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League of Women Voters of Westford
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2003
Call to Order:
The May 20th 2003 Annual Meeting was called to order by Debra Grad
at 6:38 PM in the Cameron Senior Center, Westford.
Members Present:
Debra Grad, Charlie Rusman, Ingrid Nilsson, Christine Chirokas,
Pam Holland, Stephanie Parish, Erica Davidson, Chris Kandianis,
Denali Delmar, Lynn Cohen, Chris Robbins, Janet Pride, Beth Peterson,
Karen Cavanagh, Linda Newhard, Jen Heil, Karen McKenzie, Juta Moter,
Jeanne O'Connor, Fran Mower.
Recognition of Award Received:
Debra Grad announced that the League received two awards this year:
The Lottie Sharfman Award was presented for outstanding and diverse
voter service.
The Membership Award was presented for an increase 5% of the local
membership.
Treasurer's Report:
The treasurer's report was read by Chris Kandianis.
LWV Westford Treasurer's Report - April / May (5/19/03), 2003
Cash on hand: $4474.30
C D's: $3281.29
Total: $7755.59
Expenses (paid)
- Annual Dinner liquor permit - $25
- Bulletin - $237
- Link -up expenses - $60
- US and MA PMP's- $784
Total: $1106
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2003
Page Two
Treasurer's Report: (continued)
Income
- Dues - $ 96
- Member contributions - $ 0
- Book sales/royalties - $ 434
- Phonathon - $14
- Ads - $700
- Annual Dinner - $229
Total: $1473
Debt (estimated)
- Annual Meeting Guide - $375
- Bulletin - $175
- Link-up event/Retreat (hospitality/supplies) - $25
- Candidates Night/Voter Guide - $50
- Traffic Forum (duplicating/postage) - $15
- Annual Meeting / Dinner - $500
- Convention - $ 300
- Guide to Town Meeting printing - $62
It was MOVED by D. Delmar, SECONDED by K. Cavanaugh and voted unanimously
to accept the treasurer's report.
Budget Discussion:
D. Grad stated that the fundraising increase was due to the third
printing of the Westford books. It was paid from the reserves.
The reference to DNET was removed, LWVUS is now funding the project.
It was MOVED by L. Cohen, SECONDED by J. Heil and voted unanimously
to accept the budget as amended.
D. Grad discussed the dues. The dues are set at the Annual meeting.
The household dues were reduced from $75 to $65 and the individual
and new member dues will remain the same. It was the belief of the
members to keep the dues at an affordable rate. The majority of
our dues are used to pay the state and national PMPs. (per member
payments). This means that we need to do lots of fundraising to
fund our local projects and programs.
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2003
Page Three
Budget Discussion: (continued)
It was MOVED by D. Delmar, SECONDED by K. Cavanaugh and voted unanimously
to reduce the household dues to $65.
Approval of Proposed Positions:
L. Cohen recommended that we readopt the positions on pages 7-11
in the annual meeting guide. We need to readopt them so we can take
action on public policy issues.
It was MOVED by D. Delmar, SECONDED by K. Cavanaugh and voted unanimously
to accept the positions.
L. Cohen explained that we cannot change the positions without
a study. We can change the wording, but not the intent of the position.
The process to change positions begins in March, if members would
like to be involved.
D. Grad stated that we need to make the planning process more visible
to the members.
It was MOVED by D. Delmar, SECONDED by K. Cavanagh and voted unanimously
to reduce the household dues to $65.
Approval of Proposed Programs:
L. Cohen recommended that the membership approve the proposed programs
as described on page 6 of the annual meeting guide.
It was MOVED by D. Delmar, SECONDED by I. Nilsson and voted unanimously
to accept the recommended programs.
Discussion continued about the programs.
The Mock Election in 2000 was a huge success. We did not get involved
until the summer. For the upcoming election in 2004 it would be
better if we were involved sooner. It was suggested to form a committee
now to start planning and working with the schools to incorporate
the election as part of the curriculum.
D. Grad stated that the Abbot school principal along with the school
council were involved in the election.
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2003
Page Four
Approval of Proposed Programs: (continued)
Activation of the observer corps: L Cohen stated that it is a powerful
tool to have unbiased observers at the town board meetings. D. Delmar
stated that when the observer corps was in full swing that the other
boards would read our minutes to see what was going on throughout
the town.
Nominating Committee Report:
Nilsson reported that the nominating committee contacted all the
members to give them the opportunity to serve the league. The slate
is found on page 12 of the annual report.
It was MOVED by J. Heil, SECONDED by J. Moter and voted unanimously
to nominate Erica Davidson to the position of Treasurer.
It was MOVED by L. Cohen, SECONDED by D. Delmar and voted unanimously
to change the term of Vice President and Voter Service Co-Chair
Karen McKenzie to one year.
It was MOVED by J. Moter, SECONDED by K. McKenzie and voted unanimously
to accept the slate of officers as amended.
It was MOVED by L. Cohen, SECONDED by C. Robbins and voted unanimously
to adjourn the meeting at 7:28 PM.
President's Report:
After a lovely dinner and wonderful conversation, outgoing president
D. Grad addressed the members.
She thanked Karen McKenzie for producing the bulletin each month,
not missing any issue; K. Cavanaugh for her work on the nominating
committee and the web site. C. Kandianis was thanked for all her
work on Publicity for the Leagues events. A big thanks to V. Wormell
for her years as treasurer.
Thanks to L. Newhard for organizing her 5th annual meeting; to
E. Harde for hosting the annual Link Up event at her home and her
help all year. Thanks to J. Moter for her work as parliamentarian;
thanks to the whole board for their support and thanks to the members
for all their support.
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2003
Page Five
President's Report: (continued)
Thanks to D. Delmar, L. Cohen, D Romeo for judging the online essay
contest.
D. Grad presented the new board a gift of a podium sign for league
events.
D. Grad wished L. Cohen good luck in her role as "second in
command" at the state league.
J. Moter gave a moving toast to L. Cohen.
C. Robbins gave a moving toast to D. Grad.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Pride
Directions to the board:
D. Delmar suggested we may want to do a study on the No Child Left
Behind policy as it seems to have no funding and selective service.
She also was concerned about the current US Foreign Policy and
its use of preemptive self-defense, its violation of foreign nation's
sovereignty, the lack of UN support and she would like to find non
military solutions for disputes.
J. Moter wanted to find out the League's National Position on civil
rights issues and oppression.
C. Kandianis brought up the Patriot Act vs. the Patriot Act II
and the troubling notion that libraries may have to share information
on who checks out what book.
J. O'Connor was concerned about the lack of contested seats at
the state level.
C. Robbins suggested a forum on Affordable Housing and pointed
out the confusing signs on Rt. 40 that said "Stop the Rancho
Housing Projects."
D. Grad wanted the League to establish a relationship with the
Westford Eagle newspaper and suggested meeting with the editor to
make sure our stories don't get bumped and to see if a regular column
would be feasible.
Annual Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2003
Page Six
Directions to the board: (continued)
She also urged as many members as possible to attend State and
National League events.
D. Grad pointed out the upcoming 35th Anniversary of our League
and hoped the board would work with members to celebrate it.
And as well she wanted to make sure the League promoted DNET and
suggested involving Ingrid Nilsson who has been trained on it.
L. Cohen directed the board to look into an online warrant review
such as the one Andover did. It should be possible for people to
email their questions in and get a response.
She also suggested a forum on how to run a board meeting and the
how to use parliamentary procedure. This would be beneficial for
anyone who serves on a town committee or board.
Finally she also wanted to make sure board members were aware of
the League's Conflict of Interest policy.
Respectfully submitted,
Pam Holland
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