Present:
Judy Kramer, Lynne Rustad, Ed Fire, Sherri Culver, Becky Thomas, Lori Zaim, Debi Thomas, Bill Rowe, George Lupone, Kathy Kolcaba
Minutes Approved for 6/9/09: Unanimous
Treasurer’s Report:
• Quarterly Balance 3529.00
• We have paid July’s rent.
• Fundraising activities will be essential to insure financial health of the organization through 2010.
Communications/Membership:
• From 6/14-7/14 there were 40 new paid members
• Total number of memberships for 2009 – 77
• Total number of members for 2009 – 105
• Number of members submitting dues payment with PayPal since it was introduced – 6
• Membership strategic planning will continue with a meeting 9/17 at 10 AM and 10/20 at 9 AM
Advocacy Report:
• Judy Kramer, George Lupone and Becky Thomas attended the Organizing Committee for Democrats of Cuyahoga County Party Reform. We were energized and optimistic about their plans for reforming the Democratic Party in Cuyahoga County.
• The Steering Committee made a commitment to attend the Forum organized by this Party Reform Committee. George Lupone made the motion, Judy Kramer seconded. The date will be established soon and emailed to all members.
• A possible panel discussion with experts about Pakistan and Afghanistan will be tabled for now. There is too much on the agenda this fall.
• We will co-sponsor a meeting with the LWV on Cuyahoga County Reform, the ballot issue for November. A date will be set in October as soon as we know the ballot language, etc.
Health Care Reform Report:
• We will co-sponsor a meeting with Geauga Change at the Geauga West Library on 7/22/09. Gary Benjamin from UHCAN will discuss reform issues at the state and federal level.
• Lynne Rustad will present a senior focus on health care at Hamlet in September.
• 9/22/09 Book Discussion: The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care by TR Reid will be co-sponsored with Geauga Change
• Some members of the Saturday Coffee and Politics group are working on fliers to counter myths being circulated by opponents of Obama’s health care reform plan.
• Plans made to visit Senator Voinovich’s office in August to present Patriot’s position on much-needed public option for Health Care Bill. Although Patriots has favored a single payer system, we are aware that Congress has ignored this option, even though 70% of the American people prefer it. A public option could help to contain costs by fostering competition with the insurance companies. Judy Kramer will call for an appointment, and Ed Fire, Kathy Kolcaba, and Lynn Rustad will meet with the Senator.
Education:
• 7/22: Three Cups of Tea Book discussion.
• A fund raiser is planned for November presenting Bill Rowe, food/drink, and a possible auction
• Pat Moore will be contacted about presenting a program on the Constitution on Sept. l7th at the library
Fundraising:
• Ed Fire and Kathy Kolcaba volunteered to head a Fund Raising Committee. Potential committee members will be contacted.
Other Business:
• Sherri Culver will write an ad for the newsletter to try to find someone to share office space/expenses with us.
• Kathy Kolcaba will contact Larry Shibley about obtaining WiFi coverage for our office.
Becky Thomas - Acting Secretary
