CALL TO ORDER
General Meeting of Connecticut Citizens Defense League was held on September 10, 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: Kris Witherill, Robert Chambers, Michelle McBrien Walt Kupson, Frank Russello, Ray Bevis, Chris Lemos, Cheryl Lemos, Bob Starr, Scott Wilson, Dominick Basile Holly Sullivan, Jonathan Hardy,
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Kevin Holian-Borgnis, John Beidler, Keith Cagle,
GUESTS: Candidate for 2nd Congressional District- Justin Anderson
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
AGENDA
- Executive and committee reports
- Legislative Update
- Update and Volunteers for Outreach plan
- Amicus Brief Update
- Guest Speaker – Candidate for 2nd Congressional District- Justin Anderson
- Open forum
OFFICER REPORTS
President’s Report – Scott Wilson
-Attended the Executive Board meeting via conference call on 08/27/19
-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 via conference call on 08/27/19
Treasurer’s Report – Robert Starr
-Attended the Executive Board meeting via conference call on 08/27/19
-Available Funds:
- People’s Bank Balance (Litigation) = $ 76,317
- People’s Bank Balance (Operations) = $ 106,557
- Paypal Balance = $2,123
Secretary’s Report – Cheryl Lemos
-Attended the Executive Board meeting via conference call on 08/27/19
-Created minutes for the previous monthly meeting and provided to the Technology Coordinator to post to the website.
-Attended the Family Picnic and Rally at the capital. We took the leftover food from the picnic to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and they were extremely grateful for the contributions.
COORDINATOR REPORTS
Membership Coordinator – Kris Witherill
-Attended the Executive Board meeting via conference call on 08/27/19
-Community Outreach discussion / sign-up
-Attended the Rally at the Capital
-Membership report
-Member Total – 34416
-New Members – 305
Events Coordinator – Holly Sullivan
-Attended the Executive Board meeting via conference call on 08/27/19
– The Family Picnic was Saturday August 24,
– Friday, Sept 6 was Black Guns Matter speaking event at UNH
– Saturday, Sept 7 was the rally at the Capital with Black Guns Matter and other speakers
– 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.
-I’m speaking at the Gun Rights Policy Conference in Phoenix August 21 & 22
-CCDL has now been invited to speak at Fairfield University as of this morning
Legislative Coordinator – Ray Bevis
– Attended Outreach Committee Meeting on Sept 9th.
– Griswold is trying to pass an ordinance banning firearms on town owned property. They’re looking at the Woodbridge ordinance as their model. The ordinance committee had a meeting last week to discuss this, CCDL sent out an alert. We will be monitoring for further town action.
– Kent Planning and Zoning Update: Public Hearing on October 10th on proposed zoning changes to heavily restrict gun stores in town.
– Now that the local primaries are over, please reach out to local campaigns, research how candidates are on our issue and offer your time or money to get the Pro2A candidates elected.
– Gov. Lamont joined 11 other Governors in a letter to Sen. McConnell, calling for;
– Extreme Risk Protection Orders “Red Flag Law”
– Universal background check
– Outlawing Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines
– Stricker reporting for mental health professionals
-Additional correspondence:
-Answered a few emails and phone calls
Merchandise Coordinator – Michelle McBrien
-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
Outreach committee report – Frank Russello
-Making good progress
-Committee meeting twice a month
-Regional managers on board
-Kickoff meeting with regional managers scheduled for end of October
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- September 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
- Update and Volunteers for Outreach plan
- Amicus Brief Update
- Guest Speaker – Candidate for 2nd Congressional District- Justin Anderson
- Open forum
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING
The next General Meeting of Connecticut Citizens Defense League will held on October 8, 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
September 11, 2019