California Democratic Council

2006 Convention Minutes

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

7:03 p.m. - In ballrooms G & H of the Santa Clara Convention Center, CDC President Chris Stampolis convened the California Democratic Council's 54th Annual Convention at the beginning of the gathering dinner.

Stampolis invited the guests to begin their meal and noted the program would resume in about 30 minutes.

7:34 p.m. - After welcoming the delegates and guests, Stampolis invited Santa Clara Mayor Patricia Mahan to address the crowd. Mayor Mahan welcomed the conventioneers to the Mission City and noted that Santa Clara is a Democrat-friendly city with a long history of elected local Democrats.

Stampolis then asked the Awards Committee consisting of Controller Billie MacDougall, Trustee David Wilkes, Area VP Kevin Moore and Regional VP Greg Valtierra to come to the podium. Valtierra presented the special "Compass Award" to Jery Lacayo. Moore presented the "Abacus Award" to Herb Engstrom. MacDougall presented "Club of the Year" to the Oakhurst Democratic Club. Wilkes presented "Rookie of the Year" to Henry Vandermeir. Stampolis presented the "Lifetime Achievement Award" to Jim and Emy Thurber. On behalf of the Thurbers, Jim Thurber, Jr., accepted the award and provided gracious comments to the crowd.

Stampolis then announced the "Stellar Convention Program Award" would be presented jointly to Barbie Deutsch and Ellen Nagler. Deutsch came forward to accept the award and to welcome attendees to the evening. She introduced Nagler who called forward debate moderator Gail Slocum. Slocum then introduced media panelists John Diaz of the San Francisco Chronicle and Sue Kwon of KPIX( CBS, Channel 5). Slocum then welcomed State Senator Liz Figueroa, Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi and State Senator Jackie Speier.

At 8:00 p.m., the debate commenced and continued till approximately 10p.m. Following the debate, attendees discussed the evening till the late hours in a second floor no-host-bar "Spin Room."

SATURDAY

Following a data-analysis breakfast presentation by David Latterman of Fall Line Analytics, State President Chris Stampolis called the second day of the convention to order at 9:31 a.m. in Room 203 of the Santa Clara Convention Center.

After motion and second, the pre-printed convention agenda was approved on a unanimous vote. After motion and second, the pre-printed convention rules were adopted on a unanimous vote. After motion and second, Secretary Henry Vandermeir was confirmed in his position on a unanimous vote.

At 9:37 a.m., Stampolis called forth Kate Forrest of the Commonweal Institute to begin her training seminar titled "How to Speak Politics with People Different from You."

Congresswoman Barbara Lee addressed delegates and guests at lunch.

Training seminars continued throughout the day.

Stampolis called forth Assemblywoman and Board of Equalization candidate Judy Chu to address the dinner crowd. Chu, a graduate of what now is known as Santa Clara High School introduced dinner speaker Donnie Fowler, who addressed the crowd on "Why Bother to be Involved with Politics?"

Following Fowler's address, Stampolis introduced Michael Webber, founder of SoCal Grassroots, who called forth statewide candidates for a debate forum. Participating at the event were Bill Lockyer, Rocky Delgadillo, Jerry Brown, Joe Dunn, John Chiang and Debra Bowen.

Following the candidate forum, attendees discussed the evening till the late hours in a second floor no-host-bar "Spin Room."

SUNDAY

Following a presentation by Steve Chessin on "Why Democrats should support Instant Runoff and Proportional Representation", State President Chris Stampolis called the third day of the convention to order at 9:31 a.m. in Room 203 of the Santa Clara Convention Center.

Delegates were instructed to meet by regions.

Stampolis asked if any caucuses had met and requested certification. Secretary Henry Vandermeir indicated that no caucuses had certified.

Committees were asked to present reports. The communications committee chaired by Henry Vandermeir, reported that they had met and will be forming a communications network with all affiliates in order to quickly and efficiently disseminate CDC information. In addition, they will be producing a guideline on how to produce a TV show. They will also be forming a telephone committee that will interface with the telephone committees of affiliated clubs.

Lynn Maxson, Chair of the the Issues and Political Action Committee said that they did meet but had no report at this time.

No other committees had reports.

Stampolis then called for officer reports. Secretary Henry Vandermeir reported that the CDC Leadership manual was completed in January and that the CDC brochure was complete and ready for officers to pick up.

Treasurer Herb Engstrom gave his report: "Due to the convention the finances of the CDC are in a state of flux. I will provide a written summary to all delegates when all the numbers are in. Here is an estimate of where we stand: We received a $5,000 donation from the Laborer's International Union and a $5,000 bequest from the estate of Jane Bradley. That bequest generated $963 in interest for us before we received the check. So far the convention has brought in about $27,000, but the cost of the meals is such that we really don't expect to make very much."

Controller Billie MacDougal reported that she had received the PAC reports from Herb Engstrom and had reviewed them.

Northern Trustee David Wilkes report ..... to be filled in by David ..........

Stampolis then called for any nominations for Northern Trustee. Vandermeir reported that only one nomination was submitted, that of David Wilkes.

There was a m/s/p to accept David Wilkes' nomination by acclamation.

Resolutions were then reviewed. The following resolutions were passed (click on title for details):

"Proposition 82: Increased Preschool Education paid for by a tax on the rich" After much debate, it was m/s/p by the convention delegates to postpone indefinitely consideration of this Proposition, with the intent that the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee are not empowered to take separate action on this Proposition.

The following resolutions were deferred to the Board of Directors meeting.

"Improve Protection and Management at Jackson Redwood Forest"
"Protect Morrell Canyon from Net-Loss Energy Scheme"
" Support Assemblyman Levine's AB 715 to Help California's Roadless Areas"
"Take serious steps now to restore the Klamath river"
"Acquire and protect bluff and upland habitat by the Ballona wetlands"

11:00am Stampolis announced that endorsements for state-wide offices would be voted on and that local office endorsements would be done at the regional level.

There was a m/s/p to use the Instant Runoff method for voting of endorsements. Delegates were given approximately 20 minutes to vote and tally.

As a result of a three round runoff, the following candidates were endorsed for state-wide offices:

Lt. Governor: Jackie Speier
Attorney General: Jerry Brown
Secretary of State: Debra Bowen
Insurance Commissioner: Cruz Bustamante
Controller: Joe Dunn
Treasurer: Bill Lockyer
State Superintendent of Schools: Jack O'Connell
Names were submitted for endorsement of non-contested local races - click here

12:15: Marie Highby and Bill Rosenberg presented "Linking who you are with the Political Landscape"

1:00pm Stampolis asked delegates to call out candidate names of Democrats in uncontested primary races, and asked that the names also be brought forward in written form to the Secretary.

There was a m/s/p to approve endorsement of all such candidates by acclamation.

1:15pm? Convention was adjourned.

1:30pm? Stampolis opened the Board of Directors meeting

There was a m/s/p at the Board of Directors meeting to refer all resolutions to the Executive Committee that had been sent to the Board by the Convention.

There was a m/s/p to clarify and preview resolutions earlier and have them available for attendees.

There was a m/s/p to accept the interim regional and area officers. The following interim officers unanimously were confirmed as full officers by the Board of Directors:

South-East Area VP: Kevin Moore
Central Coast Area VP: Jan Black
Sierra Mountains Regional VP: Wanda Way
Monterey Bay Regional VP: Carl Pohlhammer
South Central Coast Regional VP: Sue Broidy
Yosemite Gateway Regional VP: Ginny Terrell

Stampolis announced that local endorsements would be voted on at regional meetings over the next several weeks.

There was a m/s/p that geographic clubs only be able to vote on races within their geographic area.

There was a m/s/p that affinity clubs only be allowed proportional votes in local races based on the number of members living within the area of races.

There was a m/s/p to defer the voting criteria for county committees to the Executive Committee.

There was a m/s/p to have the communications committee determine the primary method for communicating with members.

There was a m/s/p to defer the decision of the location/time of the next convention to the next board meeting.

2:30 pm? Meeting was adjourned