CALL TO ORDER
General Meeting of Connecticut Citizens Defense League was held on November 12, 2019 at Elks Lodge 44 Maynard Street, Middletown CT. The meeting began at 7:00 PM and was presided over by Scott Wilson, with Cheryl Lemos as secretary. The meeting opened with the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDEES
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: John Beidler, Kris Witherill, Robert Chambers, Michelle McBrien, Walt Kupson, Frank Russello, Ray Bevis, Chris Lemos, Cheryl Lemos, Bob Starr, Scott Wilson, Holly Sullivan, Dominick Basile, Jonathan Hardy,
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Kevin Holian-Borgnis, Keith Cagle
GUESTS:
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
AGENDA
- Belated thank you to all Veterans
- Executive and Committee reports
- Legislative Workshop Planning- Ray Bevis
- Amicus Brief Updates- Scott (Worman v Healy) (Remington v Soto)
- DC Rally Report
- Meet the Outreach Committee and Managers
- Discussion on New State Police Canine Patrol Dogs
OFFICER REPORTS
President’s Report – Scott Wilson
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
-Communicated with legislators
-Media and press statements
-Responded to numerous emails and communications
-Numerous other tasks
Vice-President’s Report – Chris Lemos
-Worked on the website, blog, social media post, and membership emails.
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
Treasurer’s Report – Robert Starr
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
-Available Funds:
- People’s Bank Balance (Litigation) = $ 63,317
- People’s Bank Balance (Operations) = $ 103,115
- Paypal Balance = $ 2,182
Secretary’s Report – Cheryl Lemos
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
-Created minutes for the previous monthly meeting and provided to the Technology Coordinator to post to the website.
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Membership Coordinator – Kris Witherill
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
-Membership report
-Member Total – 34810
-New Members – 176
Events Coordinator – Holly Sullivan
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
-Reminder that the 11th Anniversary Dinner is booked for Saturday February 22 at La Bella Vista
-need volunteers
-Tickets will be available for sale at the December meeting and on the website before then.
Legislative Coordinator – Ray Bevis
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
-Attended the Kent Planning and Zoning Public Hearing on proposal to limit Gun Store in town to only a small industrial zoned area and to ban gun stores from 1000ft of placed of worship, schools, liquor stores, and establishments that sale liquor will be on Thursday October 10th
-The P&Z commission voted to extend the Public hear for 30 days. Meaning that they will take public comments via email and at the next P&Z meeting, which is scheduled for this Thursday, November 14th at 7:00pm at the Kent Town Hall at 41 Kent Green BLVD.
-During the hearing gun stores were compared to Marijuana Dispensaries and Adult Toy Shops, often asking the speakers if they would want one of those type of establishments in the center of town. The general mindset of the proponents of this ordnance change was that “we must do something to prevent shootings” “what about the children” “guns shops need to be kept out of sight so they are out of mind”
-Please attend the meeting and show your support for our rights, if you’re unable to attend you may email your comments to the town clerk of Kent.
– Attended Outreach Committee Meet and Greet with Reginal Managers on October 20th
– Still looking for a few more gun clubs to host a CCDL Legislative workshop in January, February, or the beginning of March. The workshops are about two hours long. And help gun owners understand the legislative process, how to communicate with their legislators, and how to write and submit testimony. Ask your clubs if they would be interested in a workshop. Please email Ray at legislative@ccdl.us if you have any questions or if your club is interested.
-Additional correspondence:
-Answered emails and phone calls
Merchandise Coordinator – Michelle McBrien
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
-special addition t-shirts are available.
Permit Issues Coordinator – Jonathan Hardy
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
Outreach committee report – Walt Kupson
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 10/22/19
– Outreach: will introduce RMs at meeting and review the program to boost recruitment, formal and candid photos for eventual use for CCDL webpage and FB articles to further energize program, next Regional Manager meeting with committee November 19th
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- November Food Drive – for nearly eight years, CCDL has collected and distributed food for those in need at our monthly meetings. Thank you to all of our members who generously donated canned goods and other non-perishable items to our January meeting.
- Letter Writing Campaign – all CCDL members are encouraged to write pro-gun letters to the editors of news organizations.
MEETING AGENDA DETAILS
- Belated thank you to all Veterans
- Executive and Committee reports
- Legislative Workshop Planning- Ray Bevis
- Amicus Brief Updates- Scott (Worman v Healy) (Remington v Soto)
- DC Rally Report
- Meet the Outreach Committee and Managers
- Discussion on New State Police Canine Patrol Dogs
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
The next General Meeting of Connecticut Citizens Defense League will held on December 10, 2019 at Elks Lodge 44 Maynard Street, Middletown CT. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM.
ADJOURNMENT
Scott Wilson called the meeting be adjourned at 8:45 pm
MINUTES PREPARED BY
Cheryl Lemos – Secretary CCDL
November 12, 2019
