Minutes from March 13, 2010

Call to Order: Meeting called to order by Kathleen Gehr, President at 10:02 AM

Present: Jill Bontrager, Kathleen Gehr, Louise Hamm, Kitty Hegemann, Helen McQueen

Old Business: Recap of the December meeting. Belinda Gelman, Judy Walsh, Karin Bell, and Evelyn Cook resigned their positions, and Kathleen Gehr was elevated from Vice President to President. The January and February meetings had been cancelled.

New Business: Should we change our focus and format? The group discussed this issue and looked closely at the pros and cons of the present organization. They then made proposals for change. Our DWJC will function as a discussion forum on issues facing the country. We will research issues, debate possible solutions, and serve as a resource to the community to inform citizens as to why the Democratic solutions will provide positive outcomes.

Kathleen Gehr will continue as President with her function being facilitator and discussion leader.

Kitty Hegemann was nominated as Secretary and elected by a unanimous aye vote.

The monthly meetings will consist of a discussion of topics of interest and importance to our community and nation. All members will act as resources and researchers for each topic. All members are responsible to bring information, questions, and solutions to the meetings.

Kathleen Gehr will get a volunteer or make an assignment for the topic scheduled for the next meeting. That person will write a summary to be published in our local newspapers. Topics may be carried over to the next meeting as needed.

Meetings will be open to any interested parties.

Kitty Hegemann will compile a call list. Those who will call members are Kitty, Jill, Helen, and Louise.

The secretary will be sure that an email will be sent to all members and that an announcement is sent to the local newspapers for publication. Also an announcement will be sent to the local radio station.

The secretary will contact Cook’s Cafeteria to see if they still have a meeting room available for the DWJC to use.

Next meeting will be at FUMC with Kitty making coffee and providing a sweet snack.

Topics that will be discussed are health care reform, financial reform, taxation, Social Security and Medicare, immigration, the deficit, defense spending, use of the military.

For April, we will discuss health care reform with Kathleen facilitating:

1. Overview-Kathleen Gehr
2. The law and mandates-Kitty Hegemann
3. Exchanges and purchasing-Jill Bontrager
4. Flaws in law and proposals-Louise Hamm
5. Benefits and consequences of doing nothing-Helen McQueen

Motion for a summary for the next meeting agenda to be included in the meeting announcement for April. Carried.

Motion for all members to RSVP the email announcement. Carried.

Kitty will review the By-Laws and determine how we should proceed with the new goals, focus, and format of our organization.

Kathleen Gehr moved to adjourn the meeting. Carried.

Next meeting will be April 10, 2010 at 10:00 AM in the FUMC parlor.

Respectfully submitted: Kitty Hegemann, Secretary, March 13, 2010

January 2010 Meeting

Our meeting was cancelled for January due to inclement weather. The interim president will be out of town during February so that meeting has also been cancelled. The next meeting will be March 13, 2010.

December 2009 Minutes

DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Minutes from December 12, 2009 - Pending Approval

The Democratic Women of Johnson County met at the Johnson County Library, and the meeting was called to order by President Belinda Gelman at 10:05 AM. Four members were present: Belinda Gelman, Kathleen Gehr, Evelyn Cook and Karin Bell.

Minutes of the last meeting were read, corrected and approved.

Kathleen suggested a Mother’s Day Luncheon at Prospect Hill B&B for a fundraiser, or a Tour of Gardens in Johnson County, which was a very successful project by the Garden Club.

Belinda recapped the Yellow Ribbon issue (The funeral of the young soldier from Johnson County killed at Fort Hood Texas). Apparently there was some miscommunication between the Republican Women and our group, which has been resolved. Our share of the bill was $80.00 and was paid.

Since our group seems to be dwindling as far as active members are concerned Belinda made the suggestion to ask the Johnson County Democratic men if they want us to join them in order to increase the membership. Kathleen’s suggestion was to maybe join other Democratic women’s groups like Boone or Abington.

Belinda presented her resignation as president for next year, effective January 9, 2010. This would make Kathleen Gehr as Vice President the interim president. Also resigning are Karin Bell (Secretary), Evelyn Cook (Program chairman), Judy Walsh (Treasurer).

The meeting was adjourned at 11:15.

Respectfully submitted,
Karin Bell

Minutes: November 14, 2009

DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF JOHNSON COUNTY
November 14, 2009

The Democratic Women of Johnson County met at the First United Methodist Church, meeting was called to order by President Belinda Gelman at 10:05 AM. 7 members present.
Minutes of the last meeting were read, corrected and approved.

Karin Bell read a thank you note from Wanda Payne.

Discussed Safe Haven luncheon, money given and publicity received in the Tomahawk. Due to our contribution to Safe Haven, we have approx. $200.00 left in the treasury.

Several ideas for fundraisers were brought up but some members felt they would rather make an extra contribution occasionally and pay higher dues than go thru the efforts and work of a fundraiser with only small amounts gained.

Romayne St. John suggested having an auction among the members to get rid of unwanted or not needed Christmas gifts after the holidays. This idea was agreed upon by the members present.

Belinda would like to have a chocolate or dessert auction after Easter, but some members questioned this idea, since many people have health problems with sugar.

To help with immediate money woes, it was agreed upon to raise the yearly dues from $10.00 to $12.00. Romayne made the motion, Kathleen Gehr seconded, the motion was passed. Members will be informed via e-mail before January 2010.

Terry Warden will send a report as new membership chairman at the next meeting.
Karin will ask Judy Walsh for a current list of paid up members.

At the closing of the meeting Belinda read a report by Kitty Hegemann on the Health care issue.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:10
Respectfully submitted
Karin Bell

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Luncheon

DWJC Minutes from October Meeting

DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF JOHNSON COUNTY
October 10, 2009

The Democratic Women of Johnson County met at the First United Methodist Church, meeting was called to order by President Belinda Gelman at 10:10 AM with a short prayer. 6 members present.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Judy Walsh gave the treasurer’s report - current balance is $636.63. Treasurer’s report was approved.

Belinda read some comments from the Huffington Post review concerning the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to President Obama.

Belinda brought forth some ideas for fundraisers, like a Sweetheart Dinner for Valentines’ Day, chocolate auction for Easter etc. She also suggested that we invite people from the outside to speak to us at our meetings.

Safe Haven project was finalized - together with donations from the members and some help from the Democratic party we are going to give Safe Haven a check in the amount of $500.00. Belinda made the motion, Kathleen Gehr seconded, motion was carried. We need people to help set up for the luncheon October 26,2009 at 11:30 AM and help with clean afterward.

Kathleen Mount is resigning from her job as membership chairman, Terry Warden’s name came up to replace her. Booby Smith made motion to ask her, Judy Walsh seconded, motion carried.

Belinda reiterated for members to get involved with Moveon.org website and respond to some of their request to contact the various politicians in Washington.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:05 AM
Respectfully submitted
Karin Bell

September 2009 Minutes

DEMOCRATIC WOMEN OF JOHNSON COUNTY

September 13, 2009

The Democratic Women of Johnson County met at the First United Methodist Church, meeting was called to order by President Belinda Gelman at 10:10 AM. 8 members were present.

Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

johnsoncountydemoraticwomen.blogspot.com is the new website thanks to Kitty Hegemann’s computer expertise.

Belinda suggested that members subscribe to Moveon.org an excellent political website worth visiting. It gives up-to date information about concerns that can be addressed by contacting your congressman or senator.

If we need to make our voices heard - we have divided our membership list into 4 sections. Belinda Gelman, Kathleen Mount, Evelyn Cook and Kathleen Gehr are in charge of one section but will consult each other first if such calls are desirable. They will also call members now before each meeting to remind them.

Belinda feels that we lost momentum by meeting only bi-monthly during a non-election year and suggested that we change the by-law accordingly.Since this was brought up at the last meeting already the members voted to change the by-laws as read and take effect immediately.

Article IX : Meetings

Section 2: Meetings of this organization shall be held every month on the second Saturday at 10 AM at the Kathleen Mount conference room at the Johnson County Public Library.

Belinda made the motion, Kitty seconded, motion was carried.

Kathleen Gehr reported on her efforts to find suitable material for our essay contest at the high school. She really liked a book on the US Constitution by Christine Taylor-Butler for $3.75.Evelyn Cook suggested that we put this particular project on the back burner for right now and not put our motives in question judging by the criticism Pres. Obama received for his speech on education - after all we operate in a dominantly republican county. The essay is tabled for the moment, but Kitty will work on a lesson plan.

Wanda Payne ask us to sponsor an appreciation luncheon for the staff of Safe Haven on October 26,2009 11:30-1 PM at the First United Methodist Church.She passed around a sign-up sheet for the food and also ask that each member contribute about $20.00 so we can start a “personal items fund“.Some abused women have to leave a dangerous situation in a hurry and are often without any personal hygiene items or bed clothing.Wanda also made a motion to officially adopt Safe Haven. Evelyn seconded. Motion was carried.

Kitty Hegemann gave the legislative report and passed out reading material on the 4 basic models of Health Care. More Information can be found on www.change.org.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:10 AM, next meeting on October 10, 2009.

Respectfully submitted

Karin Bell, Secretary