INVITATION
Dear Friends,
Would you consider joining the Plowshare Peace and Justice Center board? We are the oldest peace group in Virginia, so you know we’re dedicated, and we always welcome new people to join our group of volunteers. Plowshare works hard on peace and justice issues in southwestern Virginia and the board oversees its projects.
What is the process to join the board?
You attend a couple of meetings to become more familiar with us. If you and the board are generally comfortable with each other, then you’re on the board. It’s that simple. Below is a list of Plowshare committees and coordinators. (We would be delighted to speak to you about serving on the Plowshare board, even before attending an initial meeting.)
We hope you will consider getting to know us. We have done great work in the past and will do great work in the future, hopefully with you alongside us.
MEETINGS
The Plowshare board gathers on the second Tuesdays of the month at 8:00pm, usually through Zoom (since the pandemic). We hope for more face-to-face meetings in the future, but for now, simply contact us for a link to the next Zoom meeting!
Links to recent Plowshare Annual Reports and Meeting Minutes are here and at end of this page. Immediately below are the current Committees and Coordinators for Plowshare projects. (And we are always interested in new projects!)
ACTION COMMITTEES & COORDINATORS
Carpooling Coordinator: rides to out-of-town demonstrations
Death Penalty Committee: death penalty vigils, occasionally other events
Lobbying Committee: meetings with local officeholders about Plowshare concerns
Newspaper Committee: Virginia Defender newspaper distribution
Peace Vigil Committee: Monthly Silent Peace Vigil
Program Committee: Speakers, Workshops, Films, etc.
Public Information Committee: Advocacy for the Democracy Now show to be broadcast on our public radio station (WVTF-FM), as well as having them institute a properly representative Citizens Advisory Board.
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEES
Finance Committee: fundraising for Plowshare (grants, contributions, pledges, Kroger cards, merchandise, Google donation, etc.)
Outreach Committee: letting people know about Plowshare (quarterly newsletter, email list, Facebook page, website, visits, inquiries, tabling, WVTF-FM announcements, press releases)
Volunteers Committee: recruiting and supporting volunteers.
THE BOARD (oversees operations and initiatives)
Board: Sherman Bamford, Michael Bentley, Peter Chapman, Manuel Dotson, Steve Niamke, Xan Whitt.
Director: Gary Sandman
RECORDS
