Minutes -- DAWS Meeting -- Sun. Feb. 4 -- Shalom Printing

Attendees at Meeting:

Sherry Brewer 818-986-9504
sherabrew04@aol.com
Sandra Levinson  626-564-7030
Barbara Daiz  323-599-1472
Mark & Lisa Haberman  818-884-8585
Evelyn Walton -- 310-398-2231
Liza Edmondson 310-836-5949
Matthew Scully -- 805-499-2074
Jeff Gross jeff@labelfacingcamera.com
Sara Cozolino starrmannes@aol.com  310-488-6198
Marlene Goodman
Missy Woodward
Charlotte Laws
George Shea
Scott Sorrentino
Lisa Reveen
Cliff Jacobs

1. Mark and Lisa Haberman introduced themselves to the DAWS. The
Habermans are residents of Winnetka which has been represented up
til now by Lisa Janes. As Lisa has not been active in quite some time, it
was suggested that perhaps Mark and/or Lisa would have some interest in
becoming the DAW for Winnetka.

2. Among the attendees was Matthew Scullly, author of the widely respected
book, "Dominion," that deals with animal issues and especially animal cruelty.

Scully was introduced to the membership and invited to speak. Instead he chose to
receive and answer questions. Scully spoke and answered questions for about
70 minutes.

Scully was asked about his own personal history and responded that he had "always had a
heart  for animals."  As a teenager he became very aware of the situation re factory farming and realized that by the 1990's the situation had become much worse.

He explained that he wrote "Dominion" during the 2000 Presidential campaign
and finished the book precisely in Sept. 11, 2001.

He noted the presence of approximately 25 members of Congress who are pro-animal
welfare/rights -- calls it the Animal Caucus. Most prominent representative,
Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut. Scully suggested that the names of other members of the Pro-Animal Caucus could be found by dialing up website for Re. Shays.

He noted that legislative efforts against factory farming have been most successful in states in which factory farming is not dominant. Smithfield Foods has, for example, agreed to phase out gestation crates in Florida.

An upcoming issue may be that of cloned meat.

The Meat Industry has enormous influence in U.S. government with USDA functioning as virtually a wing of the meat industry. ("USDA is contracted out to the industries.") This type of influence less strong in Europe.

Scully counts among his friends Wayne Pacelle and Gene Bauston (Farm
Sanctuary.

Scully elaborated on his own  personal philosophy re animal issues. Scully is
a Republican who feels that there is a list of moral standards people profess
for themselves. Who truly is for cruelty?  Consider a definition of cruelty. Where does it exist?

Republicans espouse a philosophy of personal responsibility and stewardship.
In principle, most people would agree with you. Is saving money everything?
Aren't there moral costs as well?  Even hunters adhere to some kind of minimal standard.

Scully feels that it is important to "deal with the particulars." What does that person
actually believe himself?

If people truly espouse these principles, then animal cruelty is truly
indefensible. Re Animal Welfare/Rights as a moral issue -- one may not like children
or elderly people but is there any excuse for deliberate cruelty to them?

Animal Welfare is a moral issue venerable in every religion. Peter Singer has, on the other hand, gone out of his way, to antagonize religions. The civil rights movement sent a powerful religious message. No cause ever got far without religious support. Every successful group has outreach.

Christianity (i.e. St. Francis) is philosophically based on caring for the weak.,
living justly and with integrity. True stewardship, not arbitrary power. "All the
creatures call to man to speak for them." Re the matter of Animal Theology,
Scully referred the DAWS to the writings of Andrew Linzey.

Scully spoke re "Grace Before Meals" as a vestige of former asking-animal-victim-
for forgiveness. Need for Respect for the Goodness of All Life. Do animals have
souls? He cited economic arguments against animal cruelty as advanced by John
Robbins and Neil Bernard, referred to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as provider of introduction to "Dominion." (Kennedy favors anti-animal cruelty approach from
environmental perspective.

In response to a question about medical research on animals, Scully noted the "absence of necessity" for many or all such experiments.

Re strategy and tactics, he expressed some enthusiasm for boycotts. In
personal interactions with non-vegans, et al, Scully noted that "I make a point of
avoiding arguments. I find that good example is a far more effective means of getting our message across."

3. Lisa Edmonson spoke re Rabbits and LAAS. As part of the upcoming
"Paw-fect Match" Adoption Day at LAAS on Sat. Feb 10, the adoption of rabbits
at LAAS shelters is also being urged and is part of the adoption program. Edmonson
noted that proportionately a higher number of rabbits are killed by LAAS than
are cats and dogs. She noted that legislation has been introduced to provide
legal protection for bunnies and to increasethe number of allowable rabbits.

Bea Shapiro, Atwater Village DAW has been vocal and is a strong
pro-rabbit voice. It has been noted that Atwater Village is overrun with bunnies that
have been abandoned.

Edmunson referred the DAWS to a website: www.rabbitmatch.org., also to the
Animal Cruelty law section of the State Bar of California.

Cliff Jacobs, Van Nuys DAW noted that the first day of May is Law Day and that
Animal advocates may find legal assistance via the LA County Barristers Association
and referred the membership to the website of the LA Bar Association as well as its
Pro Bono Committee.

The opinion was expressed that the sale of bunnies should be a misdemeanor
and that some people buy them to feed them to snakes.

4. DAW President Charlotte Laws spoke re the LANC (Los Angeles Neighborhood
Council Congress). Laws will be chairing a Committee on Animal Issues. She issued an invitation
to the meeting attendees to join the Animal Issues Committee and asked for
volunteers. DAW Cliff Jacobs of Van Nuys volunteered his participation on the Committee as did Marlene Goodman, Sara Mannes, Lisa Reveen and Evelyn Walton.

5. The next item of business concerned the appointing of additional secretaries
to assist DAW Secretary George Shea. Shea spoke to the effect that a total of
three secretaries, including himself would be sufficient to continue three tasks:
(1) Minutes for DAWS meetings (2) Solliciting and collecting of DAW Reports
(3) Reading & filing of DAW Reports.

Shea said that the main immediate need is for a DAW to take minutes
for monthly DAW Meetings. A request was put out by DAW President Charlotte
Laws to meeting attendees. No one responded positively to the request. Shea
responded by saying that (1) a secretary to do minutes would have to be lined
up before the March DAWS meeting as he could no longer be available (but
would continue to handle DAW Reports) and (2) if no one individual offered his/her
services on a regular basis, the taking of minutes could be handled on a rotating business with a different DAW assuming the role at each meeting.

6. The next item of business was the discussion of recent requests by LAAS
Gen Mgr Ed Boks to the DAWS. Suggestions by GM Ed Boks. 10 DAWs to be united on public information. He would like DAWs to sign agreement that he would be contacted prior to speaking with the press about city animal issues, 2) DAWs and their councils to help with Grand Openings of shelters, 3) Ed will speak to any NC that is interested in listening, 4) Would like to establish a rescue / shelter review committee. The DAWs may reject or accept any of these items. Possible motions and vote. 

There was a discussion of policy re the DAWS interracting eith LAAS on statements
to the press, interviews, etc. Valley Village DAW Scott Sorrentino spoke in favor of
such a policy as he felt that collaboration and presenting a united front on issues
is important.

DAW President Laws presented a motion to the effect that the organization would
not sign an agreement with LAAS but would stare its willingness to "try to cooperate
when possible with LAAS" on statements to the press and media interviews re
animal issues."  The motion was passed unanimously.

A discussion ensued re recent numbers re euthanasias and adoptions posted by LAAS. It was suggested that DAWS endorse a policy of posting "raw numbers" and "raw data" in preference to "manipulated" numbers. A spreadsheet
displaying "raw numbers" on killings and adoptions, etc. will be presented and discussed at the next meeting in March.

DAW Missy Woodward of Reseda expressed enthusiasm for DAWS putting forward a motion calling for the release of straightforward "raw" statistics. DAWs spoke in favor of neighborhood councils being pushed to endorse such a policy.

7. Next item was Gen. Mgr Boks' request for various DAWS to assist with grand openings for new shelters. President Laws asked attendees if any would be interested in participating.  Laws herself will handle West Valley opening along with Missy Woodward. Cliff Jacobs, Scott Sorrentino, Marlene Goodman will help with the East Valley.

8. DAW Jacobs noted that on March 14, Ed Boks will be speaking at meeting of Van Nuys NC re LAAS and the opening of the new East Valley animal shelter. Jacobs also noted his column on subject in latest issue of the "Pet Press."

9. President Laws noted that Gen Mgr Boks has offered to speak at any NC meeting to which he is invited. Boks is also speaking at 9/12 Commission meeting this coming Tuesday at Valley Glen NC at Irwin Elementary School, Tues. Feb 6 6:30 - 9:30 PM. She encouraged DAWS to attend and come and speak.

10. Last item discussed was Gen Mgr Boks' suggestion for creation of a rescue shelter review committee by the DAWS that would work w LAAS. Laws and other members spoke in opposition to the proposal suggesting that it would create an overload of ongoing work and responsibility for the DAWS organization when oversight of animal rescue shelters, public and private is really the work of LAAS. President Laws expressed the view that if Gen Mgr Boks has a problem with any particular rescue group, he could contact the DAWS initially and, if possible, the DAWS organization would take appropriate action. No motion was presented or passed regarding this item.

Other agenda items posted for 2-4-07 was postponed until the next general meeting in March. The Meeting was adjourned.

Postponed Agenda Items:

6. Change of number of animals per property - do we want our councils to pass something? It will changed to 4 dogs or 5 cats. Push for no limits on animals? Or? Possible motion and vote. 
7. Tangible goals for the DAWs for 2007 - Possible motions and vote. These are some ideas:
A. Make a list of all meetings DAWs attend (NC, City council, Commission, etc.)
B. Short statement that all politicians, NCs and DAWs can sign onto... Companion animal is a lifetime commitment, spay/neuter, adopt from the shelter.
C. Educational DVD program for schools
D. Resources on the DAW website
E. Pass three pieces of legislation through NCs. Or support / oppose one law
F. Construct a DAW orientation program. Lisa Reveen will put together short education presentations (10 minutes at each meeting).
G. Humane Friendly pamphlet
H. Have DAW speaker every quarter.
I. Participate in one adoption event per year
J. Other ideas?

Minutes taken by George Shea, DAWS Sec.