ELF Ohio MeetingPresent: Diane (chair), Mike, Michel,
Candace, Kathy. Absent: CarolynRecording Secretary: Michel
Call to Order @ 3:04pm End: 4:06pm
Approve/Amend Agenda
Note: Because of time restrictions for some of our members, I suggest we
limit the regular meetings to one hour. To facilitate this all reports shall be
limited to 10 minutes or less except for Legal/Legislative which can take up to
15 minutes. (group agreed/nonvote)
Leadership Reports
Minutes of June 22, 2022 meeting – Michel
Changes? Change spelling of Cathy/Kathy; 2nd page – Democratic bill: LGBTQ
discrimination
Minutes accepted pending amendments
Treasurer’s Report – Kathy
Not much activity with no income.
Our phone, Red Ace, conferencing with a BALANCE of
$8283.81
Accepted Treasurer’s Report
Legal/Legislative Report – Mike
Legislature in Recess – through General Election in November
Big push to pass controversial bills in
LAME DUCK –
two more extreme
HB598 (more detailed and explicit
and has had hearings) (Prohibit anytime after conception, in vitro
fertilization) and
HB704 (defines personhood at time
of conception). Ohio law bans abortion once cardiac activity is detected
(typically 6 weeks) but legal challenge under way by ACLU/Planned Parenthood
but no emergency relief. Under HB598, any medical provider would be committing
a felony and anyone who promotes abortion (financial, drives, etc.) could be
guilty of 1st degree misdemeanor.
Divisive concepts bill
(HB616) – prohibit
teachers from using material or curriculum using any divisive
concepts/discussion
HB508 shared parenting/custody bill – nothing is
happening but likely that it will be revived and push through in lame duck
Ohio Supreme Court struck down Republican redistricting map and 2022 will be
based on early GOP map (GOP ran out the clock previously) and legislature in 30
days or then redistricting commission 30 days after that. R going to appeal the
decision to
U.S. Sup Court. Filing a writ of certioari to
exercise discretion so unlikely to accept a petition and blocks process to
redistricting in Ohio still. Legislature remains under court order for a STATE redistricting
map.
Pg. 8, Biden Administration to protect trans youth and 20 AG’s filed against
the inclusion of these.
Ohio NOW Report – Carolyn/Mike for Carolyn
Met on 8/13/22 – Workshops and speakers report and bylaws changes at the
conference
Ohio NOW meeting: Akron is revived; Ohio Valley Chapter (new and active –
rape culture education/LGBTQ); Toledo chapter revived
ERA: state chapters – Archives director did not accept and ratify ERA
(registered with national archives)
Ohio NOW expects to send out a newsletter before the annual conference
Old Business
ELF newsletter/mailing – collecting addresses who were
past ELF members and broaden it.
Jan 2021: List for inclusion. Ohio NOW leadership; ELF members, COSMO and
other donors; attorneys, Ohio NOW officers, women’s lawyers orgs,
Status of the ERA – Carolyn/Mike
See above in Ohio NOW Report
Committee report on merging with Action Ohio –
Candace, Mike & Michel
Action Ohio is considering a rebranding and refocus then they would be
disinclined to dissolve or merge.
Legal alternatives:
Merger where Action Ohio and Ohio NOW
ELF is an agreement of board memberships, staff, financial, obligations, programming
considerations would remain as part of the agreement. Ohio NOW ELF assumes
liabilities and debts. 501c3 merges and has to be approved by local Court
of Common Pleas.
Dissolution: dissolves and transfers assets and does not incur the
debts of Action Ohio.
Action Ohio will be meeting about the options.
Website & Social Media – Candace
New Business
Essay Contest – Michel
Will send draft plan to board by
Friday, Sept 16, 2022 for
review and updates before and at the next Ohio NOW ELF meeting.
Representative on Women’s Policy
Announcements
Happy Women’s Equality Day – August 26, 2022
Florida primary: Val Demings for Senate won
Next Meetings
Wednesdays at 3:00 pm
October 26, 2022 (Annual Meeting) – Michel moved;
Candace seconded. Favor: all no opposition.
