Drug Policy Forum Of Texas

 

April 15, 2002 Meeting Minutes

 

  1. In attendance:

Dr. Robison, Bob Lee, Dr. Evans, Jerry Epstein, Scott Tillinghast, Steve and Cheryl Nolin, Faye Hamilton, Bobbie Culberson, Clayton Jones, Tom Schubert, Lerin Legeaux, Cathy Ford, Marilyn Ruppert, Tommy Connell and Art Smart.

 

  1. Meeting started at 7:00 pm. Dr. Robison greeted the group and gave the floor to Tommy. Tommy’s comments:

 

1. City of Houston Review:

A minimal amount was accomplished this month in this area.  The most significant decisions were to not pursue the "corruption" angle related to the War on Drugs, as corruption is a symptom, not a cause.  Secondly that there will be contact between our group and the city's Houston Crackdown program to try to start to understand their operations. [Dr. Robison noted that he, Jerry and Art had attended their meetings regularly during 1996 and 1997 but eventually stopped going.]

 

2. Marketing:

The marketing plan continues.  It was identified that the following items were needed to complete the first level of organization.  A comprehensive list needs to be produced containing the goals or projects that the DPFT actively maintains.  These would be used in the marketing campaign as our "product" that we sell.  Also awaiting production is the outline and materials for a "salesperson" training program.  The program would be designed to make the salesperson for DPFT comfortable selling our "product" while assuring the general membership of how the program was being designed and implemented.  Additional to this was the presentation of a general framework discussion of how the DPFT could be organized not as just a group of members, but also as a number of autonomous subgroups.  Computer support would have to be built to maintain this structure.  It was decided that Tommy would put together a list of goals and projects that he feels the membership are actively pursuing.  He would then email it to Al who would post it on the web. This list would be appended to or edited by those attending the May general business meeting.

 

  1. Group discussed literature to be passed out at courthouse and annexes around Houston. Events from the DPFT luncheon with Marsha Rosenbaum and The Baker Institute Conference were discussed. Dr. Robison introduced Collateral Damage “Just Say Know” CD to the group. Needle exchange, Medical marijuana and DPFT office in Austin were discussed. Our need to locate a new Executive Director was discussed briefly. Politics and political parties were discussed as were the people running for position and how best to inform them of our cause and how to get them on our side. Bob Lee requested for members of the group to contact black ministers he could meet and speak with. Steve Nolin informed the group of upcoming Houston NORML events:

 

1.      Washington 420 Fest to take place 04/20/2002 on Washington Ave.

 

2.      Liberation Day to take place 05/04/02 at Fitzgerald’s.

 

Dr. Robison discussed Esequiel Hernandez and reminded the group that the anniversary of his murder in 1997 will be May 20th and that we had planted a tree in Hermann Park and installed a plaque in front of it in Esequiel's memory. He is working with Maria Jimenez on plans to commerate the anniversary in some appropriate way and will get back to us on it ASAP. Jerry Epstein reminded the group about the world’s best bumper sticker slogan search.

 

4.  Meeting adjourned 9:00 PM.