Bloomington-Normal
Citizens for Peace and Justice
"Peace and Justice in Central Illinois and Beyond: Collective
Strategies for Action"
Summary of Future Search, held March 27-28, 2004
21 individuals participated in a weekend-long activity to develop our
common ground and action agenda.
- Attendees: Bob Broad, Mary Broad (facilitator), Gregg Brown,
Carrol Cox, Jan Cox, Ralph Dring, Gabe Gudding, Julie Hile, Rachel
Hile-Broad, Phil Huckelberry, Mary Lehman, Jessica Montgomerie, Gayla
Patrick (recorder), Scott Reynen, Gus Rice, Rebecca Rossi, Maria
Schmeeckle (assistant facilitator), Christina Schulz, Carolyn Treadway,
Roy Treadway, Rebecca Zimmerman.
By the end of the weekend, participants had identified 10 common
ground action agenda areas for B-NCPJ. Action will now flow out of
committees formed around these interests and we encourage your
involvement. Below we summarize the 10 committees:
#1. civil rights and human rights
Common ground interests
-repeal patriot act and defend civil liberties, crime omnibus bill,
prison activism, activism against racism
Statement: BNCPJ will raise awareness about the fact that
recent crime and homeland security legislation is an attack on everyone's
civil liberties, but especially on the poor, minorities and youth.
(contact Gabe 828-8377 or Jan 829-3701)
#2. education
Common ground interests
-education about boycotts, food and clothing, consumer education,
education/motivation of fellow citizens, social justice in Illinois
schools , progressive school curricula
Statement: We are going to push for social justice education
in Illinois through progressive school curricula. Also, by
educating about boycotts, food, clothing and consumer pro-activity, we
will inform and motivate our fellow citizensin and outside of school
systems. (contact Jessica 827-6099)
#3. Peace Is Cool Club
Common ground interests
-peace is cool club and education for kids
Statement: We BNCPJ kids, with some adult help will take
charge of developing our skills in global citizenship and social action
including, a summer camp and monthly meetings, getting out the vote,
writing and visiting elected people, talking and listening to each other,
participating n demonstrations and doing FUN fundraisers to generate
money we can donate to kids problems created by injustice and violence.
We will grow a JUMBO group of children who agree that peace is cooland
who are willing to make peace through justice as a lifelong
activity. For example: what to do if you find ytourself in a
conflict, how to spend your money with a social conscience, human rights,
an dbeing well informed as an active citizen. (Julie or Rachel
454-5463)
#4. fun and cultural
Common ground interests
-have fun together, fun cultural exchange, popular, fun activities:
road clean up, concerts
Statement: We believe that joy and play are important in
creating a nurturing, restorative environment out of which energy for
action can grow. To nourish and restore our collective spirits we
will regularly celebrate, dance, exchange, create, laugh, play and silly
together. (contact Bob 454-5463)
#5. political
Common ground interests
-support progressive political candidates (locally and nationally),
involvement in local elections
Statement: BNCPJ will invest itself in the formal political
process by holding public forums, vetting candidates, issuing candidate
and other endorsements, engaging in basic lobbying initiatives (There are
interested members, but this committee is in need of a leader.)
#6. B-NCPJ organizational structure
Common ground interests
-study tactics, macro and micro, sustainable organization [w/dues,
formal and growing membership, diversity within our membership
(ethnicity, age, ectÉ), services provided (locally, nationally,
internationally)], decision making process that is efficient, strong,
short-term collective leadership structure, local action
Statement: BNCPJ will cohere around the principle that
nothing will be done unless a group of members take on as their task the
organizing of the project. The leadership structure will be
designed to coordinate and enable such practice, as well as generate
widespread discussion and internal education around various projects
(Committee includes Gus, Julie, Maria, Carrol, Gabe, Gayla, Scott and
Jan, contact is Gus 309-447-6352)
#7. economics
Common ground interests
-promote responsible transportation alternative, promote organic and
natural foods, support of co-ops, fair trade, living wage initiatives,
oppose socially irresponsible businesses and promote/support socially
responsible ones, community based food, economics
Statement: We demand economic justice. We therefore,
promote: a living wage, co-operatives, fair trade, local ownership,
responsible and responsive business practices
(This committee, if viable, will be in need of a leader.)
#8. coalition/networking
Common ground interests
-coalition and progressive groups, networking with groups at all
levels, peace in the home (domestic violence, FV and effective
parenting)
Statement: The purpose for connecting with other
organizations is to share knowledge and activities and to draw strength
from like-minded resources and people so that all can be more effective,
understanding opposing goals is important also. (There are
interested members, but this committee is in need of a leader.)
#9. sustainable living
Common ground interests
-promote renewable energy, wind power, close Clinton reactor, energy
move to renewable, environmental sanity, envision (local) life sustaining
society, public transportation improvement (rail, bus, more bike
trailsÉ)
Statement: * Envision "sustainable living" (What to do?),
promote voluntary simplicity (lifestyle choices), explore renewable
alternative energy sources, eliminate nuclear power plants, promote
reliable, efficient transportation, act locally to sustain the
environment, link BNCPJ members within---with these issues and
withoutwith other relevant group/organizations (contact Roy or
Carolyn 454-1328)
#10. Pro-peace
Common ground interests
-close the School of the Americas (WHISC), (Anti-war)
Pro-peace
Statement: One of the most visible avenues to opposing
global militarization is through participating in mass demonstrations
such as SOA/WHISC. We must stay conscious and conspicuous with
regard to holding legislators, tax payers and voters accountable for
their actions and contributions to the military machine. (contact
Jessica 827-6099)
(contact Jan at jkcox30@yahoo.com to report any problems with this site)
