Events

                                                   MEETING MINUTES: CCDL General Meeting

CALL TO ORDER

General Meeting of Connecticut Citizens Defense League was held on April 10, 2018 at Elks Lodge 44 Maynard Street, Middletown CT.  The meeting began at 7:05 PM and was presided over by Scott Wilson, with Cheryl Lemos as secretary. The meeting opened with the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance

ATTENDEES

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Scott Wilson, Chris Lemos, Bob Starr, Cheryl Lemos, Michelle McBrien, Holly Sullivan, Ray Bevis, Robert Chambers, Kevin Holian-Borgnis, Kris Witherill,  Frank Russello, Jonathan Hardy,  John Beidler

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: Keith Cagle

GUESTS:5th Congressional District Candidate - Manny Santos

90^th House District Candidate - State Rep Craig Fishbein

State Treasurer Candidate – Art Linares

19^th Senate Candidate – Mark Loundsberry

33^rd House District Candidate – Linda Szynkowicz

51^st House District Candidate – Rick Hayes

47th House District State Representative Doug Dubitsky

Guest presenter – Tom Scott

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

• President Scott Wilson Opening remarks
• Executive and Committee reports
• Wrap up of CCDL Dinner and Fishing & Hunting Show
• CCDL Rally discussion
• Guest Speakers
• Letter writing campaign
• Campaign presentation for State Elections 2018

OFFICER REPORTS

President’s Report – Scott Wilson

• Conducted Executive Meeting 04/03/2018
• Started planning a rally
• Numerous Press and radio contact
• Testified at the Judiciary Committee Public Hearing

Vice-President’s Report – Chris Lemos

• Worked on the website, blog, social media post, and membership emails.
• Worked on advertisement for the rally.
• Attended Executive Meeting 04/03/2018
• Worked on rally details

. Treasurer’s Report – Bob Starr

• People’s Bank Balance (Litigation) = $86,317
• People’s Bank Balance (Operations) = $67,244
• Testified at the Judiciary Committee Public Hearing
• Attended Executive Meeting 04/03/2018

Secretary’s Report – Cheryl Lemos

• Created minutes for the previous monthly meeting and provided to the Technology Coordinator to post to the website.
• Attended the CCDL Executive Meeting 4/3/2018.
• Worked on rally details

COORDINATOR REPORTS

Membership Coordinator – Kris Witherill

• Membership report
  • Member Total - 29,836
  • New Members – 467
• Attended Sportsman Day at the concourse and FRNA Banquet (as a volunteer)
• Worked the Hartford Hunting and Fishing Show
• Attended Executive Meeting 04/03/2018

Events Coordinator – Holly Sullivan

• Fight for Rights Rally to be held on April 14th from 11AM to 1PM.
• Testified at the judiciary hearing.
• We will be setting up a booth at the Fishing and Hunting Show being held at the Connecticut Convention Center April 6^th through the 8^th, 2018. Will call for volunteers at future meetings.
• The 10^th Annual picnic is being planned. It is scheduled for Saturday August 25, 2018 at Booth Memorial Park in Stratford

Legislative Coordinator – Ray Bevis (presented by Scott Wilson)

• 2018 List of bills CCDL is tracking:

  • S.B. 278 AN ACT CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRAINING AND SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR POLICE OFFICERS. JFS out of PS 22/3
  • H.B. 5538 AN ACT CONCERNING A NONEXPIRING AMMUNITION PERMIT. JF out of JUD 22/19. PH written testimony submitted support:49 oppose:9
  • H.B. 5539 AN ACT CONCERNING FIREARMS IN STATE PARKS. JFS out of JUD 21/20 PH written testimony submitted support:89 oppose:15
  • H.B. 5540 AN ACT CONCERNING GHOST GUNS AND THE PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS. JFS out of JUD 25/16. PH written testimony submitted support:171 oppose:98
  • H.B. 5542 AN ACT CONCERNING BUMP STOCKS AND OTHER MEANS OF ENHANCING THE RATE OF FIRE OF A FIREARM. JFS out of JUD 36/5. PH written testimony submitted support:190 oppose:98
• Visited the Legislative Office Building 8 times
• Meet with numerous Public Safety Committee members to discuss S.B. 278 AN ACT CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH AND   WELLNESS TRAINING AND SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR POLICE OFFICERS. Discussed CCDL opposition to Sec. 5 of the raised bill.
• Submitted written testimony for S.B. 278 and attended most of the public hearing on March 6th.
• CCDL participated in the Nutmeg State Council of Sportsmen Educational display at the LOB on March 15th, our table received high amount of foot traffic and we a bump stock display.
• Met with Judiciary Committee members to discuss H.B.5538, H.B. 5539, H.B.5540, H.B. 5542
• Attended the Judiciary public hearing on March 23rd on the four gun bills. 
• Met with lobbyist regarding S.B. 278
• Attended the Hamden Fish & Game meeting with Michele and Kris
• Attended Executive Meeting 04/03/2018
• Been in contact with a club to make arrangements for the 2018 legislative shoot 
• Met with the NRA liaison

Merchandise Coordinator – Michelle McBrien

• Fishing and Hunting Show wrap-up
• Save the date for annual CCDL Poker Run – Saturday, September 15^th, 2018.
• Attended CCDL executive meeting 

Permit Issues Coordinator – Jonathan Hardy

• Testified at the Judiciary Committee Public Hearing
• Discussed current cases at the Board of Pistol Permit
• Attended CCDL executive meeting 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• February Food Drive - for nearly eight years, CCDL has collected and distributed food for those in need at our monthly meetings. Thank you to all of our members who generously donated canned goods and other non-perishable items to our January meeting.
• 2018 State Elections - 2018 might be a pivotal year for gun rights in our state. It all comes down to CCDL members becoming engaged in helping pro 2A candidates hold and win seats. This is the most effective way any one member can protect their rights.
• Letter Writing Campaign – all CCDL members are encouraged to write pro-gun letters to the editors of news organizations.

MEETING AGENDA DETAILS

• Guest Speakers
  • 5th Congressional District candidate - Manny Santos
  • 90th House District candidate - State Rep Craig Fishbein
  • State Treasurer Candidate – Art Linares
  • 19th Senate Candidate – Mark Loundsberry
  • 33rd House District Candidate – Linda Szynkowicz
  • 51st House District Candidate – Rick Hayes
  • 47th House District State Representative Doug Dubitsky

• Rally for our Rights – Saturday April 14^th from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Connecticut State Capital
  • Alan and Larry have hired a bus from Haddam
  • CCDL Campaign Workshops for 2018 - hosted a brief presentation about the value that 2nd Amendment supporters can have by getting involved in elections presented by Tom Scott
    • Importance of Involvement
    • Basics of Campaign Strategies
    • What the Other Side is Doing
    • Examples of Victories

NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING

TThe next General Meeting of Connecticut Citizens Defense League will held on May 8, 2018 at Elks Lodge 44 Maynard Street, Middletown CT.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM..

ADJOURNMENT

Scott Wilson called the meeting be adjourned at 9:05 pm

MINUTES PREPARED BY

Cheryl Lemos – Secretary CCDL

April 10, 2018

MEETING CANCELED!

The monthly members meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 13th is canceled due to the anticipated snow storm. Our next member meeting will be Tuesday, April 10.

In the meantime, please follow our Blog, Facebook, and Twitter accounts to stay up to date on the happenings in CT and DC that may impact your rights.

Merchandise can be ordered in our online store, and stickers may also be purchased at many local gun shops. See the full list of locations here.