Minutes of the February 8, 2023 Woburn Democratic City Committee Meeting

Virtual Format via Zoom, 7pm

Call to Order at 7:00pm by Jennifer Baker Jones, WDCC City Committee Chairperson.

Update by the Chair:  Jennifer welcomed everyone and noted that the meeting was being recorded and that we would be using the chat box for posting the Agenda, Minutes and Attendance sheet for the meeting.  The agenda and minutes were distributed in advance by email.

More recently, we have returned to in-person meetings and events, but Jennifer shared that during this year between the State election and the Presidential Primaries, she wanted to spend some time taking a “deep dive” with our outstanding legislators representing Woburn at the State House.  This is a way for us to learn about what goes into passing legislation, but also how we can advocate for legislation important to each of us. Our first guest is State Senator Cindy Friedman.

Jennifer provided a re-cap of some of our activities of the last year:

• We welcomed many new members throughout the year
• Last March 1 we were joined by every state-wide candidate in our Zoom “Meet the Candidates” night which preceded our March 5 caucus.
• We had high participation in the State Convention in Worcester with a hybrid format
• We helped host the 2nd annual Juneteenth Woburn with many community partners – planning for Juneteenth Woburn 2023 has started and we’ll be able to share more details soon – save the date for Saturday, June 17!
• State-wide candidates continued to come out to Woburn to meet Democrats ahead of the primaries.
• We held a first for our committee, a “GOTV/Candidates Night” at the Woburn Country Club with candidates Kim Driscoll for Lt Gov and Diana DiZoglio for Auditor and many others.
• Thank you to members of our committee who make a tremendous difference in our work: participating in meetings, supporting candidates, volunteering for candidates, working the elections or advocating for policy – your work is appreciated.

Jennifer asked Ward 3 member Kelly Curran, a teacher at WMHS to share some thoughts on actions taken by the Woburn Teachers Association during the recent teacher strike.  Kelly shared her thoughts.  Jeff Dillon, Ward 3 member and City Council member and Andrew Lipsett, Ward 1 chairperson and School Committee member, offered brief responses regarding members of the City Council and School Committee not being allowed to comment on labor negotiations. 

Returning to the Agenda, we took a brief pause to complete the online attendance form.

39 present: 28 members; 11 guests.  31% of the membership reporting.

Jennifer: requested motion for the reading and acceptance of the minutes of the 9/24/2022 WDCC meeting.  Carol Donovan made a motion to accept the minutes without reading; Phyllis Norwood seconded the motion.  Jennifer repeated the motion and asked those all in favor. Unanimous.  Opposed, none.  The minutes were approved.

Phyllis Norwood read the Treasurer’s report.  Recent expenses included the payments to the caterer for the fall GOTV/Candidate Night at the Country Club.  Recent income included dues and ticket sales for the October event, as well as recurring dues contributions.  Balance as of last meeting:  $1,743.27; balance anticipated with February deposits being made this week: $1,822.72.  Jennifer asked for a motion to approve the Treasurer’s report as read by Phyllis.  Carol Donovan made a motion to accept the report as presented.  Jeff Dillon seconded the motion.  Jennifer repeated the motion and asked those all in favor. Unanimous.  Opposed, none.  The treasurer’s report was approved.  Chris DiMeo, Ward 7 chairperson, thanked Phyllis for her work on the October event with doing event ticketing and tracking.  Jennifer thanked Chris for pointing this out and also thanked Phyllis for her help.

New Business:  Carol Donovan asked for the WDCC to continue supporting the Juneteenth Woburn event this year.  She shared that the event has grown in size and last year had nearly triple the number of participants as the year before.  She reminded the committee that we made a gift of $400 to Social Capital Inc (SCI) of Woburn which is the non-profit organizer of the event.  Carol made a motion to grant $400 to SCI for Juneteenth Woburn 2023.  There was a 2nd on the motion, speaker not visible on Zoom recording.  Jennifer Jones interjected that she is abstaining from this vote as a board member of SCI.  Carol asked for a vote of all those in favor: unanimous. Opposed: none.  The motion passed.  Derrick Genova asked after the vote if we should consider giving more money this year. Discussion: Margaret Valentine thought maybe the $400 is enough with the event now raising more through other avenues.  We agreed to transmit the $400 and if more is needed maybe we revisit in the future.  Jennifer asked Phyllis to prepare the check of $400 to be sent to SCI for Juneteenth Woburn 2023.

State Committee Reports:  Carol Donovan spoke on the details of the Moakley and JFK Scholarships offered by MassDems.  The application deadline is March 10th.  Following the deadline is the reading of applications and interviews by the State Committee.  Carol also shared that the State Committee is meeting this coming Saturday, February 11, and the caucus window and the convention date will be set at this meeting.  Jennifer acknowledged the other State Committee members joining us this evening, Pat Deal, Ward 3 member, Eileen Zalisk, Lexington and Christopher Lorant.

Special Guest Presentation:  State Senator Cindy Friedman joined us for a presentation on the legislative package An Act Addressing Barriers to Care for Mental Health, Chapter 177 of the Acts of 2022 “Mental Health ABC Act”.  Senator Friedman’s slides have been saved for reference.

Senator Friedman remained available for a brief Q&A following her presentation.

Adjournment:  Pat Deal made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:22pm.  Chris DiMeo seconded the motion.  Jennifer repeated the motion and asked for those in agreement: Unanimous.  Opposed, none.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:22pm.

Attendance:

39 Present:  28 members; 11 guests.  31% of the membership reporting.

WDCC in 2023!  Be a Part of the Action!

The state elections are behind us and the Presidential primaries start in a little more than a year, but that doesn’t mean it will be quiet for Democrats in Woburn!  We’ve got some plans to keep up the energy through 2023, and we hope you’ll join us!  Our first meeting of the year will be a weeknight meeting by Zoom on  Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 7pm.

February Business meeting with special guest, State Senator Cindy Friedman
Wednesday, February 8, 7pm by Zoom

Our first meeting of the year will be a brief business meeting, then we’ll be joined by State Senator Cindy Friedman for an in-depth discussion on the Mental Health ABC Act.  It will be an opportunity to learn more about the process of passing legislation, as well as how this legislation will help Massachusetts residents.  There will be an opportunity for a Q & A following her presentation.  Advance registration for the meeting is required – sign up to receive the Zoom link.  

REGISTER FOR THE FEBRUARY 8TH MEETING HERE

WDCC 2023 Calendar (some dates TBD)

• Winter WDCC Meeting – Wednesday, February 8 – Zoom REGISTER HERE
• Spring WDCC Meeting – Early April, Date TBD
• Save the Date for Juneteenth Woburn – Saturday, June 17 on Library Field
• Woburn Democratic Caucus and MassDems Convention 2023 – it is anticipated that this year’s caucus window will be June/July – we’ll set a date as early as possible so you can make your plan to participate.  The MassDems Convention is expected to take place in September.
• Summer/Fall – Nomination for Ward Committee Membership/Placing Names on the Presidential Primary Ballot for 2024 – more information available in August. 
• Fall WDCC Meeting – Saturday, October 21

JFK Scholarships & Joe Moakley Internship Program

The following opportunity is shared by MassDems:

The Massachusetts Democratic Party is committed to developing the next generation of leaders! Apply today to the MDP JFK Scholarship & Joe Moakley Internship Program.

The MDP is offering scholarship and paid internship opportunities to students enrolled in college or post-secondary programs and 2023 college graduates and post-secondary certificate holders who are residents of Massachusetts and registered Democrats.

Please note that the internship program is a part time, in person internship that averages about 15 hours per week.

JFK Scholarship recipients are expected to be active participants in democratic organizing or other political work. JFK Scholarship recipients may intern with the MassDems. For more information on eligibility and application requirements, click here.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Applications with the following documents must be received no later than March 10th, 2023 at 5:00 PM (no exceptions) and must be submitted here.

If you have questions, please contact MassDems Executive Director Joe Sherlock at 617-939-0800 or by email at Hannah@massdems.org.

Committee voted to endorse both at recent Fall meeting

The Woburn Democratic City Committee (WDCC) voted to endorse a “YES” vote on Questions 1 and 4 that will appear on the ballot this Fall.

“I am glad that the Woburn Democratic City Committee took the action to endorse both these important ballot questions,” said WDCC Chair Jennifer Baker Jones. “A YES on Question 1 in support of the Fair Share Amendment gives us the opportunity to improve both our schools and roads, while a YES on Question 4 maintains the legislative action taken to allow Massachusetts residents who cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States to obtain a standard driver’s license. Better schools and safer roads make for a better Commonwealth.”

A YES vote on Question 1 creates a Constitutional amendment to the state’s Constitution, imposing an additional 4% tax only on incomes over one million dollars to be used by the State Legislature solely for the appropriation towards education and transportation.

Voting YES on Question 4 upholds the current law passed this session by the State Legislature which allows all residents of Massachusetts to obtain driver’s licenses or learner’s permits despite their immigration status; ensuring all drivers on our roadways are properly trained and have the ability to purchase insurance.

To learn more about each of the questions on the ballot this Fall please visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ website at VoteInMA.com. For more information on the Woburn Democratic City Committee please visit their website at WoburnDems.org.