Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701

MINUTES — Sunday January 10 2016 at 7:00 p.m.

2. Chairman Desilets, Parwez Wahid and Rob Cassidy spoke about their memories of Tom Barbera, a FDTC member.  Parwez is collecting signatures on a sympathy card to be sent to Tom’s sister in N.J.

3. Representatives of Presidential campaigns:

– Tycho McManus introduced himself.  He is a Field Organizer for Bernie Sanders (cell = 617-775-1311; [email protected]).  Bernie supporters should give him a call!

– Norma Shulman reported on canvassing for Hillary in NH, and the two weekly phone banks in Framingham.  The Carpenters’ Union amongst others has endorsed Hillary. Thanks to Steve Joyce!

4. 11-15-2015 Minutes: Secretary Barbara LeDuc                                Approved unanimously

5. Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer Mel Warshaw                                  Approved unanimously

A total income of $1,970.50, with no expenses, increased the 11-15-15 balance of $3006.90 to $4,977.40.  This includes the additional funds that are being held to support the upcoming Democratic State Committee (DSC) meeting. 

6.  Candidates for State Representative from the 7th Middlesex District:

– Jack Lewis, an FDTC member, has announced that he will be a candidate to succeed Tom Sannicandro, and he spoke for 2 minutes regarding his priorities for the office. ( BrettWalker and Phil Jack , both democrats from Ashland, have announced their intentions to run. Preston Crow of Ashland has decided not to seek the office.) 

7. Candidate for School Committee: Eric Silverman, a candidate for re-election, spoke for 2 minutes.

8. David Perelman, candidate for election to the DSC as an add-on youth & LGBT candidate from Waltham (5th Congressional District) spoke for two minutes.

9.  Update on the DSC meeting Jan. 26 at 6 PM at Framingham High School; call to-order at 7 PM. Please enter by auditorium door.

Rob Cassidy spoke about our Senate District’s representation on the DSC and the different ways that people can become DSC members.

Norma & Parwez explained further that we elect two DSC “ballot seat” members on the Presidential Primary ballot.  Our candidates are Karen Spilka and Chris Walsh.  Our two district DSC “caucus seats” are presently held by Norma Shulman & Paul Yorkis; both are candidates for re-election.  At the moment, there are no additional candidates, but if another letter of intent is filed, we will need to have a Senate District conference on March 26 to elect our next caucus seat DSC members.  Framingham will need to elect delegates by March 14 to attend and vote at this conference, should one be 
called.

10.  FDTC February caucus:

– Chairman Desilets will make arrangements to obtain the voter registration list disc as of January 31, 2016 from the Framingham Town Clerk.  Furthermore, he will remind her that voters who registered on Jan. 31 should be processed immediately so as to appear on the disc. Our caucus will take place here in the Community Room of Framingham Green on February 21 at 6PM.  The call to order will occur at 7PM.  The purpose is to elect delegates to the MA State Democratic Convention which will be held in Lowell on June 4, 2016.  Jerry will be sending out a notice to ask persons interested in being a state delegate to notify him.

11. Election of delegates to the National Convention: There will be caucuses for each candidate held somewhere in the 5th Congressional district on April 9th. Massachusetts has proportional representation.  Norma Shulman is running as a Hillary Clinton delegate.

12. Reports of the subcommittees:

·         Bylaws: Mike Hugo will be sending a draft of the new Bylaws shortly. Our next business meeting is in March and we will discuss the Bylaws at that meeting.  Some sections may be controversial, so please read them prior to the March Meeting.

·         Legislative: will be meeting in the next week or so.

·         Civics Education: has not met.

·         Programming Subcommittee: Chairman Bev Hugo listed the following dates:

            Jan. 12: Politics & Pizza party to watch Pres. Obama’s last State of the Union address

            Jan. 26: DSC Meeting, Framingham High School

            Feb. 21: FDTC caucus, Framingham Green, 6PM

            March 1: Presidential Primary

            Mar. 13: 10AM, Breakfast meeting / Candidates’ Forum (town & local candidates)

            March 29: Framingham election

            Apr. 10: Annual Meeting: elections of FDTC officers for 2016 – 2018 (reorganization)

            May 15: 7PM; Delegate Briefing (bring Asian Food Potluck – Pacific Islander Month)

                        Michelle Wu, President of the Boston City Council has been invited.

            June 4: Massachusetts State Democratic Convention

13. Announcements:

–  Caucus Planning committee will meet. It is comprised of the members of the Executive      Committee plus Parwez Wahid, Norma Shulman and Cindy Rubin.

–  Volunteers for the Breakfast Committee are: Mike & Bev Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Cindy Rubin, Elsa Aviza, and Kathie McCarthy.

– Jerry will appoint a Nominating Committee to recruit a slate of officers.  The Committee usually is  comprised of the Executive Committee members who are not running for re-election plus volunteers.  Please let Jerry know if you are interested.

14. Our charity for this meeting was OUT MetroWest, an organization which supports GLBTQ teens.  For the February meeting, the charity will be the Pearl Street Cupboard & Cafe.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara LeDuc, Secretary