Home > SDFL Documents > Minutes - October 19, 2008

Stonewall DFL Board of Directors Meeting

Not in attendance: Paul (excused), Nancy (excused), Kat (excused) & Matthea.

The meeting was called to order at 13:02. Dyna read the Affirmative Action statement. The agenda was approved unanimously. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. Lori Crelly was recognized to update us on the following campaign events/activities:

- Franken ad will be in next Lavendar on inside cover

- it will focus on marriage rights & mention Stonewall & HRC endorsements

- 8 or more volunteers needed for Bar Blitzs on various nights from 9 pm to Midnight

- volunteers needed to drop lit (& sample ballots) to some 50 LGBT businesses

- to volunteer, contact her at lcre...@dfl.org or (612) 987-9833

- Hillary will be at Obama/Franken rally at UofM on Tues 10/21, doors open at 4pm

- Almanac debate on Fri 10/24 at TPT (4th & Selby), no audience but come out for pre-event rally at 5:30, then after party at Innuendo

- NARAL's women & lesbians for Franken event on 11/2, details TBA

- everyone is encouraged to VOTE EARLY so we can volunteer on election day

- Election Night events: HRC at Camp, DFL at Crowne Plaza, & others possibly at Saloon &/or Innuendo

We discussed GOP's attempts to intimidate voters via challenging registrations. Jon Hoadley (from S. Dakota) was recognized. He is a national director for Stonewall Democrats. He has been involved in Madia campaign (among others across the country). National organization has made changes & now has 13 person board. They offer a leadership council, staff assistance & online tools for paying local chapters. Their focus has been:

- overhauling finances to promote transparency

- overhauling structure, after census & online survey have conformed to a trade assocation model

- focusing on chapters

He can be contacted at jhoad...@stonewalldemocrats.org & (605) 360-7948. Annual membership dues are $100 per chapter PLUS $10 per member. Chapter needs to provide memberships full contact info (phone, email, etc) & can send in the members portion of the dues.

Andy's Treasurer report shows a $1818.88 balance - a portion of which is in savings account. Dyna's AAO report stated that disabled volunteers (who are unable to doorknock) were able to get admin type work. British Stonewall group (no affiliation) is giving award to anti-trans writer.

We have 997 active e-mails in VANS. Fundraising activities on-hold until after elections.

Del & Michael attended Nat'l Coming Out Day luncheon. About 600 attendees. They said that "people were glad to see us there" , "we had the most popular table" & "no down-side to being there". Log Cabin GOP not there but had presence in program & on banners.

Nancy purchased canopy. We will consider renting it out. Tim suggested renting The Heights (gay owned & operated theatre on Central Ave) for future events like debate watch parties.

Sample ballots are printed & handed out, now we need to distribute them - remember they are no good after Nov 4th.

We remembered the late Allan Spear. 1st Minnesota openly gay man in elected office. Tim told stories including his warm-up speech for McGovern in 1972. Committee nominated Allan Spear & Karen Clark for DFL Hall of Distinguished Service - approved unanimously.

2009 membership mailing going out in December. Moved & seconded to consider all membership dues received on or after 12/1/2008 to be applied toward 2009 membership - approved unanimously.

Unsure if caucuses for city positions will be in Feb or March.

Decision regarding joining National Stonewall as official paying chapter was deferred to membership committee.

Gary Schiff (out Mpls citycouncilman) fundraiser will be on 10/23 - details TBA.

If you haven't already, don't forget to donate $50 toward statewide race or DFL unit before end of year for PCR refund.

Next meeting will be at DFL HQ on Plato on 11/16 at 1pm w/ a membership committee meeting held prior (11-1).

Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.