Iowa Peace and Justice Caucus of the NEA activities for 2012/13

Windows and Mirrors, a reflection of the War in Afghanistan...$50 (September co sponsors)  During the month of September I volunteered with our Peace Iowa Chapter in Iowa City to host the Windows and Mirrors project.  We had regular docents at the Coralville Public Library with the pictures representing the war produced by children of Afghanistan and artists throughout the USA.  There was a charge to borrow the display and a cost came from having the leader of the United Nations, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Voices for America spokesperson, Katy Kelly.  Once a week we sponsored an activity for a well attended meetings during the event.

      Veterans for Peace IA march and demonstration, $50 (Nov co sponsor)  The march to remind people how long we have been at war was advertised and sponsored by several groups.  The money was used for posters and press releases.  This war began in October 7, 2001

      Iowa Children's Museum Peace Party project, $100 (April, pizza for Peace party, with 4 committee meetings in Feb/March).  The money was spent on pizza for the 20 junior high students who volunteered to teach youngsters attending the ICM on April 7 peaceful ways of engaging.  This was done through parades, games and activities.  Seven students from SISEA at the U of Iowa also worked with our young people to promote peace.  Students and teachers met on four Saturday evenings to plan.

      Paul Mann Youth Activist, Colton Fey, ....$90 (Delegate Assembly, April 12, 2013).  Colton Fey, a senior from Maquoketa HS was recognized at the April Delegate Assembly in Des Moines.

             With the UNA of IA, we sponsored “Night of 1000 Dinners” with Elizabeth Heineman to celebrate International Women’s Day.

      On June 13 and 14 walkers from the anti drone demonstration stayed at my house.  Peace Iowa, Vets for Peace and NEA pandj sponsored a pot luck at the Iowa City Public Library on Friday night and a picnic in Kent Park on Saturday night.

      We held a caucus meeting at the 2013 Delegate Assembly and at the Summer Conference in Des Moines in August of 2012, minutes are available for both these meetings.

NEA caucuses are internal member only groups.  Caucuses exist and operate independently of NEA and have no authority to speak for or act on behalf of NEA.

Drones

The culmination of the Ground the Drones walk will be the rally in Des Moines on Sunday, June 23, from 1:00pm - 2:30 pm.  This will be at the Iowa Air National Guard base, located at 3100 McKinley Ave, on the north boundary of DM airport.

Veterans for Peace (VFP) folks will have several cars going with room for riders, leaving from Kohl's parking lot (kiddy-corner from Coral Ridge Mall, across I-80) @ 10AM on Sunday. We should be back to Kohl's by 5 or 5:30 pm.  If you can go or can send the word out to those who might, great. Have prospective riders/drivers (we can always use more drivers) contact Ed @ 621-6766 in Iowa City...or just show up!

Ed Flaherty, VFP #161

 

Peace Party at Iowa Children's Museum

The Peace Party at the Iowa Children's Museum was a great success.

P and J Hospitality Room at Delegate Assembly

IF YOU COME TO THE DELEGATE ASSEMBLY, PLEASE SHOW UP AT THE PANDJ HOSPITALITY ROOM ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, April 10.  THIS IS A FRIENDLY GATHERING AND YOU ARE ALL INVITED to the  QUALITY INN BEGINNING ABOUT6PM.  We can visit before and/or after dinner.  Look for a sign with the room number location in the lobby.

Thanks to you, I'm sure, I was, again elected as a delegate to the Retired meeting and the RA this summer in Atlanta, GA.  I am proud to serve and want you to send me any concerns you may have to bring to members at the NEA level.  I'm sure gun issues will arise and in the name of Paul Mann, a little too late to make a big difference.  In my opinion, background checks are about the best we can hope for positive change.

Thank you all for caring about Peace and Justice!!

Paul Mann Youth Activist Award Winner

Dear Colleagues of Peace and Justice,

This year's award winner for the Paul Mann Youth Activist Award is Colton Fey.  He is a senior from Maquoketa, Iowa.  He will graduate from the Community College with a fine arts degree this same year he graduates from HS.  He is an outstanding young man ranking second academically in his HS class.  He plans to go to Iowa State next year.  We are fortunate to have such fine young people from which to choose a winner.  All the submissions were outstanding.

He and his mother will be coming to the Delegate Assembly on Thursday morning to be recognized.  We will take the money budgeted for this award and add a $50 gift check for Colton unless there are a lot of objections.  The budget committee suggested this and we have the money now.

Paul Mann Award Nominee