Democratic Party of Oklahoma — Congressional District 3 Convention Minutes
April 30, 2011 — SWOSU, Weatherford, Oklahoma

The Third Congressional District Convention of the Oklahoma Democratic Party was held in Weatherford, Oklahoma at the Stafford Auditorium, SWOSU campus, on April 30, 2011. The District Chair, Mack Miller, called the Convention to order at 1:05 p.m. John Herold served as Sergeant-at-Arms. Charlie King presented the flag salute to the body. Buddy Hall gave the invocation.

Randy Beutler, President of SWOSU, gave the welcome using the campus motto, “Standing firmly on the Hilltop”. He noted that it was Southwestern physics graduates’ decisions that safely returned the Apollo 13 spacecraft to earth and SWOSU has not slowed down since. SWOSU now offers 15 nationally accredited programs.

Keynote speaker, Ben Odom, described the future of the Oklahoma Democratic Party based on the democratic core values of job protection, quality public schools, and human rights around the globe, as the “politics of hope”. He stressed candidates must run as democrats, and make tough decisions based on the common good.

Mack Miller challenged Democrats to believe in this state and start changing things in every county by electing Democrats.

Minutes of the May 2, 2009 district convention were read. Motion was made by Sweet Pea Abernathy, Jackson County, to approve. A second was made by Rodney Boegel, Canadian County, and passed by a vote of the delegates. The treasurer’s report was presented by Anita Norman, showing a balance of $128.45. Tim O’Connor, Canadian County, moved to accept the report and Shirley Neal, Kay County, seconded. The motion passed.

Juanita King gave the credentials report. 88 delegates, 14 proxies and 3 officers made a total 105 votes possible.

8 guests registered. Jody Harlan, Canadian County, moved to accept the report. Anita Norman seconded. Passed.

Proposed rules for today’s convention were presented. Mary Jac Rauh, Blaine County, moved to accept the rules as written and Sweet Pea Abernathy seconded. Motion passed.

John Herold, Alfalfa County, opened the floor for nominations of district officers. Kenneth Cook, Dewey County, nominated Mack Miller for district chair, which was seconded by Rodney Boegel. No other nominations were made and Mack Miller was re-elected for another term. Anita Norman nominated Debbie Thompson for Vice-chair. Amy Hinton, Lincoln County, seconded the nomination and with no other nominations Debbie Thompson was declared Vice-Chair. Margaret Keeter nominated Juanita King for Secretary and Earl Mitchell, Payne County, seconded. With no other nominations, Juanita King was declared secretary. Bernice Mitchell was elected female Affirmative Action delegate after being nominated by Angela Spotts, Payne County, and seconded by Danielle Shreve, Payne County. Earl Mitchell was elected male Affirmative Action delegate after being nominated by Eric Smith, Payne County, and seconded by Judy Cederblom, Payne County.

Tim O’Connor presented the Resolutions Report A motion was made by Angela Spotts, Payne County, to accept the resolutions as amended, which was seconded by Myrtle Dill, Custer County. The motion passed.

Mack Miller presented Anita Norman a Kennedy coin for her 8 years of service as District 3 Vice-Chair and presented Kathy Huston a set statue of JFK for her 4 years as district secretary.

Money collected was $995.50. Delegates were thanked for attending. The upcoming State Democratic Convention on May 14, 2011 was announced. At 5:10, it was moved and seconded to adjourn this convention. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Cheatham,
Pawnee County
convention secretary