South Shore Democratic Caucus

Date: April 1, 2010

Attending:  Linda Bradford, (Weymouth), Alice Arena (Weymouth), Bruce Burgess (Norwell), Kevin Butler (Scituate), Michael Maresco (Marshfield), Jean Christenson (Marshfield), Claudia Russell (Cohasset), Kevin McCarthy (Cohasset), Joanne Sanders (Hull)

Meeting was called to order at 7:10pm.

Candidate Forum Time

No candidates were here to speak to the group.   Laura Dhooge from the Murray/Patrick campaign updated the committee regarding current campaign activities. Murray/Patrick campaign is focusing on collecting signatures to be turned into campaign by April 20^th to meet the May 1^st state deadline. There will be a Kick Off Rally at English High in Boston.  Tickets were distributed and are available from the campaign.  They are looking for a big turnout at the rally. The next step is filling out support cards to build activist network. 

Web Site Update

Norwell Town Committee’s web site is now online.  All towns with the exception of Marshfield are up and running.

Events Update

Weymouth Democratic Town Committee is hosting a Spring Luncheon to be held on April 11^th at Weymouth Elks.  Keynote Speaker is Congressman Bill Delahunt.  All candidates have been invited.  RSVP list includes: Bill Keaton, Steve Grossman, Mike Lahey, Grace Ross, Guy Glotis, and Robert Leary.  Ticket will be sold at door until hall capacity of 125 is reached.  There are currently 36 tickets sold.  Ticket prices are $20.10.  Contact Catherineo56@comcast.net.  There will be tables available for each town committee for silent auction items.  All the proceeds of auction table will go to individual towns.

Marshfield Democratic Town Committee is hosting a Trivia Night on April 23^rd at the Marshfield VFW starting at 6:30pm.  Refreshment and cash bar are available.  Ticket prices are $10.  Teams are welcome or you can join a team.  Tables are available for raffle baskets for individual fundraising for each town committees.

Weymouth Democratic Town Committee is planning to host political humorist, Jimmy Tingle with a tentative date of September 24^th in Weymouth. 

There was a discussion regarding the model for SSDC events.  Each event will be planned and hosted by the individual town committees who will receive the proceeds from the event. The other town committees will support the event by attending.   At each event there will be an opportunity for fundraising for the individual town committees.  The exception to this event model is the annual democratic of the year award dinner. 

There was a discussion of whether there was a need to have a master calendar to ensure that events are not held too close together.  It was noted that the committee (SSDC) discusses upcoming events at each meeting to coordinate dates.  The events are posted to the SSDC website.

Planning for Campaign Activity

There will be a candidate table at the Hanover Mall.  Materials will be provided for all democratic candidates.  This will be held on the 3^rd, 18^th, 24^th and 25^th.  Alice Arena and Deb are signed up but are also looking for volunteers to help with shifts.  Please contact Alice at aliceandrob@comcast.net.

Each town committee is asked to add the link South Shore Democrats for Murray/Patrick to their websites to help individuals coordinate and begin working with others in their town. For information contact Bruce Burgess of the Norwell Democratic Town Committee for link information.

There was a discussing on checking out Republican/Opposition campaign activity. Each town committee will be asked to give an update at the upcoming SSDC meetings on recent Republican/Opposition candidate activities by reviewing local press and local websites.

Discussion regarding increase usage of social networking for campaigns using Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

Open Discussion

New members were welcomed and encouraged to continue to attend.

Next meeting is on the first Thursday in May.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:45

Submitted:  Joanne Sanders (Hull Democratic Town Committee)