The Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Marco Polo restaurant, 300 Liberty Road South.
Present: Anna Penk, Helen Drakeley, Jean Sherbeck, Tina Hansen, Lois Nuss, Donna Briney, Deanie Anderson, Kathrine Reed, Harriet Trill, Phyllis Dunn, Dorothy Eberhardt, Anita Owen, Kathy Pugh, Berri Leslie, Rebecca Smith, Diana Bodtker, Iris Gibson, Sandra Gangle, Janet Markee, Sally and Ray Hollemon, Polly Hare, Susann Kaltwasser, Joan Harmsen, Mary Thimm, Nancy and Joe Kuehn, Bea Epperson, Sharon Johnson, Elsa Struble, Rose Lewis, Kate Tarter, Lara Catton, Roz Shirack, Ellie Prichard plus five guests.
Welcome: Before dinner, President Kathy Reed welcomed the attendees and recognized League member Kate Tarter, who was recently elected to the Salem Transit Board.
Entertainment: After dinner the Awesome Aunties sang several familiar songs with lyrics related to the League that were written by Rose Lewis, who organized the group. Singers were Janet Markee, Sandra Gangle, Lois Nuss, Rose Lewis, Rebecca Smith, Roz Shirack, and Deanie Anderson.
Call to Order: President Kathy Reed called the meeting to order.
Appointment of Parliamentarian: Kathy appointed Bea Epperson to be parliamentarian.
Determination of Quorum: The members present at a duly called meeting constitute a quorum. 35 members were present.
Appointment of Secretary Pro Tem and Committee to Review Minutes: Kathy appointed Sally Hollemon to take the minutes and Tina Hansen and Sharon Johnson to review the minutes.
Adoption of Agenda: Polly Hare moved adoption of the agenda as printed in the Annual Meeting Workbook; Tina Hansen seconded. The motion was approved.
Report of 2008 Annual Meeting Minutes: Sally Hollemon reported that the 2008 minutes were reviewed and approved by Bea Epperson and Jeanie Schlottmann.
Adoption of new Solid Waste position: Deanie Anderson reviewed the local 2-year study of
Solid Waste. Two Units agreed on the expanded position statement printed in the Annual Meeting Workbook; the new position emphasizes waste reduction and public health. Polly Hare asked if the committee had looked into medical waste; Susann Kaltwasser said it had. Deanie said that an interest group might investigate solid waste in Polk County based on the new position. She announced an organizational meeting for a Natural Resources interest group on June 3.
Diana Bodtker moved adoption of the revised position on Solid Waste; Janet Markee seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Solid Waste (Revised 2009)
The League of Women Voters of Marion and Polk Counties believes that the best practice is waste reduction. The highest and best use of waste materials is through reuse, recovery and recycling. Landfill, incineration and alternative technologies are parts of an integrated waste management system.
Scientific research on the toxic effects of waste disposal should continue. Toxicity testing of leachate, ash, and emissions into the air should be impartial, random and frequent.
Fly ash should be tested separately for pollutants and disposed of as required by law based on test results.
Because public health and the environmental impacts of solid waste disposal are of primary concern, materials found to contribute to the formation of hazardous wastes, such as dioxins and heavy metals, including cadmium, lead, and mercury, should be removed.
To gain public confidence that disposal methods do not harm public health or the environment, local pollution control standards can exceed EPA standards.
President's Comments: Kathy Reed said strong ties have been established with CCTV primarily due to Voter Service programs, and LWVMPC has been asked to do a monthly program. Action was a priority this year, and League gave testimony on several issues, including a school excise tax so that new construction would pay some of the costs of building new schools; the school board agreed to look into establishing such a tax. Relations with the Statesman Journal were strengthened with our Constitution Day Celebration event and student essay contest. The newspaper published two of the essays in the paper and all four on line. Sandra Gangle chaired this project. The Voter Service committee chaired by Dorothy Eberhardt taped several candidate forums at CCTV for the fall 2008 election and one for the local Transit District election this spring.
Kathy attended the LWVOR Convention in Medford. New-member Lara Catton brought her daughter and observed the Saturday business meetings. LWVMPC received $225 for selling LWVOR raffle tickets. The raffle winner is a member of our local League who hasn't yet been notified so cannot be identified tonight. A state League update on Coastal Issues will begin in 2010 after the state League study of Water Resources is completed this fall.
Locally, Kathy Reed and Diana Bodtker will chair a direct-mail fundraising campaign. Kathy asked each League member to give her at least one name of an individual or a business, including a contact person.
Reports:
Book Club: Bea Epperson said that the group's theme for this year, "Around the World in Books," gave members insight into other cultures. Collapse was a reminder that Oregonians must stand fast on land-use laws. The Nine, about the Supreme Court, made the appointment of the new Chief Justice especially interesting. Bea corrected the Annual Meeting Workbook report on the Book Club: The group enjoyed a one-night stay in the Sylvia Beach Hotel in May.
Foreign Policy: Anita Owen said she had hoped someone would come forward to lead the Foreign Policy group and she still hopes someone will do so.
Units, All-Member Meetings: Susann Kaltwasser referred to the year's highlights listed in the Annual Meeting Workbook--seven Unit meetings, four General-membership meetings, and three community forums on Solid Waste. Several of the meetings, including the three forums, were also broadcast on CCTV. Attendance at League meetings was up this year, and she hopes that attendance will increase even more due to the interest groups planned for the coming year.
Presentation of Recommended Program: Susann said that the new board will look at the topics suggested in the recommended program printed in the Annual Meeting Workbook with the expectation that interest groups will generate a Unit meeting or a CCTV program topic. She said that the topics in the recommended program are only suggestions; other ideas are welcome. She encouraged attendees to sign up for one or more interest groups.
CCTV program: Susann said that LWVMPC used to have an hour-long TV program called In Focus. LWVMPC has been asked to have a half-hour monthly TV program, which will be called In Focus, and she is looking for people who would be willing to take the free orientation at CCTV and then the training classes, which the League will pay for, to learn to run the cameras and other equipment. A pilot In Focus program has already been done; Susann interviewed Dr. Paul Connett when he was here to speak at one of the Solid Waste forums.
Other interest group suggestions: Janet Markee said that she and Geraldine Hammond want to head an interest group on racial minorities. Tina Hansen wants an interest group on transportation. Kate Tarter want to involve youth, especially high-school students, who would choose an issue of importance to them and then speak to the appropriate governmental body; the purpose is for the young people to learn how to influence government. Deanie Anderson said LWVOR can assist with Kate's project. Sandra Gangle would like the Constitution Day Celebration to be an annual event on September 17. Anita Owen suggested that the school board with its two new members can be helpful in involving students. Anita also urged promoting health care change based on our national position; this is an LWVUS action priority.
Presentation of Non-recommended Program topics: None was suggested.
Adoption of 2009-2010 Program: Tina moved adoption of the Recommended Program as printed in the Annual Meeting Workbook; Deanie seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Adopted Program 2009-2010:
Retain all present positions
Government--Interest Group
Capital Improvement Projects (CIP): Interest group leading to possible action on the following:
· Ask cities and counties what they plan to use federal stimulus grants for.
· Evaluate proposed use of federal stimulus grants for local projects.
· School System Development Charge (SDC, also called "construction excise charge") and storm drain SDC should be adopted.
· Are the current options for funding CIPs appropriate? For example, use of 30-year bonds.
Transportation: Interest group research issues, such as the following:
· Can public transportation (Cherriots) be funded with federal stimulus money?
· How should the bus system be funded? Other cities use a payroll tax for that purpose; should Salem adopt such a tax?
Marion County Government:
Observer to watch County Commissioner meetings on CCTV or in person.
Interest group to look at the advantages/disadvantages of increasing the size of the Marion County Commission from 3 to 5; contact LWV of Clackamas County to see why and how they led the process there; contact Friends of Marion County and work with that group, which is supporting an increase to 5 commissioners. Help disseminate information about such an increase.
Polk County Government:
Observer to attend County Commissioner meetings
Education--Interest Group
Buildings & Grounds:
Action: Passage of school bond measure makes it timely to take action to support
· Building schools with an adjoining park
· Requiring emergency access to schools (as determined by Fire Marshal)
Interest group could do the research needed for our advocacy.
School Hours:
Action to change hours for secondary students. This may be a timely issue since the sports schedule may be re-aligned. Another option is to give each high-school student a bus pass and no school-bus option so that the bus schedule is not an excuse for inaction on changing school hours. Interest group could do the research needed for our advocacy.
Rescheduled School Year:
Interest group could look at year-around school, costs, and other factors.
Civics:
Action to encourage social studies teachers to teach about the United Nations in more depth.
Interest group should
· Check with LWVOR to see what it is doing on civics education and work with it.
· Talk with the Social Studies Teachers group to get its support.
· Present another public program on the Constitution with an essay contest for students.
Natural Resources--Interest Group
Air and Water:
Interest group look into nanoparticles which are released into the air and buried in the ash in landfills as a result of incineration of solid wastes.
· Should these be regulated?
· What is the cumulative effect of these?
· Does the LWVUS position on Environmental Protection and Pollution Control cover this topic?
Energy:
Interest group ask cities what they are doing to prepare for scarcity of oil (using LWVOR position on Energy).
Land Use:
Interest group look into
· Transportation, including public transportation, based on LWVOR positions on Energy Conservation and Land Use. Also ask LWVOR if we can use the part of the Fiscal Policy position on not limiting governmental services.
· Manufactured Housing--State law intended to protect people who live in manufactured-housing parks is not doing so; people who can't afford to move their homes or can't find a place to which to move them have to abandon them. What can be done?
· Backyard burning--Evaluate new regulations by Marion County based on LWVOR position on Air Quality.
Social Policy--Interest group
Mental Health Services for Children and Youth:
Interest group use LWVOR position and do the background research needed for action to get the school
district to
· Teach teachers how to recognize mental health issues in students (depression, pre-schizophrenic, suicide) and
· Provide parents with information on specifically where they can take a child for help.
Action priority: Contact the county Children and Families Commission to encourage funding for more housing for homeless youth.
Action project: LWV members donate hygiene products (or money to buy these) for homeless youth. Give these to an agency that can distribute them. Encourage AAUW, City Club, and other organizations with similar concerns about homeless youth to also contribute hygiene products
Treasurer's Report: Elsa Struble called attention to the column on the proposed budget that shows this year's actual expenses as of March 31 and mentioned the expenses yet to be paid, including those for convention delegates. She said we probably will need to transfer only $500 from reserves instead of the $2200 budgeted for this year.
Budget: Roz Shirack answered questions about our current Per Member Payment (PMP) amounts. The recent LWVOR Convention raised the state PMP, and the national PMP is also going up, so the proposal is to increase our local dues to $68 for an individual to cover these increases and retain $11.30 per member for our local budget. Roz pointed out that the proposed budget is a lean one, less than budgeted for the current year, and includes increased dues and more fundraising, including a direct-mail campaign headed by Kathy Reed. We would still need to draw $1020 from reserves, which is fine to do so long as the amount is prudent. Kathy said the League is a grassroots organization; we support the state and national levels of the League through our local dues.
Roz moved adoption of the budget on behalf of the Budget Committee; no second is required. The motion passed unanimously.
Recognition of Board Members: Kathy presented a rhododendron to each board member with a yard and a goodie bag for Tina Hansen. Susann then presented a planted hanging basket to Kathy Reed as a thank you from the League for her outstanding service as president.
Report of Nominating Committee: Rose Lewis presented the slate of officers. She said that she, Sandra Gangle, and Lloyd Kumley made many phone calls to find out what members were interested in doing for the League. Rose said she had not intended to be nominated for president, but, since no one else was willing to take that position, she decided that with the carryover board members plus the several new ones, she volunteered to be president and is excited about the proposals for next year. Kathy Reed moved approval of the slate; Bea Epperson seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
New President's Message: Rose believes that League members should have fun along with our serious work; that's why she started the Awesome Aunties. At the state convention she was given $5 by each of two members of other local Leagues for a song sheet. Kathy interjected that this may become a small fundraiser for our League.
Rose hopes all members will get involved in an interest group or a committee. She wants the League to do more action this year based on our many fine positions. She wants to remove barriers to League membership, such a restaurant dinners; she plans to host a summer potluck at her house in August and encourage members to bring their families. She suggested having a League table at the World Beat Festival as a way to introduce more people to the League.
Directions (Guidance) to the Board:
Deanie Anderson: (1) Have one Unit per month meet in a public place, since some people are hesitant to go to someone's home, and put out a League sign for increased visibility. (2) Investigate creative leadership design options for board membership. LWVOR has a packet of options available; these include rotation of board members, shared jobs, executive board. (3) Develop a database of member interests on a computer. Call people who didn't sign up for an interest group to encourage them to get involved.
Tina Hansen: (1) Look into an on-line Unit or discussion group (voice technology is available) as another option for increasing participation in the League. We need some younger people who know how to use this technology. Rose commented that the Portland League experimented with an on-line Unit, so we might be able to get some guidance from there. (2) Reach out to people with various disabilities.
Susann Kaltwasser: Our new CCTV program can be a way to pull non-members into the interest groups. She asked members to think about how we can partner with other groups.
Dorothy Eberhardt: Field trips are a way to get people involved.
Sandra Gangle: (1) She volunteered to chair the September 17th Constitution Day Celebration and asked for authorization. The attendees did so enthusiastically. Sandra asked for committee volunteers. (2) Schedule a new-member orientation meeting in the fall and invite LWVUS-recruited members. (3) Long-time members should become mentors for new members to help the latter develop a connection with the League.
Adjournment: Rose Lewis adjourned the meeting.
The minutes were reviewed and approved by Sharon Johnson and Tina Hansen.
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