Our Sunday March 4th Meeting

We had a lot on our agenda this week ladies :

• Consensus on name (AMWA) or (WAMA) or (MAWA)
• Intro of members, skills and interests
• What are individual cause celebres
• The April 21st fundraiser

Sister Amina was kind enough to write up on the meeting we had March 4th (thank you!)

Here are the minutes: After salaams & duas,

1) Introduction of our members, our goals objectives

2) Discussion of purpose / goals of these meetings

These meetings are meant to be a forum for Muslim Women to build momentum behind issues they feel dearly about, further our work on these issues, broaden our resources and strengthen our voice. It is also allows us to voice our perspectives and those of the communities we are a part of, while networking with other activists.

3) Central Asia Institute (CAI) fundraiser – April 21st (www.ikat.org)

Sadia told us more about Greg Mortenson (http://www.gregmortenson.com/) and his efforts to build schools in Pakistan. He co-authored a book (http://www.threecupsoftea.com/) which tells the story of how and why he did this. The CAI fundraiser will be Saturday, April 21, 2007 at Monty Banquet Hall, Bensenville. Sadia will compile a list of tasks which Samana will delegate to those who want to help. Sadia also has postcards to pass out which will be ready in a few days (a meeting date/location will be determined to pickup them up for distribution.) We are co-sponsoring this event so it would be great to have help.

4) Dupage United – (www.dupageunited.org) Naazish told us about the work being done with this social and economic change organization. They are currently campaigning against the budgetary slashes for social services for Dupage County’s needy. She mentioned that there is almost no representation from the Muslim community at these meetings. Also, being a part of DuPage United ( or its sister organizations Lake County United, United for Peace and Justice in Cook County) may help us build the skills and contacts for future projects. Check out www.ciogc.org for an upcoming week long training, in April, being given by Industrial Area Foundation and Mike Gecan. Luminaries in the field. If you're part of a masjid, even informally, then you're a member of CIOGC and will qualify for the member rate of $300 for the training.

5) Action items for the Month of April and March

On March 20th there is a huge rally expected on Immigration Rights. CIOCG is a participant and we need to get as many muslims involved as possible. March 20, 2007 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Ogden Elementary School parking lot (25 E. Walton Street), Chicago, IL

Contact: CCAWR [Email this contact] Sponsor(s): CCAWR, M20 coalition Michigan Avenue Mass Protest against the Iraq War

Thursday, March 8, 2007 DuPage United will be addressing the Water Commission on their use of the ¼ cent sales tax. Naazish also reminds us: Water Commission Meeting Thursday, March 8, 2007 7:30 PM – 8:15 PM Dupage Water CommissionElmhurst 600 E. Butterfield Rd.

Attendance is crucial. Every face counts.

It is time for the Water Commission and the charter members to stop playing games with taxpayer’s money. While the Water Commission is awash in cash, DuPage County is in desperate need of additional revenue to restore programs that benefit the uninsured, the elderly, and our youth. The county has already failed to get legislative approval for a cigarette sales tax. Rather than the county again seeking legislative approval for a cigarette tax or another increase in sales tax, DuPage United proposes that the Water Commission transfer the ¼ cent sales tax to the county general fund. This is an appropriate and fiscally responsible use for a tax that is no longer needed by the Water Commission.

Next Meeting: Date and Venue: TBD