California Democratic Council

Board Meeting Minutes

December 4, 2005
Piccadilly Hotel, Fresno, CA

10:00 AM Meeting called to order by CDC President Chris Stampolis.

10:05 AM Introduction of attendees. Approximately 25 people attended the meeting.

10:16 AM Chris Stampolis called for the filling of the vacant secretary position.

Mark Shepherd made a motion to formally accept the resignation of the former secretary Josh Futterman. Nina Sharky seconded the motion. No discussion occurred and the vote was carried unanimously.

10:18 AM Chris Stampolis called for nominations for the secretary position.

Mark Shepherd nominated Henry Vandermeir. Seconded. Henry accepted the nomination.

No additional nominations were presented.

Nina Sharky made a motion to close nominations. Seconded and passed.

10:19 AM Motion was made/seconded to accept Henry by acclimation. Motion passed with no opposition.

10:20 AM Officers Reports

Presidents report included the following:

1. Democratic Party change concerning assembly district committees: Chris Stampolis talked about the ramifications of the new by-law changes reference the assembly district committees. Chris explained that as of the end of 2006, the assembly district committees as they are now will be dissolved. Various questions were raised regarding the new changes.

Chris then explained why the CDC should care about the changes. Since the assembly district committees will have the option to be chartered as ‘clubs’ through the party or the central committees, they will automatically become part of the CDC family.

Chris also mentioned that the CDP has included language referencing the chartering of clubs that specifically prohibits those clubs chartered under the state party from endorsing any candidates other than those officially endorsed by the state party.

2. 10:45 AM Chris gave an update on the credentials regarding the Nevada Women’s Club. He said he had paid them a visit to verify that they are in fact a functioning club. However, after many years of being a valid and powerful club, the club’s charter was not renewed by the Nevada County central committee because they refused to adopt the central committees new language which states that clubs cannot endorse any candidates other than those endorsed by the county central committee.

The club has since been issued a notice from their county central committee that they are no longer a chartered club and are to cease and desist from using “Democratic” in their name or risk a lawsuit. Subsequently, the county central committee has issued press releases indicating the need for a new Democratic women’s club.

Helen Acosta mentioned that she had read about a court case in which it was ruled that central committees cannot interfere with the policies of a club unless they are completely out of compliance with the CDP. Helen said she would research that case in more detail and report back to Chris.

11:00 AM Lucy Sells made a motion (Herb Engstrom Second) to have E-Board review/come up with a position ref the CDP by-law rules regarding chartered clubs. The CDC will present that resolution/recommendation to the CDP at the April 2006 Convention. Motion was passed with no objections.

3. 11:03 AM A representative of the hotel made contact with Chris in an attempt to resolve the issue with CYD, using CDC as a good-faith go-between. Chris has shared CDC's position with the hotel that CDC believes CYD made a morally defensible decision to support the Hotel Employees' union's position against the St. Francis and that CDC looks forward to a reasonable resolution of this concern between the St. Francis and CYD.

Chris told the CDC Board that if the St. Francis continues to take offensive action against CYD, CDC should prepare to support our younger sisters and brothers.

4. 11:06 AM Financial Update & Projections
Chris mentioned he had chosen not to renew CDC's consulting contract with Josh Futterman and that contract expired September 30, per the contract language. Chris also stated he chose to renew the consulting contract with Jery Lacayo.

11:10 AM A motion was made to allow Chris to continue to pay Jery (money allowing) until the CDC convention in March, 2006. Motion was seconded and passed.

5. Chris mentioned he has been in discussion with Ken Casarez of LIUNA regarding a long-term partnership between LIUNA and CDC, including guest speakers from LIUNA presenting to Democratic clubs and Democratic representatives visiting LIUNA local meetings. Chris and Ken also have discussed possible financial support from LIUNA for CDC. It was mentioned from the floor that the unions may be cash-strapped after the special election. Mark Shepherd volunteered to talk to Ken regarding the donation.

11:18 AM Chris talked about the 22,000 club and how important it is to get people aboard. An initial threshold of 1,000 donators would provide enough cash flow to cover expenses and provide for additional expansion.

6. 11:30 AM Treasurers Report Herb Engstrom gave the treasurers report.Current balance as of December 2, 2005 was $101.00. Our current expenses are approximately twice as much as our income. Most of the expenses were due to contract labor. He mentioned that he had just received donations of approximately $600 that had not yet been deposited.

Herb also mentioned that there are two additional accounts, one with approximately $700 in one and $1,700 in the other. It was suggested that Herb include those accounts in future reports.

7. Chris mentioned that he had talked to Josh Futterman regarding the return of CDC property (laptop) that was still in his possession. Josh replied that he would keep the laptop in lieu of some expenses he did not submitted as well as some days he was not paid for while he was in Louisiana. The alternative is to send him a check for any monies owed.

Discussions followed regarding the pros and cons of pursuing the retrieval of CDC property.

11:45 AM Nina Sharky made a motion (Barbie Deutsch second) that the CDC retrieve the CDC property (laptop) from Josh Futterman using any means up to and including legal options as determined by Chris and/or other CDC officers.

Various discussions occurred reference feasibility of going after the property.

11:55 AM Lee Greenawalt made a motion to close debate – not passed. Additional discussion followed.

It was decided that the laptop is CDC property and should be returned to CDC and that Josh Futterman should submit his expenses and claims for unpaid days via the proper channels.

12:05 PM The original motion was passed without objection.

12:08 PM Chris discussed the current affiliation process and his thoughts on suspending the affiliation fees for 2006. This initiative would help get new clubs to ‘test’ out the CDC and hopefully get new participants in the 22,000 club.

Chris discussed how the current rules of submitting paperwork would still apply and that club rosters would still be submitted so that members could be contacted for donations. Chris emphasized the roster requirement is nothing new and no changes to the requirements are being proposed.

A discussion followed concerning the issue of contacting club members for the purposes of solicitation. Many members felt that such use would be an abuse of privacy and that clubs will be reluctant to join and/or submit their rosters if they know that CDC will be soliciting them.

12:20 PM A motion was made and passed to postpone debate on the dues issue until after lunch.

12:25 PM Break for lunch. Assemblyman Juan Arambula of the 31^st AD was the guest speaker.

13:40 PM Chris Stampolis resumed meeting

Continued discussion of previous topic. Additional views of restructuring the club dues were presented and debated as well as continued concerns reference the solicitation of rosters.

Concerns were brought up that the CDC has no service/product to offer yet we are asking folks to continue to affiliate and/or donate.

14:18 PM Lynn Maxson made motion (Ginny Terrell second) to prohibit CDC to contact the internal database for any financial solicitation.

Discussions for/against were presented. Although phone calls may not be the desirable method of contact, we may still want to contact members on the roster via mail to provide information on conventions, meetings, etc. Motion was voted down.

It was suggested that board members might be able to make a better informed decision concerning the issue of what to do with club dues if they knew the results of the Saturday’s open forum meeting which covered CDC communication issues.
14:30 PM Henry Vandermeir presented a report on Saturday’s open forum meeting:

He explained that the key to the success of the CDC is to make sure it has a product and/or service that it offers to clubs in exchange for their affiliation. The CDC does not currently (or not consistently) provide the services it proclaims to offer. The current priority is to define that product/service and provide it to our VPs as soon as possible.

Saturday's meeting was chaired by Jery Lacayo, Central Area South VP. The topic was CDC Communication Issues. Several items were covered:

Need an accurate list of county clubs in order to contact and show face.
Action: Jery Lacayo & Lucy Sells & Ginny Terrell

Need to demonstrate relevance of CDC.

Develop a White Paper/Brochure

               i.      Snail mail to Officers & Club Presidents

               ii.      Email to Club List

Need publicity materials such as brochures, flyers, handouts
Bring to meetings, events, supermarkets, etc.
Action: Nina Sharky & Henry Vandermeir

All club officers should have business cards. May not be cost effective until CDC is fluid.

Radio – Air America
Cynthia Gonzalez from KFPT 790AM offered services such as short public announcements and website linkage. www.kfpt790.com    Suggest CDC take advantage of this offer.

Grassroots Newsletter
Showcase club activities, new clubs, how-to articles, training schedules, etc.

Updated & Maintained Website
Action: Henry Vandermeir

Visibility via Speakers

Develop Product/Service for CDC
Reps need something tangible to sell that makes the CDC attractive. We need a set of How-To guides to present to existing/new clubs.   These same guides can then be used to present training classes, thereby fulfilling another service.

Leadership manual
Action: Done? Jery Lacayo & Ray ? have copies. Rich Watters provided a copy.

How to start a club
Action: Done – available on website

Fundraising Fundamentals
Action: Done. Nina Sharky - has manual written.

How to file for FEC/FPPC and do reports
Action: Done? Hillary Crosby can get copy.

Candidate Filing Information for clubs to get them involved with local candidates
Action: Lucy Sells

How to use the Internet effectively
Action: Done. Henry Vandermeir

How to improve your search engine chances

Action: Done. Henry Vandermeir

How to get a free website from the CDC
Action: Done. Henry Vandermeir

Speakers Bureau & Training
Action: Done? Patsy Montgomery can get from other source.

How to guide for precinct captains and how to target precincts.
Action: Done? Herb Engstrom has access to materials.

How to get & produce media resources for club promotion
Action: Patsy Montgomery & Cynthia Gonzalez

How to produce a TV Show
Action: Herb Engstrom

How to write a press release
Action: Patsy Montgomery

Templates for newsletters, business cards, brochures, etc. for clubs to edit
Action: Henry Vandermeir, Nina Sharky, Helen Acosta

How to organize an event
Action:

How to recruit new members
Action: Done? Barbie Deutsch, Jery Lacayo, Chris Stampolis

Simplified Roberts Rules of Order
Action: Done? Have a hard copy – could use electronic format.

How to get involved with the Central Committee
Action: Helen Acosta

How to develop candidates
Action: Chris Stampolis

How to file an intent to circulate petitions for local propositions
Action: Helen Acosta

The goal is to have this package complete by January 21 so that services can be immediately presented at the CDP E-Board meeting on January 27.

14:55 PM A motion was made to authorize Henry Vandermeir to lead this project of defining and developing the CDC product/service. Motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

15:10 PM Craig Athon made a motion (Mark Shepherd second) to postpone further discussion on changing the dues structure until Convention.

15:23 PM Motion failed 7 Ayes, 12 Nays

15:25 PM Jery Lacayo made motion (Lucy Sells second) to suspend dues for year 2006.

15:33 PM Ginny Terrell made motion to amend the previous motion to charge $25 for new clubs, $50 for exiting clubs.

A vote was called for the amendment.
The motion failed: 7 Ayes/7 Nays

A vote was called for the original motion to suspend dues for the year of 2006.
The motion passed : 10 Ayes /6 Nays

15:40 PM Helen Acosta, Barbie Deutsch, Jery Lacayo, Lynn Maxson, Al Miller volunteered to be on a committee to discuss the issue of club dues.

15:45 PM Ellie Schermerhorn made motion (Lucy Sells second) to have a line item on treasurer’s report to indicate 22,000 club membership. Motion was passed unanimously.

15:48 PM Barbie Deutsch discussed plans on the convention.
Please contact Barbie for details. The deadline for Early Bird pricing was set for the end of January. Hillary Crosby, Chris Stampolis and convention committee to discuss pricing.

16:10 PM Craig Athon presented a resolution proposed by the Alhambra Club that the CDC support a combination of laws and taxes on the rich and corporations to pay for state infrastructure. Motion was made/seconded to adopt the resolution. Motion passed unanimously.

16:15 PM Craig Athon presented a resolution proposed by the United Democratic Club of Monterey Park that the CDC support a moratorium on death penalty. Ginny Terrell made a motion (Greg Valtierra second) to adopt the resolution. Motion passed unanimously.

16:18 PM Jery Lacayo made a motion (Nina Sharky second) to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

16:20 PM Meeting adjourned

These minutes certified as true and accurate by California Democratic Council Secretary Henry Vandermeir on December 5, 2005.