Minutes of the Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad Guatemala
Wednesday, September 6 , 2017 at 5:30 pm
Dave Evans’s house/Via Skype Attendance: John Chudy, Chair; Tom Totino, Treasurer; Kee Kalwara, Events/Membership/Fundraising Coordinator; Lyn Totino, Secretary; Dave Evans, Member at Large; Letty Manne, Consul; and via Skype: Mary Reynolds, media contact; Rachael Shenyo, Occidente MeetUp Group Deputy Chair; Hyungjoon Jin, Guatemala City MeetUp Group Chair
Call to Order - 5:30 pm The agenda of the previous EXCOM were approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: Our Net Worth stands at Q270.40 of which Q310 is a credit at the Revue. This is the first time we have been in the black this year. We currently have a cash balance of Q562. However, we still owe John Chudy another Q601 for the purchase of fireworks, food and drinks he bought for the July 4th sundowner. Tom moved that we reimburse John Q501 from our cash balance right now and reimburse him the remaining Q100 as funds come in. Dave Evans seconded and the motion was carried. The only other thing to note was that we have been making money by showing movies. So far this year we have made Q1,583 from movie events. The report was accepted unanimously.
Events for 2017:
Film Series: All the President’s Men was shown in July. It was not well attended but is a great film given that we might be viewing a real life remake of it. Fog of War was shown on August 25. It was better attended and we made money selling wine and popcorn. Before the Flood will be shown at Casa Convento Concepcion on September 22 starting at 6:30 pm. This is a film about climate change. Rachel Shenyo who is a climate scientist will lead the discussion following the film. Wine, beer and popcorn will be on sale.
Two movies will be shown in October: Argo will be shown at Casa Convento Concepcion on October 13. The Big Lebowsky will be shown at Dave’s house on October 27 although this date is not set in stone.
Fundraisers:
Block Party: Kee and Lyn have decided that a block party would not be an appropriate way to raise money for DAGT. We will need funds for the upcoming 2018 elections. Advertising is our major expense. It was decided that it would be far easier and more effective to appeal to the members of DAGT for donations. An email will go out to the membership asking for donations. Other methods we have used to make money have been time consuming, difficult and not very effective.
Discussion Groups and Presentations:
Hyung discussed the difficulty of attracting millennials and Bernie supporters. He felt that any activities involving this group be delayed until spring and before the midterm elections. That said, it is important to get this group engaged and hopefully support the democratic party. Rachel Shenyo will be doing a presentation on climate change following our movie Before the Flood on September 22.
Resistance Activities:
DAGT should support DACA. It was not decided exactly the best way to do this. Elizabeth Warren will have a video discussion group with DA via Zoom on September 17 at 9:30am (DC time). DAGT is a sponsor of DA Women’s Caucus calendar. The calendars will be on sale in Guatemala and the format will be US style which will be easier for us to use. Members are encouraged to continue to call/write/email their congressmen and check out the DA website for all relevant information.
The next meeting will take place at 5:30pm on Wednesday, October 18 at Letty Manne’s house.
This meeting is open to all members.
Travel Notes: Lyn and Tom will be gone from September 10 to 30. Dave will be gone from September 11 to 20 and October 5 to 11.
Adjourned: 7:10 pm