Sister Parish Meeting:
7:03 pm January 16, 2002.
Attendees:
Mindy, Louise, Rick , Mark, Eric, Susan, Dennis, Heidi,
(Dennis and Heidi, first time - were at info meeting on Delegation)
Margaret, Alex, Tim, MaryBeth, (&Sienna!!!), Carol K., Carol F.(also: reps from LAGOS)Passing of Leadership happened tonight!!!
Mindy led the meeting.
Eric will be working on the Sister Parish website link now (taking over from Jeff). Margaret will be committee secretary.
Kay & Kris:
Lakes Area Group Organizing Solidarity for Guatemala (LAGOS):
How can we help each other? Group that is part of Network/ accompaniment program for returning refugees. Accompany for security and witness, as they get settled back into their communities. Role is growing into organizational accompaniment (i.e.: human rights groups, sister parishes, etc. that may feel threatened).
What LAGOS does:
- Provides structure to approach legislators/officials when an incident happens
- Organizes events to educate about issues
- Provide support for the accompanier while they are in the country
- Networks with other groups around the country (13 other communities in USA).
Currently other organizations are providing personal accompaniment in Guatemala, LAGOS will start doing organizational accompaniment as of June 2002. Every accompanier goes to Guatemala for a meeting every 2 months, and to write a letter to family and friends.
March: LAGOS is sending a delegation down to Guatemala.
Kay led us in a discussion about the role and purpose of accompaniment.
**Can we share orientation resources?
LAGOS: annual meeting Jan 26th at Resource Center for the Americas, 1-3pm. All are invited.
Possible Proposal: Could we put a proposal put to the Justice Fund for monetary support for LAGOS? (Kay said that they would be grateful for this type of support).
Book Club
Tim gave a short report on the book club: good gathering. 12 people participated (some will be joining at the next gathering). Book: Unfinished Conquest.
FEB 2: PARTY!!!
Louise will still be in town, so the party will be at her complex. For directions click here: eidsmoel@aol.com.
Louise will be in Guatemala Feb 7-21. If we want to send down something, we could make it at the party. It was decided that we would make Valentines (Margaret will bring her Polaroid to the party).
Lunch with a Nun
Barb J. (aide to Mark Dayton): sister is a nun in Nicaragua. Will be at the Mercado Central at LakeSt. and Bloomington Ave. in Minneapolis for lunch @ 12:30pm on Sunday, January 20th.
Ephraim in RI
Tim Leone-Getten got a call from Ephraim who is visiting in Providence, RI with his sister. He will be here about another 2 months. Could we arrange for him to get here on his way back? Tim encouraged the group to brainstorm ideas of how we could help him get here. Margaret & Eric will check out transferring some vouchers that they have.
Delegation:
Info session on Sunday. About 15 showed up and another 3 called after the meeting. Mindy and Susan will be going from our committee. (Jeff Rholl rumored to be thinking about it!!)
HEIDI: had questions about going on a delegation. Discussion centered on why others have gone and the benefits of this relationship.
DENNIS CAVENAUGH: is involved with Pastors for Peace and sending caravans down to Central America. Dennis would like to see a bus leave from Mpls. and bring down things like library books, stoves, medical supplies, etc. Could we send things down to Guatemala this way? Do we want to contribute to what is going on this trip to Nicaragua, Chiapas? Next caravan: leaves March 15th. Susan Sell has contact info for Dennis.
Translation/reponse To Letters:
1/12: planning for delegations and working on projects. They would like names, addresses, birthdays etc. for people from our community, to be remembered and celebrated by their community with us.
It seemed that the letter requesting money for projects was resent. We are not sure why. Tim said he would be in contact with Bernardo. Mindy will follow up with Tim.
Also received: Bible study email on St. John the Baptist.
Minutes submitted by Margaret Gustafson
