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 Minutes for May 8, 2008 ICPR meeting:

Officer’s Reports:

*Jack reported on the IRS seminar he attended. About 500 people attended the three day event. They were from non-profit groups from all over Texas. The IRS is more carefully reviewing the yearly forms filed by non-profits & the paperwork is becoming more & more complex. ICPR may need to seek out the pro-bono services of a CPA in the future.

Jack has been filing our returns & this year he was successful in filing on line.

There were three main topics that Jack learned from the seminars.

1)      On the subject of Honorariums: ICPR is allowed to give up to $599.00 to speakers at our events. If over $600.00 it means that the IRS Form 1099 has to be filed by ICPR.

2)     If we have sales at our events: As a 501c (3), we are allowed to have two, one day events that are sales tax free per year.

3)     Regarding the IRS forms we are required to file: There are 3 forms. We also need to keep records for five years in the event we are audited.

*A short discussion led to our passing a motion that the Silent Auction at our May 10 event be identified

      that all proceeds will go to the Palestinian Children’s Welfare Fund, in memory of Riad Hamad.   

   

 *Treasurer’s Report was given by Moneta.

    We had expenses of $98.86 & income of $250.00. She projected expenses for our Mazin Qumsiyeh event

      to be about $1470.00 and projected income to be  $1625.00.

     Our account balance as of May 8, 2008 was $1282.41.

      Please consider making a tax-exempt donation to ICPR to help defray the costs of this important event.

      Mail donations to: ICPR, P.O. Box 301621, Austin Texas, 78703

*Minutes from April meeting were approved.

 

*Dick gave his long awaited book review of the book Overcoming Zionism, by Joel Kovel

    (ISBN: 0745325696, Pluto Press, 2007). “Joel Kovel argues that the inner contradictions of Zionism have led

    Israel to a ‘state-sponsored racism’ fully as incorrigible as that of apartheid South Africa and deserving of

    the same resolution. He argues that only a path toward single-state secular democracy can provide the justice essential to 

    healing the wounds of theMiddle East.”  Dick gives terrific book reviews & if he can reduce his notes to less than the

    twenty-two pages he had prepared, the review will be on the ICPR website. A brief discussion followed his review.

 

*Karen went over the details for the Celebration of Life service for Riad Hamad. Karen, Ed 

    and others had been working with the Hamad family and St. James Episcopal Church 

    for the event scheduled for Sat., May 10, from 1-3 PM.

 

*The rest of the meeting was devoted to the last minute plans for our May 10 event 

    featuring Mazin Qumsiyeh (www.qumsiyeh.org) at St. Edward’s University.

    Eileen prepared a floor plan for the reception area. Two assistants from St. Ed’s will be available to assist us.

    Eileen has also taken care of the computer / technology requirements for Mazin’s presentation.  

    There is a plan to have the program recorded. Eileen reported that the Scanlan  Foundation has given ICPR

    a donation with the request that an audio copy be sent to the brother of John Scanlan.

    Terry has designed the programs and they will be ready for the evening events.

    Tura will handle the Silent Auction and has received numerous donations of very beautiful Palestinian embroideries, etc.

    Moneta has taken care of organizing the food & drink donations as well as the plans for our Sunday brunch.

    Jack & Moneta will provide Mazin’s transportation & housing needs.

    Chris arranged for Mazin to give his presentation to her church, Westlake Presbyterian on  Sunday, May 11, in the evening.

    Bernice reminded us to attend the last event of the Human Rights Focus. ICPR has sponsored an event on May 14

      featuring Bonnie Tamres-Moore, speaking about the issue of U.S. supported torture.

 

The planning committee has worked tirelessly and done a terrific job organizing these events, as well as extending the

  weekend plans to include the celebration for Riad.

 

Next meeting: June 12, 2008, 7:00 pm at Austin Presbyterian Seminary.

Meanwhile, visit our website: www.icpr-austin.org

Hope to see everyone in June,

Cheryl