Mike Laster called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m.  There were approximately 30 persons present.

 Mike introduced guest candidates:  M. Eisenberg, M. Murray, H. Ritchie, F. Cook, S. Regan, J. Jones, S. Kirkland, and M. Barabin.

Our guest speaker was David Crossley , President of Gulf Coast Institute (www.gulfcoastinstitute.org).  Mr. Crossley spoke about a green cities/garden cities agenda that would allow population growth, which is expected to be 3.5 M more people by 2035 in the Houston area, and preserve green space.  The Houston area is the richest ecosystem in North America.  Citizen values are very clear:  they want green space, air quality, improved transportation, and sustainable prosperity.  Houston is very auto dependent and uses the most gasoline and puts out the most carbon of all other cities.  The greatest impact on land use is transportation.  We need to use the land well, making liveable centers, neighborhoods, like Houston's beginnings.  We already have multiple centers available to renew/build--downtown, Galleria, Westchase, Greenspoint, Greenway Plaza, etc., thus we can refine the space we already occupy, rather than expand into farmland.  Mr. Crossley emphasized that zoning is NOT the way to go.  Questions followed.

The minutes of June 23 were read and approved.  The treasurer's report was read and approved.

Emily and John Walker volunteered to be our August hosts and bring the donuts.  The same people on the July phone tree were asked to do the same for August.

 Mike took a poll of Sundays in August that would work to have a pot luck with the Alief Democrats.

Mike mentioned a proposed bylaw change--to change the Sharpstown Democrats Club elections to February or March.  This topic will be expanded as per the bylaws with a possible vote in September.

Joyce Akins told us about a National Night Out event on August 7 in Sharpstown area and distributed fliers.  Joyce also has contacted the government teachers at Sharpstown High School and did a voters registration at Lee High.  We anticipate helping with Democrat clubs at each school.

We signed petitions for the judicial candidates present and discussed club participation in a signing bee. Petitions are due by the end of December.

Mike adjourned the meeting at 11:15 a.m.  Thank you Matt for the donuts!