League of Women Voters Orange, Durham, Chatham
Annual Meeting of the Membership
June 8, 2017
Extraordinary Ventures
After refreshments and a presentation on Updated Durham and Orange Transit Plans by Patrick McDonough and Matthew Clark of GoTriangle, President Pam Oxendine called the annual business meeting to order at 7:35 and confirmed that the required quorum was present.
Accomplishment
President Pam Oxendine did an overview of the years’ accomplishments: We added over 100 new members, we registered over 300 voters, we had 26 candidates’ forums, and several meet and greet, and we launched Vote411.
Reinstated the New member orientations. We did a seminar Women and Government: Act Support Run, it was well attended and supported. We did two environment events one on fracking and coal ash with Mike Woodard. We did event for Violence against Women finding proper housing for those in need. We participated in the Women’s March on Raleigh. We did an Education workshop with Graig Meyer with a packed crowd. Just to name a few.
Financial Report and Budget
Treasurer Susan Marston presented the financial report and proposed budget (attached). LWV-ODC maintains three accounts: the operating fund, 501(c) (4) grants fund, and the 501(c) (3) education fund. Total income, actual and projected, for the year ending June 30, 2017 will be $16,108. This amount exceeded the expected income of $11,768 because of the large growth in membership. Total actual and projected expenditures will be $11,515, slightly less than the budgeted amount. The proposed budget for 2017-2018 includes income and expenditures of $16,940.50.
Carolyn Jefferson Jenkins made a motion to accept the draft budget. The motion was seconded by Krishna Mondal and passed unanimously by a voice vote.
Membership Report
Membership Chair, Eva Rogers, presented the membership report. As of May 16, 2017, LWVODC has a total of 310 members. This count greatly exceeds last year’s membership of 170 and even the goal of 200 that we set for membership growth in 2016-2017. During the past year, Eva tried to meet with each new member individually and Pam and Eva have held orientation approximately monthly for groups of new members. In 2017-2018, Eva will be conducting new member orientations, and a welcoming team of several old members will mentor individual new members. Amy Jerolman and Arianne Hartsell-Gundy are maintaining the database of members and their contact information.
By-laws Changes;
LWV-US By-laws were changed at the 2016 National Convention to open voting membership is now open to non-citizens and to individuals 16 years of age or older. As League policy requires “consistency” in the first three articles of the bylaws of all Leagues, the LWV-ODC Board approved the amendments at its Nov 16, 2016 meeting, pending ratification by the membership. The following changes to the LWV-ODC By-Laws were recommended by the Board:
Article III, Section 2. Types of Membership.
A. Voting Members. Citizens Persons at least 18 16 years of age who join the League shall be voting members of local Leagues, state Leagues, and of the LWVUS;
(1) those who live within an area of a local League may join that League or any other local League;
(2) those who reside outside the area of any local League may join a local League or shall be state members-at-large;
(3) those who have been members of the League for 50 years or more shall be life members excused from the payment of dues.
B. Associate Members. All others who join the League shall be associate members.
Pat McDaniels made a motion to approve these changes and Jennifer Rubin seconded the motion. In discussion of the motion, some members opposed the change because they believe that full membership in LWV should be limited to those who are eligible to vote in U.S. elections. Someone suggested that a waiver of PMP payments for non-citizens and 16-17 year olds be proposed at this year’s National Convention. When the vote was taken, the motion passed with 5 votes in opposition.
Election of LWVODC Officers and Board Members for 2017-2018
Nominating Committee Chair, Sue Anderson recognized the members of her committee: Pat McDaniels, Leona Whichard, Amy Jeroloman, and Del Mattioli. She then presented the Slate for 2017-1018:
President- Pam Oxendine
Vice President- Pat McDaniels
Treasurer- Cynthia LaMaster
Secretary- Tara Fikes
Director (2017-2019) - Jennifer Rubin
Director (2017-1019) - Amy Jeroloman
Director (2017-2018) - Zena Alman
Nominating Committee Chair 2018- Leona Whichard
Vickie Boyer moved to accept the slate by acclimation and Bev Kawalec seconded. The motion carried unanimously in a voice vote.
Program for 2017-2018
Since we have many new members, we are able to expand our program for next year. Out of conversations at Board meetings, new member orientations, and unit meetings three topics have emerged on which study of issues in our three counties is needed: water quality, transportation, and immigration. Caitlin Baussan, Natalie Murdock, and Ashley Nissler volunteered to serve as conveners for study groups for these topics, respectively.
Vickie Boyer made a motion to adopt these three topics as the Program for 2017-2018, Pat McDaniels seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Other Goals for 2017-2018
Pam proposed several goals for 2017-2018 in addition to this official Program of issues. We hope to bring back lunch meetings that address topics of interest to LWV-ODC members, to be held at local restaurants. We also plan to create a fundraising Team.
Finally, our existing Action Teams will continue their work. Leaders of these teams introduced themselves and gave a brief pitch for volunteers:
Public Education- Ruth Ann Groh
Gun Violence Prevention- Marsha Harris (in absentia)
Health Care Issues- Katrina Ramquist-Wesson
Environment- Caitlin Baussan
Fair Elections/Redistricting- Jennifer Bremer
Violence against Women- Arianne Hartsell-Gundy
Voter Services—Krishna Mondal
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36, and Pam encouraged members to visit the tables around the room to sign up for various committees and activities.