It's time for the work to really begin! We will have our first regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting for the reorganized Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus on Saturday, January 14. Our bylaws call for regular quarterly meetings, specifically one within the thirty day period before our annual membership meeting scheduled for February

We will hold the Directors meeting at the Fort Lauderdale GLCC, 1717 N. Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale. The meeting will be from 9am until 4pm, with a continental breakfast served at 9am and lunch served at 1pm. Items on the agenda will include:

Planning our membership meeting in February in Tampa/St. Pete
Developing a plan, agenda and schedule for the 2006.
Discussing the 2006 elections and issues and/or platforms
Developing a plan for our 2006 get out the vote centers statewide
Increasing Caucus membership
Developing chapters in critical areas where we have none
Filling Board vacancies
Developing strategies to expand the Caucus work within each region

We have come a long way in the past year, much of it in developing the organization structure to support our efforts. We have had two successful meetings this year, including our impressive showing at the FDP Conference in Orlando. But 2006 is a critical year in Florida for Democrats and great opportunities exist. We need to be ready to take advantage of those opportunities and show that the GLBT community is a political force to be reckoned with in Florida.
See the full article

The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus was out front at the Florida Democratic Party Conference in Orlando on Dec. 9-11.

Between our members with their Caucus shirts and name badges, to our hospitality suite with our flashy signs pointing the way, to our overflowing Caucus meeting room on Sunday, the FDP saw that the Caucus is a vibrant part of the party and a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.

Several dignitaries stopped by our hospitality suite, including Rep. Barney Frank (MA) and Rep. John Lewis (GA). Both major candidates for Governor, Sen. Rod Smith and Congressman Jim Davis were also visitors.

Our Sunday Caucus meeting saw an overflow crowd of more than 70 people, including more than 30 Caucus members. Again Sen. Smith and Congressman Davis stopped by to speak to our group. Alex Sink (CFO) and Eric Copeland (Agriculture and Consumer Affairs) were also statewide candidates who spoke to our group. Other speakers included Congressional candidates Ron Klein, Christine Jennings, Daver Bruderly, John Russell and Jan Schneider.

Watch the photos link...we'll soon be publishing photos from the conference.
See the full article