Minutes - July 16, 2025
The IDP Women’s Caucus board met at noon July 16, 2025 for a zoom meeting. In attendance there was Mary Weaver, Eileen Beran, Jo Vetter, Carrie Larson, Susan Stoefen and Nedra Conrad. Amber, Kristen, Barb, Kelly and Twink had notified Mary they were unable to attend.
Zoom Happy Hour – Amber is working on it but nothing new to report.
YouTube Site – Eileen and Amber are working on it. It took a long time to upload and finally just got kicked out. Just a reminder, our Women Caucus videos are on our website for future reference. Mary and Eileen cautioned that the Neighbor to Neighbor video should not be made public.
Women’s Caucus Business cards – Eileen drew them up using the IDP logo. The card has the QR code for our website, the Facebook address as well as the email address. There is also a blank area to insert your mailing label and/or phone number. Jo picked the 1000 business cards up from the printer. Mary sent 50 of them to each board member and kept 500 to disperse at the Nov 9 Liberty/Justice event.
Some Events Coming Up:
July 16 – IDP DEI Zoom at 6:30 -8:00 pm. Mary will speak about what the Women’s Caucus is all about and what it does..
July 17 – Webster County Dems along with surrounding county democrats are staging a Good Trouble Rally from 5-6:00 at the Fort Dodge Target intersection. Nedra is involved in the planning.
August 8 & 9 – Arizona Senator Rubin Gallego will visit the Iowa State Fair on Aug 8. On Aug 9 from noon-2:00 pm a Town Hall at St. Ambrose, Davenport is being planned. Susan is involved in the planning.
August 13 – Medicaid Town Hall starting at 7:00 pm in the Cafeteria Board Room at Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge. Panelists represent retirement communities, hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, public health, community health and adult day care. Nedra is involved.
August 21 – Women’s Caucus Zoom at 8:00 pm. Jo will speak on I Can Do This – What’s Stopping You From Running For office?
September 18 – Women’s Caucus Zoom at 8:00 pm. A representative from Braver Angels will speak on How To Have A Civil Political Conversation With Your Neighbors.Mary will approach the League of Women Voters, the Heart of Iowa and the Rural caucus to co-sponsor this meeting.
September 25 – County, Community and Candidates event in Nashua. Many prominent speakers will be attending including Sarah Corkery. Who is running to replace US Rep Ashley Hinson. Carrie is involved.
October TBD – Women’s Caucus Day of Learning. Mary, Jo, Eeileen and Nedra are involved.
November 9 – Liberty/Justice Event. Site TBD.
What are our Board members involved in besides the events listed above? What action items are there?
Kelly is working on a school board zoom.
Mary attended the Revitalizing Rural Iowa event organized by Larry Peterson, Crawford County Democratic Chair. It was held at Milk and Honey in Harlan, Iowa. Jess Piper from Missouri spoke and really energized the large audience. There was a cash bar and free desserts supplied by the surrounding county parties.
Amber continues to work on Women’s Lobby Day at the Statehouse.
Eileen continues to work on the civil rights ordinance and a Pack The House local Washington County supervisors’ event.
Jo will visit with Lynsey Hart when she next travels to Des Moines to discuss the Women’s Caucus future events around the Liberty and Justice Annual Meeting November 9th.
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Mary will contact the Board members with small children, asking the best time for them to attend our Board meetings. She will also access the IDP calendar to insert events and dates for all IDP members to see. ( Mary heard from Kristen, she wants to stay on the board, and will make the effort to be on the Wednesday noon calls)
ACTION ITEM:
Nedra made a motion and Carrie seconded it to purchase a poster with the IDP Women’s Caucus logo on it from a union shop. Passed unanimously. Cost expected to be $15-$20.
Secretary subbing for Barb Wheelock
Nedra Conrad
Liberty/Justice Event – scheduled for Nov 9, 2025, with the site yet to be determined. Mary had questioned Lynsey Hart about having a Happy Hour prior to the event. Waiting for a response from Lynsey.
P.S. At the close of the meeting, Twink had sent Mary an email explaining that due to vision concerns she needed to resign as provisional representative and from the Women’s Caucus Board.