connection info: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83080511162?pwd=WE1zYys5TXdHSnJ0cjM5Mmhma1FFdz09
Meeting ID: 830 8051 1162Password: chalice

Attending: Sue Philley, Marni Odermann, Sharon & Dennis Rockwood, Betty Van Gheluwe, Don Stepich, Jim Bigelow

Agenda:

• Rapid Response, 2021 Idaho Legislative Session
  • Sue Philley commented that 
    • a Rapid Response Team should be a dedicated, trained, cohesive, recognizable presence at legislative events. 
    • In past years no one at BUUF has felt a part of a team and that when they choose to participate they did so as an individual.
  • The “Rapid Response” to issues at the legislature has previously been folded into the more general list of social justice events
    • The events have been found exclusively from emails and Facebook events and listed on a BUUF Social Justice Events page with a weekly summary email sent to BUUF Bulletin and then placed in the Wednesday Gazette by Nancy Harms.
  • Given that the session will take place during a pandemic is hard to envision hearings, etc. being organized as they were before the pandemic.  
    • However, there are anti-maskers and pandemic deniers in the legislature so they may try to conduct business as before. 
  • To be resolved:
    • how to be informed of meetings & hearings?
      • Can we model this after the AAUW or piggyback off them?
    • Who at BUUF should be informed?
    • How should we spread the word to BUUF members of bills, hearings and events?
    • What actions should we ask our members to take?
  • Sue volunteered to:  
    • contact legislators on how the session will work
    • write out a definition of the Rapid Response Team
      • How we can support legislation that we care about.
  • Sheila Ames asked Ilana Rubel , the Minority Leader of the Idaho Legislature, on 12/1/20
    • Because of the coronavirus, I am wondering how those of us that wear masks and practice social distancing will be able to attend hearings on bills that we’re interested in. It seems like you’d only get people who don’t care about virus protection attending those hearings. While, frankly, seldom has a committee member changed his or her mind based on the testimony of me and my (liberal) friends, at least we would like to make an effort and share our views, but I don’t want to put myself in an unsafe situation
  • Ms. Rubel replied on 12/2:
    • Your concerns are well-placed. On top of my many other worries (like surviving the session while surrounded by hundreds of anti-maskers!) I fear that the legislature will receive a very skewed picture of public opinion as only a very right-leaning sector of the population will be willing to show up to testify. I am hoping that at least some committee chairs will allow remote testimony via Zoom, but that will likely not carry the same weight as those who appear in person. We’ll know more soon about how testimony will be allowed. Unfortunately, as the Minority Leader, I have no option but to be there all day every day in person. Thank you for taking this pandemic seriously!
• Plate Partner selection method
  • We discussed the current method
    • Is it unfair to those organizations not selected by getting their hopes up?
    • Does the method inhibit nominations because the nominee might not be selected?
    • Is this process too transactional and monetarily focused rather than relationship building? 
    • Does it favor the familiar to the detriment of new, innovative, startup nonprofits?
  • thoughts on alternatives?
    • Rick suggested reserving 2 slots for the Social Justice Council to use to pick new,  organization
  • We decided the following:
    • there is a clear distinction between plate partner organization and a relationship building grant to a group
      • potential plate partners should not depend on being selected.
      • they do need to meet the 501C criterion
    • Groups not meeting the criteria but thought to be worthy could be the subject of a special appeal 
    • a nominator chooses to discuss a nomination with an organization,
      • the BUUF nominator should be very clear how it works  
    • If an organization is nominated and when chosen declines,
      • we will go on to the organization that were voted for but not by enough BUUF members
    • The social justice council will take an  active role in managing and directing the selection of plate partners
      • The social justice council will reserve 2 slots out of the 10 available to
        • support groups that might not be selected but the council thinks should be supported
      • The council will take a look at the organization selected in previous years to
        • avoid the familiar & popular organizations
        • allow other organizations to be selected. 
• Round Table
  • LEAP Housing solution — build 10-12 affordable dwellings on the Douglas Property
  • CAT
    • Cooking class — virtual class, meatless Monday vegan meal, highlights the 4th solution to climate disaster in  the Drawdown solutions 
  • racial justice 
    • continuing activities
      • suggested videos
      • Wednesday meetings. 
      • living the 8th principle.
• next meeting January 5th
• Review Election Scenario   — No discussion, just here as a matter of record.
  • Planning Scenarios
    • Binden/Harris win, dangers mount until/through inauguration
      • Biden/Harris win and the results are not officially contested by the Republican party, but between Nov. 3 and Jan. 20 there is major backlash, state and/or vigilante violence, and multiple other threats to targeted communities (BIPOC, Muslims, migrants, environment, labor, protesters, etc.)
  • From Rev. Sara on Oct 3rd, post-election responses in no particular order
    • Consider in-person outreach in partnership with community orgs 
    • Reach out to community partners who serve marginalized community members to offer support and connection [Rev Sara] I have shared a version of this email w/ idea with several community partners including my interfaith colleagues, The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, the ACLU, Add the Words (I plan to keep sharing with as many orgs/partners as possible including Planned Parenthood, Inclusive Idaho, NAACP.
    • Host a general non-violent direct action training to prepare people to participate in protests (in-person & Virtually) [Rev Sara] I have been exploring this possibility with colleagues. Choose Democracy – https://choosedemocracy.us/prepare/#10things (the 10 things list on this page is excellent)
    • Host weekly post-election spiritual grounding & practice space open to wider community – this would focus on a particular theme like Uncertainty, hope, rage, etc and be apx. 20 minutes of a practice and 20 – 30 minutes check-in and conversation. I would be open to rotating facilitation and hosting [Rev Sara] I  have sketched out a rough plan. I like this idea a lot and hope I can get some other community leaders or colleagues to join me in facilitating. I welcome your input and support!
    • Provide a support space/tent for care, healing, respite during and after protests [Rev Sara] This will have to be something we sketch out a plan for and then remain at the ready for events
      • From Debra Smith: First aid kits to hand out. 
        • include black markers to write emergency contact information on a arm or leg
        • A Guide to Packing a Protest First Aid Kit
        • Street Medic Guide
      • provide handouts to protesters with information about:
        • how to handle tear gas and mace
        • your rights to protest
        • what to do if arrested
        • how to protest safely
        • lists of lawyers to call
      • Acts of Witness
        • witness and document acts of violence
        • Do we need to have a rallying point during a protest for protection and security?
        • Should we wear armbands to distinguish us, red cross for first aid?
    • Create a written “short list” of organizers and orgs who are led by BIPOC and front line responders to encourage financial support from our members. [Rev Sara] Possible orgs include: Inclusive Idaho, Add the Words. PODER of Idaho, Missing and murdered Indigenous People Project, Indigenous Peoples Alliance. Brown Like Me, 
      ** A personal note: BLM Boise is not affiliated with the national movement in any way. There is great concern among leaders of color in our community that the leader of this group is toxic, does not welcome collaboration with other black leaders and is misleading the public.