South Shore Democratic Caucus
Minutes … Meeting,
Thurs., December 2, 2010
Meeting called to order by Chairman Kevin
McCarthy at 7:05 p.m. at the Pratt Memorial Library, Cohasset.
I.
Review
and Discussion of the Nov. 2, 2010 Election Results
Considerable time was given to reviewing the
campaign. Consensus: Initial field organization was overly delayed.
Input from grassroots was insufficient.
“Fifty” plan unrealistic and came from “on high”.
Even so, given the tenor of the times, results were favorable.
Disappointment in close losses on the
So. Shore in gubernatorial race.
Concern and wonder as to the support for the Perry Campaign.
Regarding strategies, door-to-door canvassing worked best. Targeted
“friend calls” were well received.
In general, the value of phone banking was considered minor and not a good
return for time involved. Phone
bank space in Weymouth was well used for Coordinated Campaign effort and
invaluable on GOTV weekend. Mary
Curtiss shared info on local paper insert and will bring copies to the next
meeting. Patrice Metro brought a
very good hand-out giving a review of all results.
The importance of building an extensive e-mail data base for the 2012
election cycle was emphasized.
Means of doing so will be a point of on-going discussion..
Next step:
Call on an officer of Mass Dems, possibly John Walsh, to meet with us to
discuss the campaign and to find ways of having greater grassroots input.
II.
Discussion
of Letter from Weymouth Town Committee.
The WDTC clearly expressed by letter their
disappointment on the scheduling of the Cohasset fundraiser on the same evening
as Weymouth had months previously scheduled the Jimmy Tingle Comedy Night.
The Cohasset reps explained the circumstances of their choice.
The SSDC members agreed that the situation was most unfortunate but that
double scheduling of major events cannot happen again.
The Weymouth reps accepted the apologies presented and will report to the
WDTC.
It was also agreed that while each member is
free to endorse candidates of his/her choice, no one in office will use the
office title in the endorsement thus precluding the possibility of presenting
the endorsement as being that of
the SSDC.
III.
Election of Officers
The two year term of officers is now complete and elections are in order.
John Bowes, Asst. Chair, was not present but was contacted on speaker
phone. John expressed his desire to
be reelected. Kevin McCarthy,
Chair, said he was willing to serve one more term.
Mary Curtiss, who has served as Secretary for two terms, desired to step
aside. A slate was prepared which
consisted of
Kevin McCarthy …
Chairman
John Bowes
… Asst. Chair
Alice Arena
… Secretary
The slate was voted on and unanimously accepted.
The new officers will begin their terms at the January 6, 2011 meeting.
IV.
Member Input
Kevin Butler explained the goal of
www.TurnOffFoxNews.com, a website
dedicated to a Fox-free public environment.
Supporters are asked to make their displeasure known to business
owners/manager (health clubs, gyms, barber shops etc.) who subject a captive
audience to the Fox promotion of a far-right philosophy.
There is a model letter available.
Consult the above mentioned web site for further info.
Susan Haley has suffered a back injury and has not been able to attend meetings.
We have missed her input and support. Mary Curtiss will send a card and
enclose the hand-written attendance list in lieu of personal signatures as each
person wanted to wish Susan well.
Next
meeting:
Thurs., Jan.6, 2010
Meeting
adjourned:
8:55 p.m.
In Attendance:
Peter Pescatore
Cohasset
Kevin McCarthy
Cohasset
Damian Curtiss
Hull
Mary Curtiss
Hull
Bruce Burgess
Norwell
Kevin Butler
Scituate
Patrice Metro
Scituate
Alice Arena
Weymouth
Linda Broadford
Weymouth
Linda Howard
Weymouth
Submitted by Mary Curtiss, Secretary