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Hello all:
I wasn't able to go on the 25th, but here is the text of the email I got recapping the meeting. Looks like a lot was accomplished. I definitely plan to attend the next meeting March 8. Anyone interested in further information or in participating should contact the coordinator at OTMDems@charter.net.
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A great thing happened down in Vestavia on Tuesday night! A new group of Democrats was formally organized to help bring new energy to our Party and our issues. If you arrived after 7:10, you had to stand 'cause we packed the house! Keith Harralson at the Moonlight is as hospitable as they come, but Roy Scheider's line from Jaws comes to mind when he first lays eyes on that shark, "We're gonna need a bigger boat!" The obvious shortcomings of your facilitator notwithstanding, the Moonlight brimmed with positive energy. And whether they might win a single electoral vote from Alabama or not, our next Democratic presidential candidate would do well to come by, plug in and charge up!
As promised, we started the mtg with a review of the survey. And I've promised to all of you who could not make it a summary. But as I've just burned a few hours trying to concisely summarize the results without getting to the end, may I ask that I be permitted to set that aside momentarily, so that I might attend to the more immediate task of completing our committee organization, in order that they may begin their work? It is my hope that the committees will meet and make excellent headway, reporting on their progress at our next general meeting on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30pm.
What follows are the highlights of our meeting and more details on our committee structure. Please understand that what I've written below is only suggested as an initial guideline for the committees to use to get started. The by-laws and the entire group will ultimately determine these issues. All constructive suggestions not only welcome, but encouraged. I thank you for all your feedback and best wishes so far. If we accomplish anything near the potential of this esteemed crowd, we will have much to be proud of.
General Notes:
- With a commitment to welcome and embrace any and all Democrats everywhere, the entire room, without dissent, approved the motion to formally organize this group,
to be known as "Over The Mountain Democrats". There, that's done! Whew...
- We created nine committees to run our group, as listed below. Additional volunteers are needed for most committees. We all have high hopes and expectations. We
will only meet them if we spread the workload. E-mail me immediately if you are interested or have expertise.
- Spontaneous inspiration led us to pass around a donation basket. It circled back with exactly $600, checks and cash, to give us a total bankroll of $750! Bruce
Downs, our interim Treasurer, is obtaining a FED I.D. number for us, and shortly this money will be safely on deposit where it should be.
- Sally Sinclair, our interim Technology Committee Chair, has procured our domain name, www.overthemountaindemocrats.org . The Technology Committee will meet
shortly to consider commercial e-mail and website services.
- We need a new logo, as the one presently in use is borrowed and must be returned. To be used on our e-mail banner, possibly on stationery, on our website, as a
backdrop at events we sponsor, and my personal favorite, an auto decal! If you would like to design the logo, or know someone who could, please let me hear
from you. We already have one perfectly fine candidate, but knowing the importance of symbols and opinions, it is hereby thrown open to all. I suggest it be a donkey
or donkey's head, which is easily recognized as the symbol of the Democratic Party, and incorporate somehow our nation's colors without being brassy or obnoxious.
Whether the style is cool, retro, 21st century, edgy, something unique to our group will build identity and esprit. In deference to one of our own who felt our present
logo a bit too angry-looking, may I suggest it then be determined and proud? These are just my own personal thoughts...
The Committees:
The interim committee chair will schedule a date mutually convenient for all to meet in the near future. The committees will define their missions, subject to approval by the greater group, and set their agendas. They will then report on their progress on 3/8. I will forward the names and e-mail addresses of committee members to the designated chair in a couple of days after soliciting additional volunteers. Again if you have interest or talent for a particular committee, let me hear from you. But, please keep in mind, we wish for a broad and wide participation here where the nuts and bolts of our work will be accomplished. I urge you not to allow too few to carry too much. I will participate in each initial mtg to provide the common thread, and also provide survey results in advance to assist in your work. A suggested possible scope for each of these committees and the volunteers so far:
Mission & By-Laws:
First, to draw up a statement of purpose and values. Second, to propose a structure and set of rules we govern ourselves by. We should consider the by-laws of other similar organizations as a model. I have by-laws for the Downtown Dems and The Alabama Solution. If you know of a good model from another group, let me know. As a rule, the simpler the better. Volunteers so far: Jim Sturdivant (Interim Chair), Mindy Boggs, Denise Copeland, Thomas Diasio, Bruce Downs, Ginger Hood, Catherine Lowe, Greg McKay. Anyone else?
Nominating:
Purpose is to cultivate and screen new leaders for the organization, both officers and committee chairs. Volunteers so far: Mindy Boggs (Interim Chair), Sherri Friday, David Goodwin, Richard Greer, Stephen Haug, Stephen Vault. Anyone else?
Membership/Publicity/Outreach:
To first define, subject to the approval of the greater group, and then regulate the requirements of membership. To set and implement the strategy for membership expansion, to maximize the visibility of the organization and its activities, and to cultivate good working relationships with any and all like-minded organizations, including, but not limited to Young Democrat groups in our local high schools, and Hispanic groups in our communities. To work closely with our other committees to achieve synergy. Volunteers so far: Dale Turnbough (Interim Chair), Mindy Boggs, Margie Brooke, Allan Burton, Steve Dupont, Sherri Friday, Richard Greer, Elaheh Hesse, Doug Lee, Flint Lidden, Catherine Lowe, Susan McAlister, Lanette Milligan, Karen Stough, Mickey Trimm. Anyone else?
Issues/Programs:
It's purpose is to propose and develop programs, subject to the approval of the greater group, to educate ourselves and our communities on issues we most care about, with the ultimate goal of electing more Democrats! To work closely with our other committees to achieve synergy. Volunteers so far: Megan Mitchell (Interim Chair), John Allen, Howard Bayless, Denise Copeland, Roderick Davis, Michelle Glass, David Hines, Kathy McMullen, Trace Rutland, Gloria Sellman, Ginger Tomlin, LaVone Warren, Lynne Wilbanks, Stephen Vault. Anyone else?
Community Service:
To select and implement, subject to the approval of the greater group, one or more community service projects that best reflect our values, our goals, and our commitment to a more fair and just world. To maximize whatever synergies that can be derived from close coordination with other committees, with a common view toward maximizing the visibility and effectiveness of our organization. Volunteers so far: Joni Barnett, Margie Brooke, Angie Craft, Lisa Harris, Flint Liddon, Tate Little, Judy Mills, Angela Myers, Karen Stough, Gayle Threlkeld, LaVone Warren, Bill Williams, Barbara Zuniga. Anyone else?
Finance:
To first administrate the finances of the organization, collection of dues and disbursement of obligations. To ensure understanding of and adherence to all state and federal guidelines for our organization. To use the knowledge and expertise of this committee's members to help educate our broader membership in exercising its considerable economic muscle to effect and encourage positive social and economic change. Volunteers so far: Bruce Downs (Interim Chair), Todd Heifner, Megan Mitchell, Paul Perret. Anyone else?
Social:
To plan and implement opportunities for our membership to gather and get to know each other in informal, enjoyable settings, with special consideration for the inclusion of families. To work closely with other committees to achieve maximum synergy, whether with Membership to host informal events to introduce prospective new members to our organization, or in conjunction with Issues/Programs to enhance the pleasure and maximize the benefit of their activities. A balance and variety of adult and family activities with an eye toward spreading our values and political beliefs from generation to generation. Volunteers so far: Denise Copeland, Elaheh Hesse, Paul Spradling, Barbara Zuniga. Anyone else?
Technology:
To define and fulfill the technology needs of the organization, using cost-effective email, website and other internet services to more efficiently communicate, conduct, and facilitate our affairs. Volunteers so far: Sally Sinclair (Interim Chair), Ed Still, Dale Turnbough. We could use some additional help here as well!
Lastly, an Executive Committee:
Comprised of the officers and committee chairs to help guide and govern the organization, ensure coordination between committees, and generally address issues as they arise between general meetings of the greater group.
I thank you if you've made it this far. My deepest gratitude to everyone who came and for your charity and grace as I fumbled about. I am honored and humbled to have your participation thus far. Again, let me know if you have comments, concerns, or suggestions...
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