Dan Kenney is an educator, activist, and investigative
journalist. He is the co-coordinator of the DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace
and Justice. He is co-founder and co-coordinator of noprivatearmies.org and of
the Clearwater Project to stop Blackwater World Wide. He also was a founding
member of the Illinois Coalition for Peace and Justice.
WNPJ Peacemaker of the Year Award
The Peacemaker of the Year Award presentations began in
2000. Members from across the state
nominate peacemakers from their communities. A WNPJ committee made the
selection for three categories; youth, adult, and senior. The committee was
looking for peace and justice work done this last year. With so many worthy
peacemakers across the state it was often difficult to choose. All nominees will
be recognized at the Fall Assembly.
(Here is the 2008 nomination form due July 31, 2008)
**************************************************************************
Press Release
August 27, 2007
Contact person: Kathy Dakter,
WNPJ committee chair
kdakter@dellsnet.com
608-254-6022 www.wnpj.org
The Wisconsin Network for Peace
and Justice (WNPJ) Announces Recipients of the 2007 Lifetime
Achievement and Peacemaker of the Year Awards.
Peacemakers
of the Year 2007
Sarah
Quinn - Madison Fr.
Jim Murphy – Portage Sue
Ruggles - Glendale
sarah@communityconnectionswi.org jmurphy@stmaryoitc.com RugglesS@matc.edu
608-835-4096
608-742-6998
414-352-6846
Lifetime Achievement
Award to John LaForge, Luck, WI
nukewatch@lakeland.ws 715-472-4185 or mobile: 715-491-3813
John
LaForge of Luck, Sarah Quinn of Madison, Fr. Jim Murphy of
Portage, and Sue Ruggles of Glendale have been chosen as the
2007 recipients of WNPJ 's statewide awards, recognizing their
leadership and dedication in the fields of anti-nuclear work, prison
justice, civil resistance in anti-war campaigns , and immigrant
rights advocacy.
The
awards will be presented as part of the 17th Annual Fall
Assembly of the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Oct. 6th,
2007 in Racine – at the Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist
Church, 625 College Avenue. The presentation begins at 3:30 pm,
followed by a reception. The recipients of the Peacemaker Awards will
have the opportunity to talk about what has inspired them along their
journey for peace. The public is welcome.
2007
Peacemaker Recipients:
John
LaForge John
is a native of Duluth, Minnesota - His work for peace and justice is
a very full and lengthy one, going back about 30 years. Besides his
action at School of Americas last fall, which brought him a six month
prison term, he is Editor of Pathfinder, the quarterly
newsletter of NUKEWATCH, the grassroots organization working to
abolish nuclear weapons and power. Pathfinder continues to be
the best nuclear issue-focused newsletter in the country. Also, John
is the Co-Director of Nukewatch, founded some 25 years ago by Sam
Day, Jr. and Bonnie Urfer. He is also a member of the Anathoth Farm
near Luck, WI in northern Wisconsin.
John
has been an activist in the non-violent civil resistance movement to
militarism, nuclear power, and weapons and has served prisons terms
of at least four and half years for various civil disobedience
actions over the last years. He was a Plow Shares Activist back in
1979. Besides all this, John is a prolific writer and speaker on
issues such as the hazards of depleted uranium or war profiteering.
He has been published in The Progressive, Z Magazine, Earth Island
Journal, Peace News, Non-violent Activities, the Minneapolis
Star-Tribune, and Pathfinder.
Sarah
Quinn – Sarah
has been active with an organization called Community Connections
since 2002, working as a volunteer at the Oakhill Correctional
Facility in Oregon, just south of Madison. This all-volunteer
organization provides education, parenting, and literacy services to
those incarcerated at Oakhill – and some say Sarah is the
“backbone” of this organization, providing hope to those she
interacts with. Those who know her are amazed at her energy and
commitment to social justice issues. They say Sarah “walks her
talk,” and raises the question in all situations – “Is it just
for all?” Sarah uses her youthful energy and idealism as she
volunteers 10 – 15 hours a week, facilitating a weekly
film group, staffing the family resource room for inmates, recruiting
and training other volunteers, and serving on the decision-making
leadership team of Community Corrections. One of the
people incarcerated at Oakhill wrote: “Sarah is a champion to the
cause of peace and justice. She shines as a testament to the
compassionate human spirit, and brings a new perspective on peace to
many of us in here who have never experienced it. Sarah
instills hope by opening our eyes to greater possibilities, not only
as individuals, but collectively by expanding our sense of community.
Her service to the greater good and to the greater understanding of
peace is simply amazing and deserves such accolades as this
nomination suggests.”
Fr.
Jim Murphy – Jim
is known to all who meet him as someone who brings out the peacemaker
in you – and wherever his work takes him, he energizes those around
him to work for justice. Jim started his work here in Wisconsin as a
Parish priest in Monona, 25 years ago. During those early
years, he was an outspoken proponent of peace and nuclear
disarmament. After his move to the Platteville area, he involved the
campus and community there is many justice issues – including the
annual hunger walk – and a yearly immersion trip for students to
the South, building homes. He became a visible and dedicated opponent
of the SuperMax prison – and continues this work across the state,
a spirited activist on prison reform issues. He recently moved
to Portage, and within months of his arrival there he helped
reestablish a long dormant social concerns group – and they are now
working on a homeless shelter, commemorating the dropping of the
atomic bomb on Hiroshima in the 40’s, and speaking out against the
Iraq war. Cassandra Dixon of Mary House says of Jim, “The
truly impressive peacemaking that Jim does doesn’t really fit into
a list of events. It’s his daily interactions with people
from all across the political spectrum. Jim never backs down -
he just keeps talking and offering peacemaking as an option.”
Sue
Ruggles – Sue
has been active in the Milwaukee area, organizing since 2001 within
the labor movement to build support for antiwar resolutions and
actions. In 2005 and 2007, she coordinated the USLAW “Voices
of Iraqi Workers” tour in Milwaukee, bringing together hundreds of
labor, peace and community activists. Another ‘bridge’
Sue has been building is joining the peace movement with immigrant
rights – with the slogan “Stop the War on Immigrants.” She is
actively building coalitions of labor, immigrant rights, and peace
groups to advance common goals. As part of this work, she
created a photo exhibit for the Wisconsin Reality Tour, 2007,
organized by Voces de la Frontera, in support of comprehensive
immigration reform.
We
hope you will distribute this announcement widely throughout your
communities and to press and media in your area. For more information
about the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, please see the
website www.wnpj.org
. If you would like to register for the Fall WNPJ Assembly in Racine,
October 6th, contact Judy Miner in the WNPJ office at
608-250-9240 or info@wnpj.org
Previous
recipients of the WNPJ Peacemaker of the Year Award include:
2000
2001
2002
Michael
Rebholz
Dana Churness
Angela Rose
Steve
Watrous
Bonnie Urfer
Mike Miles
Jan
Provost
Everett Refior Lee
Brown
2003
2004
2005
2006
Emily
Siekierski
Bob Poeschl
Sarah Santiago/Elise Muldro
Xiong Xong
Lynn
Larson
Gail Vaughn
Guy Wolf
Janet
Parker
June
Kjome
Tom Arbogast
W.C. ‘Andy’ Anderson - Fred Brancel & Del
Schwaller
Previous
WNPJ Lifetime Achievement Awardees are Sam Day (2000), Clarence
Kailin and Frank Zeidler (2002), Jim Missey (2003), Nan Cheney
& Midge Miller (2004), Maureen McDonnell, OP(2005), and George
Pax Martin (2006).
THE WISCONSIN NETWORK FOR PEACE
AND JUSTICE
122 State Street, Suite
402 Madison,
WI 53703
BYLAWS
(As accepted at the General
Assembly, October - 2007)
Chapter 1. Purpose
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of the Wisconsin
Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ) is to facilitate activities, cooperation,
and communication among Wisconsin organizations and individuals working toward
the creation of a world free from violence and injustice.
Section 2. Political Status. WNPJ is a non-partisan,
non-profit, membership organization.
Chapter II. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of WNPJ shall commence on January 1 and
end on December 31 of each year unless otherwise determined by the Steering
Committee or the Executive Committee.
Chapter III. Membership
Section 1. Members.
A. Organizations. Any organization whose members hold
regular meetings or activities, which subscribes to the statement of purpose,
is approved by the Executive Committee, and pays the annual organizational fee
will be a member in good standing. The organizational member shall be entitled
to a seat on the Steering Committee and General Assembly and to cast one vote.
B. Individuals. All individuals who subscribe to the
statement of purpose and who pay an annual fee shall be members of the WNPJ.
Individual members may serve on committees and Task Groups and serve as
officers.
C. Membership Open. The WNPJ especially welcomes as
members those who face discrimination based on race, socio-economic status,
gender, sexual preference, disability, age, conscientious objector status, or
other forms of oppression; in order that its membership and its wok embody the
vision of a society where all are heard and included.
Chapter IV. Steering Committee
Section 1. Members. The Steering Committee shall be
composed of one representative or her or his designee from each organizational
member.
Section 2. Meetings. The Steering Committee shall
hold a meeting each spring to share reports of their organization's activities,
to hear reports from Task Groups, and to conduct any necessary Network
business.
Section 3. Quorum. A majority of the Steering
Committee or ten (10) representatives, whichever is smaller, shall constitute a
quorum for any meeting.
Chapter V. The General Assembly
Section 1. Meetings. The General Assembly shall
hold a meeting each fall for the purposes of:
1) electing officers of the organization;
2) electing at least three at-large members of the
Executive Committee;
3) reviewing the financial status of the WNPJ;
4) reviewing the year's activities;
5) setting priorities for the next year's activities;
6) making any necessary Bylaws changes;
7) conducting such other business as may be deemed
necessary;
8) presenting a program on topic(s) of general concern.
Notice of the meetings of the General Assembly including
the agenda, nominations and any Bylaws changes shall be sent to all designated
organization representatives and individual members at least three weeks prior
to the Assembly.
Section 2. Decision Making. Decisions shall be made
by consensus of the members present. See Chapter XI for procedures.
Section 3. Special Meetings.
A. Special meetings of the General Assembly may be called
by the Chair, the Executive Committee, or by request of at least 10% of the
Steering Committee.
B. If there is a call for a special meeting, notice shall
be sent by mail to each representative and individual member at least ten (10)
days prior to the meeting.
Section 4. Meetings to be Open. All meetings shall
be open.
Chapter VI. Officers
Section 1. Terms of Office. The officers of the
WNPJ shall be Chair or Co-Chairs, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Terms
of office shall be for one year and shall begin upon election at the General
Assembly.
Section 2. Powers and Duties. The officers of the
WNPJ shall be responsible for day-to-day oversight of the personnel,
administration, and finances of the WNPJ and shall have powers and duties as
prescribed in these Bylaws or as otherwise prescribed by the General Assembly
or the Steering Committee. These powers and duties shall include:
A. Chair.
The chair (or co-chairs) of the WNPJ shall have general supervision of the
affairs of the network, and may in the name of the WNPJ,
either alone or together with other officers as may be appropriate or directed,
execute all documents required; and
serve as chief spokesperson for the organization.
In addition the chair shall convene Executive Committee
meetings; prepare the agenda for and preside at Executive Committee meetings
and the annual meetings of the steering committee and the general assembly;
grant excused absences from the Executive Committee and Steering Committee; and
perform such other duties as are incident to the office or are properly
required of the Chair by the Executive Committee.
B. Vice Chair. In the event of the absence, disability,
resignation or death of the chair, the vice chair shall act as chair until a
new chair can be elected and shall have such other responsibilities as are
assigned by the chair.
C. Secretary. The secretary shall keep the minutes of all
Steering Committee, General Assembly, and Executive Committee meetings and
shall have such other responsibilities as assigned by the chair.
D. Treasurer. The treasurer shall have general charge of
the receipt of funds of the WNPJ; shall be responsible for the keeping and
rendering of accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements; shall assist in
the preparation of the annual budget; and shall be responsible for the filing
of all fiscal reports.
Section 3. Vacancies. Vacancies shall be filled by
the Executive Committee for the remainder of the vacated term.
Section 4. Censure, Removal, Appea1. Any officer
may be censured or removed upon a decision of either the Steering Committee or
the General Assembly.
Chapter VII. Executive
Committee
Section 1. Members. The Executive Committee shall
consist of the officers of the WNPJ, the Committee and Task Group Chairs (or
co-chairs), the members elected at-large, the past chair, the newsletter
editor, and the webmaster. A member's unexcused absence from three consecutive
Executive Committee meetings shall be considered to constitute a resignation
from the Executive Committee.
Section 2. Responsibilities. The Executive
Committee shall meet at least quarterly to oversee the operation of the WNPJ.
The committee shall develop and adopt a budget to carry out the priorities set
at the General Assembly meeting. It shall set policy and procedures for the
operation of the WNPJ. It shall approve the recommendation of the officers in
personnel issues, and in the hiring and termination of staff, in accordance
with those policies and procedures. It may initiate and organize statewide
actions.
Section 3. Quorum. Two thirds of the members shall
constitute a quorum.
Section 4. Alternatives to Meeting. Any action
required or permitted by the Bylaws, to be taken at a meeting of the Executive
Committee, may be taken without a meeting if there is consent by phone,
postcard, or e-mail.
Section 5. Committees. There shall be four (4)
standing committees and such other committees as from time to time the
Executive Committee, the Steering Committee, or the General Assembly shall
determine. The Chair of the WNPJ shall serve ex-officio on all committees
except the Nominating Committee.
A. The Conference Committee shall be responsible for
organizing the spring Steering Committee, the fall General Assembly, or other
special conferences as approved by the Executive Committee or the Steering
Committee.
B. The Outreach Committee shall be responsible for building
membership and public support for the WNPJ and its mission.
C. The Development Committee shall be responsible for
activities of the WNPJ relating to fund raising. It. shall include members of
the Executive Committee.
D. The Communications Committee shall insure the
publication of a newsletter, the maintenance of a website, and the use of such
other methods of communication as will promote the mission of the WNPJ.
Section 6. Vacancies. Vacancies within the
Executive Committee shall be filled for the remainder of their term by
appointment of the Chair with the consent of the Executive Committee.
Section 7. Meetings to Be Open: Exceptions. All
meetings shall be open. The Executive Committee reserves the right, by majority
vote of those voting members present, to go into closed session for the
discussion of personnel or buying property.
Chapter VIII. Nomination
Committee: Election of Officers
Section 1. Membership. The Nominating Committee
shall consist of three members who shall be chosen by the Steering Committee at
the spring meeting.
Section 2. Term of Office. The term of office for
members of the nominating committee shall be one year.
Section 3. Procedure. Nominations will be solicited
by an open procedure made known to each member. Notice of the proposed slate
shall be sent for review to all members at least three (3) weeks prior to the
General Assembly meeting.
Section 4. Diversity. The Nominating Committee must
make every effort to ensure that the slate reflects the many diversities of the
WNPJ including, but not limited to, geography, gender, race, class, religion,
or sexual orientation.
Section 5. Nominations from the floor. Any member
of the WNPJ has the right to place a name in nomination, provided the person
named is present OR has consented in writing to the nomination, and is an
individual member of WNPJ or designated contact of a member organization of
WNPJ.
Chapter IX. Task Groups
Section 1. Formation. When a priority is identified
by the Steering Committee or the General Assembly or when the Executive
Committee deems that an issue of concern to the WNPJ needs intensive long term
advocacy, the Executive Committee may establish a Task Group to carry out such
action as is needed.
Section 2. Notice to the Membership. When a Task
Group is established, notice shall be published in the WNPJ newsletter. An
organization or individual shall be considered a member of the Task Group only
when affirmative notice of participation is received by the Task Group Chair
(co-chairs).
Section 3. Purpose. The purpose of a Task Group is
to study, investigate, and make recommendations and proposals to the Executive
Committee for approval. The Executive Committee may refer such recommendations
and proposals to the Steering Committee or the General Assembly for approval.
The Executive Committee retains the right to dissolve a Task Group when it
deems the Task Group is no longer needed.
Section 4. Task Group Funds. All funds received by
a Task Group shall be given to and disbursed by the WNPJ Treasurer as approved
by the Executive Committee.
Section 5. Members. Members of a Task Group shall
appoint a chair or co-chairs and conduct business in a manner decided by the
members of the Task Group. Chairs and members of a Task Group shall be members
in good standing of the WNPJ.
Chapter X. Miscellaneous
Provisions
Section 1. Contacts. The Executive Committee may
authorize any officer, agent or agents to enter into any contract or execute or
deliver any instrument in the name of or on behalf of the WNPJ which relates to
the conduct of business and affairs, and such authority may be limited or
general.
Section 2. Inspection of WNPJ Records. All books,
records and minutes of the WNPJ shall be open to inspection at the request of
any member.
Section 3. Fiscal Matters.
A. All checks and drafts or other orders for payment of
money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the WNPJ
shall be signed by such officers, agent or agents of the WNPJ, and in such a
manner as shall be determined by resolution of the Executive Committee.
B. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the WNPJ and
no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution
of the Executive Committee. Such authority may be general or confined to a
specific instance, borrowing, line of credit or institution.
Chapter XI. Decision-making
Procedure
Section 1. Consensus. WNPJ shall operate under a
consensus process. If there is no consensus, members may either stand aside,
which allows a proposal to proceed, or to block consensus, which prevents a
proposal to proceed. In the latter case, the body may take a two-thirds (2/3)
vote to proceed under Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised.
Section 2. If a vote must be taken. If it is
necessary to proceed with a vote, the following procedure shall be followed:
A. All designated organizational representatives and
individual members in good standing shall have the right to vote on all issues
and elections at meetings of the General Assembly.
B. No proxy votes shall be allowed.
C. In the event that the office of chair is shared by two
persons, only one vote shall be, accorded to the two members, in order that a
tie vote of the representatives may be broken.
Chapter XII. Amendment of
Bylaws
These Bylaws may be amended or repealed by using the
procedures set forth in Chapter XI, provided that the substance of the text of
such a proposed change is included in the notice of meeting at which the change
is to be considered.
Program