Electoral Action Committee

WDRC Electoral Action Committee: February 20, 2008
Present: Judy Grether, Rachel Richman, John Williams, Bobbie Steinhart, Joyce Bird, Jane Courant, Rachel Kahn-Hut, Mal Bernstein
Minutes: Rachel Kahn-Hut

*Ex-Fellons (Voting Rights for All) -- *Report by Judy Grether

1) We have had positive response to the web site and posters have been distributed. Organizations/offices (such as Oakland mayor), San Quentin, Private Industrial Council have contacted us to order brochures.
There is no charge. We have distributed hundreds.

2) Lucy will be e-mailing info about voter rights and the brochures to Demo Clubs around the state. Also alerting them about the web page.

3) Currently we have $3-400 in the account. Brochures are distributed for free. Contributions are tax-deductible. WDRC recently reimbursed VRA for printing and mailing expenses and for the website annual fee.

4) A fundraiser by all the groups involved in VRA is being planned for this summer.

*Voter Registration*

1) We agreed that as our (WDRC) contribution to VRA we would set up VR at the Courthouse. The trick is to organize it. Someone needs to be there by 7:30 (we decided on MTWTh) in the morning with boxes, materials, tables, flyers, etc. Jane can be in charge on MT and Judy is going to ask Jack if he can be in charge on WTh. MT we will need someone else to take responsibility to collect the materials if we want to have coverage until 12:00 when the Courthouse closes for lunch. Jane can only stay until about 11:45. Only need two people on a shift
(maybe 4 per morning)to give flyers to people going in and register people coming out. We will make contact with County to get official permission to be on County property and that process should be started at least a month before we want to conduct VR there. Maybe they have a place where we could leave the materials at end of morning for the days we want to return in the afternoon after their lunch break from 12-2:00.

2) Tell all organizers that we do need photo copies of all Demo and

3) Community colleges and high schools should be our priority for June election. Easy/welcoming. Often a large quad area or outside library or student center. Contact administrators (in student union) ahead of time to get their permission (which has never been refused.)

We supply all our materials (table, chairs, attractive signs, small American flags etc.)John Williams has a list of locations and contact people which he has e-mailed to Bobbie, Rachel and Judy. Rachel R and John will need to find point people for locations.

4) There is a New Members Meeting 2/22. Mal and Jane will make a presentation about our work and encourage people to join us.

5) Contact other Demo Clubs (John George) to offer our efforts along with theirs to do registration in wider areas.

*February General Meeting--Launch of new VR drive

*1) Judy will make presentation, to include: Plans to resume VR in April. For that we need for organizers to take responsibility for types of locations (farmers markets, BART stations, Flea Markets, street fairs, etc). Announce that there will be a big party for volunteers on Monday, March 10 to begin setting up schedules and teams.

*2) Bobbie will bring materials (VR forms, yellow highlighters, stamps) for us to make a visible "show" of our activities at the February General Meeting.

3) Announce March EAC - March 19th -- to discuss recommendations for endorsement of for Statewide and Local ballot propositions on June ballot. Open to all members of WDRC.

*March EAC-- March 19th Niebyl Proctor Library -- Alcatraz and Telegraph 7 PM