Framingham Democratic Town Committee

Minutes of June 11, 2006

Held at Framingham Green from 7pm to 9pm.

Attendance

Members: Rep. Debby Blumer, Jerry Desilets, Linda Fields, Donna Howland, Dave Magnani, Tom Mahoney, Stephanie Mercandetti, Joan Rastani, Alan Silver, Norma Shulman, Rochelle Sivan, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid

Associate Members: Elsa Aviza, Pam Roberts

1.                   Treasurer’s Report

Cash on Hand as of 05/21/06	1628.60
Dues Received	20.00
Dividends	0
Other Income	0
Net Income	20.00
Itemized Expenses
Net Expenses	0
Balance as of 06/11/06	1648.60

One member still owes dues for 2005-06.

For the current term, there are 13 paid members, 24 owe dues.  There are 6 paid associate members.

Treasurer’s report was accepted.

A proposal was made to list the paid members and associate members at the end of the minutes.  Motion to accept this proposal was made and passed.  (The names of the current paid membership appear at the end of these minutes.)

2.                   Minutes and Attendance

The Minutes of the May meeting were accepted with two spelling corrections that had been applied.

3.                   Schedule for 2006-07

The meeting schedule that was published in the minutes of the May meeting was accepted and will be posted on the website.

4.                   Convention De-Briefing

Parwez mentioned that there was an individual on the convention floor (whom he knows personally) who was not carrying proper credentials and was still able to pass through security into the convention.  Parwez believes this person entered through the press gate.  The concern was that when a great deal of emphasis was given to delegates to carry photo ID and credentials, why did the press entry not have equal security.

Norma Shulman also mentioned some delegates who felt undignified in having to present photo ID when reporting to the District Teller after presenting photo ID to the security guards upon entry.

Also Norma described how the tallying took place behind the convention stage where no step up or arrangements had been made for the tally-takers.  Also there was the potential for a challenge on the seating of the alternates.  The Framingham DTC had assigned Chris Ross as the first alternate, however the State Committee listed the alternates alphabetically making Phil Giffee the first alternate.  This was avoided because during the roll call, Chris Ross had left his seat and thus Phil Giffee was seated as the first alternate.

Regarding attendance, Jerry Desilets reported that nearly 100% of the Framingham delegation was accounted for.

The Framingham DTC acknowledges Bill Dooling for his efforts as District Teller for the Second Middlesex Norfolk.

For future conventions Alan Silver thought a suggestion should be passed to the State Committee to use bar code readers for voting.  The bar code readers could scan the code on each delegate’s credential.

 

5.                   Flag Day Event

The Framingham DTC participated in the Flag Day Festival at Farm Pond where an information table was setup to distribute literature on the 2006 elections.  Norma had a weatherproof banner made for the DTC at a cost of $150.

Thanks to the following for volunteering to help the DTC during the Flag Day Festival:

Steve Joyce (and son Brendan)

Adam Blumer

Elsa Aviza

Pam Roberts

Rochelle Sivan

Debbie Lannon

Stephanie Mercandetti

Rosalie Cotton

Gerry Heng

Debby Blumer

Karen Spilka

(And anyone else who might have been missed on this list.)

6.                   Friday Concerts

The Friday Concerts on the Framingham Green commons will resume starting on June 16th.  The DTC will set up an information table, similar to the one setup at the Flag Day Festival.  Volunteers are needed for each Friday of the summer through the end of August to setup, break down and staff the table.

7.                   Authorize Coordinate Campaign Expenses

Motion was made to authorize a budget with a cap of $500, largely for printing material, in expenses related to Victory ’06.  This was approved.

8.                   Announcements

Norma made an appeal for more sign-ups for Victory ’06 to canvass streets in Framingham.

The Natick DTC will hold its annual cookout on July 24th, Framingham members are welcome to join.

Debby Blumer will host a DTC on July 15th from 4 to 8pm; with a rain date of July 16th.

Volunteers are needed for the Program Committee and Membership Committee.  Those interested in Program should see Debby Blumer.  Those interested in Membership should see Chris Ross.

9.                   Program.

No formal program was presented.  Debby Blumer brought some light refreshments to share with the members to acknowledge Norma Shulman for her two years as Chair of the DTC.

Motion was made to dispense any remaining business.  Motion passed.

Next meeting: September 17th.

Current paid Members for 2006-07:

Debby Blumer, Nancy Coville Wallace, Jerry Desilets, Linda Fields, Wolf Haberman, Donna Howland, Chris Lorant, Dave Magnani, Mary Murphy, Norma Shulman, Alan Silver, Rochelle Sivan, Cheryl Tully Stoll, Parwez Wahid

Current paid Associate Members 2006-07:

Elsa Aviza, Carrie Daly, Susan Elwyn, Gerry Heng, Farooq Mirza, Pam Roberts