Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701

Minutes – Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 10 AM

1.  Attendance:  Members: Elsa Aviza, Jeanne Bullock, Carmen Chico, Jack Duffy, Patrick Dunne, Jeanne Eversley, Linda Fields, Beverly Hugo, Michael Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Jack Lewis, Christopher Lorant, Tom Mahoney, Farooq Mirza, Betty Muto, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, Cheryl Tully Stoll, P. Nandi Varis, Parwez Wahid, Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members: none.  Associate Members: Chris Broyles, Pam Roberts. Guests: Susan Anderson, Auli Batts, Lori Bornstein, Mary Dalton, Maria Davis, Jeffrey Hoffman, Lorraine Horn, Sue Kennedy (DSC), KG Narayana, Cindy Rubin, Sheri Thomas.   

2.  6/14/2015 Minutes: Secretary Barbara LeDuc                            Approved with 1 correction

3. Treasurer’s Report:  The full report will be given at the Oct. 18 meeting

4. Bev Hugo offered a moment of silence in fond memory of our FDTC member Ram Raagas.  We will miss him deeply.

5.  Announcements:

·         Election of all FDTC members will take place in March 2016.  Chair Jerry Desilets is determining which current members are interested in continuing.

·         The FDTC is seeking a new Affirmative Action / Outreach Officer to replace Jeff Cox, who was transferred to Germany. We will vote on the position at the Oct. 18 meeting.  Also on Oct. 18, we will hold a vote to fill the vacant FDTC member position.  Please notify Jerry Desilets if you know of a suitable candidate.

·         The charity for the next meeting will be the Pathways Shelter. Bev Hugo will inquire as to their special needs for the month.

·         A special celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act will be held at the Hanover theater in Worcester on Oct. 15.  Tickets are $25, and the State Committee is asking each town committee to sell 10 tickets or more, if possible.

·         The Framingham DTC is hoping to host the Tuesday, January 26, 2016 meeting of the Democratic State Committee at a site to be determined.  To do this, we need to raise money, and provide volunteers.

·         Cheryl Tully Stoll announced that, if needed, a Framingham preliminary primary election would be held on the same day as the Presidential election.

·         Auli Batts, Chair of the Wellesley DTC, announced that Attorney General Maura Healey will speak at the Wellesley Library on Oct. 28, starting at 7 or 7:30 PM. All are invited.

·         Jack Duffy  conveyed an invitation from Herb Chasan to the fund-raiser for Hoops and Homework, a Framingham after-school program, on Nov. 9 at the new Jack’s Abby Restaurant & Brewery. Tickets are $50 and include beer and great pizza from the new brick ovens!

·         Very special thanks to Jeanne & Parwez for organizing the “bagel breakfast” for today’s meeting, and to the many folks who brought loads of goodies and juice!

6.  Program: Sue Kennedy and Parwez Wahid, DSC members:

Sue and Parwez presented their slide show of instructions and suggestions for delegates to the State Convention next weekend; many helpful hints were mentioned.  Please bring your cell phone and charger, a small flashlight and a pen.  Since it is likely the concession stands will be closed, try to bring snack bars.  Bring only small bags (all bags will be searched).  There are two parties on Friday evening, and the Labor Breakfast will be at the Mass Mutual Center on Saturday morning at 8AM.  District Attorney Marian Ryan will be receiving an award.  Break-out sessions will be held from 1-2 and 2-3PM.  The schedule of those sessions is listed on today’s handout.

During the Q&A period following the presentation, several members described difficulties endured by delegates with disabilities attempting to attend past state Democratic conventions.  Sue noted that the state party has heard these concerns, but has not made progress in resolving them.

·         Mike Hugo made a motion (seconded by Jack Duffy): “the FDTC should bring a resolution to the floor requiring that accommodations be made so that persons with disabilities can sit with their respective delegations.” 

The motion passed on a vote of 15-0-1.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara LeDuc, Secretary