Minutes of July 11 business meeting

 Attendees: Naomi Gary, David Curley, Pam Graham, Rupert Ayton, Stephanie Sarver, Joseph McCarty, Claire Lending, Murray Bennett

1. George Floyd Memorial

a. Meeting with CoB Parks and Rec on July 26 at Fouts Park

b. Changing theme of bench to BLM memorial

c. Need to keep fundraising; we have a thank you letter

2. Brian Womack meeting 7/12

a. Discuss community space at 1211 Cornwall

3. Brave Space Practice Adoption Discussion 7/18

Read these two articles to understand what a ‘Brave Space’ is and how we may use it for our 3rd Monday speaker sessions:

a. https://www.citybureau.org/notebook/2019/12/19/safe-spaces-brave-spaces-and-why-we-gon-be-alright

b. https://artscorps.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Brave-Space-Agreeements.pdf

c. Beloved community ground rules

4. Anti-Racism Moments

• Naomi 7/17 covenant of beloved community and invitation to give an AR moment

• Hank 7/31

• Need volunteers for August 7, 14, and 21

5. Program Meeting Speakers

a. Connect with Genia and Adult Education

7/25 Shovia Muchirawehondo

8/22 Shu-Ling Zhao

Potential Speakers for 9/19, 10/17, 11/21, 12/19

♣ Clyde Ford (Author)

♣ Jason McGill (at NWYS)

♣ TeeJay Morris (NWYS, Juneteenth Coordinator, Bellingham Unity Committee)

♣ Damani Johnson (retired WWU professor)

♣ Whatcom Human Rights Taskforce

♣ Flo Simon (Interim COB Police Chief)

♣ Debra Lekanoff (WA State Rep)

♣ Sislena Ledbetter (WWU ED for Counseling, Health and Wellness)

♣ WWU Black Student Union representative

♣ Brian Womack

♣ Tank Tanksley (Blaine Police Chief)

6. Video/Podcast/Reading Group Topics

a. 8/15 suggested we watch United Shades of America Washington State episode prior to and then discuss

7. Other Ongoing Topics

a. Maintaining a list of possible personal actions such as voting rights and school curriculum

i. Claire to help organize a UU the Vote activity at BUF; Stephanie to assist

b. Maintaining a list of Black-owned businesses in Whatcom County

i. Need to personally ask each business; Rupert has connected with Brandywine and Guud Bowls; need to check with Scott about adding a page to the BUF website

c. Rupert to ask Paul who the Article 2 delegates are

8. Bookmarks/T-shirts/Buttons

a. Need to make new bookmarks

b. We could make buttons and silkscreen t-shirts

9. Community Actions

a. Rupert speaking to Anya Milton and Andrew Welch of Ferndale Chamber of Commerce regarding I Am the Hope and the Dream video

b. Sacred Earth Day July 31 at Center for Spiritual Living and BUF needs tabling volunteers

c. Pam suggested Sufi dancing; event August 27 at Center for Spiritual Living

d. Naomi recommended volunteering for the next Juneteenth event