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League of Women Voters of Butte County Board Meeting Minutes August 9, 2023 1:00 pm Zoom |
Board Members present: Satsie Veith, Janet Rechtman, Sandra Flake, Caroline Langen, Toni Reid, Claire Greene, Becky White, Carol Holzgrafe
Guest: Corky LeTellier
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 1:02 p.m.
Approve Meeting Minutes
The minutes for June and the special July board meetings were approved as written
Year in Review
Live meetings in September and February last year were “wonderful.”
Suggestions for advertising for a school board/council forum included Facebook, radio, the Chico News and Review. Linda McMichael filled in recently to help.
It was clear that we need a communications director. Toni Reid was unable to complete the board/membership function. She reported that we need a committee of government directors. Not enough member participation – possibly because of the few in-person meetings (Covid).
Financial Report
Sandra Flake reviewed the 2022-2023 financials: “Proposed income is never assured: we never know from where the money will come.” She listed expenses and said we can take money from the NVCF (North Valley Community Foundation) account for certain purposes. The checking account generally has $28,000 - $32,000, about one year’s worth of budget.
The budget currently has a deficit of $6,000. The League earned $26,000+ last year - unusually high – and only spent $23,437, leaving a deficit of only $1,542.
Some funding comes from our County Contract to distribute voter registration cards etc. If we asked to staff the Durham VAC, that will be an additional $3000.
Sandra said, “We are in as good a position as we can be given that we don’t have major fundraising”. The League will start the new year +- $28,000 in checking; close to $50,000 in NVCF. Her report on the final budget (P&L) versus the actual budget was accepted by a unanimous vote.
Business Meeting
Sandra Flake also reported that we now have a working, contemporary QuickBooks, having purchased an upgrade license for one year at $558. By the end of 2023 we should be a 501©3 where someone else will take on some of that cost. We are waiting to hear from the Secretary of State about our status; they have cashed our check for $35. Then we can begin working on the IRS part. We have a mentor helping us through the process.
Our accounts are okay and we have most P&L reports required. We may need one more report but this year’s filing should be enough. If not, we will search for an older one.
The updated re-lease has been signed for another year.
Nominating Committee: Two board members and 3 off-board are required for the Nominating Committee. Sandra Flake and Toni Reid volunteered to serve. Satsie will notify Maureen and Kathy that Sandra and Toni will work with them on the Nominating Committee.
Bylaws: revision must be done this year. There will be only minor changes once the 501©3 is completed and should not be complicated – basically a “clean-up”. Sandra has a list of items to be changed from Tom our 501©3 guru. “We are in very good shape,” she said.
Soroptomists: Carol Burr contacted Satsie about Soroptimists possibly sharing the office. Their small group meets once a month for 1 ½ hours, discussing donations etc. Schedules would need to be organized making it clear that the League has priority, especially during Candidate Forums. We will need permission from AltaCal since they maintain the office insurance. Satsie will ask Soroptimists to define one to three meeting time choices, after which we will notify AltaCal.
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Planning Meeting – How to get people involved?
Janet: In-person meetings are important to get people involved and suggested that each of us should invite three people to the Sept. 23 meeting. “Our power is our social capital,” Janet said.
Caroline: “How do we involve other communities like Gridley?”
Claire: In the past we had big meeting in Oroville that had a huge turnout.” It was agreed that Candidate Forums must include Gridley, Biggs, and that we contact Gridley/Biggs members to see what they need, want, and prefer to get from the League.
How can we attract students from CSU Chico and Butte College? Give them what they want and need: homeless health care and social action. College students are highly motivated by social action – which we provide on some level. Leverage that.
Sandra: Tie to groups working for students in need of short-term emergency loans or housing.
Hold a pizza party for student government. Issue: they are short term members.
Planning for 2023-2024
Janet asked for a sentence from all: what would be our best accomplishment before June 30, 2024.
- Regular health clinics for homeless.
- Maximum
- High influx of members, new, enough to handle March 2024 primary election
- Outreach to CSU kids; healthcare; positive impact on elections
- Distributed voting material countywide, picked up ballots as deputy clerks; started voting info. For high school students
- Need more observers: now have 8; need 12. Caroline will “get us to 12 people”
- Workshop on the Brown Act
- Successful
- Transition to 501©3
- Program on voting in Butte County; 3-4 educating Programs on public policy and natural resources
Encouraging current members to participate:
Must get new-ish members to work on committees. Choices:
Natural Resources, Government director, Social Policy (Becky), Budget, Nominating
Ad Hoc: bylaws (must have 3 meetings a year), etc. promotional/PR/fundraising
(NOTE: running a voter center makes a contribution to community; get contributions back).
Must train new members how to get active:
Offer a small, definite, entry level job: (greeters/question runners for Candidate Forums, tabling). Observing is not entry level; a new volunteer can accompany the observer.
Corky pointed out a lack of information on the league structure; this could be a regular feature in the newsletter. Marcia has a packet to offer prospective and members. Give a hard copy of this packet to all new members; e-files to all members to use.
Attracting new members –
Every member can invite friends, acquaintances to join. Have new member meetings explaining how we work, why we exist. Ask people why they joined? What are they comfortable doing? What do they think will work? Ask for their ideas. Becky offered to host such a meeting (note: she has cats).
“We need to be “sexier,” Janet said.
Must make clear what we need.
• Have a standard agenda for small meetings.
THE PERSONAL TOUCH: Need lists for each committee – use breakout rooms?
COMMUNICATIONS: Get in the E-R, flyers? Boost our online presence: Facebook, Instagram
Possible themes: “Your vote counts; count on your League. Join us.” From Janet
“The League of Women Voters – because Democracy is not a spectator sport. Lwvbuttecounty.org”
This is the title of a book and is used in many other places including on George Schulz’s ties. So, it should be in the common domain.
Fall Coffee: Speaker will be Jan Wilking– OLLI lecturer (head of CSUC Social Work; does research on homelessness and housing.
Perhaps: have an open meeting with tabletop discussion at first: the personal touch/questions – first time you heard about the League? Most important issues the League needs to address;
Could move from table to table: will ask for highlights. Report structure. Board member at each table.
Publicity: Janet will do press release/FB, for this event.
Have a table sign with individual signup sheets (and pens): “Projects improve our community: no workers: no programs: find something you like and sign up”
Sign-up sheets under “Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport – What will you do to help?”
Carol H has lucite stand-alone sign holders (c. 8 1/2x11”) for table
Coffee/tea/cookies/etc.? Janet is contact with facility. Sandra will handle the insurance form.
VOTER SERVICES: Claire and Carol Burr have been discussing Ballot Measures Presentation. Possible to do a candidate “speed dating” event rather than forums.
TUSCAN WATER DISTRICT: Emily Alma contacted Satsie. There is a new political action committee, “Groundwater for Butte” that opposes the district. They are asking us to do another forum/debate on the subject, before the election (Ballots will be sent Nov. 7 – Dec. 5 to return).
Could we participate? We won’t take a position but would present both sides. We would have to find people from each side. Would the pro faction be willing? Probably not since they will likely win. Decided NO.
Natural Resources Committee: Toni will lead if people sign up at the fall coffee. This will be low key but the committee must have more people.
Social Policy: Becky needs to know who is on her committee. Her topic is reliable, effective health care into homeless camps. She will talk to the CEO of Enloe soon; will they participate? Will try to meet with her committee in upcoming weeks to plot direction.
Satsie: We must counter misinformation on how elections are done in Butte County and before the March 5 primary. This needs to be finished in February. Possible speaker would be Keaton Denlay, BC Registrar of Voters.
Toni: “If people know how the votes are actually counted they might be less sceptical.”
Observers: Satsie, Deborah B, and Caroline will meet to discuss problems with PBID in following the Brown Act.
NEXT MEETING: 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 12, on Zoom
Meeting adjourned at 4:05 p.m.
