November 10, 2020 minutes
Cheatham County Democratic Party
Regular Monthly Meeting
November 10, 2020, 6:00 PM, Online
Minutes
Call to Order: Chair L. Newcomb called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m with the pledge of allegiance.
Attendance: A quorum was present.
Present: Lynn Newcomb (P), Martha Wettemann (S), Roger Marriott (T), Karen Stell, Aric Storck, Randy Fiedler, Kathryn Mitchem, Michael Lottman, Gerald Dooley, Elena Roser, Rick Johnson.
Absent and excused: John Patrick (no electricity).
Absent: Jane Crisp (VP), Tony Gross, Gerald Dooley, Nicole DeBaun-Phillips. Vacancies: District 1, man and woman; District 2, woman; District 3, man; District 4: man; District 6, woman.
Guests: Linda McGee.
Committee Sign-ups (committees are not limited to the Executive Committee):
Advocacy Committee: Jane Crisp, Nicole DeBaun-Phillips, Mike Lottman, Karen Stell, Martha Wettemann (chair).
Elections Committee: Kathryn Mitchem, Elena Roser(chair), Jane Crisp, Martha Wettemann, Jessica Arthur, John Patrick.
Events Committee (including Forums): Randy Fiedler, Roger Marriott (chair), Mike Lottmann, John Patrick, Linda McGee
Social/Print Media: Karen Stell, Mike Lottman
Approval of Minutes and Agenda for the Meeting: The minutes were approved with name corrections made by Chair Newcomb.
Treasurer’s Report: R. Marriott reported our current balance is $3,387.47. Available are ActBlue or mail to CCDP at PO Box 414, Ashland City, 37015 to purchase Democratic merchandise or donate (ActBlue website: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/cheatham).
Chair’s Report: Chair Newcomb reported that although our state did not elect Biden Harris, we did have volunteers working in other states. She thanked all the volunteers who worked. We did gain new volunteers and support.
She reported we are launching the Cheatham County Young Democrats with an online meeting planned for November 15 at 3 p.m. The age range for membership is 13 to just under 36. The annual membership fee is $5. E. Roser/R. Fiedler moved that the Cheatham County Democratic Party subsidize the initial membership fee for all the Cheatham County young Democrats this year (2021). After discussion, M. Wettemann/R. Johnson voted to call the question. The motion was carried. The motion by E. Roser/R. Fiedler then passed.
Mary Mancini will not seek reelection as chair of the Democratic Party. The members of the State Executive Committee (72 members) will choose the new chair at an election in January. Among the candidates is Kate Craig, a consultant and organizer in Washington County.
- Newcomb reported that the CCDP Executive Committee is short 8 members, including at least the following: District 1, man and woman; District 2, woman; District 3, man; District 4, man; District 6, woman. She asked for volunteers for a recruiting committee. E. Roser , M. Wettemann, and L. McGee volunteered; L. Newcomb is an ex-officio member of the committee. (R. Johnson joined after the meeting).
Committee Reports
Advocacy Committee: The need for a mask mandate was discussed, amid continuing pandemic problems at the schools with Sycamore High and Sycamore Middle on virtual learning through November 30. At Sycamore Middle, a student tested positive and the cheerleaders and the wrestling team were quarantined. Facts include that the CDC says masks prevent the individual from getting coronavirus and a Vanderbilt study demonstrated that counties that have mask mandates have fewer cases that counties without. An online petition or possibly a forum was suggested.
Elections Committee: E. Roser reported the committee and volunteers mailed about 3,000 postcards and made about 1,500 phone calls to people in the county (since the last week in August). Next the committee will work on the election of the two senators in Georgia. Organizations to work with include Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight and Votesure America. E. Roser with share links to put on our website for volunteering and donations; L. Newcomb will do a Mailchimp notification to our list.
Suggestions were that more information needs to be shared (in newspapers and other media) about how our representatives in the General Assembly are voting.
Event Committee: The committee discussed the Pet Food collection planned to start the first weekend in December, to continue to a week after Christmas. R. Fiedler discussed boxes will be at the Tractor Supply (Ashland City) and the Pegram Post Office. Locations are needed in Pleasant View and Joelton. A. Storck and Linda McGee volunteered to help pick up food donations.
Social/Print Media: K. Stell reported that 79 people visited our website on November 4. A petition for mask wearing, a form to join the Young Democrats, and information on Georgia election participation will be added to our website.
New Business: L. Newcomb discussed the Christmas Parade planned for December 5. M. Wettemann/ R. Fiedler moved that CCDP not participate in the Christmas Parade due to the pandemic. Motion carried.
Adjournment: A. Storck/ R. Fiedler made a motion to adjourn. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
Submitted by Martha Wettemann, Secretary
Email: [email protected] Website: Cheathamdemocrats.org