ATTENDANCE: Zephyr Tate-Mann, chair, Lois Thompson, Laura Ditte Lo, Merrill Ring, Garland Byrum, Bob Gerecke, Mike Davis. Ned Freed and Carolee Monroe

Zephyr called the meeting together at 9:55 AM

MSA (Gar) The minutes of the 12/05/2009 executive committee meeting and of the 1/25/2010 general membership meeting were approved.

MSA (Carolee) A $100 contribution will be given to Pilgrim Place’s Health Fund in appreciation for the entertainment by the Pilgrim Pickers.

There was no treasurer’s report. However several financial matters were discussed. Three members (Gwen Carr, Adar Belinkoff and Barney Path) have questioned the status of checks that they had written in July 2009 towards their membership dues. When Debi Evans can’t be reached, Bob will write checks when necessary. Merrill reported that the FEC had notified him that the end-of-year treasurer’s report has not yet been filed/received. Those government forms that are still being sent to him will be forwarded to Debi.

Carolee will check into renewing the Club’s Liability Insurance and securing coverage for upcoming events,Earth Day, April 17 and Candidate Forum, May 24.

Gar asked for more help, besides Jim Stripling and Chuck Farritor, in soliciting voters to sign the Lakoff Petition, to be submitted April 1. While 700,000 signatures are required to qualify, one million are sought.

Zephyr encouraged members to volunteer for the California State Democratic Convention, which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, April 16 – 18.

Zephyr encouraged members to participate in the Claremont City Budget Workshops, scheduled for Wednesday, February 10 at 7:00 PM at the Blaisdell Center and Tuesday, February 16 at 7:00 PM at the Hughes Center.

Although there will be a provision for absentee ballots, those members chosen to attend the pre-endorsement conference of candidates on Saturday, March 20, in Hesperia are encouraged to attend in person. Zephyr said that 70% of votes cast are necessary for endorsement. The endorsement vote will take place at the Convention in April.

The Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee election for the 2010-2012 term is June 8. The filing period is from February 16 through March 12 at the Los Angeles County Registrar Office in Norwalk. Both Zephyr and Bob are running and others are encouraged to join them.

Laura, Zephyr, Carolee and Chuck Farritor attended a meeting of the Claremont High School student Democrats on Thursday, February 4. More than 45 students were present. Zephyr distributed folders and information about the California Democratic Party while Carolee had a list of volunteer activities available. Laura and Carolee will continue contact with the CHS co-presidents, offering them assistance. Possible areas of interest and activities included counter-recruitment, Pell Grants, student loan programs, neighborhood canvassing, committees, meetings and “tweeting” sessions.

MSA (Gar) The re-appointment of E-C members Lois Thompson, Darcel Woods, Laura Lo, Mike Davis and Ned Freed.

Merrill said that the speaker for this month’s luncheon (Friday, February 12, noon al LYL restaurant) would be Miguel Tinker Salas, of Pomona College, an expert on Latin America. The possible topic for the March luncheon is ACORN. A judicial candidate has asked to speak to the Club at one of its meetings regarding his candidacy.

All members involved in producing the print copy of the “Voorhis Voice” newsletter are asked to give any information regarding its costs. These costs will be discussed at the March meeting. Laura, Carolee, Merrill, Ned, Debi and Beverly Sloane each have records of expenses. Ned and Debi are to meet to coordinate the mailing labels with the database. Zephyr also encouraged members who write letters to the editors of local newspapers to first send the letter to Laura for inclusion in the “Voice”. The idea of a fundraiser to defray the costs of printing the newsletter was brought up.

MSA (Gar) Our Club will sponsor a Democratic Candidate Forum on May 24, prior to the June primary. The El Roble Multi-purpose Room will be reserved by Zephyr. Carolee will contact the Democratic candidates and the local Democratic clubs. Ned will check into the costs of a webcast of the forum to which Democratic candidates running for federal and state legislative and executive seats, along with those judicial candidates who have been endorsed by the LACDCC, will be invited.

We will hold our May general membership meeting on Memorial Day, May 31, at which time our veterans will be honored.

Members from the local Sri Lankan community and its embassy will present the program during our February 22 general membership meeting. Also, a judicial candidate has asked to speak. Aelian Gunawardena and Zephyr are in charge of the arrangements. Assisting will be Bob, Merrill and Ned. More members are asked to bring desserts to complement Sri Lankan treats. Mike, Zephyr, Carolee and Carol Whitson have agreed to help.

ADJOURN: The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 AM.

Carolee Monroe
Acting Secretary