Veterans For Peace, Clarence Kailin Chapter 25, Madison, WI
 www.MadisonVFP.org
	          December 16, 2020, General Membership Meeting Minutes

Meeting Chair Daryl Sherman opened the zoom meeting at 6:00 PM. Due to two VFP member guests, Daryl called for brief introductions. Guest Dave Logsdon, VFP National Vice President Board of Director was on hand to discuss VFP membership issues.  Guest Mark Foreman was on hand to enlist help for working with the Save Our VA Campaign, SOVA. Mark made a notice of the web site:  www.vaultheath.org, and asked VFP members to continue to join and work on the Campaign.  Chair Sherman then directed the COVID-19 check-in.  All in attendance were doing well.  However, Larry mentioned that four of his friends caught the coronavirus. Larry also read the VFP Statement of Purpose. Other members in attendance included Joan Kemble, Judy Miner, Fran Wiedenhoeft, David Giffey, Paul McMahon, John Fournelle, Brad Geyer, Phil Fransen, and Steve Books.  The VFP November minutes were read, and approved.  

Treasurers Report – Paul reported his detailed report abouy some items that stood out:  A new Pay Pal donation that came in.  The treasury is in good shape for 2021 expenditures.  Paul also sent out the last fundraiser appeal of the year that will hopefully be lucrative in future months. Also, there are some slight costs with the Pay Pal from 2½% up to 5 or 6%. VFP Guest Dave L. mentioned that the chapter has money to spend. However, as Chapter 25 members know, the funds do get expended via scholarships, fees, costs, and donations. 

Committee Reports
Counter Recruiting/Scholarship – David Giffey reported that an informational video made with Fran’s help that explains VFP issues and directs rural High School Students to apply for the VFP Scholarship is now on Youtube from the VFP Website. David continues to work with the rural schools and has had positive responses from all of the schools that he works with except for Wisconsin Heights. Continued funding for the project is paramount. Judy mentions an effort to promote the scholarship could possibly be on high school student newsletters, or student newspapers. The VFP Scholarship Application is available on-line on the VFPMadison.org website. Discussion on scholarship awareness. Phil reported that Masood Achtar and his group United Against Hate could be interested.
Memorial Day, Memorial Mile – John reported items will be later next year.
Planning Committee – John reported some items could still be in the workings.
Websites – Larry reported the YouTubeChannel is up and running on the, or from the VFP Website. Larry is also promoting Facebook too for peace related activies.  Fran reported that a Standdown for Veterans For Peace will be held next Wednesday, Dec. 30 on Zoom at 5:00 PM.  See the VFP Website for info and the link.

New Business
Donation to an organization – A discussion was held regarding what total amount, who, and how divided up the donation should go.  The order of the vote tally was Just Dane, Urban Triage, 100 Black Men, Goodman Community Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Centro Hispano, Nehemiah Center, Freedom Inc., and the Boys and Girls Club. No votes for the King Coalition.  The process of distribution was discussed with motions made by Fran that passed to keep the amount at $ 1,000.00, to be distributed equally.  After more discussion, the proposal was postponed to the January meeting.
Updated VFP Sign Proposal – John presented a new VFP sign proposal. The bottom line is 100 plastic signs with wires for $ 580.00.  The signs would have the VFP Art design helmet, and the Chapter 25 website on both sides. One side would say War is a Racket  #Defund War, and the other side will say Support healthcare and food. Also, #Defund the military.  Pictures of the sign wording choices were shown.  After discussion, a motion was made and 2nded to purchase signs from Quality Signs on Plaum Road for $ 580.00 and attempt to obtain a Veterans discount.  The motion passed.  John will be handling the order from Quality Signs.

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Social Media writing rotation for the Website – Brad announced the idea to have a writing rotation that’s similar to the newspaper editorial writing,  and this time provide material for social media.   Letters to the Editor would still be encouraged with this time expanding the comments to Facebook and, or, Twitter as a paragraph and various sentences with a link to the VFP Website.  A motion was made and 2nded  to start a rotation for letters and quotes for the MadisonVFP website to start in January.  The motion passed.
Select January Chair – Mr. Daryl Sherman  (Thanks Daryl)

Announcements 
A list of announcements were read of future VFP meetings, and events such as the Annual No Drones – End the Wars potluck dinner that turned into a zoom meeting this year.

In any other announcements Fran reported that another web event will take place on January 25th, and Brad reported that the Wisconsin National Guard was sued regarding water (PFAS) pollution at Truax Field in Madison.  New information is available.

Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 8:03 PM.

Minutes by Books