The Democratic National Committee held its Fall 2009 Meeting in September, 2009 in Austin Texas. In attendance from Georgia were Chair Jane Kidd, Executive Director Matt Weyandt, and DNC members Page Gleason, Richard Ray, Sally Rosser, and Dave Worley.

Credentials Committee Meeting Report
The Credentials Committee took up the Challenge to the Democratic Party of Georgia’s 2008 DNC member elections that was issued by Tony Center. Documents were submitted by the Challenger, Tony Center, and the Response to the Challenge from the Democratic Party of Georgia and were distributed to members of the DNC Credentials Committee. Tony Center was not present at the hearing. Jane Kidd made a presentation to the Credentials Committee summarizing DPG’s response to the Challenge.

After reviewing the documents, hearing the presentation, and asking questions of Chairman Kidd, the Credentials Committee went into discussion. A motion was made that the challenge be denied but the DNC asks that DPG take the steps necessary to make sure our by-laws are clear on how elections are held. The motion passed unanimously.

There was then discussion regarding the diversity of all state parties and a motion was made to develop a task force to look into state party diversity nation-wide and make recommendations on increasing diversity.

DNC General Session Report
Austin’s Mayor, Lee Leffingwell gave the welcome. We then saw a touching video tribute to the late Senator Ted Kennedy. We unanimously passed a resolution honoring the life of Senator Ted Kennedy.

DNC Chairman Tim Kaine addressed the group. He reminded us of the great accomplishments of the first 7 months of the Obama administration. He gave a moving talk on the importance of passing healthcare reform.

The two targeted races for 2009 are the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.

In 2010, we will have 36 gubernatorial races, 35 US Senate Races, and every member of the US House of Representatives will be up for election. There is much work for us to do to defend seats and increase the number of Democrats elected. He wants to make sure we do not forget the importance of mid-term elections. Since 1900, on average, a sitting president loses 19 house seats in mid-term elections. Our goals is to break that trend for the Obama administration.

We then heard from Patrick Gasper, the White House Political Director. After his speech, the Credentials Committee presented its report that the Tony Center Challenge against the Georgia DNC member election was overturned. The Committee recommended the report and the body unanimously accepted it.

The Rules Committee recommended rules and procedures for caucus membership and at-large membership. A motion to amend was made from the floor that stated that the slate of nominees for at-large members should reflect racial, gender, and geographic diversity. The amendment motion stated that there are 12 states (besides Virginia) in the South. These states represent 29% of the national vote. Of the at-large appointments, on 11% are from these states. The amendment was referred to the Rules and By-laws Committee. The Committee recommendation was unanimously accepted by the body.

The Charter and By-laws committee presented the following change to the Charter and By-laws:
Charter amended to include “gender identity” in the full participation section of the charter.
By-laws amended to change two of the caucuses to “Asian and Pacific Island American Caucus” and “LGBT American Caucus”

These amendments were unanimously adopted by the body.

At-large Member Election
The slate of At-Large DNC members submitted by Chairman Tim Kaine is the most diverse slate of at-large members in the history of the DNC. Chairman Kaine thanked Chairman Dean for setting such a high standard for diversity in at-large appointments. The at-large slate was adopted unanimously by the body. The Executive Committee slate was then presented to the body and accepted by acclimation.

Georgia is proud to have two members from our state serving as at-large members of the DNC. These two members are Dan Halpern and Lester Jackson. We are proud to have Dan Halpern serving on the DNC Executive Committee, Jane Kidd serving on the DNC Resolutions Committee, and Lester Jackson serving on the DNC Credentials Committee.

Unfortunately, because of Tony Center’s Challenge to the Georgia DNC member election, none of the 4 elected members of the DNC from Georgia were able to be considered for standing DNC committee appointments.

Resolutions Committee Report
The following resolutions were presented to the body (a full text of the resolutions will be available on the Georgia DNC website in the near future):

1. Resolution Celebrating the Life of Senator Edward M. Kennedy
2. Resolution Recognizing the Events of September 11, 2001
3. Resolution Commending President Barack Obama’s Leadership and Accomplishments Setting the Country in a New Direction with his Agenda for Change
4. Resolution in Support of the President’s Efforts to Pass Health Insurance Reform Which Lowers Costs, Protects Choice, Including the Choice of Public Insurance Option, and Ensures all Americans have Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care.
5. Resolution Commending Congressional Democrats and the President of the United States for Enactment of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and their Targeted and Immediate Response to an Inherited Economic Crisis.
6. Resolution Commending Democrats for Delivering a New Direction for America’s Service members, Veterans, and Military Families.
7. Resolution in Support of President Barack Obama’s Call for Public Service
8. Resolution in Support of Accurate, Open and Transparent Elections in the United States of America.
9. Resolution Calling for the Passage of the EARLY Act, H.R. 1740/S. 994 (federal funding for breast cancer education for young women and their health providers)
10. Resolution Urging Action to Promote Prostate Cancer Screening and Testing
11. Resolution on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
12. Resolution in support of the District of Columbia House Voting Rights
13. Resolution on the Spending of Federal Economic Renewal Grants.
14. Resolution Honoring Inola Frances Henry.

DNC Southern Caucus Meeting Report
The Southern Caucus meeting opened with Jane Kidd, Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia presenting a Resolution on behalf of the State of Georgia that the DNC regard Georgia as a target state so that we can elect more Democrats and turn Georgia back to a Blue State.

The Resolution says:
Southern Caucus of the Democratic National Committee
Resolution As Adopted on 9-11-09

Whereas, the State of Georgia is an important and competitive state in the heart of the Deep South;

Whereas, the Chair of the Georgia Democratic Party and Democrats throughout Georgia know they can win legislative and statewide races, including the electoral votes in a presidential cycle, if they have the appropriate emphasis and resources from the leadership of the DNC;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Southern Caucus of the DNC by way of this resolution urges the DNC leadership to exercise new efforts in order to assist Chair Jane Kidd and the State Democratic Executive Committee of Georgia in reaching their goal to become a majority Democratic state once more.

Passed on September 11, 2009 in Austin, Texas

Copies of this resolution shall be made available to Chairman Tim Kaine, Secretary Alice Germond, and the political desk of the DNC.

Officer Elections were held. The new officers for the Southern Caucus are:
Chair: Gilda Cobb, SC
Vice Chair: Lionel Spruell, Sr., VA
Vice Chair: Karla Bradley, AR
Secretary: Lenora Sorola, TX
Treasurer: David Parker, NC
Exec. Comm: Yvonne Davis, TX
Exec. Comm: Marie Prezioso, WV
Exec. Comm: Mitch Caesar, FL
Exec Comm: Will Cheek, TN

Chris Williams from the White House staff spoke to the group about the President’s agenda and the importance of passing healthcare reform.

Chairman Kaine addressed the Southern Caucus and spoke at length about the importance of willing in the South, in Georgia, and in other states. Florida is poised to elect its first female Governor in 2010. He discussed the fact that although standing committee appointments have been made, there will be other opportunities to serve on ad-hoc committees. The Chair of the Southern Caucus reminded Chairman Kaine of the importance of the South and that we Southerners are tired of conceding the South to the Republicans.

The Mayor Pro-Tem of Charlotte announced that North Carolina will be submitting a bid for the 2012 Democratic National Convention. She asked the Southern Caucus to support and endorse their bid.

DNC Veteran’s and Military Families Council Report
The Council is relatively new and was created by Howard Dean.
Co Chairs - Don Fowler and Claudia Kennedy

Goals:
1. Prompt the President’s Agenda
2. Support Democratic Candidates
3. Provide a voice for Veterans in the DNC
They are working on bylaws now. They have a chapter in Texas, California, Ohio and Pennsylvania. They are encouraging councils or caucuses in every state. Texas used their group to pass a 1 lottery ticket per year for veterans. They anticipate $8.5m this year that will be used on programs for vets and their families.

Sally Rosser requested that they include in their goals the integration/coordination of the veteran groups with the state democratic parties which was well received by those in the room.
DNC Contact: Jeremy Bernton – berntonj@dnc.org
202.863.8113

Seniors Caucus Report
Held the election of new officers:
Chair: Steve Regenstreif
Executive Vice Chair: Maria Cordone
Vice Chairs: Frank Stella
Max Richtman
Treasurer: Linda Chavez Thompson

Under Chairman Dean the Seniors Caucus was given 2 seats on the DNC. There has been a focused program on increasing the base, reaching them and activating them. They have found that seniors respond when asked to help. They are now focusing on the messaging to make it more pertinent to seniors.

One of the primary objectives has been to correct misinformation. This is through communications of all types and will soon include a regular conference call to get input from seniors on issues and concerns.

There was a lot of discussion about the health care bills. Most of the information can be seen on www.NCPSSM.org which is updated often.

DNC Contact: Nate Jenkins (also the Southern Political Director) jenkinsn@dnc.org
202.479.5156
Communications Director for Seniors: Megan Jacobs 202.488.5053

DNC Women’s Caucus Report
Elections were held:
Chair - Mame Riley
Vice Chair - Marianne Spraggins (NY)
Secretary - Mary Gail Gwaltney (NM)
Treasurer – Alexandria Gallaido-Rooker (CA)

2 Representatives from each regional caucus were also elected
Southern Caucus
Betty Richie
Sally Rosser (GA)

Two guest speakers, both legislators from Texas, spoke to a room of about 150 women reminding us that throughout history it is the women who make things happen. For too long we have chosen to just “TAKE IT” and it is time to start refusing it. We need to pick up the torch and get active with everyone in our lives to get them engaged, to hand young women the torch and support them moving forward. Missouri, North Carolina, and Vermont all have female Secretaries of State running for higher office.

DNC Youth Council Report
Alice Germond, Secretary of the DNC addressed the group and spoke of her role in developing and her support of the DNC Youth Council.

The Youth Council was started in 2005 by Resolution. At that time, 8 of the 437 DNC members were under 36, inducing 5 who were there ex-officio. Now, 17 members of the DNC are under 36.

The Youth Council is made up of the 17 DNC members under 36, as well 12 non-DNC members who represent the various regions of the country.

The 2008 Democratic National Convention had the largest youth (under 36) delegation in history. Each standing committee of the DNC has at least 1 Youth Council member.

Youth Council Action Items:
• Pass Healthcare Reform
• Organize a national letter writing campaign focused on passage of the Public Option
• Organize a Healthcare community day across the country
• Organize a DNC Service Project for each DNC meeting

The Chair of the Texas Democratic Party addressed the group and talked about the role of young people in the Democratic gains they have been making in Texas and encouraged the Youth Council to keep up the good work and to help keep young people involved in the life and future of the Democratic Party.

Respectfully Submitted,

Your Georgia DNC Team
Jane Kidd, Chair, Democratic Party of Georgia
Michael Thurmond, 1st Vice Chair, Democratic Party of Georgia
Page Gleason, DNC Member
Dan Halpern, DNC At-Large Member
Lester Jackson, DNC At-Large Member
Richard Ray, DNC Member
Sally Rosser, DNC Member
Dave Worley, DNC Member