Editor2018-11-15 General Meeting Meeting Minutes
Monthly General Meeting Portland Democratic City Committee Mechanics Hall
2018-11-15 at 18:30
31 members present (President present, Secretary present) Minutes from previous three meetings reviewed and approved
Business
Introductions (seven new attendees!)
Officer elections
Chair
Sam Tracy nominated
No other nominations
Sam Tracy elected unanimously by acclamation after a brief statement.
Vice Chair
Elizabeth Murphy nominated
No other nominations
Elizabeth Murphy elected unanimously by acclamation after a brief statement.
Treasurer
Cynthia Handlen nominated
No other nominations
Cynthia Handlen elected unanimously by acclamation after a brief statement.
Secretary
Doug Lynch nominated
No other nominations
Doug Lynch elected unanimously by acclamation after a brief statement.
Bylaws amendment proposed by Mike Desjardins – 1st reading:
A quorum shall be fifteen (15) members of the City Committee. When less than 15 members of the City Committee are present at any meeting, no effective action may be taken except to adjourn.
Change to:
A quorum shall be ten (10) members of the City Committee. When fewer than 10 members of the City Committee are present at any meeting, no effective action may be taken except to adjourn.
Question was raised about whether a bylaw amendment could be proposed without going through the bylaws committee.
Mike Sylvester suggested an alternative might be to permit rules to be suspended, and have business be reconsidered at the following meeting.
Big discussion about recruitment, how to improve turnout, whether the charter/goals of the committee were clear and relevant.
Treasurer’s Report
raised $128.24, current balance $4,641.53
Announcements
Sam Tracy: Committees will be starting up soon and chairs will be appointed soon (a lot of people have expressed interest in the issue committee).
Sam Tracy: Upcoming candidates for Attorney General have interviews on Maine Beacon podcast, if you’re interested, check those out.
Sam Tracy: Social Media – check out “Discussion Group” on Facebook if you want to discuss in an open forum.
Harlan Baker: Invitation to participate in the Cumberland Cty CC. Dec 2 Westbrook cty center is next meeting. Talk w/ chair about joint activity between the two groups.
Harlan Baker: Craig Dorais and Harlan Baker does a “Say no to Racism” event on First Fridays on Monument Square at 5pm.
Jon Hinck: Shout out to the elected officials who attended this meeting.
Craig Dorais: Thanks to outgoing officers.
Sam Tracy: Please take the food!
Meeting adjourned at 20:07
Respectfully submitted, Mike Desjardins