CONTACT INFO

Carpooling Coordinator: Plowshare arranges carpools when there are out-of-town demonstrations. In recent years that has been to the School of the Americas Watch demonstrations in Georgia, as well as protests in Lexington, VA and Washington, DC. Contact Herb Beskar, 540-989-6875 or hbeskar@gmail.com

Death Penalty Committee: Plowshare gathers for a vigil on the nights of executions, and occasionally other events; contact Gene Edmunds, gene.edmunds@gmail.com or 540-343-3100 or Manuel Dotson, 540-344-3997.

Lobbying Committee: Meetings with officials and elected representatives about Plowshare concerns. Contact Mike Bentley at 540-389-3752 or mbentle1@verizon.net

Peace Vigil Committee: Plowshare holds a monthly silent peace vigil on the third Saturday of the month from noon to 1 PM in front of the Roanoke City Market Building. We also co-sponsor the Sierra Club climate change vigil on the first Saturday of the month from 11 AM to noon in front of the Roanoke City Market Building. Contact Mike Bentley at 540-389-3752 or mbentle1@verizon.net.

Program Committee: Features programs and workshops on a wide variety of issues and skills. In recent years we have regularly held: Teen Peace Jams, annual youth conferences, Peace in the Park meetings, Open Houses, etc. Special programs have included: a Pastors for Peace visit; Springwood Burial Park clean-up; a Witness Against Torture fast; etc. Look for occasional speakers nationally recognized speakers, too. We also try to help other groups… Recent support has gone to Impact + Amplify. Environmental Patriots of the New River Valley, Radio Free Roanoke, Blue Ridge Coalition Against Gun Violence, and more. Contact Gary Sandman, 540-492-3582 or plowshare@plowshareva.org

Public Information Committee: Working to get WVTF (Blue Ridge Public Radio) to carry the Democracy Now program and to staff a valid Citizens Advisory Board (required by law). Contact Mike Bentley at 540-389-3752 or mbentle1@verizon.net  

Plowshare Board: This group oversees Plowshare in general (also the office, interns, new committees and coordinators, etc.). Contact Manuel Dotson, 540-344-3997. (Also called the Steering Committee.)

Finance Committee: Fundraising efforts for Plowshare via grants, contributions, pledges, Kroger cards, Natural Foods Coop chips program, merchandising, Google donations, website donations (give button), 5% organizations and legacy gifts (bequests and IRA distributions). Contact Gary Sandman, 540-492-3582 or plowshare@plowshareva.org.

Outreach Committee: Letting people know about Plowshare (quarterly newsletters, emails, websites, Facebook pages, visits to groups, responding to inquiries, tabling at festivals, parades, announcements, press releases, tv and radio interviews, Virginia People’s Assembly, and more.). 

If you have questions or want more info, please contact Gary Sandman, Plowshare Director at 540-492-3582 or plowshare@plowshareva.org

VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, TOO! Plowshare Peace & Justice Center