War Tax Resistance Gathering and Coordinating Committee Meeting
Joyfield Farm, 4874 E 1400 N, North Manchester, Indiana 46962
5-7 May 2023
If you cannot attend in person, there will be a virtual connection for some sessions and the Sunday a.m. business meeting (registration required). Saturday & Sunday sessions will be held at Joyfield Farm unless otherwise noted. Friday events will be at Manchester University. All who are willing to camp will stay at Joyfield Farm. All who request a bed will be housed nearby with friends of Joyfield Farm.
Weekend Schedule (subject to some adjustments)
Resisting Together
Friday, May 5
6:00 pm: Arrival / Registration / Reception with refreshments at Manchester University (604 E College Ave, North Manchester, IN 46962) If you are camping at Joyfield Farm, you can come to farm first to set up camp.
We will gather at Cunningham Academic Center (11 on map) in room ACEN 101, a small auditorium near the Admission/Welcome Center doors facing East Street. Guest parking is available in the lots by the Jo Young Switzer Center (22), the Chinworth Center (7), or on East Street by Cordier Auditorium (9).
7:00 – 8:30 pm: Film – The Pacifist
After a welcome and introduction from Manchester University’s Peace Studies Institute, we will watch the 2018 documentary film, The Pacifist (57 minutes). The film interviews longtime War Tax Resister Larry Bassett, who recently resisted over $100,000 of federal income taxes after inheriting $1 million.
Saturday, May 6
8:00 – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 – 9:30: Introductions, Schedule Review, Orientation
9:30 – 10a: Farm Tour
10:00 – 11:30a: Lives of Resistance in North Manchester
Joyfield Farm founders Cliff & Arlene Kindy and local activists Bob & Rachel Gross will share how they have dedicated their lives to peace and justice as well as how war tax resistance has played a role in their peacemaking.
Noon – 1:00p: Lunch
1:00 – 2:30 pm: Concurrent Sessions for Newly interested and Current War Tax Resisters
- War Tax Resistance 101 An introduction to the why and how of this form of resistance, with discussion of potential consequences and resource referral. For people new to WTR or just getting started. Facilitated by Chrissy Kirchhoefer, NWTRCC Outreach Consultant
- WTR 102 Updates, trends, and Q&A for current war tax resisters. With NWTRCC Coordinator Lincoln Rice and the expert resisters in attendance!
3:00 – 4:30 pm: Promoting Peace in Ukraine
This session will be an open on discussion about the war in Ukraine. To set the tone, we will first hear from Cliff Kindy, who will discuss Community Peacemaker Teams’ involvement with a proposal for a thirty km de-militarized zone around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant. Then, we will hear from Cathy Deppe, who will share her interactions with conscientious objectors in Ukraine and the troubles they have faced. Afterward, there will be plenty of time to further discuss the issues raised by Cliff and Cathy, or discuss other aspects of the conflict and how to address it.
4:30 – 5:30 pm: Free Time
A time to relax, connect with others, check out the farm, etc.
5:30 – 6:30 pm : Supper
Sunday, November 6
8:00 – 9:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 – Noon: NWTRCC Business meeting (open to all.) The agenda and materials for the business meeting can be found here.
