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2006: [May] [April] [January] Posted May 30, 2006
King County Democratic Central Committee: May 23, 2006
The King County Democratic Central Committee (KCDCC) met at the Renton Carpenters Hall on May 23. The primary business of the meeting was adoption of the King County Platform and resolutions forwarded from the convention for action. The Platform was adopted with a Health C are plank that was expanded slightly from the version approved at the convention. The "Do Pass" resolutions were passed, with an amendment to the "nonviolence" resolution that inserted a reference to creation of a Department of Peace, which had been part of the original resolution as it came out of District caucuses. Action: Read the platform and resolutions at http://www.kcdems.net/documents/platform/platform_final_2006.doc (platform) and http://www.kcdems.net/documents/resolutions/resolutions_final_2006.doc (resolutions). A "slim jim" summary of the platform will be produced for use in doorbelling. Doorbell!
In other business, Ed Crawford and Claudia Kauffman, both candidates for the state legislature from the 47th Legislative District, spoke. Joel Ware was elected second vice chair, an open position on the KCDCC executive board. Endorsements of amendments to the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) were passed that would give legislative district chairs voting rights on the WSDCC (they are currently ex-officio) and give the Young Democrats of Washington two voting positions on the WSDCC, one for a male and one for a female (the organization currently has one vote only). The KCDCC authorized the chair to enter into a quarterly contract with Barbara Chadwick to plan and carry out fundraising activities.
The committee endorsed Darcy Burner, Democratic candidate for the 8th Congressional District, running against Republican Representative Dave Reichart. There was considerable discussion of an early endorsement of Senator Maria Cantwell, but committee chose to consider that endorsement again at its regular endorsement meeting.
Respectfully Submitted by Ann Martin
King County Committeewoman, 34th District
Posted April 10, 2006
King County Democratic Central Committee: March 28, 2006
The program was an online demonstration of the King County Democratic Central Committee Website (KCDems.org) by First Vice Chair Rob Dolin. The goals of the website are to provide a community calendar, a news/blog and a volunteer database. The site will allow users to get involved by entering information about themselves, their interests and what they would like to do for the party. "Power-users," e.g., chairs and district officers, will be able to sign up to log in and get access to these volunteers, "activists." There are ways to filter volunteers for various tasks. There also is a "dashboard" that lets the power-user see how many volunteers there are under each task category. People can add events to the event calendar, post news/blogs, send emails, create online petitions and surveys and use other tools.
Action Item: You can become involved if you are interested in taking the site further.
Sharon Mast said that districts have been invited to sell food at the County Convention. The district selling gets to keep the profits.
Action Item: If you are interested in getting the 34th District involved in this effort, you should talk to Ivan or others on the executive board.
Gurine Nordby asked the districts to assign a poll worker coordinator. Training will be from 10 to noon on Saturday, April 1. (Ann Martin is coordinator for the 34th District. See related article if you have volunteers to recommend or wish to volunteer yourself.) Action Item: Find volunteers to work as poll workers, or volunteer yourself.
The Platform Committee has created a short values section and 200 items of detailed discussion. The values will be printed up for easy distribution to voters. A motion was passed to allocate $500 to the printing of the values piece (about 11,000 pieces).
The Legislative Action Committee (LAC) is working on the next legislative session. Kudos were given by legislators to the Governor for her involvement during the legislative session. Action Item: Become involved in the LAC either directly or by raising issues, resolutions, etc. for its consideration. Support was urged for Initiative 937, which would require graduated increases in electrical power generation in Washington from alternative fuels by 2020 (206-283-3335 or yeson937.org). Three resolutions, each passed unanimously, were adopted. The first urges voters not to sign the anti-equal rights initiative and referendum that is expected to be files. The campaign against the ballot measures can be found at www.washingtonwontdiscriminate.org. The other two resolutions deal will support for a censure of President Bush and appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate wrongful doings as a result of unlawful and unauthorized wire tapping.
District reports were given. Under new business a motion was made to suspend the rules to allow consideration of a motion to endorse Senator Maria Cantwell. After considerable discussion the motion to suspend failed to achieve the required 2/3 majority. Notice of the consideration of an endorsement motion will be given for the next meeting, at which time the endorsement will be in order under the rules.
Respectfully Submitted by Ann Martin
King County Committeewoman, 34th District
[ I'm not sure whether this should go into these notes or as a special notice - An ORCA (online reporting of campaign activities) training will be given by Chuck Laney on April 8th from 9 a.m. to noon at the Carpenters Specialties Center in Kent. The address is 20424 - 72nd Avenue South. For more information, please call Chuck at 425-260-5824. This system will replace the WEDS system currently used by Treasurers for PDC reporting.]
Posted Jan 26th, 2006
King County Democratic Central Committee: January 24, 2006
The majority of the meeting was taken up with a panel of candidates for the chair of the Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC). Present were Dwight Pelz, Bill Harrington, Jean Brooks, Laura Ruderman and Mark Hintz. After introductory remarks, the candidates fielded questions from the audience. Here is a summary of a couple of the questions and the individual responses:
What are the top two changes you would make in the WSDCC?
Dwight Pelz:
1) ask candidates to talk about class, particularly the middle class;
2) create more face time, door-to-door contact
Bill Harrington:
1) invite district chairs and vice chairs to talk about how to get more people to caucuses;
2) move state primary to June
Mark Hintz:
1) develop PCO grassroots, invigorate the base;
2) set long term goals, where are we going what is our vision?
Laura Ruderman:
1) stop writing off parts of the state, support eastern Washington;
2) make sure volunteers feel valued
Jean Brooks:
1) build strong grass roots throughout state, all politics are local;
2) offer training and support, look at systems.
What are the top two changes you would make in the WSDCC?
Dwight Pelz:
1) get them more involved in party;
2) get them to run as candidates;
3) register them to vote
Bill Harrington:
Challenging question, reach out, care, listen
Mark Hintz:
Begin with outreach, create a committee for diversity
Laura Ruderman:
Identify subtle racism and sexism, don't perpetuate. Promote people of color and women to positions of authority
Jean Brooks:
Create voting positions that represent minority community
There was much other discussion. This is just a flavor. The election is scheduled for January 28.
In other business, Tina Shamseldin, Legislative Action Committee Chair, noted that the legislative session is moving along quickly. Bills are in a critical stage. She mentioned the following bills that could use support ? the bill that would change school levies to simple majority votes for passage; an alternative process to passing the WASL for graduation, which needs help in appropriations (HB 2582); a health care bill known as Fair and Share; and environmental bills that are being fought by businesses, including HB 1488. She also mentioned a bill that would prohibit unethical practices by credit card companies. The latter has not yet been endorsed by the KCDCC.
A resolution was passed in support of HJM 4024 and companion bill SJM 8030, which call upon the Congress and the President to take action to end the conflict and to protect the people of Darfur while negotiations proceed. This resolution is to be sent to the state legislature asking it to urge support of the bills.
Respectfully submitted by Ann Martin, 34th District KCDCC Committeewoman
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