Minutes of October Meeting GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAPTER UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (UNA-USA/OKC)

MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS 5:30 pm, Monday, October 8, 2007 Minutes Prepared by: Bill Bryant In Attendance: Lowell Adams, Joann Bell, Bill Bryant, Bob Cox, Jalal Daneshfar, Bill Dudley, Fred Dunbar, Larry Eberhardt, Bob Elliott, Marie Hooper, Ruth Males, Firouz Mollaian, Zach Messitte. Absent with Regrets: Eric Heinze, Darla Jackson, Nancy Musselman, Jerry Stephens, Ken Tillett, Harley Venters. (1) Opening of Meeting. We convened in our usual meeting space at the Disciples Center, 301 NW 36th Street, OKC. Bob Cox declared a quorum and called the meeting to order at about 5:34pm. A welcome was offered to Joann Bell. Self-introductions were made. (2) Business Reports. A. Review of Minutes of September 10th Meeting. The draft minutes of the September meeting were reviewed. Ruth Males moved to approve the minutes as presented; seconded by Marie Hooper. VOTE: All Aye; motion carried. B. Financial Report. Firouz Mollaian was recognized, and he proudly reported the birth of a new grandson. He also reported on financial transactions since our last meeting, summarized as follows: Previous balance on 9-10-07 Income Expenses Closing Balance ... ... ... ... $3,887.22 541.50 784.00 $3,644.72

The income was from two source categories: (i) UNA-USA Apportionment Payment ($111.50); and (ii) Luncheon Reservations ($430.00). The expenses were in two categories: (i) A payment of $100.00 to Joy Mennonite Church for support of the International Day of Peace project; and (ii) A payment of $684.00 for videos (DVDs) for our Human Rights Video Collection. Additionally, Firouz reported that he has received two claims. One is from Rosemary Brown, who produced our UN Day brochure, for $87.50; the other is from Ruth Males for expenses related to the UN Day Luncheon. Firouz reviewed Ruths itemized claim,

which totals about $235 $240. Marie Hooper moved to accept the Financial Report and to authorize the payment of the two claims; seconded by Bob Elliott. VOTE: All Aye, with the exception of Ruth, who abstained from voting. (3) Committee Reports. Several chapter activities were reviewed during this part of the meeting. A. Educational Programs. Lowell Adams was recognized, and he reported on the progress that is being made on several educational programs. Human Rights Video Collection. As reported during the August meeting, our chapter applied for a $1,000 grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council. Lowell reported that the grant has been awarded! He distributed copies of a 1-page description of the collection, which is currently being assembled. It will include a set of 10 DVDs that is oriented toward teachers, students, and community leaders. Three copies of each set have been ordered, and they will be deposited with the Metropolitan Library System. In the coming days and weeks, there will be a public announcement about the video collection. A descriptive brochure is being prepared. A page featuring the video collection will be placed on our website. Global Oklahoma. Volunteers were solicited for duty at our chapters table at the Global Oklahoma festival on October 13th. A sign-up sheet was circulated, and all available timeslots were filled. In preparation for our tabling activities, we reviewed the materials that will be available to hand out, including: Mission Statement; Membership Brochure; Trick-or-Treat boxes; and High School Essay Contest information.

Zach Messitte volunteered to get some membership brochures from the national office in New York City. UN Day Luncheon. Ruth Males reviewed the news on our UN Day Luncheon. Twenty-nine reservations have been received so far. The deadline will be extended. Well need to have a good head count by October 17th. Ruth asked for authority to purchase several potted plants for table decorations. We gave an OK, by consensus.

Bob Cox added that Governor Henry has signed a proclamation recognizing October 24th as United Nations Day in Oklahoma. B. Advocacy. Bill Bryant reported briefly on two things. One, we should keep an eye on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UCLOS) which is receiving hearings in the United States Senate. There is a chance that it the treaty will be ratified during this session of Congress. Additionally, Bill reported on the successful conclusion of the International Day of Peace celebration. He circulated a set of press clippings. Bob Cox did an excellent job of representing our chapter in front of an audience of several hundred people. Many good networking connections were made. C. Membership. There was no report.

D. Adopt-A-Minefield. Bob Elliott suggested that we should encourage a student group to take on this project. E. Nominations Committee. Bill Dudley was recognized, and he reported that no new nominations have been received. Darla Jackson remains interested in serving as a director. She would have been at todays meeting except that her work schedule interfered. F. High School Essay Contest. Jalal Daneshfar was recognized, and he handed out copies of a 1-page announcement about the 2008 edition of our high school essay contest. There was a discussion about the prize structure for the contest awards made by our chapter. Jalal suggested that, rather than 3 prizes (first, second, third), we should concentrate our resources on a single prize of increased value. The pros and cons of this idea were discussed. Ultimately, Marie offered a motion to endorse Jalals idea authorizing a single prize of $500 for the winning entry. Bob Elliott seconded the motion, which was approved without dissent. Additional discussion focused on measures that we can take to publicize the contest. We will focus our outreach efforts on teachers, students, parents, and youth leaders. While we were on the topic of essay contests, Jalal reminded us that we have voted to reserve $500 in the 2008 budget for the purpose of funding a scholarship contest for Student Alliance members. We should begin publicizing this project simultaneously with the High School Essay contest. He suggested that the entry deadline for the Student Alliance Essay contest should be March 1, 2008. G. (4) Public Relations. There was no report.

Chapter Coordination. There were no student representatives in attendance at the meeting. No report. Old Business: Lowell reviewed the timeline for the roll out of the Human Rights

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Video Collection. After the videos have been received and catalogued by the Metropolitan Library System, we will begin publicizing their availability to teachers, students, parents, etc. (6) New Business. One item of new business was brought forward to the directors. Bob Cox announced that he has received a 6-page survey from the UNA-USA national office. The survey asks for input from our local chapter. He described some of the questions. By consensus, it was agreed that Bob will fill out the survey and return it to the national office on behalf of our chapter. (7) Adjournment. In accordance with established custom, the next meeting of the Board of Directors will be on the second Monday of the month: Monday, November 12, 2007 5:30 pm Disciples' Center 301 NW 36th Street Oklahoma City, OK Any special agenda items should be sent to Bob Cox (email: rhcox@ou.edu) in advance of the meeting. Without objection, the meeting adjourned about 6:58pm.

Prepared by Bill Bryant October 11, 2007