The Wilson County Democratic Party meets on the second Monday night of each month at 6:30pm in the Wilson County Ward Agricultural Center’s Gentry Building.

Call us at 615-444-3838 with questions.

Working hard to turn Tennessee Blue again with a big WIN in 2012!

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August Meeting Minutes

Wilson County Democratic Party Meeting

August 8,2011

The regular monthly meeting of the Wilson County Democratic Party was held at 6:30 P.M. on Monday,  August 8, 2011. The meeting was held at the Wilson County Chamber Of Commerce  on the Public Square in Lebanon.  About 20 were in attendance.  Due to the absence of Chairman Terry Heady, the meeting was called to order by 1st Vice Chair Ken Fraley.  He welcomed everyone and led the reciting of the “Pledge of Allegiance”.

Vice Chm. Fraley reiterated that the party did not have an elected secretary and asked for nominations or volunteers to fill the position. Nominations or volunteers were not forthcoming but JoAnn Brown volunteered to record the minutes for this meeting.   Minutes of the July 11, 2011 meeting were circulated to the membership.  Vice Chm. Fraley asked for comments or corrections and Diane Wilde asked for clarification on the August 22nd date for the fair to end.  After consideration, it was agreed that this was the “tear down” date and the minutes were correct.  A motion was made by Geoff Ortengren and seconded by Diane Wilde that the minutes be accepted as written and the motion carried.

Copies of the treasurer’s report were circulated to the membership.  The report was given by Treas. Rachel Givens and is attached to this report.  Treas. Givens added that the invoice for $819.38 for the T-Shirts had not been received and was not included in the expenses.  A motion was made by Geoff Ortengren &  seconded by Jesse McLevain that the report be accepted as read and the motion passed.

The guests present were recognized.  Phil Ponder, a representative of Jim Cooper’s office, and his wife, Dot.  Diane Wilde also brought a guest, Lucy Rosa.

OLD BUSINESS

Rachel Givens reported on the new T-Shirts, which had been designed by the committee appointed at the July meeting.  A favorable price of $819.38 for 100 shirts in various sizes had been obtained from Advantage Marketing in Gallatin, TN  with both a “Made in the USA” and the union stamp.  This is well under the $1200 which had been previously authorized by the party.  With the lower price, the shirts can be sold for $15 and still have a profit for the Party.  Their delivery time was also favorable.  She had them available for immediate purchase and reported presales of $120.00 from the Wilson County Dem. Women.  Everyone seemed pleased with the quality and design of the shirts.

Ken Fraley reported that the banner for the fair had been received.   He also noted that 2,000 brochures had been received and some were displayed on the table for anyone that would like to take a few to distribute.  He also said that he had earlier delivered some to the Chamber of Commerce and had observed, on one occasion, the chamber staff showing them to visitors. Rachel Givens added that the WC Dem. Women had approved a $100 donation toward the cost of the brochures.  The banner and brochures both are also noted as “union made”.

Diane Wilde spoke on the needs for fair participation.  She reported that Terry Heady and his crew would be collecting the larger items needed to set up the booth and that he had asked for others to be at the fairgrounds in front of the Pageant stage at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday to help assemble the booth.  Decorating will be done afterwards if time permits.  If not, decorating will be Thursday at 12 noon.  Diane said the idea of having a “crate give-a-way” each night had been dropped for lack of donations but that 2 tickets to the Blue Plate Monday would be given away.  There will also be a children’s grab bag available for a $1 donation. Free items to be available for distribution during the fair will be the new brochures and the litter bags left from last year.  Diane pointed out that Betty Fleming had the signup sheets to staff the fair booth and that, unless all the slots were filled, she and Betty will be making phone calls to ask members to work.  Phil Ponder added that Rep. Cooper would be walking in the Nine-Mile Walk on Friday night and would be at the WCDP booth afterwards.

Rachel Givens was recognized to speak on the “Blue Plate Monday” tickets at the City Limits Cafe.  Tickets were available for immediate purchase of $15.00. They will also be sold at the fair.  Ken Fraley reported that Terry Heady has arranged for music and Diane Wilde added that the Cafe is opening for our group only on Monday night, Aug. 29.

Diane Wilde spoke to the group regarding the new Voter ID requirements and presented a draft of the flyer that the WC Dem. Women are preparing for distribution.  Mr. Reuter asked what a person had to have available to obtain the phone ID and some discussion ensued regarding the requirements for absentee ballots, those with suspended licenses, or persons in the military serving overseas.

Phil Ponder added that Rep. Cooper’s office is also preparing to distribute some information on this subject.   Mr. Ponder stated that there would be a story in The Tennessean on Tuesday, August 9.  Written by Rep. Cooper’s office, the story involves a first-hand account of one person’s attempt to obtain the photo ID.  He also said that the state is considering a mobile unit for those counties that do not currently have a permanent driver’s testing station.

The WCDP had previously offered to coordinate rides and it was suggested that a signup sheet be available at the fair for persons needing a ride to obtain the picture ID.   Diane Wilde stated that times needed to be coordinated with the TN Motor Vehicle Division.  Ken Fraley stated that he would like to make available bottled water outside the building if it could be arranged with TN MVD.

NEW BUSINESS

Geoff Ortengren and others commented on the layout of the WCDP website stating that it was very informative and offered their compliments to Austin Brown, who is now responsible for the content.  Ken Fraley mentioned that, if or when we have a Party secretary,  it is planned to also give the secretary access to add to the web page.

Rachel announced the time and place of the meeting of the WC Dem. Women, Tuesday, August 9,  6:30 at the Gondola Restaurant.

There were questions on the use of the new brochures.  Ken Fraley stated that the idea is to get the Party’s name and information into the community in every way that is appropriate.

Discussion ensued on the involvement of the party with the Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.  Ken stated that he and Chm. Heady are listed as the contacts but that any member could attend the meetings or get involved in any of their events, Sherry’s Run, Christmas Parade, etc.  Ken said Chm. Heady now receives the Chamber newsletter and he is hoping that the chairman will share that with the members.  He also mentioned that the party could possibly have a representative on the Chamber Ambassador group.  Ken reported that Sue Vanatta  from the Chamber had volunteered to come to one of our meetings.  Ken asked the group if it would be agreeable to have the meeting at the Chamber next month and have her speak so we would be informed as to how to maximize our participation.  A motion was made and seconded to do so.  Motion passed and the meeting for Monday, Sept 12 will be held at the Chamber location.

A motion was made by Diane Wilde and seconded by Ann Reuter to adjourn.  Motion passed and the meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,     JoAnn Brown

New Officers Info.

Terry Heady –Chair- hmailto:headyt59@att.net

Ken Fraley – 1st Vice Chair- k_fraleysr2@yahoo.com

Diane Wilde-  2nd Vice Chair- dianewilde8803@yahoo.com

Aubrey Givens- 3rd Vice Chair- aubreygivens@hotmail.com

Jo Ann Brown – Secretary- jbrown7006@att.net

Rachel Givens – Treasurer- jrachel627@hotmail.com