Attending: Norman G. Kurland, Dawn K. Brohawn, Jean Fry, Fr. William Christensen, Kemp Harshman, Michael D. Greaney.

Materials Distributed: Agenda, Core Values, Code of Ethics, Minutes of 07/17/04 meeting, Rob Woodman letter to Lynn Williams, Conference Concept paper on Iraq, Capital Homesteading marketing report.

Meeting was called to order at 10:15 AM by Dawn K. Brohawn, rotating chairman.

The Opening Prayer was offered by Fr. Christensen. The Core Values and Code of Ethics were read.

Approval of Board and Executive Committee Minutes. Norman G. Kurland made a motion to approve the Minutes from the July meeting. Kemp Harshman seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

News/Information Items

Oglebay Norton Employee Buyout (Update). ONEEEA’s President Rob Woodman sent a letter to former United Steelworkers President Lynn Williams, explaining the status of the worker buyout initiative. Based on the feasibility study completed for ONEEEA, the worker buyout group has expressed its interest to the company. The company has not yet come out of bankruptcy, so a formal bid has to wait until that process is completed. The unions have gone to the members to get a successor clause so that any buyer will have to agree to keep the union contracts. ONEEEA has already made a commitment to keep the current contract, but the union went to the workers and told them that the unlicensed seamen had to make $3 million in jobs and wage concessions. This was bad for the worker buyout bid, because the concessions will raise the value of the company (and specifically, the Marine Division’s assets) and therefore the offer price by the workers.

Rob is still trying to arrange for Norman Kurland a meeting with Leo Gerard, President of the United Steelworkers, so Norm can outline the long-term strategy behind the ONEEEA-led buyout. We would use the political power of the Steelworkers to open up access to the Fed discount window for bringing money power to workers, and reorganizing companies (starting with Oglebay Norton Marine Services) along the lines of Justice-Based Management. The union could view this as an experiment. Norman Kurland has already met with Dave McCall, the regional head of the union, Ron Bloom (the USW’s “ESOP guru” and financial advisor who appears hostile to the ONEEEA effort) and Lynn Williams. The union declares it won’t consider partnering until they get the financials (we are now subject to a confidentiality agreement with the company). Norman Kurland proposed that the union give us a conditional agreement to partner with ONEEEA subject to the numbers being shown, so we can go to the company to get its permission to add a union representative to the confidentiality agreement.

Brazil ESOP Project update. Michael Clasby is coming into town next week, and Norman Kurland will meet with him on the proposed ESOP buyout of the Brazilian plywood company. He is on the seller’s side, but Norm views him as being “on our team.” He has his own people in Brazil who know the plywood industry. Norman Kurland wants Clasby to have him (NK) present the ESOP buyout strategy to Clasby’s bosses. This project opens up the possibility of participatory ownership and sustainable development in Brazil. We’re trying to get the Brazilian government to back the sustainable forestry project, which would involve a JBM restructuring of the company and could be part of Minister Silva’s Brazil Vision 21. We need to speak with Clasby and the Bishop to see if Norman Kurland should make another trip to Brazil. Norm is concerned that workers might get false expectations if the proposal is not presented accurately. Fr. Bill met someone around 10 years ago at the MacArthur Foundation who was interested in sustainable forestry in the rain forest. We might be able to contact that person through the Asia Foundation.

Meetings with Muslim Organizations (CSID, Darul Salam, etc.). The Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) is a group that has support from the US State Department, National Endowment for Democracy, and various private sector groups. The staff has been very positive. The board is made up of establishment types, and is not aware of our ideas. CESJ is collaborating with CSID on a proposal to democratize the ownership of Iraq oil, by giving free shares of a reorganized company to every Iraqi citizen. We had a meeting yesterday, which went very well; it may lead to significant support for the conference and the project in Bangladesh. On August 18^th Fr. Bill gave a presentation at CSID, which was attended by Rabbi Herzel Kranz, Dr. Bakir al Hassani, Bob Crane and the CSID staff. His discussion on the work of the Bangladesh Institute of Integrated Rural Development and its project with CESJ met with great respect and interest. Through Bakir, Norm was invited to speak in September at the Darul Salam Center (made up of a group of exiles from Iraq). Norman Kurland invited to make a presentation in September.

Proposal for Alexandria, Egypt Conference on “Building Security through Economic Justice in Iraq.” Norm Kurland was requested by Dr. Radwan Masmoudi of the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy, Dr. Bakir al Hassani (an Iraqi scholar and former government minister in exile who will be returning to Iraq), and Dr. Robert Crane of the Center for Understanding Islam, to prepare a proposal for a conference to be held at the end of December or early 2005 in Alexandria, Egypt. Norm prepared a first draft of the conference proposal, “Building Security through Economic Justice in Iraq.” Bakir edited and reorganized the proposal, putting Norman Kurland’s appended “Preamble and Constitution” into the body of the proposal. The proposal removed the Iraq oil proposal, but alludes to it among other economic development projects that would create jobs and open capital ownership opportunities to Iraq’s citizens, to include Iraq’s major industries. One avenue of funding for the conference: Bob Crane sent an e-mail to General Eshky reminding him to try to arrange for Prince Mohamed al Faisal to be a dinner speaker at the conference. We need a couple of million dollars, several foundations if possible, don’t use just one. Templeton Foundation, Catholic, Jewish, etc. to match al Faisal’s funding. Inventory of needs for Iraq: 1. Security, 2. Jobs. Iraq’s resources: 1. One of the world’s largest oil reserves. 2. U.S. has $billions budgeted for Iraq’s reconstruction.

Response to CESJ Volunteer Survey. We were contacted a few days ago by a student who filled out the volunteer form, and is now studying our materials. We need a volunteer to structure a “virtual” volunteer program, in which volunteers from all over the world would form an electronic “committee of correspondence.” Norman Kurland said that our biggest need right now is for a newsletter. We can’t pay anybody and a lot of people want to get paid.

Update of CESJ’s Organizing Manual and Chapter Handbook. Dawn K. Brohawn updated many sections, including how to organize plus one on how to form study groups. Fr. Bill suggested extracting the most important points and distilling them into an executive summary; a full manual might be too much.

Focus Topic: Fr. Bill Christensen Report

Bangladesh Progress (JBM Garment Factory; CESJ/Bangladesh). There has been some progress in the establishment of the garment factory. There have been no meetings, but Junaid has agreed to draft documents by end of August (to be reviewed by Bangladeshi lawyer and the team) to form three registered organizations: 1) CESJ/Bangladesh with the lawyer, Dr. Alamgir, and a few others. 2) A worker’s Empowerment Association. (Norman Kurland asked if it should be called a “Worker Ownership Union” — we need to push for new role for unions.) 3) The JBM Garment Factory itself. Junaid has also located a potential CEO (Munir). The lawyer has reviewed the ATC documents for adaptation to Bangladesh. Junaid wants to remain in academia; he is teaching 7 courses at the university. Munir is ready to come on board, he is unhappy with old company, and is sympathetic to JBM. He will draft a business plan, then get it to the lawyer. The lawyer is working on linking the three organizations, and is also working on marketing plan, the most worrisome aspect. Junaid’s new e-mail address is junaid@northsouth.edu. Bill’s group in the Netherlands has made contact with a Dutch textiles marketing group, Cordaid, who have agreed not to accept products produced by child labor or sweatshops. They will help set up the JBM marketing company. Norman Kurland asked if they have been shown the potential of JBM. Norm also suggested that Bill meet with Leslie Kretzu in New York. She is involved with the antisweatshop effort.

Meetings and Contacts. There have been many meetings, including two groups in academia, a French group that links French and Bangladeshi villages, Cordaid in the Netherlands, a Paris group working in India, might want to expand to Bangladesh, in US met with Drury’s (of Drury Inn) who might help IIRD reach some funding sources, including a Papal fund that has some money. A couple of meetings in St. Louis, made contacts, one Bengali doctor (Khalid Shah) interested in medical work, a large group of Bengali doctors in St. Louis. North America Bangladesh [IC], the Canadian and US front NGOs in Bangladesh. Bill will be going to the Bangladeshi Embassy (meeting arranged through Rabbi Kranz) and will meet with people at Loyola University on August 18th. Finalizing arrangements for New York City and then will travel to Canada. Making contacts in San Antonio and Dayton. Fr. Jack McGrath in Dayton. Will meet in Chicago with John Pimenta, who is opening up many contacts in the Midwest (Scott Alexander of the Catholic Theological Center), and with the public relations contact at Notre Dame. Possible Equitech connection, telemedicine (Dr. Mun at Georgetown University, who has a contract with Ecuador and the Aleutian Islands); Norm suggested he meet in St. Louis with Louis Zambrana of North America Bioenergy Resources. Geneva Global: founder, Eric Thurman, who donated money to Africa.

CESJ arranged a dinner honoring Fr. Bill. Dr. Bakir al Hassani attended and learned of Fr. Bill’s work in Bangladesh and discussed his own experiences in Iraq (as well as the joint projects with CESJ and CSID). Through Dawn and Rowland Brohawn’s friend Hank Ickes (who is a volunteer at Channel 69 TV in Arlington), CESJ arranged for Fr. Bill and Norm Kurland to be interviewed on Arlington Weekly News. Norm also arranged for Fr. Bill to be interviewed for TV broadcast by Harold Channer and Jonathan Nigro when he travels to New York.

Shared Vision Statement (“10K Name Campaign”) Progress. There are now 6,769 names. Fr. Bill has more, he delivered 25 more at the meeting for a total of 6,794. How does he do it? He explains the three important points stated on the document, why they’re important and the effect they will have, and always has copies of the statement and pens. People in rural Europe, students seems most receptive. He tells them we have to structure the world economy, and that ownership is the critical thing (the other two points are offshoots). Norm commented that if Bangladesh (or Iraq) adopted Capital Homesteading, it wouldn’t need outside money. It just needs a central bank that responds to the real demand by businesses.

What Additional Actions can CESJ and Global Justice Movement Take to Assist Fr. Bill’s Work? Dawn Brohawn commented on the difficulty and necessity of educating chapters on the Just Third Way and its related concepts. She asked how CESJ/Bangladesh is helping its members to internalize the CESJ principles. (While we recommend that groups adopt the CESJ tradition of reading the core values and code of ethics at the beginning of every monthly meeting as one way for people to think regularly about these principles, most groups resist this, perhaps because someone else authored these words.) We have to solve the problem of how to encourage CESJ chapters to develop their own “rituals” for helping their members internalize the core principles. One possibility would be to have the group seeking chapter certification do an initial reading, discussion and acceptance of the CESJ core values and code of ethics, and then have them adapt it in their own words for their participatory reading, with CESJ approving the chapter’s language.

Fr. Bill is not getting commitment from the group in Bangladesh to study the CESJ concepts of economic and social justice. He has had people leave because they say it’s all talk and no action. However, as Dawn pointed out, if people don’t understand CESJ’s paradigm, their solutions and actions will just continue to reflect old, wage system ideas.

There needs to be some process to build solidarity around core principles of economic and social justice, as part of the initial stage of social charity (development of the proper spirit and understanding for relating to our institutions and engaging in effective acts of social justice). We need to develop a process by which people can learn social justice, and we need teachers who will stress the ongoing education of members. Fr. Ferree’s Introduction to Catholic Action might be helpful, with the language changed to reflect the makeup and structure of non-Catholic groups. Norman Kurland said the process has to put the leaders into the role of servant and teacher. We need a new approach to education. Start with study groups, grow into action groups. Work on internalizing the Core Values and Code of Ethics, then adapt the Four Pronged Communications Strategy (education, prime movers, numbers of people and models) to organize for action.

Decision/Follow-Up Items

Wrap-up on Alan Wong Internship/Continuing Relationship with Washington Center. CESJ held an exit interview with Alan Wong, to evaluate his internship and to get feedback from him on his experience with CESJ. His internship will help CESJ develop our process for educating interns. Alan came through the Washington Center. He was asked to visit the CESJ and GJM.org websites and review certain documents. During his phone interview with Dawn Brohawn, Alan was asked to comment on what he had read on the CESJ website. Later he was given a basic list of CESJ readings. After reading some of the literature, he submitted a proposal for his internship, focusing on marketing of Capital Homesteading for Every Citizen. He developed a guide for CESJ members and others to market the book. His targets were academics, media, and policy makers. He reported the results of his marketing campaign. Alan felt that having more than one intern at a time would help build teamwork skills. Alan commented that he really enjoyed his internship with CESJ, had a challenging project and especially enjoyed the people at CESJ. (Only problem was with the length of time it took to get to CESJ office using public transportation; he strongly recommended that interns have their own cars.)

Kemp said that we should boil down the questions during the initial application process. (Dawn has developed a standard set of questions for each phase of the internship, as well as evaluation forms and recommended reading lists.) Dawn Brohawn said that we are forming a relationship with the Washington Center who want to send us more interns. We are trying to get Norman Kurland into their speakers’ program. Norman Kurland spoke with Alan’s professor, who will be arranging for Norm to speak with some of his undergraduate classes. Alan said he got comments on Capital Homesteading onto the Kerry website.

Marketing Report on Capital Homesteading for Every Citizen/Getting More Reviews and Testimonials; leveraging President Bush’s “Ownership Society” message). Michael Greaney has been sending e-mails to targets on the web, mentioning that a free download of the book is available. John Pimenta has also been sending e-mails to various politicians, very active with promoting the Bangladesh project. He sent a massive e-mailing of the book flyer to libraries. Steve Roy is working on putting together a website to market the book. We are still working on determining service providers, Barnes and Noble or Amazon websites affiliate program, get a commission of 5%. Possibly both. Kemp and Harriet Epstein will look into using both affiliate programs at the same time. Kemp said that he has a friend who’s been in fundraising over the internet for many years using Paypal, isn’t registered. Charitable solicitations over the internet is a gray area. Kemp felt that the issue of whether to register in all states is not something to worry about, since internet users come to the CESJ website and CESJ is not making direct solicitations over the Internet. We offered Steve the lesser of 50% of the gross margin or $2.00. CESJ will split the cost of the website. Kemp said that he can get a basic website for $50 per year from “Ready Hosting.” An example can be seen at www.nlightnspeakers.com.

At a recent political event where President Bush spoke on “the ownership society,” Kemp introduced himself to President Bush’s campaign manager, Ken Melman, described CESJ’s ownership program, particularly as it relates to President Bush’s “ownership society” (which is focused on home ownership, small business ownership, owning your own health and retirement plans). Kemp mentioned that he had worked on the Reagan campaign and that CESJ had been the driving force behind Reagan’s 1986 Presidential Task Force on Project Economic Justice. Kemp sent the campaign manager a book. We probably won’t be able to do much until after the election. At this point we need to identify people now to target after the election, send out some press releases on “the ownership society” and how the book relates to it, send comments and questions to blogs, and try to get CESJ spokespersons (particularly Norm) on radio talk shows. Harriet suggested we focus on small business.

Dr. Erik Maaloe: CESJ is acting as a distributor for his book, The Employee-Owner, an excellent collection of case studies on ESOP companies. CESJ members pay $29 (cover price is $40), $37 for non-members. Profit sharing with CESJ on sales of book would be $18.50 per book. Appears he will cover his postage to ship consignments to CESJ. (Appears on Amazon.uk). We need to do an email marketing letter for The Employee Owner. We should make a list of the top 10 books that would form the basis for understanding the Just Third Way. Harriet said that a virtual library on the just third way would be a good idea, which is what CESJ intends for its website to become. She said she loaned a copy of Curing World Poverty to Jim Wolf, a professor at George Mason University.

Upcoming CESJ Publications: Ferree Social Virtues Collection; William Cobbett’s The Emigrant’s Guide; MG Book on GK Chesterton (Michael Greaney) and Pesch. The first draft of the Ferree Social Virtues Collection is completed, as is The Emigrant’s Guide by William Cobbett, viewed as a “prophet” of distributism by Chesterton. Michael Greaney’s book on Chesterton is being polished and the footnotes completed, while he is still waiting on material from Joe Recinos to complete the book on Heinrich Pesch.

Focus topic for next meeting. Marketing Capital Homesteading.

The next Executive Committee Meeting will be held at noon on Wednesday, September 22, 2004. The next quarterly Board Meeting will be held Saturday, 16^th October 2004 at 9:30 am.

A motion to adjourn was made by Dawn K. Brohawn and seconded by Norman Kurland. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 3:40 pm.