Minutes - DAW Meeting of 5/21/06

Platform Committee Meeting 5/21/06 at Shalom Printing

Attendees:

G. Shea
R. Mc Clellan
C. Laws
T. Reynolds.
L. Reveen
E. Magher
E. Wittlesbach
I. Noack
M. Goodman
L. Goodman
C. Siegenthaler

I Meeting came to order at 6:15 PM

II Attendees introduced themselves.

III G Shea, DAWS Secretary read excerpts -- reported only 13 Daws Reports received -- Re Future DAWS reports, commencing June 1,  it was decided that Charlotte Laws will run DAWS reports on website -- also at the beginning of each new month, Laws will issue appeal for submission of DAWS Reports.

IV Motion. It was decided that DAWS members would endorse C. Laws as a body & also individually for placement on 912 Commission.

V. Motion was introduced by G Shea to the effect that Platform Committee would change its role from that of a committee proposing specific issues to an Executive Committee which bring issues to general DAWS Meetings for discussion & approval. 

Among various issues discussed was that of improving the quality of and pre-qualifying new DAWS.

It was decided that DAWS already approved by NCs up to 6/30/06 wd be continued by organization while new DAWS wd be required to present their
credentials at regular monthly meetgs. A set of standards for new DAWS would be drawn up by the executive committee such as willingness to (1) attend regular DAWS meetgs, (2) to attend NC meetgs and to submit DAWS reports & abide by Code of Conduct accepted by DAWS.

Motion passed to be presented to next regular monthly meeting in June.

R. Mc Clellan discussed importance of electing pro-animal candidates to public office. He discussed five candidates currently in running, among them, Christine Chavez and Mark Barbero.


VI R. Mc Clellan introduced motion discussing any possible role DAWS can play in supporting the unlimited cats per household legislation - believes legislation would have the effect of increasing adoptions and lowering euthanasia rate. Those applying for certification within the program would be required to register. Reservations re the legislation were expressed by E. Wiitelsbach who left the meeting.

VII Motion -- "Code of Conduct" -- C. Laws discussed recent incident in which two DAWS visited pet shop in Santa Monica, displayed DAWS credentials and acted inappropriately.

Members discussed question of What should be part of "Code of Conduct" for DAWS. Opinuions were expressed that DAWS should not, for example, falsely represent themselves as part of City of Los Angeles government establishment and/or act as if they have legal powers they do not in fact possess.

C. Laws will draw up DAWS Code of Conduct for discussion and possible approval by membership at next general meeting.

It was decided that the date of the next meeting of the Platform Committee/ Executive Council would be July 2.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.