Joyce Akins called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m.  After the pledges, Joyce asked candidates present to come up and speak briefly.  Candidates included D. Crewshaw,S. Peake, C. Spain, T. Gaither, B. Kessler, and reps for S. Schechter and A. Green.

Joyce then introduced Gerry Birnberg, our speaker for today.  Birnberg discussed the early voter turnout, which already was a 50% increase.  He compared Harris County politics in 2003 to 2010 and the Democrats have come a long way.  The question is "Was it Obama being at the top of the ticket the cause of this success?"  It was not an Obama surge in Texas--the National Democratic Party did not spend any money in Texas--the key actually was straight party voting--and this will dominate the 2010 elections.

 The second key was the coordinated campaign--carefully screening qualified candidates for all judicial and county administrative offices--which resulted in a ticket of excellent candidates who reflected the rich diversity of Harris County.  In addition, HCDP did a lot of grass roots work.

The must have to win number for Harris County is 333,000 Democrat voters and we do know who the voters are so HCDP will focus on those self-identified Democrats.  Volunteers are always desired!  Winning the county, the state of Texas, is key to keep Democrats in office.  Q&A followed Birnberg's comments.

Business--The October 2009 and January 2010 Minutes were read and approved.  The Treasurer's report was read and approved.

It was noted that the Primary is March 2 and there are precinct conventions at 7pm that night in each precinct to elect delegates to the senate district  convention.  The senate district convention is March 20. and volunteers are needed.  Because resolutions can start at the precinct convention level, it was suggested the Sharpstown Democrats Club present copies of our health reform resolution to other precinct chairs for possible inclusion at their precinct conventions.

Joyce stated that SD17 has requested a donation from the club to help with the senate district convention.  We passed the "hat" and will add money from our treasury to donate to SD17 and SD13.

Elections--Joyce presented the names of those running for club office and asked for nominations. None were given.  We read the list of member names and gave out ballots only to members.  The slate was voted--Joyce Akins, President, Joe Mumbach, Vice President, Guylene Ebersole, Treasurer, and Mary Haper,  Secretary.   Kenneth Jenkins, Aster Eyob and Silvie Adams were elected members at large.

The meeting adjourned at 12 noon. 

Our next meeting is Saturday, March 27 2010.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Haper