We got a lot done yesterday and had good reason to celebrate;especially as there was a strong atmosphere of collaboration.  Our dinner was a “temple dinner” in arestaurant venue that modeled the interior. There were at least a dozen differentkinds of vegetarian food in bowls that we sat at in tables of four Alex (HongKong), Amerita (Indonesia) and Quaide (Germany) were at my table. There wasalso a big bowl that looked like soup but turned out to be fermented rice. Itwas very good and our Korean hosts are to be complimented on their thoughtfulchoice.

After we ate, there were dancers in flowing local costumes whoperformed in a central wooden floor. At the end of their performance theypulled people from among the diners (including Ken) to play percussioninstruments and dance.

Sunday morning we had a regional call where Ken and I had a difficulttime connecting. When we finally did connect on Skype we found that it had beenpostponed for a week.

We got started at 9:30 a.m. with the roll call.

We’ve passed three resolutions. They’ll be posted but includedresolutions to encourage support of DCPA, to lobby Congress not to cut consularservices in foreign countries, and to support the people of Japan in their timeof difficulty.

We then moved to consider the time and place of the next meeting.  We settled AGM to be held at the end of Mayor beginning of June in 2012 with the strong possibility of an electronicmeeting in the fall of 2011. We heard from Dee Dee Camhi from Mexico and Ipresented for the Montreal bid.

We had the vote (with both Canada and Mexico abstaining) and the Mexicobid has won.  Congratulations Mexico.

Now on to treasurer’s report – accounts approved for 2010.  Short summary: we need more money to do whatwe need to do.

Now on to the delegate selection plan. Joe Smallhoover did a really complete presentation followed byquestions.  This year the suggested planis to have no internet voting (due to one likely candidate and cost) but tohave people able to download and mail or fax in their ballots.

Lindsay is presenting the Voter Outreach.  There were confusions about the applicationof the MOVE Act that won’t be a factor this year.  The report included results of the mailing,reports on the use of internet advertising and a model project with Virginiathat made a difference in a House race. I am hoping she will send us the powerpoint but John Chudy has suggested that it be a video with Lindsay presenting.

Ken suggested that we raise money for DPCA because it can pay forpartisan advertising.  Canada’s localmoney that had to be non-partisan only got several hundred members so we’d dobetter to go with them.

Lindsay reported on the Uniform Law Commission that she, Joe Green andMargo Miller have been serving on as experts. It has been introduced in 12state legislatures so far.

There is a request to deal with both the first and second Argentinachallenge. The time frame to the end of June should be enough to resolve this.

Quaide Williams (Germany) has just passed around some printed matterthat DAG prepared that has been available on line. We could adapt this for ourown use in our country committees.

Also, a quilt that has been made by members in France and Germany wasdiscussed by Quaide and Meredith.

1:40 Adjournment – we got a lot done this morning having dealt with theheavy stuff yesterday.

Happy sounds of people giving goodbye handshakes and hugs and  making plans for lunch, dinner, etc.

I’ll be staying here tonight and off to the less expensive Kaya Hoteltomorrow.

I think Ken’s term as chair will go very well.  He started off this morning with a suggestionthat everyone reach around and pat a fellow Democrat or two on the back.  It set a very harmonious tone.