Linn County Democrats Central Committee
Minutes of December 3, 2008 meeting
Annual Reorganization Meeting
Chairman Loyd Henion opened meeting at 6:30 PM by asking attendees to introduce themselves. Approximately 32 people were in attendance.
Agenda:
- Creation of new positions for LCDCC leadership: multiple Vice Chairs and Ambassador. After brief discussion, motion to approve new positions passed unanimously.
- Election of officers to LCDCC. The following slate of officers was offered in nomination by the Nominating Committee:
- Chair, Loyd Henion
- First Vice Chair, Louise Owens
- Second Vice Chair, Nonie Harcombe
- Third Vice Chair, Terence Fry
- Secretary, Alice Fitzpatrick
- Treasurer, Carla Mundt
After a brief discussion , the name of Bud Laurent was offered as a friendly amendment on a motion by Mathew Hasek to be substituted for Alice Fitzpatrick for the position of Secretary.. Motion to substitute was approved unanimously. Following this, a motion to close the nominations was approved unanimously. Motion to elect the proposed slate of candidates as amended was approved unanimously.
- Election of new Precinct Representatives. The following names were entered into nomination for new precinct representatives, to be confirmed at next regularly scheduled meeting:
Name PRECINCT
- Richard Olsen 003
- Alice Fitzpatrick 008
- Michael Fitzpatrick 008
- Scott Lawley 016
- Paul Harcombe 019
- Nonie Harcombe 019
- Eldon Huntling 035
- Bill Mundt 100
- Carla Mundt 100
- James Just 104
- Addition of Hotline and Webmaster positions to the Executive Committee. After brief discussion, membership decided not to support the addition of two new positions to the Executive Committee. It was mentioned that the By-laws allowed for chairs of standing committees to be members of the Executive committee. This was deemed more appropriate.
- Election of Delegates to State Democratic Party
Nominations from the floor were opened by Chairman Henion. The following names were entered into nomination and approved by unanimous vote:
Delegates: Loyd Henion, Louise Owens, Nonie Harcombe
Alternate Delegates: Matthew Hasek, Peggy Joyce, Bud Laurent
- Election of Delegates to Fourth Congressional District
Nominations from the floor were opened by Chairman Henion. The following names were entered into nomination and approved by unanimous vote:
Delegates: Loyd Henion, Louise Owens, Mathew Hasek
Alternate Delegates: Peggy Joyce, Terence Fry, with the third spot vacant.
NEW BUSINESS
- DPO/County Party Food Drive. Steve Henion gave report and led discussion on proposal for the LC Democratic party to participate is a Statewide food drive that is sponsored by the State Democratic Party for the growing numbers of people in need. Bob Hartsock related that East Linn County has also seen dramatic increases in unemployed and those needing assistance and spoke in favor of the proposal, as did several others. Mathew Hasek proposed that he would like to work with Bud Laurent to organize such a food drive in hope that LCDCC volunteers would step forward. Without objection the plan to proceed was well received. There was no formal motion.
- Reaching out to Obama Volunteers. Discussion postponed for next meeting.
- Should LCDCC keep the recently established general election campaign office open as a “permanent” office? Nonie Harcombe led a spirited discussion about the pros and cons of maintaining a physical presence in Albany. Several members spoke is support of the idea, and more than one cited financial concerns about having to pay the monthly rent ($425/month as negotiated by Chairman Henion). After two members volunteered to donate monthly through Act Blue, a sign up sheet was passed around for members to commit to a monthly contribution in support of an office on a month-to-month basis. The following members indicated their willingness to donate the indicated amounts to the cause:
min.of 20 | Bob Hartsock |
at least 10 | Matthew Hasek |
$20.00 | Peggy Joyce/Bob Heald |
$15.00 | Doug & Anna Sigler |
$20.00 | Bill & Carla Mundt |
$20.00 | Bud Laurent |
$10.00 | Robert Waterhouse |
$20.00 | Nonie & PaulHarcombe |
$30.00 | Loyd and Steve Henion |
$155.00 | Total, as of 12/03/08 |
$270.00 | Deficit* (W/O incl. phone) |
In addition, Irina and Jim Just and Phyllis Selleck committed to staffing the office
to the extent they were able. Further discussion followed with the following
recommendations and comments:
- the office should be open more than the 10AM-2PM initially suggested
- a concerted effort must be made to involve LBCC students in staffing the office;
- the only other expense will be the cost of one phone line (other utilities are included in rent);
- the effort to find more contributors will continue in order to cover the full expense of an office;
- there must be sufficient materials from DPO and elsewhere always in supply;
- volunteers’ time must be organized to be put to good use;
- people on the Obama supporter list must be recruited to serve as volunteers;
- a previously offered computer from the Benton County Dems will be investigated by the Chair;
- The office can be used to reach out to the community via having a Community Events Board
- the office can also serve as a locus for other LCDCC efforts, such as the previously discussed Food Drive.
Discussion concluded with unanimous agreement to direct Chairman Henion to pursue a month-to-month rental agreement at the current rent so the LCDCC will have a continuing physical presence in Linn County.
- Meeting location and day of month for LCDCC in 2009. Discussion postponed to next meeting
- Should a “Mid-Valley PAC” composed of the Central Committees of Linn, Benton, Merion, Polk and Yamhill Counties be formed? The argument in support of the need for a Mid-Valley PAC was presented by Jason Brown, recent candidate for the State House. Mr. Brown has analyzed the recent election results, especially in the more rural “red” counties to show how lack of financial support from DPO and other funders may have affected the outcomes. He believes the proposed PAC would help to focus needed attention on turning current “red” districts “blue.” Sam Sappington, former chair of Benton County Democrats, agreed that a PAC could help to build support for future Democratic candidates. Following further discussion, Chairman Henion asked for a show of support for proceeding with the idea to form a Mid-Valley PAC with the majority of members present raising their hands. A meeting will be held on 12/5/08 at The LC Dems Headquarters at Two Rivers Market on Broadalbin St. in Albany to continue this discussion.
- Review of 2008. Steve Henion led this discussion, asking input from members. The following observations were offered:
The GOOD: we had good candidates; we helped to build the party in Linn County; we opened a campaign office; we helped with a food drive; the Labor Day picnic turned out successfully; the LC Democrat chair attended the National Convention
The NOT SO GOOD: failure to get good candidates elected; voter education could have been more effective; voter registration could have been better
What We Can Do Better: Voter education; getting state-wide candidates to show up in support of local candidates; raising more $ for candidates; more $ from DPO; better press and public outreach; better candidate preparation and selection processes; getting candidates to accept LCDCC campaign advice and help; better dissemination of Democratic policy successes; insistence of clean campaigns from ALL candidates.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM
Next Executive Committee meeting: 12/14/08 at 6:30 PM
Next regular meeting of LCDCC: 1/7/09 at 6:00PM
Submitted by Bud Laurent, Secretary