Framingham Green, 136 Maynard Road, Framingham, MA 01701

MINUTES — Sunday November 15 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

1. Representatives of Presidential campaigns:

Chris Lorant spoke on behalf of the Bernie Sanders for President campaign.  There are carpools for NH canvassing trips everyday;  MA activities will start soon. Supporters are encouraged to visit MetroWest for Sanders 2016 on Facebook.

Norma Shulman spoke on behalf of the Hillary Clinton for President campaign. Supporters can visit the MetroWest for Hillary Facebook pages; volunteers can join NH trips with Katherine Clark, Joe Kennedy, Deb Goldberg, or Maura Healey.

Tom Barbera noted that a disabilities group for Hillary is forming.

2.  Attendance:  Members: Elsa Aviza, Tom Barbera, Jeanne Bullock, Jerry Desilets, Jeanne Eversley, Adam Freudberg, Beverly Hugo, Mike Hugo, Lloyd Kaye, Barbara LeDuc, Jack Lewis, Christopher Lorant, Tom Mahoney, Kathie McCarthy, Joan Rastani, Norma Shulman, P. Nandi Varris, Parwez Wahid, Mel Warshaw. Lifetime Members:none.  Associate Members: Lori Bornstein, Margareth Shepard Guests: Deborah Butler, Kate Donahue (DSC, DNC), Arthur Powell (DSC), Sheri Thomas.

3.  10-18-2015 Minutes: Secretary Barbara LeDuc                               Approved unanimously

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

A total income of $300.23, with expenses of $30.00, increased the 10-18-15 balance of $2736.67 to $3006.90.  Please note that $200 is encumbered to support the January DSC meeting in Framingham. (Also, many members paid their annual dues after this meeting.)

 5. Election of new member: The name of Associate Member Lori Bornstein, a long-time campaign worker, was placed into nomination from the floor.  A motion was made and seconded to elect Lori to full membership. The motion was approved unanimously.

6. A motion was made and seconded to contribute $100 to support the January 2016 Democratic State Committee meeting to be held at Framingham High School. The motion was approved unanimously.  Norma noted that other MetroWest Democratic Town Committees are being asked to contribute as well, as are MetroWest elected officials.

7.  Report from the DSC meeting held this past Saturday in Lee, MA:

·         Norma introduced Kate Donahue, a Democratic State and National Democratic Committee member, and Arthur Powell, a Democratic State Committee member.  Arthur presented the Framingham DTC with the GRAND PRIZE for winning the recent “Fill Every Seat” contest for submitting a full slate of candidates for Town Committee membership. Our prize is to have preferred center floor seating at the next three Democratic State Conventions (2016, 2017, 2018) for our entire Senate District.  After many years sitting up in the rafters, we are thrilled!! Thank you to the State Committee for this victory and award!

·         Norma asked that we encourage our friends and neighbors to vote for the entire FDTC slate in the upcoming election in March.

·         Norma, Parwez and other DSC members explained the rules and procedures governing “Constituency Seats” on the DSC.  They are elected by sitting DSC members, during the DSC meeting following the Presidential primary election. For example Disability Seats: Tom Barbera, Chris Lorant, and others could be candidates. Candidates for “ballot” DSC member seats in this senate district this year are Karen Spilka and Chris Walsh, whose names will appear on the primary ballot.  Also, there are two “Conference” seats per senate district, presently held by Norma Shulman and Paul Yorkis.

            We will know on Jan. 23 if there is to be a district-wide conference to elect the senate district           conference seats.  We will need to elect Framingham delegates to the conference by a vote of           our members before  mid-March, if a conference becomes required. Then, the conference for     any contested seat(s) will be held on March 26.

·         The DSC is asking for support from our legislators for two bills moving through the legislature; they must go to the floor this week or face resubmission in the next session.

            – Bill H1577 / S735: An Act Relative to Non-discrimination which would prohibit discrimination           based on gender identity.

            – Bill H1640 / S871 An Act to Establish Foreclosure Review Division of the Superior Court.  This           bill would help clear titles fairly.

            Please contact your individual legislators (Senate and House) to urge them to support these            bills and bring them to the floor for a vote.

8.  Despite continued attempts, we are unable to find someone willing to serve as Outreach Officer.  Perhaps we need to recruit a team to perform the function.  Norma, Tom Barbera and Parwez will serve on such a team.  Norma Shulman will be the convener; the secretary will send out a notice as to the date / time of a meeting. 

9.  Parwez announced that the National Delegate Workshop training session will be held Saturday 12-12-2015 from 1-3PM in the Costin Room of the Framingham library,  This is to train folks interested in becoming delegates to National Convention. If the library electrical repairs are incomplete, we will notify you of the alternate location.

10.  Reports of the Subcommittees:

Bylaws Subcommittee: Mike Hugo: no report at this time.

Legislative Subcommittee: Mel Warshaw: no report at this time. A meeting is scheduled for Nov. 23.

Civics Education Subcommittee: Chairman Jack Duffy will report at a later meeting. 

Programming Subcommittee: Chairman Bev Hugo listed the following dates:

            Nov. 21: smoc (Saturday Morning Over Coffee) at B. Sisters coffee shop.

            Dec. 6: our Holiday Party from 4-7PM. (Natick’s party will be from 1-3 PM on the same day.)

            Dec 12: National Delegate Workshop at the downtown Framingham Library (Costin Room) from                                     1-3 PM. (If the library is unavailable due to electrical repairs, we will send notice of the                               alternative location.

            Jan 10, 2016: Regular meeting & Presidential Inaugural

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

            March 1: Presidential Primary

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

            Apr. 10: Annual Meeting: elections & reorganization

            May 15: 7PM; Delegate Briefing (bring Asian Food)

11.  A meeting of the Holiday Party Committee may be held on Sunday Nov. 22 at Panera Bread or from 11 to 12 Noon after the smoc meeting at B. Sisters on Saturday Nov. 21. (Volunteers for this years’ Holiday Party Committee are: Elsa Aviza, Linda Fields, Bev Hugo, Mike Hugo, Barbara LeDuc, Betty Muto, Cindy Rubin, Mel Warshaw.)

Personal invitations to elected officials will be made.  Bev took a listing of which members will contact which officials.  Bev will need to know who will be attending by next Sunday.

12. Announcements:

·         Norma is selling raffle tickets to benefit the Curtis Family Thanksgiving Dinner; they are $10 each.  Norma has a list of the raffle prizes.  There are many great ones, and all prizes were donated so 100% of the raffle proceeds go to support the dinner.

·         Volunteers are needed to help with the dinner:  at 5PM on Nov. 25, there will be food preparation; at 10 AM on Thanksgiving there will be a need for volunteers to do home delivery of meals; at noon there is a need for volunteers to serve food, and Norma usually helps later in the day with washing dishes!

·         Chairman Desilets asked that we stand for a moment of silence in sympathy with the people of France who suffered a recent terrorist attack.

·         Tom Barbera noted there is a petition in the back of the room. Please sign in support of increasing taxation on the very rich!

·         Norma Shulman noted the panel discussion last week at the Framingham Community Church entitled the Color of Wealth (moderated by Rep. Chris Walsh) was very professional and well- attended. It was co-sponsored by Framingham State University.

·         Tom Mahoney noted that Rep. Katherine Clark’s office hours session on Saturday at the Deluxe Depot Diner was very well attended and lasted until noon! Many FDTC members were there for coffee.

·         At our January 10, 2016 meeting, we will confer the Legislator of the Year Award and the Democratic Volunteer of the Year Award. Bev requests nominations for those awards – please email her at [email protected]. 

13. Charitable donations:  The charity goal for the Dec (Holiday Party) meeting is a toy drive for the Pathways Shelter.  At the moment, they do not have children older than 7 years.  If that changes, we will update you.

For our January charity, we will be collecting money and snacks for OUT MetroWest, an organization which supports GLBTQ teens.  (FDTC member Jack Lewis is their Executive Director). Out MetroWest is a 501c3 organization, so donations (cash or checks) are tax deductible.  Snack items for their meetings (granola bars, chips, pretzels) are always welcomed! More information will come later or is on their website: www.outmetrowest.org.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 PM.

Respectfully submitted by Barbara LeDuc, Secretary

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Massachusetts Legislature pass legislation that would provide livable wages for ADAs and establish a Student Loan Repayment Program for eligible ADAs.

higher salaries and incentives are necessary to recruit and retain talented ADAs;