The meeting was held in
Room 302 of the First Unitarian Church.
Members and guests present
were Nick Coates, Jeanine Mims, Mary Thayer, Tom Schubert, Bobbie Culberson,
Dr. Dick Evans, Art Smart, Mauryzia Wong, John Flados, Jerry Epstein, Tami
Halphen, Faye Hamilton, Duane Jones, Barry Klein, Ann Lee, Bob Lee, Cheryl
Nolin, Steve Nolin, Al Robison and Carl Veley.
Meeting called to order at
7:05 PM. Topic for tonight's meeting was on the slide presentation from
Mr. Jack A. Cole, entitled "Law Enforcement Against Prohibition",
also known as LEAP. Mr. Cole is the Executive Director of LEAP. Carl Veley
presented the presentation to us. The objective of us viewing the presentation
was for the group to evaluate why the presentation works so well and how we can
use it to better accomplish what we do.
While the presentation was
being set up for us to view, Ann Lee told us of her son Richard Lee's, new
coffee shop in California. Group discussed the origins of the term
"420". Tami Halphen told the story of the terms origination.
After viewing the
presentation, Carl informed us per Mr. Cole, that 80% of a Rotarian group he
had shown the presentation to, agree with this presentation after he spoke for
only 30 minutes. Group agreed that the background of the speaker added to the
speaker's credibility and that credibility was very important. Also very
important was the speakers attire, appearance and professionalism.
Also discussed was the type
of groups we should address, Rotary, Kiwanis etc. and to tailor your message to
each different audience. We also covered some topics to be discussed at the
meetings such as, should we stress children versus economic angles? Everyone in
the group agreed that it is very important to give them the straight facts and
figures of the Drug War by means of oral and visual presentation. And the
importance of showing them an alternative drug policy and what we can do to
make it work. Jerry Epstein brought up the importance of the new DPFT website
as a means to direct the members of the group you are speaking to, to get more
information and facts. Let them decide what they want to learn about.
Barry Klein took the floor.
Barry discussed the need for us to have a separate group to build a coalition
to legalize Medical Marijuana. He handed out several papers to help us
accomplish this. The handouts are entitled, "Building a coalition to
legalize Medical Marijuana, Resolution in support of Medical Marijuana, Drug
War Facts and APHA Resolution Endorsing Cannabis by Prescription". The
handouts were very briefly discussed.
The meeting was adjourned
around 9:00 PM. The next meeting is scheduled for July 21st.