About 27 people in attendance. John announced that 15k has been raised so far, with many kudos to the flag committee for their outstanding efforts.

The coffee house originally scheduled for 4/29 has been postponed due to permitting issues. The performance committee will put in an application in time for this coming week’s town council meeting (app due on the Weds prior, 4/27).

John reminded all committees that the Jamestown Press deadline is always 3 pm on Mondays.

He also suggested we start thinking longer term – how to keep things moving through the summer, with ideas such as a benefit golf tournament, future talks, yacht community involvement, an online auction.

Eliza Richmond presented the idea of an online auction – seemed to be very well received by the group. She will be collecting donated items from 4/25-6/15. The auction will go live on July 1, ending on August 1. She asked for help in soliciting items from local shops, artists, services, and will need help distributing prizes when the auction ends.

Eliza also spoke about a couple she knows in Colorado who are headed to Ukraine to adopt a 2-year-old whose parents were killed, and invited people to make donations of helpful items for them, such a grocery gift cards. People can be in touch with Eliza (eliza.a.richmond@gmail.com) for more information.

GROUP REPORTS

Talks/Speakers
Marissa Quinn reported that Jack Reed and Eric Brine will speak on May 6 at 5:30 at CBC. She urged everyone to come. David Cicilline may join Jim Bryer for a future talk. Welcoming ideas for other future talks.

Pasta Dinner
Rocco Andreozzi reported that he needs about 6 volunteers to help at the event, which will be held at St Mark Church from 5:00-7:00 on the 7th. He is suggesting a minimum donation of $15/person. He is donating all the main dish food (pasta, meatballs sauce), and welcomes contributions of dessert items. He is looking into getting salad makings donated.

Music/Performance
Matt Bolles reported that the coffee house would be rescheduled promptly, and he talked up the concert on May 15 of Soprano Makayla Lane, and David Gilliland, piano, to be held at St Matthew’s church at 7:00. A permit will be required for this as well.

Flags
Betsy Parsons reports that they now have 10 merchants signed on to have jars of flags for sale on site, and that she was delighted that they have had people volunteering to make flags as well. They will have a table at the Farmer’s Market, opening on June 20.

Sunflowers
Karen Buetens reported that the committee assembled 500 seed kits on Friday, and are looking for outlets to sell them. They are asking for a minimum donation of $5/kit and $4 for seeds alone.

Readings of Peace and Resistance
Jan Greene and Wayne Cresser have organized a poetry reading to be held at Curiosity & Co on May 18 at 6:30, with seating limited to 30. They have a group of readers presenting curated pieces, and the store will donate a percentage of wine and book sales to JURP.

Shady Lea Open Studio
Joe Yoffa has arranged for 31 artists to donate pieces at their open studio sale on June 4 at Shady Lea. Volunteers are needed to staff a table and sell the art from 10-5 (should be a minimum of two people each shift throughout the day).

Refugee committee
Karen Estes reported that Kerry Brine brought the mother and daughter of a Ukrainian family they are hosting to the last committee meeting. Along with son Sasha, the family has been warmly received in Jamestown. Yana, a medical student keeping up with courses (in Ukraine) online, has been given memberships to Heron Yoga and Jamestown Fitness. Ewa Wright is in touch with officials in Ustron regarding our contributing to their support of refugees in that town.

Discussions

There were discussions on the roadblock of merchants et al who are reluctant to help because they perceive this as a “political” effort, not the humanitarian effort that is intended. We also discussed the possible constraint of the title JURP, in that it is singly focused on Ukraine and not humanitarian work in general. It was noted that these are important questions, and input from members is valuable. As we are established in the state as a nonprofit group, and as we have already applied for federal 501c3 status, changing the name at this point would be counterproductive. We did not rule out the possibility of changes in the future, but for now are keeping this focus.

Next full group meeting will be on May 22 at noon at Central Baptist Church.