Peter Brown

Peter Brown, long time activist for Human and Civil Rights, was recognized at the Human and Civil Rights Dinner at the Atlanta, GA RA.  Peter received the same award Paul Mann received in 2007, the Applegate Dorras Human and Civil Rights Award for international activism.  Peter continues to run our Chiapas Schools co sponsored by the Peace and Justice Caucus of the NEA.  It was an exciting night to watch Peter get due recognition.  President Jimmy Carter also was recognized.  His grandson, who also has to make appointments to see his grandfather,
 received the award for the 84 year old president who was traveling at the time.

RA 2013

We had some great successes at the 2013 RA.  I was able to represent you early at the Retired conference which took place three days before the Rep Assembly kick off in Atlanta, GA.  One of the days is set aside to allow teachers, both retired and active, and student NEA groups to work at a school in the area.  Be assured "OUTREACH TO TEACH" is a very successful program.  The staff at Thomasville Heights Elementary was overwhelmed by the person power and the materials to make a very needed change over.  We painted, we cleaned, we organized classrooms, we covered bulletin boards, we opened boxes of materials to be appropriately placed.  WE made a positive difference.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of all that.
The Peace and Justice Caucus had a peaceful and obvious presence at the RA.  We helped pass several important New Business Items and especially appreciated the help of Iowa covering mics so our speakers could be heard.  Jim Patch did an outstanding job of training and making sure mics were covered during important times to yield to speakers on our side of the issue.  When you get your RA Today, note that NBIs 35 and 55 and 71 and 90 were PnJ supported.  One of our PnJ speakers was a "Dream student" who told about not being able to attend the top 5 universities in GA because of her undocumented status even though she was a valedictorian of her senior HS class (NBI 90).   The issue of GMOs offering positive and negative influences in our world, prompted NBI 55 which only asks for labeling.  (I couldn't believe the number of folks who really are not educated about GMOs).  NBI 71 was supported by the Iowa caucus and was and is a direct result of intent and moral direction by our NEA Exec Director, John Stocks.  Although it is quite wordy, the intent is obvious:  too much money is being spent to support big corporations, war where people do not want war, lobby for the elimination of social security and programs to help the needy instead of public education and a living wage and support of citizens in our country.  Legislative Amendment 12 states that NEA supports educating legislators to the negative affects of high stakes testing.  Teachers and many parents understand the issue, and so should the public.
The negative concerning PnJ was found out the last day of the RA.  A spouse of one of our members got into the blog site Tom McLaughlin had established for us.  Tom was so good about posting for me and others when this became a new site of information for PnJ.  (Tom has continued his crusade with the Fine Arts Caucus.)  Exec members, such as myself, were taken off the mailing list which was used for subversive tactics and messages.  PnJ apologies to anyone who received these emailings.  Another advantage of being an NEA caucus is that NEA will take legal measures in future or continued misuse of this site.  This site will be canceled by us.
A new field of interest is the "policy document".  Our Hawaiian friends were denied support in fighting the influx of sub standard preschools because of a policy statement.  That statement was discussed and reworded so NEA can help fight "charter schools" in certain circumstances.  Apparently NEA has had policy statements for years but they never came up as a concern until recently.  So added to our Resolutions (a statement of belief) and our NBIs (action required) are policy statements.  Note the technology needed policy which is in your RA Today....the total post picture.  Plan to attend the RA next year in Denver.  It may be the last for three years to come!

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