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Minutes of St. Joe Valley Greens

May 2003, Kathleen Kaiser, Recorder

PRESENT: Tom Brown, Lance Howard, Kathleen Kaiser, Vicki W., David Vollrath

1. OPENING AND CALL TO ORDER:

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 pm by Vicki W. Today's meeting was held to conduct official business left over from the last meeting.

The last meeting, on May 12, 2003, was a closed forum with a guest speaker who talked to the group about her experiences living in Palestine. The topic was so interesting that we suspended the business meeting and devoted all our time to our guest. We are leaving the speaker anonymous because she is fearful of reprisals against her family as a result of her outspoken defense of the Palestinian people and her criticism of Israeli policies.

2. READING AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Waived reading as minutes were posted on the website.

3. TREASURER'S REPORT:

4. REPORTS OF DELEGATES AND OFFICERS:

Indiana Green Party - Tom Brown reported that the IU video conferencing equipment will not be available for IGP use during the summer. Tom is pushing for the meetings to be held in Kokomo. He is also interested in setting up a Green network for video conferences. There will be a trial run on Monday, May 26, and he will report back on the efficacy of this setup. Each site will need a microphone, a web cam and a DSL or cable modem Internet connection. Video conferencing will save all delegates travel time and fuel.

Kathleen and David need to send in their membership dues to the IGP. Vicki has already sent her dues to IGP. The chapter now has the required minimum number of IGP members to keep our affiliation with IGP.

5. OLD BUSINESS:

Tabling supplies - Vicki will follow up on ordering one or two buttons to be sold at tabling events. One with the St Joe Valley Greens logo and another with the phrase "It's Good to be Green".

Tee shirts - Kathleen will order 1 dozen each of L, XL and XXL organic cotton T-shirts and will be in contact with Vicki with respect to which application style (screen print or embroidery) will be most expedient and economical. David V. offered to make a donation of $200.00 to help defray the costs of the buttons and shirts. Vicki will email the sunflower design to the company Kathleen is working with (Athletic Style) on the T-shirt designs. (Kathleen will give Vicki Athletic Style's email address).

Paddlefest - Lance will write out a check for tabling Paddlefest once Kathleen gets the application information to him.

Media - Vicki reported that neither Channel 16 nor 22 will cover the lecture series which is part of the strategic planning for South Bend. "Grassroots Media" has been videotaping this lecture series and Vicki is hopeful to have access to these videos for our own media project. Tom Brown noted that an acquaintance (Paul Goettlich) has been making CDs to record former US soldiers dying of cancer as a result of their exposure to depleted Uranium from the first Gulf War. Members discussed what is needed to generate content for a cable access show and streaming Internet radio. Dave V. suggested asking Dave Frank for material on his electronic grassroots democracy project.

Free Geek Michiana - Tom reported on the "Free Geek" Michiana (FGM) project. FGM is currently setting up a board of directors and recently submitted incorporation papers to a pro bono attorney from Valpariso University. Free Geek Inc. in Portland, OR, is finishing legal documents to assume 501(c)(3)fiscal sponsorship for Free Geek Michiana. FGM has a donated storage site for donated equipment, and FGM recently received a $3000 cash donation.

However class graduation rates are low. When students realize the free computers they will be receiving upon completion of the class are older models that cannot access the Internet or run most games, they seem to lose interest.

6. NEW BUSINESS:

CSO issues and rate structure law suit - The city of South Bend has been sued by the big water treatment users and the judge presiding in the case ruled that the city did not give the large users sufficient legal notice for a rate increase. The judge ruled that although the city's statute for notification was unclear, most municipalities in Indiana give at least 10 business days' notice of a rate increase. The common council will re-visit the rate increase, and the city will appeal the judge's decision. A suggestion was made to file a "friend of the court" brief and to also get other groups on board to support a fair and effective rate increase. David V. will write up a fact sheet to be distributed at events regarding this issue. Tom suggested that we get a firm number on CSOs between South Bend and Elkhart.

Tabling and leafleting events - Upcoming community events were reviewed. David Kaiser had explored tabling a number of these events. Vicki suggested we pass out fliers on the sidewalks outside of these events.

Larvicide spraying - The St Joseph County Health Department is spraying larvicide in an effort to control mosquitoes in response to West Nile virus concerns. Kathleen called the St Joseph County Health Department. A product called Vectolex will be used. Vectolex is reportedly bacillis sphaericus, a bacteria specific to mosquito larvae. Kathleen will discover what she can about this agent to put together a fact sheet.

Miscellaneous - There was a discussion about paying dues to the local chapter and the IGP and keeping the membership and mailing lists. David K. needs to re-check key to the church.

7. NEXT MEETING:

Will be held at the Kaiser's house

at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 9th, 2003.

 St. Joe Valley Greens, South Bend, IN