September 20, 2019
Minutes WNCPSR Sept 20,2019
Attendees: Scott, Dot, Leslie, Bob, Irma, Phil, Sallee, Johnny, Brita, Terry
Unable to attend, Lew, Mary, Bert
I. Approval of minutes August 16, 2019
II. Treasurers report: balance, $3,912.29
Bob Howarth had expenditures for tabling supplies for PSR table at Catholic Committee of Appalachia. He can send the receipts to Lew for reimbursement.
III. Business:
- Announcement: A memorial service for Stanley Dienst, MD, will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 900 Blythe St. Hendersonville.
We are sad to announce that Stanley Dienst, MD, passed away on August 27, 2019 at age of 9l. He was a longstanding activist with Physicians for Social Responsibility including as a member of the Western NC Chapter of PSR. Dr. Dienst had a distinguished medical career as a renal transplant surgeon. This included serving as Chief of Transplantation for Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and subsequently at Med Center One in Bismark, North Dakota. He served as the president of The PSR Chapter in Detroit, Michigan. He worked tirelessly for peace, justice and nuclear disarmament. We extend our condolences to his family including to his wife, Patricia, son, Brad and daughter, Krista. Link for his obituary: available on website of the Shuler Funeral Home, Hendersonville, NC.
-Visionaries Awards Event and Symposium, November 7, Washington DC. Mary Olson to attend.
Group informed of details of the event and symposium. Contact him if they are interested in attending.
- Group voted unanimously to send a $500 contribution to PSR as a sponsor of the Visionary Leaders Awards
Committee on Nuclear Abolition, report of recent meeting.
Concern expressed about the tension between India and Pakistan and risk of the use of nuclear weapons. PSR and IPPNW leaders attenpting to communicate with India and Pakistan leadership to contribute to de-escalation.
Noted that the National Sierra Club is now working on the Back from the Brink Iniative. This provides any opportunity to explore collaborative work with the local Sierra Club Chapter
One PSR: Chapter Recent focus is the national office establishing Chapter Affiliation agreements.
A Chapter Affiliation Agreement Clarifies the National/Chapter relationship.
Cherry Tree Project, Site has been obtained in downtown Asheville. Leslie, Brita, Terry and Johnny will meet as a committee next week to address details of planting the tree in November. Leslie
International Day of Peace Events in Asheville:
Saturday 9 21 19, 11:30 AM, Peace Day Proclamation and Peacemaker of 2019 presented at Elder and Sage Community Garden on Page at Battery SquareSaturday, WNCPSR is one of the signees of the proclamation. Thank you to Rachel Bliss who has worked tirelessly making arrangements and attending to details.
Sat. 9/21/19 at 3 PM, Speaker: Kathy Kelly, speaking on US/Iran conflict, location: Battery Park Roof Garden
-Keep Space for Peace Week, October 5-12, events in Asheville:
Veterans for Peace plan to hold vigils
Plan: Terry will contact Ken Jones about details of the vigils and circulate information.
-Social (pot luck) at home of Phil and Sallee on Saturday OCT 28th
-Report on Proclamation at City Council on 8 27 19 Event provided good education and publicity of the Back from the Brink initiative
Dot Sulock prepared a letter and photo of our group at City Council Accepting the Proclamation
We need to establish the next steps in promoting Back from the Brink,
Attention to The Defense Authorization Bill, important funding issues and opportunity to contact legislators, Bob
Report on Catholic Committee of Appalachia conference in Gattlingburg on “Disarmament Now” PSR had a table promoting Back from the Brink, Bob, Irma Brita, Terry, Phil, Sallee
Plan: Report to group about the conference at luncheon at Phil and Sallee’s on 9 28 19
Next meeting: Friday Oct 18th
