For the second week in a row we’ve been inspired by a rousing speech by a woman… Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes was the keynote speaker at last week’s 2017 Democratic Dinner and stirred up the crowd in the style of an old time revival. She encouraged us to rise and organize, to listen to each other and to be inclusive as a group and united as a party. She gave credit to the stalwarts of the party and encouragement to the youth that represent our future. We left the dinner energized, excited and ready to continue the fight.
The victories around the country on Nov. 7 were important and welcome but we should not be complacent. We must continue to speak out about the things that bother us and that we would like to change. And we must continue to listen and be responsive to constituents in order to make future gains.
It won’t be an easy fight. In Alabama, Roy Moore continues to run neck and neck with Doug Jones despite the fact that only one of those candidates has any fitness to serve in office. Our country remains polarized and angry, civil discourse is at a low and our national and state governments are working hard against the little guy to benefit the 1%.
Here in Monroe County we are lucky to have so many groups that are focused on working to improve the lives of our citizens and put good candidates in office. Groups like Rise to Run, Your Voice Matters and our own DWC are moving to field, train and support candidates that will truly represent us. Election Day 2017 is over… the march to the next election begins. Run, volunteer, question, support, fund, train, educate…. rise and organize!!
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Item
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DWC Elections:
In December the DWC will hold elections for Secretary and Vice Chair, and 5 at-large seats on the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee oversees the business of the organization, plans Breakfasts meetings and other DWC events and holds the group to our mission. The Steering Committee currently meets on the third Saturday of each month at 10am. If you are interested in adding your voice to the Steering Committee, please email Amy Swain at [email protected] or talk to any steering committee member. Make sure your membership is up to date as members only will be voting on this issue.
Endorsement Committee:
The DWC Endorsement Committee helps to set the DWC Endorsement Policies, develops questions and interview candidates and presents the DWC membership with recommendations for candidates for endorsement in both the primary and general elections. This is a very important committee that is made up of women from the steering committee and the general membership. If you are interested please email Amy Swain at [email protected] or speak with any steering committee member.
EVENTS:
Training Opportunities:
December 9, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Indiana Democratic Party to Host Training for Women Candidates
IKORCC Carpenters Hall, 711 Greenwood Springs Dr., Greenwood, IN
In Indiana, only 19% of state legislators are women, even though we made up 53% of all votes cast in 2016. It is time to change who is representing us at all levels of government. The Indiana Democratic Party is excited to announce its partnership with Emerge America to bring a democratic women-only candidate training to Indiana! Emerge America has affiliates in 23 states and has had great success in recruiting and training women to run for office. Past Emerge America participants have gone on to win offices up and down the ballot, from school board to the state house.
The training will be held on Saturday, December 9, at the Carpenters Union Hall in Greenwood, Indiana. Cost of the training is $25. For more information contact Emerge at [email protected] or visit the IN Dems' website and sign up for the training at http://www.indems.org/emerge-women-only-candidate-training/
The Facebook event for this training can be found here.
Other State Party Training Opportunities
The State Party has also put together a second in-person training session and one online school for democratic candidates running up and down the ballot. Both of these training opportunities are open to those wanting to run in 2018, 2019, and 2020, along with anyone who is considering running, and they are being offered purposely before the candidate filing deadline ends in February. Information on these training opportunities can be found on the IN Dems website here
NDTC In-Person Candidate Training on Saturday, January 6, 2018: The National Democratic Training Committee will conduct an in-person candidate training on Saturday, January 6, in Indianapolis. Location TBD. Training topics include Field Organizing, Fundraising, Digital Messaging, and Communications. There is a $25 registration fee for this training to help offset the cost of food and supplies. However, no one will be turned away if they cannot financial afford the fee. Those in need of scholarships can email IN Dems Executive Director Brittany Solis at [email protected].
To sign up for the in-person candidate training, click here
NDTC Online Candidate Training: The National Democratic Training Committee also offers online candidate trainings. There are currently 80 candidates from across Indiana signed up for this free service. You can sign up and get additional information on the online candidate training here
TONIGHT!! Mon. November 13, 2017 6:00 - 7:30pm
Naloxone Training
1713 N College Ave, Bloomington
The Canon for Indiana campaign office will be hosting a Naloxone Training, presented by Middle Way House Chapter at IU. With so many areas in Indiana hit hard by the opioid epidemic, it’s invaluable for our community members to be prepared to help keep people who have overdosed alive.
A representative from Indiana Recovery Alliance will be there to train on the use of Naloxone and other methods for helping people who have overdosed. See full event details at link: https://www.facebook.com/events/124338631566121??ti=ia
Tue. November 14, 2017 7:30 - 9:00pm
Rise To Run: Introduction to Canvassing Training
Monroe County Library, Room 2014
Rise to Run is offering an introduction to canvassing training, led by expert canvassers and leaders of the "Your Voice Matters" effort Penny Githens and Teri Bleuel. If you use Facebook, you can sign up for this training here; if not, please just let us know if you would like to attend.
Wed. November 15, 2017 and Fri. November 17 3:30 - 5:00pm
Voter Registration Training
Election Central, 401 W. 7th St., Bloomington
In cooperation with the Monroe County League of Women Voters, Election Central is offering voter registration training sessions from 3:30 to 5:00 on Wednesday, November 15 and Friday, November 17.
Wed. November 15, 2017 6:00 - 8:00pm
Ninth District Congressional Candidate Forum
Lamkin Hall, IVY Tech Community College, Bloomington Campus
Indiana's most competitive US House race is heating up. One year before election day, Hoosiers are already getting activated. Join Hoosier Action members as we tell candidates our stories, ask them our questions, and find out where they stand on our priorities.
Confirmed participants: Liz Watson, Dan Canon, Robert Chatlos
Invited participants: Rep. Trey Hollingsworth, Tom Pappas
Fri. November 17, 2017 4:00 - 6:00pm
Monroe County NOW Legislative Action Committee Contact Our Reps Party
BloomingTea, 615 W. Kirkwood Ave.
The Legislative Action Committee will provide scripts, contact information and postcards for contacting legislators on issues reflecting NOW’s six core issues.
RSVP on the Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/697253677137257/
Bring a Friend
Sun. November 19, 2017 3:00 - 5:00pm
Monroe County NOW Chapter Meeting
Monroe County Library, Room 2A
Mon. November 20, 2017 7:00 - 9:00pm
Richard Kimball's Vote Smart Midwest Tour
Monroe County Public Library
Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County
Vote Smart’s president, Richard Kimball, will be giving the only Indiana presentation on a Midwest tour at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium. If you aren’t familiar with Vote Smart, check it out at www.votesmart.org. Kimball will be introducing a new tool called On Point, which will enable citizens to take any major issue facing Congress and instantly access over their cell phones any of the votes, public remarks, issue positions, relevant biographical background, campaign contributions, and even special interest ratings their representatives have made related to that issue. Kimball’s presentation is part of our ongoing collaboration with MCPL, is is a nonpartisan presentation and is open to the public. Please “like” and “share” on the League's FaceBook page to help publicize this event.
Tue. November 21, 2017 11:00am - 12:00pm
Indiana Needs A Hate Crime Law Press Conference
Indiana State Capitol
Hosted by the Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate and the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana
Indiana is one of only five states that has not passed a hate crime law to adequately provide justice for those targeted and harmed. The Central Indiana Alliance Against Hate (“Alliance”) will be joining other concerned citizens and organizations to host a press conference on the General Assembly’s Organization Day (Tuesday, November 21, 2017). Its purpose is to raise needed attention to our lack of hate crime law and demand state legislators pass a law during the 2018 General Assembly. The press conference will take place in the south atrium of the Indiana State Capitol/Statehouse on the second floor between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm.
more information at: https://www.fhcci.org/events/
ACTION ITEMS:
This week's action item is to educate ourselves on the just-released Republican tax reform proposal which, HUGE shocker, will help the rich and hurt the poor. Check out the article at the link below for a place to start, and get ready to make your voices heard!
https://www.vox.com/2017/11/2/16596896/house-republican-tax-reform-cuts-trump-ryan-explained
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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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http://www.democraticwomenscaucus.org/