Let's Elect Democrats in the Desert!

MINUTES FOR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

March 12, 2010

The meeting was called to order by club president Charlie Ara at 9:45 AM, followed by the flag salute and singing of “It’s a Grand Ole Flag.:

Members introduced themselves and spoke out on issues of concern.

Secretary/Correspondence/Treasurer’s Report: Sharon Miller reported $2,034.47 in the bank, the minutes were approved as on file on the website, and two letters were noted as received---one from Planned Parenthood Action Fund and one from Democratic candidate for Riverside Superintendent of Schools Dale Kinnear.

State Convention The membership approved the Executive Committee’s recommendation to support member participation in the Democratic State Convention in Los Angeles (April 16-18) with a $150 check each to Chris Towner and Sonja Martin, and $50 to Clark McCartney.

PDG Charities Golf Tournament: The PDG Democrats is sponsoring one hole at the tournament for stroke recovery with a $100 donation. We will have a sign indicating our support on one of the tees.

Democratic Candidates, April 13 and June 8. If no one receives 50% plus one votes in April, there will be a run-off for the June primary. Democrats of the Desert are hoping to host Democratic candidates Pedro Nava (Atty.Gen.) and Janice Hahn (Lt. Gov.) on Apr. 9, to which we would be invited. The official Democratic candidate for the state senate 37^th district –Justin Blake, Art Guerrero, or Anna Nevenic--will be determined in the special election of April 13. Scott Hines was endorsed by the Central Committee for Rancho Mirage City Council Steve Pougnet is running against Mary Bono Mack.

Phone Tree: Call for volunteers to aid Dale Hultgren and Henry Hoyle, each of whom has single-handedly called everyone on the list. PLEASE HELP OUT!!

Voter Registration: Westfield Mall has still not yet approved our voter reg table. The club should earn a bonus for each new registration, and for those who change their registration to permanent absentee ballot or to include email.

Miscellaneous Announcements:

*Ray Cunningham will put an ad for PDG Dems in the Suncrest newsletter for $25 in August (to be reimbursed by the club). The fee will cover the ad for seven months. Using this as precedent, we will try to get an ad in the PDG newsletter. We will also put an ad in the Mobile Home News in the fall.

*Granny D just died at the century mark. She walked across the U.S. in support of campaign reform in her 80’s. What a role model! We still need campaign reform more than ever.

*Date of 2010 Wine and Cheese Party----Oct. 24^th. We’ll try to get Barbara Boxer who has a home in the area.

*The mock-up of our first PDG Dems Newsletter, designed by Chris Towner, was well received

*Frances Miller recommended the InterValley Health Plan/Desert Preferred Choice HMO. Check it out at www.ivha.com or 800-251-8191.

PROGRAM: MEMBER COMMENTS ON TEA PARTY PHENOMENON

*Funded by those who bankrolled the Swiftboat attacks.

*Impossible to change their minds, but can show their factual errors.

*A Coffee Party response has sprung up. (Coffee is the AMERICAN drink.)

*Our mission as progressive Democrats: Be proud. Be visible. Appeal to the reasonable among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.

*The PDG Democratic Club gives us the opportunity to interact with others who support Democratic values lest we think we are alone in a sea of conservative Republicans.

NEXT MEETING: FRIDAY, MARCH 26 AT 9:30 AM, REC CENTER.