The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:15 pm.
Non-Partisanship Policy
The membership reviewed and adopted our Nonpartisan Policy, as required.
Report of the Steering Committee
Anne DeSouza Ward, delivered the Report of the Steering Committee, summarizing the year’s activities for the year 2018-2019. The report will be posted on the website.
Guest speaker
Lori Timmerman, a volunteer on the Melrose Energy Commission, spoke to us about the community solar program here in Melrose. She is the Melrose Solar Coach and can help anyone that is interested with information and resources. More information is on the website of the energy commission: www.melroseenergy.org
Budget
Louise Mason reported on our finances and presented the Proposed Budget for 2019-2020. We have approximately 21 members at present. Dues yield us only a few dollars per member, as we have to pay per-member payments to the state and national organizations for our affiliation. The majority of our budget comes from sponsors on our website. Sponsors pay $150 per year to be listed as a sponsor. There was discussion about soliciting new and renewed sponsorships, and Eileen Hamblin offered for Leading Edge Real Estate to be a sponsor this year. Joyce Zeiner offered to ask Melrose Bank for a sponsorship. It was acknowledged that sponsors contribute as a community service without significant economic return, but that we should do more to advertise their support. Acknowledging them at public events like the Victorian Fair was suggested. It was also suggested that we mention them whenever we produce anything with language that states: “This (program/pamphlet/etc) was produced by the League of Women Voters of Melrose and its sponsors.”
The proposed budget was approved and adopted as estimated in our annual meeting documents.
Report from LWV MA Convention
Susan Baron reported on her attendance at the LWV MA Convention on behalf of our league. She shared a two-page written summary in addition to her verbal report.
Nominations and Elections
The present members of the Steering Committee, with the addition of Susan Gitelle Baron, were nominated and duly elected to two-year terms for 2019-2021.
Goals for the Coming Year
Finally, we discussed our goals and activities for the coming year. It was agreed that we should consider raising dues by a modest amount to help support our activities, in addition to seeking more community sponsors.
It was also agreed that we do not have the resources to sponsor two mayoral candidate forums – one prior to the preliminary election in September, and one prior to the general election—if we hope to continue our tradition of holding a forum for all contested seats in all local elections in November. We agreed to support the August forum being held by Sustainable Melrose and then to concentrate on a forum in early October for the general election.
We noted that 2020 is the 100 year anniversary of the League of Women Voters and that we should consider a local celebration.
Finally, it was agreed to continue the voter registration drives at Victorian Fair and the high school, both fall and spring. Although voters have many more options for registration, these events do generate interest and provide a service to the community. There was interest in providing more voter information in addition to registration services at these events. We considered a fun event, like a citizenship quiz game, too.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned approximately 9:15 pm.
