Breakfast on January 12th -- DWC conducts a “Listening Session” for Congress
We have made many, many calls, written letters and sent electronic messages to our Representatives and Senators this year.
And we’ve all personally experienced federal policies or programs that have impacted our lives – for good or bad. And we know that conveying these experiences as personal stories make a difference in how these messages are received by our congressmen.
How do you see federal policies affecting Hoosier women?
If you had ONE message to give to these folks, what would that message be?
If you could be assured that your message would be actually be received and read by that senator or representative, what would you say?
Please write out your message and bring it with you on Friday. We’ll share these messages with each other, and then compile the messages into a “Listening Session” packet from DWC members. They will be personally conveyed to our delegation. You can use your own stationary, print something out in letter form, or simply use notebook paper. Please include your contact information within the letter. You can use an envelope, but no postage is necessary.
ALSO --
Please note that we have two opportunities for Friday breakfast attendees to help the less fortunate in our community:
- First, Steering Committee Member Jennifer Crossley's young daughter, Sydney, is taking the initiative and coordinating a winter outerwear and blanket drive to help the homeless and others in our community who are suffering in this frigid weather. If you have gently used men's, women's or childrens' winter coats, hats, mittens, scarves, or boots you no longer use, or warm blankets you don't need, please bring them to the breakfast on Friday and Jennifer and Sydney will take them off your hands and give them to individuals who really need them.
- Second, the Village Deli is having a food drive for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank. The Deli management wanted to be sure that we knew this so individual DWC members can participate if they so choose by bringing a non-perishable to contribute.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
City Commission on the Status of Women Seeking Nominees for Annual Awards
The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women will accept nominations for its annual awards until January 19, 2018. The awards include the 2018 Woman of the Year Award, the Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution Award and the Emerging Leader Award. Recipients will be recognized in March 2018 during Women’s History Month.
The 2018 Woman of the Year Award recognizes a woman who has improved the quality of life for other women through inspiration, community service or professional accomplishments above and/or outside normal job responsibilities with making a difference in the lives of women and girls while making outstanding contributions to the community. The Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution Award was named for the former director of Middle Way House and former commissioner of the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women. It recognizes a woman whose work has significantly advanced the status of women through leadership and service. The Emerging Leader Award acknowledges a woman with fewer than five years of significant achievements and recognizes the potential for future contributions to the community.
The Emerging Leader Award recipient will be honored at the Women’s Leadership Development event on Thursday, March 8, at City Hall. The Woman of the Year Award and Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution Award recipients will be honored at the Women’s History Month Lunch on Wednesday, March 21, at the Monroe Convention Center.
Nomination forms are available online or at City Hall in the Community and Family Resources Department at 401 N. Morton, Suite 260. For more information, please contact Sue Owens, Program Specialist, Community and Family Resources Department, City of Bloomington, [email protected]
Monroe County Government Seeking Board and Commission Members
Joining a board is a great way to learn about and provide expertise on a specific topic, get involved in public service and make your community stronger. Some boards/commissions need a specific interest or political affiliation. All meetings are public and open to the public to attend (although there may be some protocol about members of the public speaking). If you're interested, please visit: http://www.co.monroe.in.us/tsd/Government/Commissioners/MonroeCountyBoardsandCommissions.aspx
OPENINGS:
Ninth District Democratic Party seeks applicants to serve on Affirmative Action Committee
The Indiana Ninth Congressional District Democratic Party has announced it will be accepting applications for the State Party’s Affirmative Action Committee. The objective of the Affirmative Action Committee is to help further outreach from the Indiana Democratic Party (IDP) to minorities and other underserved and underrepresented groups and communities across Indiana.
Among other duties, the committee will assist IDP with minority outreach and set diversity goals for the state’s delegation to the National Convention in 2020. The DNC sets diversity goals to ensure representation from the African American, Hispanic / Latino, Asian American / Pacific Islander, Native American, LGBT, Disability, and Youth (under 36 years of age) communities. The Affirmative Action Committee will have a total of 23 members with each District Chair appointing one member to the committee. Additional appointments will also be made by the state party’s constituency caucuses, Democratic elected officials at the Congressional and Statewide level, by the Indiana House Democratic Caucus and by the Indiana Senate Caucus. The State Chair also has two at-large appointments to the committee.
Applications must be received by Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. via email [email protected] or by U.S. Mail at P.O. Box 2104, New Albany, Indiana 47151. For more information on the committee or the selection process, please contact District Chair Adam Dickey at 812-786-5895 or by email at [email protected].
TRAINING, TRAINING, and MORE TRAINING!
DWC Circuit Training in January
We want women to run the best and smartest campaigns they can possibly run. And we have experienced women to help other women do that. Our circuit training has gotten very good evaluations from participants. It is tailored specifically to women, and it's a fabulous way to kick-start your campaign, or that of the friend that you've asked to run for office. We're fleshing out plans right now and will make an announcement soon about the date. Watch for it!
State Democratic Party Webinars and Trainings:
http://www.indems.org/webinar-trainings-recordings/
AND if you want to be a Precinct Committee Person, try this!
http://action.indems.org/page/-/Indems%20Precinct%20Committeeperson%20Handbook.pdf These folks are elected every four years in the primary (this coming May!). What they do depends on how the various county parties structure their field work, and traditions. But this will get you started!
DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM HEARINGS
The Indiana Democratic Party is hosting three Platform Hearings in January 2018 to get input from Hoosier Democrats on issues that they want to see included in our 2018 State Party Platform to be presented at the 2018 State Convention on June 16). Hearings will take place in the North (Gary), Central (Indianapolis), and Southern (Scottsburg) parts of the state. The Party will accept online input as well as handwritten forms from those who are not able to attend and/or speak at one of the above sessions. For a form and more information on this process: http://www.indems.org/2018-state-democratic-party-platform/
Facebook Event Pages for Platform Hearings
EVENTS:
Thursday, January 11th, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Liz Watson, Candidate for the 9th District, to Hold Town Hall on the Tax Scam
Seymour Community Center, 107 S. Chesnut St., Seymour, Indiana
Congressman Trey Hollingsworth cancelled his first and only town hall on the tax scam. Liz Watson announced the same day that if he wouldn't meet with his constituents, she would meet with Hoosiers on this important issue! Come hear about the impact of the Tax Scam on ordinary Hoosiers and voice your concerns. The Town Hall is open to the public (and Congressman Hollingsworth is invited!) Please RSVP to [email protected]
Saturday, January 13th 11am to noon.
How to Run for Precinct Committee Person and State Delegate
Monroe County Democratic Party Headquarters
A Precinct committee person (PCP) is the voice of the Democratic Party in their community. PCPs engage voters, elect Party officers, fill vacancies in elected office, and communicate the concerns of their neighbors to Democratic Leaders. Delegates to the State Convention nominate statewide candidates and make crucial decisions related to the party. Both positions are elected on the primary ballot! Learn how to run for these positions and build your local party.
Saturday, January 13th, 12:30 pm to 2 pm
Pathway to Politics Volunteer Fair
Monroe County Democratic Party Headquarters
Do you want to run for office? Be an important decision maker in your community? MCDP is eager to engage our future leaders.
Volunteering for local candidates helps aspiring civil servants build last relationships and develop crucial insights in their path to public service. Come meet with 2018 candidates as well as Democratic affiliated organizations who will benefit from your leadership. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 11:30 am
Monroe County Democrats Luncheon
Monroe County Democrats Club will meet on at DeAngelo's Restaurant in Eastland Plaza. Our speaker, Professor Marjorie Hershey, will speak about the upcoming elections. The public is invited to attend.
Sunday, January 20, 2018
Women's March in Indianapolis
A coalition of bad ass women are chartering a bus (or two) to get to Indy for this rally. Estimated cost is $20-40 per seat. If you're interested, please email: [email protected]. Specific details will be announced soon.
Sunday, January 21, 2018, 1:00-3:00 p.m. EST
Monroe County NOW General Meeting
Special guest Dana Black will speak. To learn more about Dana Black and her tireless efforts, please visit http://www.indianasown.com. RSVP on the Facebook Event Page
ACTION ITEMS:
Come to Friday Breakfast this week and bring a non-perishable food item and some gently used winter wear or blankets to share with the needy!!
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/