Meeting of the Walker County Democrats

January 5, 2023, at 6:30 pm , La Fayette-Walker County Public Library

Call to Order- David Boyle

Approval of minutes on a motion by George Rogers, Eddie Upshaw. Passed unanimously

Treasurer Report- George Rogers

Suggested Dues $35 for 2023. Treasury started at $5,254. $1,500 scholarship fund, designated. $3,754 available in treasury. No expenditure in December.

Act Blue donations may have gone in automatically

President’s Review

Eight years ago, Walker County Democrats started with six people meeting for conversation

Became an official, certified party after three years

Zoom meetings helped the group keep meeting and growing during pandemic

Increased media coverage and rallies helped group become more visible in the community.

We honor members we have recently lost: Susan Darling, Morris Powell, Virginia Daniels, Julia Sexton, Bobby McDonald.

Community Outreach Review- David Boyle

Two scholarships were given to high school seniors, May 2022

Hired Youth Outreach worker with donation, June 2022

Party caucus, elected representatives and delegates to state convention in June.

Fall rally success

Election- voter protection process; mailed 3,500 postcards; billboard on highway

Runoff election- “get out the vote” phone calls--effective.

Future Goals:

Nurturing candidates for office

Build funding for the 2024 election cycle.

Spring rally “We Will Engage in Civil Discourse”

Fall rally “How Minds Change” Another rally idea “Strengthening Democracy”

Books to read

The Space Between Us by Sarah B. Anderson, working towards civility and peace in a politically polarized nation

How Minds Change by David McRaney, empathy and understanding are crucial to cultural shift Issues to focus on:

Climate Action and Recycling Affordable Housing with reasonable income limits

Healthcare access

Letters to the editors, both Chattanooga and northwest Georgia publications

Progressive Youth Council Report- Stella Babb

Goal: to engage the youth of northwest Georgia

Upcoming meetings: 1st Saturday of each month

Meeting locations are in La Fayette, new virtual component allows people to attend through Facebook

Looking for young people of different ideologies to discuss issues

Stella recently gave a talk on “Civic Engagement” at La Fayette High School

Future vision: to become more active and influential in local community

Events Committee Appointments to work with Executive Committee:

Susan Hays Nathan Gibson Eddie Upshaw Margaret Hall

Officer Elections:

Chairperson- David Boyle

1st Vice Chair- The Rev. Don White 2nd Vice Chair- vacant (Jim Johnson was not present and declined)

Secretary- Stanley Porter Treasurer- George Rogers

State Committee: Mike Rasbury and Jonathan Cabe

Alternate State Committee: George Rogers

Technology officer: open (Jenny Crisp may be interested)

Approval of election by acclimation, unanimous consent.

-Motion: Eddie Upshaw; -Second: Margaret Hall

Reading- David Boyle

“The future of the nation lies in Georgia,” by David Boyle

We can make a difference again.

Next Meeting

February 2, 2023, Chickamauga Library, 306 Cove Road, Chickamauga, GA 30707

PS: A delicious buffet was served by Lisa Jones Taff and her sister, Connie. Very enjoyable.