Executive Board Meeting Minutes
10-21-20 – Held via Zoom conference due to COVID-19.
Attendees: Carla Rogers, Steve Butts, Gina Topp, Rachel Glass, Les Treall, Dawn Rains, Jordan Crawley, Jeff Sbaih, Ben Reilly, Ted Barker, Ann Martin, Karen Richter, Chris Porter, Nick Bonazza
7:02 – Gina called the meeting to order.
Ben presented the Budget overview. We have over $15k in the bank. Campaign contributions have gone out based on the membership vote last week. Membership is down compared to last year. Donna Christiansen asked the board to consider donating to the Reykdal campaign at the membership meeting. Ann Martin made a motion to contribute $500 to the Reykdal campaign. Dawn seconded. Ann spoke for her motion. The motion assumes that we would take the recommendation to the next board meeting. Board members voted and passed the motion. Gina will email the Reykdal campaign about this contribution intent.
Survey from the State Party – Chris shared information about the demographics survey being sent to all LD executive board members. This is for each LD and board and will be sent out after the Reorg to the PCOs.
Gina provided an overview of the Reorganization process. Only elected PCOs as of January 1 are eligible to vote.
Gina noted that we will hold our virtual holiday party in December. An Awards Committee was formed, which will decide those honored (Ted, Steve, Chris, Ann, Karen, Gina volunteered to be on the committee) – Committee, PCO, Member, Board Member, Elected Official, … of the Year and two named awards Lifetime Achievement, Rising Star… will be given.
November will be the last Executive Board meeting and the November 11th program will be a Legislative Town Hall. Jordan, Rachel, Dawn will organize the program. Chris and Ben will do a tribute to Veterans since it will be Veterans Day. We will also have each board member share a quick 30 second overview of their responsibilities.
The board discussed the Maury Island Resolution, which was tabled at the last board meeting. Jordan made a motion to recommend approval to the membership. Rachel seconded. Motion passed.
Committee Reports – Board members were asked to consider the upcoming transition, whether they are interested in running again/serving as chair.
State Committee – Please refer to the newsletter for this report. Max and Leah were absent.
King County – Refer to the newsletter for Chris and Ann’s report.
Communications – We have had great success with the Meet Us Monday campaign in social. Lots of social media engagement now with the election coming up. Website and social promotion of the phone banks have also been successful.
Outreach – Karen and Steve are getting in touch with other LDs to determine if there are ways to do outreach during COVID, otherwise it has been difficult to do anything in outreach. They would like to work with the Equity and Social Justice Committee on ways to do outreach to diverse communities.
Fundraising – DeLancey is in NC so Gina provided an update. We have reserved a facility in Burien for the fundraiser. We need to select a date between now and mid-July to hold the event. The TAF Center has given us through July or we lose our deposit. The new board will choose the date. Rachel shared that a community contact was willing to donate 20 t-shirts as a possible fundraiser. Rachel will explore the opportunity and will work with Gina to execute.
Finance – No updates.
Membership – Dawn reported that we are still down (same period) in membership, from 304 last year to 295 current members. Dawn asked what transitions activities are needed for Membership and will work with Gina to handle so we preserve the data.
Equity and Social Justice – Jeff is assembling the caucus. Activities have slowed during GOTV but will pick up in November with a February goal to start activities. Jeff also shared information about the upcoming OneAmerica event on Nov 13.
Bylaws – Art was absent.
Leadership Development – No progress to report.
Newsletter – Steve is tech-challenged right now but will be working on the newsletter next week. The goal will be to send by Nov 4.
PCO – Nick provided a quick report in addition to the written report. It’s all GOTV! Dialers will start Saturday 31 – Nov 1 Monday and go all day.
LAC – Jordan shared his Membership Policy Caucus presentation. This is a Rules change allowing for MPCs to be convened. The goal is to amplify our advocacy work. The change to the Rules has been submitted/published for membership review as of Oct 2. Document will be shared.
Hospitality – Jesse was absent.
Caucus & Elections – Rachel asked in these last few days to send her any phone-bank-averse volunteers and she will connect them to non-phone bank options for GOTV.. Several members shared what they had done for GOTV.
Gina adjourned the meeting at 8:41.