Veterans For Peace Chapter 50 – Monthly Meeting Minutes

Date: March 15

Time: 10:00 A.M.

Location: Zoom

1. Treasury Report 

Updates were given on:

 • Available balances distributed across checking, savings, Peace Memorial and scholarship accounts.

 • Peace Memorial Account has received new donations.

 • Recent Expenses:

     • Reimbursement to Lydia for annual Squarespace website fee

     • Payment for Northern Express advertisement (Fall 2024)

2. Public Relations Committee

 • Northern Michigan Defense Conference Protest was publicized by Denise and Lydia

 • An upcoming film about the end of the Vietnam War may require publicity in late April?

 • Next major event: Memorial Day presence at the Open Space

3. Scholarship

 • Review of scholarship applications scheduled for May

 • Tim met with NMC President, who expressed strong support for the scholarship and Peace Monument

4. Budget

 • Lydia, Bob, and Denise met to review annual operating expenses

 • A proposed annual budget has been outlined

 • Lydia offered to share budget details with any interested members

5. Film Screening – (UPDATE: Naneek and Coming Home will be shown on Wednesday, April 30, 7:00 PM, State Theatre (details on VFP50 website: www.wfp50.org )

 • Discussion on whether to continue the film series

 • Library venue offers convenience; direct donations not allowed, but donation information can be shared

 • Film options discussed:

• Naneek (Tim’s film)

• Hearts and Minds (Bob is watching)

• Coming Home (Recommended by Tim and Mary)

• Born on the Fourth of July

 • Ann suggested placing related books in windows to raise awareness

6. Tim’s College Interview – Student International Affairs Forum (https://www.tciaf.com/)

 • Scheduled for April 8 at 9:00 AM

 • Topic: “History of Student Protests and the Media”

7. Peace Monument Project

 • Tim spoke with three sculptors; Tom Moran (Onaway) created a preliminary model

Next Steps:

 1. Obtain design specifications for Tom

 2. Tim to confirm estimated dimensions (approx. 15 ft) and request ballpark cost

 3. Ask Tom for recommendations on the base/foundation

 4. Subcommittee to meet before the next chapter meeting

Additional Notes:

 • Monument visibility and location are key

 • Stainless steel recommended

 • City permission is only required if size increases significantly

 • Preferred location: Hull Park (per Denise and Lydia)

 • Other suggestions: West end of Clinch Park (Dave)

 • No room by Butterfly Garden near TADL

 • Subcommittee Members: Tim K., Bob N., Denise S., Emily K.    

8. Memorial Day Committee

 • Event Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

 • Lydia to arrange Open Space location

 • Mary P. to handle PR and may coordinate with Bob if needed  

9. Northern Michigan Defense Conference Protest – Recap from Lydia and Denise

 • Early shift: 6 attendees, reduced to 3 by 9:30 AM

 • Record-Eagle photographed VFP flag 

 • Detroit News interviewed members, took photos for defense contracts article

 • Attendance increased throughout the day

 • Conference attendance: Approximately 150 (statewide invitees)

10. Member Comments

 • Ann initiated a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) scholarship

     • NMC indicated it cannot be named “DEI” due to potential federal funding issues

NMEAC Annual Awards Event: (https://www.nmeac.org/environmentalist_of_the_year)

 • Date: May 16

 • Location: Dennos Museum Center

 • Time: Light supper at 5:30 PM

 • Note: War is a major contributor to climate change

Minutes prepared by: Mary Povolo & Emily Keenan

Next Meeting: April 26, 10:00 AM, Thirlby Room, Traverse Area District Library