PCD-CC Minutes 1/09

POLK COUNTY DEMOCRATS CENTRAL COMMITTEE MINUTES

January 8, 2009

Christ's Church, Monmouth, Oregon

Acting Chair Alan Holland called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. and introduced the officers.

PRESENT FOR THE BUSINESS MEETING:  Officers:  Alan Holland (Acting Chair), Lani Kirby (Vice Chair), Fred Brown (Treasurer), and Beth Fleisher (Secretary).  Fritz Ulrich, Sue Olmstead, Ron Dodge, Jackie Pierce, Suzi Price, Gloria Holland, Joanne Timshel, Kathy Smits, Walt Dawson, Clara Dawson, and David King.  Also attending were Matt Buche (Co-Chair,WOU Progressive Student Alliance (PSA)) and Alicia Davis (Treasurer,WOU PSA).

Alan called for a Motion to Amend or Modify the Agenda.  So moved and seconded; Motion passed.

MINUTES:   Minutes of the December 10, 2008 Central Committee Meeting were presented.  Walt Dawson moved for approval; it was seconded, Motion passed.

FINANCIAL REPORT: Treasurer Fred Brown advised that he was not able to make a full Treasurer's report, because he had not received the financial materials from past-Treasurer Linda Williams due to an illness in her family.  He reported that the Central Committee has about $2000 as far as he is aware. A full report will be available at a later date.

STANDING COMMITTEES:

Alan asked the members to consider serving on the Standing Committees as committee chairs, and encouraged everyone that there is much work to be done and that we need people to work on fundraisers and festivals. 

Beth encouraged people to not be afraid of volunteering and getting involved, and pledged to not only recruit volunteers, but to train them; and to provide adequate support for events so that no one was working alone on any event or festival shift.

Alan advised people to contact the past committee chairs, or another member to get involved.  

ELECTION OF NEW PCPs:

Alan called for the election of new PCPs for currently unfilled precincts, and gave the requirements to so serve:  The person shall have attended two consecutive Central Committee Meetings, and be elected by a majority vote of elected PCPs present.

The following people were nominated or volunteered to serve:

            Fred Brown - Precinct #162

            Gloria Holland - Precinct #146

            Joanne Timshel - Precinct #118

Kathy Smits moved that these nominees be accepted as PCPs, it was seconded; Motion passed.

GOAL SETTING:

2009 Goals were brainstormed and discussed:

1. Recruiting - Volunteers and Members
   1. Diversity
   2. WOU Progressive Student Alliance
2. Voter Registration
3. Fund Raising:  Goal:  $15,000.
4. Legislative Record Comparison (Record vs. DPO Platform)
5. Community festival involvement.

Joanne Timshel moved, and it was seconded, to approve these goals as presented; Motion passed.

IDEAS FOR PRESENTATIONS:

The following ideas for presentations during the first 45 minutes of CC Meetings were brainstormed, and Alan instructed that they be fully listed in the Minutes for the meeting:

• Land Use
• Local Community Topic
• Town Hall Meeting sponsorship
• Healthcare reform
• Greg Diamond
• Training for PCPs
• Wyden Town Hall
• Schrader Town Hall
• Stan Butterfield
• Jim Thompson
• Agricultural Industry - local
• Chancellor's Office:  College costs
• Social Security/Medicare -- Steve Novick
• Education/No Child Left Behind - Chemeketa's current President

IDEAS FOR FUNDRAISERS:

The following ideas for fundraisers were brainstormed, and Alan instructed that they be fully listed in the Minutes for the meeting:

• Pentacle Theater - Wednesday, July 15, 2009
• Tax Credit mailing
• Joint Event with Benton County
• Winery event
• Buena Vista Dinner/Auction - Alan will Chair
• Wine Tour with Steve Evans (Jim Gallagher has a bus and might do tour)
• Lower-cost, more accessible Dinner & Silent Auction
• Airlie Winery - Kathy Smits and Joanne Timshel will Co-Chair
• Sustaining Donations - automatic, monthly

BUDGET:  The proposed Budget for 2009 was presented for discussion and the Meeting considered particularly the following items:

• Expense line item of $2,000 for computers and a projector
• Expense line item for $240 for Child Care
  • Child care during the CC meetings to foster participation by young families
• Expense line item for $500
  • For Travel for Delegates to State Central Committee
  • To make it possible for those who are not wealthy to attend

Fred Brown suggested amending the Budget by deleting the $2,000 line item for Computers.

Suzi Price suggested amending the Budget by inserting a new Expense line item for Fairs and Festivals of $450, which had been inadvertently omitted.

Effect of Amendments:  A net Decrease in Expenses of $1,550.00.

Fred Brown moved to accept the Budget as amended, Ron Dodge seconded; Motion passed.

NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE:

Beth presented the EC's proposed National Day of Service Event to celebrate President-Elect Obama's Inaugural, in keeping with his call for service to honor the lifetime of service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The event is to be a Highway Cleanup along Hwy. 22 at the Rickreall Interchange, Sunday, January 18^th, beginning at 1:00 p.m. and lasting until approximately 4:30 p.m., with a fellowship and fun get-together for all participating volunteers following the cleanup.  This will be a joint event with the WOU PSA.

The membership agreed by consensus to support this event.  Members were encouraged to sign up. 

NEW CC MEETING DATE:

Alan presented the EC's recommendation to change the CC Meeting date so it would not interfere with the Progressive Film Festival in Salem, nor other surrounding county CC meeting times.  The proposal was thoroughly discussed, with possible dates suggested in a brainstorming session:

• 1^st Tuesday
• 1^st Thursday
• 4^th Tuesday
• 3^rd Tuesday
• 4^th Thursday

After more discussion, the members decided by consensus that Alan should investigate available dates and places, make a decision, and announce/advise of the result.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Submitted by:

Beth A. Fleisher, Secretary