Minutes

Polk County Democratic Party

Regular Meeting of the Central Committee Oct. 1, 2009

Polk County Courthouse Conference Room, Dallas

 

Acronyms that may be found in these minutes:

PCD-Polk County Democrats

PCP-Precinct Committee Person

CC-Central Committee of the Polk County Democrats (whose members are the PCPs)

EC-Executive Committee of the Polk County Democrats (consisting of the PCDCC Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past Chair)

 

Attendees: Rob Breyer, Jason Brown, Jeanne Deane, Ron Dodge, Casey Gallagher, Mo Jaffer, David Papen, Lisanne Pearcy, Alyce Perry, Jackie Pierce, Suzanne Price, David Sherman, Linda Williams, and guests from Eugene: Laura Gillpatrick and Matt Keating. The Chair and the Secretary were absent. Vice Chair, Jason Brown, presided.  Lisanne Pearcy took minutes.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm.

 

The agenda was approved by unanimous voice vote.

 

REPORTS:

 

Treasurer's Report:

$4,328.45 in bank

We owe $2,000 to Pentacle (for 2009 & 2010 benefit performances)

That leaves approximately $1,000 uncommitted at this time.

 

5^th CD Committee Report - Jason Brown

The committee approved 2 single payer resolutions.

Kurt Schrader attended for part of meeting.

He agreed to ask house leadership to have the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score/analyze HR 676 (single-payer bill).

Joint meeting of 4^th &5^th CD will be held on Nov. 20^th.

They are looking for keynote speaker.

There will be trainings on articulation and other aspects of being an effective volunteer in the political arena.

 

State Central Committee (Democratic Party of Oregon) meeting Report - Jason Brown

Passed a resolution urging our congresspeople to include "single payer or a strong national public option" in federal health care reform.

 

The process for submitting resolutions to the SCC is being simplified.

 

Rural Caucus meeting - We used to win in rural OR. Need to build a longer-term movement to take back rural areas. Putting together a speaker's bureau - looking for public speakers.

 

Organizing for America presented at Chair/Vice-Chair meeting:

Democratic Party is suffering from economic squeeze - funds needed to assure continued viability of state party.

 

>>Suzanne Price moved that the EC bring to the CC alternative methods for PCDCC to give financial support to the DPO.  Seconded and approved by unanimous voice vote.

 

Matt Keating, Democracy for America - State organizer for DFA. Currently campaigning for a strong public option in national health care reform.

Cell: 541-515-3819

e-mail: mkeating@democracyforamerica.com

DFA has hired organizers in: OR IN VA MN MT

We need to thank Wyden for voting for public option recently.

Petition will circulate online to urge all our Oregon Congresspeople to do the same.

Goals -

      1. Every one of OR's Congressional & Senate delegation to stand for public option.

2. Sustained progressive movement in OR

3. Coalition building between DFA and the Democratic Party.

Matt (DFA) will work with others organizations incl. PCD

DFA will act as resource to strengthen the party.

Matt circulated a list and asked people to sign up to be on DFA list, receive e-mails.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

OSU Extension Ballot Measure Petition Status

 

Pentacle - Need to sell 15 more tickets just to break-even.

 

OR National Guard care packages - Rob Breyer

>>Jackie Pierce moved that we make up care packages on a monthly basis to send to Guard troops from Polk County serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Motion was approved by unanimous voice vote.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Jackie Pierce nominated:

>>Rob Breyer for PCP in precinct 178 (Monmouth)

>>Casey Gallagher for PCP in precinct 144 (West Salem)

Both were approved by unanimous voice vote.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

David Sherman spoke on petition to allow sale of liquor containing more than 14% alcohol in Monmouth.  Meeting 9:00 am Sat. at Rick's Place to canvass Monmouth.

 

Suzanne Price announced a presentation on immigration Saturday 11:30-1:30 at Christ's Church.

 

Jackie Pierce announced a Jobs with Justice demonstration in front of Wyden's Salem office noon Friday.

 

Dave Sherman announced the upcoming board meeting for Cascade Pacific, a non-profit involved with economic development and environmental protection (see cascadepacific.org for details).

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:58pm.

 

Submitted by Lisanne Pearcy, Oct. 14, 2009.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

See below for text of hand-out presented by Rob Breyer. (Note, the hand-out actually given to attendees was incomplete. The second page was missing. Below is the full text.)

 

Care package information for National Guard:

In planning your care package remember that the Flat Rate Boxes available from the US Postal Service is the best way to send items as the cost drops dramatically from a regular box as the charge is determined by weight. Also, Mailing labels and customs declaration forms are also available at the Post Office. Flat rate boxes will arrival in Afghanistan or Iraq within 5-10 days. Secure your box with clear packing tape, do not use string or twine. Any liquids should be put into Ziploc bags in case of leakage or damage. The return address on the package must be that of a person and not an organization. A good packing material is popped popcorn as it is not a disposal problem at the end location.

DO NOT SEND: Chocolate candy bars because they melt. Pork is offensive to the Muslim culture. DO NOT SEND: It is against military regulations for soldiers to possess pornographic materials, and punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. It is also advised that possessing such is disrespectful to the sensitivities of the Muslim culture.

DO NOT SEND: Hygiene items, such as toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste, razors, etc. Our soldiers say that because of the generosity of people sending care packages, there are more personal hygiene items stored at the military base camps than they need.

DO NOT SEND: Religious idols, small bibles are OK

DO NOT SEND: Alcoholic beverages.

DO NOT SEND: Any type of explosive materials.

 

DO SEND: Any kind of snack food that will ship well.

Cookies             Coffee                         Jerky                         Pepperoni                         Microwave Popcorn

Nuts                         Trail Mix             Granola Bars              Breakfast Bars             Energy Bars

Fruit snacks             Crackers             Tuna pouches              Cheese and cracker snack packs

Trail Mix             Sunflower seeds                          Cup of Noodles                Sugar and creamer packets

Bean Dip, Salsa, and Chips             Soup, Canned Chicken (Pop-open cans or send a can                                                             opener with it.)

Powder Drink Mixes to add to water bottles. (Kool-Aid, Propel, Gatorade)               Sauces (BBQ, Ranch, Catsup, Salsa, Soy Sauce, Hot Sauce, etc.) Seasonings

DO SEND: Canned-air to clean dust out of computers, weapons, and other equipment.

 

DO SEND: Anything that the soldiers can do on their down time that will help them relax. They need things that will help them smile and laugh, they need a little comic relief. Video-taped Oregon State and/ or University of Oregon sporting events and even local high school sporting events.  Playing cards, puzzles and games (Small travel size games are the best.) Books, Current Magazines, small flashlights OREGON NEWS-PAPERS! (Especially the sports sections)  CDs and DVDs.                                      Batteries, Oregon photos, Calendars, Writing supplies, AT &T phonecards.   Hand sanitizer,  Visine

 

DO SEND: Personalized cards or notes

 

TOBACCO: Sending these items is up to your personal preference. Cigarettes (Marlboro, Camel) Chewing Tobacco (Skoal, Copenhagen), Cigars.