Sept. 25, 2007

Topeka/Shawnee Public Library, 6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Committee

About 6:45 p.m. Faith sharing

About 7:45 p.m. Business Meeting

 

Jackie Lakin

X

Don Anderson

X

David Beale

 

Joel Edwards

X

Bill Gitchell

 

Daljit Jawa

 

Christian Kramer

X

Jackie Lakin

 

Norbert Lickteig

 

C.R. Macchi

X

Jim Mosher

X

Deepak Parulkar

 

Jan Price

 

Sanford Pomeranz

X

Jerry Quiring

X

Jack Rardin

 

Karen Sessel

X

Ashraf Sufi

X

Phil Wilkes

 

Sallye Wilkinson

 

Joe Hendrixson–Class of 2007

X

Barbara Karnowski

 

Vacant Class of 2007

 

Vacant Class of 2009

 

 

1

Opening Prayer: Christian Kramer

Christian was not available. Bill Gitchell said a Baha’i prayer.

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Sharing: Christian Kramer, Healing Mother Earth

 

Christian was not available.

3

Addition of New Business

 

None

4

August 28, 2007 Interfaith of Topeka Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes were accepted. Jackie will be out of town during the October board meeting.

 

5

Treasure’s Report

Key Points Discussed: Phil Wilkes reported a Total Liquid Assets: $7,294.55. Dues received from Temple Beth Shalom and Westminster Presbyterian.

Action: Bulk mail permit is due for $175. Discussion by IF members indicated e-mail is primarily used for communication. Consequently, the bulk permit will not be renewed at this time. If a need arises later for bulk permit, it could be renewed.

Action: Domain name protection letter—did not seem reasonable offer. Nexlynx takes care of maintaining domain name. Offer from company not accepted.

Action: Telephone costs of approximately $58 per month does not seem reasonable—is does not appear useful. Website meets need. IF board voted to drop land line telephone service. Phil Wilkes volunteered to use his cell phone numbers as the IF contact telephone number. 

6

Update on IF Board Issues—

Bill Gitchell:

 

NA

7

Bulletin Board Update—Don Jacobs

Don Jacobs sent the following e-mail to the board:

Nexlynx has completed the Discussion Forum. New users must register and sign the following agreement before being able to post comments:

 

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By clicking Register below you agree to be bound by these conditions.

 

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I do not agree to these terms

 

Also, I have the ability to remove posts or users who violate this agreement. However, Nexlynx is  not able to provide the capability to put new users on "probation" for 2 or 3 posts to see if they will abide by our conditions. If we see this as critical to the functioning of the Forum, we should not go ahead. But if we can live with this limitation, then we are ready to proceed. I have a conflict for Tues night and will not be able to make the meeting. If you could read this at the meeting and let me know the feedback, I will know how to proceed. 

 

Board members reflected on Discussion Forum. Questions arose how it is to be managed. Don will be moderator. Jackie will help upon occasion. Bill encouraged members to keep an eye out for problems and let Don know of issues. If inappropriate items should appear, IF board members can delete—offensive post deletes and can bots?? be blocked. Threats can be addressed if they come up. Bill volunteered to meet with anyone on IF board who needs help in logging onto discussion board. 

 

It was decided that is best to try the Discussion Board to see what problems need to be addressed.

 

8

Spirituality Events—All

 

Not addressed.

9

Thanksgiving Program Committee Report—“Thankful for Nature’s Bounty”

November 18^th–Jack Rardin, chair

Follow-up: The Thanksgiving Program Committee met. Jack announced Shawnee County Choral Society will not be participating at the service. Jim Mosher will contact Kevin Cullum at Washburn University and Jack Rardin will contact Steve Burke at Grace Episcopical.

 

Photos of local Peace Poles might be shown during the announcement.

 

Need to make copies.

 

Sign language needs to be promoted.

 

Rev. Cushingberry might a fourth presenter.

 

9

General Topics

 

 

Key Points Discussed: Peace Poles will be featured at Thanksgiving Service.

 

Key Points Discussed: Bill did not immediately contact Bill Wagnon on the Kansas State Board of Education. Instead Bill met with Chris Hamilton and they discussed how to go about this slowly. He suggested a pilot curriculum in one or two communities. Topeka West, Washburn Rural or even Lawrence. It was suggested to look at programs that already exist and see what worked or did not work. Another thought was to have Bill Wagnon meet with the IF board to just share ideas. Only school anyone knew of was in the news few months ago in Texas. Not sure about this event. It was asked if larger districts in other states with large, diverse populations address this issue. Models do exist outside the country. Again, it was suggested it is a good idea for Bill to meet with state board president Bill Wagnon.    If a course of study is every allowed, teachers would need professional development to deliver the instruction and answer student questions.

 

Also, it was mentioned that this nation is often perceived as a Christian nation. How would this belief impact studying non Christian religions?

 

This course would be an elective. Promote respect and better understanding among students in the school and in the international marketplace.

 

Action: Bill would talk to Bill Wagnon about meeting with IF board to discuss interfaith education. Also, talk to Barry Crawford at Washburn University. He might have some interesting ideas. 

10

Next Meeting Date: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at the Topeka/Shawnee Public Library

 

Faith Sharing Schedule for October: TBA 

 

TBA

11

Announcements

Iftar is being held at the mosque on Saturday on Sept. 29.