April Meeting Minutes

 

Minutes

DPOC Monthly Meeting, April 14, 2025 

Welcome, Promise to America and Land Acknowledgement  Chair Emily Tseffos

Chair Tseffos called the meeting to order at 7:03pm.  She led the Promise to America and read the Land Acknowledgement.


Approval of February Minutes Secretary Mary Kohrell

Mary Kohrell shared the March 10 meeting minutes and reminded attendees to use the online link.  Dottie LeClair/Liz Holdren motion to approve the minutes.  Motion carried.


Review and Approve Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Alyssa Vandenberg

Alyssa Vandenberg shared the treasurer’s report.  Cindy Carter/Penny Bernard Shaber motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Motion carried.


Celebrate our Election Victories Trisha Kostelny, Tristan Angulo

Trisha Kostelny thanked volunteers for all their help leading up to the election.  She also introduced Tristan Angulo, our DPW staff person.  He shared a Spring 2025 post election debrief.  

Angulo shared statewide and local election results for Supreme Court and DPI Superintendent.  The positive efforts of our local volunteers are reflected in the results.  This election was won based on direct voter outreach and contacts.  Angulo appreciated all the volunteer efforts.  We had 111 unique volunteers that completed canvassing shifts and over 13000 personal home contact attempts, plus phone bankers leading up to this election.   Canvassers were launched from 3 staging locations in Appleton, Kaukauna and Hortonville. DPW staff did not do any door knocking in Outagamie, whereas they did in neighboring counties, which is a testament to our strong volunteer capacity.  Tristan will continue to connect with us regarding future outreach efforts, likely to include contacts with low propensity voters and others who likely didn’t vote for Democrats in recent elections.



Wisconsin Budget & You Carol Lenz

Carol Lenz shared an update on the WI Budget.  She indicated the Governor’s budget was proposed, and it will be reviewed by the Joint Finance Committee.  She provided a summary of the issues that were covered during the state budget sessions.  She encouraged attendees to get involved by making comments to the state budget process using their website.


April 19th & Resistance Work Emily Tseffos

  • Emily provided an overview of the April 5 protest event.  She indicated that there were 8 organizations that worked together to plan April 5.  On April 19, the closest local event will be in Green Bay.  Volunteer safety is of utmost importance, and organizers are waiting to see what happens with the proposed policy changes. Emily put out a call for volunteers to sign up to be trained. 

  • There will be another local protest event in May.  Before then, we need additional volunteers trained to keep the protest events as safe as possible.  PLEASE VOLUNTEER TO GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

  • There will be a DOGE hits home panel to focus on local impacts of DOGE budget cuts.  Media will be invited.  Emily requested volunteers to help plan and implement the event.


Outagamie Action Teams (OATs) are Up & Running! Emily Tseffos

Emily introduced the OATS leaders who have been building community OATS groups in this region. Julia Squier shared her own experiences with the OATS groups.  Recent events  include protest events in New London and new OATS groups being revitalized. 


Review of 8th Congressional District Convention, CCA news Emily Tseffos

Emily shared an overview of changes in the 8th district.  She thanked Dottie LeClair for her long time involvement as 8th CD Chair.

New board members elected were Julie Hancock as Chair, and Amy Trader as Vice-Chair.  Emily was elected Chair of the County Chairs Association.


Upcoming WisDems State Convention June 13-14

Call for delegates! Please come! Sign up 

DPW Chair vote will happen; there are 4 candidates as of this time, but more are expected.

Tickets, lodging are available NOW.  See the newsletter for details.


Fox Valley Young Dems Promotion Linnea Morris 

Linnea Morris introduced the Fox Valley Young Dems; they will have their first meeting on  Saturday, April 19 at the library (1-3pm).


Upcoming events and activities

Liberty & Justice for All Dinner on May 5, Mark Becker will emcee and Lt. Governor Rodriguez is keynote speaker; we have hit our attendance limit.


Unhappy Happy Hour will be held McFleshman’s Brewing, 5/1 6:30-8:30


Outagamie County Fair is June 25-29.  Please sign up to help.


Memorial Day Parade and Flag Day Parade sign ups are also happening.


WI Conservation Corps currently has a public input opportunity regarding their new conservation priorities for 2025.  Complete the survey with this link by 4/16 at 6pm.


Adjourn

Adrian Stancil-Martin/Trisha Kostelny motion to adjourn.  Motion carried.  Meeting ended at 8:29pm

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