Framingham Democratic Town Committee:  Minutes

Chairperson Rochelle Sivan called the meeting to order shortly after 7 p.m., Sunday, April 13, 2008.

Treasurer Elsa Aviza gave the treasurer’s report.

Secretary Pam Roberts asked for any corrections to the minutes. Alan Silver noted the minutes should have said he was present at the previous meeting.  Chris Lorant moved to accept minutes as corrected, Jerry Desilets seconded, and members so voted.

The group decided that we’ll decide a June meeting date at the May meeting. Pam Richardson suggested a debate meeting. Jerry Desilets, Parwez Wahid, and Tom Mahoney will put together a candidates debate and suggest either June 15 or a June Monday evening for the debate.  The Democratic Town Committee discussed that June was too late for a debate but that it can’t be arranged in time for the May 18 meeting. If the public is invited, we need to advertise and find a larger venue than Framingham Green.

The business meeting continued after the program.  The Chair called for nominations for the vacant member position. Parwez Wahid nominated Kristin Harkness. Stephanie Mercandeti nominated Bob Berman.  Chris Lorant nominated Mike Bower and Tom Mahoney seconded. Bob Berman and Mike Bower declined.  An unidentified member called for vote by acclaim rather than ballot. The group so voted, and Kristin Harkness was acclaimed the new member.

Parwez announced that we can send two youths to the youth convention in June and need to find youths who are interested in going.

The chair called for a motion to adjourn.  Norma Shulman so moved; Chris Lorant seconded; so voted.

Next meeting: May 18, 2008, Framingham Green, 7 p.m.    Program: Candidates for state representative.

Hospitality by Maureen and Pat Dunne

Announcements at the meeting included:

Stephanie and Parwez will continue to attend meetings of the MNW Alliance. Rochelle, as Chair of the DTC, should attend. Chris Lorant will continue to go. This Alliance gives area DTCs a chance to coordinate. The next meeting of the Alliance was 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 15 at Ashland High School.  Meetings alternate around the district.

The new schedule for DTC meetings in 2008/2009 is being drafted for discussion and voting at the next meeting. The program will be people running for state representative.

Norma asked if we want to have a presence at Flag Day and at the Friday night Concerts on the Green. Also, do we want a summer picnic — we’ll need a committee to organize it.

Beverly Hugo proposes having a community service project.

Norma ran at the federal congressional district caucus, to be a delegate for Hillary Clinton at the national convention. Despite running against a slate, she received 24 votes (though not quite enough to be elected).

Elsa, Parwez, and Chris L. went to the Obama caucus. Russ Ashton from Wayland was elected delegate.

There was discussion of our opportunity to send  one male and one female student from Framingham to the 1st Democratic Youth Convention being held with our State Convention on Saturday June 7th at the Paul Tsongas Arena in Lowell.

Program Announcements

Robert Jubinville, candidate for Governor’s council, was unable to attend and plans to come to our May meeting instead.

Kelly Timilty, the incumbent member of Governor’s Council, spoke and answered questions about the role of the Governor’s Council.  The position is not a paid one.

David O’Brien, member of the Democratic National Committee and a super-delegate, spoke and showed slides. He talked about party strategy and a new “VoteBuilder” tool the DNC is making available to states.  For building votes, he says: 1) Organize everywhere 2) Measure everything 3) Question assumptions about how to do things.

Attendence: Members

The following members checked off their names on the attendance sheet:

Coville Wallace, Nancy

Desilets, Gerard

Dunne, Maureen

Dunne, Pat

Giombetti, Dennis

Harkness, Dawn

Hopkins, Esther

Hugo, Beverly

Kaye, Lloyd

Joyce, Stephen

Lorant, Chris

Mahoney, Tom

McCarthy, Kathie

Medrano, Laura

Mercandetti, Stephanie

Richardson, Pam

Roberts, Pam

Shulman, Norma

Silver, Alan

Sivan, Rochelle

Stoll, Cheryl Tully

Wahid, Parwez

Harkness, Kristin: elected member in this meeting

Attendence: Associate Members

The following associate members checked off their names on the attendance sheet:

Berman, Bob

Bower, Mike

Farragher, Claire

Harkness, Kristin

May, Phyllis

Walsh, Chris

Attendence: Guests and Visitors

No guests or visitors signed the attendance sheet.

Treasurer’s Report

Democratic Town Committee

Treasurer’s Report April 13, 2008

Submitted by Elsa Aviza, Treasurer

Members owing dues for 2006-07: 34 paid members; 3 unpaid

Members owing dues for 2007-08: 22 paid members: 16 unpaid

Members with paid dues 2007-08:  20 Members paid

* Associates voted in Oct.: Beverly Hugo, Pam Richardson, Pam Roberts, Laura Medrano

Paid Associate Members for 2006 – 07: 15 Paid Associates

Paid Associate Members for 2007-  08:  10 Paid Associates: 6 unpaid

Associates with paid dues 2007-08: 9 Paid