TRAINING TONIGHT!! October 8, 2019 5:00-7:00pm at Dem HQ
Why not you and why NOT you - State Senator Vi Simpson and former City Clerk Regina Moore will lead participants in a series of questions about what to think about before you commit to running for office. This is an event for those thinking about running for office but also for people thinking about helping someone decide to and then run for an office. See DWC Announcements for full details.
BREAKFAST RECAP:
We had and informative visit from State Senator Karen Tallian from Northwest Indiana at Friday’s breakfast. She is running for the office of Indiana State Attorney General, a nomination that will be slated at the Indiana State Convention next summer.
In her introduction Vi Simpson called Karen a bulldog in tennis shoes, the type of woman you could always turn to when you needed tough solutions or a job that needed to get done. Karen spoke about the frustrations of serving in the minority in the State Senate, of having great ideas to bring to the table but being unable to quite get them over the hump of the republican supermajority. She also said that she had been approached previously about running for AG but this time around, seeing the damage that the current incumbent was doing to the people of Indiana, she couldn’t refuse.
Senator Tallian also spoke about the importance of the position which is often thought of as an addendum to the Governor’s office but which is powerful in itself. The Attorney General serves as the legal entity of the state government and also reviews every contract going through the State House. She said that her first action as an AG would be to remove Indiana from the effort to eliminate the ACA. When asked about the AG’s ability to remedy issues such as gerrymandering she said that, while the AG does not have the ability to effect election code which is the purview of the Secretary of State, the “answer is only no until someone files a lawsuit.”
Senator Tallian’s initial primary objectives as Attorney General would be:
to remove Indiana from ACA Litigation
to work on problems of a payroll fraud, employee misclassification and cash pay
and to reinstate the consumer protections that Curtis Hill had dismantled.
The best thing is that she doesn’t have to give up her seat in the Senate to run for Attorney General. No matter what happens we will continue to have a powerful voice in state government for the future.
If you would like to donate to the Tallian for Attorney General campaign, you may donate online: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tallian-for-attorney-general-1
And for reading more about the Senator, check these links:
https://tallianforattorneygeneral.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TallianforAttorneyGeneral/
https://www.indianasenatedemocrats.org/senators/s4/
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:
**DWC TRAINING SERIES BEGINS!
On October 8th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, at Democratic Headquarters, the DWC will hold the first of a Series of Training Sessions for women who are interested in campaigns, either as a candidate or as staff to a candidate.
State Senator Vi Simpson and former City Clerk Regina Moore will lead participants in a series of questions about what to think about before you commit to running for office. Get started off on the right foot, and clearly understand what the commitment means, how campaigning and serving will affect your life. NB: There are surprises here!
There will also be a Q&A Panel with women who will share their experiences, good and bad, about running and serving. Reserve your space by emailing [email protected] at your earliest convenience. Bring that friend who would make a good candidate!
**ENDORSEMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE:
Jillian Kinzie is heading up an ENDORSEMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE with the intent of having a finished document ready for review by the membership so that we can have a finalized process ready prior to the start of the 2020 Election season. If you are interested in contributing to this process please email us at [email protected].
**DWC Steering Committee Membership:
Nominations for the DWC Steering Committee are now open:
December is fast approaching as are elections to the DWC Steering Committee.
The following positions will be up for election:
Vice Chair:
Treasurer:
and 5 at-large positions.
The Steering Committee is a working board… we meet on the third Saturday of the month at 10am. If you have questions about serving on the Steering Committee, about duties of the officers and at-large members, would like to nominate yourself or someone else for the Steering Committee, or you are a member who would like to serve on the Nominating Committee to help develop a slate for the December elections, please contact Carolyn VandeWiele at [email protected].
**Are you creative, skilled at writing, a social media expert?? - THE DWC NEEDS YOU!!
We are looking for a few good women to join our Monday Morning News and Social Media Team to help keep our membership informed - if you can help - contact us at [email protected].
Your thoughts are always welcome: We welcome your thoughts on DWC events and issues….Please share your thoughts on this organization as we move forward, in our community and our state. For those brilliant ideas that come in the middle of the night! Email [email protected]
ENDORSED CANDIDATE EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
**SUE SGAMBELLURI FOR CITY COUNCIL Upcoming Events
Sunday, October 13, 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Blue Ridge House Gathering & Listening Tour - Hosted by Tony & Julia Armstrong
3328 N Ramble Road Court
Please visit www.SueForCityCouncil.com or Sue Sgambelluri for City Council on Facebook to share your ideas, find out how to get involved, or to make a contribution.
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Voting Information for the 2019 Municpal Election:
Only registered voters in City Council Districts 2 and 3 will have an election in 2019:
Absentee Voting by Traveling Board:
October 17 is first day for a voter who is confined at a private residence because of disability or illness or who is caring for such an individual may vote before the absentee traveling election board
Monday Nov. 4 at midnight is the deadline for the traveling absentee voter board to visit and vote a voter who is confined because of illness or injury
Call Election Central to set up a visit from the Absentee Traveling Board.
Absentee Voting by Mail:
Oct. 28 by 11:59pm is the last day for the County Election Division to receive a mailed, faxed, emailed absentee ballot application with some exceptions for overseas and active duty military voters.
It is recommended that you don’t wait until the deadline to send in your application.
Absentee in Person aka Early Voting:
Absentee in Person voting begins in Monroe County on: Monday Oct. 21
Hours:
Mon. Oct 21 - Fri Oct. 25 8am to 6pm
Sat. Oct. 26 9am - 4pm
Mon. Oct 28 - Fri Nov. 1 8am to 6pm
Sat. Oct. 26 9am - 4pm
Mon. Nov. 4 8am - Noon
All in-person absentee voting will be at Election Central, 401, W. 7th St., Suite 100
Monday Nov. 4, at noon is the deadline for a voter to vote and absentee ballot-in-person
Election Day Voting will be at the poll based on the voter’s registration address
Poll site information is available at indianavoters.com.
Election Day voting is on Nov. 5 from 6:00am to 6:00pm
Note: all full-service license branches will remain open from 8:30am until 8pm on Nov. 4 solely for the purpose of issuing driver’s licenses and state identification cards to be used as id on election day.
2020 Presidential Election Information:
Collecting signatures at the MCDP Fall Dinner
If you're part of a presidential campaign that is interested in collecting signatures at the MCDP Fall Dinner on October 10th, you may do so during the cocktail hour and following the dinner. Please email [email protected] for details.
Volunteer for Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris's campaign is in Indiana and looking for volunteers in Monroe County to help put the Senator on the ballot!
Those interested please contact [email protected].
MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Please contact Kaisa at [email protected] to sign up for a shift (or two) or if you have any questions.
Ongoing Tabling at the Farmers Market Saturday mornings
BOARD AND COMMISSION OPENINGS: A great way to get involved and learn about how government works in Monroe County and Bloomington and to make a difference in your community:
CITY OF BLOOMINGTON B&Cs
The office of the City Clerk announces a vacant position on the Bloomington Commission on Sustainability. This position is available for city residents 18 years of age or older. The BCOS promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity in the community for present and future generations. The commission gathers and disseminates information, promotes practical initiatives, and measures, monitors, and reports on the community’s progress towards sustainability.
For information on this position, or other commissions that have vacancies at this time, contact the office of the City Clerk or check https://bloomington.in.gov/boards to see the nature of the board or commission, recent minutes and actions, and how that particular vacancy is filled.
MONROE COUNTY GOVERNMENTAL B&Cs
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners invites you to apply to serve on a Board or Commission! There are immediate openings on a number of these bodies, including: Animal Management, Environmental Commission, and the Human Rights Commission. For information on each of them, see https://www.co.monroe.in.us/boards/. The application is available here: https://www.co.monroe.in.us/egov/documents/1533065264_74301.pdf. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Thomas ([email protected]).
FEATURED BOARD & COMMISSION OPENING:
The Monroe County Parks and Recreation Board is seeking a new member. This position is appointed by the Mayor of the City of Bloomington. Interested candidates must reside within the city limits and cannot be a Republican.
The Monroe County Parks and Recreation Board oversees the M.C. Parks and Recreation Department (https://mcparksandrec.org), which exists to provide quality parks, recreation and educational programs; promote appreciation of environmental and cultural resources; and preserve green space with in the county.
Facilities and programs include: Karst Farm Park, Will Detmer Park, Flatwoods Park, Jackson Creek Park, The Karst Greenway, The Splash Pad, Karst Dog Park, the Drone Zone at Flatwoods, the Karst Athletic Complex, Youth and Adult Programming and a brand new collaboration with the Indiana Limestone Symposium.
The Parks & Recreation Board meets the third Wednesday of every month at 3:30pm in Room 100B in the Showers Building. Board members serve a four-year term. The current members are Evelyn Harrell, Joe Goss, Amy Thompson, Kevin Dogan, Carolyn VandeWiele and Phil Cornwell.
A full listing of the duties of the Board can be found at: https://www.co.monroe.in.us/department/board.php?structureid=48
If you are interested in this position please contact MCPR Director Kelli Witmer at [email protected]
EVENTS
Tuesday, October 8, 2019 5:00pm-7:00pm
DWC Training Session: What To Think About Before Committing To Run For Office
Democracy Lab, Democratic HQ, 116 S. Madison Street
State Senator Vi Simpson and former City Clerk Regina Moore will lead participants in a series of questions about what to think about before you commit to running for office. Get started off on the right foot, and clearly understand what the commitment means, how campaigning and serving will affect your life. NB: There are surprises here!
There will also be a Q&A Panel with women who will share their experiences, good and bad, about running and serving. Reserve your space by emailing [email protected] at your earliest convenience.Bring that friend who would make a good candidate!
Thursday October 10, 2019 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Monroe County Democratic Party Fall Dinner
Monroe Convention Center, Duke Energy Rooms
Cocktail Hour 6-7pm, Dinner at 7:00pm
Featuring special guests Senator Eddie Melton and Dr. Woody Myers!
Book signing by Bob Blaemire, author of “Birch Bayh: Making A Difference”
Tickets: General Admission: $70/each. Students: $40/each.
MCDP will not let price be a barrier to attendance for anyone interested in attending. Please let us know if you would like a sponsored ticket or if you would like to sponsor another community member's ticket.
RSVP and make sponsorship pledges to [email protected] or 812-272-3439.
Sunday, October 13, 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Sue Sgambelluri For City Council: Blue Ridge House Gathering and Listening Tour
3328 N Ramble Road Court
Join your neighbors and meet Sue Sgambelluri, Candidate for Bloomington City Council District 2.
Share your ideas, enjoy a lively discussion, and hear more about her priorities for our city.
Hosted by Tony & Julia Armstrong.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019, 11:30am to 1:00pm
Monroe County Democrats’ Club Luncheon Meeting
DeAngelo’s Restaurant in Eastland Plaza
Mayor John Hamilton will speak about the upcoming election and other topics.
Please bring lots of questions about anything that concerns you and your neighborhood.
The public is invited to attend.
Saturday, October 19, 2:00pm-4:00pm
The Power of the Black Vote
Bloomington City Hall Council Chambers, 401 N. Morton St.
Hosted by the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus.
Facebook event here.
Panelists Include: Eddie Melton, Indiana State Senator; Jada Bee, Core Council of Bloomington Black Lives Matter; Rafi Hasan, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator of Monroe County Community School Corporation; Dr. Stephanie Power-Carter, Adjunct Faculty of African-American & African Diaspora Studies
Saturday, October 19, 2019, 6:00 pm
The Brainwashing of My Dad
Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
This groundbreaking documentary by filmmaker Jen Senko examines the rise of right-wing media through the lens of her father, whose immersion in its daily propaganda radicalized him and whose new fanaticism rocked the very foundation of their family. Following the program, there will be a guided discussion with media experts offering tips on how to break free of the social media bubble.
Sunday, October 20, 2019 3:00pm-5:00 pm
Monroe County NOW Chapter Meeting
Switchyard Brewing Company, 419 N. Walnut St., Bloomington
This month's meeting includes a service project to benefit the Shalom Community Center, collecting feminine hygiene products and packaging them for use by Shalom patrons. Please bring donations to the meeting and we will package them while socializing. Products needed include: tampons, feminine wipes, panty liners .underwear
Plus committee reports and learn how you can join and volunteer.
If you cannot attend, but still want to donate supplies, please email us at [email protected].
Our meeting is open to all and is kid friendly and accessible.
Sunday, October 27, 2019 2:00pm-3:00pm
SD-SDI Membership Meeting and Panel Discussion
Unity Center in Spencer, IN
A panel discussion with three Hoosier LGBTQI+ candidates who recently ran or are running in places not typically seen as "queer" friendly districts. The panelists are: Nick Dunlap, Richmond City Council At-large 2019, Joe Lannan, IN House District 63 2018, and Janet Rummel, Owen County Council District 1 2018
Tuesday, October 29, 2019 5:00pm-8:00 pm
Dine Out At Culvers: Fundraiser for Pantry 279
Culvers Restaurant, 1918 W. 3rd St., Bloomington
Culver's will donate a percentage of all sales between 5pm and 8pm on Tuesday, October 29. With Thanksgiving boxes coming up, Pantry 279 needs to raise $9000 to cover current obligations. Let’s pack the house - no flyers are needed.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 9:00am-2:00 pm
Red For Ed Action Day
Indiana State House, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Hosted by Indiana State Teachers Association, The Indiana Student Education Association, IREP (Indiana Rising Education Professionals and Invest in Education IN.
For one day only, legislators are back in session to organize for the upcoming General Assembly. Kids, educators and public schools need to be the top priority. Let's remind lawmakers that we are still here, activated and ready to advocate for our kids, our schools and our future.
To learn more about Red For Ed in Indiana, visit InvestInEducationIN.org.
Event information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/512299189339936/
The fourth Democratic Party Presidential Primary Debate will be held on October 15, 2019 at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Media partners are CNN and The New York Times. Moderators: Erin Burnett, Anderson Cooper and Marc Lacey. Candidates who will participate are: Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro, Tulsi Gabbard, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Bernie Sanders, Tom Steyer, Elizabeth Warren and Andrew Yang.
ACTION ITEM(s):
1. Check in with Sue Sgambelluri’s campaign to share your thoughts about the City Council, make a donation to her campaign and find out how you can help her win on Nov. 5.
2. From Liz Feitl - how you can support the UAW Local 440 union members on strike:
The workers received their last check from GM on Friday, September 20. Each striker will receive $250 strike pay and will be working 8 hours each week picket duty in four hour shifts.
They don't have huge refrigeration capabilities so non perishables are best. The union did receive a 7 1/2 cubic freezer to hold ice.
Here's a list of items they can use:
A) canned goods (beans-all types; peas; corn; potatoes, tomatoes or other canned goods, including fruits, or anything else canned)
B) rice; stuffing mixes; other non perishable sides
C) cereals
D) gift cards (grocery store...Kroger, since it's union is preferred; gas station; credit card company gift cards)
E) diapers and baby wipes
F) toiletries...soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, toothpaste...any personal hygiene products
The union address is:
UAW Local 440, 1411 H Street, Bedford IN 47421
There are 8 strike stations with tents set up at each location. There's a map at the union hall.
The GM plant address to support the picketers on strike is 105 GM Drive, Bedford, IN 47421-1558
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Todd Young:
https://www.young.senate.gov/contact/email-todd
(202) 224-5623
Mike Braun
https://www.braun.senate.gov/contact-mike
(202) 224-4814
(317) 822-8240
Trey Hollingsworth
https://hollingsworth.house.gov/contact/
(202) 225-5315 (U.S. House) or (812) 288-3999 (Jeffersonville Office)
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.
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Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/