TDW of Ellis County
June 18, 2024 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Vice President Vivian Gibson at 6:02 p.m. with 22 members and 1 guest in attendance. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Meeting Minutes and Treasurer Report:
The March meeting minutes are available online. These minutes have a new and improved format.
Mary Brooks made a motion to approve minutes. Rebecca Cockerham seconded. All ayes.
Treasurer Mary Brooks reported a PAC account balance of $3,803.16 and a Scholarship balance of $3,337.26.
Presentation:
Barbara Fudge introduced Joanne Richards, Vice-Chair of RCV for Texas who joined via Zoom and gave a very informative presentation about how the organization is taking steps to get Texas to use Rank Choice Voting. RCV has many benefits including eliminating the need for runoff elections, saving taxpayer money, assuring majority wins, more voter participation, more issue focused, less negative campaigning and greater choices for voters. RCV has been used in the US since 1941. Currently used by the US for military and overseas voters. The votes for the candidate with the lowest amount of votes continues to be redistributed until a candidate receives 50% or more of the vote.
RCVforTexas is campaigning for Texas to adopt RCV for: Military and Overseas voters, Nonpartisan municipal and school district elections and Special elections. This is Step 1. Then they would like to expand on it and make RCV statewide.
How can we get Texas to use RCV? Cities must do a Charter Review; then talk to State Reps to allow them to use RCV. If cities use RCV and like it, then it can be made statewide.
It benefits all parties.
How can you help?
- Talk to your State reps and tell them to support Rank Choice voting
- Go to RCVforTexas.org to learn more
- Tell others about RCV
- Volunteer – work on a project
- Contribute/Fundraise
Opavote.com can be used for RCV voting. Use it in your groups and organizations such as picking a book for Book Club or anything where a vote is needed. It is easy to use and it works!
Committee Reports:
Program – Lynda Begnaud
Scholarship – Vivian Gibson
The Scholarship Committee has met twice since our last meeting. We decided to give a $1,000 scholarship to Midlothian High School and a $1,000 to Midlothian Heritage High School for the 2024/2025 school year.
We also prepared the mailing for the Bakeless Bake Sale which is the fundraiser for the Scholarship Fund. Everyone should have received the Bakeless Bake Sale information that was mailed last week. If you have not, please contact Vivian.
The winners of the 2023/2024 Scholarships – Lynnashia Brooks and Kaillan Honza will be at our next meeting to read their essays.
Community Outreach – Julie Mendenhall
We are collecting food for Manna House, which assist with food and other needs to those in Midlothian and Italy (mannahouseoutreach.org). They are appreciative of any food donations, but they especially need these items:
Peanut butter, jelly, ketchup, mayo, mustard, soups (with meat), chili and other canned goods with meat, canned meat, canned fruit.
The collection will occur from June 18 through July 31 Since we don’t have a Democratic HQ right now, you can bring your donation to Nancy Post’s house (606 Sycamore), Sims Library (515 W. Main), the Waxahachie Senior Activity Center (122 Park Hills Dr) or to our meeting on July 16.
Thank you for helping our neighbors!
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
Ensures refreshments are provided at each meeting.
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.
Ginger Cole expressed interest in helping with apartment voter registration. Mary Brooks stated a plan is in place and appreciates any and all help.
Ellis County Democratic Info:
Kelly Blackburn gave a report on State Democratic Convention in El Paso.
She stated that Texas State Rep, James Talarico will be in Ellis County in September.
She also gave an update on the Democratic HQ updates and the difficulty in finding reputable contractors. If you know of any good contractors to work on the building, let Kelly know.
Kelly stated that poll workers are needed for Election Day. An equal number of Republican and Democratic poll workers are needed. Please think about volunteering as a poll worker.
Other Business:
The recent runoff election results were discussed.
Mary Brooks asked for monetary donations to continue our meetings at the Chamber of Commerce location as a meeting place until the Democratic HQ building construction is complete.
Vivian encouraged everyone to get out and vote.
Refreshments:
July – Helen Brock
Next Meeting:
July 16 at the Chamber of Commerce
Upcoming Actions and Announcements:
The State TDW Convention will be held July 12/13th in Weatherford.
Ellis County Democrats Tea will be Sunday, July 28th at 2:00 p.m. at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Waxahachie. This is to raise money for the Democratic HQ building fund.
Juneteenth celebrations will be help at Lee Penn Park by the NAACP on June 19th from 11:00-5:00. And also by Unity in the Community in Ennis.
Social activity at Big Al’s on Saturday, June 22nd from 6-8:00.
Contact Nancy if you can:
- Chair or volunteer for a committee
Look for new members to join TDW.
Adjournment:
Mary Lou Shipley made a motion to adjourn the meeting. It was seconded by Jim Kauffman. All ayes.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
The minutes were prepared by Kathleen Bowen.