(Participants:   Mustafa Omar, Tim Buchholz, Larry Roeder, Aaron, Basant )

1. February 22 Report was agreed as accurate.

2. Template for Future Projects:  Group agreed to present a model for a project to the March 14th meeting, with a focus on Somalia.  Our thought was that if the model is accepted, not only will that enable the Somalia discussion t move forward in a productive way; it will also offer a template for other projects.   Between Feb 22 and and March 14, the Larry, Aaron, Basant, Tim and Mustafa will refine the proposal for presentation.  Essential will be to develop something, useful, simple and fun to do.  The outline of the template is attached below this report.  This will also draw on points raised in Tim Buchholz's Feb 22nd presentation on Restoring America's image.

3. Immigration:  Building on concerns expressed by Basant at the Feb 22nd meeting, the tram agreed to also develop a project proposal for consideration on March 14 that examines how foreigners are treated at Dulles Airport by customs and immigration as a foreign policy issue.  This will also draw on points raised in Tim Buchholz's Feb 22nd presentation on Restoring America's image.  Larry's wife is the Department of State and offered to contact DHS for advise.

4. China Human Rights Statement by Hillary Clinton   Various news reports were discussed, as well as that the Department of State did announce a criticism of Chinese Human rights policy a day earlier.  According to press reports, this may have been in reaction to massive criticism in the human rights community, including by Amnesty International.  The group felt a letter was still in order along the lines already drafted.  Larry was asked to present a draft letter to Secretary Clinton from the working group.  This will presented at the March 14 meeting.

5. Use of the internet.   After a detailed discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of Ning, it was decided that the work group's special needs required that it use several platforms.  Email will continue to be used for announcements, especially for confidential material.  MBO will continue to be used to announce meetings, and especially as a way to grow the working group through the national Obama network.  Ning will also be used.  In addition, the current website, which is linked off of the home page to www.artbyroeder.com will be used for all other working group business.  Larry announced he owns another domain as well, which he is prepared to donate to the working group.  That will be set up later this Spring.  (this was eventually changed to www.foreignpolicyforchange.org)

6. Other Business  Jennifer Cate, Executive Director of Hands Along the Development Services, of Arlington, Virginia, has offered to host a potluck event with the Foreign Policy Working Group in April, perhaps the evening of April 2 or 3rd or the morning of the 4th.  Those dates fall within spring Break for many high school parents, so this will require discussion.  The website for hands along the Nile is www.handsalongthenile.org

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Draft Template for Select Larger Projects

What is the Problem?    Keep it small, definable and something which a grass roots body can deal with.

Define Goals.  These are objectives; but keep them few and well defined.  Sustainable change, something that makes a lasting change, in keeping with the philosophy of the Obama campaign, e.g. through helping a school.

Resources and Constraints  People with drive and enough time, Available venues, Funds.  In the case of the Somali project, are there local Somalis with whom we can meet to discuss their goals.

Strategy to use Resources and Avoid Constraints  More than one?  Which is best?

Structure:  This is really important.  Who does what?  Budget?  Schedule?  Any Freebies?

Monitoring:  By us, donors and the community.

Evaluation:  What was the result?  Who benefited?

Media and Other Reporting.

What next?  More of the samne?  Something very different?