Bexar County Democratic Party

Minutes – County Executive Committee

July 8, 2008

 

 

I.      Opening Items – County Chair Carla Vela called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. and announced there was a quorum present.

A.    The Pledge of Allegiance

B.    A moment of silence was observed.

C.    There was a motion and second to approved the agenda.  It carried with no discussion.

D.     Two candidates for office were recognized – Frances Carnot (St. Rep. Dist. 122) and Amadeo Ortiz (Bexar County Sheriff).

E.      The June minutes were presented for approval.  Jane Humble questioned the validity of the Treasurer’s election when there was no quorum present at that time.  Parliamentarian Larry Meads explained that unless a quorum count is specifically requested later in a meeting it is to be assumed there is a quorum.  Since no one made this request the election is valid.  This ruling is in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.  There was a motion and second to approve the minutes as presented.  The motion carried with no further discussion.

 

II.     Reports

A.    County Chair – Ms. Vela stated we need everyone to help get Democratic candidates elected.  The County office is only open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. so please volunteer if you can take either Mondays or Fridays.  We also need volunteers to also work on projects at the office.  Joshua Bailey questioned where the campaign office will be and made a motion to require the Campaign Manager submit a monthly progress report.  The motion died for lack of a second.

B.    Treasurer’s Report – Dwayne Adams presented an interim Treasurer’s Report and explained the spreadsheets.  He added that now is the time to plan for a financial foundation for the County Party.  There are six steps in accomplishing the goals.  They are:

1.      A proper accounting system for the organization,

2.     To implement payroll procedures.

3.     Establish an internal control procedure.

4.     Create an employee manual.

5.     Create and office procedures manual.

6.     Find a permanent building.

Dr. Adams announced there would be an Endowment Committee formed and they will meet on the 2nd and 4th Mon-  days of each month at the Office.  There was a motion and second to accept the report.  It carried with no discussion.

C.    Committee Reports – Ms. Vela announced a Veterans’ Committee has been formed.  Charlie Jones will be the Temporary Chair and will announce information on it later in the meeting.

1.     Budget and Finance – Zada True Courage presented the proposed budget for the next year.  There was question why we don’t have our own loudspeaker system.  Dr. Adams replied this was an item being considered in the next budget.  He stressed that no expenditures will be considered unless there are at least three bids received.  There was a motion and second to accept the budge as presented.  It carried with no other discussion.

2.     Campaign – Ian Straus introduced our new Campaign Manager and Assistant Manager – Gina Castaneda and Thomas Rockeymoore.  Ms. Castaneda gave a slide presentation to the members briefing outlining the Campaign procedures and goals.  The name will be “Democratic Victory – 2008.”  There will be Precinct Chair breakfast on July 26th beginning at 9:00 a.m.  The location will be announced.  She is also meeting with all Committee Chairs to coordinate their part of the campaign.  The Chairs will take this information to their committees.  There was a motion and second to accept the report.  After some questions the motion passed.

3.     Communications – No report – first meeting of this term will be next month.

4.     Community Outreach – Ruth Stewart reported we still need groups to sign up for August, September, and November.  All the organizations are listed on the website showing their month.  The Democratic Women are attending the Naturalization Ceremonies each month and are giving out information cards.  She believes many of these new citizens will vote Democratic.  After the motion and second to accept the report it carried with no discussion.

5.     Election Protection – This committee is not yet formed.

6.     Endowment – Dr. Adams announced it would meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays at the office.

7.     Fundraising – The meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at the office.  However the next July meeting will be on Friday.

8.     Partner Program – No report.

9.     Precinct Chair Recruitment – Mark Camann reported he and Owen Hinckle were elected the Co-Chairs at the meeting on June 24th.  There was one resignation leaving us with 283 Precinct Chairs and 339 vacancies.  There are seven Precinct Coordinators waiting to be elected at the next meeting with a statutory quorum.  Their next meeting is July 15th at the office beginning at 7:00 p.m.  They recognized Sterling Camp and Cheryl Novack as the hardest working committee members ever.  Unfortunately they have both had to resign due to other obligations.  To help find precinct team members, Todd Hedley and Matthew Shelton have scanned all the precinct convention sign-in sheets and will provide this information to each Precinct Chair.  A Precinct Chair training will be Saturday, July 19th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the AT&T Center for Information Technology, St. Mary’s Univ.  It will focus on building and training the team and using the VAN.  There is also individual VAN training available by contacting Sterling Camp through the office.  There was a motion and second to accept.  It carried after no discussion.

10.   Special Events – Lila Aguirre announced the next meeting is July 17th at the office beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Rules – Zada True Courage reported the committee is working on some changes to the County’s Rules.  For any interested they meet the 3rd Monday of each month at the office beginning at 7:00 p.m.

11.   Volunteer – No Report

D.    DNC – No report since they have not yet met.

E.    SDEC Reports

1.     SD25 – Ms. True Courage wanted everyone to know the State Party does work for us.  The Texas VAN costs $500K per year to maintain.  It is an excellent tool for all Precinct Chairs.  It also includes the names and contact information of all who attended the precinct conventions.

2.     SD26 – Mr. Joshua Bailey had no report since they have not yet met yet for the new term.

3.     SD19 – Mr. Albert Lopez was absent.

4.      SD 26 – Ms. Celina Pena was absent.

 

III.    Unfinished Business

        A.    The Chair announced $156 was donated tonight.

B.      There was a question about a blank line on the budget for Yellow Pages ad.  Dr. Adams explained we would not be buying a display ad.  The Party will have a regular listing in the Yellow Pages at no additional charge.

C.     Charlie Jones reported the first meeting of the Veterans’ Committee would be a lunch meeting on Saturday, July 26th, at Mario’s Restaurant on Fredericksburg Rd. beginning at noon.

D.     Dr. Garcia asked for an update on the concern Ms. Maria Torres had last month on the presence of armed deputies at our CEC meetings.  The Chair told him this matter would be addressed at the next Rules Committee meeting on July 21st.  He said he would be there.

 

IV.    New Business

A.      An article on super voting locations in Amarillo was brought up with a question on this happening here in Bexar County.

Several members made remarks that this was a trial only and it could not be implemented in Bexar County without a state law change.

B.      Several members talked about reasons to get people to vote Democratic.  One member moved we form an Education Committee to work on this.  After it was explained this is under the description of the Communications Committee the motion died for lack of a second.

C.     A member suggested a way to help injured warriors get home by purchasing gas or gift cards.

 

V.    Announcements

A.      The Bexar County Democratic Women will have their Campaign Kick-off on August 4th at the Westfall Library, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

B.      The Northeast Bexar County Democrats have opened their campaign headquarters at 7122 San Pedro.  They will hold a Campaign Academy beginning this Wednesday and will run for 10 2-hour sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  There are 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. sessions.  The movie 11th Hour will be shown at their headquarters on Sunday, August 11th.  Their next meeting is Saturday, July 12th, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at the Luby’s on 410 between Nacogdoches and Broadway.

C.     The latest poll on the Texas Senator race shows Rick Noriega only two points behind Cornyn.  Everyone is invited to visit Rick’s campaign headquarters at Hwy 90 and Military.

D.     Copies of all the Precinct Convention signature sheets have been scanned and are available at the party office.

E.      The Stonewall Democrats meet the 3rd Monday of each month at Grady’s on San Pedro beginning at 6:30 p.m.  The new member reception is July 26th.  Their website is www.stonewallsanantonio.org.

F.      A fundraiser for some of the Bexar County National Convention Delegates is July 11th.  More information is on the website.

G.     The first meeting of the Eastside Democratic Club is July 31st, at Zion Lutheran Church on Leslie Rd.

H.      Northeast Bexar Democrats have Obama hats and other items for sale at their headquarters.

I.        Members were reminded to never put campaign signs on utility poles.  The candidate will be find.

 

IV.    There was a motion and second to adjourn.  It passed and the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

 

__________________________

Nancy T. Froment, Secretary

Bexar County Democratic Party