The regular meeting of the General Membership of the Dolphin Democrats was held on Wednesday, March 8, 2006, at 7:41 P.M., at the
GLCC, 1717 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL,
the President being in the chair and the Secretary being present.

The President reminded everyone of the raffle, which is two bottles of wine.

Diane Glasser, First Vice Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

The President requested that we observe a moment of silence for our brave brothers and sisters who have lost their lives in the war in Iraq.

Barbara Stuart introduced the following dignitaries or candidates in attendance:
· Lottie Albert for Representative Stacy Ritter for State Senate
· LeAnna Mirsky for School Board for District 6
· Julie Petrick for Klein for District 22
· Perry Thurston for State Representative, District 93
· Evan Jenne for State Representative, District 100
· Barry Sacharow for State Representative, District 99
· Danielle Black for Jim Davis for Governor of Florida
· Ashley Walker for Jeremy Ring for State Senate
· Alain Jean for State Representative, District 93
· Amy Rose for State Representative, District 95
· David Kout for State Representative, District 105

The Chair recognized the presence of a quorum and proceeded with the meeting.

I. President’s Report:
a) New members addressed and asked to stand and present themselves to the Dolphins.
b) The election of the new executive officers was discussed. The President relayed his heartfelt feelings about the incoming executives and the year ahead for the Dolphins and its executive board.
c) The President recognized the Chairman of Broward DEC, Mitch Caesar, who will swear in new Board Members
1. Ken Keechl, President, Melissa Fotjik, Vice President, Kathy Scaman, Treasurer and Julie D. Bruno, Secretary were sworn in.
2. Ted Adcock, Michael Albetta, Alan Silva, Gary Hensley, Amy Shoosmith, LeAnna Bradley, Barbara Stuart, Edie Hambright, Ron Mills, Adam Sanders, Bob Bernhardt, and Justin Flippen (absent) were sworn in as official 2006 board members of the Dolphin Democrats.
d) Minutes from the previous four general meeting were ratified at 7:51pm.
e) The President discussed the new board members and their dedication to GLBT activism. “This organization will make sure our rights are protected, our party understands our rights, and those candidates that support our causes will be elected in 2006. Thank you for expressing confidence in us. We won’t let you down.”
f) The President readdressed the “We are Family” video controversy. We were able to put in place changes to the diversity committee protocol. Steven Cain resigned from the diversity committee and our organization was the primary cause for this. Now, the school board will show the “we are family” video. “The controversy from the Right Wing about this video still shocks me.”
g) The President addressed the Anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment. The Right did not get the signatures they needed for the 2006 ballot. However, by November 2008, they will have the signatures they need. The Republican house and senate are proposing to enact their own amendment. We are working with our Democratic brothers and sisters on this issue. The oral argument to the Florida Supreme court did not go over well. We made a good argument about the single subject rule. We know that since Gov. Bush has been in office he has appointed three justices. What was disappointing was that our moderate justices didn’t understand the single subject rule, which we believe in unconstitutional.
h) The Dolphins has created two committees: campaign and membership. We need you guys involved in both.
1. Michael Albetta is nominated and approved to be the chair of campaign committee. GLBT questionnaires sent out for the January primary, published in the 411 and the Express. “This was to hold our candidates feet to the fire, just like we did to Marty Rubinstien.” We received a lot of positive feedback from all communities (GLBT, Hetero, Candidates). The President handled a few negative responses from Republicans. I want you involved in this campaign. This questionnaire was sent to every candidate for municipal office in Broward County. So many candidates called me in support. There were a number of 100% supporters, Charlotte Rodstrom, Ron Pansella, Mame Schriber, Patty Lynn, Patricia Grant, and Scott Newton. Nick Boyko and Gary Resnick received high scores as well.
i) Membership and outreach committees need volunteers.
j) If you’re not receiving our emails that means we don’t have your email address, so please get that to us.
k) Pridefest – we’ll be there 12pm to 8pm. We’re going to be with Ron Klein and various other candidates. If you want to volunteer we’ll be more than happy to have you.
l) The Dolphin Democrats are throwing our first personal fundraiser for Amy Rose at Ted and Ken’s home on March 26, 2006 from 10 to 2pm. Amy Rose will tell us her vision. This is our time to support our own. We’re going to have more of these from now until November. RSVP to Ken’s secretary.
m) Thank you to Melissa for tireless effort on the “we are family” video issue.
n) Ken Pattawitz introduced
1. March 19, 2006 there will be an anti-war protest. A flyer will be at pridefest.
o) The President presented the winning raffle ticket to Julia Davis.
p) Candidates’ night discussed for June or July with 40 or 50 local candidates.

II. Vice President Report:
a) Call out for volunteers for the Dolphin committees as it will have a direct effect on the 2008 elections. We need soldiers on the ground for our voter’s registration drive and membership recruitment (talk a friend into checking the Dolphins out).
b) Senator Rich, author of the Senate Bill 172, the Gay Adoption bill was Temporarily Placed on the table at our first hearing Feb 14. Hence this bill was “not killed” but is in need of more support. We’re trying to encourage people to call, email and fax their representatives. However, Representative Smith (D) said he was going to try to push it in the senate. Lastly, the house bill has a sister bill, 0123.
c) Representative Bogdanoff’s (R) has proposed a bill countering Representative Gottlieb’s student safety, anti-bullying and discrimination bill that protects children from being harassed and bullied at school. Representative Bogdanoff’s bill does not address sexual orientation. This is the first time she put this bill forward and had a press conference announcing the proposal of her bill.
d) “Over the next two years, these are the most important elections in our lifetime.” Legislative committee needs more volunteers. “Some folks with religious beliefs believe they have a right to discriminate. Please I encourage you to volunteer.”

III. Campaign Committee’s Report:
a) Michael Albetta called to speak.
b) He thanked the new members for joining.
c) March 14, 2006 is an election. Those who live in Ft. Lauderdale, the Ft. Lauderdale 2nd Commission seat, your vote can make the difference. Dean Trentalis knows this; he won by 50 votes two years ago. We have an obligation to go out and vote. We have an obligation to go out and vote as a block. When you have heterosexual candidates advertise in our periodicals it shows you, we are very important, we count. The fact is if you have a friend that lives in the 2nd district of Ft. Lauderdale it’s very important that you vote.
d) The questionnaire – the Dolphin Democrats have a wonderful campaign committee, but we need your vote.
e) Thank you to Harve Bronstein for his contribution to the Campaign Committee.
f) The bottom line is, we’re gearing up for the March election. We’re going to have a get out the vote office in east Fort Lauderdale. Diane Glasser is a huge supporter, but I need you; without you this won’t happen. It’s not like a secret board meeting, anyone can get involved. We want to make sure people hear our voices and that people will never take us for granted again.
g) The campaign committee meets on a monthly basis. In 2004 we turned out 80% of the voters in that district and if we did that by 10, we’re going to make sure there is a democratic governor in Florida
h) Contact Michael Albetta, read the President’s message, which has his email and other contact information.

IV. Membership Committee’s Report:
a) Leanna Bradley – All proceeds from raffles will go to the “get out the vote” push for 2006.

V. Speaker and subject.
a) Mitch Caesar, Chairman of the DEC addressed The Dolphins. In the last 10 days I’ve been involved in the Jefferson Jackson dinner, had a meeting with Senators Biden and Clinton, did a public service announcement getting people to vote, and addressed two Democratic clubs in Broward and Coconut creek.
1. Spoke of several key swing races in Parkland (Mayor and City Commission), Davie, and Coral Springs.
2. Farm Team advancements, all this is important, but none is as important as the Governor election in 2006.
3. California (D), Texas (R), Florida (?), New York (D) – Florida is the only swing state. It’s important for us nationally. If we have a democratic governor at least we’ll know that the election in 2008 will be fair and if it’s fair, we’ll win. It sets the table for the 2008. In the Electoral College, the Democrats could win without Florida, the Republicans can not. Both national parties will be heavily invested in this gubernatorial race in Florida.
4. George Bush is seen as a liability (Richard Nixon the first lowest approval rating). Bush the second lowest approval rating compared to others in office during second term.
5. Spoke of the issue in the news today – what is the desert of the state. This is what was on the 6 o’clock news tonight.
6. Republicans are running scared…not sure if they have enough time to turn things around. But, we should take nothing for granted.
7. The key is getting out the vote. Broward has to carry big numbers and frankly the only way we can do it is through our local parties.
8. The turn out in Broward is 68% for the Presidential election
9. The turn out in Broward is 48% for the gubernatorial election.
10. Nothing more important than getting a democrat in the governor’s mansion. We need to get more intensified and we need to grow. This is the ballgame, this is the window, this is our chance.
b) Charlotte Rodstrom
1. The President – Melissa, Michael and I have personally endorsed Charlotte. We don’t do that lightly as representatives of the club.
2. She received a 100% on our questionnaire, which means she strongly supports our position on GLBT issues and a woman’s right to choose.
3. Charlotte stated: “I’m coming here tonight because yes I do support this community that I’ve grown to love and lead. I want to continue in Dean’s footsteps. I really need your help. I need your vote and my opponent is not a nice man. Please this is going to be a close race, so get out on the 14th, and vote for Charlotte Rodstrom.”
4. The President has reinforced the need to getting out the vote for Charlotte Rodstrom. “We will do all that we can to get out the vote.”
5. Charlotte will have a table at pridefest.

Upon the motion of Julia Davis, the General Membership Meeting adjourned at 8:46 P.M.


Respectfully submitted,

___________________
Julie D. Bruno, Secretary


Enclosures:
Order of Business
Elected Official Sign-in Sheet, March 8, 2006
Candidates Sign-in Sheet, March 8, 2006


Approved at the Regular General Membership Meeting, March 8, 2006.


_________________________
Kenneth E. Keechl
President