Disclaimer: timing and order of agenda items is tentative, subject to the availability of our guests and speakers. 15 attendees in-person at the Marion Grange; 12 attendees present online.
CALL TO ORDER/LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT Brian G: read the Land Acknowledgement and led the Pledge of Allegiance for those who chose to participate.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA (7:02) Brian G: Kirby P motioned to approve the agenda. Edward D seconded. Agenda is unanimously adopted, with caveat to move endorsement requests to later in the meeting.
READ/APPROVAL OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES Michelle DP motioned to accept minutes. Kirby P seconded. 31st LD Dems May 2024 General Meeting Minutes are unanimously adopted. (note: short delay for tech trouble-shooting on audio.)
ENDORSEMENT REQUESTS
Sal Mungia – State Supreme Court Pos 2 (questionnaire) Atty in 40th year of practice, Military Dad, PLU, & Georgetown, born & raised in Tacoma: Sal addressed the members assembled for five minutes and answered questions.
Dave Upthegrove – Commissioner of Public Lands (questionnaire) Director of Natural resources. DNR. Dave U addressed the membership for 3 5 minutes. Calling in from the Olympic Peninsula. First Out LGTBQ candidate. Top 2 voting system could allow two GOP candidates to proceed to general unless voters turnout. Dave
Marty Campbell – Pierce County Assessor (questionnaire) Marty addressed the members for 3 minutes and followed with a Q& A session. Served as Vice Chair of Pierce County Council, then on Tacoma City Council.
US Rep Marilyn Strickland US Cong. District 10: Marcus (19 years old from politically engaged family) is a Field Organizer with Rep Strickland’s campaign. “…tough time to be growing up and watching free speech and truth being contested. This election is one of the most important – Rep Strickland has authored multiple bills including right to travel for reproductive care and right to vote. Sign up for updates on the campaign. Volunteer for door-knocking, phone-calling.
RESOLUTIONS
Resolution in favor of Guaranteed Comprehensive Health Care in WA (full text) Judith Chelotti (resolution author) motioned to adopt the GCHC resolution. Mark B seconded. Judith C. spoke in favor of the resolution (as a retired Nurse Practitioner) to guarantee comprehensive health care in WA. Faith based health corporations have been gobbling up major healthcare orgs—and can dictate what type of care can be administered. These orgs are mainly Catholic—these types of care are not practiced by these faith-based monopolies. Complicated issue which centers on public health: end-of-life and women’s reproductive-healthcare choices, and is vital to all of WA residents. Brian G: ALL people must have access to healthcare services no matter religious preference or political choices, so these orgs cannot “prejudice the healthcare they provide.” Being a CIS male, I want to support/amplify Judith. The 31st LD can adopt this despite the state already adopting the resolution. Mark B: “…the structure of this resolution is to prevent monopolies from taking over.” Kirby P: “St Elizabeths (in Enumclaw) is also faith-based— however, in small rural communities these orgs provide services to less populated areas, so many faith-based medical services are also essential healthcare… Something else has to replace the service provided by these orgs. It’s complicated.” Michelle DP: WA law mandates orgs provide healthcare regardless of insurance—to help ‘pay for all levels of care and to all hospitals’ –tilts the playing field. Judith’s resolution passed unanimously without debate at the WA Dem convention last weekend. It’s a big deal!!!” Michelle DP: Motioned for vote to support resolution. Unanimously adopted by in person and online and will be posted on 31st LD Dems web-site!
NEW BUSINESS
Endorsements: Brian Gunn: Call for Motions of endorsement: Helen M motioned to endorse all 3 candidates Dave U. Sal M, Marty C. Kirby P seconded. All are in sync with our values and have addressed values that we support. Tamara S: strongly supports Dave U and he has been endorsed by even non-political voters. All questionnaires were thorough. We are free to endorse multiple candidates in these races. Candidate Kevin Van De Wege has not requested a time to address our membership—must complete questionnaire etc within 3 weeks of our vote to endorse. All 3 candidates: Dave Upthegrove, Sal Mungia and Marty Campbell are unanimously approved by voice vote for Endorsement by 31st LD
King County Democratic Central Committee Representative election: Brian Gunn: Helen M nominates Andrea Ornelas for King County DCC Rep. I was worked with King County Dems. So I have connections established already. Any other nominations – none brought forward . Brian Called for voice vote: Andrea O unanimously elected as 31st LD King Cty Rep.
New PCO appointments – Joseph Sweitzer: Brian Gunn: motioned to unanimously vote for early activation” as PCO for precinct 31807. [NOTE: Leeroy Perkins also submitted a request for early activation—then reversed his request]
WA STATE DEMS 2024 CONVENTION REPORT
Brian Gunn: Held this weekend in Bellevue. 3-day event, with trainings, speechifying including from V.P. Kamala Harris, Gov. Jay Inslee and Sen Maria Cantwell. And our new candidates in the 4th CD. Brian G spoke for (2) amendments proposed by our 31st LD committee. Minority Report –vote was so close; they were presented to the full convention. Both amendments passed on the floor of the convention. Proud to lift up voices of the 31st across the state. Tamara S: Mark B & Tamara are standing delegates to the convention— The 31st LD Advocacy Committee is our newest Standing Committee: overlaps with Lobbying Day…we met folks from the 8th & 9th CD’s coordinating advocacy work during the legislative session in Olympia— Advocacy Comm will define what is most important for us to champion next year during session.
Amber OW: Great to have such a big 31st LD group at the convention, 14 of us attended! Breakout sessions for training—on “Changing the Narrative” about immigration and abortion—how to change the narrative about we believe—not just being reactive and feeding into the negativity loop. I will engage us in a training session to help our members practice this technology: “Don’t think of an Elephant” author & UC Prof of Sociology George Lakoff writes about understanding how the mind works helps us with framing—how to effectively structure an emotionally intense message. Judith C: Disabilities Caucus meeting: the convention venue was not ADA friendly. Our last book club choice, Year of the Tiger, talks about the difficulty of access for this community. Invisible disabilities—someone who looks able-bodied but still can have major disabilities. Michelle DP: “…trainings were empowering. I’ve been to a lot of professional development seminars as a communication prof. and learned new information about how we trigger people by ‘how’ we say ‘what’ we say— 31st could host a training session for our members to learn how to apply this—countering false talking points and hostile language we deal with every day; the tool kit is so simple. We are using some of these techniques to make our printed and verbal comm more positive to trigger positive reactions to think about what we have in common! Very grateful for the training. Announcement: Brian Gunn is officially a National Delegate to the 2024 Democratic Convention in Chicago.
OFFICER & COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mark Dunning – Treasurer’s Report: Campaign donations. Printing, picnic venue and fees… 31st LD Dem candidate Sarah S had refused the $500 donation for campaign Motion to adopt by Mark B And John W seconded. Report is accepted b y members
Brian Gunn – Vice Chair’s Report
And others: Banners are here!! Booth Signup go to our website use Signup Genius links to our events: Healthcare Fact Sheet: priority platform points series of 6 postcard sized pieces on key issues. Lit for the booth. And then on an 8 x 11 for door knocking.
July 4th Auburn 4th 14 Plateau Pride & July 20th Edgewood Community Picnic.
GOOD AND WELFARE
Brian G: GOTV training at the IBEW hall in Tacoma, link online. List of Fairs.
Judith C: Indivisible Tacoma is hosting a forum this weekend; link is online.
Election observer training: Wendywright333@gmail.com There is greater need on weekends & evenings. Work together. Good experience and very important. Amber OW: I worked as an observer – partnered with a GOP observer who was ‘looking for fraud’—so we looked together and found nothing suspicious.”
Amber OW: motioned to suspend or waive requirements for the following candidates: Marilyn Strickland, Maria Cantwell, Kim Schrier. Adam Smith: John W Seconded. Amber OW: spoke on behalf of their values and accomplishments on our behalf: “…we need to maintain and capture control of the House and Senate in this election. Michelle DP: “I believe they [candidates] should [personally] request our endorsement—just had a representative here with us but did not ask for our endorsement. Tamara S: called for a vote: 11 (yay) to 2 (nay) Motion to waive requirement for questionnaire passes. Amber OW: motioned to endorse current sitting house & senate members who are running for reelection. Judith C: seconded. Amber OW: advocates for coalescing support around our serving Democratic elected officials. Tamara S: would like to break them up into individual votes. “Our endorsement is the only way to hold them accountable.” Robin M moved to postpone endorsement until July. Seconded by Deb G. Vote by show of hands: motion does not carry. New vote on original motion to endorse (the 4 named) candidates: Vote to endorse all (4) elected Candidates: 14 (yay) to 2 (nay)—motion passes to endorse (4) sitting Cong, members on a blanket endorsement.
ADJOURNMENT
Brian Gunn: Tamara S motioned to adjourn seconded by Amber OW.
