VETERANS CAUCUS
CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY
MEETING MINUTES
DATE OF MEETING / 21 January 2013PLACE OF MEETING / Sacramento, California
START TIME / 6:32 PM
END TIME / 8:09 PM
MEETING TYPE / JanuaryCaucus Executive Board Teleconference
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at6:32, Lawson Stuart presiding.
OFFICER ROLL CALL
NAME / POSITION / PRESENT / ABSENTLawson Stuart / Chair / x
Johnathan Ervin / 1st Vice Chair / x
Zoe Dunning / 2nd Vice Chair / x
Natalie Rodgers / Treasurer / x
Mark Starr / Secretary / x
VERIFICATION OF QUORUM
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT / QUORUM?5/5 / Yes
MINUTES
NA
FINANCE SUMMARY
PREVIOUS BALANCE / $4778.57INCOME / $525
EXPENSES / $272
CURRENT BALANCE / $5031.22
REPORTS
Chair’s Report- Lawson Stuart
Chair Stuart discussed recent events in which a threat had been made against his life which possibly regard political activities related to his duties as a state party member. The threat was reported to the Sacramento County Police Department and are currently being investigated.
Chair Start also reports that he has continued outreach to central committees throughout the state to promote the mission and activities of the caucus.
Also of note, Chair Stuart reports a very positive response to our efforts from both California House and Senate VA Committees.
1st Vice Chair’s Report-Johnathan Ervin
No report
2nd Vice Chair’s Report- Zoe Dunning
Ms. Dunning indicated on Feb. 11th, a veteran themed documentary will debut at the Castro Theater in San Francisco. Please contact her for further details.
Treasurer’s Report- Natalie Rodgers
Please refer to financials reported under the finance summary.
Secretary’s Report- Mark Starr
No report
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Chair Stuart announced new members to the caucus advisory panel, Tom Torlikson and Sandra Fluke.
Committee Reports
Organizational Development
Chair: Reid Milburn
Ms. Milburn indicated that the committee met last quarter and are evaluating tactics for recruitment of new members and ways to engage veterans.
Currently, the caucus has over three hundred members- this has doubled over the last 6 months.
Ms. Milburn also indicated that the caucus is working to improve dialogue with other state central committees and utilize these entities for recruitment and advocacy efforts.
Also noted were meetings with several local VFW’s and American Legions.
Communications
Chair: Cres Velluci
Mr. Velluci offered his services to provide assistance with media in the New Year and requested that he be informed of any projects requiring a communications strategy.
Political
Chair: Sean Teris
Ms. Teris discussed changes to CDP Platform and noted that she is tracking these changes- many of which will be addressed at spring convention in Los Angeles.
On legislation, Ms. Teris noted that the political committee has reviewed and tracked 128 bills to date in the California legislature.
In addition to the 128 state bills, 2 federal bills were also included in the committee’s portfolio, bringing the total to 130.
Currently, the political committee is supporting 25 bills total. (23 state and 2 federal).
Please contact Ms. Teris for further information on related legislation.
Women Veterans
Chair: Kristen Kavanaugh
Ms. Kavanaugh recently met with CalVet to discuss MST related agenda items and related issues involving the California National Guard. Also discussed were recent caucus initiatives, namely Operation Reinforcements.
LGBT Veterans
Chair absent, Gene Sylvestri presenting in absence
Mr. Sylvestri announced that CalVet has committed to a forum on LGBT veterans. The first in the history of the organization.
Evelyn Thomas has been appointed as the new chair of the committee. Ms. Thomas resides in San Diego County.
Minority Veterans
Chair: Mark Henderson
Mr. Henderson announced that CalVet would host a summit for African American veterans on Feb. 24th.
Executive business
Chair Stuart announced that the executive board has developed 18 new policies. Policies have been emailed to caucus list serve and will be available for review at the state convention.
A motion was made to approve the policies. Ms. Dunning seconded this motion.
Chair Stuart announced that he was currently discussing with the Young Democrats Veterans Caucus ways to possibly bring a segment of their membership into the caucus. A fee schedule is also being discussed.
On expenses, Chair Stuart requested the following be considered with regard to policy.
Over $100 in expenses- approval from the executive is required.
Over $500 in expenses- approval from membership is needed.
Motion was made which was seconded and approved.
Conduct of officers
Narrative description of related ethics were reviewed for executive board members.
Motion was made which was seconded and approved.
In the last order of business, planning for convention was discussed. Cost of challenge coins was also discussed, which exceeded current budget allocations. Chair Stuart will review options for this and review with the caucus.
Meeting adjourned 8:09.