Congressional Committee to Organize the Second District

Meeting Minutes: October 28, 2001

Present: D. J. Arnold (Linn), Frank Best (Louisa), Alan Bohanan (Cedar), Sandy Dockendorff (DesMoines), Maureen Donnelly (Johnson), Mary Elgar (Henry), Brian Flaherty (Johnson), Don Foor (Louisa), Daryn J. Hamilton (Jefferson), Jeff Heland (DesMoines), Ralph Johnson (Davis), Cheryll Jones (Davis), David Loebsack (Linn), Sue Magner (Linn), Betty McMahon (Muscatine), Don Paulson (Muscatine), Sally Peck (Cedar), Carol Porch (Johnson), Nathan Reichert (Muscatine), John Riessen (DesMoines), Roxy Riessen (DesMoines), Chris Rossi (Johnson), Sharon Savage (Muscatine), Phil Scott (Jefferson), Norm Sterzenbach (Linn), Bob Thomas (Appanoose), Julianne Thomas (Linn), Marcella Thompson (Davis), Maureen Lorene Thurman (Linn), Pete Thurman (Linn), Gloria Whitaker (Van Buren), John Whitaker (Van Buren), Faith Wilmot (Johnson).

Call to order:
The meeting was called to order by Alan Bohanan at 1:35 p.m. at Jerry's Restaurant in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Welcome and Introduction:
Welcome and introductions of members present (as listed above) occurred.
Potential candidates for the Second Congressional District John Whitaker from Van Buren County and Julianne Thomas from Linn County were introduced to the meeting and made brief introductory statements.
Norm Sterzenbach (Linn), Daryn J. Hamilton (Jefferson), Bob Thomas (Appanoose), Maureen Donnelly (Johnson) and Alan Bohanan (Cedar) were introduced as present State Central Committee members. Marlyn Schepers (Muscatine) is a State Central Committee member who was unavoidably absent.

Organization of the District:
The Iowa Democratic Party has calculated that this district has a 56.98% Democratic performance expectation based on the data from the last two elections. Therefore this is a district that can win with the right candidate. Alan noted that we had two such potential candidates present.

The new redistricting plan was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor but has not yet been certified by the Secretary of State. The new district will come into effect on January 1. On that date the second district will receive some seed money from the treasuries of the old third and the old first districts. The counties in the new Second Congressional District include Appanoose, Cedar, Davis, DesMoines, Henry, Jefferson, Johnson, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine, Van Buren, Wapello, Washington and Wayne (see map on website).

The State Central Committee meeting yesterday passed a resolution to limit the number of delegates at the State convention to 1500. In theory that means that the second district will have a minimum of 300 delegates. It is based on the numbers of Democratic votes in the last two federal elections. Norm Sterzenbach estimated that the number will be 350 to 370 delegates. The reason for the lower State convention total is to allow the convention to more easily meet its quorum. Alan said that we need to get more people interested in attending the State convention.

The district central committee is made up of those people who have been 'certified' by their counties to be on the committee. There is a minimum requirement in the state constitution that there be three people per county. The State is working on the precise allocation number now. We rely on the counties to inform us of the delegates. Johnson County names a large number of alternates which encourages a good level of participation. Alan said we are looking for people who are willing to do some of the work.

Norm Sterzenbach stated that we need to have some temporary by-laws or rules. He suggested that the chair appoint a committee to work on the by-laws that can later be modified by the permanent second district. Maureen Donnelly suggested that the committee also investigate techniques by which the convention can vote so that it would be more efficient. Bob Thomas said he could not locate a copy of the third district by-laws. (The first district constitution is available on the website as a reference for you.). The first district added a by-law provision to allow electronic meeting notification and people who choose to get traditional mail may do so. The second district wishes to have a website established and the first district website will be modified to be the second district website. This will provide several options for the new second district. Alan asked that the present members let the secretary know which form of mail notification they prefer.

Election of Temporary Officers:
We need to elect a temporary Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. We must have a working bank account with which to start a district convention. In order to do that we need to set up a structure that is in keeping with the State Ethics Board. To that end, it would behoove us to find a temporary chair that is willing to work at least until the election of a permanent chair, a temporary secretary and a temporary treasurer. That would be the minimum required to set up an account. A good piece of the money that the first and third districts have will come to the new second district because of the method that has been set up to allocate the money. An appropriate structure is required to have the money transferred in and put in a checking account.

Norm Sterzenbach said that new district officers aren't sworn in until June which could create a tremendous vacuum. We need to have a structure established to organize a district convention. It appears that all of the counties would have the minimum of three delegates except for DesMoines, Linn and Johnson.

A motion was made, seconded and carried that Alan Bohanan be named temporary Chair and Sharon Savage be named temporary Secretary of the Second District Congressional Committee.

A motion was made, seconded and carried that Sandy Dockendorff be named temporary Treasurer of the Second District Congressional Committee. Norm suggested that another priority for the organizational second district committee is to develop our financial structure with the Treasurer.

Discussion of Committees for the District Convention and Request for Volunteers:

The committees needed are a. Rules b. Credentials c. Arrangements d. Platform e. Affirmative action.

It was suggested that all members give some thought to the committees and email Alan about their desire to work on a committee or to be temporary chair. It was pointed out that 99% of the time the person involved ends up being the chair of the committee. Therefore people need to think of that fact before they volunteer, to ensure that they will be sufficiently available. Anybody who volunteers to be a committee chair needs to go through the appropriate process.

David Loebsack suggested that the group check out vote-smart.org to find information on the ranking of particular congressman.

Sandy Dockendorff pointed out that we also have the responsibility to help the candidates that cross party lines. The 87th house district has three candidates running for the Democratic seat to contest Barry Brauns. They are John Dockendorff, Andrew Hoth and John Riessen.

District Convention:

A list of criteria for the location of the next convention was distributed (see the website). Centrality of location is an important issue. This is the group that will decide the location of the convention. Those counties that are interested in hosting the convention need to provide a proposal to this committee including information about the facilities. It was pointed out that cost needs to also be given consideration. It was requested that Alan be contacted in December so that there can be firm proposals by the next meeting. Norm said that the county is allowed to make some money on the convention also by providing the breakfast or lunch, etc. It provides incentive to the county to host the convention.

New Business:

Alan proposed that a research arm be established to get information about Jim Leach and his record to the media as well as to other Democrats. We need to change the perception of Jim Leach in this district and our candidates should not have to do it all by themselves. It was suggested that the differences between Leach and Leonard Bozwell be emphasized and that we perform opposition research to document Leach's record and establish talking points for Democrats. It was also suggested that Leach's stand on environmental issues and his votes on health care be emphasized. It is viewed as problematic that is name has become synonymous with 'integrity'. It was pointed out that he often votes for a bill and then votes against funding it. Some of the information already exists and has been gathered by unions, social workers, etc. It was requested that a list-serve be organized for the committee and that some of this information be placed on the website. Volunteers for this committee included Phil Scott, Faith Wilmot, Brian Flaherty, Cheryll Jones, Daryn Hamilton, Sue Magner, Ralph Johnson, Don Foor, Sharon Savage.

It was suggested that a public speaking group be established that would be available to provide speeches when needed.

Maryrose Wegman is president of the University of Iowa Young Democrats and president of the Iowa Young Democrats. She is interested in getting other Iowa Young Democrats organized in the community colleges and in the district. If you have any interest in that contact Alan. It was suggested that Nate Boulton could also be contacted. He is president of the Iowa Young College Democrats and is an active and valuable young Democrat from Louisa County.

Norm has time-lines for caucuses that he has made available to county chairs (see the website).

A motion was made second and carried that we have a caucus and county convention training session as part of our January meeting.

Bob Thomas mentioned the computer system that the state is working on that will help to clean the database. It will create a Democratic list that will be culled of deceased people and people who have moved. Kirsten Running is the person who is working on this. Let Alan know if you are interested in a package that will help you to clean your county database.

John Riessen, who is a candidate for the new 87th house district, was introduced and made a few brief statements.

There was a show of hands on a Saturday or Sunday meeting preference for the next meeting, and Sunday won by an overwhelming majority.

A motion was made seconded and carried to hold the next meeting Sunday, December 9th at 2:00 p.m. Mary Elgar will look into the college as a possible location. If that is not available, this site (Jerry's Restaurant) would provide an alternative. Lunch will be from 12:00 to 2:00.

Alan suggested that we pass the hat. Sandy Dockendorff, the Treasurer counted the money,
and reported that $160.00 had been gathered.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 p.m.


Submitted by Sharon Savage, Secretary