Board Meeting, Minutes - August 23rd, 2015

Chippewa Valley Civil Liberties Union

Board Meeting Minutes for August 23, 2015

Herrick and Hart Law Office, 116 Grand Ave., Eau Claire

Present: Myron Buchholz, Ann Heywood (recording), Mildred Larson, David Rice, Dr. Mahmoud Taman, Sara Thielen, Stephanie Turner (presiding); guests Mark Ruddy and Jackie Christner

Absent: Marni Kaiser, Paul Wagner

1. Stephanie called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.

2. The minutes of the July 26, 2015, meeting were approved as emailed.

3. David reported no activity in the treasury since the July 26 report.

4. Ann emailed the state board report before the meeting. She brought along a copy of the National Board candidate statements and remarked on the excellence of the ACLU candidates. The National Board is in a multi-year process of reducing its size.

5. We discussed the drone policy copy that David received per his request to the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Department. The policy appears to be compliant with the Fourth Amendment and seems to be a standardized form. David explained the difference between information that is drone-derived or directly witnessed vs. information police might obtain with a warrant. Experience shows that drones can obtain very clear photos from a distance that a person on the ground would never notice. David will follow up with questions about who exactly adopted the policy and where it came from.

6. We discussed plans for the annual meeting. First, with the help of our guests, we brainstormed our exact topic and names for a panel presentation. Several board members volunteered to contact people on the list to do a presentation on October 28 on the topic “Life After Incarceration: Re-entering Community.” We prioritized meeting sites (1, library; 2, Unitarian Universalist church), and set time for 7:30. Our fundraiser/dinner will be held at Houligans, starting at 5 pm., and annual meeting at 6:45 pm. Ann will contact Houligans; David will accept the reservations. Stephanie will contact the library.

7. Mildred asked on behalf of Chris Ahmuty if we might have a second program on October 29 about civil forfeiture. Chris will take care of the program after we find a venue and help advertise the presentation. We agreed and will ask The Local Store to provide the site.

8. We will need at least three candidates for the board of directors this year. The terms of Stephanie, Mildred, and Paul are complete in October. Stephanie said she will be stepping down from the board. Stephanie and Sara will comprise the nominating committee. Several possible candidates were mentioned.

9. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

The next board meeting is September 20.