Minutes of Democrats Abroad Guatemala
Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 12:00 noon at Café Teatro El Sitio and via Skype
Members in Attendance: John Chudy, Chair; Kee Adams Evans, Events Coordinator; Hyungjoon Jin, Member at Large; Sheryl Larson, Member; and via Skype, Scotney Young, Media Contact; and Juan Pablo Aris, Counsel.
Per our bylaws (paragraph 19.3), all meetings are open to all members.
Called to order at 11:59
Approval of Agenda and Minutes: Minutes from September meeting and October agenda were approved with spelling corrections.
Treasurer’s report: Current balance is Q4538.
Chair’s Report: A new recruiting email for Treasurer and Secretary will go out in November. Also needed are MeetUp Group chair for Guatemala City and start-up leader for Huehuetenango. Scotney said she continues to talk to friends and acquaintances for interest in joining DAGT and their interest in one of the open positions especially MeetUp Chair for Guatemala City.
Amending DAGT bylaws to coincide with DPCA charter on officer elections and terms of office is under consideration and other amendments so that DAGT’s bylaws are consistent with the DPCA Charter. Proposed amendments would be voted on by the full membership at DAGT’s Annual General Meeting in 2020.
All DAGT members should join DA’s Hispanic Caucus chaired by Michael Ramos, DA Australia. Join the Hispanic Caucus at: https://www.democratsabroad.org/hc. In addition to bringing issues of importance to light, Michael has launched a series of Podcasts of interest to caucus members and DA members alike. Podcasts can be heard at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/democrats-abroad-hispanic-caucus-podcast/id1476121999.
Events for 2019:Next Movie Night will be Thursday, October 24th featuring Black Klansman at Casa Convento Concepciٕón at 6:30pm. Fahrenheit 11/9 will be featured November 19th.
Voter registration events will begin again in January 2020, to be held monthly up to the general election in November.
Debate Watch Party- October 15th. Thanks to Kee and Dave for hosting the watch party. Despite heavy rain and 12 candidates over three hours of debate, eight hardy Democrats showed up to share the spectacle. Attendees were in agreement that this was the best debate so far with questions and answers more focused on substance than on show. The DNC will offer a debate in November, with the date, place and participating candidates to be determined. Dave and Kee will again host.
Americas Region News: Americas Regional Meeting to be held October 25 - 26, 2019 in San Jose, Costa Rica. The meeting, originally scheduled for in-person attendees only, is now available via Webex. Via Webex, John and Kee will participate both Friday and Saturday, and Scotney will participate on Saturday. Other members of the Excom and the general membership interested in getting involved in the 2020 election are encouraged to join in. Here is a link to sign-up. https://forms.gle/sa7MBrkwBtc7uvsw8. Webex participants are asked to contribute $10 for one day or $15 for both days to help cover digital transmission costs, donations accepted via Paypal to [email protected]. Friday’s agenda, after introductions and opening remarks, features the Global Primary, Communications timeline and rules, and Ballot Request/Registration processes; Saturday’s agenda will stress phone banking, the Delegate Selection Plan and conventions to elect delegates from DA to the National Convention in Milwuakee, and Communications Outreach and Talking Points.
DAGT November Excom meeting: Thursday, November 14th, 12:00 noon at Café Teatro El Sitio and via Skype.
Travel Notes: Mary Lou will be in and out. John will in the USA Nov 21 to December 29, 2019.
Adjourned: 1:01pm.