DPOC Monthly Meeting Minutes - UNAPPROVED

February 10, 2025, 7:00 pm


Welcome and Call to Order: Vice Chair Fenton called meeting to order at 7:01pm and led the pledge/land promise.


Approval of minutes: Mary Kohrell shared the January meeting minutes.  Dale Schaber/Penny Bernard Schaber motion/second to approve January 13, 2025 meeting minutes.  Motion carried. Kohrell stated that she will begin sharing meeting minutes digitally rather than printing them for future meetings.


Treasurers report: Alyssa Vandenberg shared the Treasurer’s report. Our current balance is $61,641, with $1527 in January revenues and $3115 in expenses.  Cindy Carter/Ronna Swift motion/second to approve Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. 


Spring Election report:  Trisha Kostelny shared comments on preparing for the upcoming spring election.  Her inspirational comments encouraged attendees to sign up to canvass prior to the Feb. 18th primary election.  She handed out sign up sheets for canvassing.  She also encouraged people who cannot canvass to make volunteer recruitment phone calls or canvassing phone calls.  


Social Media:  there are 2 new Facebook pages called Badger Vanguard and NE Wisconsin Progressive Broadcasting created by our members, but not by the county party.  We are encouraged to follow both pages on FB.  


Special guests:  Two Superintendent of Public Instruction candidates appeared via Zoom to share their candidacy priorities in advance of the February 18 primary election.  Members are reminded to VOTE on or before Feb. 18!

  • Dr. Jill Underly – Dr. Underly shared her comments.  She is running for re-election.  She differentiated herself from her competitors.  Dr. Underly reviewed her budget proposals and her strategy for requesting more funding, even if all the funding is not allocated.  Her platform is to SUPPORT ALL KIDS.  She has plans for gun safety and equal treatment of all students among other priorities.  WI schools rank has been brought from 13th to 6th in the country under her leadership, with one of the highest graduation rates in the country.  The MAGA agenda is harming our children and she stands against that.  When we stand together we are unstoppable.  Also promotes support for Justice Crawford.  There were several questions asked in follow up.  

  • Jeff Wright – current superintendent of Sauk Prairie school district, 13 years in district and 6 as superintendent and is running as a progressive challenger.  Worked in in Chicago schools previously.  He was inspired by his experience in Chicago, as well as having two public school teacher parents growing up in Stevens Point. He advocates for improved relationships between teachers, administrators, and the legislature to prioritize funding for education.  Has been endorsed by a number of teacher groups and educators.  Wright prioritizes the potential negative impacts of the Trump administration on schools, including immigrant children impacts, and fiscal impacts.  There were several questions asked in follow up.  


Special Events: 

  • Screamfest – Aiko shared this event is happening on February 12 at 6:30pm to give people an opportunity to get involved in communicating with federal elected representatives via phone calls, emails, post cards or letters.  

  • Book Share – Saturday at 10am at the office to discuss a book that participants are reading

  • Crawford signs are available for a $5 suggested donation

  • Alyssa shared that on March 10 at 5:30pm there will be a pre-meeting potato bar.

  • May 5, 5-7pm will be Spring Fling at the 513 Building.  $60/person as our fundraiser.  Parking will be challenging but the cost of this facility is more affordable.

  • Schaber announced there is a candidate forum on Feb 11 for Appleton District 11.  


Call to Convention:  Dottie LeClair shared that the 8th Congressional District convention will be held on March 29 in Marinette.  Participants are encouraged to attend.  Outagamie County is eligible to have 73 delegates in attendance.


Adjourn:  Cindy Carter/Cindy Fallona motion/second to adjourn at 8:24pm.  Motion carried.  

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