Meeting Minutes 7/6/2020

Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team

July 6, 2020

The meeting convened at 6 pm on Zoom. Present were Amoret Heise, Jane Ronca-Washburn, Judy Fruhbauer, David Curley, Mary Alden, Cat McIntyre, Lauralee Carbone, Murray Bennett, Claire Lending, Henry Ohana, Barbara Gilday, Deb Cruz. Michael Knapp, Mike Betz, Kara Black and Susie Walker

Agenda:

1.    Eracism minutes

2.    July 13 program

3.    August 10 program

4.    Antiracist checklist

5.    Eighth Principle update

1.  Eracism Minutes.  

·     July 12                        Henry Ohana(trans women of color)        

·     July 19                        Cat McIntyre  (8th principle)

·     July 26                        Kara Black (8th principle)   

·     August 2         Murray Bennett

Services are now broadcast via Zoom. Everyone giving an Eracism minute should be sure to contact Rev. Paul by Wednesday before the service to introduce themselves  and learn whether they should attend a rehearsal.

2. July 13 program. We will show the film "The Bail Trap" which has several segments. Henry has the film on DVD and is working with Kathy Wahto to master the technology for zoom.

3.  August 10 meeting.At our June program meeting, we discussed how to get training to deal with conflict. Suggestions were to ask whether Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center could provide this training. David Curley investigated and found that the dispute resolution classes are offered at certain dates that do not coincide with our meeting times, that the classes are three hours long and cost $75 per person. David has taken this course, and offered to find some of the exercises for our August 10 meeting. We will ask Rev. Paul if he can help us create breakout rooms for the exercises. 

4. Anti-racist checklist. Cat asked if anyone had a chance to review this checklist that was sent out with the minutes from last month's meeting. We did not have sufficient people who had read the list to discuss it. Mary asked for examples of what's on the list and whether it could be the basis for a program discussion at a future meeting. Cat read some of the items. Lauralee posted a link to the list (a copy is also attached hereto), as well as titles of several powerful books for education: How to Be Anti-racist, White Fragility. Amoret recommended the movie about John Lewis, "The Trouble," which can be streamed on Netflix.  

5. Eighth Principle Update. Mike Betz repeated the eracism minute he had given last Sunday describing our 8th principle work group. Deb and Kara described some followup information from a national 8th principle zoom meeting last week with Paula Cole Jones and Bruce Pollack-Johnson, authors of the Eighth Principle, and representatives of many congregations around the country who have already passed the resolution or are in the process. Another meeting with just BUF, Paula and Bruce will be held later this week. Some of the aspects we expect to cover are what is plan at UUA level now*, how have congregations approached accountability for the 8th principle, and what do they expect to include in their service with BUF on August 9.

*Lauralee posted a link to the UUA plan, "Widening the Circle of Concern," from the UUA website.

Next meetings: July 13 , 2020, 7 pm - program; August 3, 2020, 6 pm - business/planning.

Respectfully submitted

Cat McIntyre, co-facilitator

Attachment: Antiracist checklist