The program includes presentations about war tax resistance and redirecting tax dollars to peace, stories of individual resistance, discussion about consequences and effectiveness, strategizing about all of our work against war and creating the world we hope to see. NWTRCC is holding its business meeting in Cleveland on Sunday morning, November 8 (open to all). Along with local activists, people from around the country who refuse to pay for war will participate in the mini-conference.

PROGRAM

Representatives of war tax resistance (WTR) groups from around the country will attend and join local war resisters as presenters and facilitators for panels, group discussions, and workshops. Program planning is in progress. Please check the website or call for updated information.

FRIDAY EVENING, Nov 6

5 pm: Arrival, Registration,

6:30 pm: Dinner

7:30 pm: “Deconstruct War / Construct Peace” Building the world we want to see. How does our war tax resistance influence change? Facilitated by Cleveland hosts Maria Smith and Charlie Hurst, including a poetry project to explore our resistance with Philip Metres.

Phil Metres is the author of numerous books, including To See the Earth (poetry, 2008), Come Together: Imagine Peace (anthology of peace poems, 2008), Behind the Lines: War Resistance Poetry on the American Homefront since 1941 (criticism, 2007), and Catalogue of Comedic Novelties: Selected Poems of Lev Rubinstein (2004).  His poetry has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including Best American Poetry.  He teaches literature and creative writing at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Saturday, Nov 7

8 am: Breakfast

9 am: Welcome, Introductions, and Logistics

9:15 am: Discussion

NWTRCC & the War Tax Resistance (WTR) Movement - Who we are, What we do, Where are we going?
Discussion of NWTRCC network and WTR activity in general, Program update on War Tax Boycott and other NWTCC activities. Open discussion of ideas for development of our efforts and/or changes needed. (Large and small group)

10:15 - Break

10:30 - Film Showing

"Death and Taxes" - New 30-minute (approx) film introduces the basics of war tax resistance. View and comment on NWTRCC's nearly completed film showing many faces of resistance. Hear from some of the resisters who appear in the film (Juanita Nelson, David Waters, Bill Ramsey, Ruth Benn) and time to follow up with some personal stories of resistance.

Noon: Lunch

1:15 pm - Panel and Discussion

"Making Connections/Working Together - WTR and the wider peace movement" With Mike Ferner, President, Veterans for Peace; Sr. Diane Pinchot, OSU, artist and School of Americas Watch defendant; Phil Althouse, attorney and election observer in El Salvador.

1:45 - Small group discussions with each of the presenters to talk more in-depth on their presentation and area of work.

2:45 - Break

3:00 - Concurrent Workshops:

WTR 101: Basic introduction and getting started. Led by long-time war tax resisters.

WTR Questions and Answers for experienced resisters and counselors, with Ruth Benn, NWTRCC Coordinator

4:15 - Break

4:30  - Discussion: Deconstruct War / Construct Peace reprise - From our previous sessions, are there some priorities that emerged and that we should develop in our ongoing work?

Concurrent: Time for NWTRCC committees and special interest groups to meet - War Tax Boycott, Fundraising, Peace Tax Fund follow-up, WTR Penalty Fund/assistance programs

6:00 pm - Dinner

7:00 pm: Evening program to be announced

Sunday, Nov 8:

9:00 am - noon: NWTRCC Business Meeting
        Agenda includes continuing work on boycott and video; priorities for coming year; fundraising and annual budget; literature updates and new resource ideas. All welcome!

1:30 pm - 5:30 pm WTR Counselor’s Training
        Training for new and experienced counselors. Review information, techniques, and problems that might occur during a counseling session.

LOGISTICS

Location: The Nehemiah Center, 6515 Bridge Ave., corner of Bridge and West 65th St., Cleveland, OH, nehemiahmission.org. Hosted by Dorothy Day Peace Tax Fund, Cleveland Catholic Worker, the Cleveland Nonviolence Network, and the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC).

Travel: Cleveland is served by buses, Amtrak, and flights to the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). There is public transportation into the city from the airport. We will do our best to help with arrangements or connect people for shared rides.

Housing: Housing is at Nehemiah Center, nehemiahmission.org, with comfortable bunk beds. All those staying at Nehemiah are asked to bring their own bedding/sleeping bag, pillow, towels, and toiletries.

Meals: The program begins with dinner on Friday at 6:30 pm, and ends with lunch on Sunday (all welcome for the Sunday NWTRCC business meeting). Meals are vegetarian with vegan options. You may be asked to help with meal prep or serving.

Costs: $15 registration fee in advance, plus $25 per night for housing and meals at Nehemiah; $25 for one day meals/no housing. Pay what you can. Scholarships will be made available as needed, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Local contact: Charles Hurst and Maria Smith 216-241-6594, caixa@prodigy.net

Further travel and program details will be on our website and sent to you in advance of the gathering.

Registration and Program Information
National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC)
(800) 269-7464, nwtrcc@nwtrcc.org

pdf version of this flyer

I am (we are) coming to the war tax resistance gathering in Cleveland, OH

Name(s)______________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip_____________________________________________________
Phone_______________________________
Email____________________________

# attending: _____Adults _____Children for:         Full weekend         Partial weekend

If partial, please check meals you will need:
Friday:         Dinner
Saturday:     Breakfast        Lunch         Dinner
Sunday:       Breakfast         Lunch

Accommodations:

Housing will be at the Nehemiah Center. Please pay what you can. Scholarships will be available for those who cannot afford the fees. Cost with housing and meals: $25 per night, which includes meals One day only cost for meals, no housing: $25

Note: If you are staying at Nehemiah Center, you must bring bedding/sleeping bag, pillow, towels, and toiletries.

___ I/We will be staying over these nights:        *Thurs.         Fri.         Sat.         *Sun.

* Please call the NWTRCC office regarding Thursday and Sunday night stays, which can best be accommodated for committee members and those whose travel arrangements require it.

___ I/we will find our own accommodations.

Special needs: ____ Vegan         ____ Food Allergies
        Pet or other allergies: ___________________
Other__________________________________________________________
        _________________________________________________________

___ I/we will stay for the Sunday afternoon Counselors' Training

TRAVEL INFORMATION
I will be arriving by         Air         Car         Train         Bus

Airline/Flight Number/airport: ___________________________

Bus/Train Info: _____________________________

Date/approx. arrival time: ___________________________

Air/bus/train departure date and time_______________________

____ I need driving directions.

____ I can offer rides to ___ people from my area

____ It is difficult for me to take public transportation. I need to be picked up on arrival.

Fees and Registration Deadline

We are asking $15 registration fee for the weekend, or donations if you are attending part of the time. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, although a collection may be taken up during the weekend if costs have not been covered. Additional donations in advance will help us house everyone at Nehemiah Center.

Enclosed is (please make checks payable to NWTRCC):

$15 registration fee, and,
$25 per night housing and meals, or,
$25 one day meals only, no housing

Total enclosed $_____________

You may pay online through the Paypal donation button on our website,
nwtrcc.org. Use the note space in Paypal to explain that your payment is
for the Cleveland weekend.

Deadline: Please register by October 23 (mail, phone, fax, email!)