Bexar County Democratic Party

Bexar County Democratic Chair Carla Vela called the meeting to order at 7:22 p.m. John Courage was named Parliamentarian and Nick Pena led the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence. Assistant Secretary Nancy Timmer-Froment is filling in for Secretary Jane Humble. John Friedrich, Pct. 3157, moved the agenda be approved as presented. There was a second by Carla Mercado and the motion carried.

The Chair introduced three candidates running for Justice of the Peace. They are Jesse Alaniz, Richard Martinez, and Steve Walker.

John Friedrich, Pct. 3157, moved both the July and August Meeting minutes be approved as presented. Robert Miller, Pct. 3104, seconded the motion and the motion carried.

The Chair presented the Primary Committee to the CEC on a handout. The only question was why there was only 1 person each from Precincts 1 and 2. The Chair explained that she was unable to find anyone else from those areas willing to serve. Bob Miller moved the Committee be approved as presented. John Friedrich seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Reports

A. Treasurer Fernando Contreras presented both the July and August Reports. John Friedrich asked if a line could be added on future reports showing the net balance. Mr. Contreras agreed he could do that in the future and show net gain or loss for the month. It was moved and seconded the reports be accepted as presented. The motion carried.

1. Special Events/Fundraising – Lila Aguirre, Chair, explained the proposed fundraising event as outlined on the handout presented. She moved the report be accepted as presented. Bob Miller seconded the motion and the motion carried.

The second fundraising event is the luncheon honoring our Democratic Judges, “A Salute to Democratic Judges.” It will be on Thursday, October 11^th, at the AT&T Center from 12-noon to 1:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $50. We are targeting law firms and corporations. She requested $1,000 to begin the work. Zada True Courage asked is we could that amount from the $4,500 set aside for future fundraising and then reimburse it with some of the proceeded from the luncheon. The Committee recommended the report be adopted. The motion carried.

2. Precinct Chair Recruitment – Co-Chair John Friedrich reported a buddy system to help get more precinct chairs to the meetings. He has lists for those who attend regularly already paired with names and contact information of some who don’t attend. The Committee recommended this be adopted. The motion carried.

3. Campaign Committee – Ian Straus, Chair, reported meeting with Joe Farias and John Garza. They stressed the need for the BCDP to hire a person to run the coordinated campaign. A meeting is scheduled for September 13^th to make proposed budget to find a Campaign Manager. He also announced the NE Democrats will have Precinct Chair and activist training on October 6^th.

4. Partner Program – John Courage, Chair, reported 1500 solicitation letters have so far been mailed. The next mailing will be 1700. After that the results will be evaluated to see if this is worthwhile. Madeleine Dewar reported after the first mailing went out a process to identify each mailing was devised. Angie Garcia asked if we know the total money received resulted from the mailings? That amount is not yet determined.

5. Budget and Finance – Zada True Courage, Chair, read the resolution distributed earlier (see attached). She will also send out the letter mentioned to all those clubs and organizations. The committee recommended the resolution be accepted. The motion carried. Roberto Flores of the Stonewall Democrats added they are offering Ms. Vela complimentary tickets to their September 16^th event.

6. Rules – Zada True Courage, Chair, reported the committee meets the 3^rd Monday of each month. She then read the first of 3 proposed changes first read at the April meeting. Bob Miller moved to amend the change by adding the phrase “a number not to exceed” to the first part of this rule. Ms. Courage accepted the amendment for the committee. John McConnell and Nick Pena spoke against the change. John Friedrich spoke in favor of the change. There was a motion to change the time limit to 3 minutes per speaker. The committee accepted the amendment. The committee recommended the rule be accepted as amended. The motion carried.

The second change was read. There was no discussion and the committee moved to accept the change. The motion carried. The third change was read. The committee recommended the change be accepted. John McConnell spoke against the change. The motion carried.

The first reading of a proposed rules change for Article VIII, Committees, was read. John McConnell spoke against and Ian Straus spoke for the change. This change will be voted on at the next meeting.

7. Community Service – Madeleine Dewar reported September items to assist wounded soldiers and their families were donated by the Bexar County Democratic Women. TX Democratic Vets donated gift cards in August. The Stonewall Democrats will support October and November will be handled by the BCDP.

1. SD 25 Conference – Zada True Courage reported 60 attended the conference. Some of the topics covered were how to be a delegate to the national convention and how to use the VAN.

2. SD 26 – Madeleine Dewar introduced her new counterpart, Charlie Jones. Their conference will be October 20^th. More information is included in a flyer distributed tonight.

Unfinished Business

A. Nancy Timmer-Froment, Pct. 3173, asked for the CEC to approve the purchase of an ad in the upcoming AFL-CIO 50th Anniversary Commemorative Director. She moved the purchase be for a ½ page ad for $325. Bob Miller seconded the motion and it was approved with no discussion.

B. Ian Straus proposed we send out a survey to all Precinct Chairs asking their opinion why there is a problem attending the monthly CEC meetings. He made his proposal a motion. Brian Gerard, Pct. 3043, seconded the motion. Bob Miller suggested this survey be combined with the buddy lists distributed earlier. Angie Garcia, Pct. 2046, spoke in favor of the motion. The motion carried.

C. Mr. Straus also proposed we form an outreach group to concentrate on the Asian community and made his proposal a motion. Bob Miller seconded the motion. Charlie Jones added some information on this subject. He was the first person to propose this group. Larry Romo, Pct. 1075, spoke in favor of the motion. Steve Walker asked for clarification on just what we consider the Asian community? Mr. Straus explained. Placido Salazar suggested we also reach out to the local colleges. Zada True Courage, Pct. 3083, added the Texas Dem. Party has added two seats on the SDEC to the Asian community. Angie Garcia announced we are already to start contacting the colleges within two weeks. The motion carried.

D. Nick Pena asked the body if the Democratic Precinct Chairs have the authority to help name the new sheriff? John Courage explained the only instance where the party can have input is to name a new candidate when one passes away before the election. The Sheriff is currently an official position can only be filled by an appointment of the County Commissioners. Bob Miller suggested we might make a recommendation to the Democratic members of the County Court before they make their appointment. He made his suggestion a motion. Larry Romo seconded the motion. There was a friendly amendment to make the recommendation to the entire Commissioners Court. The motion carried.

E. Ralph Galvan, Pct, 4157, mentioned the October 13th-14th meeting of the County Chairs. During this will be the primary training. He moved the CEC cover the cost for nine manuals for our primary committee and the hotel room charges for the two members attending. They are Connie De Luna and Denise Perez. The rooms are $85 per night + tax. Larry Romo seconded the motion and the motion carried.

New Business

A. Charlie Jones spoke on the proposed Think Tank Committee and explained its purpose.

B. Larry Romo announced September is Hispanic Heritage Month and moved the CEC allocate $50 to pay for an entry in the
Diez Y Seis Parade. There was a second and the motion carried.

Announcements

A. Angie Garcia announced the first Volunteer’s meeting for registering voters will be this month.

B. Madeleine Dewar announced another petition signing party will be Thursday, 9/27, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Navajo Civic Center, 2600 Rigsby. She has some old t-shirts at here tonight to be sold for $1 each. Please help by buying them tonight. She also needs office help now that all the summer help has returned to school. Call her to get the days and times when help is needed.

C. Dick Waits, Pct. 3074, began by saying he is the Treasurer for the Bexar County Democratic Women. They had a successful fundraiser recently and are giving the BCDP a check for $200 tonight. He hopes this will start a trend with other organizations encouraging them to also donate.

D. Carla Mercado, invited everyone to her house on Thursday, 9/6 to meet and talk with John Courage of the True Courage Action Network. She lives at 348 Fleetwood Dr. It will be from 6-7:30 p.m.

E. Roberto Flores announced Glen Maxey is the speaker at the Stonewall Democrat’s Dinner on Saturday, 9/15. It will be at the El Tropicano Hotel beginning at 6:00 p.m. There will be several area Democrats also receiving awards.

F. John Courage announced a workshop to be held by the Northeast Democrats at their meeting on Saturday, 10/6, at the Luby’s Cafeteria on Loop 410 near Nacogdoches Rd.

G. The Chair announced we raised $167.53 tonight to be deposited in the general fund.

A motion and second were made to adjourn. Motion carried and the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.