May 12, 2009 Steering Committee Minutes

Present: Lynne Rustad, Judy Kramer, Ted Buczek, George Lupone, Sherri Culver, Ed Fire, Lori Zaim

Meeting called to order @ 9:38AM

Minutes: April 14, 2009 approved.

Treasurer’s Report:
• Balance: $3515.85 plus $143.48 (transfer from PayPal): $3659.33 total
• New Members: 5 (paid w/ PayPal) for a total of 47 households or 64 individuals (does not include snail mail members)

Membership Communication Report:
• Current Membership (see above figures)
• Actions taken since last meeting to increase membership:
o Letters sent to former members and those who have never been paid members via email, included PayPal links. Received five PayPal memberships.
o Thank you letters for dues payment sent.
o Membership Committee meeting: Thursday, May 14 to discuss further actions.

Newsletter – proposed articles: Education information, Volunteer Fair, Public Option for health care reform, Employee Free Choice Act (ECFA) - Card check to facilitate union organization), Three Cups of Tea info. It was suggested that the newsletter was not provocative enough and that most people don’t read it. But the monthly presence makes it important. (A lot of work for nothing).

Website domain name transfer: Up in the air. Gary has received no response to phone calls or email requests. Ted said that the new provider should take care of name transfer.

Dot Mac contract: Gary is working on it. It would be preferable to have multiple editors for web site.

Status of AOL Internet access – justification for Patriot ISP We are currently using Ted’s private account to access dial-up Internet in the office. Since it costs Ted nothing extra and he had no objection, we will continue to use it. Computer in office with dialup connection is so slow, it is rarely used. Discussed viability of Verizon’s new personal portable Wi-Fi (My-Fi) at a cost of $100 and 40/month. If one member of Patriots obtains router, it could be used in office for meetings since it supports five laptops.

Education:
• Volunteer Fair Update: Bake sale, possible face painting for $1.00. 18 tables for participants. Drop bake sale items in office Saturday morning 10-12. Ted will bring inflated balloons. Kittens will be available. Volunteers needed for two shifts: 12:30-3 & 3-5:30.
• Other scheduled events: Jennifer Lynch to talk on Afghanistan 5/21, Rokakis to speak at library 6/13, Three Cups of Tea 8/23

Advocacy:
• "AnySoldier" progress: Response has been disappointing. Will send a reminder.
• EFCA (Employee Free Choice Act): - The bill has been rewritten with compromise on issue secret ballots. Discussed LaTourette’s questionable track record.

Health Care:
• Sherrod Brown health care forum: was well-attended and Brown supports public payer option.
• Single-payer option: Discussed the Baucus 8, Code Pink and T.R. Reid who will speak on 6/20 at Trinity Cathedral - $10 admission, possibility of carpooling.

New Business:
• Fundraising: Great ideas were submitted. Since we have no chair of for Development Committee at this point, it was suggested that S/C members take ownership of their own ideas and develop plan to implement.
• Development and Office Management Chairs: Still needed. Spring and Fall cleaning of office suggested.
• Survey to assess member volunteer potential: Interest survey suggested but not sure if members will follow through.

Meeting adjourned @ 11:03AM

Respectfully submitted,
Lori Zaim
Acting Secretary