Campaign Headquarters, 280 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01701

MINUTES — Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

[Note: Prior to Business Meeting, FDTC conducted GOTV training and phone banking at 5:00 p.m., followed by pizza at 6:30.]

1.    Call to Order: Chair Tom Mahoney at 7:00 p.m.

2.    Attendance:  Members: Elsa Avisa, Nancy Coville Wallace, Carmen Chico, Jerry Desilets, Jack Duffy, Courtney Elgart, Jeanne Eversley, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Caraline Levy, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Betty Muto, Ramuel Raagas, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, John Stefanini, Cheryl Tully Stoll, P. Nandi Varris, Parwez Wahid, Chris Walsh, and Mel Warshaw.  Lifetime Members: Ruth Litter.  Associate Members: Jeff Cox, Pam Roberts.  Guests: Samantha Bell, Tom Sannicandro, Dhruba Sen, and Karen Spilka.

3.    Minutes of September 9, 2012: Secretary Jack Duffy                       Approved, as amended

4.    Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Mel Warshaw                                                Report accepted

Initial balance of $5,656.50, increased by $195. in added dues, $724. in added Cookbook donations, and $.88 in dividends, and decreased by $3,500. to Mass. Democratic Party for rent for expanded Coordinated Headquarters—yielding a $3,076.38 balance (soon to be under $2,000 because of commitments of $500. each for Obama campaign and Mass. Dems.  16 (of 35) Members, and 5 Associate Members. have paid 2012-13 dues.

5.    Audit Committee: Elsa Avisa, Mel Warshaw, and Nancy Coville Wallace accepted.

6.    Election program: Norma Shulman mentioned 10/17 is last day to register.  Auction proceeds to Coordinated Campaign for Tom Sannicandro and Elizabeth Warren: last Cook Book for $40 from Jeff Cox, T-shirt for $18 from Ramuel Raagas, and Obama election print for $105 from Beverly Hugo.  Mel Warshaw led discussion on Ballot Question 2 (“Prescribing Medication to End Life”); and Jerry Desilets, on Question 3 (“Medical Use of Marijuana”).

7.    Outreach Report: Nandi Varris proposed the use of a DVD, “United States of ALEC” (American Legislative Exchange Council), as a tool the FDTC could use as part of an outreach program.  ALEC is a conservative organization pushing legislative bills, passed in many states, promoting voter suppression schemes, privatizing prisons, “stand your ground” laws (e.g., providing excuse for shooting of Travon Martin), anti-environmental laws, etc.  Exposure of ALEC has led several corporate sponsors to stop funding (e.g., HP, Coca Cola, CBS, Wal-Mart, John Deere, Johnson & Johnson, etc.).

8.    New Business: The Committee unanimously voted to ask the Chairperson to include its Democratic State Committee representatives in its Executive Committee (which currently is constituted of elected Officers only).

9.    Report from the Hill: Sen. Karen Spilka discussed her committee’s important Jobs Creation Report.  Rep. Tom Sannicandro thanked the FDTC for its financial and volunteers support.  Rep. Chris Walsh updated on exciting progress in the House.

10.  Announcements: Joan Rastani: free showing of Carli Hugo’s movie “Hot Coffee” at the Library, Thursday, 11/1 at 7 p.m.  Hospitality Committee: Elsa Avisa, Tom Mahoney, and Nancy Coville Wallace.  Parwez Wahid: debate at Woodrow Wilson School, 10/24, 7 p.m.  Courtney Elgart: FDTC Facebook page.  Nancy Coville Wallace: Christa McAuliffe Library news.  Tom Mahoney: next regular meeting: Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road.

11.  Adjourn: Chair: Tom Mahoney at 9:00 p.m.

                                                             —Respectfully submitted by Jack Duffy, Secretary, FDTC