We’re Back!
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
We’re officially back up and running! The minutes from our first meeting are below. Our officers are Devin Matthews and Tommy Flanagan - Co-Presidents, Irene Nelson - Secretary/Treasurer, and Trudi Downer as Committeewoman (who represents us at the state party). Thanks to all for stepping up!
We also passed the bylaws. They are in a basic format at this point and we can take a look at changing these as we see fit. Please find the by-laws below as adopted. Over the summer, we will invite people to a gathering to work on these by-laws as necessary. For now, please take a look and send your suggestions to us.
An announcement will be sent to the Stillwater County News that the committee is back up and running. We also have a new Stillwater Democrats Facebook page! Help us spread the word by “Liking” our page and sharing our events. You can also follow our Instagram page here.
We’re so excited to begin working towards more balanced politics in our county. Stay tuned for news about upcoming meetings and events this summer!
Minutes of the Stillwater County Democrats
Reorganization of Stillwater Democratic Committee – May 25, 2023 – by Zoom – Organized by Thomas Flanagan (Absarokee). Notes taken by Trudi Downer (Molt)
Tommy called group to order and explained logistics, deadlines, needs as outlined in initial email. He introduced Ethan Smith from the Montana Democrats.
Ethan welcomed on behalf of Montana Democrats and explained what needed to be accomplished at this short organizational meeting. By organizing tonight, Stillwater County can be represented at the State Democratic Party meeting in Butte on July 21-22.
Present: Rebecca Chenault (Absarokee)
Thomas Flanagan (Absarokee)
Kathleen Ralph (Columbus)
Irene Nelson (Absarokee)
Terry and Kate Stulce (Columbus)
Arleen Boyd and Frank Willett (Fishtail)
Ethan Smith (MT Democratic Central Committee, Helena)
John Sommers-Flanagan and Rita Sommers-Flanagan (Absarokee)
Bill Flanagan (Absarokee)
The following offers were properly elected by the members present:
Co-Presidents: Thomas Flanagan (Absarokee)
Devin Matthews (Columbus)
Secretary/ Treasurer: Irene Nelson (Absarokee) – the jobs will be together for organizational purposes.
Later they will be separated. Rebecca Chenault had some suggestions for Treasurer which will be followed up following the meeting.
Democratic Committee Man: (tbd)
Democratic Committee Woman: Trudi Downer (Molt)
The slate passed unanimously. We will pursue more members and fill vacancies as we move forward.
Kathleen Ralph moved, second by Trudi Downer to accept the draft By-Laws from the Democratic Party with the intention of working to amend and customize them for the Stillwater County Democrats.
Passed unanimously.
Tommy will get the necessary paperwork to Ethan Smith as soon as possible. He will get copies of the By-Laws out to the original email list. He will put the notes of the meeting and necessary information in the Stillwater County News.
Timeline: Tommy is in and out of Absarokee with his job. He will next be in Montana June 5-10, July 5-?
And in August. He will set up a meeting with the officers to go over By-Laws and logistics. He asked folks for a list of suggested members to be sent to him to add to this initial email list.
Our deadlines are met with this meeting so we can move forward with attendance at the State Democratic Party meeting – this year constitution and By-Laws – next year Party Platform.
The meeting was adjourned.
Trudi Downer (Molt) acting as a note taker.
