Minutes of Social Action committee, Jan. 28, 2007

Recorder:  Diane Stebbins
Meeting called to order: 12:00 noon
Those present:  Cathy Raymond, chair.  Joann Jacobson, Doreen Markson, 
    Harvey Brockley, Barbara Brookes, Phyllis Brockley, Jackie Leisos, Don
    Stebbins, Sarah Cannon, Bill Gazitano, and Diane Stebbins.

Follow-ups:

1.  Green Communities.  Spin-off of tire recycling - Nothing done as of yet - will
     contact Sandy Scofield and Nancy Grove to see what progress has been
     made.  Harvey has spoken with Naomi about paper use in church. Doreen
     has looked into cost of bike racks. Lightweight rack for 5 or 6 bikes-
     $120 to $150.  Heavy duty rack for 12 to 15 bikes, $350 - $400.  This will be
     discussed with Green Sanctuary.

2.  Guest at your table: Doreen still waiting for some to come in. Elaine will have
     final figures - which will be disclosed at next meeting.

3.  NRCAT, National religious campaign against torture- Congregation responded
     well to petition-signing - about 30 signatures were sent in.

4.  Stem Cell Forum with Dr. Nusbaum:  Over 20 people attended.  Publicity
     was good.  Program very informative.  Luba, exec. director of Ferre Inst. would
     be happy to speak at another forum in future.

5.  Feb. Forum:  Jack Pendrak will show DVD "Toxic Brew", about danger of
     cleaning materials on Feb. 18th at 12:00 noon in Sanctuary.

6.  Dick Gilbert workshop:  "Be the Change we want to see", March 17th from
     9 - 3.  An invitation to attend has been posted in St. Lawrence District
     UU newsletter.  Congregations of other denominations in area will also be
     invited. Cathy will modify flier to make it more inclusive and will assign
     members of social action committee with churches to contact.(we will try to
     give invitation to someone  leading a social action committee in the
     prospective church.) Cathy will get list of N.H. churches in inter-faith group
     from Naomi.  Churches will be instructed to fill out questionaire as fully as
     they can to be sent to Rev. Gilbert in advance of workshop.  Phyllis and
     Doreen volunteered to complete our church's questionnaire.  Some Utica
     churches suggested were !st Presbyterian, St. Paul's Baptist, Tabernacle
     Baptist,  Our Lady of Lourdes, Old St. John's, and Payne's Temple.

New Business:

1.  Cathy mentioned matching young families at our church with refugee
     families from Burma. Sarah thought a potluck picnic in May at our church
     would be a good way for families to meet. Phyllis and Sarah will work on this.
     It was also suggested that a forum on the Karen community be planned in
     advance. Phyllis will ask Mr. Win to speak at this forum.  Cathy will post
     international events and festivals on Social Action Board so that our families
     will get to know the global community that exists in our midst.

2.  March 25th- UU Justice Sunday.  Social Action Committee will present
     service.  Cathy will contact Abdulshakour Khamus from Darfur to offer
     homily.

3.  April 23rd.- Interfaith Advocacy Day - keep in mind.

4.  Diane presented project that Pax Christi has initiated to send a date to Pres.
     Bush as a symbol to encourage him to name a date for troop withdrawal
     from Iraq.  Don thought it would be better to contact congressmen instead.
     Others thought a postcard with date image would be better than sending
     an actual date. We thought providing 30 cards for congregation would be a
     start.    Diane and Sarah will be in contact about the logistics.

NEXT MEETING:  Feb. 25th at noon in church parlor.
     meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM.

---