CALL TO ORDER
General Meeting of Connecticut Citizens Defense League was held on August 13, 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: Walt Kupson, Frank Russello, Ray Bevis, Chris Lemos, Cheryl Lemos, Bob Starr, John Beidler, Scott Wilson, Holly Sullivan, Keith Cagle, Jonathan Hardy, Dominick Basile
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Kevin Holian-Borgnis, Kris Witherill, Robert Chambers, Michelle McBrien
GUESTS: Y.E.S. Attendee -Stephanie Weber, Attorney Greg Miller, Candidate for NRA Board of Directors- Tom Ellis, Candidate for Mayor of Meriden CT- Ernestine Holloway
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
AGENDA
- Executive and committee reports
- Legislative Update (Status of current bills for this session)
- Update and Volunteers for Outreach plan
- Family Picnic
- Black Guns Matter Event
- Amicus Brief Update
- Guest Speakers
- Y.E.S. Attendee -Stephanie Weber
- Attorney Greg Miller
- Candidate for NRA Board of Directors- Tom Ellis
- Candidate for Mayor of Meriden CT- Ernestine Holloway
- Open forum
OFFICER REPORTS
President’s Report – Scott Wilson
-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 07/30/19
Treasurer’s Report – Robert Starr
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 07/30/19
-Available Funds:
- People’s Bank Balance (Litigation) = $ 76,317
- People’s Bank Balance (Operations) = $ 104,224
- Paypal Balance = $2,005
Secretary’s Report – Cheryl Lemos
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 07/30/19
-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 07/30/19
-Community Outreach discussion / sign-up
-Membership report
-Member Total – 34143
-New Members – 278
Events Coordinator – Holly Sullivan
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 07/30/19
– Family Picnic is Saturday August 24, volunteers and raffle items needed
– Friday, Sept 6 is Black Guns Matter speaking event at UNH
– 11th Anniversary Dinner is booked for Saturday February 22 at La Bella Vista
-Working on possibly hosting a shoot for college kids. No date scheduled yet.
– Participated in the DC Project
– Channel 12 interview
-Attended Women on Target at High Rock, upcoming picnic (need volunteers and raffle items)
-Updates on the Maj Event
Legislative Coordinator – Ray Bevis
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 07/30/19
– Attended and Briefly Manned the CCDL table at Tom’s Firearms grand opening in Naugatuck.
– Attended Outreach Committee Meetings on July 12th & July 29th.
– Legislative Shoot update: stuffed, addressed and sent out 187 the invitations.
– CCDL presentation at the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse
– Kent Planning and Zoning Update: Public Hearing on October 10th on proposed zoning changes to heavily restrict gun stores in town.
Answered a few emails and phone calls
Merchandise Coordinator – Michelle McBrien
-Attended the Executive Board meeting on 07/30/19
-delivered decals to various stores
-picked up decals from our vendor
Permit Issues Coordinator – Jonathan Hardy
-Discussed current cases at the Board of Pistol Permit
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- August 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
- Executive and committee reports
- Legislative Update (Status of current bills for this session)
- Update and Volunteers for Outreach plan
- Family Picnic
- Black Guns Matter Event
- Amicus Brief Update
- Guest Speakers
- Y.E.S. Attendee -Stephanie Weber
- Attorney Greg Miller
- Candidate for NRA Board of Directors- Tom Ellis
- Candidate for Mayor of Meriden CT- Ernestine Holloway
- Open forum
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
The next General Meeting of Connecticut Citizens Defense League will held on September 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 8:30 pm
MINUTES PREPARED BY
Cheryl Lemos – Secretary CCDL
August 13, 2019