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WHCDC Meeting Minutes 06/19/2007

The regular monthly meeting of the Western Howard County Democratic Club was held on Tuesday, June 19, 2006 at the Howard County Conservancy at 10520 Frederick Rt. (Rte. 99), Woodstock, MD. Clyde Robinette, President, called the meeting to order. Twenty-two were in attendance, including representatives from the Mount Hebron and Atherton High School Young Democrats Clubs.

The featured program was provided by Rachelina Bonacci, Executive Director, Howard County Tourism and Victoria Goodman, Executive Director, Blossoms of Hope Project. The goal of the project is to capitalize on the Cherry Blossom promotion in Washington, D.C. by promoting business, organizations and individuals to plant cherry trees throughout the county. When the project was initiated in 2005, the goal was to plant 2000 cherry trees in the county. That goal was met and exceeded by 2007. Howard County has participated in the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom parade for the past two years and has gained national publicity for the County.

Cathy Zomlefer, vice chair of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee and Coordinator of the HCDCC Neighborhood Contact Program, gave an overview of the program and asked for volunteers to represent the party within specific areas of the county (precincts or smaller). The program is the principal vehicle for the party-building initiative that Chair Michael McPherson announced at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in May.

Western Howard County is a priority area for building the party and electing Democratic candidates in the 2008 and subsequent elections. Zomlefer cited a goal of 300 Neighborhood Contacts to achieve county-wide coverage. Neighborhood Contacts are asked to be the eyes and ears of the party, contacting and involving currently-registered Democrats, promoting voter registration and keeping track of neighborhood events, issues and trends.

Old Business.

1. Revised membership forms indicating standing committee choices and possible areas for volunteer participation were distributed with instructions for completion and payment of dues.

2. Minutes for the May 15, 2007 meeting were approved as read.

3. Mearl Grabill reported that the Club recruited 52 seats (out of 310) at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner held May 19 at the Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville. The Dinner is the annual fund raiser for the Howard County Democratic Central Committee. Included in the Club contingent were 18 representatives from Mt. Hebron, Centennial and Glenelg High Schools. The theme for this year is party building, with particular emphasis on electing candidates in Western Howard County (County Council District 5 and Legislative Districts 9 and 9A (Md. Senate and Assembly). Club members who received recognition included Clyde Robinette and Romayne Smith for their role in helping to found the Club and Carole Fisher, for her prior service as County Chair and continuous service to the party.

4. Jim Adams reported on the Blood Drive sponsored by the Club on June 16, 2006 at the Howard County Conservancy. Nearly 20 pints of blood were donated including a number of students and their families from Mt. Hebron High School.

5. Discussion on the Club’s participation in the Howard County Highway Beautification Program was tabled until the July meeting.

New Business

1. Club Banking Account. A motion was made and seconded to establish a checking account for the club at a local bank requiring the signature of any two of the four elected officers of the club. The motion was passed unanimously. President Robinette directed the Club Treasurer and Secretary to establish the account in a timely manner in a fully insured and accredited bank serving Howard County.

2. Standing Committees. The roles and possible tasks for the five standing committees (see below) prescribed by the Club Bylaws (adopted during the May meeting) were reviewed and discussed. Members were asked to indicate their interests verbally at the meeting and on their membership application forms provided. Until the committees are formed and the chairs identified, Club officers will assume oversight responsibilities for these committees. The Standing Committees include:

Issues/Platform. Brings forward issues for the club to consider and provide resources for meeting programs. Actions: Develop questionnaire for the Neighborhood Contact Program; plan August meeting; Identify contacts for Environment/Planning/Zoning/Growth issues; plan political forums, candidate development and training programs.
EC Liaison: Clyde Robinette and Bill Hudock.
Ways and Means. Develop club budget for the coming years and means for funding same. Actions: plan fall fund-raiser event; maintain dues structure; develop proposed annual club budget. EC Liaison: Mearl Grabill and Jim Mellicant.

Voter Services. Develop voter outreach programs, including working with the HCDCC Neighborhood Contact Program, voter registration and overall coordination with the HCDCC. Actions: Recruit NCP volunteers and coordinate with HCDCC; identify potential candidates; liaison with individual campaigns. EC Liaison: Bill Hudock and Mearl Grabill

Membership. Develop outreach and membership programs to promote maximum club membership. Actions: Recruit volunteers to man Dem. Booth at the Howard County Fair and other community events; outreach with Young Dems and High School Clubs; develop club promo handouts and memorabilia such as T-shirts, buttons, stickers and brochures. EC Liaison: Mearl Grabill and Jim Mellicant

Communications. Develop and maintain the various club communications components, including the Club Web Site, Google Group, public relations and media relations, and letters to the editor. Actions: Manage Club Web Site and Google Group; maintain meeting notices in local media; arrange for participation in Fair Parade. EC Liaison: Jim Mellicant and Clyde Robinette

Pres. Robinette emphasized the importance of member participation in the Standing Committees and requested those in attendance to indicate their interest. Ad hoc committees will be established as special interests are identified. Committee membership will be announced in meetings and on the Web Site as they are identified.

3. Neighborhood Contact Program. It was moved, seconded and unanimously accepted that the Club play a vital role in recruiting neighborhood contacts, work with the Central Committee to encourage and identify potential candidates, and provide effective voter services for the upcoming elections in 2008, 2010 and beyond.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Mearl Grabill, Secretary

Western Howard County Democratic Club
P.O. Box 158
Glenwood, MD 21738