General Meeting Minutes—Saturday, May 22, 2024, 11:00am at HQ

Welcome -- Julie called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees. 

Megan Preambo (570-309-1991 / mpreambo@2024victory.com) from the Coordinated Campaign spoke about election strategy and logistics:

·      She held a well-attended open house at HQ a couple of weeks ago. The campaign is hiring organizers locally, canvassing will start soon, and lawn signs will be available.

·      The canvassing strategy will include:

o   mostly in-person interactions (with training/scripts available), not a lot of lit. dropping

o   targeting Ds, Is, and likely persuadable Rs, and will utilize repeat conversations

o   encouraging vote by mail

o   reaching out to young people (at the Carlisle Theater Taylor Swift and similar events)

§  notify Megan about events, locations businesses, etc.

o   utilizing Minivan

o   phonebanks will take place 2X/week and canvasses will be organized

CADC’s officers were unanimously re-elected by the membership.

Approve minutes – The membership approved the minutes from the March 9, 2024 meeting.

Treasurer’s Report – Donna mentioned that we currently have approximately $4000 in the bank and will need more to fund election activities.

Plans for 2024

·      CADC will provide volunteers

o   Canvasses will start in July and take place every weekend and weeknights in August and September.

o   Opportunities to assist will be advertised via social media.

o   We will use a service for sending text messages.

o   We will need someone to organize a postcard-writing campaign.

o   According to Megan, the best time for a lit. drop campaign is in early October.

o   Sydney George will work on Instagram messaging. We’ll try to do FB ads and will need money for that.

o   A fundraising event is planned for September.

o   We’re hoping to participate in a Pride Week activity on June 9.

Current Needs

·      An individual to organize a postcard-writing campaign.

·      Matching donors – a letter will be sent out in June.

·      Pride Week event organizers can use help Saturday morning and with cleanup later Saturday.

·      Efforts to energize young voters, encourage people to vote, and show up where prospective voters are.

Area Leaders’ Reports

·      Karl reported that Don Dissinger (CCDC Treasurer) is retiring and his replacement is being sought--looking for someone with experience managing financials and filing campaign reports. He also mentioned that Poll watchers are needed.

·      Wendy reported that South Dickinson Twp. and NM2 still need PCPs.

Candidates

·      Rick Christie spoke briefly about how he is actively talking with lots of voters and the need to engage young people.

Members’ questions and discussion points

·      How worrisome is voter suppression via misinformation?

o   Julie suggested addressing this by making sure friends, family, and younger voters have accurate information.

·      A suggestion was made to display a visual image of a mail-in ballot on FB and Instagram along with voter education points—how to fill out a mail-in ballot; what to do if denied the right to vote, etc.

·      Questions were raised about Dems’ messaging and talking points.

o   Direct people to FB, the Dems’ website, and Megan Preambo and her contacts for that information.

o   Molly Shane suggested telling individual stories about why to vote for D. candidates and reinforced that the point is not to be right, but to encourage people to vote.

o   Dems and candidates should have a presence at events—e.g., Taylor Swift event, Juneteenth, Jubilee Day, Founders Day, etc. These can also be opportunities to solicit new volunteers.

  Julie adjourned the meeting at 12:15pm.