Congo Rape Action Event - October 6th, 6 p.m. - To develop our action strategy for WILPF NY Metro's Project Congo.

The meeting will be held at the 1199 SEIU Union Hall, Bread and Roses Gallery, 310 W. 43rd St. (bet. 8th & 9th Aves.) Take the A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, B, D, F, V, N, Q, R, or W to 42nd Street. Come hear Bibiane Tshefu speak about the situation in Congo and see assorted clips from films about Congo, some of which are part of WILPF's NY Metro's Trudy Orris Film Series.

Meeting Minutes: WILPF New York Metro Board, April 30, 2008

WILPF New York Metro Branch
Board Meeting Minutes: April 30, 2008
8:00pm 18 West 18th St Meeting Room

Present: Jennifer Thomas, Diane Dreyfus, Molly Klopot, Renee Prespere, Marilyn Clement, Gwen, Roz, Phyllis, Barbara, Katie Robbins and Susan

Absent:

Proceedings: Meeting called to order at 8pm by Molly Klopot. Introductions around the room.

I. Introduction of Interim Officers. These officers will be in place until the official vote in September.
Chair: Molly Klopot, Treasurer: Renee Prespare, Mailing/Liaison Person: Jennifer Thomas, Grants Advisor: Marilyn Clement, Technology Advisor: Diane Dreyfus, Legal Advice: Norman Siegal (pending), Congo Project Advisor: Bibianne Tshefu, UN Office Representive: (pending new director).

Note-The National Guidelines only require the first three positions be in place to be in “good standing.” At least 5 people must show up to a meeting to make it a Board Meeting.

II. National Employment Policy: Should WILPF NY Metro sign on to the resolution proposed by the National WILPF Office in Philadelphia regarding the Resolution on WILPF Labor Policy and Staff Severance. Resolution was deemed fair for both WILPF and employees (former).

UNANIMOUS VOTE TO ADOPT RESOLUTION

III. Branch Activity:

a. Formalization of By-Laws. By-Laws reviewed and discussed. These are rules that have always been in place in the WILPF NY Metro Chapter, but now they are being formalized to show good standing with WILPF National.
Discussion about what constitutes a quorum. Draft proposal states that 5% of Members constitute a quorum.
Suggested that 20% of Active Members (active member definition is member who attends at least 2 membership meeting per year).

UNANIMOUS VOTE TO ADOPT 20% of Active Members as an official quorum.

b. Formalization of Quarterly Meetings-proposed: Aug. 16 (gala event), Dec. 5, Jan. 16, 17 April.

i. Discussion on August date for gala. A bad month because many people travel and are out of town.

MOVE TO CHANGE AUG DATE TO SEPT. UNANIMOUS VOTE – specific date TBD.

ii. Discussion to change Jan. to Feb date. UNANIMOUS VOTE to change to Feb.

iii. Discussion on Gala: fundraising party in September. The WILPF NY Metro Birthday is in September, and it is better for weather/attendance. The Summer Interns will plan the gala. UNANIMOUS VOTE to have gala in September

iv. Discussion on changing April to May. UNANIOUS VOTE to change APRIL meeting to May.

1. NEW Meeting months are: September, December, February, and May

IV. Internship Program begins June 9th through August 1st

a. Discussion on providing Accomodation – will examine dorm options at local universities (NYU).

b. Projects include: Blood Diamonds, the Militarization of Fashion, Greening India, and Nonprofit Management.

c. A welcome party will be held in June for Interns to greet and get to know them.

V. Website
a. Visit www.wilpfnymetro.org. There are a few glitches…

i. Please email wilpfnycoordinator@yahoo.com or call WILPF and note which browser you use for the Internet and how the layout is on your screen. Some appear as 8.5 x 11, and some as 8 x 10 which changes the way the page looks. Please email of call by Monday.

VI. Fund raising –

a. Metro Dues to cover mailings and toolkits: $10/year

b. Sustainer Fund will set up right away for people to make regular online donations through secure Internet donations

c. Ideas for fund raising – Homework! Table for future discussion

VII. Call for Nominations for Officers. Deadline is May 31st. Vote will be at the September Meeting.

VIII. Present Budget

a. Renee states there is a projection error in the budget vs actual statement where it doesn’t match in dues received and sent to National. This will be reexamined and corrected.

b. Extra money from the receipt of the bequest in the proposed budget will be held for hiring new staff or a future project.

MEETING ADJOURNED at 9pm.

Future Business:

September 2008: Voting on Officers
Fund raising Ideas

Minutes Submitted by Katie Robbins

WILPF is Building the Beloved Community by seeking to understand and address racism and discrimination in our society. Discussion about these issues is crucial to finding a viable solution. Add your voice and reason to the conversation.

WILPF is Challenging Corporate Power through education beginning with a six-week course developed by WILPF, which is being held across the world. A course will be held this summer. Call the WILPF New York Metro office to enroll.

WILPF is Disarming The War Economy by linking the effect of the for-profit war machine on our day-to-day lives. With the Raging Grannies and through song, art and satire we work to bring the immoral cost of the Iraq occupation home.