National War Tax Resistance
Coordinating Committee Meeting
November 10, 2024 * Zoom
Present: Korvin Ahimsaka, Portland, OR; Lincoln Rice, Milwaukee, WI; Chrissy Kirchhoefer, St. Louis, MO; Cathy Deppe, Los Angeles, CA; Rick Bickhart, Charlottesville, VA; Jan Birk, Germany, CPTI; Jim Haber, Berkeley, CA; Peter Smith, South Bend, IN; Ginny Schneider, Cochiti Lake, NM; Sarah Weber, Topeka, KS; Nick Lancelotti, New York, NY; Greg Reagle, Raleigh, NC; Patricia Kirkpatrick, Worcester, MA; Sue Barnhart, Eugene, OR; Susan Miller, New York, NY; Sophia Bolinas, Claremont, CA; Shirley Whiteside, Cedar Rapids, IA; Ruth Benn, Brooklyn, NY; Mary Sprunger-Froese, Colorado Springs, CO; Karl Meyer, Nashville, TN; Eleanor Forman, New York, NY; Paula Rogge, Madison, WI
1 – Peter went over the NWTRCC consensus process. (Bryon Clemens volunteered to be timekeeper.)
2 – Consultant Reports & Consultant Review
Coordinator (PDF report)
Outreach Consultant (PDF report)
Comments: Rick, Instagram, where are those people coming from? Both from Instagram and our website; Sue, how is TikTok? less active since Tax Season ended, but we still post. Interest on Instagram has stayed strong all summer and fall; Shirley, can it be monetized? Yes, but we haven’t; Jim, should we be pushing message now at end of year? Yes, and Instagram has been particularly fruitful; Nick-recycling content and clips on TikTok would be good; Cathy, a W-4 video would be good. Nick, #TaxBlackout Campaign is still happening, 5% last year, 10% this year; Patricia, Genocide has been central, but Project 2025 should add more interest and talking points; Shirley – thank you both for all the work you do; Sarah W – website capacity? It has been increased 3 times since invasion of Gaza due to increased interest; Nick – we should look at Instagram insights from visitors.
3 – Objectives (PDF Approved 2025 Objectives)
- Patricia, Peace Tax Return interest. translate into Spanish. Patricia can help.
- Jim Haber, likes square palm cards,
- Shirley, accountant in 101, Chrissy has it.
- Mary, would Resist offer us a grant? Perhaps for sign language interpreter.
- Passed with Peace Tax Return in Spanish addition
4 – Finances & Budget (Approved Budget for 2025 & Finance 2024 Report & Budget 2025 Notes)
What is WTRs and aging? Account for developing resources for folks without SS or healthcare; Peter, 300 for honorium? We are keeping this budget optimistic, but conservative; Rick, deep diving into reserves? Yes. In previous years like this some person or group has come forward to help bridge the gap, but we might have to make cuts next year. 2025 Budget Approved with No Changes.
5 – Proposal & Endorsements
Proposal 1 – WTR Experience as Requirement for AdComm
Korvin – not necessary. We had three great candidates last May, but that may not be the case in the future. We shouldn’t create more restrictions; Eleanor – created proposal because we have had folks who had not practiced WTR in the past; Sue – Korvin spoke my mind, more concerned with people willing to do the work; Shirley – AdComm discussed folks who have been supporter of our movement, like Peter Goldberger, would be great candidates; Eleanor – didn’t mean to exclude Peter Goldberger.
Consensus failed– 2 approved, 2 standasides, 18 against
No Endorsments
6 – AdComm Nominees
Shirley & Korvin will be stepping down in May. Any nominations? Steve Leeds from WTR Penalty Fund board member in San Francisco; Someone from Asheville because of their current experiences; AdComm is very white right now.
7 – Future Gathering Locations
Worcester is an option; Ginny-has a lot of contacts in that area; Dates would be May 2-4, 2025; Patricia – should I explore and reach out of folks and put together an organizing team? Korvin – make sure we have volunteers in place before committing to a place; Cathy – if hybrid, someone who can handle technology, not Lincoln or Chrissy, and enough bandwidth; Nick would also help with organizing in Worcester; Peter would attend in Worcester; Ginny – Agape would be a great resource; Rick – should have a discussion about meeting in person
Everyone but Eleanor agreed that we should meet in Worcester is possible
WTR-Related Announcements
Nick will be spearheading #TaxBlackout again this year. Moving from 5% to 10% resistance. The campaign will be easier to engage this year. Geneva was a place for meeting on a number of issues for WTP. Can also follow on Instagram and Facebook.
8 – Evaluation of the Weekend
What went well and what would you change. Korvin – 201 was great; Lincoln – great conversations, wish more people attended; Chrissy – great sessions, wish we were in person; Greg – great meeting; Eleanor – Friday should not have had non-professional singer; Paula – peace church session was well-attended by Mennonites; Cathy – excellent and smooth program, 101 was best ever, best Zoom meeting ever, but better in person; Ed – impressed by number of new people, encouraged; Jim – grateful to be at business meeting; Karl – enjoyed meeting new people and connecting with old friend on Friday and Saturday morning; rich in great coordinators; Nick – wonderful success and looking forward to working with others moving forward; Susan M – seeing people old/new, expected more analysis facing current political situation, and thanks to AdComm for your contributions; Mary SP – appreciation for organizers and meeting new people; Sue B – great conference, best ever on Zoom, and loved singing on Zoom, great amount of time on Zoom; Sophia J– first conference, happy to attend. Probably only able to attend if on Zoom; was hoping for more 101 & 201 sessions, new people need more practical sessions; Ruth – Captain A session was really great, perhaps more facilitation conference and have other voices introducing session; Sarah W – good to see people with shared values, prefers to be more anonymous, so it’s good to be herself here, introductions go too long at some sessions; Rick – another great conference, variety, and creative resistance session, and thanks to consultants; Patricia – great being a part of this community and the legacy in the group, thankful she can have her kids with her during the meeting; Peter – great to see all, liked especially liked the social hour, institute 5 minute warning.
