TDW of Ellis County
April 16, 2024 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by President Nancy Post at 6:07 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Meeting Minutes and Treasurer Report:
The March meeting minutes are available online.
Mary Lou made a motion to approve minutes. Kelly seconded. All ayes.
Treasurer Mary Brooks reported a PAC account balance of $3,617.33 and a Scholarship balance of $5,237.23.
Committee Reports:
Program – Lynda Begnaud
Scholarship – Vivian Gibson
Vivian stated that the committee selected 2 recipients from Ennis High School for the annual scholarship: Lynnashia Brooks and Kaillan Honza. Their essays were on the most admired female in Business, Education, Government, Politics or Other. The Scholarship recipients will come to the TDW meeting either in May or June.
There will be a fundraiser for scholarships in June.
Community Outreach – Julie Mendenhall
Food drive will be coming up. TDW has supported North Ellis County Outreach, Helping Hands and Hope Health in the past. If you have any ideas about other non-profit groups that TDW can help, let Julie know.
Fundraising – Nancy Post
This committee sends out an annual fundraising letter, bake-less bake sale and other activities to raise money for TDW.
Refreshments/Social – Carol Young
Need someone for May.
Communications – OPEN
This committee is in need of a Chairperson. The responsibilities include PR. Let Nancy know if you know someone who could fill this role.
Voter Registration – OPEN
This committee is also in need of a Chairperson. This role will work closely with the Ellis County Democrat group. Let Nancy know if you know someone to fill this role.
Other Info:
Kelly Blackburn gave a report on Ellis County Democratic Party. She said we should get involved with local politics and elections. She stated that politics are encroaching on local government. The True Texas Project is starting to endorse local candidates. Cities should not be political but unfortunately it is happening everywhere. Spread the word. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
She said early voting starts on April 22 and Election Day is May 4th.
Vote411.org is a great resource.
Presentation:
Ann Drumm is the North Texas Coordinator of American Promise. She gave a great presentation on the work of the organization. She said that many Americans have lost faith in our political system. Constituents should have a representative that represents them; however, dark money and non-constituent donors are influencing our representatives. Super PACs are influencing both Republicans and Democrats. Super PACs are 501c4 organizations and give unlimited money to candidates and the donors to Super PACs do not have to be disclosed. Many Dark Money donors are from foreign countries. Supreme Court decisions about campaign finance laws have eaten away at common sense campaign donations. The Supreme Court decided that Free Speech = Money so limits cannot be set. Money is power. Money is not speech. American Promise is asking for an amendment for reasonable campaign finance laws. American Promise is talking to Republicans as well as Democrats. This is a bipartisan issue. Ann asked if anyone would be interested in attending a meeting with Jake Ellzey. All support is needed. Contact local businesses, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, others. Once the amendment is passed then States are able to write legislation (i.e. they can “write the rules”) about limiting the amount of dark money in politics. Great book by Jane Mayer called Dark Money.
Action: Let Ann Drumm or Nancy Post know if you are interested in meeting with Jake Ellzey.
Visit the American Promise website for more info: https://americanpromise.net
Other Business:
Mary Brooks suggested the Chamber of Commerce location as a meeting place until the Democratic HQ building construction is complete. Donations were taken that would pay for the next few months.
Mary Brooks stated that 251 students registered to vote at the recent Voter Registration signup days in Red Oak and Waxahachie. Apartment Registration will be in the Fall. Help is needed. Please consider volunteering for this important activity.
Refreshments:
May – Carol Young
Next Meeting:
May 21st.
Upcoming Actions and Announcements:
Contact Nancy if you can:
- Chairing or volunteering for a committee
Look for new members to join TDW.
Adjournment:
Mary made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Jerome. All ayes.
Meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
The minutes were prepared by Kathleen Bowen.