Minutes of the Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad Guatemala
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 5:30 pm
Dave’s & Kee’s house/Via Skype
Attendance: In person: John Chudy, Chair; Tom Totino, Treasurer; Kee Kalwara, Events/Membership/Fundraising Coordinator; Lyn Totino, Secretary; Elisabeth Shackelford, Volunteer Coordinator, via Skype: Mary Reynolds, Media Contact; Traci Styner, Lake Atitlan Meetup Group Chair.
Call to Order - 5:38 pm
The agenda and minutes of the previous EXCOM minutes were approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report:
Our Net Worth stands at Q725.40 of which Q310 is a credit at the Revue. While this is just a small increase over last month we paid for 12 hats which can be sold or given as a token of our appreciation for donations. So far this year, we generated revenue of Q3,189 from showing eight movies. In addition to donations from the seven attendees at November’s movie, Letty Manne gave a Q100 donation. After paying for space rental and the popcorn lady we’ve netted Q2,278 well on our way to covering the Q3,800 cost of the projector. The report was accepted unanimously.
Events for 2017:
Film Series:
Megan Leavey, a true story about a young marine and her bond with her military combat dog, was shown at CCC on November 17. Although the film was interesting, only 7 members attended, five of which are board members. We netted Q155. We discussed low turnout which could be because films are shown Fridays. We discussed changing the day or the venue. It was decided that CCC is pretty much a perfect place to show films. Since Friday is the only day available at CCC we will continue to show the films same place, same time. We can hope more people show up.
Christmas Vacation is still scheduled to be shown at CCC on December 15 at 6:30 pm. Kee will send an email requesting an RSVP from members who plan to attend. We could cancel the movie if interest is scarce.
Fund Raisers:
On January 2 DAGT will begin our Anti Inaugural Anniversary fundraising drive. Members can visit our website to donate and pay through PayPal or Stripe.com. The prize for a donation of $25 or more is either a Women’s Caucus 2018 calendar (which are made available as a donation by John Chudy) or a cap embroidered with Lo Siento por el Imbécil. The donation drive will last until February 20.
Most members in attendance liked the caps so much that we decided we could begin selling them right away. Elisabeth will be testing the market in Antigua to see how they sell. A photo will be posted on Facebook to see if that generates any interest. We will probably need to have more caps embroidered, this time minus the quote marks. We will be selling the caps for Q80.
One 25-pack of Women’s Caucus calendars have been ordered and will be here by the end of the year. The Excom expressed appreciation to Rachael for the idea and for arranging the embroidering. If there is enthusiasm Rachel will arrange to have more hats embroidered. The calendars and the caps will be sold at all of our events.
Other Items:
DAGT Policy Retreat:
Although the venue has not yet been decided, our retreat will take place on January 20 in Antigua. Thus far the issues to be discussed are: Achieving Universal Health Care, The Democratic Party Identity,and Policies, (John Chudy will present these.) Immigration, Russia, and US Elections, Key 2018 House and Senate Races. We still need volunteers to select and present one of the remaining topics or another of interest. John sent out a separate email providing more details and volunteered to lead the discussion on Universal Health Care. Kee will contact Sue Patterson and request that she lead a discussion on Women’s Issues.
Americas Regional Meeting:
The meeting will take place in Costa Rica on January 26-28.
Database Cleanup and Voter Registration:
Members will be working on this in January. At this point only those members who have not logged on to the DA web page since 2014 will have to be called.
The next meeting: Dave’s and Kee’s house at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, January 10. This meeting is open to all members.
Travel Notes:
Lyn and Tom will be gone from December 16 to January 6. John will be gone from December 6 to 30. Dave will be gone from November 22 to December 24. Letty will be gone from November 28 to December 14. Annie will be gone from December 20 to January 7. Mary will be gone from December 14 to January 6.
Adjourned: 7:08 pm.