Notes January 2010
Congo Action Now
Democratic Republic of Congo Committee
January 17, 2010
Present: Coleen Houlihan, Kelley Ready, Samba Halkose, Jackie Fletcher, Pat Aron
Congo Action Now held its first meeting of the new year on January 17, 2010. The meeting began with check-ins. We then discussed and finalized plans for our second house party. It will be held at Kelley’s house in Dorchester on Sunday, February 7, at 2:00. The program will begin with Kelley’s welcome and introductions. Pat will provide an overview of the situation in the DRC before the film The Greatest Silence. After the film, Jackie will introduce Samba who will present her PowerPoint. Then Coleen will distribute evaluation forms. We will attempt to shorten the program somewhat and we will warn attendees that parts of the film are shocking and difficult to watch. We won’t ask for donations for CAN at this event but Samba will accept donations for VICO.
Samba will bring a laptop with her PowerPoint presentation. Coleen will bring her laptop and a projector. Pat will bring her laptop and will borrow speakers and chairs. Kelley has the film. We have enough copies of flyers and we have evaluation forms. Pat will update and bring letters for senators and representatives on conflict minerals legislation. We discussed food for the event. Kelley will provide drinks and coffee. We’ll each bring something. Coleen will bring chips and salsa. Pat will bring brownies or other sweets.
Coleen has sent us an invitation she developed and Kelley will prepare Evite invitations. Pat knows two people who want to attend (one will need to leave early). Jackie may bring a woman who was at her house party and she will invite the women who weren’t able to attend. We will meet at 1:30 at Kelley’s to set up for the event.
Kelley has talked with Friends of the Congo – she discussed the concerns they expressed about focusing on conflict minerals legislation supported by the Enough Project. Friends of the Congo wants to emphasize putting pressure on the President and Congress for a negotiated solution - they recommend getting resolutions passed. Pat thought that many different approaches are valuable. We will work on both conflict minerals legislation and passing resolutions.
Jackie described her employer’s Shoebox project for collecting needed goods - they have a partner who pays for shipping. Shipping is very expensive (thousands of dollars). Instead of collecting goods here, Samba plans to take the money she has collected to the DRC so VICO staff can make needed purchases. This plan will be more efficient and it will contribute to the local economy. She will contact VICO staff to discuss their needs. We will present information on VICO at house parties and other events. Samba will try to get bags to sell from VICO - she has a colleague who goes to the DRC regularly and may be able to bring them back. Linde has contacted Pat to ask if Ensemble pour les femmes could collaborate with us for tax-exempt status and for shipping a container to the DRC. Pat explained that WILPF isn’t tax-exempt. She will let Linde know that we have decided not to ship items because of the expense.
Kelley has been back in touch with Sen. Kerry’s staff about the Congo Conflict Minerals Act. His staff was confused when they said he had signed on as a co-sponsor – they were thinking of other legislation. Sen. Kerry is still considering the bill. Kelley will continue to follow up.
A discussion of activities for next year resulted in agreement that we will address the activities that had been suggested at the December meeting. The group would like to sponsor a major event during the coming year. Maman Jeanne has not yet heard if the play Ruined can be brought to Boston. If not, one suggestion was that we sponsor an event that includes a Congolese dinner (a suggestion that was enthusiastically received).
Two activities for next year were added – trying to get the Boston City Council to pass a resolution supporting conflict minerals legislation and getting CAN tee shirts (for visibility and fund-raising). The plan to collaborate with the Enough Project was expanded to include Friends of the Congo. The group developed a tentative 2010 budget to submit to WILPF.
Coleen reminded people that everybody hasn’t yet submitted a blurb (brief personal description) for the website. Blurbs may be sent to Coleen.
Pat informed the group that Boston WILPF would like to have a potluck with us in the spring. We suggested a time of Sunday, April 25 at 5:00 at Pat’s house. We will have our regular meeting at 4:00.
The next meeting of Congo Action Now will be on Sunday, February 28, 2010, at 3:00 at Pat’s house in Jamaica Plain. It was decided that we will begin to meet on a regular schedule on the fourth Sunday of the month (in order not to conflict with Raging Grannies meetings).
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
Democratic Republic of Congo Committee
January 17, 2010
Present: Coleen Houlihan, Kelley Ready, Samba Halkose, Jackie Fletcher, Pat Aron
Congo Action Now held its first meeting of the new year on January 17, 2010. The meeting began with check-ins. We then discussed and finalized plans for our second house party. It will be held at Kelley’s house in Dorchester on Sunday, February 7, at 2:00. The program will begin with Kelley’s welcome and introductions. Pat will provide an overview of the situation in the DRC before the film The Greatest Silence. After the film, Jackie will introduce Samba who will present her PowerPoint. Then Coleen will distribute evaluation forms. We will attempt to shorten the program somewhat and we will warn attendees that parts of the film are shocking and difficult to watch. We won’t ask for donations for CAN at this event but Samba will accept donations for VICO.
Samba will bring a laptop with her PowerPoint presentation. Coleen will bring her laptop and a projector. Pat will bring her laptop and will borrow speakers and chairs. Kelley has the film. We have enough copies of flyers and we have evaluation forms. Pat will update and bring letters for senators and representatives on conflict minerals legislation. We discussed food for the event. Kelley will provide drinks and coffee. We’ll each bring something. Coleen will bring chips and salsa. Pat will bring brownies or other sweets.
Coleen has sent us an invitation she developed and Kelley will prepare Evite invitations. Pat knows two people who want to attend (one will need to leave early). Jackie may bring a woman who was at her house party and she will invite the women who weren’t able to attend. We will meet at 1:30 at Kelley’s to set up for the event.
Kelley has talked with Friends of the Congo – she discussed the concerns they expressed about focusing on conflict minerals legislation supported by the Enough Project. Friends of the Congo wants to emphasize putting pressure on the President and Congress for a negotiated solution - they recommend getting resolutions passed. Pat thought that many different approaches are valuable. We will work on both conflict minerals legislation and passing resolutions.
Jackie described her employer’s Shoebox project for collecting needed goods - they have a partner who pays for shipping. Shipping is very expensive (thousands of dollars). Instead of collecting goods here, Samba plans to take the money she has collected to the DRC so VICO staff can make needed purchases. This plan will be more efficient and it will contribute to the local economy. She will contact VICO staff to discuss their needs. We will present information on VICO at house parties and other events. Samba will try to get bags to sell from VICO - she has a colleague who goes to the DRC regularly and may be able to bring them back. Linde has contacted Pat to ask if Ensemble pour les femmes could collaborate with us for tax-exempt status and for shipping a container to the DRC. Pat explained that WILPF isn’t tax-exempt. She will let Linde know that we have decided not to ship items because of the expense.
Kelley has been back in touch with Sen. Kerry’s staff about the Congo Conflict Minerals Act. His staff was confused when they said he had signed on as a co-sponsor – they were thinking of other legislation. Sen. Kerry is still considering the bill. Kelley will continue to follow up.
A discussion of activities for next year resulted in agreement that we will address the activities that had been suggested at the December meeting. The group would like to sponsor a major event during the coming year. Maman Jeanne has not yet heard if the play Ruined can be brought to Boston. If not, one suggestion was that we sponsor an event that includes a Congolese dinner (a suggestion that was enthusiastically received).
Two activities for next year were added – trying to get the Boston City Council to pass a resolution supporting conflict minerals legislation and getting CAN tee shirts (for visibility and fund-raising). The plan to collaborate with the Enough Project was expanded to include Friends of the Congo. The group developed a tentative 2010 budget to submit to WILPF.
Coleen reminded people that everybody hasn’t yet submitted a blurb (brief personal description) for the website. Blurbs may be sent to Coleen.
Pat informed the group that Boston WILPF would like to have a potluck with us in the spring. We suggested a time of Sunday, April 25 at 5:00 at Pat’s house. We will have our regular meeting at 4:00.
The next meeting of Congo Action Now will be on Sunday, February 28, 2010, at 3:00 at Pat’s house in Jamaica Plain. It was decided that we will begin to meet on a regular schedule on the fourth Sunday of the month (in order not to conflict with Raging Grannies meetings).
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom