6-15-2010 Meeting Minutes for Northern WI NORML

6-15-2010 Meeting Minutes for Northern WI NORML

We opened the meeting with a discussion about anonymity. Jay discussed that new members or new attendees should not be required to stand up and say their name or identify themselves in any way. He has heard from some people that they are very concerned with their privacy. We all pretty much agreed that for those who wish to remain anonymous, it should be an option.

We discussed the June Dairy Days parade in Markesan, which we marched in this past Saturday, June 12.

We picked up Renards Bakery, a new supporter. He is going to be a very open supporter, and plans on wearing our T-shirt as he sells at various events. He sells at Princeton Flea Market and we may join him there in the future at his booth to promote NORML. In the future if we have picnics or other food related events he will be willing to donate some breads and related goods. He has not cooked with hemp products much before but is interested in learning more about hemp nutrition.

Jay discussed that he has been with NORML about 8 months and has seen people come and go. He asked how we feel we can attract more members and encourage more interest.

Bob suggested having a recipe book or similar publication that we can sell in the community to restaurants and bakers and other places, to raise awareness. We discussed encouraging local bakers to use hemp flour, nutiva, and other hemp products, in an awareness campaign. This is something to be kept in mind for the future.

Jay also discussed Signature Collecting – there is a referendum push – we need to collect signatures for referendums and ballot initiatives, and in the process, we can identify supporters for future purposes. Of course we do need to be an official NORML chapter recognized by National NORML before we push too hard, but that should be done soon and in the meantime we can use Wisconsin NORML.

Ripon: 420 signatures needed in RIpon to get a referendum on the ballot – these need to be registered voters. They must be 18, a citizen, live in the targeted city or village, and not currently serving a sentance for a felony or on parole. We need to go to the clerk’s office first. Jay discussed getting the issue put on the ballot statewide rather than on a city or town basis, which is something to consider. We need to start collecting signatures by mid july at the latest, and if we aim for the entire state of Wisconsin, we can get into state journals and other publications that are statewide. Everyone seems to like this idea. So, we need to find out if we can do a statewide referendum.

Wausau and possibly Eau Claire are going to start local NORML chapters.

Rich thinks we should infiltrate the colleges. He has a niece and nephew who are attending college and he wants to get them to help educate the other students if they are agreeable to it.

Jay volunteered his time as a NORML representative to volunteer with other organizations, and he mentioned that it may be a good way to build awareness, to volunteer or join with other organizations. We should keep that in mind for the future.

We discussed adopting a state highway and other community activities that we could do to raise awareness for our NORML chapter.

Rich discussed sponsoring a disc golf event or putting signs up around the disc golf course. His father is very involved in disc golf, and plans on attending daytime meetings. We had an informative discussion on that topic.

Mt. Morris parade – Laura says she has it handled by herself, and Jay is going there as a candidate.

We discussed whether or not we should try to get into more parades. Another suggestion was the Breakfast on the Farm events that happen all over the place up here. The problem still comes down to how many people we have who are willing to volunteer, and available resources. Several people said they would be in the parade with us but none of them showed up – we need reliable volunteers who can commit to an event and follow through with it. Especially for events such as parades and things you need to register ahead of time for. So, essentially, we need to identify events that we want to attend and find out what volunteers are able and willing to attend them and represent Northern WI NORML.

We also need to keep our fundraising efforts going as we will need money to attend and create events, as well as for merchandise and other expenses that we need to be concerned with in the future.

Rich said that he contacted WI NORML and asked if we could do the Simply Stupid concert at Summerfest and ask them to make a statement for us. He is also going to find out if we’re allowed to set up a booth at summerfest, if they will allow it. Jay says that there are tons of nonprofits at Summerfest with Booths. This is something that Rich will continue to develop.

Glenn thinks we should use the strategy of attaching ourselves to the farmers and the Industrial Hemp issue. Rich also said that he has been spending time talking to farmers about Industrial Hemp too. Jay said that in the past as an insurance salesman, he didn’t have great luck with the farmers, but it could be that the subject matter was wrong for them, or that he was dressed in a suit/tie or other factors. Jay wants to find out more about the best way to approach farmers.

Glenn also pointed out that we need to tell the farmers who their customers would be if they did grow hemp. Every crop grown is already destined for a specific buyer – we need to tell them who the specific buyers would be so they can get enthusiastic about growing hemp and visualizing their potential profits. Jay suggested an “Industrial Hemp 101” packet that we could hand out to farmers and legislators. We need to run it past some farmers and ask them for suggestions, opinions, reactions, etc. so we can get an effective information packet together for them.

We also discussed the fear factor and how the average person doesn’t want to be put on a list of any kind and that can work against us when trying to recruit new members. People are terrified of losing their jobs, their homes, their families, and their freedom.

Rich gave the secretary $10 cash and a membership form for a new member that he signed up. Jessica accepted the form and the $10 and will give the $10 to the treasurer.