2022-9-14 Membership Meeting Minutes

400 300 34th Democrats

September 14, 2022 Membership Meeting  Minutes

The Hall at Fauntleroy

6:30pm Pre-meeting Program

  • A 9-11 remembrance was given by Annabel Quintero, a survivor of the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. She is the author of Step Step Jump, a book inspired by that event.
  • A presentation about the advocacy group, the Northwest Progressive Institute was given by its founder Andrew Villeneuve.

7:30pm Call to Order by Chair Carla Rogers

Opening Ceremonies

  • Chair Rogers thanked those who helped with organizing the meeting, our first in-person since February 2020.
  • Land & First Peoples Acknowledgment – 1st Vice Chair Rachel Glass

VIP Acknowledgements:

  • Leslie Harris – discussed the tentative agreement between the Seattle School District and the Seattle Education Association.
  • Joe Nguyen – chose not to speak.
  • Chris Porter – will be seeking reelection to the board of the King Conservation District.
  • Speak Up Survey question for September – Is there interest in attending an informational meeting about 34th Executive Board Roles for 2023/2024?

Approval of Tonight’s Agenda and Last Month’s Minutes

  • Ann Martin moved, and Bunny Hatcher seconded to approve the agenda. Passed by unanimous consent.
  • Ann Martin moved, and Chris Porter seconded to approve minutes from August meeting. Passed by unanimous consent.

Budget and Membership Report

  • Treasurer Julie Whitaker reported on the financials since the last meeting.
  • Outsized spending for August includes printing of PCO doorbelling material
  • Current membership stands at 273, including 94 PCOs.

Chair’s Announcements

  • Pop Up Social – September 24 at Ounces
  • The October membership meeting will be on Zoom, Lisa Herbold will be speaking.
  • The Executive Board meeting will be on Wednesday September 21 on Zoom.
  • Adopt-A-Street work party will be on Saturday September 17th.
  • The Awards Committee needs additional Volunteers.
  • The Outreach Committee will have a booth at the B-Town Fiesta on Saturday September 24
  • The November meeting will be in person and will feature “Cheers” to retiring Eileen Cody.
  • Reorganization will take place on January 11, 2023, when officers will be elected, and committee chairs are seated.

PCO Appointment and Campaign Activities

  • Preston Anderson introduces Graham Murphy who volunteers to become PCO for SEA 34-1410.
  • Chris Porter moves and Michael Parker seconds to appoint Graham as PCO.
  • Graham is appointed by a voice vote to his new role.
  • Two Coordinated Campaign Organizers speak about campaign volunteer opportunities. Ryan O’Connor will serve as the Organizer for the 34th LD.
  • Leesa Manion’s campaign manager CS Wright speaks on her behalf.
  • Candidates for 34th LD Representative Emily Alvarado and Leah Griffin speak in turn.
  • Doorhangers were distributed to PCOs present at the meeting.
  • Chair Rogers described the September 10th canvassing trip to Covington to doorbell for Kim Schrier.
  • The next trip will be on Sunday, September 25. More will be planned for October.
  • A short video of the story behind Barack Obama’s campaign cry “Fired up, Ready to go!” is shown.

Highline Schools Levy

  • Lois Schipper describes the levy. Tyee and Evergreen High Schools, and Pacific Middle School will be rebuilt.
  • Joe Nguyen moves and Chris Porter seconds to endorse the levy.
  • Joe speaks in favor.
  • Membership votes to endorse unanimously by show of credentials.

Seattle Proposition 1A and 1B – Approval and Ranked Choice Voting

Troy Logan from the group Seattle Approves describes Prop 1A – Approval Voting.

Two representatives from the group FairVote Washington describes Prob 1B – Ranked Choice Voting.

The ballot measure voting procedure is explained. It will be in two parts: Question 1 is a YES or NO vote to change the Seattle voting process. Question 2 is a choice between the two voting methods. Voters may choose 1A or 1B, regardless of their vote for Question 1. If YES prevails in the Question 1 vote, the majority winner between Prop 1A or Prop 1B prevails.

  • Ann Martin moves and Richard Bartlett seconds to endorse Prop 1B.
  • Ann speaks for. Ted Barker Speaks against.
  • Members vote on Prop 1B:
  • First Ballot: YES – 11, NO – 7, NO POSITION – 5. NO POSITION is dropped.
  • Second Ballot: YES – 16, NO – 6
  • Prop 1B is endorsed.
  • Martha Koester moves and Daniel Pinsker seconds to endorse Prop 1A.
  • Martha speaks for. Chris Lampkin speaks against.
  • Members vote on Prop 1A:
  • YES – 2, NO – 15, NO POSITION – 7.
  • No Endorsement for Prop 1A.

General Election Contributions

  • The Executive Board proposes these donation amounts:

$2,000 – Leesa Manion, King County Prosecutor.

$1,000 – Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State.

$1,000 – King County Proposition 1 – Conservation Futures Levy.

$1,000 – Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, he will share in tight legislative district races.

  • Chris Porter moves, and Preston Anderson seconds to donate to Sen. Joe Nguyen, who also will put his contribution to work in more competitive LDs. To stay within the $5000 total Chris proposes this allocation:

$2,000 – Leesa Manion, King County Prosecutor

$ 750 – Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State.

$ 750 – King County Proposition 1 – Conservation Futures Levy.

$ 750 – Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon

$ 750 – Sen. Joe Nguyen

  • Chris speaks for his motion.
  • Membership votes to Approve unanimously via show of credentials.
  • Art Chippendale moves and Daniel Pinsker seconds that we contribute $500 to Leah Griffin’s campaign.
  • Art speaks for his motion
  • Chris Porter speaks against
  • Membership votes on Art’s motion. YES – 2, NO – 15. Motion Fails 

Good of the Order

  • Ann Martin – West Seattle Democratic Meeting on September 22 will feature a speaker on the recent Dodd Decision on Abortion.
  • Chris Porter – Covid is still a problem. Vaccinate, mask, and test.

The meeting is adjourned at 9:35pm by Chair Rogers.