MINUTES OF WNCPSR MEETING, 9-18-09, AT NIRS OFFICE, 45 RIVERVIEW, NOON
Lew Patrie opened the meeting with informal lunch 12-12:30 PM. Present: Jack Miller, Lew Patrie, John Joyner, Mary Olson, Jim Roush, Brita Clark, Terry Clark, Laura Sorenson, Leah Karpen, Pete Sutherland, Stan Dienst and Don Richardson (scribe)
Mary offered thanks to Jim Brown and the Patries for donations to her new house/office, and will take donations of pertinent energy/nuclear/environmental books, not to be returned. The house is an Energy Star building which will be available for use by appropriate groups, and an Open House is pending for the near future.20
Jim Roush announced the UN Association's upcoming eight session course to be held on Wednesdays for the College For Seniors, at UNCA, 2-4 PM, starting September 23. Don will participate. Jim has a DVD on nukes and the human future which is available to us.20
Lew Patrie showed the film "A Space For Peace" from 12:40 to 1:00 PM, followed by introductions of all present, there being a guest (Jack Miller).
July minutes were not available for review.
The August 6 Asheville downtown vigil for peace was discussed and felt to be successful. Laura suggested addition of speakers and more participation by the Students Peace Alliance (home schoolers), and possibly a songfest, all aimed at more interaction with the community.
There was discussion about engaging more local organizations, with offer of films and discussions of our issues. Laura will work on a list of possible groups to engage.20
Stan Dienst mentioned that we should watch President Obama's Sept 23 speech on nuclear policy to the UN.
Guest Jack Miller, an expert on ecofabrics, presented a short talk about the energy footprint of this new industry, which is making inroads in the efficient production of polyester fabrics. Jack can be reached at jmiller@sustaintex.com or 864-884-3566.
Treasurer's Report: John Joyner reported a balance of $1054.32. The $16.55 owed Leah was donated by Leah to our account.20
Our No More Victims friend Salee is now in California for a new prosthesis and doing well.
Lew and Stan testified recently at the hearing for the Cliffside Coal Plant. (Against, we are told).
Stan passed out ICAN handouts, which can be ordered in bulk for local distribution at www.icanw.org (I Can Imagine A World Without Nuclear Weapons)
Leah reminded us that Oct 3-10 is Space For Peace Week. She handed out posters for display in Asheville, Hendersonville and Brevard. Leah also discussed the possibility of getting Karl Grossman to come to Asheville. The World Affairs Conference cannot fund this but Karl will come for travel expenses and can be housed locally. Mary and Brita will help plan. MAHEC might be a possible venue. Leah will contact Karl Grossman re potential date, after motion made and passed. Details will be discussed at the next meeting.20
Mary discussed Nuclear and Security Issues. Sec. Steven Chu has a pending summit on nuclear waste, for June 2010, in Chicago. Mary will attend, and others may car pool with her. Mary also announced a walk from Oak Ridge to the UN in NYC, and is going into intense training ASAP. The date is February to May 2010. We assume recovery from the walk will not exceed one month. For walk info see www.footprintsforpeace.org .
October 24 is International Day of Climate Action. (The target magic number of 350 ppm CO2 is being bandied about but in the opinion of many experts is unrealistic---actually impossible given the present inertia in the world energy systems). We may already have passed critical tipping points. Warren Wilson students are expected to be active on this issue. Mary will check on this.
Jim Roush says an UNCA student is going to the Copenhagen meeting in December, and she would make an excellent speaker for a future meeting. WNCPSR will cosponsor with the UN association. .
Meeting adjourned at 2:20 PM.
Don Richardson, indentured secretary20
Next meetings: October 16 and November 20, at Mary Olson's new NIRS office, noon for bag lunch.
