AGENDA

6:30 – 6:35 Call to Order, approval of September minutes

6:35 – 6:45 Officers report on actions during past month:

Lori -- info for school districts

Damon -- Thank you notes, Cowan research

Martin -- We are a go for the DI textbook, table is bought

6:45 – 7:20 Initial plans for new projects:

Results from Lori Brown planning meeting? Need $100 approved.

DI textbook. Vote approval for purchase.

Mikey Weinstein; approval/availability, venues

Treasurer to send in quarterly financial report

Secretary to send in quarterly activity report

Approval of hotel dispersement, $550, national will reimburse afterward.

7:20 – 7:30 Create Action Plan & To Do List

7:30 Adjourn

MINUTES

Prepared by Damon, Secretary, Seattle Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. To be submitted for approval at the next chapter meeting.

Attendees:

Martin - President (by phone)

Lori – Vice President

Damon – Secretary

John Poole, member

CALL TO ORDER

6:45 The board reviewed the minutes from the August meeting. Motion was made by Damon to approve the minutes. Seconded by Martin. Vote: All ayes.

6:47 Officer actions

6:50 Lori brought the contact information for many Seattle-area schools. Lori to research

6:55 Damon did a little research on the ID textbook issue, not much new information

6:55 Damon didn't write a thank you note

6:56 Martin bought a table for events. Martin paid for it ($46) and was reimbursed by Lori with money received from Richard.

New Business

6:57 John Poole noted that he found out about our meeting from the Seattle Atheists email list. Also that our meeting was on the same night as a local candidates' forum, something to avoid in the future. John contrasted the entanglement between religion and government in the US with the situation in Pakistan and other countries.

7:11 Martin raised the idea of a foundation with lobbying ability, noting that AU is a 501(c)(3) without lobbying ability. Will raise the idea in Washington when he goes there for the National meeting

7:15 Martin mentioned that he discussed with Senatory Murray's staff the idea of national legislation to challenge executive expenditure of general funds toward religious purposes. Murray's staffer indicated that such a bill might gain traction, but it would have to be drafted by us in order to be considered. John expressed optimism for the idea, as did Martin. Martin will call Aaron Caplan at ACLU to discuss the idea.

7:25 Martin reported from the meeting on Lori Lipman-Brown. He is involved in marketing for the event. Lori moved to authorize $100 for AU's involvement. Lori seconded. All ayes.

7:27 Martin discussed the Wedge Document, which he brought copies of for discussion.

7:29 Martin discussed Mikey Weinstein, who may be able to come to Seattle and give a speech in January. Martin suggested holding a speaking event and asking for donations from the audience. Lori suggested contacting Thom Hartmann in Portland to help with publicity. Damon suggested Kane Hall as a venue.

7:34 Lori suggested contacting IVAW (vets against the war) to find contacts in Fort Lewis for promotion of Weinstein's event. IVAW Seattle chapter: http://www.ivaw.org/node/248

7:40 Martin will fly to DC November 7-10 for a meeting with National. Lori made a motion to approve $500 for the hotel, to be reimbursed by National. Martin seconded. All ayes.

7:40 Martin moved to reimburse Damon for purchase of ID textbook. Lori seconded. All ayes.

7:45 Lori suggested that we start spending time in each meeting discussing driving new membership. Martin suggested contacting student organizations.

7:47 Martin has booked the next meeting for Thursday, November 29 at 6:30pm

Action items:

Damon -- continue researching the University Place ID textbook issue and purchase textbook

Damon -- send out quarterly activity report; get it from the intranet site

Damon -- create membership volunteering forms for the website

Richard -- send out quarterly financial report

Lori -- investigate venues for Weinstein

Martin -- raise the idea of a lobbying foundation with AU National at the National meeting in Washington in early November

Martin -- contact IVAW's Seattle organization about promoting Weinstein

Martin -- send existing membership volunteering forms to Damon

7:35: Adjourned