[Chicago] Next Chicago BPF meeting July 17 7:30PM (7PM meditation)

[Carlos Encalada]

NEXT MEETING TIME AND AGENDA:
Thursday July 17: 7 PM meditation, 7:30 PM meeting (until 9 PM)
Cenacle Retreat and Conference Center in Lincoln Park, 513 W. Fullerton St.
(ask at check-in desk for Ancient Dragon Zen Gate meeting room number).
There is a free parking lot.  www.bpf.org/chicago

Expected Agenda:
1. Burma update
2. Update on No war in Iran Coalition.
3. Anti-torture/Anti-recruitment update
4. Treasurer's report
5. Continuing Discussion on Next Event/Presence
6. Website/Communications update.
7. Old and New Business
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LAST MEETING of the BUDDHIST PEACE FELLOWSHIP, Chicago Chapter

1. Treasurer's Report
2. Counter Recruitment Update
Bill mentions that the American Friends Service Committee's (AFSC) Truth in
Recruitment program is now active; there was a 1/2 day retreat, which he
attended.  Numerous groups were there, including Iraq Veterans Against the
War.  AFSC is getting into the four schools most heavily recruited in the
area: Proviso East and West (Maywood, Bellwood), and Morton Grove East and
West (Cicero, Berwyn).  Truth in Recruitment is looking for more volunteers;
Bill asks if it's OK for him to represent BPF Chicago, and we all agree that
it is.

3. Website Update
Carlos and Kevin report that they met to discuss a redo of our website.
They outline a possible structure for the new website;  The group gives its
permission for the redo to go ahead.

4. Future Activities for the Group
We have a wide-ranging discussion about future activities for our group.
Discussed: ideas about immigration, anti-torture, meetings with aides to
politicians (Obama, Rahm Emanuel, etc), support for the people of Burma and
of Tibet, etc.
Committe's
Jack - No War on Iran
Bill - Anti-recruitment
Carlos and Taigen - Anti-torture
Taigen, Debra and Robin - Burma
Carlos and Kevinn - Website

5. Announcements/Misc.
- Taigen, Dean and Kevin report that the International Buddhist Festival
went well, with over 60 attendees.  There were several interfaith
talks/discussions.  Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the IBF, and a
larger, better publicized event is planned.
- Jack reports through Taigen, that the Chicago City Council did not vote
again on a no war on Iran resolution; they had too much other business.
- Carlos and Debra report that CAN-TV is going to send us a web link to make
the videotaped Loy talk available for us to look at, and embed in our
website.
- According to Eric, Dawn met with the Interfaith people, and their board is
actually into high-level fundraising.  Since this seems inappropriate for
our group, everyone releases Dawn from her original obligation.
- Tim Smyth has been in contact with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (Sam
Smith), and they want to work with us.  They have a long history of
activism, and do work with high school kids.  We agree for an informal
relationship.
- Kevin spoke to the Insight Meditation group (Lincoln Park), about BPF
Chicago.
- Kevin was interviewed by Frida Furman's religion class students, at the
DePaul campus downtown.
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