October Minutes

Page County Democratic Committee Minutes of October 3, 2024

Monthly Meeting West Luray Rec Center, Luray, VA

Attendees: Tom Dawson, Gary Grant, Suzanne Grant, Clyde Humphrey, Betty Karp, Herbert Karp, Bill King, Joseph Kinneary, David Kinsey, Miles Morimoto, Mike Mudd, Lori Painter, Joe Petralia, Pat Petralia, David Rosse, Sandra Schaberl, Bette Schmidt, Ray Snader, Chip Taggart, and Kathleen White Guest: Jackie Bowers, Will Bowers, Sara Finn

Call to Order at 6:33 p.m. Minutes and Treasurer’s Report

Minutes of the September meeting were accepted with no changes.

1. The Treasurer’s Report showed a monthly beginning balance on Sept. 1, 2024, was $6,348.89 and an ending balance on Sept. 30, of $5,979.58.
2. The announcement was made that an Assistant Treasurer is needed.
3. Election Activities
   1. Canvassing – Gary Grant reported that most of the canvassing turfs for Luray that we had received had been completed. Someone shared that a few visitors to the PCDC Election HQ had also said they would be willing to canvas if more turfs are assigned to us. Thank you to all who went door to door to get out the vote!
   2. Phone banking and texting – Jane Dougherty in Harrisonburg can help set up anyone who wants to do phone banking. Rural Ground Game can set up interested volunteers for texting.
   3. Voter Registration Drives – Bette Schmidt and 4 other trained certified registrars worked a voter registration drive at The Rec in Luray. They helped register a few people who needed assistance, and they also gave direction to several who were interested in having their voting rights restored, Conversation was had with many people about checking voting registration status before the election. Thank you, volunteer registrars! Two other registration were being scheduled at Laurel Ridge Community College.
4. Election Day – We intend to have our PCDC tables at each of the Page County Polling Stations if we can get enough volunteers to staff them. Sandy Schaberl will coordinate this with the PCDC District Chairs. A volunteer list was also sent around. It would be good to also have a volunteer or two to provide rides to polls if this service should be needed.
5. PCDC HQ- Visitation has seen over 91 individuals sign the HQ visitor log since opening in April. And many more who stopped by but didn’t sign in. membership information has been sent to over 50 people locally. Bill King suggested expanding the hours, and so volunteer coverage is needed on Saturdays and Sundays. Note: the copier at the HQ office needs help, if anyone knows how to un-jam it.
6. Local Candidates in Page County– Betty Karp raised the concern that we have not focused on the local races happening for the town councils and mayors. It was suggested to review the interviews that the local Page Valley News recorded with the candidates, and to look up the candidates’ campaigns and social media pages to learn more about them and to decide. It was mentioned that Luray mayoral candidate Ron Vickers was concerned enough to ask questions about the Shenandoah River/Hawksbill Creek contamination issue when they came before the Luray Town Council. Ana Maria Mendez – new PCDC member Ana Mendez recently launched a write in campaign for a seat on the Shenandoah Town Council. At this time she was not seeking help from the PCDC.
7. Election Night Watch Party – Tentative plans include a gathering at the REC, with bring your own beverage and a snack to share. Information will be sent out later by email.
8. PCDC Organization 
   1. Fundraiser- A Fall Fundraiser for the PCDC will be held on Thursday, October 24, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., at the Daughter of the Stars Theater, in Stanley. It will feature a chili supper and an evening of music. A silent auction is also being planned. This fundraiser and gathering is to say thank you to all our volunteers, and to help replenish some of the funds that have been spent on the 2024 Election. A $25 donation is suggested per attendee.
9. Community Works (CW) – Sara Finn began her monthly report by thanking all the volunteers for the past few events. Nine volunteers helped with each the PAL Gala and the Remote Area Medical (RAM) events that were held in September. And 18 new suicide help volunteers were trained at the SafeTalk Training session held Sept. 23rd in Luray.
   1. Community Works will be at the Community Gardens in both Luray and Stanley to distribute free food on Friday, October 4th from 9:00 until noon.
   2. CW will participate in an Oct. 26th Octoberfest event held at Massanutten Country Corner. Volunteers are needed to help set up and run a craft. This event will feature a supply drive for Arise, and will be a drop off site for hurricane relief collection.
   3. A volunteer is needed to write a letter to the editor for November.
   4. Community Works November 2024 Monthly Update

Meeting adjourned after 8:00 p.m. Next monthly meeting – November 7, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at The Rec in Luray, VA

Note: this meeting will see the Committee discuss the Election 2024 results, and then switch focus to begin on the new year, including The Annual Dinner fundraiser planning, and Election 2025 for Virginia Governor and local elections. Respectfully submitted,

Sandra Schaberl, Secretary, PCDC