www.icpj.net ~ 734-663-1870 ~ info@icpj.net

1679 Broadway, Ann Arbor, Mi. 48105

2010-2011 Annual Report

Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice

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Table of Contents ICPJ Overview 1

Program Reports

Common Ground for Peace in Israel/Palestine 3

No Weapons, No War (NOW) 4

Latin America Task Force 5

Hunger and CROP Walk 6

Climate Change and Earth Care 7

Racial and Economic Justice 8

Finance Report 9

2011-2012 Steering Committee Members 12

About the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice What we do

The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice empowers people of

faith and people of conscience in the Washtenaw County/Ann Arbor,

Michigan area to act on their moral and religious values to build a

better world.

Who we are

The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) is a non-profit

education/social action organization which brings together people of

various faiths who believe the world is one family. We believe that

love, commitment to future generations, wise stewardship of the

environment and promotion of social, political and economic justice

are religious responsibilities.

Our history

In the spring of 1965, Ann Arbor earned a footnote in American

history. The first teach-in drew hundreds of professors and students to

auditoriums and lecture halls to discuss the U.S. government’s

undeclared war in Vietnam. In December, a small interfaith group

from the World Order Committee of the Ann Arbor/Washtenaw

County Council of Churches met for the first time. Forty-five years

later, the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice still seeks the way

that is “plain, peaceful, generous, just.”

Our structure

At the core of ICPJ are six member-led program committees (see

program reports). Through the efforts of these committed groups of

volunteers, ICPJ educates and raises awareness with community events,

organizes actions and advocacy opportunities, and sponsors short-term

campaigns on current issues.

Taking part in events like the US Social Forum gives ICPJ the opportunity to

learn from and connect with other organizations from around the country in

order to build a stronger progressive movement.

ICPJ Overview Compiled by Chuck Warpehoski

The big achievements of ICPJ are in the pages that follow. Our

member-led task forces are the core of our grassroots work for peace and

justice. That’s where people like you can roll up your sleeves and organize

for a better world.

But there are a few stories that either aren’t related to a specific task

force (such as our move) or that cross many task forces (such as the US

Social Forum). Here are a few of those stories.

Moving and Changing

We’ve seen a few changes at

ICPJ over the past year. Over the

summer we moved from our long-

time home at Memorial Christian

Church to new offices at Northside

Presbyterian/St. Aidan’s Episcopal

Church. The new location gives us

more room, more access to meeting

space, and more parking (always

important in Ann Arbor).

In the fall of 2010, ICPJ gained

two new members. In September, ICPJ Director Chuck Warpehoski and

his wife Nancy Shore welcomed Camille Ann Shore into the world. Then

in October, ICPJ Program Coordinator Grace Kotre and her husband

David rejoiced at the birth of Noel Rose Kotre.

At the same time, Jessica Sitek joined ICPJ’s staff as Program

Coordinator. She did a great job in a period of transition, and she

continues to perform well serving the Hunger Task Force (p. 6) and

Climate Change and Earth Care (p. 7).

Responding to Intolerance

While we have been seeing attacks against Muslims rise for the last ten

years, they came to a head this fall .

Even before the wave of Islamophobia peaked in September, 2011

with threats, vandalism, arson, and attacks against Muslims and mosques,

ICPJ was working to dispel stereotypes about Islam. For example, we

worked with the Ann Arbor District Library to put on “American

Daughters” and “American Sons” panel discussions to explore the varied

experiences of Muslims in America (details on page 3).

When the atmosphere got worse, ICPJ led the response by engaging

religious leaders of all faiths to speak out against Islamophobia and

mobilizing to have Ann Arbor’s City Council pass a resolution affirming

our community’s commitment to respect and inclusion. Through

observances such as Religious Freedom Day, we continue to promote a

community that is safe and inclusive of people of all faiths—including

people who are not religious (details on page 8).

US Social Forum

ICPJ organized a group of over 40 individuals and supported several

local congregations to attend the United States Social Forum (USSF) in

Detroit this past June. A five-day “forum”, the USSF provided a space for

people from around the U.S. and the world to connect, learn from each

other’s experiences, and share analyses of the problems our communities

face.

With your support, ICPJ was able to take advantage of this unique

opportunity so close to home: ICPJ hosted planning meetings, organized

carpools, publicized the conference by radio, print, and web media, and

led workshops at the forum on sustainability, torture, and civil rights for

American Muslims.

“I was inspired to see people from

across the world working in solidarity to

solve problems that affect our

communities,” said ICPJ Program

Coordinator, Grace Kotre. Like Grace,

many ICPJ participants left the forum

with renewed passion and energy to

promote peace and justice within our

community and abroad.

Two of ICPJ’s newest members, Noel

Kotre and Camille Shore, with their

proud parents, Grace Kotre and

Chuck Warpehoski.

Vickie Wellman, Lisa Dugdale,

and Ian MacGregor at the US

Social Forum opening march.

No Weapons No War (NOW) Compiled by Erika McNamara

No Weapons No War (NOW) held

programs this year to stop war, eliminate

nuclear weapons, and end torture.

The State of the Peace Movement

Panel kicked the year off. All ICPJ com-

mittees reported the status of issues and

reflected on opportunities for peace and

justice. This event garnered the largest

attendance by ICPJ members.

Stop War: NOW hosted a series of

events to study the effects of the war in

Afghanistan. We held events to promote

peace in the region, including community

forums, a book group, and a showing of Rethink Afghanistan. The latter

resulted in the largest community-based turn out of the year with more

then 40 people in attendance.

After a forum and an on-line survey about Afghanistan, NOW devel-

oped a resolution for the immediate withdrawal of all US and NATO

troops, which was approved by the ICPJ Board.

Eliminate Nuclear Weapons: A grant from the Ploughshares Fund,

allowed NOW to promote the opening of Countdown To Zero. This new

film promotes the elimination of nuclear weapons. We worked with the

Membership Committee to hold a family-oriented picnic to commemorate

the anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days, featuring origami

cranes, candle boats, and peace songs.

End Torture: A grant from the National Religious Campaign Against

Torture awarded NOW a grant to hold events for Torture Awareness

month. In June we held events to end US-sponsored torture and domes-

tic prisoner abuse. Our activities featured a panel discussion about the

rights of incarcerated individuals. We also had a table at the farmers mar-

ket and promoted congregational participation.

Common Ground for Peace in Israel/Palestine Compiled by Amy Rosenberg

Our primary goals have been to educate on the conflict, to work on

expanding contact with both Jewish and Muslim communities, and to op-

pose settlement activity in the West Bank.

Educating on the conflict: This May, Common Ground will send an

interfaith peace delegation to Israel and the West Bank. Fifteen people

(including Christian, Muslim, and Jewish participants) will learn from

peacemakers on the ground about how to support efforts to resolve the

conflict and then bring these lessons back to Michigan.

Expanding Community Contact: One barrier to interfaith coopera-

tion on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a climate of mistrust and Islamo-

phobia in the United States. That’s why Common Ground worked with

the Ann Arbor District Library to host “American Daughters” and

“American Sons” events to explore the diverse experiences of American

Muslim women and men, and we supported the Religious Freedom Day

activities (See Racial and Economic Justice report).

We have also worked to engage members of the Jewish community in

the dialogue about the prospects for peace. Out of these efforts grew a

sign-on letter to Senators Levin and Stabenow calling for assertive U.S.

engagement to promote a Middle East peace proposal.

Opposing Settlement Activity:: Common Ground sees Israeli settle-

ment activity in the West Bank as a serious roadblock to peace and a

threat to the possibility of a two-state resolution to the conflict. We have

explored several ways to mobilize against settlements, including discus-

sions of boycotts of settlement products such as Ahava beauty products.

We are also launching

a sign-on ad calling

for investigations to

determine if tax-

deductible gifts to

settlements violate

U.S. law.

ICPJ and the Ann Arbor District Library hosted

“American Daughters,” a conversation about the

diverse experiences of Muslim women in the U.S.

Screenings of Rethink

Afghanistan is are one tool ICPJ

has used to challenge military-

focused foreign policy.

Latin America Task Force Compiled by Rebecca Kanner

In 2010, the Latin America

Task Force (LATF) continued to

promote justice in Latin America

and solidarity between our peo-

ples through task force activities,

education and advocacy.

Advocacy and action: In

April, two of our members trav-

eled to D.C. and met with 7

Michigan elected officials on

Capitol Hill, advocating for the

closing of the School of the

Americas/WHINSEC military training facility and for a just U.S. policy in

Colombia. In November, an ICPJ delegation traveled to Ft. Benning, GA,

joining thousands in the inspiring vigil outside the gates of the SOA;

LATF chartered a bus for the 5th straight year.

Solidarity with the people of Latin America: In June, LATF mem-

bers participated in the U.S. Social Forum in Detroit, attending sessions

on Latin America; at the same time, task force member Mary Anne Per-

rone attended the first “Encuentro,” a gathering in Venezuela of activists

from 19 countries in the Americas. In August, task force member Rebecca

Kanner was part of a delegation to Colombia to raise awareness about the

U.S. military at Colombian military bases.

Educating our community: In January, Latin American issues were

presented by Mary Anne Perrone at ICPJ’s State of the Peace Movement

program. In June, LATF hosted El Salvador 30 Years Later: Romero Lives!, in

which Mary Anne Perrone and Frank Hammer shared their experiences

on delegations to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Oscar Romero’s

assassination. In November, LATF hosted Padre Alberto Franco, a Co-

lombian human rights leader, who shared how we in the U.S. could act in

solidarity with the people of Colombia.

“We are one America/Somos Una

America” is a rallying cry to overcome the

indifference to how U.S. military,

economic, and immigration policy affects

“those” people on across the border.

Hunger and CROP Walk Compiled by Jessica Sitek

Highlights from 2010 include

increasing the Faith & Food

Program and collaborating with

the Climate Change and Earth

Care Group to provide

educational material at CROP to

address the connection between

climate change and global hunger.

As a continuing collaboration

with Food Gatherers and

Growing Hope, the Faith & Food

Program continues to grow its

success. The 2010 growing season increased its yield by 170% with 9,296

lbs of fresh, healthy food donated from congregational gardens. This

year’s number of participants increased from 13 to 26 congregations. We

are inviting still more congregations to join our effort to harvest for

hunger and to grow food security in our area.

This year’s CROP Hunger walk was on 10/10/10 and coincided with

the 350.org global action day to celebrate climate change solutions. In

recognition of this day of awareness and action, the Hunger Task Force

joined with the Climate Change and Earth Care Group to demonstrate

how climate change affects global hunger and poverty. Educational

materials were constructed for display at each water stop, and made

available at registration and during the post-walk meal.

Nearly 450 community members came out on a warm, sunny day to

respond to hunger and walk for its relief and prevention. The walk raised

over $56,000 in funds, nearly $12,000 of which went toward local hunger

initiatives.

Please join us for the 2011 Annual Washtenaw/Ann Arbor Crop

Walk on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at Bethlehem UCC.

The CROP Hunger Walk brings

together people of different ages and

faiths to help stop hunger.

Climate Change & Earth Care Compiled by Jan Wright

Our major focus this year has been a strong, comprehensive energy and climate change bill that would protect human health, provide jobs, lower con-sumers’ costs, and cut the amount of carbon we are putting into the air. We organized the following actions, as well as sending periodic action alerts urging people to call, write or email their Sena-tors and Representative:

• A letter signed by over 140 Michi-gan faith leaders calling on Senators Levin and Stabenow to work for tough and comprehensive climate and energy legislation. ICPJ took the lead but worked with two state-wide faith-based groups that fo-cus on climate change, as well as two secular environmental groups.

• Two press conferences about the sign-on letter--one in Ann Arbor, one in Detroit.

• Meetings between a small group of clergy and lay people from Chris-tian, Jewish and Earth-based faiths and an aide from each of our Senators’ offices about the sign-on letter and the issues behind it.

• Whimsical but serious photo messages to our Senators (see graphic) from 63 Michiganders attending the Ann Arbor Green Fair and the Ypsilanti Downtown Farmers Market.

Unfortunately, the Senate failed to pass climate change legislation, and is very unlikely to do so in the next two years. We will focus on staving off efforts to limit or destroy the EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gases—currently the most powerful tool against climate change on the Federal level.

We have worked on local transportation issues on a limited basis, in-cluding hosting a faith leaders’ breakfast during Phase I of AATA/TheRide’s County-Wide Transportation Plan process. We will be increas-ing our efforts in this area during the coming year.

We also provided the educational material for the CROP Walk kick-off and water stops, showing links between hunger and climate change. In addition, one of our members led a workshop on Resilience (how to cut our carbon footprint and live with abundance) at the U.S. Social Forum, held in Detroit last summer.

Racial and Economic Justice Compiled by Lucia Heinold

Islamophobia: REJ presented a resolu-

tion to the Ann Arbor City Council reaffirm-

ing religious freedom, which passed unani-

mously. Observing Religious Freedom Day,

REJ joined with The Interfaith Round Table

to present three educational events: a panel at

the Ann Arbor Library, a “Living Library” at

St. Clares/Temple Beth Emeth, and an inter-

faith community service project with Habitat

for Humanity.

Public Services: We supported afford-

able public transit for the most needful riders

and helped organize a large community break-

fast in Ypsilanti where the Ann Arbor Transit

Authority listened to the needs of local users.

REJ Members are also advocating for public Human Service Funding,

including funding for start up groups and capacity building. This year we

ran three Welfare Simulations that involved over 30 volunteers and 130

participants, illustrating the challenges facing people in poverty.

Racial Issues: Our Uprooting Racism Book Club is exploring sys-

tematic injustice facing Native Americans, Blacks, Latinos, Asians and

others as we read The Color of Wealth: The Story Behind the U.S. Racial

Wealth Divide. In February we discussed the Ann Arbor Reads title, Life is

so Good, a story of how systematic racism affected one individual. This fall

we met with Washtenaw County education and human service providers

to explore ways ICPJ might help narrow the educational Achievement

Gap. Now we will investigate fresh ways to address this issue.

Anger Workshop: This winter La’Ron Williams led us in a 4-hour

workshop on how to turn our anger into a strategic tool.

A message to our Senators: “Stop

climate change because C What

happens when the ice is GONE?”

ICPJ challenged the Ann

Arbor City Government to

reaffirm religious freedom.

Photo: Ryan J. Stanton

AnnArbor.com

Financial Report Compiled by Chuck Warpehoski

2010

As the fragile economy hurts many nonprofits, ICPJ continues to hold

our own. We did finish 2010 with a slight deficit, but one that our current

financial reserves can withstand.

Income: Our income has remained fairly stable over the past three

years, while other nonprofits have seen significant declines. The founda-

tion for this stability is a committed base of faithful ICPJ donors and con-

gregational allies. Upon this base stands a diverse mix of other funding

sources including grants, business donations, and special events.

Expenses: As in previous years, our major expense is personnel.

Community organizing isn’t about fancy computers or swanky offices; it’s

about people and relationships. Therefore, most of our expenses go to our

staff who support our volunteers and members. We keep other expenses

low by taking advantage of donated supplies, low-cost office facilities, and

reduced-cost software available to nonprofits.

In 2010 we saw two unique expenses. Our move to our new offices

brought with it both one-time moving expenses and an ongoing rent in-

crease. Also, our personnel costs increased as we hired additional staff to

cover parental leave.

2011 Income

Our 2011 budget is ambitious. Given that we are coming out of sev-

eral years of deficits, we will have to work hard to meet our goals for this

year.

Income: The 2011 ICPJ budget calls for us to increase individual,

congregation, and special events income. Reaching these goals will take

work, but it is possible.

Expenses: While several expenses decrease for 2011 (we won’t have

moving costs, for example), others increase. We still face some parental

leave costs and our current rent is more expensive than our previous loca-

tion. We continue to cut costs in other areas, such as reducing and target-

ing mailings and making use of in-kind donations.

Bottom Line: ICPJ’s strong member support and financial reserves

have allowed us to weather the financial storm intact so far. We have am-

bitious-but-achievable goals for 2011. Member support will be critical to

ensuring that ICPJ can continue the strong work it does to bring people

together across their differences to promote justice and foster peace.

2010 Expenses

2010 Income

2010 Financial Report, 2011 Budget 2010 actual 2011 proposed

Income

Individual Contributions $69,096 $72,000

Corporate/Business Contribution $2,500 $2,500

Foundation Grants $5,325 $4,000

Nonprofit & Congregations $21,339 $23,000

Program Service Fees $6,304 $8,500

Fiduciary Fees $107 $25

Interest Earned $30 $25

Sales Income $1,961 $2,200

Events $13,306 $16,000

Total Income $119,968 $128,250

Expense

Grants to Other Organizations $238 $0

Total staff expenses $90,991 $93,000

Professional Fees $200 $1,000

Supplies $661 $750

Technology $1,606 $500

Telephone & Telecom $1,271 $1,000

Postage & Shipping $3,086 $3,250

Printing and Reproduction $4,253 $4,400

Rent $5,840 $7,800

Equip. Rental & Maintenance $226 $250

Travel Costs $7,295 $7,500

Events $3,892 $4,000

Sales Inventory Costs $1,694 $1,200

Insurance--Non Employee Related $1,050 $2,100

Other Miscellaneous Expenses $418 $400

Moving Expenses $1,542 $0

Total Expense $125,407 $128,250

Net Income -$5,439 $0

Bank Service Charges $950 $800

Staff Development $192 $300

Bryan Weinert (President) Zion Lutheran Church 2nd Term Expires: 2013 Jan Wright (Secretary) Ann Arbor Friends Meeting 2nd Term Expires: 2012 Jim Schaafsma (Vice President) 1st Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor Michigan Poverty Law Program 2nd Term Expires: 2013 Lucia Heinold (Treasurer) 1st Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor 1st Term Expires: 2012 Veena Kulkarni Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church 1st Term Expires: 2011 Kevin Frahm Mission Marketplace, Chelsea 1st Term Expires: 2012 La'Ron Williams Ann Arbor Peace Community 1st Term Expires: 2011 Vickie Wellman Ann Arbor Peace Community 1st Term Expires: 2011

Denese Brown Power, Inc.; Faith Assembly Church 1st Term Expires: 201 Bill Alt Holy Trinity Student Parish 1st Term Expires: 2013 Bob Milstein Temple Beth Emeth Interim Term Expires: 2013 Amjad Quadri Ann Arbor Muslim Community Interim Term Expires: 2013 Dwight Wilson Ann Arbor Friends Meeting 1st Term Expires: 2014 Bruce Martin Ecumenical Center and International Residence 1st Term Expires: 2014 Deb Kraus Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Havurah 1st Term Expires: 2014 Jackie Kurtz Ann Arbor Interfaith Community 1st Term Expires: 2014

ICPJ Board of Directors, 2011-2012