MINUTES of Endless Mountains Pennsylvanians for Human Life Meeting
(a local chapter of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation)

June 14, 2004

Time: Came to order at 7:35PM by Chairman Mario Branciforte
Location: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro
Number inAttendance: 10

Minutes of 5/10/04 were approved as presented.

Matters of Business:

  1. The Treasurer reported a balance of $257.60.
  2. S Maneval showed us the beautiful banner she made for literature tables at local fairs.
  3. Re: upcoming summer fairs:
    * Liberty Blockhouse Fair -- we were denied permission for a table there.
    * Farm City Day -- event not being held this year.
    * Potter County Fair -- still checking on this event.
    * Tioga County Fair -- we are scheduled for the three non-profit organization days, August 11-13 (Wed.-Fri.). The hours needed to man the table are 10AM to 10PM, split into two 6-hr. shifts.
  4. We were happy to have in attendance Kimberly Slusser of The Guidance Center in Mansfield. She began her work in April, which is counseling pregnant teenage and older women (up to their babies’ first birthday), and the fathers of the babies, as able -- her first client is 6/15. The Guidance Center has a contract with and funding for their work from Real Alternatives. Project WIN is an affiliated group; in this effort, Project Rapport is not involved since that group only deals with teens. She informed us about her work and also took questions. In turn, our chairman and others related to her the goals of our group, EMPfHL.
    Our group would like to see some local newspaper coverage about The Guidance Center’s work. Noted that our group might in the future be able to help, by coordinating the solicitation of local pro-life churches, to have drives for diapers, maternity and baby clothes, in order to help her clients.
  5. The chairman reported on the meeting that he and the secretary were able to attend on 5/18: the Executive Committee of the northeastern PA region of PPLF (called “Pennsylvanians for Human Life” in that region) in Wilkes-Barre. The local chapters reported on notable activities in their efforts in the northeastern counties. They heard more about the “baby bottle” fund-raising projects, which could work very well in our area. The Wilkes-Barre chapter offered to help our chapter by paying for newspaper ads to promote local awareness and participation.
  6. Received some newsworthy information of pro-life interests on the national scene.
  7. Noted that the number of our newsletters going out has increased from the first issue of 40 to presently 250-300.

Next meeting: Monday, July 12 at 7:30PM.
Adjournment: At 9:10PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Joel Kershner, Secretary