TU/TU Board Meeting
6-29-18 1:00 – 3:00
Home of Marjorie Luckey
All members present: Bob Bresnahan, Marjorie Luckey, Megan O’Reilly & Melissa Moe.
Changes for the Taos United/Taosenos Unidos info card discussed. 1,000 to be printed
Minutes approved from 4/16 meeting.
Treasurer’s Report
- $607.79 current balance. Planned expenses through Dec~ $2000
(Expenses: NM and IRS non profit registration fees: $750 ; Website final payment: $550; Revision and reprint of TU Community Forum cards: $400; misc printing and operating expenses for 6 months ~ $300) - We need to raise at least $2000 now, in addition to monthly donations from Community Forums.
- Signatories on Nusenda account will be updated, removing Mary Lane Leslie and adding Melissa Moe.
- Explore changing to a bank account without a minimum balance requirement to avoid unnecessary fees.
Fundraising Bob Bresnahan is aware of 2 foundations in Santa Fe who may have up to 800K avail for grants this year. Open to ideas for his pitch. It is believed that Taos Community Foundation unlikely to support TU. Our immediate need: $2,000. Long term needs for community education and other efforts: : $10,000.
Discussion to be continued online. Consider LOR Foundation (Megan)
Legal Set up 501c4 . Discussion of necessary requirements. Megan will research and report next meeting.
BANNER for Fiesta Parade and other events:
Taosenos Unidos for justice – democracy – community
Website Megan will meet with Beth Levine on Monday. Template has been purchased. Board agreed the Clean Cooperative website is a good model for some aspects of our website.
ISSUES
Environment and Clean Energy (link to Renewable Taos, Amigos Bravos, Rivers & Birds etc)
- Elections/voting rights- Elections group
- Legislative action – Issue groups jointly update.
- Education: Education Issue Group (local and state primary and secondary) Early Childhood ( possibly Taylor Jaramillo)
- Healthcare: Mark Goodman and Healthcare Issue Group
- Immigration: link to Taos immigrant Allies
- Action Alerts: Action Alert Support Team
- Postcard Posse
- Gun Sense. TUGS and link to Moms Demand Action; link to Common Grounds and 16 year old Zoey Azzari Birdsong who is very active in this issue.
WHO WE ARE
Taos United is a coalition of social and political activists working for a fair and just democracy for all, human rights, environmental stewardship and the welfare of our community.
VISION Our vision is of a diverse and inclusive society dedicated to the common good.
We see a country where:
- We have confidence that the institutions of government support the people and function to preserve democracy;
- All people have equality of opportunity and treatment within our society and government institutions;
- We have a thriving environment that supports our natural ecosystems;
- We provide a living wage for all,
- We have a health care system that ensures that all people have access to preventive and responsive care;
- Our education system provides equal and universal early childhood, primary, and secondary education, as well as the opportunity for debt-free technical training and/or professional studies
- We have common-sense gun laws (including background checks, assault rifle bans, and raising the minimum age for gun ownership) to ensure the safety of all;
- Clean, renewable energy systems are in place to support our energy and transportation needs;
- We provide a safe place for guest workers, and a path to citizenship for immigrants and migrants;
- We have livable and sustainable communities that support community spaces, local agriculture, and the arts, and
- Our laws and institutions support the fundamental rights as set forth in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
WHAT WE DO:
- Taos United Community Forum – an inclusive monthly meeting for TU participants and other community activists to inspire and sustain long-term activism on behalf of social and economic justice, environmental stewardship and the welfare of our community
- Action Alerts –Inform members of important political and social issues and opportunities for action in Taos County, NM and the nation
- Issue Groups work together to educate the community and take actions to meet specific goals to preserve and promote democracy and promote important social institutions and values
- Monitor and promote legislative action at local, state and national levels
- Civic education
- Promote voting and other civic engagement in schools and the community
- Collaborate with partner organizations in regional and statewide initiatives to reach our goals.
UPDATES
~We are up to 450 members – 70 additional members since Forums began in February.
~New contact for TU: PO BOX 1375, Taos NM, 87571
Key – Diane Shifrin + need 2nd person
phone: 575-737-8439 575-per-view
~MailChimp – maintain membership lists & communications
~New Groups – TUGS, Postcard Posse; Media Group. A change – Immigration Group now Taos Immigrant Allies and now an ally rather than TU issue group.
~Need: issue bloggers for website and an outreach person/s
Meeting adjourned.
Melissa Moe
secretary