Caitlin opened the meeting with prayer
Old Business
1. Caitlin shared that she had not yet had a meeting with Mike and Tom and they were unable to attend the meeting today, but would likely be meeting with them next Wednesday at 10am. All are welcome to attend this meeting, which will take place in the Shak. Caitlin shared with the group a brochure from Metz associates that describes its sustainability efforts. Caitlin suggested using this as a jumping off point for discussion about cafeteria practices, to see what efforts we can do here at PTS, including composting, cage-free eggs, biodegradable trash bags, etc. Caitlin brought up the issue of recycling bins and shared Mihn’s suggestions of painting the bins we already have. The group then decided to approve the purchase of recycling bins, pending the approval of Tom and Mike.
2. Will told the group he had begun talking with Brian about EECM’s Food Collection. They will work together to push these efforts forward in the upcoming months
3. The final count on the Sock Collection, including Dr. Hainsworth’s matching is around 400 pairs. Mike will be delivering these as soon as he is able to connect with Dr. Withers or the rest of the organization.
4. The group then began discussing upcoming event on church unity and GLBT persons. ESF has expressed interest in partnering in this event and the focus will be on maintaining communion despite the disagreement. Mike shared about his conversation the night before with Tricia from the Covenant Network, who is willing to come to PTS for the event with her friend Jim. Including Jim and Jeff from Hot Metal was also discusses as they also represent two different sides of the issue, yet support GLBT leadership in their congregation. The first available date that does not conflict with classes or other events is April 27, 2010 so it was decided we would shoot for that date– holding the event in the John Knox room between classes. Caitlin and Mike will reserve this room. Format was then discussed. Small group discussion was presented as an option to take the form of “mutual invitation,” but this was voted down. The tentative format will look something like: opening by PJF, closing by ESF, intros by both, time for Tricia and Jim’s sharing, time for Jeff and Jim sharing, Q&A. It was decided that Q&A may be best handled by collecting questions during the talk in order to best facilitate the event. Other ideas were discussed, some of which may be good for future events. All will be thinking about publicity for next time and we will bring this event to Student Association at the next meeting.
New Business
1. Caitlin shared that there will be a Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Convocation in April, sponsored by the PC(USA). More details to come as they are sent by PC(USA).
2. Dean Welch shared about the PIIN MLK day action and an upcoming event at the JCC on January 29, 2010. PIIN (Pittsburgh Interfaith Action Network) has been working with labor unions to fight for a prevailing wage in the city. Dean Welch presented background information on this and announced that PIIN will be hosting a gathering at the old Nabisco plant (future site of Bakery Square, which received $13 million in tax subsidies and wants to pay hotel workers minimum wages) at 2:30pm on Martin Luther King Day. The purpose of the event is to encourage the mayor to take action. The city council had previously unanimously passed a “prevailing wage” law that would establish family sustaining wages for future service jobs created with tax subsidies, but this was then vetoed by the mayor at the last minute. He then introduced a new bill with no benefits. There have also been efforts to take this action county-wide and so far, there is much county-wide support, including support from Dan Onorato. Later that evening will also be an event at PTS from 5:00-6:30pm in the Knox Room. Dean Welch will keep up updated on this. The event at the JCC is a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Roundtable Discussion on Tuesday, January 26 from 7:30-9:00pm- free and open to the public.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 12noon in Dining Room 1
Mike closed meeting in prayer
