PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC CLUB
Minutes for March 13, 2016
Meeting held at Denny’s Restaurant
600 E. Carson Plaza Drive, Carson, CA 90746
I. Call to order: Julian Burger, President, at 4:21 pm.
II. A) Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Don Dear.
III. A) Approval of the Agenda: MSP to approve the agenda by Maria Norvell, Jan Schaefer.
B) Raffle prizes displayed & reviewed by President Burger.
Members and guests were encouraged to buy raffle tickets to support the Club and help finance activities.
Again thanked Pat Hannah, Mona Sutton, Leslie Jones and the Omelette and Waffle Shop, 1103 S. Gaffey
Street in San Pedro for donating gift cards.
IV. Reports
A). Recording Secretary – Jan Schaefer. MSP to approve minutes of February 21, 2016 by Margie Hoyt,
Richard Vaughn.
B. Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Joseph Piñon
Previous balance $875.79
Deposit $ 419.92
Expenses < $ 227.0 3>
Balance $ 1,068.68
MSP to approve report by Don Dear, Richard Vaughn.
C. President’s Report. Thanked the club members for their activism and volunteerism. Announced that he had received the honor of Volunteer of the Year for Region 14. This was presented to him at the State Party Convention in San Jose, CA. Also, announced a change in meeting notification. The notices will now all be made by email and robo call with the exception of the few members who do not use email. They will continue to receive the notices in the U.S. mail. Meetings will also be announced on the Club’s Facebook page and the website Prodems.org.
D. First VP Report - Richard Vaughn. Asked members to submit pictures for the slide show, Progressives in Action, to [email protected]. Please submit the pictures by the Friday before the meeting. Had many pictures from the State Party Convention.
E. Second VP Report – Jim Brandt – Reviewed the Club's website, www.prodems.org. Members are encouraged to go the website and create a "log-in-account” to access all the information and communicate with others through the website. MSP to have administrator approve blog postings by Brandii Grace, Margie Hoyt.
F. Third VP Report - Given by Pres. Julian burger. We had 80 paid members (renewals/new members) in February and now have 96 members o far for 2016.
G. Corresponding Secretary – Brandi Grace. Spoke of the City of Los Angeles cracking down on “tiny houses” affecting the homeless people.
V. Program
A. Endorsements
1. Democratic Nominee for President of the USA.
Phil Borden spoke for Bernie Sanders and Richard Vaughn and Chuck Tyler spoke for Hillary Clinton.
Many of the issues being discussed by both campaigns were presented. They spoke about such things as
civil rights, free college tuition, Medicare for all, Veteran affairs, trade and the economy.
Voting: 31 eligible votes cast. 60% needed for endorsement = 19 votes
Bernie Sanders received 22 votes
Hillary Clinton received 9 votes
Therefore, Bernie Sanders is the Club’s endorsed candidate.
VI. Old Business
A. Reports:
1) Carson Alliance 4 Truth. Jan Schaefer reported that the petition to recall Albert Robles has been withdrawn as a November election for Carson is likely the alliance meets twice a month. See the CA4T.org website for more information. Participation is welcomed.
2) PDC Facebook – Raul Murga. Absent.
3) South Bay for Bernie. – Sura Halote – Group meets at the Buffalo Fire House in Torrance.
B. Governor Snyder / Flint Michigan. Revised Contaminated Water Resolution presented by Linda Bassett. Also, letter to US Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking for investigation and possible prosecution of Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder for allowing toxic drinking water in Flint, Michigan. Both are attached to the agenda. The resolution was presented to the LACDP Resolution Committee and was passed with some modification. MSP to also send the letter and resolution to FBI Director James B. Comey and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. Linda and Julian were commended for this effort.
C. California Democratic Party Convention (2/26 - 2/28 2016) report given by Carrie Scoville. Carrie gave a very thorough report on the Rules Committee Report, the Resolutions Committee Report and the party Platform changes. Carrie distributed a useful handout. Several other club members attended the convention.
D. Chartering with LACDP for 2016. The charter documents have been submitted.
VII. New Business
A. Voter's Right to Know Initiative. Angel Perea unable to attend.
VIII. Announcements
A. Kim Nguyen, candidate for Los Angeles County Superior Court spoke briefly and will return at a later date to see the club's endorsement.
B. Alene B. Harris announced that the scholarship luncheon sponsored by the National Congress of Black Women will be held on August 27, 2016 at the Carson Community Center. Tickets are $55.00 per person. Save the date. Call Alene for details at 310-291-4263.
IX. Raffle - $90.00 collected. Alene Harris / Joseph Piñon
X. Adjournment. Meeting adjourned at 6:30 pm.
The next meeting will be on April 10, 2016 at 4 pm at Denny’s Restaurant. 600 East Carson Plaza
Drive, Carson, CA 90746.