*The only change to the Executive Board minutes is that the softball game mentioned under the Events Office was not against the College Republicans. We were planning to take part in the APC Softball Tournament on October 4th, but due to some scheduling conflicts we did not have enough members to play.
Executive Board Meeting
UMKC College Democrats
Monday, September 29, 2003
Minutes
The meeting was called to order by Ally Letsky at 5 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2003 in the University Center at UMKC. Those in attendance were Ally Letsky (President), Simon Khagi (Vice-President), Lucas Henry (Secretary), Kate Harris (Treasurer), Marcus Leach (Campaign Director), Ashly Evans (Communications co-Director), Lindsey Bridges (Events Director), and Darin Martinez (Social Director). It was noted that Daniel Lee (Communications co-Director) had a scheduling conflict and was unable to attend.
Preliminary Business
Members present discussed the UMKC College Democrats website (http://www.umkc.edu/studo/collegedemocrats/), noting that its content should be regularly updated. The political cartoon on the home page was well-liked. Discussion about good sources for political humor produced the following recommendations: Non-Sequitur, The Boondocks, and the site cagle.slate.msn.com/politicalcartoons/. Officer and current membership lists were distributed along with binders by Ally Letsky to all those present. It was decided that pictures of officers should be taken at this meeting. Ashly Evans would serve as official photographer.
Constitution
Ally Letsky handed out draft copies of the UMKC College Democrats’ constitution to members. Lucas Henry noted that Article II was missing a reference to Vietnam-era draft status. Marcus Leach further noted that the provision relating to membership should also include a non-discrimination statement relating to a person’s creed, as outlined by title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Two additional amendments were proposed by Marcus Leach to bring the College Democrats’ provisional constitution into compliance with the standards set by Student Life for student organizations. He remarked that September 30 and October 7 would provide opportunities to have the constitution approved by the appropriate body. It was decided that waiting until October 7 would allow for a more convenient timeframe in which to alter the chapter’s constitution appropriately. Discussion about possible repercussions and/or actions to be taken in case of dereliction of duty or behavior unfitting of an officer commenced at the request of Kate Harris. It was decided that the stipulations contained within the constitution would serve as adequate benchmarks in the future. Ally Letsky suggested that Executive Board Members should either see her or Simon Khagi in the event of a complaint against another officer, commenting that disagreements could also be forwarded to her anonymously. Further review of the UMKC College Democrats’ constitution continued as Article IV: Specific Duties of the Executive Board Positions was discussed in detail.
Duties of Executive Board Members
President
Ally Letsky commented that she would like to maintain the website and continue to fulfill her responsibilities as outlined in the constitution. She passed out “Getting Started” packets to the other officers and noted that she had already sent some of the pertinent information relating to each of the Executive Board positions to some of the officers by email. She took on responsibility for creating a foam-board display for the College Democrats.
Vice-President
Simon Khagi requested to help Ally Letsky with the group’s website. He vowed to assist the College Democrats in any way that he could and take on additional responsibilities as they arose.
Secretary
Lucas Henry said he would be willing and able to produce a newsletter each month for the College Democrats, provided that the Executive Board Members each submitted short reports describing their activities and plans to him by a specific deadline (Note: If at all possible, he would like to have these letters by the next Executive Board Meeting on October 13). He opined that General Membership meetings should serve as an occasion for discussion about issues and candidates, positing that College Democrats could serve as a sort of catalyst in helping students become more directly involved in politics and campaigns. Ally Letsky presented a stack of membership forms to the Secretary to be used by him in corresponding with those signed up on the organization’s email list. It was suggested that he contact the Membership between Thursday and Saturday before each General Meeting as a reminder to come. It was recommended that members be encouraged to bring dues of $20 for the semester to this meeting. Kate Harris suggested that in the email to be sent out this week, a list of benefits afforded to dues-paying members be included. Specific items for consideration included a College Democrats shirt, the chance to become actively involved on campus, voting rights in the organization, the opportunity to become an officer, etc. Ally Letsky suggested that the Secretary compile a Membership Book, and it was agreed that he would begin work on one soon.
Treasurer
Kate Harris outlined her commitment to satisfying the duties of Treasurer and immediately commenced to describe her vision of how College Democrats could become a financially successful organization. Pointing out that the Student Government Association generally allocates 20 percent of its funds to meeting the travel costs that individuals incur while on the road, it was indicated that the College Democrats could possibly attain up to $800 from SGA next year for expenses related to traveling to a National Convention. Simon Khagi commented that he would look into the American Medical Student Association’s Annual Leadership Conferences as a potential venue to consider attending. There was discussion about future guest speakers. Marcus Leach noted that groups cannot use SGA funds to sponsor a speaker for endorsement purposes. Kate Harris suggested a number of avenues for beginning to raise funds for the College Democrats, including an idea to sell Halloween candy and reminding members to pay their dues. It was suggested that the threat of collection agencies be used to increase the number of people who pay dues, but it was determined that this route was contraindicated; instead, membership benefits would be emphasized to increase the total number of dues-paying members. Entrance fees were also discussed to future events the College Democrats would be holding as a means to increase revenue. It was requested that the Social Director have a budget prepared by October 13 for the Treasurer. Kate Harris also reminded those present that she had made reimbursement forms and purchase request forms. Anyone needing these items should see her.
Campaign Director
Marcus Leach asked about upcoming activities at which the College Democrats should be present. It was noted that there was a Roo Fair on Friday, October 17. The College Democrats will need knowledgeable and friendly people to cover this event. Marcus Leach discussed the organization’s logo with Ally Letsky, who commented that its design had not yet been perfected. Discussion was also given to future speakers in the Kansas City area. It was mentioned that Dick Gephardt’s campaign did ride-alongs to Iowa with students. The prospect of a future debate with the College Republicans was discussed, with Marcus Leach saying that he could secure the Debate Forum’s approval for such an event. A collective sigh of disappointment was let out by the other officers present when Marcus Leach recused himself from such an engagement due to the conflict of interest he had with being on the Debate Forum’s board. The chance for future publicity was also discussed, specifically with regard to “Pitch Magazine.”
Communications Director
Ashly Evans volunteered her efforts to produce a pamphlet with information about the UMKC College Democrats, using the information provided to her in the organization’s platforms and condensing it through the use of bullets, etc. She remarked that it would be important to have the contact information for local television, radio, and print outlets and would secure that data for any party who was interested in it. Poster requirements were discussed; it was noted that no obscene language should be used in publicity materials. It was resolved that posters should be produced and put up around campus before next Monday to increase awareness of the next General Meeting. Kate Harris recommended that the College Democrats look into obtaining a large banner for events. Ally Letsky suggested to the Communications Director that she write letters to professors encouraging them to mention College Democrats in their classes. Ashly Evans commented that she would begin undertaking her tasks right away.
Events Director
Lindsey Bridges reported on a number of upcoming events for the College Democrats. The first item discussed was a movie night. It was suggested that members gather to watch “The War Room” on October 20 in a location to be determined. Kate Harris suggested renting a room on campus and selling refreshments at a nominal price as part of a fundraising effort. It was believed that Daniel Lee had a copy of the video in question. Further discussion revealed that a conflict on October 20 would preclude a movie from being shown then. This issue remained unresolved. Because of scheduling differences and lack of participation, the October 4 softball game against the College Republicans was scrapped, but future athletic competitions against this organization’s arch nemeses were welcomed favorably by all those in attendance. Ally Letsky suggested that the College Democrats choose to vie against the Republicans in a sport in which the College Democrats would win. It was decided to put this issue to a General Membership vote. It was decided not to participate in this Saturday’s community service activities. Delta Rho Sorority’s Pigskin Classic, a coed flag football tournament on Saturday, October 18, was suggested as a setting for the College Democrats to increase their visibility and build organizational morale. The cost for the College Democrats to field a team would be $50 and proceeds would go towards breast cancer research. Individual members would be responsible for their percentage of the cost. The response to this idea would be gauged at the next General Meeting, with the hope that a full team of eight people could be assembled to represent the College Democrats. The College Democrats will cosponsor a debate on affirmative action with the College Republicans on November 13. This item will be discussed in greater detail at a later date. An Iron Chef Competition was discussed as a potential opportunity to showcase the College Democrats’ culinary skill. It was mentioned that comedian and author Al Franken will be in town this Thursday, October 2. Ally Letsky reported that she contacted the Rock against Bush Tour by email, volunteering the UMKC College Democrats’ services in the event they needed them, but she had yet to hear back from them. Charity work was discussed, as it was suggested that there should be some form of an organizational volunteerism effort undertaken by members; ideas included the Ronald McDonald House, etc.
Social Director
Darin Martinez noted his interest in coordinating social activities for the College Democrats. He stated that his top priority would be the formation of a committee to address the mechanics of event planning. It was suggested that officers meet at either Minsky’s or Planet Sub for an informal get-together following the Executive Board meeting on Monday, October 13 from approximately 6 p.m. until a time to be determined.
Closing Business
Lucas Henry noted that he would type up the minutes from this meeting and distribute them by email to the Executive Board. It was decided that the General Membership could view the Executive Board meeting minutes if a request was made to one of the officers for that information. Kate Harris reiterated her call for ideas about fundraising, encouraging officers to openly suggest to her any financial initiatives they might happen to conceive in the future. Further discussion of the status of the College Democrats’ official logo occurred, and officers urged a swift finalization of the project to Ally Letsky. Ashly Evans took official photographs of each of the officers present; her photography skills were recognized as being superb by the Executive Board.
A motion was offered (in jest) to begin the meeting and was seconded. A motion to adjourn was then offered and seconded. The motion carried and the Executive Board dispersed.
Meeting minutes compiled by Lucas Henry, Secretary.