TDW of Ellis County
April 15, 2025 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by President Nancy Post at 6:04 p.m. with 17 members and 2 guests in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Nancy encouraged all members to bring a friend to the next meeting and ask them to join TDW-EC.
Meeting Minutes and Treasurer Report:
The March meeting minutes are available on the TDWEC website. Mary Lou made a motion to approve. Linda Baker seconded. All ayes.
Treasurer Joanne Hunt reported a PAC account balance of $4,865.57 and a Scholarship balance of $6,491.86. Nancy also stated that the Audit Committee (Nancy Post, Mary Brooks, Joanne Hunt, Billye Summers) met and audited/approved the 2024 financial records of TDW-EC.
Committee Reports:
Program – Lynda Begnaud
Speaker for next month will be Kendall Scudder (via Zoom) who is the newly elected Texas Democratic Chair.
Scholarship – Lynda Begnaud
The Scholarship Committee will have representatives, including Bruce Wilson, at the Red Oak High School Awards ceremony on May 14th to present the 2 scholarships to Makenzi Harden and Destan Burks, each will each receive $1,000.00 for the Emma Wilson Memorial Scholarship.
Community Outreach – Julie Mendenhall
Julie reported that Hope Health was very appreciative of the Baby Shower donations and cash that TDW-EC collected and donated.
Fundraising – Nancy Post
Nancy asked that if you have not renewed your membership, now is the time to do that. A letter is being sent to all lapsed members. A portion of our membership dues goes to the State TDW to help support Democratic candidates.
Advocacy – Mary Lou Shipley
Mary Lou asked that we continue to write our representatives and attend protests. She also discussed several bills that are up for vote: 1) HB3344 which will require roofing contractors to be licensed; 2) School Vouchers. Be sure to make your voices heard.
Refreshments/Social – Carol Young
Thank you to Mary Lou Shipley and Helen Brock for providing snacks. It was suggested for members to pair up from the list for bringing snacks. Mary Brooks will provide snacks in May.
Voter Registration – OPEN
No report.
Program:
Lynda Begnaud introduced Annette Krausse who is the Chair of the Texas Democrats Small Business Caucus.
Topic: What Democrats are doing locally and nationally to support small businesses.
Highlights:
- The Texas Small Business Caucus engages and mobilizes small business associations, organizations, and owners around the Party’s electoral and political priorities for the betterment of small businesses.
- Small businesses are vital drivers of job creation, essential to local communities across the country and critical to the continued growth of the national economy.
- Democrats have long championed policies to expand opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs to succeed and to protect the well-being of their employees.
- A small business is defined as less than 500 employees; includes family farmers, independent contractors, vendors, artisans and more.
- Biden was the best president for small businesses. He allowed for more small business contracts and a record number of small businesses were created during his administration.
- Top small business industry in Texas: Construction
- Small businesses generate the most employees
- Small businesses are at risk under Trump administration.
- Trump administration is getting rid of mentorship programs, Agriculture committees, Technology, and research programs that will negatively impact small businesses.
- Democratic Party is the party of small businesses.
- Small Business Caucus is working to make positive changes to help elect Democrats who support small business successes and community prosperity.
What can you do?
- If you are dreaming of starting a small business or if you’re an established owner experiencing the effects of Trump’s unpopular policies, The Texas Small Business Caucus would like to hear from you. Please send an email to smallbusinesscaucus@gmail.com to get more information. Your opinions and email will remain anonymous.
- Consider joining the Texas Democrats Small Business Caucus as a member – only $20.00 per year.
- In need of someone from Ellis County to join the Texas Democrats Small Business Caucus leadership team. Please contact Annette at smallbusinesscaucus@gmail.com
- Take any opportunity to talk with small business owners you know, tell them that the Democratic Party IS the party that supports small businesses
For more information: www.txdemsmallbusiness.org
Other Business:
Nancy stated that several members have attended protest rallies in Dallas and Ft. Worth. She suggested a protest rally in Ellis County. Kathleen will contact Kelly Blackburn to discuss.
Refreshments:
May Refreshments – Mary Brooks
Next Meeting:
May 20th at the Chamber of Commerce
Adjournment:
Barbara Fudge made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Helen Brock. All ayes.
Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
The minutes were prepared by Kathleen Bowen