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GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAPTER –
UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(UNA-USA/OKC)
MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5:30pm, Monday, December 12, 2005
Oklahoma Christian Disciples' Center
APPROVED MINUTES: Bill Bryant, Secretary
UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(UNA-USA/OKC)
MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5:30pm, Monday, December 12, 2005
Oklahoma Christian Disciples' Center
APPROVED MINUTES: Bill Bryant, Secretary
| Created Jan. 1, 2006 Webmaster |
In Attendance: Bill Bryant, Bob Cox, Jalal Daneshfar, Bill Dudley, Bob Elliott, Marie Hooper, David Isaak
(OU), Ruth Males, Dorothy Messenger, Fran Morris, Dustin Murer, Glenn Norris, Mariya Vladkova (UCO).
Guest: Kayhan Movafagh.
Absent with Regrets: Monica Alzate, Mary Benner, Ron Burkard, Firouz Mollaian, Nancy Musselman, Harley
Venters.
Absent: Ann Cong-Tang, Diana Northcutt.
(1) Opening of Meeting. Convening at the Disciples Center, the meeting was called to order by Marie
Hooper at about 5:30pm.
Our newest student representative, Dustin Murer, was welcomed to the meeting. He represents students at
Oklahoma City University.
(2) Business Reports. Two reports were received in this portion of the meeting.
A. Review of Minutes of November 14th Meeting. The minutes of the November meeting were
reviewed, and Bob Elliott moved them for approval as published; seconded by Fran Morris. VOTE: All aye;
motion carried.
B. Financial Report. Dr. Hooper reported for Firouz Mollaian. Copies of a 1-page “Treasurer’s Report”
were distributed. The report summarized the chapter’s income and expenses as follows:
Previous balance on 11-14-05 ... $4,190.83
Income … 1,854.50
Expenses … 2,057.77
Closing Balance … $3,987.56
Income was derived from the UN Day luncheon ($20.00) Unicef card sales ($1,741.00), and Memberships
($93.50). Expenses included Unicef card merchandise ($1,895.00), Name Tags ($19.37), and Web Hosting
fees ($143.40). It was noted that an invoice from Sodexho has been received, but it hasn’t yet been paid.
The amount of the invoice, representing the cost of catering for the UN Day luncheon, is $760.30.
Fran Morris commented that the report suggests that our chapter has realized a net gain in income as a
result of our UN Day luncheon, more than usual.
(3) Committee Reports. Several chapter activities were reviewed during this part of the meeting.
A. Educational Programs. Fran reported on plans for our chapter’s Spring Meeting. She has placed a
call to Boren’s office, but she is not confident that he will be available as a guest speaker. She suggested
that Melanie Macdonald of World Neighbors would be an excellent keynoter.
B. Advocacy. Bill Bryant reported that several dozen people added their names to the “Stop Torture”
petition that our chapter agreed to co-sponsor. He submitted copies of the petition to our U.S. Senators and
Representatives from Oklahoma.
C. Membership. Dorothy Messenger reported that she is expecting to receive the November membership
report from our national office soon. She is hoping that we will see an increase in the number of members in
our area.
D. Education – Advocacy / Adopt-A-Minefield. Bob Elliott commented that he is glad to be back in
circulation. Plans are being made for an Adopt-A-Minefield fundraising dinner after the first of the year.
E. Unicef Cards. Glenn Norris reported that our chapter’s entire allotment of Unicef cards have been sold
out. The last of the cards were bought by customers at the Christmas Sale at the First Unitarian Church. In
all, the proceeds totaled more than $2,500, which will support Unicef activities in the United States and
around the world. Fran Morris commented that the results this year are almost double what our chapter has
ever done before. Applause was heard for Glenn’s efforts.
F. High School Essay Contest. Jalal Daneshfar reported that he is continuing his efforts to publicize the
high school essay contest. He mailed 30 postcards to a list of teachers provided by Marie. Additionally, he
has contacted representatives of the high schools in Edmond. After the closing date of January 13th, Jalal
said, the judges will convene to score the entries. Noting the expenses he has incurred on this project, Jalal
submitted a claim for reimbursement of $6.90 for postage.
(4) Chapter Coordination. Several miscellaneous items were reported in this portion of the
meeting.
A. “Walk the World.” A couple of follow-up comments were made with respect to last month’s action on
the “Walk the World” project to benefit the World Food Programme. Kayhan Movafagh mentioned that
students at Heritage Hall may participate in the same event or a concurrent one that is being organized.
Marie commented that she and Leann Farha are coordinating on plans for the Hunger Banquet at OCU.
B. Student Representatives. David Isaak reported that the OU student group is planning to help out
with the Model UN conference that will convene in Norman in February. Additionally, he said, the student
group was active in raising funds in the “Trick or Treat for Unicef” campaign.
C. Trick-or-Treat for Unicef. On the topic of the Trick or Treat” campaign, Jalal Daneshfar reported that
the Edmond Key Club raised about $295 for Unicef.
(5) Unfinished Business: Nominations Committee. Bill Dudley reviewed the members who have
been selected to serve on a Nominations Committee. In addition to Bill, they are: Ron Burkard, Dorothy
Messenger, and Lou Jenkins. It was noted that, pursuant to our bylaws, one additional member is needed --
not a current member of the Board. A couple of names were mentioned to fill that vacancy. A meeting of the
committee will be called soon, Bill said.
(6) Other Business. In this portion of the meeting, a couple of announcements were made.
Additionally, there was a discussion about the unfilled position of Chapter President.
A. Oklahoma History Center. Glenn Norris reported that the newly-opened Oklahoma History Center is
a good place to visit. He recommends it.
B. World Religion Day. Kayhan Movafagh announced that World Religions Day will be celebrated at the
Baha’i Center at 321 E. Campbell in Edmond. The event will take place on January 14th.
C. Fulbright Scholar. Marie reported that OCU is making plans to bring a Fulbright Scholar to Oklahoma
City, in cooperation with community groups like Casady School, the Interfaith Alliance, and others. In
addition, a new interdisciplinary program is being launched at OCU. More news about both of these items at
a future meeting.
D. Chapter President. Fran Morris asked the directors to discuss the status of the unfilled position of
Chapter President. She suggested that the Nominations Committee should be asked to make a
recommendation when it reports to the Spring Meeting of the chapter.
Comments were heard from several members of the board. There seemed to be general agreement that the
shared leadership approach of the past several months has worked well. Yet, there is a desire to bring our
practices into line with our chapter bylaws – which require a president to be elected by the board of
directors.
After some thoughtful discussion, and after considering several options, the board received a motion from
Jalal Daneshfar who moved to elect a president to serve out the balance of John Fleming’s term. A second
was offered by Ruth Males.
A vote was called, and the motion carried without dissent. It was agreed that nominations for chapter
president will be received at the board’s next meeting in January.
(7) Adjournment. As previously scheduled, the next meeting of the Board of Directors will be:
Monday, January 9, 2006 -- 5:30pm
Disciples’ Center
301 NW 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
Bob Cox agreed to facilitate the meeting. Any special agenda items should be sent to him in advance of the
meeting.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at about 6:30pm. Marie thanked everyone for
their participation.
Prepared by Bill Bryant
December 28, 2005
(OU), Ruth Males, Dorothy Messenger, Fran Morris, Dustin Murer, Glenn Norris, Mariya Vladkova (UCO).
Guest: Kayhan Movafagh.
Absent with Regrets: Monica Alzate, Mary Benner, Ron Burkard, Firouz Mollaian, Nancy Musselman, Harley
Venters.
Absent: Ann Cong-Tang, Diana Northcutt.
(1) Opening of Meeting. Convening at the Disciples Center, the meeting was called to order by Marie
Hooper at about 5:30pm.
Our newest student representative, Dustin Murer, was welcomed to the meeting. He represents students at
Oklahoma City University.
(2) Business Reports. Two reports were received in this portion of the meeting.
A. Review of Minutes of November 14th Meeting. The minutes of the November meeting were
reviewed, and Bob Elliott moved them for approval as published; seconded by Fran Morris. VOTE: All aye;
motion carried.
B. Financial Report. Dr. Hooper reported for Firouz Mollaian. Copies of a 1-page “Treasurer’s Report”
were distributed. The report summarized the chapter’s income and expenses as follows:
Previous balance on 11-14-05 ... $4,190.83
Income … 1,854.50
Expenses … 2,057.77
Closing Balance … $3,987.56
Income was derived from the UN Day luncheon ($20.00) Unicef card sales ($1,741.00), and Memberships
($93.50). Expenses included Unicef card merchandise ($1,895.00), Name Tags ($19.37), and Web Hosting
fees ($143.40). It was noted that an invoice from Sodexho has been received, but it hasn’t yet been paid.
The amount of the invoice, representing the cost of catering for the UN Day luncheon, is $760.30.
Fran Morris commented that the report suggests that our chapter has realized a net gain in income as a
result of our UN Day luncheon, more than usual.
(3) Committee Reports. Several chapter activities were reviewed during this part of the meeting.
A. Educational Programs. Fran reported on plans for our chapter’s Spring Meeting. She has placed a
call to Boren’s office, but she is not confident that he will be available as a guest speaker. She suggested
that Melanie Macdonald of World Neighbors would be an excellent keynoter.
B. Advocacy. Bill Bryant reported that several dozen people added their names to the “Stop Torture”
petition that our chapter agreed to co-sponsor. He submitted copies of the petition to our U.S. Senators and
Representatives from Oklahoma.
C. Membership. Dorothy Messenger reported that she is expecting to receive the November membership
report from our national office soon. She is hoping that we will see an increase in the number of members in
our area.
D. Education – Advocacy / Adopt-A-Minefield. Bob Elliott commented that he is glad to be back in
circulation. Plans are being made for an Adopt-A-Minefield fundraising dinner after the first of the year.
E. Unicef Cards. Glenn Norris reported that our chapter’s entire allotment of Unicef cards have been sold
out. The last of the cards were bought by customers at the Christmas Sale at the First Unitarian Church. In
all, the proceeds totaled more than $2,500, which will support Unicef activities in the United States and
around the world. Fran Morris commented that the results this year are almost double what our chapter has
ever done before. Applause was heard for Glenn’s efforts.
F. High School Essay Contest. Jalal Daneshfar reported that he is continuing his efforts to publicize the
high school essay contest. He mailed 30 postcards to a list of teachers provided by Marie. Additionally, he
has contacted representatives of the high schools in Edmond. After the closing date of January 13th, Jalal
said, the judges will convene to score the entries. Noting the expenses he has incurred on this project, Jalal
submitted a claim for reimbursement of $6.90 for postage.
(4) Chapter Coordination. Several miscellaneous items were reported in this portion of the
meeting.
A. “Walk the World.” A couple of follow-up comments were made with respect to last month’s action on
the “Walk the World” project to benefit the World Food Programme. Kayhan Movafagh mentioned that
students at Heritage Hall may participate in the same event or a concurrent one that is being organized.
Marie commented that she and Leann Farha are coordinating on plans for the Hunger Banquet at OCU.
B. Student Representatives. David Isaak reported that the OU student group is planning to help out
with the Model UN conference that will convene in Norman in February. Additionally, he said, the student
group was active in raising funds in the “Trick or Treat for Unicef” campaign.
C. Trick-or-Treat for Unicef. On the topic of the Trick or Treat” campaign, Jalal Daneshfar reported that
the Edmond Key Club raised about $295 for Unicef.
(5) Unfinished Business: Nominations Committee. Bill Dudley reviewed the members who have
been selected to serve on a Nominations Committee. In addition to Bill, they are: Ron Burkard, Dorothy
Messenger, and Lou Jenkins. It was noted that, pursuant to our bylaws, one additional member is needed --
not a current member of the Board. A couple of names were mentioned to fill that vacancy. A meeting of the
committee will be called soon, Bill said.
(6) Other Business. In this portion of the meeting, a couple of announcements were made.
Additionally, there was a discussion about the unfilled position of Chapter President.
A. Oklahoma History Center. Glenn Norris reported that the newly-opened Oklahoma History Center is
a good place to visit. He recommends it.
B. World Religion Day. Kayhan Movafagh announced that World Religions Day will be celebrated at the
Baha’i Center at 321 E. Campbell in Edmond. The event will take place on January 14th.
C. Fulbright Scholar. Marie reported that OCU is making plans to bring a Fulbright Scholar to Oklahoma
City, in cooperation with community groups like Casady School, the Interfaith Alliance, and others. In
addition, a new interdisciplinary program is being launched at OCU. More news about both of these items at
a future meeting.
D. Chapter President. Fran Morris asked the directors to discuss the status of the unfilled position of
Chapter President. She suggested that the Nominations Committee should be asked to make a
recommendation when it reports to the Spring Meeting of the chapter.
Comments were heard from several members of the board. There seemed to be general agreement that the
shared leadership approach of the past several months has worked well. Yet, there is a desire to bring our
practices into line with our chapter bylaws – which require a president to be elected by the board of
directors.
After some thoughtful discussion, and after considering several options, the board received a motion from
Jalal Daneshfar who moved to elect a president to serve out the balance of John Fleming’s term. A second
was offered by Ruth Males.
A vote was called, and the motion carried without dissent. It was agreed that nominations for chapter
president will be received at the board’s next meeting in January.
(7) Adjournment. As previously scheduled, the next meeting of the Board of Directors will be:
Monday, January 9, 2006 -- 5:30pm
Disciples’ Center
301 NW 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
Bob Cox agreed to facilitate the meeting. Any special agenda items should be sent to him in advance of the
meeting.
With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at about 6:30pm. Marie thanked everyone for
their participation.
Prepared by Bill Bryant
December 28, 2005