ATTENDANCE: Zephyr Tate-Mann, chair;  Lois Thompson, Merrill Ring, Bob Gerecke, Darcel Woods, Ned Freed, Laura Lo, Gene Hurd, and Carol Whitson

MSA: The minutes of the Feb 6 2010 and the February 22, 2010 meeting were corrected and approved.

The Treasurer’s Report is postponed until next month due to Debi’s overloaded schedule, but she informed Zephyr that she will be back by the end of the month.

Merrill informed us that the Issues Committee is now meeting at Rabi’s Café (formerly Jouni’s)      932 N. Central Ave, Upland, every other Friday.

Lois distributed flyers about the War Memorial Vigil on Friday, March 19, 4:30 pm at the corner of Arrow and Indian Hill.  The vigil marks the 7th year since Iraq invasion.

The petition for the California Democracy Act (the Lakoff petition) still needs signatures; the goal is 1,000,000 by April 1.  Our club had generated approximately 70-80 so far.

Volunteers are needed for the Democratic Convention to be held April 16-18 at the L.A. Convention Center.  Sign up at www.cadem.org.  In addition, representatives from our club should attend the Region 11 pre-endorsement conference on March 20, 2010, at 1 pm.  The location is the CTA office in Hesperia.  Both Darcel Woods and Russ Warner need 70% of the votes.
Candidates for the LACDCC include Bob Gerecke and Zephyr Tate-Mann from our club.  Their names will appear on the June 8 primary ballot.

Laura Lo gave us an update on the activities of the Claremont High School Democratic Club.  Laura, Carolee Monroe and Chuck Farritor have been our club’s liaisons to the CHS Dems and have arranged for speakers for the “Community Activist Series.”  At their March 3 meeting Charles Bayer, a retired minister, a writer, community organizer, and DCC member spoke to the group about gay marriage.  On March 18, Ivan Light will be speaking on “Democratic Values.”   The CHS club president, Paige Armbord, will be submitting an article for our newsletter.  It has also been suggested that we sponsor an essay contest  with Gwen Carr and Mel Boynton helping to establish the guidelines.  Laura and Carolee state that some of the students have volunteered for our Earth Day booth.

Zephyr has made arrangements with El Roble School for a Candidate Forum to be held on May 24, 2010, 7-9 pm.  Carolee has sent some invitations.  Carol will follow up with reminders and invitations from a list that Zephyr will provide.  Zephyr is checking on microphone systems.  Zephyr asked Merrill if the Issues Committee could develop 4 back-up questions.  Also she would like those Committee members to screen the questions submitted by the audience and then ask them.  This will assure a variety of subjects and succinctness.  Contingency Plan: if we don’t get enough candidates we can advertise as a Democratic candidate and Proposition Forum.

MSA that our club will not make any endorsements until after the Forum on May 24.                                        

MSA that only candidates who appear at our Forum will be eligible to get our endorsement.

Don Williamson has dropped out of the Assembly race and Darcel Woods is running unopposed for the Democrats as is Russ Warner for Congress.

Merrill Ring will be our speaker for the Friday luncheon at LYL Garden on March 12.

The LAMetro coordinator for Proposition 15 – California Fair Election Campaign - will be our speaker at the March General Meeting.

Zephyr has received nomination papers from the City for the Honored Citizen for the July 4th parade. MSA Chuck Farritor.   The LA County Fair also has a Community Hero Award and it was MSA that Chuck Farritor’s name be submitted for this honor as well. 
Bob Gerecke informed us that due to certain legal requirements the PAC could not accept the full amount of money that the Club had lent last year.  Therefore has returned the amount in excess of the 2009 annual limit and we will transfer the funds back this year.  Since the funds transfer has already been approved at a prior meeting no motion was made.
Barbara Riley had spoken to Carolee Monroe about a fundraiser/coffee for Darcel Woods.  Since Carolee is away on family business, Carol and Lois will contact Barbara.

Zephyr reminded everyone to pay their annual dues if they have not yet done so.

Zephyr has received requests from two judges to speak to our club.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 am

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Whitson
Recording Secretary

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Luncheon: Friday, March 12, 2010,   LYL Garden  $10
General Membership meeting: Monday, March 29, 2010  7:00 PM
Executive Committee meeting: April 3, 2010  9:30 AM   Scrooby Lounge
Candidate Forum:  May 24, 2010,  7:00–9:00 PM    El Roble Jr High School