Purchase Monthly Meeting

Called Meeting for Business
to Consider Action in Opposition to War
August 2, 2002

Clerk Jim Oltman opened the meeting by calling Friends to worship.

The reasons for this called meeting: New York Yearly Meeting in its sessions at Silver Bay, NY, July 21st to 27th, in response to great concern about both the injustices and destructive actions by the government of the United States in pursuit of the "War on Terrorism" and the government's announced intention to invade Iraq, adopted two minutes and sent them to monthly meetings, along with the following call:

Friends in monthly and regional meetings of New York Yearly Meeting are encouraged to speak out in opposition to war through newspaper ads and in visits with Congressional candidates. This is especially urgent during the month of August 2002. When Congress returns from recess at the end of August, it is likely that powerful forces will be set in motion toward the invasion of Iraq. Offers of help and requests for information or assistance may be directed through the New York Yearly Meeting office.

The relevant Yearly Meeting minutes are as follows:

• Worship and Action
• Gospel of Peace Minute

1. Judith Inskeep initiated the discussion and proposed that we take action during the month of August while congress is in recess. The clerk asked Friends to consider the following questions:
   • whether to create Purchase's own minute or to adopt the one apprroved by Yearly Meeting,
   • whether to place an ad of our own or in concert with other meetiings in the quarter,
   • where the ads are to go,
   • how much we can consider paying for such an ad,
   • and how to organize ourselves to visit our legislators

   Friends discussed these various matters.

   Friends approved endorsing the "Gospel of Peace Minute" from Yearly Meeting. Two Friends asked to stand aside.

   Friends approved requesting that Quarterly Meeting also endorse the Yearly Meeting's minute.

   Judy presented an ad that she had written along with the results of her research into the costs of placing ads in the four divisions of the Journal News. In considering the possible newspaper ad, Friends made changes in the text to increase its impact and focus. Friends also suggested ways of moving forward.

   Friends approved that Purchase Meeting will place the following ad (Attached) in local newspapers on several days . We will bring it to Purchase Quarterly Meeting on Sunday, August 4th, 2002 and ask the Quarter and/or other meetings in the Quarter join with us in sponsoring the ad.

   Friends approved spending up to $15,000 for this purpose (subject to revision later,) although we will urge the financial participation of all the meetings in the Quarter for this campaign.

   It was approved that a committee of Judy Inskeep, Fred Dettmer and Vitalah Simon will undertake to make modifications (if the Quarter's deliberations require it) and see to the placing of the ad, including determinations as to frequency and timing.

2. Peace and Social Witness committee proposed that this meeting ask that our representative to Quarterly Meeting suggest that the Quarter organize delegations to meet with the various legislators who represent members of the meetings of the Quarter. Rosa Packard asked that the meeting minute support for a delegation to accompany her to visit her congressman, C. Shays with a concern for war and tax witness.
3. Friends approved.acting on the approval given in the Meeting for Business of July 12, 2002 (minute 3) to the formation of a clearness committee to advise Rosa Packard regarding her tax witness. Friends approved the appointment of the following: John Benson, Fred Dettmer, and Deborah Wood, to this clearness committee, and also approved asking John Randall of Scarsdale Meeting to be a coopted member. John Benson is asked to be the convenor.

The meeting ended after a period of worship.