SANTA CLARA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE

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

AGENDA FOR Thursday, November 5, 2009

 

 

1.          CALL TO ORDER:  7:15pm

 

2.          ROLL CALL

a.    Ron Lind, Eric Larson,, Marsha Grilli, Xavier Campos, Javier  Gonzalez, Tom Cochran, Phyllis Ward, Tony Alexander, Alberto Torrico, Ira Ruskin, Joto Coto, Anna Caballero, Ellen Corbett, Joe Simitian, Elaine Alquist, Anna Eshoo, Martin Monica, James Kim, Darcie Green, and Andres Quintero.

b.   Alternates For:  Paul Fong, Bill Monning, Mike Honda, Zoe Lofgren, Omar Torres, Erica Schaefer, Rena Modell.

c.    Excused:  Jacquie Heffner

 

3.          IDENTIFICATION OF VISITORS

Julie Wang, Rosemary Kamei-Santa Clara Valley Water District Board and Candidate for Supervisor District 1, Donald Rocha-Cambrian School District Board Member and Candidate for San Jose City Council District 9, Renee Reid, Jim Griffith – City of Sunnyvale Councilmember Elect, Karen Crumlin-22nd AD Delegate, Forrest Williams-Candidate for Supervisor District 1, Jennifer Ong-DNC Candidate and Rich Gordon-District 21 Assemblyman and 2010 Assembly Candidate.

 

4.         ADOPTION OF AGENDA

a.    New Business – Addition of Nomination of 27th AD Delegate.

b.   Motion to Approve as amended; Seconded; Motion Approved.

 

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

a.     October 1, 2009 Minutes

                                 i.            Motion to Approve; Seconded; Motion Approved.

 

6.         NEW BUSINESS

a.    Herb Engstrom – Discussed procedure for meeting badges.  Informed attendees that currently votes are by a show of hands, if needed.  Stated the need to distinguish from members, alternates, and visitors present.  Voting members have a green card under their badge.  Alternate and appointed members are to pick up the badge for the person you are representing.  If that person arrives late, the voting member will obtain the badge from the alternate/appointed.

b.   November 3, 2009 Election

                                 i.            Jim Griffith – City of Sunnyvale Councilmember Elect.  Thanked volunteers who precinct walked for him.  Stated 50+ walked every weekend. 

                               ii.            Nancy Smith – Sunnyvale DemClub, Chair.  Recruited about 30 to 40% members who walked for various candidates.

                              iii.            Candidates did fairly well in the City Palo Alto.  Endorsed candidates Gail Price and Karen Holman won council seats.

                             iv.            Cupertino – Endorsed 2 candidates were Barry Chang and Marty Miller for City Council.  Barry Chang won a council seat.

                               v.            Cupertino School District – Endorsed Gary McCue, who will remain on the school board.

                             vi.            Jim Beall:  Informed attendees that Lt. Governor John Garamendi won the 10th AD special election.  Suggested Democrats watch the nomination/appointment closely. 

                            vii.            Swanee Edwards – Delegate for 27th AD and South County DemClub:  Informed attendees that an $11Billion bond to fund a large canal through the Delta is being proposed.

                          viii.            Mia White-SVYD and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s Alternate:  Young Dems campaigned for John Garamendi for his 10th AD race.  John was sworn in on November 5 and will vote for healthcare package.

c.       Nomination for 27th AD Delegate

                                 i.            Swanee Edwards informed attendees the 27th AD had only 1 official delegate to Central

                               ii.            Committee.  Swanee nominated Rosemary Kamei as a 27th AD delegate.  The 27th AD still has 4 delegate vacancies.  No other nominations were presented.

1.         Motion to close nominations; Seconded; Nomination closure approved

2.         Motion to Approve Rosemary Kamei as 27th AD delegate; Seconded, Motion Approved.

 

7.      OLD BUSINESS

 

9.   REPORTS FROM OFFICERS AND OTHERS

a.   Executive Board:  Margie Mitchell

i.      Discussed the following:  a) process for checking in delegates; b) elections in Palo Alto, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale.

ii.     Steve Preminger asked attendees if they would be present at the January meeting if held on January 7, 2010.  The attendees indicated the Central Committee meeting should remain on the 1st Thursday of each month, including the July meeting, which will be held on July 1, 2010.

 

b.      Chair: Steve Preminger

                              i.               Worked with UDC to ensure endorsed candidate mailers went out.  This was the first time a mailing went out for endorsed candidates.  Received a big monetary boost from the 21st Century Club.

c.       Vice Chair – Clark Williams

                           i.                  None

d.      Treasurer:  Drina Collins

                           i.                  Reminded attendees that dues were $25 for every 2 years.

                         ii.                  Balance:  $980.

                        iii.                  Question:  By-laws indicate there is flexibility if a member is financially troubled.  Individual could pay for 1 year.

e.      Secretary:  Margie Mitchell

                           i.                  None

f.        Community Services and Voter Registration:  Judy Pipkin

                           i.                  Healthcare T-Shirts and Buttons are available for purchase.  Cost:  T-Shirts - $25 each; Buttons - $2 each.

g.      Finance:  Jim Thurber

                           i.                  None

h.      Candidate Recruitment and Endorsement:  Jon Kessler

                           i.                  8 of the 12 Central Committee endorsements won their seats.  Jon indicated a little disappointed with Palo Alto and Cupertino races.

i.        Communications:  David Cohen

i.        Members can now watch DTV on the Central Committee website.  Clubs can submit an event on the Calendar.  The event will then be listed on the front page on website once David approves.  Committee members have access to the online directory.  Informed attendees that any members who are not receiving e-mails notifying them the agenda and minutes were online – there may be an error in the directory.  Contact Margie Mitchell, Diane Rolfe or Drina Collins for verification/updates.

j.        Campaign Services:  Tom Cochran

i.         None

k.      Political Outreach (Clubs):  Diane Rolfe

i.         Motion to Approve the Stanford University Democrats Charter; Seconded; Motion Approved.

ii.       Diane informed attendees that Stanford University Democrats is now the 19th charter.

iii.      Andy Parker:  The Club has been active during the past 2 years.  The Club worked on Obama campaign and is excited to work with the other Clubs.

iv.     Diane thanked Bay Area Iranian DemClub for food; next month will be the Evergreen DemClub at the Villages.

 

l.        Regional Director:  Emy Thurber

i.         On October 10, platform hearings were held and approximately 40 people were in attendance.  Attendees with suggestions for the platform are to go online to the Democratic Party website and make their suggestion.  Next week, the DemClub E-board is meeting in San Diego, which is expected to be the largest E-board meeting ever.  Emy also informed attendees that training opportunities are held each month and to consider becoming a regular contributor.

ii.       Shawn Bagley:  Has attended Central Committee meetings statewide.  Stated how proud he was of how the Santa Clara County Central Committee members have treated him.  In 2010, stated there are a lot of exciting things that are going to occur.

m.    Democratic National Committee: Chris Stampolis

i.         None

n.      Pro-Choice Coalition:  Claudia Shope

i.         Re-emphasize discussion on healthcare to include request and demand that full reproductive rights are kept available. 

o.      DTV Report:  Steve Chessin

i.         Taped 2 shows in October since September was not aired.  1st show was with Bob Applebaum who spoke about single-payer and related issues.  The 2nd show was with Muhammed Chaudhry, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation.  The November speaker will be Supervisor Ken Yeager.

p.      CDC Report:  Jay Jackman

i.         Herb Engstrom for Jay Jayman:  A joint grass roots convention with the San Diego Democratic Party will be held .  A check in the amount of $3500 was received for the CDC.

 

11.  ANNOUNCEMENTS

Swanee Edwards – Introduced Ann McDowell, who is a staff member for Assemblymember Bill Monning.

 

Ann McDowell:  Discussed the $11.4B canal bond and other upcoming policy bills.  Stated Bill Monning voted no on the canal bond due to a number of concerns.  Opportunities for reform measures:  Removing the 2/3 required vote on state budget and holding a Constitutional Convention – not sure what agenda would be.

 

City of San Jose Councilman Ash Kalra:  Call to Action regarding the City’s Budget.  The Council is starting the process to engage stakeholders.  Thanked Carol Garvey, who attended and spoke at the council meeting.  Informed attendees to show up and give voice on:  1) How to balance the budget and 2) how to make city client services equal.

 

Clarence Madrilejos:  Informed attendees about the series of typhoons that had recently struck the Philippines.  A fundraiser at the St. Francis of Assisi Diocese will be held on November 7.  $10 will go to the Red Cross to support Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

 

Hope Cahan – Informed attendees that 1 ad space had been sold for the JJ Dinner.  Francis LaPoll purchased the entire back page.  JJ Dinner will be held on May 7, 2010.

 

Dr. Jennifer Ong attended to seek endorsement for the DNC.  Dr. Ong is the current Statewide Treasurer for the Asian Pacific American Caucus.  She may be contacted at www.jenniferong.org.

 

Peter Allen - Obama DemClub:  Flier is available on climate and energy for the 21st Century.  Co-Sponsored by West Valley for Change and DEAN DemClub.

 

Steve Chessin:  November 7 will be the 9th anniversary of hanging chad election.  On November 7, the kickoff of Debra Bowen’s re-election for Secretary of State will be held from 2-4pm at 1121 Harriett Street; Palo Alto.  Cost:  $15 minimum donation.  A conference call with Debra Bowen will be held at 3:00 PM.  Stephanie Grossman is hosting the fundraiser.

 

Diane Rolfe:  A special meeting by the League of Women Voters will be held in Los Altos on November 17, 2009 to discuss ending the death penalty.

 

Mia White:  Announced Becky Delton as a DNC Committee woman.

 

Anne Mack:  21st Democratic Century Club guest speaker will be Congresswoman Anna Eshoo at the Holiday Inn; Mediterranean Center; San Jose at 12:00 noon.

 

12.  EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING 

 

13.  ADJOURNMENT:  8:30pm

 

Next Meeting:  Thursday, December 3, 2009

 

Club Reports:

 

South County Dems:  Have 2 tables reserved for JJ Dinner.

 

SVYD:  Holiday Dinner will be held on December 21 at 7:00 in Campbell.  A toy drive and raffle will be held at the Dinner.  Evan Low’s Inauguration as Mayor of Campbell is December 1st.  Assembly Bill 656 will help fund UC systems and community colleges.  Club is collecting 100K postcards.

 

Obama DemClub:  On October 3 & 4 70 new community organizers were trained.  There are currently 10 new neighborhood teams.  On November 8 at 1:30 a Nobel Laureate lecture will be hosted by West Valley for Change

 

San Jose State Dems:  A fundraiser is being held today, November 4, at Smoke Eaters in San Jose 11:00 pm.

 

Milpitas DemClub:  Guest speaker Senator Ellen Corbett talked about bills, healthcare and other issues.

 

SVDC:  Had a successful Membership Brunch on October 10.  Guest speaker was Congressman Mike Honda who spoke about the healthcare bill.

 

Iranian American Dems:  Club’s monthly meeting will be held on November 11 in the Campbell Community Center.  Speaker will be Rebecca Griffin who will be speaking about peace and justice.

 

Santa Clara County DemClub:  Annual Holiday Party will be held on December 12.  Cost:  $50.  Asked for donations for their silent auction.  For additional information:  www.democraticclub-scc.org.

 

DEAN:  Endorsed 4 candidates in Palo Alto and 3 in Sunnyvale.  A Potluck and brainstorming event will be held on December 2 at Ralph Wheeler’s residence.

 

SV Latino DemClub:  On January 21, 2010, Larry Aceves, Tom Torlakson, and Gloria Romero will speak about the achievement gap occurring throughout the state.

 

DAWN:  Opening scholarship program for Emerge Program.  Anyone who has applied to the Emerge Program and would like to be eligible for a scholarship, contact Carol Garvey.  Two new board members have recently been added.

 

Evergreen DemClub:  Last month’s Club meeting Forrest Williams and Teresa Alvarado both spoke about their candidacy for Supervisor, District 1.  Next month, Craig Dunkerly will speak on campaign finance and how to develop a position paper.

 

PDC:  Guest speaker at the recent luncheon was Robert Cruz, who talked about Afghanistan.  The Annual PDC Party will be held on December 12 at the Thurber’s residence

 

21st Century Club:  Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is the guest speaker at the next meeting.  Need people to come.  Notify Ann Mack of your attendance.