SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
 Minutes of the meeting of February 6, 2003

1.  CALL TO ORDER
    The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Drina Collins at 7:10 P.M.

2.  ROLL CALL
    Absent were: Jean Cohen, Joe Pandit, Alex Kennett, Larry Carr, and Dan Kenney.

  
    Excused were: Jim Thurber, Emy Thurber, Steve Preminger, Madge Overhouse, and Chris Stampolis. 

3. IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS

     Richard Collins: Bay area Secular Democrats, Genevieve Gerard: Chair, PYD, Colleen Hoey: Office of Congressman Mike Honda, John Barton: Palo Alto Unified School District, Scott Lipton, Scott Rafferty, Beth Shaw: Chair, 21st AD Committee

  

4. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

     1. Altered Executive Board reporter from Herb Engstrom to Hope Allen Cahan.

     2. Added Racial Privacy Act to new business

     3. Motion was made and seconded to adopt the proposed agenda.  The motion carried.

5a. FILLING OF VACANCIES OF THE SCCDCC.
    Vice Chair Drina Collins and Parliamentarian David Cohen asked for members who had delegate seats from the SCCDCC as well as their AD Committee to eliminate double delegations. A count was done on open delegate spaces, 7 spaces were counted as available. Nominations to fill vacancies for the SCCDCC took place.
            Nominations:   The following people were nominated:  Bill James, Brandon Sulser, Genni Gerard, Merylee Shelton, Kinshasa Earl, and Liz McDavit. Hearing no more nominations, a motion was made and seconded to close nominations. Discussion on need for gender balance took place and Bill James withdrew his name from consideration to create proper gender balance. The motion carried and all nominees were declared elected.
           
5b. RACIAL PRIVACY ACT, EMERGENCY RESOLUTION

    1. Dennis Chiu presented an emergency resolution pertaining to the racial privacy act.

    2. A Nomination was made and seconded to approve emergency resolution. Discussion on the resolution amended grammar to add a comma, delete "all" from the last paragraph, and amend portion of 3rd paragraph to read "to the protection of the community"
Bill James asked if there was any measure prohibiting the gathering of this sort of information that could be referred to specifically. Motion for approval of the amended emergency resolution passed.

    3. Motion to forward the emergency resolution to the State Party and CDC. The motion carried

 

Resolution reads as follows:

RESOLUTION OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEEIN OPPOSITION TO EFFORTS TO PROHIBIT GATHERING OF ETHINIC DATA

 

(adopted by SCCDCC on February 6, 2003)

 

 

            WHEREAS, the California Democratic Party and the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee (SCCDCC) has worked to promote the civil rights, health and welfare of the community; and

 

            WHEREAS, the proposed initiative, from U.C. Regent Ward Connerly, commonly known as the "Racial Privacy Initiative", will harm the civil rights, health and welfare of the community, since it prohibits the State, County, City, School Districts and all other government funded groups from tracking the race, ethnicity or national origin of any individual; and

 

            WHEREAS, the ability to track the race, ethnicity or national origin of individuals is integral in the protection of the community from civil rights abuses, disease, illness, poor educational opportunity, and other threats to public welfare; and the prohibition to keep statistics will have a devastating effect on funding and quality of services to historically underrepresented ethnic groups;

 

            NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the SCCDCC requests that that California State Democratic Party adopt a resolution opposing efforts to prohibit the gathering of statistics on race, ethnicity or national origin of any individuals.

 

 



6.  APPROVAL OF MINUTES.
    Motion that the minutes of the January meeting be approved. Motion was seconded and carried.

7.  REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS

A. Executive Board: Hope Allen Cahan:

- Recommendations accepted by the body and to be voted on by the Central Committee members in March.

      -Jim Thurber- finance

      -Keith Garvey- Candidate Recruitment and Endorsements

      -Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins- Campaign Services

      -Emy Thurber- Issues

      -Tom Cochran- Political Outreach

      -Liz McDavit- Community services and voter registration

      -David Cohen- Parliamentarian

      -Dennis Chiu- Legal Council

 

-Full report on Measure A including ballot language, argument for, argument against and a long discussion. A vote was taken and passed to endorse the measure.

 

-Motion made and carried to support efforts of David Cohen and Scott Rafferty regarding the DNC and the internet.

 

-Motion made and carried to participate in the SCC fair again this year. (Last year cost $600 for all three days)

 

-Decision to put Central Committee as many members as possible on AD delegate list so that the Central Committee would have more open delegate positions.


B. Chair: Steve Preminger

      No report

 

C. Vice Chair's report: Drina Collins.
       No report.

D.  Treasurer's report: Gap Kim.
        $563.91 has been paid in membership dues. 24 membership dues were paid since the last meeting and 6 today.

E.  Secretary's report: Hope Allen Cahan

Need current alternate delegation letters

Need members and alternate members to pay dues

Need club lists of Executive Boards

F.  Community Services & Voter Registration: Liz McDavit
No report   

G.  Finance: Jim Thurber.
No report from Jim.

Report from Jackie Heffner regarding the success of the invitation stuffing and mailing gathering for the JJ dinner and discussion about the JJ dinner.

H. Candidate Recruitment and Endorsement: Keith Garvey.

No report
   

I.  Campaign Services: Phaedra Ellis Lamkins.

No Report
   
K. Political Outreach: Tom Cochran

Thanks to new board members Hope Allen Cahan and Drina Collins and Parliamentarian David Cohen for running the meeting in Steve's absence.

   
21st AD Committee: Beth Shaw


Report from Beth Shaw, newly elected Chair of the 21st AD Democratic Committee.  Our new officers agreed to a number of goals for 2003.  Given our relative small size and geographic overlap with the county committees (Santa Clara and San Mateo) and clubs, we'd like to work closely with all of you to achieve the goals!  Three specific items to mention:

#1 Voter Registration - we will be supporting voter registration again in 2003, and look forward to working with Liz McDavit and any clubs to coordinate and ensure we collectively reach as many folks as possible.

#2 Precinct Campaign - we will be working with Jay Jackman to help move this program forward in advance of the 2003 and 2004 elections.

#3 GOTV - we will be excited to support the SCC DCC and other campaigns with GOTV activities later in the year - let us know how we can help!

Regarding any of these items, please contact me if there is a way we can work together!

I can be reached at 650.529.1911 or at beth_shaw2002@yahoo.com.  In addition, the new officers and central committee members for the 21st AD are:

Chair - Beth Shaw
1st Vice Chair - Greg Loew
2nd Vice Chair - Alex Parr
Recording Secy - Bertrand Smith
Corresponding Secy - Janice Hough
Treasurer - Thelma Spaziani

Male Members of State Central Committee:
- John Barton
- Gary Fazzino
- Bruce Ives
- Mike Markman
- Bertrand Smith
- Mark Solomon

Female Members of State Central Committee:
- Karen Brunton
- Catherine Crystal Foster
- Janice Hough
- Nancy Huber
- Judy Kleinberg
- Cindy Rubin

 

22nd AD Committee: Chris Stampolis

No report   

23rd AD Committee:

No report    

24th AD Committee: David Cohen

"We elected myself, Jacquie Heffner, Jean Cohen, Jim Brady, and John McLemore

to our executive board and elected our delegates to the state convention and

eboard.  We had a lively discussion about what our priorities should be as an

AD committee.  In particular, we talked about increasing voter participation,

particularly among young people.  We plan to hold a meeting on February 25 to

discuss further our plans and leave with specific action items for the next

few months."

  
28th AD Committee: Sal Alvarez.

No report
   

African-American Democratic Coalition: Tony Alexander.

No report submitted by publication of minutes

Asian-Pacific American Democratic Club: Gap Kim.

Clinton*Gore Action Network: Liz McDavit.
No report

 

Democratic Action for Women Now (DAWN): Claudia Shope
 
Evergreen Community College at the Villages: Beverly Whorton

      "The club donated money to provide a substantial Christmas for an INNVISION single mother with three boys. Our speaker for January was Dr. James Brent, Chair of the SJSU Academic Senate and Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department. He spoke on the topic of 'Issues and Reflections on what the Democratic Party Must Do.' He reflected on ways in which the party can play a strong role in setting governmental policies despite their minority status in the Congress and the White House. His feeling is that we may even show significant gains if the Republicans 'overreach' and misjudge the depth of support they have in the country for their programs.

      Our speaker for last Tuesday's meeting was to have been Dr. Constantine Danopolous, Professor of Political Science at San Jose State, on the topic of 'The United Nations: Its Strengths and Weaknesses,' which would have been timely given this week's events. However, through some miscommunication he did not arrive because he thought it was next Tuesday. To fill up the time, members brainstormed about ways in which we could increase our membership, which at present stands at 127, while there are approximately 1,000 registered Democrats in the Villages."

 

High Tec Dems: Alyson Abramowitz

"High Tech Dems' next meeting will be our annual focus on the economy. "Gloom, Doom or Ray of Hope, What's in Store for Silicon Valley?" will take place on March 10th from 6:15-9:30 PM at Mings Restaurant in Palo Alto. Our focus this year will be on both high tech and biotechnology. The cost is $25 for members/$35 for non-members in advance with additional cost at the door. Dinner is included. Register at www.hightechdems.com <http://www.hightechdems.com/> . Email info@hightechdems.com for more information."

 

Mission City Democratic Club: Chris Stampolis

No report submitted by publication of minutes

Peninsula Democratic Coalition: Mike Markman
No report submitted by publication of minutes

 

Peninsula Young Democrats: Mike Markman.

Peninsula Young Democrats:  PYD held its annual elections in January.  PYD's

new Chair is Genni Gerard; Vice Chair is Brandon Sulser; Secretary is Einat

Sandman; and Treasurer is Chris Stone.  PYD's next social event will be held

on February 27.


Santa Clara County Democratic Club: Herb Engstrom.
     The January meeting of the Club was devoted to plans for political action for the coming year.  A number of subcommittees of interested members were formed, and these include health care, the economy, fundraising for Democrats, corporate scandals and energy, international affairs, and legislative contacts.

     The February 17th meeting will feature Dr. Don McCanne, head of Physicians for National Health Care.  He will be speaking on that  issue and why we could all benefit from a single payer system.  State Senator Sheila Kuehl will introduce later this month a bill to provide such a system here in California.  The meeting will be held at Carrow's Restaurant, on El Camino at the corner of Calabazas in Santa Clara.  Dinner is at 6 P.M., and the meeting will begin shortly after 7 P.M.

    The Club's "Straight Talk" TV show will tape two shows on Feb. 22.  The first will be devoted to domestic violence and will have as guests Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn and Jennifer Hulbert of WATCH, an organization that provides temporary housing for victims of domestic violence.  On the second show we will discuss single payer health care with two members of Health Care for All California, the local chair, Lynne Penek-Holden, and Gerry Hunt.

 


Silicon Valley Latino Democratic Forum: Teresa Daley
No report submitted by publication of minutes

 

South County Democratic Club: Mark Moore

 

"The South County Democrats held their last meeting as primarily an organizational discussion in December. Last yearÕs redistricting has been particularly difficult for the club, as its members have been divided between two Assemlymembers and two Congress members. Morgan Hill currently does not share any of these representatives with Gilroy. Morgan Hill also does not share either of those representatives or its State Senator with San Jose.

 

Currently, Morgan Hill has the only conservative Republican Congress member in Santa Clara County. This is Richard Pombo of Tracy. Club members have had many discussions regarding 'how to work with him'. Many members have vowed to become a thorn in the congressmanÕs side, reminding him of his many Democratic constituents."

 


West Valley Democratic Club: Barbara Nesbit

No report submitted by publication of minutes

L. Regional Directors: Madge Overhouse, Martin Gorfinkel.
    No report.

M. Democratic National Committee: Chris Stampolis.
No report submitted by publication of minutes


N.  Pro-Choice Coalition:  Claudia Shope.
      "Earlier this week, in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Feinstein showed her support for reproductive rights by voting 'no' on the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals. The full Senate is expected to vote on this nomination early next week. Planned Parenthood federation of America opposes Miguel Estrada based on his refusal to state that he believes the Constitution guarantees a woman's right to choose.

      When questioned about his views on Roe v. Wade, we heard echoes of another judicial nominee (then federal appellate court Judge Clarence Thomas), as Mr. Estrada claimed he had never considered if the Roe decision was right. Senators must not allow Mr. Estrada to follow in the footsteps of Justice Thomas, who stated at his confirmation hearing that he had non opinion on Roe and then shortly thereafter, voted to overturn it.

 

      Also, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte opposes anti-choice Judge Carolyn Kuhl's nomination to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Next week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing regarding anti-choice Judge Carolyn Kuhl's nomination. We must defeat this nomination in order to preserve a woman's right to choose.

      At this time, we are asking that you fax letters to Senators Boxer and Feinstein in order to show that the pro-choice community opposes anti-choice Judge Carolyn Kuhl."

      Additionally, Claudia reported on SB 71, the budget and Davis' bad decisions, Vehicle License fee, and medical reimbursement needs to be increased for reproduction services.

 

Discussion on how to contact elected officials.

 

O.  DTV Report:  Steve Chessin.

 

Democratic Television Producer Steve Chessin reported that our February

taping was this past Saturday with the Hon. Sally Lieber, Assemblywoman

from the 22nd AD.

 

Our guest in March is TBD.

 

We will be on San Jose AT&T Channel 15A February 13th and March 13th with Jenny Niklaus.  The show we just taped with Assemblymember Lieber

will be aired February 27th and March 27th.

 

We could still use more good Democrats on the crew.

No prior video experience is necessary.

 

San Jose Channel 15A, 8:00pm every other Thursday

(serves part of Cupertino)

(408-918-3200):

 2003:

 Feb 13      DTV 94           Jenny Niklaus (repeat)

 Feb 27      DTV 97           Hon. Sally Lieber (II)

 Mar 13     DTV 94           Jenny Niklaus (repeat)

 Mar 27     DTV 97           Hon. Sally Lieber (II)

 

 See http://www.scc-democrats.org/dtv.htm for the

 full schedule.

P.  CDC Report:  David Wilkes.
No report submitted by publication of minutes


Q.  Welfare Reform:  Sal Alvarez.
No report submitted by publication of minutes


8.  OLD BUSINESS

None


9.  ANNOUNCEMENTS

- David Cohen: Contact Hope Allen Cahan or Steve Preminger if you need to find a proxy for the convention or if you would like to be a proxy.

- Ann Mack: Please sign California State Tax Board line 53. The California Senior Legislature will cease to exist if it does not meet the required $250,000 per year. Please check off this line to donate $1.00 for the Senior Legislature. And, tell your friends and family to do the same.

- Dan Hoffman: reminder about the JJ dinner Š price $100 per ticket and tickets may be purchased through the Thurbers
- Hotel information for the State Convention can be found on their website 


10. Executive Board meeting
    The next Executive Board will be held Thursday, February 20th @ 6:00 at 196 South 15th St. San Jose.

    Drina thanked the 27th AD Committee for providing refreshments and reminded the 28th, that it's your turn next month.

 11. ADJOURNMENT
     The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. in the memory of Steve PremingerÕs mother and the seven astronauts lost on the space ship Challenger.

Respectfully submitted,


Hope Allen Cahan, Secretary.