The Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at Willson House, 1625 Center Street, Salem, Oregon.
Present: Rose Lewis, Sally Hollemon, Jeanie Schlottmann, Geraldine Hammond, Deanie Anderson, Janet Adkins, Rebecca Smith, Sandra Gangle, Linda Baker, Diana Bodtker, Charlotte Holmes, Polly Hare, Roz Shirack, Elsa Struble, Bea Epperson, Dave Phelps, Dorothy Eberhardt, Anita Owen, Janet Markee, Carmen Gonzalez, Lois Nuss, Tina Hansen, Joan Harmsen, Susann Kaltwasser, Alice Phalan, Sharon Johnson. Guest: Dixie Phelps
Speaker: Rebecca Smith, LWVOR Executive Administrator, gave a very interesting summary of how she became aware of the world's problems and then got a job in 1999 working at the LWVOR office. She respects the League's willingness to take on big problems, such as poverty, and look at the issue in depth. Rebecca enjoys working with League members. Working in the LWVOR office requires multi-tasking, as several things are going on at once. She has to look at the big picture of the League's priorities as well s the daily details. She enjoys this as well as the opportunity to give her opinion and have it heard. Other points Rebecca discussed were:
Coming up: At the May LWVOR Council delegates will adopt an update of the LWVOR position on Mental Health and elect new board members, including LWVMPC member Diana Bodtker. LWVOR hired a consultant who will give recommendations at Council for improving Voter Service in the next election cycle. For the Mock Election this fall 135 schools signed up; usually about 30 schools participate. Information on Election Methods will come to all League members soon, and we will come to consensus in time to lobby the legislature in 2009.
Membership: Leagues are having trouble finding leaders; a few people do the jobs over and over, resulting in burnout. So we need to think where we will be twenty years from now and how we will get there. What topics will interest future League members? What image do we want to present? Rebecca said that younger members prefer small, well-defined tasks with a specific time frame (not a general statement that we need some help here). They want tasks that have an element of fun as well as opportunity for learning, and they want to know how an issue will affect their families.
Other suggestions: Sign up husbands as League members. Create internships for college students to do specific jobs, such as create a web page. Educate college professors about League studies available for use by their students; this will spread our information as well as introduce the League to students who may join sometime after college. The Mock Election will introduce the League to students who will, when they reach adulthood, then be familiar with the League. Target new retirees for League membership as they have time to be active members. It would be beneficial to the League to have a mix of members from various racial and economic groups. Use technology, such as PowerPoint presentations at Unit meetings; these presentations would then be easy to take to community groups.
Supper and entertainment: After a supper of finger foods provided by attendees, the Awesome Aunties sang several songs.
Call to order: President Diana Bodtker called the meeting to order at 6:55 p.m. She explained that incoming President Kathy Reed is recovering from surgery and could not attend Annual Meeting. Susann Kaltwasser, as incoming First Vice President, will read Kathy's New President's Message and preside during the last part of the meeting.
Appointment of Parliamentarian: Diana appointed Roz Shirack as Parliamentarian.
Determination of Quorum: The members present at a duly called meeting constitute a quorum. 26 members were present.
Appointment of Committee to Review Minutes: Diana appointed Sally Hollemon as secretary pro tem in the absence of Secretary Kathy Reed and appointed Jeanie Schlottmann and Bea Epperson to review and approve the minutes.
Adoption of Agenda: Tina Hansen moved adoption of the agenda as modified; motion passed.
Report of 2007 Annual Meeting Minutes: Sally reported that the 2007 minutes were reviewed and approved by Roz Shirack and Diana Bodtker.
Bylaws Changes: The proposed changes to Article 4, Section 1; Article 5, Section 1; plus a new Section 6 were approved. These changes increase the number of officers from five to six; the added member is the Immediate Past Present. The new wording (in bold type) follows:
Article 4. Board of Directors
Section 1. Number, Manner of Selection, and Term of Office. The Board of Directors shall consist of the six officers of the LWVMPC, six elected directors,...
Article 5. Officers
Section 1. Enumeration and Election of Officers. The officers of the LWVMPC shall be the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President serving for one-year terms...
Section 6. Immediate Past President. The Immediate Past President, who shall be a voting member of the board, shall act as an advisor to the President and board. If the Immediate Past President is unable or unwilling to serve, another Past President may be elected to this position.
President's Comments: Diana celebrated some of our accomplishments this year. They include: (1) Hosting five Ukrainian women here to learn about our democratic processes. Sandra Gangle led the project and many League members assisted. (2) Fall Brunch with LWVOR President Marge Easley as speaker. (3) November's 60th Anniversary Party with showing of the film Iron-Jawed Angels. (4) All-member Holiday Party. (5) Voter Service projects. (6) General and Unit meetings on immigration, poverty, civics education. (7) The League testified on several topics with positive results in at least one case, a construction tax for K-12 schools.
Reports:
Book Club: Bea Epperson said this is the seventh year of the Book Club with about ten members each month having a lively discussion.
Foreign Policy: Anita Owen said that, after working hard to arrange this year's programs, she is losing some energy and hopes that someone will volunteer to lead the group in the coming year.
Units, All-Member meetings, and Field Trips: Rose Lewis said she is pleased that the Units are revived and hopes they will continue. The All-Member meetings were open to the public. The Field trips taught us a lot, too. The Solid Waste and Poverty study committees need more members.
Presentation of Recommended Program: Rose Lewis presented the Recommended Program as given in the Annual Meeting Workbook.
Consideration of Non-Recommended Topics: Rebecca Smith moved (Tina Hansen seconded) to consider the topic Transportation--Alternatives to cars. After discussion, Rebecca withdrew her motion. She then moved: "Add wording to the Transportation and "peak oil" topic to emphasize local transportation issues including bikeways and bus schedules;" Jan Markee seconded; the motion passed.
Discussion and Adoption of Program for 2008-2009:
Government: Civics Education: Sandra Gangle announced that she has arranged for a celebration of Constitution Day on September 17 at the library and has already scheduled two speakers.
Government: Should the number of Marion and Polk County Commissioners be increased from 3 to 5?: Sally said there was a public meeting on this topic in the spring. Sharon Johnson said that CCTV taped that meeting. Janet Adkins said that a recap of the tape could be put into the Focus. Rebecca Smith suggested asking a League member from Clackamas County to speak to us about why they proposed increasing the size of the Clackamas County Commission and how it has worked out. Roz said a meeting on this topic should have a pro-con presentation. Tina Hansen said she has an audio version of the meeting. Deanie Anderson suggested viewing the CCTV program. Deanie moved (Jan Markee seconded): Incorporate the CCTV program and a League member from Clackamas County. Motion carried.
Government: Capital Improvement Financing: Susann Kaltwasser suggested asking a speaker from the City of Salem to give a presentation on Capital Improvements and perhaps include the effects of Urban Renewal Districts. There was agreement with this proposal.
Education: After-school activities for teenagers and funding: There was agreement that an interest group be formed to consider this topic.
Roz Shirack moved (Kathy Pugh seconded) adoption of the Recommended Program as revised by the various motions. Motion carried.
Adopted Program for 2008-2009
Retain: All current local positions
Continue studies:
Natural Resources: Solid Waste: Integrated Waste
Management--extended 1 more year to complete the work
Social Policy: Poverty--2nd year of 2-year study
Updates:
Government: Capital Improvement Financing: What are the priorities in Salem? (For example, downtown revitalization, sidewalks) How are city funds allocated to capital improvements?
Outlook for work: Speaker from City of Salem discuss Capital Improvements and perhaps include the effects of Urban Renewal Districts.
Government: Civics Education: Education League members and the public about the U.S. Constitution, civil liberties, etc.
Outlook for work: Sandra Gangle, who volunteered to chair this project, has scheduled a September 17th public meeting at the library to celebrate Constitution Day. In addition, a task force might prepare PSAs for CCTV and the League might have a table at the annual Social Studies Teachers Conference each fall.
Government: Should the number of Marion and Polk County Commissioners be increased from 3 to 5? How did LWV of Clackamas County promote the increase of their county commission to 5 members?
Outlook for work: Show the CCTV program about the spring 2008 panel presentation on increasing the number of Marion County Commissioners and invite a League member from Clackamas County to tell why they promoted an increase in their county commission and how this has worked out.
Education: After-school activities for teenagers and funding:
Outlook for work: An interest group will be formed to consider this topic.
Natural Resources: Transportation: How will we prepare for the world-wide reduction in the supply of oil?
Outlook for work: Look at local transportation issues including bikeways and bus schedules.
Action priority: Homeless youth.
Treasurer's Report: Elsa Struble briefly reviewed the report included in the proposed budget in the Annual Meeting Workbook.
Presentation of Proposed Budget: Roz Shirack said the Budget Committee (composed of herself as chair, Janet Markee, incoming President Kathy Reed, and Treasurer Elsa Struble) recommends a budget just over $10,000, which is a little less than for the current year, which included the Ukrainian Visitors project. Sandra Gangle asked if her request for $200 for prizes in an essay contest as part of the Civics Education project had been overlooked. Roz replied that the Budget Committee had not picked up on the fact that the board had approved the $200, but $200 could be pulled from reserves. Sandra moved (Polly Hare seconded) to amend the budget to include $200 for an essay contest in connection with the Civics Education project in order to involve students in thinking about the topic. The motion passed.
Voter Service budget items: Line 609--$1000 in the current year's budget was payback to LWVOR for the insertion of the state 2006 General Election Voters' Guide in the Statesman Journal, a one-time payment; a similar contribution for the Voters' Guide is not needed this year. Line 604--The Voter Service co-chairs wanted more money to purchase Voters' Guides to distribute to schools, so Line 604 was increased. Bea Epperson, LWVOR Voter Service Chair, commented that local Leagues will be expected to help fundraise for this year's state Voters' Guides, but LWVMPC will get a percentage of three grants to LWVOR for Voters' Guides, which will help with that expense.
Roz Shirack moved adoption of the budget as amended (Line 603 Adopted Program increased by $200 to $450 for the Civics Education essay contest; Line 1600 Transfer from Reserves increased $200 to $2,200 to balance the budget). The amended budget was approved.
Founders' Award: Diana Bodtker presented the silver Founder's Award tray to Sandra Gangle.
Recognition of Board Members: Diana said the board has been marvelous and gave each board member a box of LWV tea. Rose Lewis thanked Diana for serving as president and presented her with a hanging fuchsia plant from the League.
Report of Nominating Committee: Lois Nuss, chair, presented the report on behalf of the committee, which also included Jan Markee. Lois said that they nominated two people for several offices. One will be elected at this Annual Meeting and the others (named in italics in the following list) will be appointed by the new board at its first meeting. Diana moved (Rose seconded) that the secretary cast a unanimous ballot. The motion carried.
Board of Directors for 2008-2009
Officers:
President: Kathrine Reed
lst Vice President/Program: Susann Kaltwasser
2nd Vice President/Focus: Sally Hollemon
Secretary: Kristin Heath
Treasurer: Elsa Struble
Immediate Past President: Diana Bodtker
Directors:
Action: Roz Shirak
CCTV: Lloyd Kumley
Fundraising: Alice Phalan
Program Meeting Arrangements: Tina Hansen
Membership: Geraldine Hammond / Janet Markee
Publicity: David Phelps / Jeanine Grater
Voter Service: Dorothy Eberhardt
(Sharon Johnson and Lucia Norris will be part of the
Voters Service Committee to assist the Chairperson.)
Nominating Committee:
Rose Lewis, Chair
Sandra Gangle, Elected member
Diana then turned the meeting over to Susann Kaltwasser, the newly elected First Vice President, in the absence of Kathy Reed, the newly elected President.
New President's Message: Susann Kaltwasser read a short speech written by Kathy Reed that included some of her ideas for the coming year.
Directions to the Board:
Deanie Anderson--Hold a meeting on membership, including the needs of the current membership as well as how to bring in new members.
Jan Markee--Look at the community to try to involve more diverse groups in the political process.
Tina Hansen--Unit meetings this year have been excellent. Continue with the two Units and also look into using new technologies, such as podcasts and blogs, to try to reach more people. A lunch Unit could offer a short meeting for people who couldn't otherwise attend a Unit meeting.
Rose Lewis--Reach out to young mothers; look into offering childcare. Also look for new retirees. Lane County LWV is looking into an online Unit; we might contact them to see how they do that Unit.
Polly Hare--Have more all-member public meetings at the library as this sometimes draws new people.
Susann Kaltwasser--Hold a Unit in a public place (in addition to the current two Units). Invite new people to League meetings; they can come free until they decide to join.
Sandra Gangle--LWVUS is encouraging us to think of ourselves as ambassadors to spread the word about LWV.
Tina Hansen--Reach out to the disabled community.
Janet Adkins--LWV should sponsor Presidential debates.
Janet Markee--We could suggest to LWV members that they e-mail LWVUS to encourage that board to sponsor a Presidential debate.
Announcements: Rose said that several LWVMPC members will attend the May LWVOR Council meeting and the June LWVUS Convention in Portland.
Susann announced local public meetings in May on education and solid waste.
Adjournment: Susann adjourned the meeting at 9:13 p.m.
Sally Hollemon, Secretary Pro Tem
The minutes were reviewed and approved by Bea Epperson and Jeanie Schlottmann.
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League of Women Voters of Marion and Polk Counties, Oregon. All rights reserved.
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