On Earth Peace board and staff participate in anti-racism training.

Photo by courtesy of On Earth Peace

The On Earth Peace board of directors held its spring 2013 meeting in New Windsor, Md.

During their spring 2013 meeting, the On Earth Peace board of directors and staff participated in an anti-racism training--the agency’s next step in a commitment to address issues of racism within and outside of the organization.

The training was conducted by Crossroads Antiracism Organization and Training, a nonprofit organization providing organizing, training, and consulting to institutions striving to dismantle racism. The purpose of this initial training was to educate the On Earth Peace board and staff about how racism, power, and privilege has become ingrained within our society and our institutional structures--including the church.

On Earth Peace will now begin analyzing and auditing internal policies and procedures that maintain white power and privilege, and begin creating a strategy to dismantle oppressive systems inside the organization.

The On Earth Peace board also affirmed the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board’s resolution on drone warfare. Other key items of business included revisions to the agency’s staff policy manual and an update on the 3,000 Miles for Peace campaign. In addition, the board approved the appointment of David Braune (Westminster, Md.) as the organization’s new treasurer.

During the meeting, the board welcomed new board members Melisa Grandison (Wichita, Kan.) and Jordan Bles (Lexington, Ky.). The group also recognized outgoing treasurer Ed Leiter (New Windsor, Md.) for his service to the organization.

As an agency of the Church of the Brethren, On Earth Peace answers Jesus Christ’s call for peace and justice through its ministries; builds thriving families, congregations, and communities; and provides the skills, support, and spiritual foundation to face violence with active nonviolence. On Earth Peace conducts discussion and decision-making by consensus.

-- Madalyn Metzger is chair of the board of directors of On Earth Peace.

Source: 3/21/2013 Newsline