intended to be complete or precise. They were written up by Paul McHugh from rough notes taken by Bonnie Beckel.)

We met at the home of David and Miriam West, from 6:30-8:30. A potluck preceded, with great chili by David, and lots of logistical support by Miriam. Yum! and thanks!

Present: Joe Hesla (chairing), Bonnie Beckel (notetaker), Paris Dunning, David West, Marg Rozycki, Paul McHugh, Jim Feldman, Kristine Smith, Steve Cobian, Steve Sandberg, Kate D’Annucci, (Janet Court??, ??,) Linda Berglin.

The meeting consisted of brainstorming and discussion on steps/actions we could take as a committee in support of Linda’s proposed amendment to the state constitution declaring affordable health care a right for all Minnesotans. We also heard a report from Steve C. on the steering committee meeting which he and Linda attended (thanks!!).

A key focus was on outreach to United Methodist (UM) churches in key legislative districts, including identifying social-justice leaders in these churches, building relationships with them, and doing education, training, and organizing.

Tactics discussed included:

• creating postcards addressed to legislators for people (at Walker, other UM churches, and the public) to sign;
• developing a "rap" on the issue(s);
• creating a flyer;
• creating versions of our skit for audiences at churches, the March 28 rally at the Capitol, etc.;
• eliciting on-the-spot cell-phone calls to legislators;
• doing fundraising to cover our expenses;
• continuing to have our PWJ committee represented at meetings of the steering committee guiding the overall project.

Note that this list was brainstormed. It is not complete. Nor have we committed ourselves to do all of these things (whew!).

Linda arrived around 8 p.m. (due to unavoidable delays), and filled us in on the current status of the Amendment project, including that:

• one or more Republican state legislators willing to be authors of the bill in the House still need to be found;
• the legislative session will begin March 1, after which point she will be very busy;
• the bill would need to be heard by two committees: Health &Human Services, and Rules.

We decided:

• Bonnie and Marg would create postcards and have them available at the March 5 Walker Sunday celebration
• Our next two meeting dates will be:
• Sunday March 12, 12:20-2:30, L’Orange gallery (food will be brought by Paris, Bonnie, and David)
• Wed., March 29, 6:30-8:30, Marg’s house (3140 10^th Ave) (Kristine will help with food(?))

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30. A number of us stuck around for 20-30 minutes for further discussion with Linda, including about how the anti-gay-Marriage Amendment being pushed by the Republican Party might (or not) affect the Health Care Amendment project. Kristine later wrote up a brief summary of Linda’s comments (below).