Monthly Meeting Minutes
Below you can find our minute from previous meetings.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month unless otherwise announced.
January 2025
Key takeaways and next steps from our April 2023 meeting.
January Monthly Meeting
January 16, 2025
Chairperson, Anita Hoyt, brought the meeting to order at 6:19pm at the Biggby’s Restaurant in Coldwater.
Secretary, Sue Fillmore, distributed the minutes from the December meeting. Julie Outlaw informed the secretary that her name was missing from the list of the Executive Committee. Sue Fillmore stated she would amend the minutes to reflect the error. Gayle Groshko made a motion to accept the minutes after the correction and seconded by Diane Harmon.
Anita Hoyt presented the checking and savings balances of the Administrative Account as well as the State Account. Bill Furry made a motion to place the report on file.
Anita Hoyt shared with members the comparison of liability insurance quotes from C & O insurance in Coldwater and Hathaway Insurance in Bronson. More information is needed to make a final decision.
Anita Hoyt reminded members that she paid for liability insurance in August of 2024 from her personal funds and needs a motion to be reimbursed. Bill Furry made the motion to reimburse Anita for $803 then seconded by Julie Outlaw.
The calendar of events for 2025 and the costs required was presented by the chairperson. A motion was needed to approve the expenditure. The motion was made by Julie Outlaw and seconded by Gayle Groshko.
Positions that are needed for 2025 are Treasurer, Facebook Administrator, and a Membership Chairperson. Anita Hoyt asked for volunteers.
Chairperson Hoyt shared with members the Tibbits is asking for ads for their summer theater program.
The need for the BCD to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce was questioned by the chairperson. A few members then asked questions and gave opinions.
In new business Gayle Groshko reminded the members that every 16 years the State of Michigan can bring forth amendments to the State Constitution which will arrive in 2026. The Democratic Party of Michigan will keep members informed of the projects that will ensue.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm.
Respectfully submitted
Sue Fillmore, Secretary
February 2025
Key takeaways and next steps from our January 2023 meeting.
February Monthly Meeting
February 20, 2025
Chairperson, Anita Hoyt, brought the meeting to order 7pm at the Biggby’s Restaurant in Coldwater.
Secretary, Sue Fillmore, distributed the minutes from the January meeting. Gayle Groshko made a motion to approve the minutes and was seconded by Vaughn Svoboda.
Anita Hoyt presented the checking and savings balances of the Administrative account and the State Account. Vaughn Svoboda made a motion to place the report on file.
Chairperson, Anita Hoyt, announced that the BCD is still in need of a member to volunteer to be the Facebook Administrator while Mike Cilla had agreed to restore the website. A member has come forward to take over the Treasurer position. Vaughn Svoboda spoke of previous experience and qualifications for the position of Treasurer. Bing Johnson made a motion to accept Vaughn Svoboda as Treasurer and seconded by Bill Furry. The motion passed unanimously.
Anita Hoyt introduced the Branch County Clerk, Terry Kubasik, to the members. The chairperson asked Ms. Kubasik the steps and rules to becoming a precinct delegate. The members asked questions concerning early voting, becoming a voter inspector, as well as other duties of the Branch County Clerk.
The meeting was adjourned at 8pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Fillmore, Secretary
March 2025
Key takeaways and next steps from our October 2022 meeting.
March Monthly Meeting
March 20, 2025
Chairperson, Anita Hoyt, brought the meeting to order at 6pm at the Biggby’s Restaurant in Coldwater.
Secretary, Sue Fillmore, read the minutes of the February meeting. Gayle Groshko made a motion to approve the minutes and was seconded by Phil Ryder.
Treasurer, Vaughn Svoboda, presented the checking and savings balances of the Administrative account and the State account. The treasurer then listed the cost of future expenditures and how it will affect the treasury balance. Genie Bullard made a motion to approve the expenditure of $145 for the cost of the booth at the Branch County Fair and seconded by Laurie Rosenberg.
Chairperson Hoyt asked the members their opinion of a march at the Four-Corners Park in Coldwater. After discussions and opinions from the members Bing Johnson made the motion” May3, 2025 at the Four Corners Park in Coldwater, Michigan , The Branch County Democrats will sponsor a Demonstration Informational Picket.” The motion was seconded by Genie Bullard. The motion was voted and supported unanimously.
Chairperson Hoyt announced that she would take the time for public comments, questions, and concerns. Many subjects and concerns were vigorously discussed by the members. The meeting was adjourned at 7:41pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue Fillmore, Secretary.
April 17, 2025
April Monthly Meeting
Chairperson, Anita Hoyt, brought the meeting to order at 6pm at the Browne Recreation Center Community Room located at Heritage Park in Coldwater, Michigan.
Secretary, Sue Fillmore, advanced copies of the minutes for the March meeting. Chair Hoyt asked for a motion to approve the minutes as presented which was made by Jay Ritter and seconded by Paul Brower.
Treasurer, Vaughn Svoboda, presented the account balances for the Administrative account as well as the State account. The treasurer then reported that the cash donations from the past two meetings was enough to pay for April and Mays’ rent cost at the Browne Community Room. Treasurer Svoboda also updated the members that the new web site for the BCD’s will have a cost of $276 as well as a fee of $29 for the domain name “Branch Dems.org.” The treasurer then reminded the members that the cost for meeting at the fairgrounds meeting room for June through December will be $75 each month. Chair Hoyt added that the capacity of the room is 100 people. The Treasurer’s report was placed on file.
Chairperson Hoyt explained the need for liability insurance and that an additional fee for all political parties will have an additional cost of $500. The insurance will protect the officers and the Executive Board members from being sued up to two million dollars.
The chairperson then gave the floor to the members. It was announced that the rally at the four corners park sponsored by the BCDs on Saturday, May 3rd will be held 10am to noon. Others mentioned that members may bring signs and that supplies may be purchased at Dollar Tree and Walmart.
Chair Hoyt congratulated Catherine Barnes on the two designs for T-shirts that are now available to be ordered by members and will be ready for the May 3rd rally. A “Conflict Resolutions” class will be given to members at the Biggby Restaurant Monday, April 28th 1pm to 3pm as well as Tuesday, April 29th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:27pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Fillmore, Secretary
May 15, 2025
May Monthly Meeting
Chairperson, Anita Hoyt, brought the meeting to order at 6pm at the Browne Recreation Center Community Room located at the Heritage Park in Coldwater, Michigan.
Secretary, Sue Fillmore, advanced copies of the minutes for the April meeting. Chair Hoyt asked for a motion to approve the minutes as presented which was made by Jay Ritter and seconded by Gayle Groshko. The motion was voted on and passed by the members present.
Treasurer, Vaughn Svoboda, presented the account balances for the Administrative account as well as the State account. The treasurer then reported the various donations made during the month as well as the expenses. Of note, the donations made during the month were enough to pay for the cost of rent at the Fair Grounds 4H Cabin through November. Bing Johnson made a motion to accept the Treasurers Report as presented and seconded by Genie Bullard. The motion was voted on and approved by the members present.
Chairperson Hoyt introduced the new “Friendship Table” at the entrance of the meeting room. Two BCD members taking charge of the table are Karen Sobeske and Linda Bowers. The table will be present at all further meetings.
The schedule of events was presented by Chair Hoyt. Anita stated that volunteering for Strawberry Fest was available online.
Chairperson Hoyt emphasized the need for more Democrats to run in the next election to become a Precinct Delegate. Also, explaining the need for Democrats to be INVOLVED!
In the Open to Members conversation Gayle Groshko suggested and made mention that the demonstrations to be held can be publicized by several websites. Other members agreed and suggested other means of an informational forum.
June 19, 2025
June Monthly Meeting
Chairperson, Anita Hoyt, brought the meeting to order at 6:08pm the 4H Cabin at the Fair Grounds in Coldwater, Michigan.
Mark Totten, candidate for Michigan Attorney General, introduced himself to the attendees. Mr. Totten stated he was the United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan until his resignation January 2025. The two main objectives for his candidacy are (1) Stop Donald J. Trump’s annihilation of the US Constitution and his total disregard of middle America, and (2) “Fill in the Gaps” The programs for middle America that have already been decimated by Trump that can be challenged legally by Michigan’s Attorney General plus the AG’s of all 50 states. Mr. Totten accepted the questions from the attendees.
Secretary, Sue Fillmore, provided copies of the minutes from the May meeting. Chair Hoyt asked for a motion to accept the minutes. A motion to accept the minutes was made by Janette Shell and seconded by Paul Brauer. The motion to accept was voted and approved by the members.
Treasurer, Vaughn Svoboda, presented the account balances for the Administration account as well as the State account. Treasurer Svoboda detailed the donations made during the month as well as the expenses. The Treasurer next explained future expenses. Janette Shell made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report as presented and seconded by Bill Furry. The motion was voted and approved by the members present.
The schedule of the coming events was presented by chair Hoyt. Detailed were the Strawberry Fest, Branch County Fair, Apple Fest, and Highway Clean Up; also, reminding members of Post Card Thursdays. Anita Hoyt announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has agreed to speak at the demonstration July 12th sponsored by the Branch County Democrats.
Anita and Vaughn announced Mike Cilla has been making great progress designing Branch County Democrats web page.
Chairperson Hoyt closed the meeting and then opened the floor for Public Comment.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue Fillmore, Secretary