Welcome to our newest Steering Committee Member, Michelle Bright!
There are currently several openings on the DWC Steering Committee. According to our By-Laws, vacancies on the SC between election cycles are to be filled by appointment from the Steering Committee and subject to ratification by the membership at the next monthly membership meeting.
As there are a couple more vacant seats on the Steering Committee, we invite you to consider this opportunity to serve your fellow DWC members!
If you have an interest in serving please contact the DWC Chair via [email protected].
Michelle started her political career in 2010, when she became enraged when allegations of political corruption involving her local public officials emerged. Not being satisfied unless she was part of the solution, she was caucused into the position of Benton Township Trustee in March 2012. Some of the highlights of her time in office so far has been working with community youth organizations to start a Township Food Pantry and a Little Free Library, restoring two historical cemeteries in Benton Township, and was one of the first Townships in Indiana to partner with the American Red Cross for the Home Fire Campaign. Michelle has always been very grateful to the DWC for helping train and support her over the years, and was endorsed both times she ran for re-election. She is a Business Analyst at Indiana University; and is currently settling in to being an empty-nester with her husband in Unionville.
Friday Breakfast Report
Michelle Bright, Benton Township Trustee, was actually on her way to a meeting with the Department of Local Government Finance regarding her upcoming budget but stopped to explain the process to breakfast attendees. Lee Jones, Cheryl Munson, and Shelli Yoder talked about budgets reflecting priorities of the council, and how they actually go about doing that. Jessica McClelland, County Treasurer, spoke about creating her budget for presentation to the council later in August. When asked what she would differently if she could, she replied that she wished she could give more money to employees rather than stick to the additional percentage allotted to all employees. Isabel Piedmont Smith talked about the city budget presentation process beginning with a meeting of Mayor and city council members to determine priorities for the upcoming year.
One main difference between the city and county budget process that is not widely known is that the mayor creates and presents the budget to the council to vote up or down in its entirety. County government approaches the process differently. Commissioners are responsible for many different budgets in the county, but individual elected officials present the budget for the county council's approval without approval of any other elected official. I think it's safe to say that all work together between the initial presentations and final votes to amend or adjust numbers in all the different funds and department lines to reflect the needs of delivering services to residents of our community.
Member Reports
Steering Committee member Rachel Guglielmo and several other local members of Moms Demand Action for Common Sense Gun Control in Washington DC this past weekend. We know that during that conference two incidents of mass shootings occurred. We can only imagine the heavy hearts, the anger and renewed determination of these women. They responded instantly by demonstrating in front of the White House and marching to the Capitol. Rachel urges us to get involved (see action items below).
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DWC future
As we hope many of you know, we had three listening sessions over the past few weeks and have gotten emails from many of you with your thoughts. But we need more people to weigh in with the diversity of opinions and the great ideas we know you have.
Please share your thoughts on this organization as we move forward, in our community and our state. Opportunities for feedback will also be available in an online form. Watch for more information on that.... for those brilliant ideas that come in the middle of the night! Email [email protected]
Endorsement Review Committee:
We are currently organizing the information that we’ve received during the Listening Sessions that have already been held. The first order of business will be to continue the update of our endorsement policy so that it is in place for the 2020 elections. To that effect we are in the process of organizing an ENDORSEMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE that will begin meeting in August with the intent of having a finished document in late fall ready for review by the membership. Some of you have already expressed interest but please let us know that you are still interested along with anyone else who would like to participate at [email protected].
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MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION:
Kaisa Goodman has returned as Interim Executive Director for the Monroe County Democratic Party, through the fall Municipal election this November. The Party is also accepting resumes for a new Executive Director to start at that time. To learn more about what this role entails and to submit a resume, email [email protected]. Applications are due by August 24th.
MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
The MCDP will be at several upcoming community events, and needs your help to staff the booths and march in the parades! Please contact Kaisa at [email protected] to sign up for a shift (or two) or if you have any questions.
Monroe County Fall Festival: Staffing needed Thursday, September 19th through Saturday, September 21st, and we will be in the parade on Saturday at noon.
Stinesville Quarry Festival: Staffing needed Thursday, September 26th through Saturday, September 28th, and we will be in the parade on Saturday at 2pm.
MidWay Music Festival: Staffing needed on Saturday, October 5th
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]).
EVENTS
Thursday, August 8, 2019, 7:35-9:00 am
Wake Up! With United Way "Autism Spectrum Disorder: What to Know"
BloomingTea, 612 W. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington
This presentation will focus on the basics of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including a brief history of the diagnosis, why there seems to be an increase in the number of people who have ASD, and some useful tips on handling routine daily activities as well as crisis situations. The discussion will include opportunities for questions and answers from participants, as well as resources for those who need supports and services. The $10 ticket cost includes breakfast and coffee, with any remaining proceeds supporting United Way of Monroe County's efforts to address the community's critical needs today, while reducing those needs tomorrow. More info about the speaker, the subject matter, and more, can be found at https://www.monroeunitedway.org/WakeUp.
Saturday, August 10, 8:00-10:00pm
“Nasty Women: Bloomington” Comedy Benefit Show
The Back Door, 207 S. College Ave.
Bloomington! Your favorite Nasty Women return to The Back Door for one night only. Enjoy comedy from local femmes and thems as they raise money for the All-Options Hoosier Abortion Fund. Bring cash for raffle tickets. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. $10 suggested donation. Queer Cabaret to follow!
Tuesday, August 13, 5:00-6:30pm
Is Everyone Welcome: Exploring Equity and Inclusion
Monroe County Public Library Auditorium
Join Building a Thriving Compassionate Community (BTCC) for a panel to explore the theme of Equity and Inclusion framing November's Monroe County Childhood Conditions Summit (MC3). Moderated by IU Office of Admissions Senior Assistant Director of Admissions and Chair of the Monroe County Women's Commission, Nichelle Whitney, BTCC's August Quarterly Gathering features a panel that bridges town and gown, bringing forth how we as a collective can build an equitable, inclusive city and county. Participants will be invited to share ideas and feedback on bringing this topic to the 2019 Summit.
Thursday, August 15, 6:00-7:00pm
Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus Monthly Chapter Meeting
MCDP HQ, 116 S. Madison St.
Join MCBDC for their monthly chapter meeting to learn more about the Monroe County Black Democratic Caucus and how you can get involved. All are welcome!
Saturday, August 17, 5:30pm Social, 6:30pm Dinner
Owen County Democratic Party Democracy Day Dinner
Spencer United Methodist Church, IGA, 95 W. Franklin St., Spencer
with featured Speaker Dana Black, State Deputy Chair for Engagement
For tickets: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dddinner
Tickets: $25/person
August 22-24, 2019
Annual Indiana Democratic Editorial Association (IDEA) Convention in French Lick
French Lick Resort, 8670 West Road 56
For a full list of all the events happening at this year’s IDEA visit: http://www.indems.org/annual-idea-convention-in-french-lick/. 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.
Saturday, August 31, 2019, 3:00-11:30 pm
Bloomington Pridefest
Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington
Save the date for the sixth annual Bloomington Pridefest!
Saturday September 8, 2019, 4:00-7:00 pm
5th Annual Hamilton Family Picnic
Bryan Park
Join Mayor Hamilton and his family for music, food, and family-friendly fun!
ACTION ITEM(s):
1. The most important thing you can do today is to let your Senators Braun and Young know that they must pass the senate version of the HR8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act. Insist that they call Mitch McConnell to call the Senate back to DC to deal with this national emergency.
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
2. The second most important thing you can do is to support Moms Demand Action:
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/