Frequently Asked Questions about Peace House

TULSA PEACE HOUSE
Frequently Asked Questions
(and some provisional answers)

Who founded Tulsa Peace House? Why?
Rev. Valerie Mapstone Ackerman, Janet Hutto, Rev. Mary McAnally and other people who were among the seed planters of Tulsa Peace Fellowship following the attacks on September 11, 2001 saw that there was a need for a local institutional presence for peace-making and that Tulsa-area peacemakers needed a place to call home. We envisioned a place where women, children and men could come together to teach and learn new ways of interacting, new ways of solving problems, new ways of changing the world. Peace House can be an incubator for the change we want to be and see in the world.

What exactly will Tulsa Peace House do?
While Valerie, Janet and Mary have our own ideas, we know that there are many, many ideas percolating among the wider communities of peaceful people. The Peace House building can host a wide range of activities: classes, discussion groups, meditation, music-making, social gatherings, retreats, etc. While some activities may be limited by the size and amenities of this building, our imaginations need not be limited!

Is Tulsa Peace House the same as Tulsa Peace Fellowship?
No, but we’re on the same path, just taking different perspectives. Tulsa Peace Fellowship has a separate organizational and financial structure from Tulsa Peace House. The two organizations continue to be mutually supportive and cooperative.

How is Tulsa Peace House funded?
Donations of time, talent, goods, services, and of course, money sustain Peace House. Right now all of the money to pay rent and utilities and to purchase supplies comes from voluntary contributions by individuals or groups. Optimally at this stage we hope to solicit modest (or embarrassingly large) monthly pledges from supporters to cover basic costs and then do other fundraising to cover special projects. Perhaps in the future we’ll write grant proposals to fund special projects or hire staff.

Is TPH a not-for-profit organization? Are contributions tax-deductible?
We do have non-profit status according to IRS regulations thanks to Rev. Mary McAnally’s Open Door Arts Coalition. Since we do not plan to engage in any electioneering activity we fall under 501c3 rules and so all contributions are deductible if one files the “long form” on tax day.

Where do I send donations?
Checks made to “Peace House” may be sent to 306 S. Phoenix, Tulsa, OK 74127. We’re not ready to accept the expenses related to credit card donating. Perhaps our future website will accept PayPal transactions, but we’re not there yet!

Who is in charge and whom do I call with questions or offers to help?
Janet, Mary and Valerie handle the “business” of Peace House. Valerie is the “keeper of the key” for now and is acting as Director. Until PH has its own phone you may call Valerie on her cell phone or email her at vack18@valornet.com
We expect to broaden the leadership circle as soon as committed volunteers emerge. How about YOU?

Can Tulsa really sustain such an organization?
Well, if Crawford, TX, OKC, OK and Fayetteville, AR can, we can!! When you can buy several versions of peace sign jewelry at the Kohl’s store and the banks provide peace sign logos for checks, you know something interesting is bubbling up.

Why did you choose this place and this neighborhood?
We were very fortunate to find a fairly inexpensive building belonging to a supportive owner---after much searching with the help of professional realtors. (thanks Gayle and Barbara!) Since the whole world could benefit from neighborhood Peace Houses, we can foresee fine possibilities for community interaction. Who knows? There may be multiple locations in sustainably-built off-the-grid buildings for Peace House some day.

Where should I park when I visit?
In addition to on-street parking along Phoenix, there is a grassy lot on the east side of the street across and down a little from PH where PH visitors may park. PLEASE do not park on the grassy area just beside the building--the future home of a peace garden.

What do you envision for the near future of Peace House?
• Happy Hours: come and show your joyful side from 5 – 7 every Wednesday. Meet other Peace House supporters and share the excitement.
• We need a sign and will likely purchase a professionally made banner for now.
• A couple of volunteers are beginning to work on a website but if a “pro” wanted to tackle that task, that’d be great.
• All Souls Unitarian Church youth group will do some volunteer work for us in July.
• We’re gathering a lending library of peace and social justice-related books and hope to sell some too.
• A community garden could be planned for the lot to the north—some foundational work could commence immediately (soil amendment etc,) if the right volunteers emerge.
• We’re planning to host workshops employing the “Engage” curriculum produced by Pace e Bene for studying personal nonviolence.
• There will be a workshop on Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication © soon.
• A Grand Opening celebration is tentatively slated for Saturday, September 17!
• Meditation opportunities (for cultivating inner peace) will commence no later than August. There may be several different styles and schedules from which to choose.
• The Crosby Hills Neighborhood Association meets here regularly.


7/11/06