Yes it's Pi Day. 3.14.16 (seriously -- you can round it up to today's date!!)



And what portion of the pie: "Serving in Elected Office" do women get?
Something like this? Historically the number is 2.59%. Today it's about 20% - if you round up!
Better, but still not close to 50%, right?


Figures here are from reports of the Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University.
See more at their website: http://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/
For further reading, try this Politico article: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/01/104-women-in-congress-does-it-matter-113903
We'll have more about state and local gender equity in the political sphere during Women's History Month.

NOW--
It's time to support women candidates running locally.  They are all inviting YOU to participate in their campaigns!

Endorsed Candidates* for 2016 Primary Season:
Amanda Barge for County Commissioner 3
Julie Thomas for County Commissioner 2
Lee Jones for County Council at Large
Cheryl Munson County Council at Large
Jessica McClellan for County Treasurer
Joani Shields for County Coroner
Terri Porter for County Auditor
Penny Githens for House District 60

Supported Candidates* for the 2016 Primary Season:
Darcie Fawcett for Judge Division 1
Holly Harvey for Judge Division 1
*for an explanation of the endorsement process, see www.democraticwomenscaucus.org or previous editions of the Monday Morning News.

For some specific ways to help:

Join the Amanda Barge for County Commissioner Campaign! This is a grassroots effort and we need your support!
As a first time candidate, Amanda needs help during the critical months of March and April.
To host a sign, text: 812-606-8813
To walk door to door, host a house party, or write a Letter to the Editor, please email: [email protected]
AND - She is also accepting donations: www.paypal.me/AmandaBarge
Thank you!

&

Bellinis for Barge and Food Drive for Ellettsville Food Pantry 279
Fundraiser for Barge, with an added friend-raiser for Food Pantry 279. Help Amanda help our community!
Date/Time: Thursday, March 24th @ 5:30-7:30 pm
Location: Ridgemeade Hills -1330 Valley Forge Dr (across from Renwick)
Come out to support Amanda's campaign and bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Ellettsville's Pantry 279. This pantry is scrambling for donations and is very low right now.  Started and managed by Girl Scouts, this panty serves 150-230 people a day. 90% of them are elderly or working families. The Girl Scouts will be at the event to briefly tell you their inspirational story behind starting the pantry. Stop by, have a cocktail, get inspired and help your community! No better time to celebrate Women's History Month than with a female, progressive candidate and local Girl Scouts who are making a difference

Volunteer HELP for Cheryl Munson: Join Her Sign Team
It's important for all candidates to get campaign signs out for the primary election, because voters need to know who is running! (And newspaper readership has substantially declined.) Without Republican opponents, it is hard to build interest in the County Council contest, but Republican's are promising that they will appoint opponents this summer. Cheryl's Sign Team needs to get the word out to build name recognition. Team members will divvy up Bloomington and the County. The more the merrier, the easier the job.

Can you help in your area? Email [email protected] or call 812-325-3407. See www.cherylmunson.us for more information about Cheryl's campaign. Thank you!

IN THIS ISSUE:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EVENTS
CARTOON
ACTION ITEM

ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY!  NOW!

March is Women's History Month!



March is national Women's History Month and this year's theme is “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government.” Let's take every opportunity to celebrate the amazing women who have gone before and who continue to shape our future. For more information about the theme and honorees see http://www.nwhp.org/womens-history-month/2016-theme/ Or for a full-color downloadable brochure see http://www.nwhp.org/womens-history-month/brochure/

Caucus for Monroe County Clerk 
Monday, March 21, 5:00 p.m. at the Nat U. Hill Room, Monroe County Courthouse 
There will be a caucus to fill the vacancy for Monroe County Clerk of the Courts, following the recent resignation of Clerk Linda Robbins. Eligible residents of Monroe County who are interested in filling the position are encouraged to contact Monroe County Democratic Party Chair, Mark Fraley. All precinct committee chairs are eligible to vote, and vice-chairs can vote as proxy for precinct chairs provided a written proxy is delivered to the Party Chair prior to or at the caucus meeting.  Emailed proxies will be considered valid. Interested candidates must also file a form CEB-5 with the Party Chair 72 hours before the caucus time, i.e. by 5 p.m. on March 18th. Mark Fraley can be reached at [email protected].

Democratic Primary Candidates to Debate
Produced by Democracy for Monroe County
March 21 (6:45) and March 29 (6:30), Monroe County Public Library Auditorium
- On March 21 there will be three segments to the program.  Shelli Yoder and Bob Kern have confirmed that they will be present to use a short period of time to introduce themselves to voter.
- Segment 2 will afford District 40 State Senator Mark Stoops and challenger John K Pappas to introduce themselves and answer questions.
- Segment 3 will include the candidates for the open seat for Judge, Division 1. Candidates Darcie Fawcett, R. Michael Flory, Holly Harvey and Al Manns will also speak and answer questions.
SUBMIT QUESTIONS for review and possible inclusion to Rob Deppert – [email protected] by March 20^th at 6:00 pm.

 On March 29 the format will be similar
- Segment 1 will feature Commissioner District 3 candidates Amanda Barge, Rick Dietz and John Whikehart. A clarification for this race: the candidates must live within the Commissioner’s District 3, but they are voted on by the entire county.
- Segment 2 will feature candidates for Monroe County Auditor. Kevin Easton, Terri Porter, and Cathy Smith will speak and answer questions.
- Segment 3 will include Hans Huffman and Jessica McClellan, both of whom are running for the open seat as Monroe County Treasurer.
SUBMIT QUESTIONS for review and possible inclusion to Rob Deppert – [email protected] by March 27^th at 6:00 pm.

Women's History Month Luncheon
Wednesday, March 23, Convention Center, 11:30 am
You REALLY don't want to miss this!  Gladys DeVane has created another theatrical production in keeping with the National Women's History Project 2016 theme. DeVane's production, Making the Union More Perfect: Indiana's Remarkable Women, will be presented during the luncheon.  The Commission on the Status of Women will be awarding Jean Capler the Woman of the Year Award. Flo Davis will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Doors open at 11:15 am, buffet is at noon and the program ends at 1:30 pm. Tickets are $22.50 per person or $250 for a table of eight.
NOTE: Tickets for this year’s luncheon MUST be purchased through the Buskirk-Chumley Theater box office at 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, NOT through the Commission on the Status of Women or at the door as in the past.  BCT box office hours are 11-6 Monday through Friday and 12-5 Saturday and Sunday.  Telephone is 812-323-3020.  Purchase tickets online at www.bctboxoffice.com. This luncheon was sold out last year. Don't be turned away! Get tickets now!

Monroe County Democrats' Club Meeting
Tuesday, March 29, 11:30 a.m. Bobby's Colorado Steakhouse
Due to Spring Break and a scheduling issue, this meeting has been rescheduled to the last Tuesday of the Month. Speakers will be a variety of contested primary candidates.

FDR Gala
Thursday, March 31, 6-8 p.m., Fountain Square Ballroom 
This fundraiser is a great way to meet candidates and fellow Democrats and learn about the party organization. It is an opportunity to support the party organization, as it works on behalf of candidates and office holders, and in the pursuit of advancing Democratic ideals and good governance at all levels. Admission to this evening of food, beverage, and GREAT company is by suggested donation, but no one will be turned away if unable to contribute. RSVP here, by e-mail, to [email protected] today! RSVP on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/events/426398010902324/

DWC Karaoke Fundraiser
Sunday, April 24,  6:00pm-8:30pm at Player's Pub
You loved it last year! We had such a good time!  Will there be a challenger to last year's winner Mayor Hamilton?
Put it on your calendars now and be there! (There is good evidence that some are rehearsing right now!)

Action Item

Do you have news items? Send your items of interest to us at [email protected].

Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.

Democratic Women's Caucus
http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/