Friday's Monthly Breakfast Meeting Was Full Of Wisdom

Thanks to all who showed up at the monthly breakfast on Friday. The speakers were wonderfully inspiring, presenting their views on various aspects of this crazy election season. We heard from Trish Whitcomb (Campaign Manager for Glenda Ritz's first campaign and special adviser to the Indiana Department of Education) about the status of races that will affect education in Indiana. Lillian Henegar talked about how all campaigns are local, and that we need to listen, foremost, and then speak our truth and let go of negative outcomes. She also had a great suggestion for "changing the narrative on taxes" from a negative one to saying "taxes are about what we do for each other, what we do to create community." Rachel Guglielmo of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense shattered some myths about gun support in our state. Who knew that 83% of Hoosiers favor background checks? Charlotte Zietlow echoed Lillian's comment that listening is important, stressing that we have to know why people are where they are or there can be no conversation and no persuasion.We can't assume people are bad just because they have bad ideas. Penny Githens said in campaigning "choosing the right topic" is key. You have to meet people on their own turf before you can find common ground. And Linda Henderson talked about the challenges of stumping as a Democrat in a district that spans Brown, Monroe, Jackson, Lawrence AND Bartholomew Counties.

Thank you to all of these wise, experienced and persistent women for sharing their stories and their wisdom. And thanks to Pam Davidson for doing a great job of moderating.


ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Item

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Learn about the School Board Candidates
We all want to make informed decisions in races such as the MCCSC school board race, but sometimes  information about candidates is hard to come by. Below is a link to a transcript prepared by the Indiana Coalition for Public Education (ICPE) of the school board candidate forum held by the League of Women Voters on September 29.
http://www.icpe-monroecounty.org/mccsc-school-board-election-2016.html

You can navigate to it by clicking on the MCCSC School Board Elections 2016 button from ICPE’s Local Issues page.) The forum can also be viewed on CATStv.net at http://catstv.net/m.php?q=3623

HELP OUT AT THE MCDP CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS
Ph: 317-556-5789
Current Office Hours:
Mon-Thu: 10am to 9pm; Fri & Sat: 10am to 6pm; Sun: Noon to 4pm

PLEASE HELP PROMOTE OUR DWC CANDIDATES ON ELECTION DAY!!!
We will be staffing the polling places on election day distributing a "point of sale" piece that highlights all of the DWC candidates. Please sign up to help in two hour or four hour shifts. We will have a sign up sheet online soon and will also circulate it at the breakfast meeting on Friday, November 4th. This effort REALLY helps. It's amazing how often people thank us for the useful information and then come out of the polling place indicating they voted for our women!!

If you already know now you'll be able to help and what time, please contact Jillian Kinzie at [email protected], or Philippa Guthrie at [email protected]. We will make sure you are signed up. And look for additional information soon.

2016 GOTV (Get Out The Vote) Driver/Rider Project  -- A Monroe County Democratic Party Program
Do you have a car and would you be willing to drive someone to the polls for early voting or on election day, or to help people get an ID or get registered to vote? Volunteer Days/Hours vary depending on your work, school, personal schedule, location, and availability. Drivers and riders matched based on locations. Call Pat Slabach at 317-796-1820 and leave a message, or email at [email protected]

The voter transport effort includes a shuttle leaving from Indiana Memorial Union Circle Drive 1pm to 5pm every hour on the hour, to transport students and staff from the IU campus to early voting.

Do you need, or know someone who needs help getting an ID to vote; or need, or know someone who needs a ride to the polls?
Call or text (317) 556-5789 for information or to schedule a ride. Spanish-speaking voters can call (812) 856-8135 or text (206) 388-8375.
Note: The League of Women Voters will help you put together what you need to get an ID and can help with financial aid if needed.

For more information, go to www.monroedems.org/voting_information

VOTER REGISTRATION ENDS: Tuesday, October 11

EARLY VOTING STARTS: Wednesday, October 12

EARLY VOTING HOURS
(All dates are 8 AM to 6 PM except Nov. 7)

At Election Central only (401 W. 7th St., Suite 100, Bloomington):
Oct. 12-14 (Mon., Oct. 10 is Columbus Day)
Oct. 17-21 

At Election Central and Satellite Location (North Showers Bldg., 501 N. Morton Street, Room 201-202, Bloomington):
Oct. 24-29
Oct. 31-Nov. 5
Nov. 7 - 8am - noon

And if you want to work at the polls on election day...
Please contact Rod Yandt at 812-340-2261 or [email protected]

EVENTS: 

College Democrats/Republicans Debate of Presidential Campaign Issues
Monday, October 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center/Grand Hall
Come and watch experienced and passionate college students debate some of the most important issues of the 2016 Presidential Campaign, including "stop and frisk" policies, the Iran nuclear agreement, and restrictions on voting. Support some of our best local volunteers and their great Democratic organization.

Monroe County Democrats Club Luncheon
Tuesday, October 18, 11:30 a.m. at Bobby's Colorado Steakhouse
At the next Monroe County Democrats' Club luncheon, Cathy Fuentes-Rowher and Sue Wanzer, both candidates for the Monroe County School Board, will speak about the upcoming referendum. The public is invited to attend. MCDC also wants to remind its membership about the annual fund-raiser for our local Democratic Party. They'll begin selling raffle tickets at the JJ Dinner this Friday, and are asking for donations of gift certificates, home-baked goodies, political items, books, and gently-used items. They already have several gift certificates for local restaurants, a couple of lovely quilts, and some political items. The raffle will be held at the MCDC November meeting--along with a post-election celebration!  

ACTION ITEM:  SUPPORT OUR ENDORSED CANDIDATES

• Log on to your candidate's website to find ways to help YOUR candidate of choice
• Display a yard sign
• Write a Letter to the Editor about YOUR candidate of choice
• Embed a widget in your blog or join the online discussion on someone else's blog
• Help your candidate campaign door-to-door
• Offer a ride to the polls to others
• VOTE - it's the best thing you can do to help ensure that YOUR candidate is elected
• Take a friend to vote

Penny Githens, candidate for State House District 60  Contact her at [email protected]

Jessica McClellan, candidate for County Treasurer www.votejessica.com 
Contact Jessica at [email protected] or through Facebook.
Host a yard sign. Offer to walk with her!

Cheryl Munson and Lee Jones, candidates for County Council at-large
Contact Cheryl at [email protected]. Lee can be reached at [email protected]
Cheryl and Lee mostly need good yard sign locations and donations. No amount is too small!

Amanda Barge and Julie Thomas are looking for yard sign locations as well!  [email protected], [email protected]. 
Remember -- They are both running for commissioners but from different districts. Everyone who votes can vote for them BOTH!
Amanda's Facebook page calls for volunteers to walk with her and to help with phone calls and with upcoming fundraiser (see Events above).
Julie has helped SO many women with advice, hosting fundraisers, serving on their committees, and leading the caucus. Please send her your best yard sign locations, and offer to put them up for her!

Joani Shields, candidate for County Coroner, [email protected]
Joani needs yard sign locations!

One more thing....

Have you paid your DWC Dues for 2016?
The DWC is dedicated to inspiring, recruiting, training, supporting and funding women to increase the number of progressive, pro-choice women in the political arena. We ALL help with this mission, together, collectively. Make sure you have full rights and privileges of membership!
Only $20 for one year’s membership.  Join online here: https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership

Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected]
Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.

Paid for by DWPAC - Democratic Women's Political Action Committee
Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/