Resources > Meeting Minutes
AWARE MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2003
Facilitator: Lois Steinberg
Timekeeper: Lisa Chason
Attendance: Approx. 20
Time: 5:00 - 6:50 PM
1. Yoga Pose - Lois S. led the group in a simple yoga stretching exercise
which everyone enjoyed and appreciated.
2. Update on CU Migrant Community - Giraldo Rosales, Champaign Council Member
and La Casa Director, was a quest speaker who shared his insights and
understandings of the local Latino community. Major issues facing illegal
immigrants were difficulties posed by the inability to obtain proper
identification for work, to drive and to receive health care as well as basic
daily communication problems that create many unfortunate misunderstandings.
Latinos are represented by three sub-groups: Spanish Europeans, immigrants
from Latin America, and American Hispanics. Latinos come from approximately
twenty different countries and make up 13% of Illinois's population. 3 1/2 -
4% of the CU community is Latino with a significant number of illegal
immigrants who are migrant field workers or work at low paying jobs in local
hotels, restaurants, etc. It is a significant l ocal issue and problem.
3. News of the Week - Carl Eastabrook summarized the news of the week which
can be seen on the AWARE website.
4. P-4-P - Ricky Baldwin reminded everyone that the National Demonstration
Against the Occupation in Iraq is scheduled for next Saturday, October 25. A
local protest will be held at Prospect and Marketview from 2:00 - 4:00
in conjunction with the national protest. Ricky is coordinating press
releases. Ricky encouraged individuals to assist with the phone call lists
if they desired and to contact him for a list if they needed one. There are
plenty of signs already made, but Ricky is willing to make a huge banner,
puppet, or whatever if people are interested in helping. Let him know.
The Champaign police will be notified of the protest. Fliers are also
being distributed to various community groups to encourage their support
and involvement. Individuals may access this flier on the web site to
assist with distribution.
5. Farmer's Market - Peter Rolhoff reported on Farmer's Market. A table and
materials were set up this past Saturday. Traffic and "business" was pretty
usual. Jay Mittenthal checked about the possibility of having a table at the
Market when it moves inside of Lincoln Square. The cost is $25 a Saturday for
a total of $150 for the six weeks. The market time will be 9:00 - 2:00. Linda
Evans will follow-up with Jay to see if we can pay fees weekly and where
exactly we would be located in the mall. Need to decide at next meeting if we
want to participate, who would coordinate it, who would be willing to work at
various times on Saturday. Most people present seemed supportive of
continuing the Farmer's Market indoors.
6. Anti-Racism Working Group - Al Kagan reported no activity since last
meeting other than scheduling Giraldo R. for this evening's presentation.
7. Literature Working Group - Ken Urban reported that he had created several
more trifold pamphlets from articles he had read in various magazines or
newspapers. Several were distributed to those present. The group agreed this
was a viable source of information for current and future handouts as long as
proper credit was noted on the pamphlet. It was decided the need for a
disclaimer or not on AWARE pamphlets should be discussed by the working group
on literature. Linda Evans will check on the possibility of purchasing a
rack/stand to display the many pamphlets we have to make them more accessible
and inviting to the public.
8. Speakers Bureau Working Group - Linda Evans is working on a list of area
teachers who might be interested in having a speaker. Once compiled she will
send the information on our Speakers Bureau to them. Also, if anyone is
interested in being a speaker, they should contact Linda Evans.
9. Financial Report - Linda Evans reported that $71 was deposited for a
current balance of $2270.02.
10. New Ideas - Lisa Chason proposed AWARE host a seminar on neoliberalism.
The group agreed it was an excellent idea. The date for the seminar was set
for Sunday, November 9 from 3:00 -5:00 PM before the AWARE meeting. The topic
would be "What is Neoliberalism?" and the presenter would be Jan Nederveen
Pieterse. Lisa will organize the details and work on publicity.
Al Kagan shared a book entitled Empty Promises edited by 50 Years Is
Enough Network which addresses many of the issues of neoliberalism. The
possibility of purchasing copies was discussed but no decision was made.
Lisa Chason also raised the issue of contributing to WILL during their
fundraising period as a group and request a program of our interest be added
to fill WILL's programming void. People felt a decision couldn't be made this
quickly, but that it merited further study. A working group was formed for
those interested and it is being pursued further.
Peter Rohloff distributed a "FOR" handout given to him by Jay Mittenthal
outlining suggestions for reducing verbal or physical violence at vigils or
protests.
11. Announcements - Ken Urban is checking to see if David Gill who is running
for congress against Tim Johnson might be willing to come to speak at a future
AWARE meeting.
-Note several "Brown vs Board of Education" events are occurring on campus
this week.
-Linda Evans will be compiling written minutes of AWARE meetings in a three
ring notebook to be keep at the IMC for those who do not have Internet/e-mail
access.
-Bob McChesney will be speaking this Thursday about Alternative Press at the
Union.
-SPA is holding a protest rally on the quad on the 28th. AWARE endorsed it.
-"Education or Incarceration? Schools & Prisons In A Punishing Democracy"
January 22-24 at U of I Center on Democracy in a Multiracial Society. AWARE
endorsed it.
Minutes submitted by Durl Kruse