April 22nd Meeting Notes
Here are the minutes for our last meeting April 22 at Elkins Estate. There are many earth day events for this weekend and we are hoping to put together at 100 day in Office party next weekend.
Meg Makransky Sheketoff
BTCB- April 22, 2009
Meeting Minutes
We reiterated our mission statement, which is as follows:
We actively support President Obama’s vision for change at the grass roots level by working for economic and social justice, political change, environmental sustainability, international human rights and issues that improve our community.
Daphne Oliver spoke on behalf of Sen. Leanna Washington
She is the Pa Senator for District 4, which involves parts of Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties.
Her office is located at:
1168 Easton Rd.
Roslyn, Pa
(215) 517-1434
Local candidates for Judges came to introduce themselves to the group.
Drew Albert, campaign manager started off the introductions and explained that no Democrat (that has run for D) has been elected. We have 7 Montgomery County Democratic Committee endorsed candidates running. Currently there are NO minority judges and there will be 18 names on the ballot come Tuesday, May 19th.
Six out of the 7 endorsed candidates briefly introduced themselves at the meeting and touched on the importance of adding diversity, promptness and efficiency in our court systems. Each of the 7 candidates are highly qualified and their experience and background can be found at:
www.judgeswecanbelievein.org
Tuesday May 19th is the primary election and since the polls are confusing this year, volunteers will be needed!
Each Committee group leader spoke to share committee events.
The Environmental Committee leader, David McVeigh-Schultz touched on government funding in our area. David spoke about over $6 million that will be distributed to Montgomery County. Abington will receive half million, Cheltenham $147,000 and Lower Merion $588,000. One of the ways this funding is being used it through energy audits to public buildings. Our 2 local community centers and art center are the first to enter into this 2-month project. There are a lot of community events surrounding Earth Day this week.
Saturday April 25th Cheltenham Earth Day Festival
Cedarbrook Middle School
12pm-4pm
http://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/earthday/festivalposter09.pdf
Sunday April 26th BTCB Environment Committee BBQ
Demo Audit and screening of Kill a-Watt Ours
15 E. Waverly Rd
Wyncote Pa 19095
3pm-6pm
Bring a salad, side or desert and main dish provided
The Human Rights Committee leader Nathan Kleinman reviewed progress from last HR group meeting. The Sister Community project is underway with ideas to implement the program in Columbia and possibly a city in Mexico. Nathan will be lobbying Congress for current Human Rights issues (specific to Latin America) and people are encouraged to contact him if interested in getting involved. The Cultural Heritage Garden Project was also discussed. There will be a series of gardens with rare varieties of vegetables for us to plant, care for and grow. Ultimately the group would be nurturing rare plants and reaping the benefits by eventually hosting a potluck dinner with the heirloom veggies we grow.
Look for a posting to fill out information if you are interested in volunteering to help with the garden (planting by mid May), lobbying, or assisting with the sister community project.
The Community Committee leader Connie Collins spoke about the upcoming events BTCB is hosting and ways we can continue to be involved with our own group and surrounding community. There will be a calendar each month that will be available with all activities listed.
Earth Day at the Elkins Estate Sunday April 26 from 8am-4pm
Go to www.elkinsestate.org for a schedule of events
High School Park Picnic Sunday May 3rd from 1pm-3pm
Bring snacks and learn more about how BTCB can help the park
www.fhsp.org
Cheltenham Township Subcommittee for Older Adults
Saturday May 9th from 930am-1130am Einstein at Elkins Park
Presentation on care giving, assisted living, volunteer opportunities
RSVP to Brian Gralnick bgralnick@gmail.com
Green Wheels bike ride Sunday May 17th 10am at Alverthorpe Park
Promote biking in Mont Co and learn about bike safety
(2 mile bike ride)
The Barter Board was reviewed and we have decided to use Time Banking as a way to facilitate involvement in the community.
Go to www.timebanks.org to see more about how this barter system works and contact Connie or Tricia to add your name and talents to the list! A brief description will be added to the BTCB Facebook page.
Organizing for America
Mike Shapiro came to give us more information about the progress of OFA. There will be staff in all 50 states (15-25 in Pa) helping groups flourish and continue to promote the President’s agenda. There will be a State Director, Communications Director and then staff delegated to each state. The focus is to have a community service piece, a local piece, and training to assist in organizing change in the community.
Steering Committee
If you are interested in participating in the steering committee, please send a list of qualifications to Meg (meg@sheketoff.com) by Monday May 4th. We are looking for a web master and a local politics chair specifically.
Current Events Discussion
We broke into small groups to discuss three current event topics chosen by the group. The group chose Drug War/Mexico, Torture and the Stimulus as there three main topics.
Torture:
The small group spoke about supporting Diane Feinstein and the Senate Intelligence Committee and expressed the interest of criminal charges to the parties that were involved. BTCB decided that a letter or email would be an effective way for us to express our views.
Mexico/Drug War:
The small group spoke about the immigration issue and poor discourse between Mexico and the U.S. Gun Control may be a rational way to decrease our funding in the drug war. BTCB and the Human Rights group are currently lobbying at the local office for Senator Casey to address Latin American human rights issues.
Stimulus:
The small group discussed the effects of the stimulus on homeowners, small business, schools and politics. They were interested in the federal and state incentives for energy conservation. BTCB wants to find ways to identify these sources. NPR had a great segment on Tell Me More about green jobs and the stimulus. Go to www.whyy.org to find the archived show.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday May 13th at 7pm at the Elkins Estate
Directions and information about parking will be available before the meeting
