Attending: Norman G. Kurland, Dawn K. Brohawn, Rowland Brohawn, Michael D. Greaney, Harriet Epstein, Robert Scanlon, Kemp Harshman.

Materials Distributed: Core Values, Code of Ethics, 12/22/04 minutes, First Quarter FY 04 TreasureríƒÙs Report, Carey Campbell (VA Green Party) e-mail, NK Fax to Robert Samuelson, 1998 info. on demonstration permit, "Guide to Effective Participation in the 2001 Inauguration."

Meeting was called to order at 10:45 AM by Harriet Epstein, Rotating Chairman. The Opening Prayer was offered by Kemp Harshman. The Core Values and Code of Ethics were read.

Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes and Treasurer's Report. Kemp Harshman moved to accept the minutes of the 12/22/04 Executive Committee Meeting. Dawn K. Brohawn seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mike Greaney gave a report on sales of the Capital Homesteading book.¨› WeíƒÙre getting close to break-even; we've printed 453 copies to date and there have been 1905 hits on the PDF file of the book. Dawn K. Brohawn moved to accept the First Quarter TreasureríƒÙs Report. Norman G. Kurland seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

News/Information Items

Conference of National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. Harriet Epstein attended a conference of the NCPSSM, a 20-year-old liberal organization which opposes President Bush's plan for Social Security. Harriet will deliver a copy of Capital Homesteading for Every Citizen to Barbara Kennelly, CEO of the organization, and will follow up with a request for a meeting between Kennelly, Norm Kurland and herself to discuss the Capital Homestead alternative.

Meeting with Art Nicoletti and Norman Bailey (grassroots network; CIC for low-income community development). Norman Bailey set up a meeting between Norman Kurland, himself and Art Nicoletti of Philadelphia. Art Nicoletti has been involved in anti-drug programs for twenty years. He is working with a nation-wide network of African-American pastors fighting the drug culture. He is very interested in the Just Third Way and Capital Homesteading, particularly the Community Investment Corporation for local community development. He may be a conduit to other people in a position to implement some of CESJ's programs. Norman Kurland gave him a complimentary copy of Capital Homesteading for Every Citizen. We will wait and see how he responds. If Art Nicoletti sets up a meeting and agrees to focus on Capital Homesteading and the CIC, Norman Kurland and Norman Bailey will go to Philadelphia in January.

Capital Homesteading the D.C. Stadium (Walter Fauntroy). Walter Fauntroy said that the public financing of the proposed D.C. baseball stadium has remained controversial. He is working with three DC city council members who want to stop public funding of the project, which, essentially, is using taxpayer money to finance the acquisition of the facility by a few rich owners. Walter wants to explore the possibility that the project could be financed using the discount powers of the Richmond Federal Reserve, through a Community Investment Corporation that would purchase and lease out the land and facilities to the team.

Employee/Customer-owned Airline Leasing Company (Steve Nieman). Steve Nieman (a CESJ member and pilot with Horizon Airlines) is working with member Richard Foley toward an employee/customer buyout of Alaska/Horizon Airlines through an ESOP/CSOP, which would introduce an Ownership Union. He and Richard have been trying to get a stockholder resolution to democratize the governance of the airline. Steve Nieman came up with the idea of a leasing operation owned by the employees and customers, which would invest in and lease out passenger planes, and trained manpower. He is moving in the direction of an ownership union. Steve is investigating the possibility of adapting the Individual Retirement Account to cover non-employees (e.g., frequent flyers) in the ownership of such a leasing operation. Norm is helping Steve set up a possible structure and will approach the National Cooperative Bank to see if the deal could be leveraged, allowing the debt to paid in pre-tax dollars, converting the loan to tax-sheltered equity shares. Norm will meet on January 18^th with the NCB’s top coop lawyer (Garry McDavid), to see whether we can set up a system that provides the same tax benefits as an ESOP.

Endorsement from Virginia Independent Green Party (Carey Campbell). Norman Kurland ran into Carey Campbell (whom he had met with several years ago) in a supermarket. Carey is involved in the Independent Green Party of Virginia and sent Norm an e-mail endorsing CESJ's Capital Homesteading ideas for his party. Kemp Harshman noted that the various Green Parties are generally anti-growth and anti-development Norm will wait to see what develops.

Focus topic: April Business Meeting and Celebration.

What are the focus and objectives of the business meeting? Harriet Epstein said that the morning should focus on a CESJ critique of the ARP platform and the previous dayíƒÙs ARP inauguration outside the Federal Reserve building. The afternoon should focus on allowing people to mingle and meet each other. Dawn Brohawn suggested we distribute copies of the ARP platform in advance. Norman Kurland said we also need a discussion or plan on how we can inject Capital Homesteading into the Social Security debate. The main afternoon speaker could be Joe Lunch Buckett (Rick Osbourne).

What are the theme/focus and objectives of the celebration? See above. An objective for the afternoon session would be to rally people to organize (hopefully, under ARP) into local groups that would meet, strategize on getting Capital Homesteading into the Social Security debate.¨› One example is the Just Faith network. Norm is working with the Beyond Just Faith group in Olney, Maryland to have a meeting arranged with Cardinal Keeler in Baltimore and Cardinal McCarrick in Washington, D.C. (Michael Greaney is also trying to open up a channel to Cardinal McCarrick through his friend and lawyer Ron Precup who knows the Vicar General in the Washington archdiocese. Our objective with Cardinal McCarrick is to get him to write a pastoral letter on economic and social justice to give greater clarity to people using these terms; eventually we hope to have the Pope issue an encyclical on Economic Justice.)

How will we relate these to the ARP "Fed Event"? See above. We should explore how CESJ and ARP can work together. Is there a question of CESJ and political advocacy? Norm stressed that individuals not organizations should endorse the ARP platform. We need to specify that CESJ's purpose is educational; what ARP does is political advocacy. Kemp suggested we develop a statement that describes CESJ as a think tank that will influence the thinking and activity of ARP, but that we are not the sole source for the development of ARP's platform and programs. Likewise, CESJ will remain autonomous from ARP. Kemp emphasized that the prohibition is against "substantial" political activity by a non-profit (a low percentage of the non-profit's funds may be used. Individual members can advocate a specific piece of legislation (e.g., the Capital Homestead Act).¨› On CESJ's website we can put a link to the ARP platform, stating: "The ARP platform appears to be consistent with CESJ's core values and Capital Homesteading concepts."

What tasks remain and what is the time frame for their completion? Dawn K. Brohawn moved to form a subcommittee to determine the details of the April 16^th program. Bob Scanlon seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Dawn K. Brohawn, Harriet Epstein and Bob Scanlon were appointed members.

Kemp Harshman noted that we might get a producer to videotape the event at the Fed. Prior to the Fed event we need to let CESJ people know about this event so they can plan to attend. Kemp also suggested finding a copy of LincolníƒÙs speech following the passage of the Homestead Act. Also, should we have a rain date? Norman Kurland said, no -- bring umbrellas.

Ongoing Projects Decision/Follow-Up Items

Focus and Goals for 2005. Capital Homesteading is the chief project for CESJ at this time. CESJ's goal: "to get widespread understanding and support for Capital Homesteading as a solution to the Social Security crisis." We need to focus on getting the message to Congress. People should send e-mails throughout their networks. Also, send op-ed pieces to local and national newspapers, possibly as an open letter to President Bush. We want to penetrate groups who are looking at the Social Security issue (such as AARP). Emphasize that Capital Homesteading will keep all current Social Security promises and raises more tax revenues through increased capital incomes (and no cap on the level of income taxed to cover the promises); but does not redistribute income from one group of taxpayers to another. Dawn recommended that people tailor the letter to President Bush she developed, and send blind copies to thirdway@cesj.org. Bob Scanlon recommended as another goal: Expand the number of CESJ members on the ground, helping to promote our Capital Homesteading objective. Bob will be working to get the Capital Homesteading book into the Just Faith curriculum. Other objectives: Getting a community investment corporation implemented. Getting candidates to adopt one or more points of the ARP platform.

Marketing Capital Homesteading for Every Citizen (sales report; e-mail campaign; blog contacts; contacting Bill Frenzel and other members of Committee on Tax Reform). Bob Scanlon said there should be continued promotion of the book, with the goal of selling a thousand copies in 2005, possibly a special printing for Jack Jezreel using TAN Books or another printer. Norman Kurland said we should get permission from Human Life International to copy the "Money, Power and Justice" audiotape from Norm's talk some years ago. Dawn K. Brohawn said that we need to get out a mailout for Capital Homesteading, along with letters to Congress. Rowland Brohawn said he will try and get Capital Homesteading to talk show hosts on National Public Radio, targeting at least one show per week, developing alternative answers to questions raised on the shows, and produce a postcard-sized summary of Capital Homesteading that people could send to the White House and to their representatives in Congress.

Other suggestions included getting a copy of Capital Homesteading to Dennis Hastert, who has his own book advocating a flat rate tax. Also, identify and contact key Senators, Congressmen, and staffers.

Harriet will be focusing on getting to Barbara Kennelly of the National Committee on Saving Social Security and Medicare, as they should be interested in the concept. Harriet also urged that CESJ continue publicizing the Abraham Federation concept for addressing the reconstruction of Iraq and resolving the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Michael D. Greaney will work on trying to get the Catholic Hierarchy to support Capital Homesteading. He mentioned that he has been getting the Capital Homesteading message onto various blog sites after identifying those dealing with Social Security and the ownership society.

Norman Kurland said he will call Bill Frenzel at the Brookings Institution, and that Walter Fauntroy mentioned some committee members who might be interested. Norm said he was contacted by The Other Journal, a web site in Oregon, which asked CESJ for an article of 1500-2000 words that they would publish on their site. They appear to be a religious group that is in favor of gay marriage; they liked what they saw on the CESJ web site on economic and social justice and on Capital Homesteading.

American Revolutionary Party: upcoming visit by Rick Osbourne ("Joe Lunch Buckett"); 1/22/05 ARP meeting in Olney, MD; status on "Fed event." Dawn Brohawn reported on the December 29^th teleconference between Harriet Epstein, Norman Kurland, Rick Osbourne, Bob Scanlon, and Dawn Brohawn. The discussion was on the scope of the April event and to address Harriet and Dawn's concerns about the short time frame for planning an elaborate, large-scale event at the Fed on April 15th. Norm said that he expected that the organizing would be done by the Illinois ARP and Olney, MD Just Faith groups. Rick Osbourne stressed that he doesn't want the media alerted until strength can be shown and we can be sure that they woníƒÙt mangle the message. By the end of January we will have an idea as to who is committed to doing what. It should be designed to be an annual event. Norm suggested calling the event "Focus on the Fed". We need to determine what we will deliver to Alan Greenspan (e.g., a lunch bucket containing the book and related Capital Homesteading paraphernalia). We also need to draft a resolution (adapt the Ownership Campaign resolution for the Fed) that can be signed, framed and delivered to Greenspan.

Dawn K. Brohawn mentioned we should encourage our members to use the Joe Lunch Buckett blog as the central discussion spot for the Just Third Way. It doesn't have any comments from anybody yet.¨› People should visit the JLB blog regularly, raise questions or offer comments.

Bob Scanlon is hosting a meeting for Rick and Norm at his home in Olney, Maryland. At least 8 "Just Faith" people will be there. Harriet will arrange a luncheon meeting on Saturday, January 22^nd when Rick Osbourne visits Virginia, for Norm, Bob McCormick and any other CESJ board member who wishes to attend.

Progress report on Oglebay Norton Employee Buyout. There was a conference call with the Eos Financial Group. An agreement has been signed between ONEEEA and Eos recognizing EEI as ONEEEAíƒÙs agent. We have a team with three task forces: legal, negotiating, finance. Nothing will be done until the company agrees to sell the company to the employees. On Friday Brad Spencer spoke with ON President Michael Lundin, who said that Oglebay Norton will be out of bankruptcy on January 31, 2005, and there will be a meeting of the Board of Directors on February 15, 2005. At that time the offer will be taken up by the board as an agenda item. Stu Thiess was pleased to receive the positive statements from the seamen, and would agree to head up an employee-owned company if the Marine Services division is sold to the workers' group. He has also been approached by a competing group to head up the company. Right now he is not making any commitments to any group.

ONEEEA needs $250 thousand once the negotiations start to cover pre-closing professional fees (legal and appraisal). Rob is looking at the Nathan Cummings Foundation to fund the feasibility study, using CESJ as the 501(c)(3) to apply for the grant.  CESJ will agree to receive restricted funds, and will receive a 5% commission to cover administrative services for the project. Nobody in CESJ will be receiving professional fees from the grant funds. The object is a 100% employee owned company structured along Justice-Based Management principles.

Progress report on CESJ website. Rowland Brohawn reported that he has been posting CESJ's monthly minutes and will be adding photos (linked to the pages for the CESJ Accomplishments and Personal Journey to the Just Third Way). Norman Kurland said that selected photos could be featured in a slide show; we need some photos to jazz up the home page. The definition of economic justice is currently the most popular item on the website, followed by "Karl Marx, the Almost Capitalist," the summary of the Capital Homestead Act, the Just Third Way matrix, the Introduction to the Just Third Way, Rodney Shakespeare's article from the Norway conference, and What is CESJ. The most popular search strings are: Social Justice, Homestead, South Bend Lathe, and Economic Justice. We need to highlight Louis Kelso, Bucky Fuller, Fr. Ferree on the home page. We also should add our paper on Henry George to appeal to the Georgist network.¨› Add to the home page: the Open Letter to President Bush on Saving Social Security through Capital Homesteading. Also put a link to the ARP platform (through a link to the Joe Lunch Buckett site).¨› Dawn is working on a re-arrangement of the home page and the web site's folders.

Progress report on the 10,000 Name Campaign. To date we have 6,972 names.¨› Dawn K. Brohawn is working on an e-mail to send to all the signators inviting them to a conference on the Federal Reserve as a new source of money and credit for expanded ownership, that would be held in April 2006.

Focus topic for next month's meeting. Program for the April event.

Other Proposed Agenda Items

John Romano. Through CESJ member and TV investigative reporter Pat Clawson, John Romano (an experienced Wall Street investment banker) joined CESJ. Romano had worked for John Kerry and headed up his campaign in Florida. He likes Capital Homesteading and Community Investment Corporations but wants to stay focused on his approach, which is essentially based on past savings. Norman Kurland will call and see if there is a meeting of the minds. There appear to be some differences, but how significant are they? He sent CESJ a copy of his book advocating the use of direct public offerings over the Internet to raise capital for entrepreneurs and small business. Dawn suggested that his background could be useful in helping structure the system for connecting Capital Homesteading accounts to the enterprises that need financing. She noted that Romano's book contained very detailed and sophisticated guidance to entrepreneurs, including a due diligence checklist. He might be able to structure systems for training capital homesteaders in making their investments. Norm particularly liked his foreword which talks about the "FACT" principles: Faith, Attitude, Courage and Tenacity, which echoes #17 in CESJ's code of ethics: "persistence, persistence and persistence."

East St. Louis. No change.  Norm Kurland will follow-up with Rep. Wyvetter Younge to see if there has been any progress in arranging a meeting with CEO of Schnuck’s Supermarkets about a possible worker/community buyout of the East St. Louis store.

Ali Alyami. Norm's meeting with Dr. Alyami was postponed until he returns to D.C.

Soldier of Justice Award. Tabled.

The date of the next Executive Committee Meeting will be Wednesday, February 16, 2005 at 10:00 am to noon.  The date of the next Board Meeting is the April celebration.

A motion to adjourn was made by Dawn K. Brohawn and seconded by Norman G. Kurland. The motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 2:10 pm.

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