GENERAL BODY MEETING MINUTES

Call to Order: A general body meeting of the Prince Georges County Young Democrats, was held on March 28, 2013.

PGCYD

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Refreshments/ Welcome Executive Board Retreat

Overview i. The Executive Board went to Northbay Retreat Center for a PGCYD Retreat ii. Key takeaways: Creation of Exec Board Code of Conduct, Priorities for the organization for the year, Constitution revisions B. Strategic Plan 4 Pieces i. Expanding our base (growing our membership, growing our community partnerships) ii. Financial Stability (Goal is to double our bank account, be very active in 2014 election cycle, and our budget will be posted on the website) iii. Preparing for 2014 elections (establishing our brand, Org wants a say so for young people in upcoming elections) iv. Empowering youth and increasing civic engagement (training our members, get educated on participating in the political process, get the skills necessary to be an active and engaged citizen)
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Committee Volunteers A. Communications i. Headed Maurielle Stewart VP of Communications mhstewart17@gmail.com Goals ii. Cultivating membership from weaker areas iii. Increase social media participation iv. Increase transparency v. Open Positions: 1. PR Point Interface with the Media 2. Social Media Specialist Responsible for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc 3. Web development updating, keeping the website going B. Membership i. Eva Lewis VP of Membership. evarlewis@gmail.com ii. PGCYD wants to increase participation iii. Three focus areas 1. High school and colleges 2. Young professionals 3. Look at our rolls and bringing back members into the fold iv. To be a voting member dues are $10 v. Looking for people who want to help out with membership and outreach

vi. Goal is 140 members be the end of the year 1. Open Positions: a. High School/College Liaison b. Young Professional Liaison c. Current Member Liaison C. Programs i. Phylicia Henry VP of Programs. vpofprograms@pgcyd.com ii. Strengthen relationships with municipal and county elected officials iii. Create partnerships with other local non profits iv. Upcoming events: 1. Help for Hygiene 2. Comm. Service project with other young Dem chapters 3. Masquerade Ball v. Offer training opportunities for our members vi. Open Positions: 1. Help with various events D. Central Committee i. Dinora Hernandez and Rick Gross ii. Goal to increase Latino membership iii. Get more engaged with other minority political organizations iv. More presence in the community v. Register more voters vi. Improve relationship with the Democratic Central Committee(DCC) vii. Try to get voting rights for PGCYD on the DCC viii. Start a mentoring program ix. 1 voter registration drive a month starting in June IV. Upcoming Events A. 2013 Earth Day - Earth Day Cleanup at Bladensburg Waterfront Park: April 20th 9 am 12 pm @4601
Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD 20710. Volunteers will need to fill out a waiver B. C. D.

Silence the Violence partnership with Men Aiming Higher - Charity Basketball Game: April 17th
7pm - 9pm @5200 Silver Hill Rd Suitland, MD

Suitland High School Mentoring (Males Only): April 2013 to June 2013 @5200 Silver Hill Rd Suitland, MD A. Phillip Randolph Work Empowerment Brunch - Partnership with Labor Unions/Young Trade Unionist, the brunch is a fundraiser, will be around mid May and looking to raise at least $10,000 E. 2013 YDA Summer Conference: Charleston Marriott Town Center @200 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV): May
31 June 2, 2013. F.

2013 YDA National Convention: San Antonio Marriott River center (101 Bowie Street, San Antonio): August 9
August 11, 2013 We need to also increase our chapters presence at Annual YDA National Conventions

V.

Hot Topics A. County Executive Bakers Recent School Board Proposal I. Christian Rhodes (County Executive Education Policy Advisor 60% of students are free/reduced meals, highest ESL percentage, Prince Georges has unique issues. The goal is to start a conversation about education and hopefully lead to some action for change. Two major pieces of the proposal: One, That the Superintendent be a member of County Executives cabinet and be confirmed by the County Exec. Currently almost all positions report to County Exec but the Superintendent. Two, Allowing more expertise on Board of Education. Currently 9 member on the board. Propose at least one appt. from the county exec, one from the county counsel, president of PTA will serve as ex officio officer. Allow the three universities(Bowie State, College Park, and Prince Georges County Community College) to have a seat at the School Board. II. David Kahn (Co-Chair of Citizens for Elected Board) Bakers plan is not about our students or student achievementThe school district scores are improvingour level of improvement is increasing 1. Voting rights will be watered 2. Board will be politicizedinjecting partisan

politicsschool board should stay non-partisan the school board will be responsible for increasing student achievement but no power to do soonly the superintendent can approve the changes the superintendent will have unilateral authority with no checks and balanceswill be a powerless board since the board has no teeththis will turn PG schools into DC schoolsthe reforms there hasnt improved the schools The bill was pushed at the end of the session so it wont be heard in the countybetter to come back next year. Ideas: Statutory mandate that Universities serve as advisors VI. Announcements