Monday Morning News 06/05/19 - Update

1--Don't forget THURSDAY, June 6th

THURSDAY, 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Knock Down The House Documentary
Monroe County Public Library, Room 1B
The DWC is proud to co-sponsor this event, hosted by DFMC, a showing of the new documentary that follows four determined candidates, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, throughout their campaigns in the 2018 election.

Join us for a great film, good company, and a good discussion following the film.
For more information about the film, please view the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wGZc8ZjFY4
Cosponsors: Democracy for Monroe County, College Democrats at Indiana University, Indiana 9th District Latino Caucus & the Democratic Women's Caucus.

 

2--A Fitting Tribute --

Vicky Sorensen, former Indian Creek Trustee, DWC Steering Committee member and current treasurer, is sadly mourning the loss of her husband Clark. In Clark's obituary, the family has asked in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Sycamore Land Trust or Grace Center Food Pantry in Harrodsburg. If you are so inclined please bring any canned, non-perishable food items you wish to donate to the Breakfast meeting on Friday. We'll take them down to the pantry where we know folks will be waiting.
Vicky and Clark have served that community well, in so many ways. Vicky, our hearts are with you now.

Check here for some information on the pantry and some ideas of what they can use: http://gracecenterindiana.org/food.html

Grace Center Food Pantry is always accepting food and money donations to stock the shelves and feed the families in this rural area. Donations are accepted any time the pantry is open (Thursdays 3 pm to 7 pm) or call 812-329-0337 to make special arrangements. If you hold a food drive, Grace Center Food Pantry will be happy to pick up donated items.
Items Needed:
• Canned fruit
• Peanut butter
• Catsup
• Egg noodles
• Rice/rice mixes
• Hamburger/tuna helper type mixes
• Canned milk
• Spaghetti/spaghetti sauce
• Cereal
• Cornbread mix
• Chicken broth
• Eggs
• Toiletries and personal hygene items
Thank you for thinking of Grace Food Pantry!


3--Then, FRIDAY, June 7

Karlee_Macer.jpg

Our special guest ~~ Karlee Macer, Indiana State Representative District 92.
She'll be speaking about her experiences in the state legislature, women's leadership and the importance of women's leadership as our party moves forward. Oh, and have you seen this?!

https://fox59.com/2019/06/02/in-focus-rep-macer-considering-run-for-governor/

Karlee was first elected in 2012 and is currently the Assistant Democratic Leader and the Ranking Democrat on the Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. She also serves on the Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development Committee, as well as the Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee and on the Indiana Veterans Affairs Commission.
Throughout her time in the legislature, Macer has been recognized as the Indiana Chamber’s Legislative Champion, Indiana Chamber Small Business Champion, Legislator of the Year by the Disabled American Veterans, AARP Capital Caregiver Award, Legislator of the Year by the Indiana Social Work Association, and received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the American Legion.
Karlee's official State Representative page: https://indianahousedemocrats.org/members/karlee-macer/full
Karlee's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/karleeforindiana/

 

An Announcement about a plan for the DWC future -- "Are we done now??"

During the election of 2003, there was one woman running for the Bloomington City Council. Today, there are four women running, and seven participated in the primary for the Democratic nomination for City Council this May.
Back in 2004 there were a scattering of women in county elected offices, many of them from the Republican Party. Today there are three women serving as county commissioners (the first all woman board in the state!), six elected women serving county government, and all but one judicial seat are held by women.

As the DWC was being formed and planned, by-laws created, much thought was given to the real purpose of the group. Simply stated from those by-laws:

The purpose of the organization is to inspire, recruit, train, support, and fund progressive, pro-choice Democratic women to increase the numbers of women in the electoral process and in elected and appointed positions.

Over these 15 years, the DWC has raised and funded women to the tune of over $100,000. In addition to those PAC contributions, many more women from outside of Monroe County have visited our breakfast and lunch meetings, and we have come to their aid financially, too. These contributions, from statewide, to general assembly candidates have amounted to over $10,000 from individual donations.
Having enough women candidates is not actually a problem these days, in fact, we have women running against other women -- something that in the beginning we addressed with the statement: "We should be so lucky!"
We've trained women to be campaign managers, financial directors, communications directors, and volunteer co-ordinators. Now these women are out helping other women learn these skills. And so we come to the place of evaluating our organization in terms of the original mission, the activities of raising money for women, encouragement of new candidates, and getting more women into places where they can help other women become involved to a greater extent in the political process.

Suggestions have been made from time to time:
-Endorse men!
-Do away with the endorsement process.
-Have meetings at a more reasonable time than 7:30am!
-Do more trainings.
-Do more social service work.
-Have men speak at breakfast and other meetings.... not just women.

As we look to evaluate our mission and look to move forward into the next decade, the DWC will hold a series of listening sessions to hear from members, candidates, and elected officials who have been supported by the DWC.

Dates are tentatively:
June 13 from 5-7pm at Switchyard Brewery,
June 15* from 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm at Democratic Headquarters
July 5 - the DWC monthly breakfast.

As you think about how you might contribute – think of one thing that we should change about the organization and one thing that should stay the same. Further details will be forthcoming, especially for members who cannot attend one of these sessions.
* Focus on those who have gone through the endorsement process, who have received funding from the DWC, candidates, elected officials who are most familiar with those processes.

 

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Events
Action Items

EVENTS to keep in mind --

Friday, June 7, 2019, 8:00pm to 9:00pm
Monroe County Courthouse Lawn
Hosted by Moms Demand Action, Bloomington’s Wear Orange event will feature proclamations read by Mayor Hamilton and the Monroe County Commissioners, a lighting of the courthouse, and the release of lanterns honoring the survivors of gun violence. More details for this event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1177283569116335/?ti=icl

Friday, June 7, 2019, 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Hoosier Hospitality Dinner
Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis
Please join the Indiana Democratic Party at the 2019 Hoosier Hospitality Dinner on Friday, June 7 at the Indiana Convention Center. Featured guest speaker is US Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon. The evening is a great opportunity to come together as Hoosier Democrats and be reminded of why we are fighting for working families. You can find more information on the HH Dinner at our website here: https://www.indems.org/hoosier-hospitality-dinner/. If you have any questions, reach out to Alex Fuller via email at [email protected].

Saturday, June 15, 2019, 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Stonewall Democrats of South Central Indiana Kickoff Event
Bloomington City Hall Atrium & Council Chambers
Join the newly organized local caucus SD-SCI for a meet & greet, music, refreshments and speeches as we kickoff of our Political Action Committee/PAC to support and encourage LGBTQIA candidates for office in Monroe, Lawrence, Owen, Greene, Brown, and/or Morgan counties, Indiana. Speakers at the event will include Senator JD Ford, Dana Black, and others. Together we can build a more inclusive community for trans and queer people in South Central Indiana. The event is free, but donations are encouraged.
Want to join SD-SCI? Annual membership is $10 and is good through May 31, 2020.
For more information contact either Jessica McCellan ([email protected]), Treasurer, or Will Smith ([email protected]), President.

Thursday, June 20, 2019 , 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus Monthly Meeting
MCDP Headquarters, 116 S. Madison St.

Friday, June 21, 2019, 5:30 to 8:00 pm
Juneteenth Celebration & Fundraiser
Griffin Realty, 735 S. College Ave.
The Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus is hosting a Juneteenth celebration to commemorate the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. state of Texas, and more generally the emancipation of enslaved African Americans throughout the former Confederate States of America.

Saturday, June 22, 2019, 11:00am
Rally for Our Rights
Indiana State House, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Stand united to put an end to the bills being passed across the nation that were created to take away people’s right to choose. Bring your daughters and your sons, and stop this war on reproductive rights now! The Facebook event page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/648857578895862/

Sunday, June 23, 2019, 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Monroe County NOW June Chapter Meeting
Monroe County Public Library, Room 2A
See what NOW is up to this summer and beyond. Special guest Btown PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) will be there to lead a discussion about the intersection of LGBTQ+ identity and racial identity. For information about Btown PFLAG and their work, please visit https://www.facebook.com/BtownPFLAG/.

July 17-20, 2019
2019 Young Democrats of America National Convention
Crowne Plaza, 123 W. Louisiana St, Indianapolis
Visit yda.org/convention for all details and convention matters.

August 22-24, 2019
Annual Indiana Democratic Editorial Association (IDEA) Convention in French Lick
French Lick Resort, 8670 West Road 56
The convention is still months away but hotel rooms are going QUICKLY, so if you plan to attend you are encouraged to make your hotel reservations NOW. More information on that can be found here: http://www.indems.org/annual-idea-convention-in-french-lick/

 

ACTION ITEM(s):

Please consider attending the Moms Demand Action wear Orange Event on Friday, June 7th on the courthouse lawn.
It's PAST time for us to demand action from legislatures and congress for universal background checks.

Help take the DWC into the next decade - come to a listening session, send us your thoughts, commit to working on a committee.... find out how you can help.

 

BECOME A DWC MEMBER or RENEW your membership!
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/