The following are the minutes of our first voting meeting (06/06/2004):

    - Introductions were made.  There were roughly 15 people present.
    - Gus Rice, Julie Hile, and Maria Schmeeckle gave a brief history of 
    the long process leading up to today's elections.
    - There was some concern that the new bylaws contained no process for 
    the ratification of the bylaws, nor did BNCPJ go through any process to 
    ratify the bylaws.
    - Members of the bylaw committee explained that the bylaws were formed 
    through a long series of open meetings, and it was felt that anyone who 
    had an interest in bylaws would have participated in this process.
    - The discussion continued for about twenty minutes.
    - A vote was called on whether or not to end discussion and move on to 
    voting for a board of directors.
    - Discussion was ended with the objection of one "No" vote, and with 
    one abstention.
    - Nominees from the floor were requested.  No new nominees came from 
    the floor.
    - Ballots were passed around to everyone who had expressed interest in 
    membership.
    - The nominating (e.g. bylaws) committee's slate of candidates was 
    unanimously elected.
    
    - The new board is:
        Bob Broad: chair
        Jan Cox: co-chair
        Scott Reynen (me): secretary
        David McHone-Chase: treasurer
        Vic Connor: at large director
        Carrol Cox: at large director
        Gabe Gudding: at large director
    
    - Announcements were made:
        - Jessica Montgomerie is starting a BNCPJ lending library.
        - Leslie Manskey's told of her son, who recently returned from Iraq.
        - Julie Hile thanked everyone who has been working the past months to 
    improve BNCPJ
        - Gabe Gudding talked about a new creative writing class in Pontiac 
    prison.
        - Gabe also talked about a meditation retreat available in northern 
    Illinois.
        - I'm fairly certain I missed some announcements.  Sorry.
    
    - After the meeting, many went out to dinner.
    
    - Next month will have two BNCPJ meetings:
    
        - July 4 at 4-5:30pm: 4th of July party.
        - July 11 at 4-5:30pm: regular BNCPJ meeting (agenda to be announced)