March 9, 2010 Steering Committee Minutes

Present: Ed Fire, Claire Rahn, Becky Thomas, Ray Kolcaba, Judy Kramer, Ray DiCarlo, Debi Thomas, Lori Zaim

I. Approval of Minutes of February 9 Steering Committee meeting. Approved w/ minor changes.

II. Treasurer's Report: Ray Kolcaba. Current balance: $10,674.57. The Theater party raised $900.00. 124 members to date.

III. Membership Committee Report: Reminder phone calls were made.

IV. Advocacy Committee Report: Becky Thomas.
Becky is waiting to hear back from Marcia Fudge regarding her position on Campaign Finance Reform.

Health Care: Ed will draft a letter urging Patriots to contact their congressmen and include information on the recent NYT editorial regarding Health Care.

V. Education Committee Report: Judy Kramer, Claire Rahn. Greg Coleridge talk on April 17th. The Family will be the next book discussion. Date TBA. Education Committee meeting March 10.

VI. Old Business.

A. Renewal of Lease: Ed Fire It seems that our current location is the best location for now. Ed will contact Shibley management to request needed repairs. We will continue to pay month to month until repairs are made. Shibley management will contact us if a first floor space becomes available.

B. Plans for March 20 Membership Meeting: Becky Thomas. All steering committee members are urged to attend and to call two others to attend. Stephanie Spear is unavailable on March 20. The current line up is: Kelly Clark (Environmental Sustainability), Pat Moore (Economy and revitalization of CF Village), Judy Kramer (health care), Becky Thomas (Campaign Finance Reform), and Ed Fire (2010 Elections). We will break into discussion groups. Muffins and coffee will be provided.

VII. New Business.

A. Organizing for America--March 2 meeting: Judy Kramer, Becky Thomas, Ed Fire. Met w/ Greg Schultz & David Cook.

B. Formation of the Coffee Party organization. Coffee Party meeting @ LaPlace Borders. Alert interested members and RSVP for March 3 @ Noon. Car pool from office.

C. Voter Registration: Judy Kramer. Will mention @ March 20th meeting.

D. Governor Strickland visit to Geauga County on March 14. New Geauga Dems HQ is several doors down from former location.

E. Relay for Life, May 14/15: Lori reported and P4C will form a team to participate. 6pm until Noon the next day.

F. Other New Business
Elliott Berenson’s Letter to Editor.
Debi Thomas reported that Chagrin Valley Dems will meet at Hamlet in the Atrium on March 9th @ 7:30pm. Bill O’Neill and judicial candidates will participate.
Ray Kolcaba brought up the thought that U.S. job loss is due to deindustrialization, not the recession.

Adjourned @ 11:30.

Lori Zaim