SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE

 

6:45 pm, County Building Cafeteria, 70 W. Hedding St.; San Jose

 

MINUTES FOR Thursday, May 7, 2009

 

 

 

1.       CALL TO ORDER: 7:20

 

2.          ROLL CALL

Absent: Deepka Lalwani, Francis La Poll, Alyson Abramowitz, Craig Dunkerley, Sousan Manteghi-Safakish, Deniese Alejandro, Tony Alexander, Bruce Morasca, Rebecca Scheel, Chris Stampolis, Alberto Torrico, Joe Coto, Jim Beall, Bill Monning, Anna Caballero, Joe Simitian, Jerry McNerney,

 

Alternates for: Javier Gonzalez, Ira Ruskin, Elaine Alquist, Ellen Corbett, Anna Eshoo, Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren,

 

3.       IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS

Andrea Eaton, Rob Means, Zach Friend, Brian O’Neill, Megan Young, Mathew Mendez, Adam Horn, Tamela Craft, Sheli Molarahima, Renee Reid, Nora Campos

 

4.          ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Motion to approve, second, so moved

 

5.          APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Minutes are posted at sccdp.org)

Motion to approve, second, so moved

 

6.           NEW BUSINESS

 

a) Election of four (4) delegates to CDP Executive Board

Female Nominations: Hope Cahan, Anne Mack, second. Motion to close nominations, second, so moved. Move to elect the two candidates by acclimation, second, so moved.

 

Male Nominations: Jim Thurber, Omar Torres, second. Motion to close nominations, second, so moved. Motion to elect the two candidates by acclimation, second, so moved.

 

b)              State Democratic Convention Report: Emy Thurber

Good competition for roles in caucus elections and many of the winners are members of our central committee and excellent candidates for the State Party Office.

 

Many resolutions came before the resolutions committee

 

 The biggest issue for the whole body was the propositions. The Party took the following formal positions: 1a: neutral, 1b: support, 1c: support, 1d & 1e: neutral, 1f: support

 

 

Discussion on everyone’s experience

Including discussion from Jonathan Star from AD22 about the fact that resolutions were not brought to the floor until the very end of the convention when many people are fatigued and/or absent.

Emy Thurber explained that the resolutions committee does not have the chance to meet and discuss the finalized versions of the resolutions until Friday afternoon (runs well into the evening). Then the committee has to pick the top resolutions. Members may challenge the committee recommendations until Saturday evening. Therefore, the resolutions are not ready until Sunday. David Cohen suggested the resolutions be discussed at the beginning of the meeting on Sunday instead of the end.

 

Emy read the resolutions that were passed:

Honored Art Torres

Designated May 22nd as Harvey Milk Day

Thanks to President Obama for his review of the Bush policies

Called upon CA Democrats to reach out to veterans and their families

Oppose top two blanket primary proposal

Hearings for moratorium to the Death Penalty

Support Same sex marriage and repeal of prop 8

Proposing oil severance tax

Health care reaffirmation of single payer

Majority vote of a state budge

Opposing government cuts of budget items for seniors

Credit card regulations that include an 18% interest rate cap

Protecting workers rights to organize

Seniors on social security need adjustment on food stamp entitlements calculations

Investigation of Judge Ivy and others for role of allowing torture

 

 

 

San Jose City Councilmember Nora Campos: I am going to Washington DC in a week to make sure that California is being looked at for money from the stimulus package. This is a proud time for all of us to be here as Democrats and residents of the State of California and I look forward to electing a new Democratic Governor.

 

7.       OLD BUSINESS

 

JJ Dinner Report  - Hope Cahan

We had a wonderful turnout of 600 people and raised roughly $25,000. Mayor Gavin Newsom gave a riveting speech.

 

We are working to secure a date and speaker for next year. Please let me know if you would like to volunteer on the dinner committee.

 

8.     REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS

 

a.         Executive Board: 

 

b.         Chair: Steve Preminger

 

c.        Vice Chair – Clark Williams

Steve was awarded the Dalai Lama’s Unsung Heroes of Compassion Award on Sunday of the convention.

 

a.        By-Law Revision Update: Clark Williams

There are 17 people on the committee and we are hoping to bring the recommendations to the body at next month’s meeting. This will be sent out by May 20th to the body via email and website posting for review.

 

d.        Treasurer:  Drina Collins

Read the names of the members who are currently up to date on dues

 

$642.63 in our account

 

e.        Secretary:  Hope Cahan for Margie Mitchell

No Report

f.         Community Services and Voter Registration:  Judy Pipkin

We had a great turn out at our booth during the Cinco de Mayo festivities and we were able to inform voters about the issues on the upcoming election.

 

a.        Voter Registration Update

 

g.      Finance:  Jim Thurber

$47,340.25 in our account and we still have some JJ Dinner money coming in

 

h.      Candidate Recruitment and Endorsement:  Jon Kessler

No report

i.         Communications:  David Cohen

No report

j.         Campaign Services:  Tom Cochran

No report

k.       Political Outreach (Clubs):  Diane Rolfe

Warm thank you to DAWN for the food this evening. The Silicon Valley Latino Democratic Forum will bring the food for next month.

 

Thank you to Herb for the nametags. Please notify Margie or Diane if you have a new alternate or representative that will need a nametag.

 

Many thanks to Judy Pipkin for voter registration

 

Sally Leiber and many others are working on getting rid of the 2/3 voting requirements to pass the budget. Sally would like to speak to your clubs about budget reform.

 

Club Reports:

DAWN: Carol Garvey

In April we had our retreat for the year and discussed DAWN’s vision, purpose and calendar.

We added a new board member recently: Alicia Crank.

 

Alicia Crank is the new VP of Endorsements and Carol Garvey is the new VP of members; don’t forget to renew your membership! It is due this month.

 

On June 7th, we will have our annual fundraiser. We have sent out our invitations and would love for you to join us at the discounted ticket price of $50. If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact Noelani or Carol Garvey, it will be $250.

 

We have secured our keynote speaker for the event, Kamala Harris, who is currently the DA in San Francisco and a candidate for Attorney General.

 

If you are interested in attending our fundraiser please contact Carol Garvey, Parris Correra or Noelani Sallings or go online.

 

Dean Democratic Club: Wanda Bryan

We filled 2 tables at the JJ dinner on April 17th.

 

11 Club members attended the State Party Convention as delegates and several others went to Sacramento for the Annual Red/Blue Dinner to hear Howard Dean speak. The National DFA endorsed Hilary Crosby for Party Controller and she won by 54% of the vote.

 

John Laird was speaker at our May 19th Ballot Propositions Forum held on April 27th, 2009. Co-hosting with the Dean Democratic Club was the Santa Clara County Democratic Club and the Obama Democratic Club of Silicon Valley. Herb Engstrom video taped it and it can be seen online with a link to it on the sccdp.org web site. John presented the propositions so clearly that many of the attendees changed their minds as evidenced by a straw poll taken last night at our May 6, meeting with mixed results on each proposition.

 

Our last Sunday’s fundraiser for Jerry McNerney at Stephanie Grossman’s home netted well over $1,000.

 

Our annual potluck picnic and election of officers will take place Saturday, June 20th, at the Ponderosa Park in Sunnyvale.

 

Events in the near future are: Thursday, June 4th, DFA Fundraiser with Howard Dean on Healthcare Reform in San Francisco and Saturday, June 6, Healthcare Forum sponsored by the San Mateo DFA and co-sponsored by the Dean Democratic Club featuring Senator Mark Leno (SB810) in the San Mateo City Council Chambers at 10am-1pm, 330 W. 20th St., San Mateo.

 

Our next meeting will be Mon., May 18, 7pm., at the IHOP on Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara.

 

Obama Democratic Club

 

Silicon Valley Young Democrats

 

Santa Clara County Democratic Club: Dan Hoffman

The SCCDCC cooperated with the Democracy for America Club and the Obama Club of Silicon Valley to sponsor former Assemblyman John Laird who spoke at the Santa Clara main library on the 6 ballot propositions on the May 19th special election. Mr. Laird said he would reluctantly support all 6. His presentation is available online at democraticclub-scc.org/straighttalk.

 

Jody Reed of The California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) will be invited to speak at the next Club meeting on May 18. CARA is a statewide nonprofit organization that unites retired workers and community groups to win social and economic justice, uphold civil right, and create a better, more secure future for our families and future generations. CARA is the official state affiliate of the Alliance for Retired Americans, www.retiredamericans.org

 

Clean Money- recently, there was tabling at Guadalupe Gardens for the California Fair Elections Act initiative election for 2010. A good case can be made for the current economic crisis being a product of what happens when private money floods a political system.

 

l.      Regional Director:  Emy Thurber

No report

m.    Democratic National Committee: Chris Stampolis

 

n.     Pro-Choice Coalition:  Claudia Shope

 

o.     DTV Report:  Steve Chessin

Democratic Television Producer Emeritus Steve Chessin reported that our guest in April was Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board Member Hal Plotkin.

 

Our guest in May is TBD.

 

See the sccdp web site for the schedule, and to view our shows.

 

We could still use more good Democrats on the crew. No prior video experience is necessary.

p.     CDC Report:  Jay Jackman

The annual convention will be in San Diego on October 4

 

10.   ANNOUNCEMENTS

Anne Mack: Century club lunch tomorrow with Joe Coto

 

Wanda Bryan: Capitol Steps: A political satire group to raise money for the Gunn Robotics Team. May 17th at 4 & 7pm in Palo Alto. www.ticketweb.com for tickets or may be purchased at Gunn High School.

 

Dan Hoffman: Write a letter of support to the President and send copies to our 4 congress members to stop off shoring jobs, increase pay for clerical positions, and show support for the Freedom of Choice Act to allow people to unionize

 

Carol Garvey: Legislative report at the Forum’s next meeting

 

Peter: This Saturday, May 9th is the National Association for Letter Carrier’s Food Drive

 

Herb: Please leave your badges on the table when you leave

 

11. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING: TBA

 

12. ADJOURNMENT: 9:05