IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE: DEMONSTRATION ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Click the dates below to view the meeting minutes for that date (click the date again to close the minutes for that date):
Leisure World Progressives Club
General Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2023
Secretary’s Note: We are still learning Zoom and apologize for the audio problems encountered at the
February 17 meeting. We are working to correct these issues for the next meeting.
Members Present in Person (9): Pat Bacon, Sheila Becker, Tina Bjornstad, Debbie Browne, Charles Chapman, Lew Cohen, Pat Duran, Shari Goldstein, Earlene Kendrick
Guests Present in Person (5): Anne Lafferty, Vivian Penda, Candice Wessling; Kristin Mink and aide Ray
Members Present by Zoom (1): Suzanne Gallo
Guests Present by Zoom (2): Unknown
Call to Order: 1:07pm
Organizational note: Pat Duran has moved to the office of Vice President from President, and Charles Chapman has moved to the office of President from Vice President. There was unanimous support from the members.
Approval of previous minutes: The Secretary read the minutes from the last meeting held on December 8, 2022. The minutes were approved as read.
Old Business: None.
New Business:
The President discussed the Democratic Club of Leisure World’s recent Diversity Night.
Guest Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Mink was introduced, addressed the Club, and answered questions.
Ideas for growing our Club were offered by members.
Report by the President on Progressive Maryland’s recent member meeting and notice about
upcoming Healthcare Justice Lobby Day.
Next meeting: TBD
Adjourned: 2:50 pm
Minutes Submitted by: Debbie Browne, Secretary
DRAFT General Meeting Minutes
December 8, 2022
Members Present in Person: Debbie Browne, Nick Dale, Pat Duran, Shari Goldstein, Perrieanne Lurie, Carl Shoolman, Barbara Studwell, John Sullivan
Members Present by Zoom: This meeting was not available by Zoom
Guests Present: Maryland State Delegate Vaughn Stewart, Patty Snee of Progressive Maryland
Call to Order: 2:05pm
Approval of minutes from the last meeting: The Interim Secretary read the minutes from the last meeting held on November 18, 2022. The minutes were approved as read.
Old Business: An unopposed slate of interim officers was nominated at the November 18, 2022, meeting. Since the interim officers were running unopposed, the President declared their positions permanent by acclamation.
New Business: Guest Del. Vaughn Stewart was introduced.
Del. Stewart spoke about the beginnings of his service in Maryland’s House of Delegates, several positions he has held on House Committees, his accomplishments, bills he’s currently working on, and his hopes for the upcoming legislative session.
He answered club members’ questions on a wide variety of topics, including specific Leisure World issues, issues in general regarding communities with HOAs (Homeowner Associations), Montgomery County issues, and state issues.
Del. Stewart was an interesting and engaging speaker. We invited him back for a future update and he willingly agreed. We look forward to having him address our club again.
Next meeting: There was discussion of temporarily discontinuing in-person meetings due to the high incidence of Covid. The next meeting date was not set.
Adjourned: 3:16 pm
Minutes Submitted by: Debbie Browne, Secretary
November 18, 2022
General Meeting Minutes
November 18, 2022
Members Present in Person: Cheryl Bader, Debbie Browne, Charles Chapman, Nick Dale, Pat Duran, Earlene Kendrick, Shari Goldstein, Richard Smith, Mary Smith, Lynn Yellott, Chess Yellott
Members Present by Zoom: Lew Cohen, Laurie Dubrow, Sheila Becker, possibly others
Guests Present: Patty Snee, Crystal Parker, and Syl Higgins of Progressive Maryland in person, and Bee
Van Hall of Progressive Maryland via Zoom
Call to Order: 2:05pm
Approval of minutes from the last meeting: The Interim Secretary read the minutes from the last
meeting held on October 14, 2022. The minutes were approved as read.
Old Business: The Interim President requested nominations for permanent officers. The only nominees
were the interim officers. Elections on the interim slate of officers becoming permanent will be held at
the December meeting.
New Business:
Guests Patty Snee and Crystal Parker of Progressive Maryland were introduced.
Patty Snee spoke about what Progressive Maryland is, the group’s values, chapter-specific work the
group is doing throughout the state, and current issue task forces.
Crystal Parker explained how the group is helping influence legislators regarding health care
affordability, drug reform policy, and creating a framework for cannabis legalization. There was discussion regarding all these topics and more.
Next meeting: The next meeting Is December 8 at 2:00pm in the Chesapeake Room. Maryland’s
Delegate Vaughn Stewart will attend and explain his progressive agenda for the next legislative session.
Adjourned: 3:15 pm
Minutes Submitted by: Debbie Browne, Interim Secretary
October 14, 2022
General Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2022
(First Organizational Meeting)
Members Present in Person: Paul Arneson, Cheryl Bader, Debbie Browne, Charles Chapman, Nick Dale,
Pat Duran, Barbara Studwell, Margo Williams, Chess Yellott, Lynn Yellott
Members Present by Zoom: Suzanne Gallo, Sheryl Katzman
Guests Present: Patty Snee, Healthcare Campaign and Member Campaign Manager, Progressive
Maryland, and Janay Fenner, Communications Coordinator, Progressive Maryland (via Zoom)
Call to Order: 2:04pm
Introduction of Interim Officers
Pat Duran, Interim President
Charles Chapman, Interim First Vice-President
Arthur Blair, Interim Second Vice-President (in his absence, Arthur Blair’s bio was read by Pat
Duran)
Debbie Browne, Interim Secretary
Nominations from Floor: None
Unopposed interim officers’ slate was elected by acclimation.
Adoption of By-laws:
Proposed by-laws were passed out at meeting and also available on the Club’s website.
Discussion of by-laws: No discussion
By-laws were voted on, one person abstained but all others in-person and via Zoom voted to adopt the
by-laws.
By-laws were adopted.
Old Business: There was no old business.
New Business: Questions posed: What does it mean to be a Progressive? What are the issues most important to you? What are the progressive topics you would like to learn more about? Who are progressive speakers you would like to hear from?
Discussion ensued regarding collaboration with other Leisure World Clubs and outside groups, the wishes of E&R/Lifestyles for us not to campaign for any specific candidates (although they may present to the Club as speakers), a two-pronged approach of both education and advocacy, the huge voting bloc seniors represent and how we can leverage that. Progressive Montgomery and Progressive Maryland were mentioned as groups to consider collaboration. There was vigorous discussion regarding EV charging stations and the desirability of getting more concrete information on how Leisure World is planning to approach this. It was noted at as a recognized Leisure World Club, we are entitled to have article in each edition of Leisure World News, and we should take advantage of that.
Introduction of guest Patty Snee, Healthcare Campaign and Member Campaign Manager, Progressive Maryland:
Progressive Maryland wants to do briefings with groups around the state, and the Progressive
Montgomery chapter is expected to become more active shortly.
Progressive Maryland advocates for many issues, including drug policies, health care, criminal justice
reform, environmental issues, budget issues, and education.
Progressive Maryland sends out a weekly memo by email on Monday. Let her know if you want to receive it. It’s a 5-minute read about events and issue updates.
General discussion:
Discussion regarding electronic communications ensued, such as asking questions on the Club website, using a gmail address for incoming questions, and the feasibility of using NextDoor as a communications resource. It was noted there is a 10% limit of total Club membership for members not residing in Leisure World. Thanks were offered to Lew Cohen (in absentia) for creating and maintaining the Club’s website. Next meeting: Date for meeting in November after the election will be forthcoming. Consider asking Patty Snee to return with a legislative update at that time.
Adjourned: 3:00 pm
Minutes Submitted by: Debbie Browne, Interim Secretary