Minutes From the March 6, 2004 Progressive Populist Caucus Annual General Meeting

The Progressive Populist Caucus of the Texas Democratic Party met for the Annual General Meeting on March 6, 2004, at approximately 12:00 pm. The meeting was held at Threadgill’s Restaurant on Riverside Drive in Austin, Texas. This meeting is required by our Standing Rules, adopted on 11/23/02. 45 people were in attendance, including approximately 20 voting members.

Call To Order

A call to order was made by State Chair, Stan Merriman at approximately 12:10 pm, and a quorum and voting criterion were established. Stan welcomed new members and visitors, and introduced current Steering Committee members, guests, and candidates for this meeting’s elections. Four candidates for election to the Steering Committee introduced included: Secretary, Charlotte Cox; Sergeant-at-Arms, Tony Dudik; Diversity Chair, Robin Lewis; and Austin/Central Regional Vice-Chair Karen Hadden. Candidate for membership Chair Michael Boyette and DFW/North Texas Chair-elect Tarrah Browning Lantz were not in attendance.

Chairman Merriman then invited our guest, Glen Maxey, Texas Campaign Chair for the Howard Dean campaign to speak about where progressives in that campaign are headed now that John Kerry has most likely become our nominee. Maxey also saluted the work that the PPC does to keep progressives involved in our state Party.

Special Order

David Van Os then gave a rousing speech about the need to reactivate the base of our state Party and what must be done to revitalize it. He discussed the potential upcoming Communication Workers of America (CWA) strike against SBC, due to SBC’s insistence that the union concede on some health care benefits. He attributed the decline of the Texas Democratic Party to the Party neglecting to organize its base, while pursuing the “mythological swing vote”, resulting in a “continuing spiral of losses”. David encouraged us to look to our legacy of great leadership from past Democrats such as Harry Truman, Ralph Yarborough, Glen Maxey, James Stephen Hogg and Jim Hightower, leaders who ran as populists, not away from that tradition.

Our featured speaker was Jim Hightower, who spoke of his mixed emotions as he watched our Congressional Democratic leadership in Washington. He spoke of Senators Daschle’s all too common failure to stand up to the Bush administration, though he sees some reason for hope, in that progressive candidates like Dean, Kucinich, and Sharpton have called for Party change.

He is encouraged about the level of energy and activity coming out of the grassroots, saying he hasn’t seen this kind of populism and enthusiasm in years. He told PPC members and visitors that we have to be involved in movement-building, starting with precinct organizing and discussed several ways to get this done. According to Hightower, we are “not trying to take the Party to the left, we’re trying to take it back to the people”.

Adoption of Agenda

Julie Jackson Lusby then moved to adopt the meeting agenda, and Sue Durrell seconded the motion, which was adopted unanimously.

Adoption of Minutes

John Behrman moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of our last annual meeting, and to adopt the minutes. Karen Hadden seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.

Steering Committee Elections to Fill Vacancies and New Positions

Stan Merriman reported the election of two new Regional Vice-Chairs, who were locally elected by their respective regions prior to this meeting. David Van Os moved that we seat Karen Hadden of the Austin/Central Region and Tarrah Browning Lantz of the DFW/North Region, as members of the Steering Committee, as provided in Article 4 of our Standing Rules. Rachel Van Os seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Chairman Merriman then announced that Kathy Curley had resigned as Secretary of the PPC and that a nominating committee of the Steering Committee had nominated Charlotte Cox to fill that position for the remainder of the term through February, 2005. Other nominations were called on from the floor. No other nominations were offered. Members then voted unanimously to elect Charlotte Cox to this position.

Chairman Merriman announced that the Nominating Committee had nominated Michael Boyette to fill the position of Membership Chair through Feb., 2005 (vacated by John Curley). Though Michael Boyett was not present, Julie Jackson Lusby read a statement that Boyette had previously written relating his background, extensive qualifications, and desire to serve in this position. Other nominations were then called for from the floor and Michael Murphy nominated himself. He gave a short synopsis of his qualifications. Members then proceeded to vote. A hand count revealed a tie between Michael Boyette Michael Murphy. Murphy then withdrew his nomination citing that he was not aware that Boyette had been nominated. A revote was taken and Michael Boyette was declared the new Membership Chair.

Discussion turned to the recently vacated position of Sergeant-at –Arms (formerly held by Anna Casey, resigned). Stan Merriman related that the Nominating Committee had nominated Tony Dudik for this position. Tony addressed the Caucus regarding his qualifications and desire to serve. Other nominations from the floor were called for, though none were offered, and Tony Dudik was then unanimously elected as Sergeant-at-Arms.

Stan Merriman them announced that the position of Parliamentarian, formerly held by David VanOs was now open. There was no nominee designated by the Nominations Committee and nominations from the floor were called for. None were offered. Nominations were closed for later consideration.

The Nominating Committee had nominated Robin Lewis for a new position, titled Diversity Chair. Robin gave a statement regarding her background and qualifications. Other nominations from the floor were called fore and none were offered. Voting members then voted unanimously to elect Robin Lewis as Diversity Chair.

Report of the Chair

Chairman Merriman then reported that on of our original members, David VanOs,

is running for Texas Supreme Court, and recommended that the PPC endorse his candidacy. Rachel VanOs, then made the motion for endorsement, and Sue Durrell seconded it. The voting members approved the endorsement unanimously.

David then thanked the Caucus for its support and introduced his wife, Rachel Van Os, who is running for Bexar County Chair. David insists that if he is elected, he will make sure that what goes on behind closed doors will no longer remain secret. David’s website can be found at www.vanosforsupremecourt.com. Stan then proposed that our endorsement was not enough, and urged members to financially support David’s campaign. To that end, the Steering Committee requests that each Regional Vice-Chair commit to organizing at least one fund-raising event, inviting members, non-members and local organizations to attend.

Stan Merriman also requested that we entertain a change in our Strategic Plan, adopted last year, to modify or remove any language suggesting a change in Party Chair, due to the recent resignation by Molly Beth Malcolm and the election of Charles Soechting

David VanOs stated that Soechting’s actions thus far as State Party Chair seem to evidence “good faith” about making desirable changes in the Party, to bring it back to its grassroots. It was noted that VanOs ran against Soechting in the race for State Party Chair. VanOs cited these examples of positive signs from Soechting:

1. Recruitment of grassroots activist such as PPC members Tony and Glenda Smelser to replace “old time political consultants”, a move that engendered considerable debate among SDEC members.
2. Aggressive recruitment of Democratic candidates for state legislative offices (35 candidates, when 7 were expected).
3. Abandoned the practice of not endorsing candidates in the Democratic Primary, even in cases where the incumbent had a history of not appearing to represent their constituents or the Party. (Examples: Chris Bell endorsement, Alma Allen endorsement over Ron Wilson.

David felt that at this time we should focus on party unity and throwing Bush out.

Stan also commented that we should now direct our energies during the upcoming elections at the state convention to replacing any SDEC members who seem to see their job as rubber-stamping what the old Party establishment wants, rather than being accountable to their grassroots constituents.

It was suggested that the specific language changes to our Strategic Plan include (under “Initiatives to Be Undertaken” ):

1. Deleting the fourth item
2. Changing the fifth item to read “Recruitment of new SDEC leadership from within our ranks or like-minded groups”.

Stan also added that our aim was not to endorse Soechting, but to take him at his word and avoid criticism at this time.

A motion was made to adopt these changes. The motion was seconded, and adopted unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Armando Cadenas then gave the Treasurer’s report recapping all activity in the Sterling bank account since its opening on 4/2/03.

Report from Convention Strategy Chair

John Behrman, Convention Strategy Chair, then reported on the “Initiatives to Be Undertaken Prior to the 2004 Convention”. He stated that the four functions of the state convention are: nomination delegate selection platform building 4) Party governing. John said that it is most important to remember that, though the convention is gaveled open on the 18th, “almost all important business is done in the Senate District conventions” on Friday, the 17th. He stressed the importance of getting email addresses to build our coalition. John felt that we should focus on getting one plank passed into the platform – that would represent progress.

Stan Merriman then asked for consensus on agreement of the voting members to explore building coalitions with other progressive groups.

Glen Maxey spoke about strategies for getting progressive delegates to the convention. He noted that it was too early to know (before Tuesdays primary) how many delegates would be allowed for the more progressive candidates such as Dean or Kucinich. So all he could suggest is to try to get as many progressive-minded delegates elected, whether they had to sign in for Dean (for example) or Kerry.

John Behrman suggested signing in late in order to determine whether there were enough other delegates signed in to register to support a non-Kerry delegate.

Report from Mission Statement/ Statement of Beliefs Committee

Stan explained the process whereby David VanOs’s committee of four members compiled these statements. The committee was charged with the following tasks:

1. The intention was to focus where there could be concerted action intended to affect state issues.
2. They were to focus primarily on economic justice issues.

Karen Hadden proposed that we add the following statement to the Statement of Beliefs:

Foreign Policy

The United States should enact a new foreign policy based on respect for human rights and other governments. We should end the policy of pre-emptive first strike, and work instead to lead global efforts to dismantle nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

The motion was accepted as a friendly amendment. John Platt then moved to adopt the Mission Statement/ Statement of Beliefs, as amended. Charlotte Cox seconded the motion and it passed 16 to 2.

One member then remarked that the Statement was missing any reference to separation of church and state. While it was agreed that this is a critical issue, it was noted that the Statement had to be voted “up or down” as it is, and that the issue could be handled in a later amendment.

New Business

A resolution drafted by Michael Boyette called “Resolution on Supporting the 2004 Presidential Nominee of the Democratic Party” was discussed, after which Barbara Simpson moved that we adopt the resolution, and Sonia Santana seconded the motion. The resolution carried unanimously.

Stan reported that the SDEC had voted to advocate a paper trail for electronic voting. State Chair Charles Soechting suggested that we acknowledge the SDEC by adopting a resolution on this. A “Resolution on Protection from Election Fraud was proposed and discussed. David VanOs offered a friendly amendment to add the word “individual”, and Barbara Simpson proposed adding the word “paper” to paragraphs 2, 4, 5, and 6, so that they read “an individual paper voter-verifiable audit trail”. Another friendly amendment proposed changing the wording in paragraph 2 from “by the voter before the vote is cast”, to “by the voter both before and after the vote is cast”. Each of three changes was approved. John Behrman then requested unanimous consent to stop changing the wording of the resolution. However, after some discussion four voters voted to oppose that measure, so this motion failed. Sue Durrell them moved that the resolution be adopted and Barbara Simpson seconded the motion. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

Other Business From the Floor

David VanOs made a motion that the PPC, at the state convention, organize a petition drive to get at least 30% of the delegates to adopt the “Resolution on Protection from Election Fraud”. John Behrman suggested that the language for such a resolution is “technically sensitive”, so that it doesn’t get kicked out. VanOs countered that that was why he proposed a resolution, rather than a plank in the Party platform – precisely because the language for a resolution need not be so specific. Stan Merriman suggested that we should pursue “all available avenues”, not just limited to a resolution. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

Karen Hadden then proposed a resolution relating to air and water pollution by mercury. Because the resolution was not in writing, it was suggested that she e-mail it to the members, which she agreed to do.

Stefan Wray then introduced a “Resolution Opposing the University of Texas Board of Regents Plan for the University of Texas to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory”. Karen Hadden moved to adopt this resolution, Pam Thompson seconded the motion. The resolution passed with one opposing vote.

It was agreed that Stan Merriman would attempt to email all resolutions to the members before Tuesday’s precinct convention, so that members might get them passed at the precinct and district conventions.

Cheryl Zettner requested that we ask Mike Boyette, to approach the Kucinich campaign to provide a list of its members so that we might use the information for membership drives. It was agreed that Cheryl and Michael Murphy would speak with Mike Boyette about this.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Charlotte Cox, Secretary
Progressive Populist Caucus