TDW of Ellis County
February 17, 2026 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by President Kathryn Mossom at 6:02 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 20 members and 3 guests were in attendance.
Meeting Minutes and Treasurer Report:
The January meeting minutes are available online. Nancy Post made a motion to approve minutes. Linda Baker seconded. All ayes.
Treasurer Joanne Hunt reported a PAC account balance of $3,844.33 and a Scholarship balance of $7,175.42. Mary Brooks made a motion to approve report. Rebecca Cockerham seconded. All ayes.
Committee Reports:
Audit – Linda Baker
Linda reported that she, Mary Brooks and Joanne Hunt audited the 2025 records and they were found to be accurate. At year end 2025, the PAC balance was $4,122.20 and the Scholarship balance was $7,175.42. Becky LeBreton made a motion to approve the 2025 Audit report; Nancy Post seconded. All ayes.
Advocacy – Mary Lou Shipley
No report
Community Outreach – Julie Mendenhall
Julie reported that the Christmas Silver Gift Bag project was a great success and helped many seniors at local nursing homes. She is working to identify other organizations in need for 2026.
Finance – Linda Baker
See below – New Business
Fundraising – Nancy Post
Nancy stated that a fundraising letter will be going out soon to help solicit donations for candidates.
Membership – OPEN
Looking to reach out to lapsed members to have them re-join
Program – Nancy Post
Next months program will be the Midlothian Democrats who will discuss what they are doing in their area.
Refreshments – Carol Young
Thank you to Helen Brock and Linda Baker for February refreshments. March will be Nancy Post.
Carol stated that there is a sign-up sheet for refreshments for the upcoming Candidate rally to be held at the Democratic HQ Thursday, February 19th from 6:30-8:30.
Scholarship – Kathleen Bowen
Kathleen reported that the applications for two $1,500.00 scholarships are still being accepted for Midlothian High and Midlothian Heritage High. April 1 is the deadline and the committee will meet shortly after to select the 2 recipients.
Voter Registration – Mary Brooks
Mary reported that the ice storm caused some delays and they could not go to Global High School. They did register 69 students at Waxahachie High School.
Communications/PR/Marketing – Ginger Cole
No report as Ginger was working at the polls
Old Business
Kathryn reported out on the recent TDW State Convention. Kathryn Mossom, Nancy Post, Lynda Begnaud, Jerome Begnaud and their granddaughter attended. A copy of the program was available. Lynda was presented with the STAR Award at the STAR Luncheon. Many state-wide candidates spoke. TDW-EC donated 2 gift baskets that were auctioned for $130.00.
New Business
Kathryn handed out the proposed 2026 Budget and it was discussed at length. Helen Brock made a motion to adopt the 2026 budget. Carol Young seconded. All ayes.
There is an immediate need to make contributions to candidates. The last time TDW-EC donated to candidates was 2021. The last time an organized effort was made to add to the candidate fund was 2022 and that was the Bakeless Bake Sale for $1000.00.
Other possible fundraising activities were discussed: Online auction raised $1,400 in the past but is a lot of work; BBQ raised $500.00.
Becky LeBreton made a motion to use the Bakeless Bake Sale funds in election years to fund the candidate contribution account and in non-election years to fund the Scholarship account. Linda Baker seconded. All Ayes.
The Bakeless Bake Sale letter will go out shortly after March 3rd. TDW-EC will coordinate with Kelly Blackburn to see how those funds can be best used.
Ellis County Democratic Party Chair Report
Kelly Blackburn stated that there is a need for Poll workers. The Democratic County convention will be Saturday, March 21st at 11:00 a.m. at the Democratic HQ. To be a delegate or to submit rules, please contact Kelly or Terri Crouch. The State Democratic Convention will be on June 25-27 in Corpus Christi. Jasmine Crockett will be at the Democratic HQ Thursday, February 19th from 7:30-8:30. She encouraged everyone to attend the Candidate rally on the 19th and to VOTE.
There have been instances of issues at the voting locations – people chasing others and not following rules regarding where they can stand and hold signs. If you see irregularities, contact Terri or Kelly so that they can be reported.
Announcements
Be sure to pay your chapter dues. See Joanne Hunt.
All future meetings will have a 5:30-6:00 social time followed by the 6:00 business meeting followed by the program.
International Women’s Day event will be on March 8th 5:30-6:30 at the Corsicana Visitor’s Center and Interurban Car 301 South Beaton Street in Corsicana. For more information, google March 8th Women’s March in Corsicana.
VP Donna Ross had to resign. VP position is open. If interested, contact Kathryn.
Did you know?
Texas has had 2 women Governors both were Democrats
Texas has never had a woman as Lt. Governor,
Barbara Jordon held many 1sts she was the first woman and the first African-American woman elected from Texas to the US House of Representatives. At President Richard Nixon’s impeachment trial in 1974 as a member of the Judiciary Committee. She retired from Congress in 1976.
My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the diminution, the subversion, the destruction of the Constitution. It is reason and not passion which must guide our deliberations, guide our debate, and guide our decision.
Mary Brooks stated that there is a PBS documentary on Bessie Coleman (who was from Waxahachie) that was worth watching.
Adjournment
Nancy Post made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Helen Brock. All ayes. Business Meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
Presentation
Three representatives – Terri Crouch, Mark Morales and Abel Macias – from the Ellis Navarro Young Democrats spoke about how they are starting this new group. Their general purpose is to empower young voters (18-40 year olds) while encouraging this demographic to engage in political activism. They prioritize voter education, participation, and inclusion. The believe that young voters are the future and hope to encourage the party to represent their voices and their values. The Ellis-Navarro chapter hopes to create a community for local young Democrats while proving that the political process should be fun and engaging. Their dream is to flip Ellis County but they understand that it takes grassroot efforts to achieve that.
Abel stated fundraising is important and they will need financial support.
Mary Brooks discussed the non-partisan work the Voter Registration committee does to reach students and stated there may be some synergy between the committee and their group. Abel and Mary agreed to talk further to see how they could work together.
There was Q&A. The group was congratulated on their efforts.
They will reach people where they are. Mostly social media. Especially Instagram. Terri stated that if anyone needs help with Social media, she would be glad to help them by giving classes.