Call to Order

President David Meadows called the meeting to order.

President's Report

President Meadows welcomed meeting attendees and special guests. He mentioned that Peter Share has been appointed to a Mayoral Board on Tobacco and alcohol control. Peter Share mentioned that Smoke Free DC wants to address the Stein club. Meadows also mentioned that Steve Gorman has been appointed as Chair of the Mayor's Committee on Persons with Disabilities.

President Meadows reported that our request to use Hillary Clinton's house for the Stein annual fundraising reception was denied. The fundraising reception will be held on April 24 at the Washington Club in Dupont Circle. He also congratulated Claire Lucas and Kurt Vordran for their election as convention delegates and alternate delegate, respectively.

President Meadows then asked the membership to approve the minutes from the February 8, 2004 meeting. The members present approved the minutes.

Treasurer's report

Old Business

Vice President Lewis mentioned that the resolution at the DSC to include two seats assigned to the Stein Club is currently in the by-laws committee. The DSC created another committee to conduct research on how other democratic clubs in other cities have appointed LGBT individuals or organizations.

President Meadows discussed the implications related to Stein Club's independence if we are given the two seats at the DSC. He raised concerns around financial and organizational authority. He suggested that it would be a good idea to add to seats without having Stein as an affiliated organization. Peter Share said he also has concerns regarding the affiliation issue and thinks that it should be addressed.

Phill Pannell expressed that he was not sure when Stein representation at the DSC will become a reality. He indicated that his initial resolution considered Stein as an external affiliated organization that will remain its authority. He feels that there is no reason to delay this effort further. President Meadows requested that Pannell provides the Club with an explanation in writing about the current process so it could be sent to the membership. He mentioned that he Young Democrats decided to disassociate because of the current finance reform.

Peter Share read an article about the Stein presidential endorsement meeting. He then presented the following resolution:

That the Stein's Executive Committee write a letter to the Blade about the action taken at the endorsement meeting and the process stipulated in the by-laws. If the Blade does not publish, then we do it through advertisement.

Any member did not second the motion.

Endorsement

President Meadows welcomed our guest speaker, Congresswoman Eleonor Holmes Norton. Congresswoman Holmes Norton gave a passionate presentation about her support for the Stein Club and to overall LGBT causes. She tanked the Stein Club for its support to her over the years. She discussed some critical issues facing the LGBT community such as hate crimes, ENDA, and the Federal Marriage Amendment. She mentioned that she would like to have a meeting with LGBT leaders and the Stein Club next month to discuss strategies on how to address these issues in Congress and determine the best way to build support. Peter Rosenstein moved that the Stein Club endorse Congresswoman Homes Norton by acclamation. The Stein Club endorsed Congresswoman Holmes Norton by acclamation.

Kurt Vordran presented motion to have the Stein Club to send a press release announcing out endorsement of Congresswoman Holmes Norton. The motion passed.

New Business

Resolutions:

1. Pannell presented the following resolution:

That the 2004 National Democratic party Convention supports the District of Columbia in its efforts to achieve statehood. That the Democratic Party nominees for President and Vice President are urged to mention DC statehood in their convention acceptance speeches and campaign speeches throughout the nation. That the Democratic President of the United States is urged to mention DC Statehood in his or her Inauguration Address and all subsequent State of the Union Addresses until the second-class citizenship status of the residents of the nation's capital is ended.

The motion passed unanimously.

2. Pannell introduced resolution on the Salvation Army:

That the Stein Club invited Mayor Williams to participate in a public forum organized by this Club and other LGBT organizations on the Salvation Army's policies with regard to sexual orientation. That the forum be public and covered by the District Cable and hopefully the media. That we recommend that this community forum be held at the Martin Luther King Library within the next 90 days.

The resolution passed unanimously.

3. Kenda Kirby presented the following resolution:

That at any endorsement meeting, just prior to the beginning of the endorsement process, an officer of the Club read aloud the section of the By-laws which states the percentage of votes needed to win an endorsement and that subsequent votes may occur in order to reach that threshold.

Resolution passed unanimously.

4. Kenda Kirby presented the following resolution:

To be carried to the DC Democratic Party. That all meetings, caucuses, and elections of the party be held at Metro accessible sites which are fully handicapped accessible. That all sites where caucuses and elections of the party are held be easily found with prominent signage at all surrounding traffic intersections, metro rail and bus stops, and key walkways. That all precint-level and larger elections, caucuses, etc. at which ballots are cast, be in separate rooms or perimeter of not less than 20 feet separate voters from solicitation/electioneering, and that voters Not be required to sign their ballots. Pannell offered friendly amendment that the Stein Club goes on record in favor of a binding primary in 2008.

5. Pannell presented resolution on Ward One recall effort.

That the Stein Club opposes a recall on Ward One against Jim Graham.

Resolution passed.

Adjournment

Upon motion, the Stein Club voted to adjourn the meeting.