Butler County Progressive PAC Executive Board Meeting
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Don Daiker, president, called the meeting to order at 5:00. Board members present included Bill Gracie, Jessica Gephart, Marilyn Elzey, Peter Carels Clyde Brown, and Mary Melvin. Guests included Alex Duncan, Ohio Democratic Party Regional Field Director for Southwestern Ohio; John Kinne, Assistant Campaign Manager for Justin Coussoule; Donna Mollaun, President of Hamilton-Fairfield Democratic Alliance; Bruce Carter, Candidate for Ohio 54th District; Michele DeCresce, Candidate for Democratic State Central Committee Woman; Steve Wolfe, campaign coordinator for Bruce Carter.
Don Daiker reported that there are currently about 70 Democratic Central Committee members from the 298 Butler County precincts. But thanks to the recruiting efforts of people like Bill Gracie, Brian Harrison, Donna Mollaun, Kate Rousmaniere, John Schmitt, and others, there are Democratic candidates for 177 precincts in the May 4 primary election. Don congratulated PAC members for their great party-building work.
Bruce Carter gave an update on candidate slates for the primary election; these slates will include county- to state-wide candidates.
Alex Duncan reported that the Ohio Democratic Party will be conducting a statewide coordinated campaign to accomplish massive voter turnout. Volunteers are needed to work with this grass-roots effort. The detailed election calendar can be found on the Ohio Secretary of State website.
Rick Bailey, treasurer, reported that BCP-PAC has assets of $5,386.95. As of today, 31 people have renewed their membership. Within the next ten days, Don Daiker will send a reminder letter to former members who have not yet renewed.
Peter Carels submitted a list of fund-raising ideas and asked Board members to indicate which they think are good ideas and for which they would be willing to provide leadership. Rick Bailey clarified which kinds of money-making plans are permissible for a PAC, reminding us that we are not a charity and must follow different rules.
Don Daiker introduced the list of potential candidates for whom the BCP-PAC may provide financial support. As an Ohio PAC, we cannot spend money on candidates for national office.
The Board accepted the Funding Schedule as submitted on the agenda (see below). The Board agreed to devote $5,000 of the current assets to candidates; depending on income between May and August, additional money will be made available.
Rick Bailey moved: If state candidates accept an invitation to a fund-raising Happy Hour, we offer them one-half of the income from that event; the other half goes to the general treasury for dispensation as agreed on the Funding Schedule. The motion was seconded and passed.
The Board unanimously agreed to host a Fund-Raising Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:30 on Friday, April 30 at Kona Bistro, 31 West High Street, Oxford. Tickets will be $10 with cash bar. Pete Carels will coordinate with Kona. Don Daiker will recruit a statewide candidate as Guest of Honor.
The possibility of supporting candidates via a speakers’ class was discussed; several names were mentioned as possible excellent teachers.
John Kinne extended a hearty invitation to the Board and guests to attend the house party he is holding for Justin Coussoule on April 9. Registration can be completed through the website coussouleforcongress.com.
Marilyn Elzey shared information about the levy for Lane Libraries that will be on the May ballot. Members of the Board unanimously support the levy.
Marilyn Elzey announced the second year of the Community Garden and encouraged people to volunteer.
The next meeting of the Executive Board will be Thursday, April 8 at 5 p.m. Miami Inn Tavern, 100 North Patterson Avenue, Oxford. All members are welcome to attend.
The next PAC General Meeting will be Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m., LCNB Bank Building, 30 Park Place West, Oxford. Guest of Honor TBA.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:50.
Minutes submitted by Mary Melvin
FUNDING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 4: Primary Election Day
Tuesday, May 11: Butler County candidates who seek funding from the BCP-PACsubmit a confidential one-page request to members (9) of the Executive Board. The request should include a) amount of funds requested b) explanation of how the allotted funds will be spent and most important c) specific examples that the candidate is working hard and campaigning intelligently; we specifically want to know a) how many doors (and where) has the candidate knocked on and b) how much money has the candidate raised. Any other evidence of serious and intelligent campaigning will be welcome.
Tuesday, May 18: By this date the Executive Board decides on the recommendation it will make to the BCP-PAC general membership, which—according to our by-laws–makes the final decision.
Thursday, May 27: General BCP-PAC Meeting: 7 p.m. LCNB Bank Building 30 Park
Place West, uptown Oxford (reserved). Members will vote on the funding recommendations of the Executive Board.