The Women’s Club met in person on March 14th at the Platte County Resource Center.
Local candidates were then introduced. Jamie Johnson is running for the new House District 12 seat, John DeFoor is running for Platte County presiding commissioner and Susanne Rutherford is running for county clerk.
Our first speaker of the evening was Jamie Johnson, candidate for House District 12. This seat is a new seat following redistricting and is open. Jamie and her family moved to Parkville in 2006 from New Orleans, LA, following Hurricane Katrina. Jamie spoke about her family’s involvement with local politics and social issues in New Orleans from the time Jamie was a young lady and many years before. Jamie works at Commerce Bank. She has two children who have graduated from Park Hill School District, and her youngest child is in junior high in Park Hill. Her focus will be building relationships in the House and with the constituents in her district.
Our second speaker of the evening was Susanne Rutherford, who has recently signed up as a candidate for county clerk. In 2018, Susan became a United States citizen, having previously lived in Germany. She was motivated to run because everyone on the Platte County ticket were Republicans. She believes that all seats need to be filled. (Susan has since withdrawn her candidiacy).
Our third speaker was John DeFoor, who is running for Platte County Presiding Commissioner. He echoed Susanne’s position that all seats need to be filled on the ballot. He informed the group that it has been 26 years since a Democrat has been elected to the county commission.
The Executive Committee meeting from February was discussed. Redistricting has resulted in a new District 12 and Ashley Aune’s current District 14 has been expanded.
Voter registration drives were discussed. Rori DeFoor, John DeFoor’s wife and guest, offered to provide a list of voter registration drive information to Rita McGuire. Possible registration events at Riverstone Apartments and local YMCAs were discussed.
Alice Wadsworth provided an update on the membership committee. She and Lee Karbaumer have discussed ideas regarding moving our meeting time. Lee passed around a survey to members present tonight regarding times, dates, and locations of future meetings in an effort to increase membership. Other ideas regarding increasing involvement are invited. Discussion was held regarding including the local union women’s group.
Fundraising committee report: Alice Wadsworth reported that the Executive Committee had discussed a couple of fundraising ideas. One was selling items on Ebay or Marketplace, or having a used book sale at a local place that supports Democrats and buyers of several books would be given a discount, which we would have to cover. A third one was brought up, of selling plant starts (flowers and maybe herbs) at a farmer’s market. Sharen Hunt and Laurie McGuire will be looking into that option.
Platte County Democratic Central Committee report mainly focused on the upcoming spring event. Meredith Peace and Jamie Johnson are co-chairwomen of this event. Meredith will email Rita the flyer and information. Meredith also invited anyone who can think of others to invite to provide her with names, addresses, and emails that she might send invitations.
90st Annual Missouri Federation of Women’s Democratic Clubs State Convention:
Helen Weigman gave a report regarding State Convention. The dates are from June 3-5, 2022, at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Participants would spend both Friday and Saturday night there.
Our group is allowed 3 delegates. Each county is allowed 1 delegate per 10 paid members. There is information regarding the registration fee and cheat sheet information available from Rita.
Motion: Kathy Bray moved for a quarter page advertisement for $35 (half pages are $75). Sharen Hunt seconded the motion and the motion passed. We are requested to participate in providing for the Hospitality Room at State Convention as well. The suggested donation amount is $100. $130 was collected this evening from individual members and so that will be used for the Hospitality Room and advertising.
Part of the State Convention also includes memorials for past members. It was suggested that the late Pauli Kendrick be honored from Platte County. Sharen Hunt will write up the bio to be printed in the program.
