Social Justice Council, 6/1/21

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June meeting: 6/1/2021, 6pm – 7:30

Attending: Don Stepich, Marni Odermann, Jax Perez, Betty Van Gheluwe, Jim Bigelow

Agenda:

  • Plate Partners
    • 2020 – 2021
      • June – Giraffe Laugh – Betty
      • July – Idaho Food Bank – Mark
      • August – Jesse Tree – Marni
    • 2021 – 2022
      • Congregational votes for plate partners
        • Planned Parenthood (reproductive justice & health care)
        • Women’s and Children’s’ Alliance (WCA) (children families and youth empowerment)
        • Agency for New Americans (refugee and immigrant justice)
        • Indigenous Idaho Alliance (racial justice)
        •  Boise Citizens Climate Lobby (environmental justice)
        •  Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence (children, families and youth empowerment)
        • Brown like me (racial justice, children, families and youth empowerment)
        • Immigrant Justice Idaho (refugee and immigrant justice)
      • Social Justice Council choosing 2 plate partners
        • Create Common Good
        • Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline
    • Plate Partner Spreadsheet history
  • $50 request from the Indigenous Relations group to buy books for BUUF library to support congregational learning on the Native Peoples of North American
  • Next meetings:
    • July – 7/6 – cancelled
    • August –  8/3 – rescheduled or cancelled? decide as the August gets nearer.
    • Sept.  – 9/7
  • Round Table
    • Racial
      • RJM – continues video/month now with a follow up discussion group,
        • June : Tulsa Massacre w/ discussion group
      • beginning plans for fall programs
      • continuing the Wed morning racial justice coffee
      • Racial justice action meetings continue
        • Juneteenth action? email Jax for more information
    • Climate
      • review of earth month
        • created a 2021 calendar & Earth month kit
        • 8 events over 18 days, 4/18 – 5/6
          • some events with low attendance
            • perhaps too many events or not enough advance notice
        • discussing strategies for next year
        • expand topics and expertise outside of BUUF
      • BUUF is joining with environmental group of Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel (CABI) to talk about starting an Idaho affiliate of Interfaith Power and Light
        • Sharon will represent BUUF in discussions
    • Immigrant/Refugee/Asylum
      • Immigration and refugee Ministry
        • has been on hold and starting thinking about becoming active in the fall
      • Asylum Seekers Hosting group — R’s hearing is July 6th, whether of not he is granted asylum depends on the Judge. the group will appeal if necessary.
    • Indigenous
      • Return of the Boise Valley People, August 26 – 29
        •  The Return of the Boise Valley People  is conducted yearly so the original inhabitants of the valley can share stories, oral history, and educate the public.
        • Jim would like to organize an event  in conjunction with the Return of the Boise Valley people
          • Attendance at Return events by BUUF members and friends
          • a lecture by Dr. Kimberly Marshall on non-optional history of Native Americans vs. the U.S. government
          • other events?
      • What should be the relationship between the Boise Valley People and BUUF?
        • would like to formally establish a relation of respect and acknowledgement
        • a resolution voted on by the congregation
        • BUUF friendship gift to the Boise Valley People is symbolize the relationship
        • Jax would like to be involved