Minutes - February 8, 2007

Minutes for February 8, 2007

Steven Brewer, Keri Heitner, Sarah McKee, Tom Plaut, and Johanna Plaut advised the chair that they would be unable to attend.

Madge Ertel called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm

(Minutes taken by Kimo Lee on behalf of Secretary Steven Brewer who could not attend.)

Summary of last meeting's minutes were read by Madge Ertel.

Madge read the Treasurer's report on behalf of Keri Heitner who could not attend, (supplemented by the full report provided by Keri Heitner):

Treasurer's Report

Total receipts this period: $40.00
Total expenditures this banking period: $106.96
Total outstanding liabilities: $0
Payments not yet cleared: $68.52*
1/5/07 Bank Statement balance: $567.58
Deposits: $ 40.00
Payments: $106.96
Uncleared checks: $68.52
Current checkbook balance: $432.10

Receipts: $10 member dues, $5 associate member dues, $25 contributions with dues

Payments:

Amount Purpose Payee Date
$ 50.00 Contribution re: K. Mosakowski Jones Library 1/20
$ 56.96 copies (by chair?) Collective Copies 1/20
$ 106.96
*Awaiting check to clear:

$ 68.52 campaign - copies/fax/UPS reimbursement to Judith Seelig, 12/7

3rd and final 2006 Campaign Finance Report submitted in January, as follows:

Reporting dates: 10/21/06 - 12/31/06

Ending balance from previous report: $1,986.17

Total receipts for period: $ 10.45

Subtotal: $1,996.62

Total expenditures this period: $1,497.70

Ending balance: $ 498.92

Motion to accept the minutes by Roland Chilton, seconded by Sylvia Cuomo, motion carried unanimously.

Madge gave another reminder that several members still owe dues for 2006 and that a card requesting 2007 dues payments from members will be forthcoming via regular mail.

Madge reported that a $50 check was sent to the Jones Library in memory of Ken Mozakowski, and she thanked Harry and Margo for Ken's service.

February 3, 2007 Caucus Followup:

Madge thought that there was a reasonable turnout at the caucus and in spite of it being on a snowy day, we almost have a full slate of delegates to the convention. She thanked all who helped out. Sarah McKee, Greg Bascomb, and Joan Logan, checked in the attendees on the day of the caucus, Bob Biaggi and Jean Fay helped tally and manage the voting.

Madge reported that she received a bill from the Crocker Farm School for $200 for the caucus event, and was surprised at how expensive it was. Committee funds are low and we need for members to send in their dues checks.

Printed pre-addressed envelopes were distributed for members to use to mail in their delegate fees.

Evelyn Bloom suggested that the committee consider providing funding to delegates who may need help with the fee. Forms are available to request a full or partial waiver. Roland mentioned that with our current bank balance, we may not be able to do that. Evelyn said that only two people took advantage of that last year. Note was vote taken on the matter. Kimo Lee mentioned that by calling MassDems.org they might grant delegates a waiver of some sort.

Amherst 's 2007 Democratic Convention Delegates (elected unanimously):

Female Delegates—
Evelyn Bloom
Madge Ertel - Ex Officio
Jean Fay
Sarah McKee
Susan O'Connor
Johanna Plaut
Diana Stein
Alice Swift
Mary Wentworth

Male Delegates —
Greg Bascomb
Bob Biaggi
David Boyer
Roland Chilton
Terry Forrest
Chad Johnson
B. Kimo Lee
Robert Phillips
Tom Plaut
Herschel Shohan
Peter Vickery

Regarding the May 19th Democratic Convention at the Mullins Center:

Convention Party —
Madge reported that Jean Fay will be taking over responsibilities for coordinating events sponsored by the ADTC in conjunction with the convention.

Harry Brooks gave a report about the venue for the party at the convention, saying that there may not be a party the evening before the convention -- more likely to be a barbecue afterwards. Roland mentioned that people arriving for the event Friday night might still want to get together. He raised the issue of Hotels being booked for graduations that weekend and the possibility that people may be lodged some distance from the convention site. Harry felt that the pre-convention party should remain "on the table" and will followup with Jean Fay on that regard and notify the committee.

Ellen asked if we can plan to get together to discuss the convention issues to prepare in advance. Roland wanted to have a vote to see if other delegates are interested. Madge suggested we have a caucus of delegates. Sylvia suggested mentioning the idea to the other chairs when we meet with them. No vote was taken on the matter.

Speaker Events at ADTC

Sylvia Cuomo reported that the Western Massachusetts Labor Action organization representative Miguel Silva is interested in speaking at our next ADTC meeting. WMLA helps people with low-wage jobs to obtain education and other help they need.

Syliva asked committee members for help with publicity and logistical planning. Harry Brooks and Roland Chilton agreed to meet with Sylvia and Miguel to pre-plan his visit to our next meeting.

Kimo Lee volunteered to bring sound recording equipment to the record Miguels presentation.

Harry Brooks suggested inviting Gazette writer Marey Carey to speaker meetings as an publicity option.

Harry suggests contacting local speakers such as Judge Ponser.

Madge moved that Harry Brooks be the committee's Program Person. Roland Chilton seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Susan O'Connor suggested picking convention issues as speaker topics.

Madge expressed a concern regarding all the responsibilities regarding coordinating the party events for the convention. Harry Brooks suggested having Jean come and help plan. Sylvia suggested inviting the chairs of other Pioneer Valley Democratic Committees to sponsor the events. Kimo will provide a list of the other area committee chair persons to Madge.

Impeachment Outreach Committee (IOC) Report:

Kimo Lee gave the following update on the IOC's activities...
(Note that the meeting was preceded by a screening of the IOC's Dec. 12th Impeachment — A Community Conversation: For, Against, & Undecided shown for member's benefit.)

The IOC is working on obtaining speakers for the second "conversation", titled, "Iraq, Iran, and a Constitutional Question" to be held at ACTV on February 22nd. Confirmed speakers are: John Fitzgerald of Longmeadow, a Vietnam veteran, and retired teacher in the Longmeadow school system. He is was awarded a Bronze Star for valor and a purple heart. Other speakers we are contacting is former Undersecretary of General Affairs to the UN, Robert I. Spiers, author and educator Michael Klare, and several others. Kimo described the setup as being more conversational -- around a coffee table. A press release is being written to publicize the event as well as posters, a video slide ad on ACTV and an op/ed piece for the Gazette.

Young Democrats of America (YDA):

Robert Phillips reported that the last two elections had the highest youth turnout and YDA wants to keep them engaged. Encourage ADTC members to send emails reminding the DNC to follow their own bylaws regarding having accurate youth representation at the convention.

Meeting adjourned by Madge Ertel at 7:45 pm.