by Pam Steager, Guest Blogger

[Editorial note: Below are Pam's notes from the conference which she has kindly made available to all DOPers.] 

DoP State Coordinators Session 2/2/07

• Listened to people’s concerns lots of coverage on NPR

• Timed around International Day of Peace

• Spoke during 2 minute citizen speech time
• Created packets for Council
• Spoke before Finance & ? Committee (passed 3-2)
• Passed full Council by 12-2 vote

 
Cambridge and Everett, MA passed resolutions

 
Father’s Day Initiative
 

• Father’s Day postcards to Congresspeople, Committee chairpeople of fathers & children
• “Please create a DoP for my child”
• Another Father For a Department of Peace
• Antler card?

• Last year DoP people delivered 140 pies to Congresspeople
• Phoenix sent to Congress reps – Congressional staff love them (Costco apple pies)
• 25 showed up at fundraiser event for Reps. Fillner and Kucinich – gave awards and plants

 
September events

Debi pulled in by “Peace is Patriotic” button, led to web site, saw Walk initiative

• 27 people raised $1500 on a miserable weather day.

San Diego Walk was FUN – musicians, drum circles, poetry slam, games

• 300 people and 3 TV stations showed up

NYC – 9/11/06

• 100th anniversary of Gandhi’s satyagraha movement
• transforming 9/11, teamed up w/Arun Gandhi
• showed Gandhi film around world – got 9 local press mentions and 30 internationally
  

Student Peace Alliance activities

• H.S. Student Peace Alliance started in San Diego (on myspace, etc.)
• Gandhi watching night at home of Senior, inviting underclassmen
• Postcards for candy program
• UT – 4 universities - DoP Yard Sale to fundraise for conference travel and registration
• Brandeis effort started in March 2006 – Student Summit for DoP
• Oberlin College Student Peace Alliance registered on campus – Peace Walk with Elizabeth Kucinich – needed cooperation of adults/community
• VT - Nonviolent Student Activist Coalition – 5 area high schools
• Suggest calling, emailing supportive teachers/professors
• Jennifer organized a peace prayer service for Peace in the Middle East

 
Suggestions for working w/youth:

• Find one or two students who are passionate about the effort
• Provide them with resources
• Global Directory of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Programs
• State Coordinator visits to campuses
• Take youth along to meetings with Congresspeople, etc.
• Give them the mike!!
• Biosophical Institute provided a grant for student members to the conference