July 13, 2010 Steering Committee Minutes

I. Call to Order.  10:04am 

·   Minutes from the June meeting. Approved.

·   Present: Ed Fire, Ray DiCarlo, Becky Thomas, Debi Thomas, Lynne Rustad, Sheila Markowitz, Bill Rowe, Judy Kramer, and Lori Zaim

II. Treasurer's and Paid Members Report: Kathy Kolcaba.

·   Not available. 147 paid members.

III. Membership Committee:

·   Volunteer needed to serve as 2011 Chair of Committee. This job would include organizing mailings and follow-up phone calls. 

·   Judy Kramer will check with the Saturday morning group for a volunteer.

·   Lori will send the Steering Committee an updated list of paid members.

IV. Advocacy Committee Report: Becky Thomas

·   Cuyahoga County Executive Director and District 6 County Council Candidates Night on August 4. 7-9pm,  Solon Library.  Becky has received RSVPs from Trevor Elkins, Rick Taft and Victor Voinovich. Six Patriots are needed to help run the event. Becky will moderate. Volunteers will pick up and screen written audience questions and help with name tags.

·   Judy Kramer, Becky Thomas and Ray DiCarlo attended the Move to Amend meeting given by David Cobb.

·   There will be Coffee Party meeting Saturday, August 17^th @ the Solon Library.

V. Education Committee Report: Judy Kramer

·      The next Education meeting will be Thursday, July 16^th, 

·      The Sustainability meeting has been cancelled.

·      The Afghanistan movie has not been released.

VI. Old Business.

A.   Membership Meeting.  Our next Membership meeting will be held on October 2. Judy will look into possible venues including Hamlet, Township Hall or South Franklin Circle.

B.    Ray DiCarlo is looking for two volunteers to register voters at the City of Bedford picnic on August 15^th.

C. Discuss Role Steering Committee to Play Regarding Endorsement of Candidates and Ballot Issues:

·   Recommend endorsement of candidates for which offices? 

·   Members of the Steering Committee should come up with a list of candidates they are interested in and what their positions are on issues that Patriots for Change has traditionally expressed.

·   The Steering Committee will meet again on July 27^th (10am) to discuss these candidates.  Lynne Rustad will help with State Issues.

·   Ballot issues?

·   When to make endorsement recommendations to membership?

D. Discuss Role Patriots for Change to Play Regarding General Election Activities: This will be addressed at the July 27^th meeting.

·   Use office as headquarters?

·   Maintain supply of candidate’s signs and literature in office?

·   Develop list of volunteers to participate in voter registration, phone banking, staffing the office, and GOTV activities.

      E. The Annual Yard Sale will be held on September 11^th at the Kolcaba’s home.

·   Items may be dropped off starting August 1^st.

VII.  New Business.

·     Ray DiCarlo announced a celebration of Medicare’s birthday to be held at Noon on July 30^th on Public Square (NW quadrant). Sponsored by Span Ohio & Health Care Now. Speakers will include Marcia Fudge, Sherrod Brown, and Dennis Kucinich.

·      Scott Lax is heading up the campaign regarding the new CF police station.  Would like P4C’s support.  We are unable to support the issue due to the fact that many Patriots live in other communities.

VIII.  Adjournment. 11:15am

Respectfully submitted,

Lori M. Zaim, Secretary