AVP/USA
Annual Membership Meeting, May 25, 2008

Firs Retreat Center, Bellingham, WA

Meeting Minutes

Meeting co-facilitators:  Susan Hefte and Peg Erlanger

Susan Hefte opened the meeting at 3:05pm with a song, “We are the Ones”.  There were 64 people in attendance.

Susan welcomed everyone to the 2008 Business Meeting as prescribed by our bylaws.  She noted that it is very important for us all to be here and to know what is going on.  This meeting will be particularly rich because our committees have been doing a lot of work, and we have some fresh ideas resulting from the Committees of Committees (CofC) retreat.

Susan expressed thanks and gratitude to the National and Local Planning Committees.  A round of applause followed.

Susan thanked all who filled out individual surveys; they will be held confidential.  Folks who hadn’t filled out a survey were asked to do so and to give it to Donn Kesselheim.

Action on Minutes of the annual membership of May 27, 2007:

-Susan had some minor changes:

            -Under committee reports, it was Susan Hefte and Don facilitating

            -Pg. 30, CLARG misspelled

-No other changes, the minutes were approved by the membership.

Election of National Officers:

Susan would like to go back to the things she loves the most, and she will hand over the President’s office to her VP to take over the office of President.

The proposed slate:

   President:               Peg Erlanger,

                                    nominated by the Committee of Local & Regional Groups

   Vice President:      Loyla Lipchitz, nominated by CofC

   Secretary:               Deb Bromiley, nominated by the Communications Committee

   Treasurer:               Joann Perry, nominated by the Finance Committee

The membership accepts and approves the slate.

Susan was in the two workshops facilitated by Australian AVPer, and heard something she wants to us to incorporate in this meeting:  “please hold a still and generous space for listening and receiving the information”.  It creates a container for us to do our work.  Know that when you speak, you will be held in a still and generous space.

Appreciations

Last night at dinner, Joann Perry expressed appreciation for Donn Kesselheim and this afternoon, Susan presented to Donn an appreciation journal signed by the CofC members. Others are invited to sign Donn’s journal if they wish.  Each “honoree” will receive a journal.

Susan then thanked Terry Kayser with a wonderfully warm speech of appreciation for all he has done for her and for AVP (comments attached).  Susan presented a journal to Terry.  Terry mentioned that the 2010 Annual Meeting will be in Minnesota and we may be able to go see “Prairie Home Companion” (an NPR show).

The next person to be honored was Diana Couch.  Pat Hardy shared her appreciation of Diana, especially her incredibly healing laugh.  A minute of stillness was asked to hold Diana as she deals with issues requiring her resignation.

Marge Schlitt had “the extreme honor” to acknowledge the work of John Shuford and to say a few appreciative words about John.  John, and others, put together the National Organization for AVP many years ago (September 1999) has contributed the only studies we have of AVP effectiveness, and is continually enriching AVP material.  John has continued to be vitally active internationally as well as nationally.

The last person to be thanked was Ann Ward.  Susan briefly shared her appreciation of Ann and asks that everyone signs her journal.  Ann requested that she not be honored in a public fashion so she was not.  She is working and studying in the Middle East.

Committee Reports alternately facilitated by Peg Erlanger and Susan Hefte:

Peg suggested a few guidelines, and asked each report be kept to about 5 minutes, excepting the Finance and Youth committees; and that we remain brief.  Peg also asked that discussions and questions keep to these guidelines

Finance Committee:  Joann Perry

Joann reviewed the Income/Expense statement for Fiscal Year End March 2008.

Our positive balance is due in large part to the fundraising this past winter.  Compared with last year, we gave away more money this year in seed grants.  This year we hope to give $5000 to expand and strengthen AVP International.

The Income/Expense Statement was approved by the membership.

The balance sheet was then reviewed and was approved by the membership.

Joann presented the Income/Expense Sheet for fiscal year 05, 06, 07, and 08.  If anyone has questions, please see Joann.  No need for approval.

A question was asked on how we increase the Amazon.com income.  If we all go to www.AVPUSA.org  and use the Amazon link from there, AVP/USA will receive a small donation each time a purchase is made.  A suggestion was made to Pat Hardy to put this information in every “Transformer”.  Another suggestion was given to the Communication committee—put an addition to the AVP-L email so that every email includes this notice.

Joann then reviewed the Proposed 2008-2009 Fiscal Year Budget.  We expect a successful fundraising drive with some substantial donations.  We expect to give some seed grants and to share our wealth with AVP International. 

A question was asked about the large donations received ($11,000) and only distributing $7500.  Joann explained that was an exceptional year so we are being conservative.

A question was asked about the Draz fund.  The money promised this year has not arrived;  it is expected next year.  This is a donation from the Draz family that has given for several years to support AVP in memory of Zell Draz an active AVPer in the NE.

A compliment from the audience was given on Joann’s professional and clear presentation.

The membership accepted and approved the budget.

Joann talked about the PAX fund and their broadening of their rules on what constitutes socially responsible investing.  We have a need for our own policy on socially responsible investing.  We will be looking at moving our funds out of PAX.  Joann asks for folks with experience/expertise on this topic to please see her and lend help with this issue.

Break:  We then broke for a L&L led by Margaret Monroe:  “Hand Healings”.

Susan expressed thanks for Margaret’s L&L breaks during our conference.

Youth Committee:  Darrell Hefte

A Study Group was formed last year to look at on how AVP and HIP might work together.  They met over the year, every 3 to 4 weeks, over the phone.  Darrell listed the committee members and acknowledged Judy Meikle’s work and her presentation for the committee.  The study group was composed of AVP facilitators, HIP facilitators, and other youth workers. Judy gave a detailed presentation on their work.

A question was asked how having children attend the AVP workshop impacts ex-offenders attendance.  It was answered that some ex-offenders are not permitted to be in the presence of children.  A couple of queries, “what does it mean to say that our first priority is to former prisoners”, and “can we have children attend without jeopardizing former prisoners in attendance”.

A question was asked if there will be a time when ex-sex-offenders can work with HIP.  The committee is unable to answer at this time.   If the crime was not against children, if the ex-offender is not on parole, would it be different?  The last thing we want to do is jeopardize our AVP members’ place in the circle.  It is really up to a local group that makes the decision of who can be a HIP facilitator.  Can we provide something that says AVP supports someone who has been released after years of treatment, and not a pedophile, in working with children?  We need to make this more transparent as an organization.  We need to begin defining this and act like we know that people change.  Our concern has been violation of parole for an ex-offender, and if that is not an issue, we don’t need a policy.   We can have clarity on this, even if the rest of the world does not.  We do need to recognize restrictions from the state.

ACTION:  If there is more energy for this conversation, meet Darrell and Judy after the meeting.

ACTION:  Issue for discussion at CofC and Youth Committee:  When asked how “stipend” is defined, the answer was “broadly”. The statement formulated for the National Conference at DaySpring in 2007 regarding ex-offender attendance is in this year’s program on page 36.

Work still needs to be done before a proposal on HIP can be made to AVP/USA.

Applause was given for all the hard work done on this.

Conference Committee: Ray Rios

We had a fruitful meeting at this year’s conference. We met this year to discuss next year’s conference.  Jackie Labatt-Simon has stepped up to be co-chair.   The 2009 Conference will be held at Manhattanville College in White Plains NY (fly to West Chester, NY).   The 2010 conference will be hosting by Minnesota.   The 2011 conference will be hosted in California; venue to be determined.    We need someone to volunteer for 2012 and beyond.  Please consider hosting the conference, especially a middle state.

Special kudos to the folks who hosted this conference, especially Rick and Jan!

The report was accepted.

CLARG Committee:  Marge Schlitt

Marge has distributed the report throughout the conference and hopes that everyone has seen it.  Marge hopes to have an even better system by next year for the report.  It helps considerably for the local groups to enter on the National AVP website their workshop statistics in a timely manner.

Questions: 

-Will CLARG consider keeping track of HIP wokshops?  No need to answer right now.

-Should the report be put on the website?  The joys and concerns are somewhat sensitive, so

 perhaps just the statistics.

-Are there any experienced grant writers in AVP USA?  We do have a need for grant writers. 

Peg reminded us that we do need to collect statistical data for fund raising and other needs and this important process starts  with each local facilitator.

The report was accepted.

Education Committee:  Grace McGrath

We are still working on the T4F manual.  Grace is committed to take Australia’s methods for manuals forward for AVP/USA.  Once this is finished, we want further information on the special workshops that have been developed, for example, those by John Shuford.

The report was accepted.

Communications Committee:  Pat Hardy

Pat distributed a report.  Highlights include:  distributing the Transformer electronically.  Upcoming issues will include topics like:  transforming power, empathy, catalog of books; summer and fall issues 2009 are open issues and if you’d like to do one, let us know.  We are looking for new members.

The report was accepted.

Restorative Justice Committee:  Peg Erlanger for Lolya Lipchitz

The committee has two projects: an advanced agenda on restorative justice and a workshop on restorative justice to be presented at the Annual Gathering in NY next year.   A meeting was held at this conference.  Lolya has been in touch with someone who has developed a 3-day AVP workshop incorporating RJ principles.  We are hoping to build upon what was done in Australia. 

The report was accepted.

International Committee:  John Shuford, Nancy Shippen, and John Michalis

The Int’l. Committee’s work this year has been focused on the upcoming International Gathering being held in Kakemaga, Kenya.  We hope to participate and provide mini-workshops while in Kenya, and participate and learn in the healing and trauma workshops.  David Zarembka’s reports from Kenya have helped to stimulate interest.  

Nancy has agreed to be co-clerk of the Committee.  These three folks have been on the planning committee for the conference, with Nancy being a key member.

John Michalis has been working in Nepal, and held two basic AVP workshops there.  Press attended, the person heading up prisons was there, and a statement from the new President was made, “that now is the time to turn away from violence and become Gandhi’s”.  They need funds desperately, $4000 is needed now.  If there are any thoughts on how to raise this money, please contact John M.  [Note:  immediately after the meeting more than $4000 was raised with the generous donation of matching funds by an anonymous participant.]

The committee will start to work on how to assist and connect AVP at an International level.

A note of appreciation was given to Katherine Smith, AVP Australia, and the Quakers who supported her to be here.

The report was accepted.

Committee of Committees (CofC):  Susan Hefte

Susan thanked all of the committee clerks and all of the committee members who put in hours and hard work all year long

The locals are at the center of the circle.  CLARG bridges regional and national.  We have all the other committees to support you.  We have CofC on the outer ring of the circle holding the container for everyone. 

CoC has met 8 times this year on telephone calls, 2 hours each, and we had a retreat at this conference from 1pm on Thursday to 6pm on Friday.  We did some team building  which was a great joy.  The retreat report will be on the AVP website as soon as possible.

**End of Committee Reports**

Susan asked:  What other business might we need to do?

John Shuford:  The CofC is recommending that we have a Re-Entry Committee.  The membership approved. 

Peg Erlanger thanked Deborah Bromiley for an extraordinary job as Recording Secretary.

Peg also thanked Susan Hefte for everything she has done nationally, organizing both the Colorado (2001) and Tampa (2007) National Gatherings, leading the CofC this past year, and everything she has done and continues to do at the local level.

Reminder to all:  Fill out your surveys, and sign the journals.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:07pm.