DOLPHIN DEMOCRATS

February 5, 2010

The Nominating and Elections Committee of the Dolphin Democrats has endorsed the nominations of 4 officers and 11 candidates for the 11 positions on the Board of Directors which are listed below.  Additional nominations will be accepted prior to the election at this month's meeting on Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

Michael Albetta - Chair,

Ed Coyle-Barranco, Gwen Handelman, Kevin Muth, and Ray Rideout

NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT

RON MILLS:

I am putting fort my name for nomination with the ticket of President and Vice President of "Ron Mills President and Julie Carson Vice President." I have been a Dolphin for over a decade. I have served on the Board Of Directors since 2002. I have been Program Chair since 2003 and have served as webmaster since 2003, updating the website almost on weekly basis. I have served as Chair and Co-Chair on the Campaign Committee. I want to be President because, I think, I have the experience and talent to expand on the tremendous advances seen within this club in the last few years.  Thanks for considering me,

NOMINATION FOR VICE PRESIDENT

JULIE CARSON:

Enthusiastically I offer my name to the Nominating and Election Committee as Candidate for Vice President sharing the ticket with Presidential Candidate Ron Mills for 2010.  My intense involvement with the Dolphins is characteristic of my anticipated commitment to the office of Vice President. My passion for the Dolphins is electric but composed; insightful but open; direct but respectful. Ron Mills and I offer a collective leadership that is balanced in mutual respect and democratic principles.  In addition to serving as current Vice Present of the Dolphins, contributing to my qualifications for this service, I am Vice Chair of the Broward County Management and Efficiency Study Committee (MESC), and Chair of the MESC Subcommittee to Study the Broward County Sheriff's Office. I serve on the Board of Directors of the East Neighborhood Association, and am on the City of Wilton Manors Recreation Advisory Board. As Senior Paralegal with Gator Investments in North Miami Beach, I facilitate complex real estate transactions throughout the nation. Any extra moments are spent enjoying time with my life partner, family, and animal children and racing in triathlons!

OFFICE OF SECRETARY

TIM ROSS:

I would like to nominate Tim Ross for re-election as secretary of the Dolphin Democrats. Tim is an extraordinary individual and a great Democratic activist. Whether working with his brothers and sisters in labor, leading his area in the Broward Democratic Party or serving the Dolphins as Secretary Tim is tireless in his efforts. He is almost always one of the first to help and last to leave when the work is done. No task is too great or detail too small. Tim's work ethic helps make our Party stronger and our organization better and for that reason I can think of no better individual to continue his work as Secretary and ask that the nominating committee place Tim's name in consideration for the office of Secretary.

Democratically Yours,

Wally Eccleston

OFFICE OF TREASURER

WALLY ECCLESTON:

I would like to nominate Wally Eccleston for re-election as Treasurer of tile Dolphin Democrats. Wally's work on different campaigns and his attention to detail have helped the Democratic party win elections in the past. His current work with the Census Bureau helps to ensure every person counts, and that our votes are apportioned properly when we redistrict in 2011. Wally has done an exemplary job as treasurer in a tough year. I ask that the nominating committee place Wally's name in consideration for the office of Treasurer.

Democratically Yours,

Tim Ross

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LOTTIE ALBERT:

HARVE BROSTEN:

Harve Brosten, has been a member of The Dolphins' since the Spring of 2002, and has served as a Director for the years 2004, 2006 & 2009. His professional career, prior to his retirement, was producing for the Broadway Stage, writing for Network Television, and getting coffee for directors, producers and film stars in Studio Released Feature Movies. He is currently employed as a substitute in the Broward School System, and recently having joined the staff of The Broward Center for The Performing Arts. He looks forward to continuing to be an active and participatory member of The Dolphins in all things Progressive and liberal.

RON CATENA:

I am a lifelong member of the Democratic Party seeking reelection to the Dolphin Democrats Board of Directors. As the Senior Citizen on the Board, I want to continue advocating for our area's vast LGBT senior community who are mainly democrats and good and faithful voters.  With some many important issues facing LGBT seniors is important that they have a voice on the Board.  I am a retired City of Boston government employee holding several senior level positions working as an openly gay public official.  I am a member of the Board of Directors of SAGE of South Florida (Senior Action in a Gay Environment), and a member of the Ft. Lauderdale Prime Timers.  Over the years I have volunteered countless hours of time to help elect LGBT candidates to public office.  I pledge to continue this important work.

WARREN DAY:

Below you will find my narrative statement for consideration to be a Dolphin Democrat Board member. It would be an honor to serve on the board and, as I say in my statement, I am in a position to give sizable time to what the officers and board might ask me to do.  I have been a active participant in Democratic politics since I was a youngster, including the last 7 years in the Dolphin Democrats. Worked on the state level for five presidential campaigns. As a news producer for ABC-TV I was in charge of election coverage for four election cycles, including three national conventions. Was a member of the White House Press Corps, Also head of Public Relations and Communications for two large, international organizations, Voted one of five best public relations executives in the USA. Served on several national boards. Developed with Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus a website devoted to the many issues involving religion and gays. Have my Masters Degree in Mass Communications, As a retired person I can give some sizable time, Particularly interested in helping Dolphin Democrats improve the efficiency and effeteness of internal communications and increasing the appeal and impact of our monthly meetings as we approach the crucial midterm elections this year,

BETTY DIMAIO:

Democratic Precinct Committeewoman R007

I have been a registered Democrat all my life, but have become more politically active since my retirement from American Express where I was a Vice President of Operations.  I was a Team Leader for the Hillary Clinton Campaign, and then for the Barack Obama Campaign. I found the experience thrilling, from the wonderful people I met along the way to the exhilarating joy of success in November 2008. Since that election, I have been active in Organizing for America and have encouraged and recruited many to continue their political activism, As one example, I led the successful effort in Broward to get Fair Districts petitions signed to get on the November 2010 ballot.  The Dolphins have a reputation for being a highly active and effective group that embodies Democratic principles. They attract strong leaders and have a track record of getting the job done, I am interested in retaining my Dolphin Board membership because I want to be a part of this effort and make sure my volunteer efforts have a strong impact, As a Board Member, I pledge I will support club-sponsored initiatives, actively recruit new members, and help lead campaign activities for Democratic candidates in 2010.

ALEX HAND:

I would like to apply for a position as director. I have been a member for many years and last year served as a director on the "Board.   For the past 3 years I have setup the holiday party at Wilton Station and helped with the presidential reception and the Dolphin award Gala this past year where my partner Drew Hershey received the business alliance reward. I also volunteered time and money in the past on various campaigns including Ken Keechl and Dean Trantalis in his run for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. I attended all of the Dolphin functions last year and would be available to help with the general meetings, various functions as well as get out the vote. I would appreciate the chance to work again on the board of the Dolphins.

EDWARD LEUCH:

PAST SERVICE: My experience with Dolphin Democrats began with the elections of 2004 and 2006, working with J.D. Camp and the other volunteers in the various GLBT election campaign offices off 26th Street in Wilton Manors and on Andrews Avenue across from GLCC in Fort Lauderdale. While on the Board, I continued to work with Dolphin Dems at their 2008 campaign office at GLCC on Dixie Hwy. I also set up a separate Obama campaign tent at intersection of 27th Ave & Sunrise Blvd, Ft. Laud with others in my precinct, 38R and Phil Busey. Proceeds from sale of Obama yard signs and bumper stickers(from Dolphin Dems)went to Dolphin Democrats. I also worked some of the Dolphin campaign tables with Tim Ross. As a middle school teacher for Broward School Board I was a member of the Broward Teachers Union.  In 2008, I ran for precinct Committeeman in precinct 38R on a reform platform. I lost to the incumbent by only 4 votes in my precinct which is 99.9"10 African-American. During 2009, I participated in manning the Dolphin Dems tables during the municipal elections as well as the tent at GLCC flea market. I also helped Richard & Michael with planning and setting up for the October Gala fundraiser.

FUTURE PLANS: Although I am still employed by the School Board of Broward County, I have reduced my hours to Substitute Teacher so that I can work with my son, Jared as co-owner and business partner in our new business: Landscapes By Jared, LLC. This increased flexibility in my hours allows me to do more for Dolphin Dems, such as attend those political luncheon meetings which I could NEVER attend as a full-time teacher. In terms of my membership in the GLBT "family," I view myself as representative if the "B" in GLBT. As a bisexual male, I recognize that there is a lack of understanding and a need for education regarding bisexuals who usually live in two different, often contradictory worlds. Heterosexual men can't understand how or why a gay man can wind up married to a straight woman and fathering children. Many gay men tend to dismiss bisexual men as "gay men in denial." Nevertheless, I yield to my Transgender brothers & sisters as family members MORE in need of educational outreach and support. Finally, as a teacher and Board employee, I want to continue outreach to high school and middle school students who identify themselves as gay or bisexual or trans gender. Our school system is doing a good job of reaching out to gay high school students. However, my experience as a middle school teacher has taught me that it is middle school children-especially gay boys and transgender students, who are most at-risk for psychological and physical attacks.

ANDREW LEWIS:

Please tender my name for consideration to the Dolphin Democrat Board for the coming year. Thank You. Andrew Lewis

GLORIA S. STEIN:

I would be honored to be nominated for a second term as a director of the Dolphins, the best democratic club known far and wide. I guess I've been a member for ten years now. "Wow", time just doesn't fly, it races. I've been involved in the Transgender community for that time also. I have been a poll worker as a clerk for the same time including working all of our early voting sites.  Dan and I worked the front sign in table at the D.E.C. for many years, I'm a past board member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Lauderdale, and I'm a current board member of Congregation Etz Chaim soon to be going into my second term. I'm always at the disposal of our club for whatever & whenever I'm needed & want to see our great club be even greater.

BARBARA STUART:

I would like to nominate Barbara Stuart for re-election as a Director of the Dolphin Democrats. Barbara's tireless work on the newsletter month after month has been immensely beneficial to the Dolphin Democrats. As the Co-Chair for the Gala, Barbara's efforts helped us to make it a successful and profitable event. Also, Barbara has helped us with our institutional memory, due to her many years (in fact decades) of membership as a founding member. I ask that the nominating committee place Barbara's name in consideration for the office of Director.

Democratically Yours,

Tim Ross

MITCH WEISBROT:

I am running for the Board for the following reasons:

1.    Multiple years prior Board member experience.

2.    Precinct leader of (15R) for many years

3.    Advising and volunteering at large Dolphin Democrat social events.

4.    Host/Co-Host of many local candidates (judges, commissioners, mayor, congressional seats) - 'meet and greet' functions.

5.    Long-term resident of Ft. Lauderdale and Broward County.

6.    Life time support of local and national democratic