Minutes from Aug 7 meeting - Bike Ride set for September 13th
Minutes
Oconee County Democratic Committee meeting
August 7, 2008
Oconee County Courthouse, Watkinsville, Georgia
Committee members present: Jonathan Veit (2-1), Vice-Chair; Herb West (5-1), Secretary; Ann Stoneburner (1-3); Dan Matthews (2-2); Sarajane Love (2-3); Rita Bennett (3-2); Vicky Moody (4-1); Myrna Adams West (5-2); Robert Wyatt (6-1); Pat Adams (6-3).
Others: Pat Priest, Rich Clark, Mr. & Mrs. Felton Hudson (Greene County)
Rich Clark: Prior to the beginning of the business meeting, Rich Clark talked about his campaign for Oconee County Board of Education and committee members had a number of questions as well as ideas and suggestions.
Vice-Chair Jonathan Veit called the meeting to order at 7:45 pm, as Chair Becky Vaughn was called out of town at the last minute.
A quorum was declared present.
Minutes: The minutes from the June 5, 2008 meeting were approved unanimously after a motion by Jonathan and second by Sarajane Love.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Violet Dawe was absent, but had sent word that the bank account has $XXXXXXXX in it
10th District U.S. Congress race: A successful “meet and greet” was hosted by Ann and Robert Tuesday, August 5, with a good number of people attending to meet and hear from Bobby.
Tour de Pottery: Because Jonathan needed to leave early to tend to a family matter, we discussed the bike ride next. We decided to change the date to September 13 because the OCAF studio tour on the weekend of September 7 will be out into Madison County and because September 13 is NOT a UGA home football game whereas September 6 is. Jonathan has talked to Joe Ruiz, OCAF’s director, about securing permission to stage the ride from OCAF and help promote the Perspectives exhibit. He hasn’t heard back from Joe, and will contact him about the change in date. Sarajane (on OCAF Board and Perspectives committee), with help from Pat A. and Vicky (both former OCAF Board members), will assist with securing OCAF approval and support. As soon as Jonathan receives a response from Joe Ruiz, he will email the listserve and will post all the various tasks and help needed.
At this point, Jonathan had to leave and Herb took over chairing the meeting.
State Committee Meeting: Vicky Moody reported on the State Democratic Committee meeting that she attended on July 26 in Macon. She distributed written notes which are attached to these minutes. [NOTE: I hope to get an electronic copy from Vicky to post for the benefit of those who missed the meeting. Herb]
Community Service:
o Adopt-a-Road: The next road cleanup will be August 23 beginning at 8:30 am so that the OCHS YDs can participate. Sarajane will work with Karen Solheim to get things set up.
Fundraising Opportunities:
o Yard Sale: The Yard Sale will take place on Saturday, October 18 (date of Fall Festival) and will again be held at Rita Bennett’s house at School St. and Second St., across from Rocket Field. Jonathan agreed to send out a notice asking people to begin saving their stuff to donate. Rita and Diana will co-chair again. Rita will send out some rules, including what to donate and what not to donate, and our request for donors to price items before they leave them at Rita’s house. We will also look at scheduling some “pricing meetings” a few Saturdays prior to Oct. 18.
Public Awareness—Pat Priest:
o Book Group: The book group is taking August “off.” The September meeting will focus on John McCain’s autobiography and the October meeting on Barack Obama’s autobiography.
o Sunday Series: The July program with St. Mary’s EMS fell through when the EMS Director decided to withdraw. Pat is exploring several other possible programs. There will be no program in August because the last Sunday is Labor Day Weekend. The last Saturday in September is tentatively scheduled for the ice cream social (see below).
Other Business:
o Ice Cream Social: An ice cream social is still tentatively scheduled for Sunday, September 28 at Harris Shoals Park (this will also be part of our monthly Sunday Series) as a fundraiser and opportunity for local candidates. Since Becky had not asked Pat Adams if she would chair the event, Pat said she would consider it. Further discussion and planning has been postponed until our next meeting.
o Obama Team Voter Registration: Dan reported that voter registration being conducted by the local Obama team will be held Saturday, August 9, beginning at 10:00 am from Jittery Joe’s in Watkinsville.
o Support for Local Candidates: Myrna moved and Pat A. seconded that the committee donate a portion of its funds to Bobby Saxon’s and Rich Clark’s campaigns. In the subsequent discussion, there seemed to be consensus that $400 would be contributed to Saxon for Congress and $200 to Clark for Board of Education. The committee voted unanimously to donate these amounts, and Herb agreed to contact Violet as soon as possible to inform her so that checks could be written and sent to the candidates.
Blue Hats: The next Blue Hats meeting will be Saturday, August 16, at Krimson Kafe. Come early at noon to eat, and the discussion (no assigned topic) will begin at 1:00 pm. Everyone is requested to contact Rita Bennett in advance if they’re planning to attend so she can hold enough tables.
Next meeting: Thursday, September 4, 7:30 pm (gathering and conversation beginning at 7:00 pm).
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Herb West
Secretary
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