Lots of doings in the next week with holiday season for some, New Year's eve for all, and then we are off to ELECTION YEAR 2016!!! Read on, my friends, to see how you can get more involved in supporting our mission to fund, inspire, recruit, support, and train progressive, pro-choice Democratic women for greater participation in local government!
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EVENTS
ACTION ITEM THIS WEEK
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bloomington Boards and Commissions Vacancies
Applications for term-end possible vacancies and current vacant positions appointed by the newly elected Mayor and newly elected Common Council are now being accepted for all Boards and Commissions. These positions are open to all city residents, with certain commissions accepting county residents. Application review will begin immediately and will continue into January and until the positions are filled.
City Boards and Commissions are citizen staffed and operated, and serve to advise the Common Council and the Administration on issues affecting Bloomington. A complete list and description of Boards and Commissions, in addition to application materials may be found at www.bloomington.in.gov/clerk. Information and applications also are available at the City Clerk’s Office in Showers City Hall at 401 N. Morton.
For more information or questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 812-349-3408.
Shelli Yoder for Indiana Congressional Campaign calls for interns
Shelli Yoder for Congress is seeking dedicated interns for the remainder of the fall and the entire spring semesters. Qualifications include the ability to dedicate 10 - 20 hours per week, working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, strong interpersonal and written communication skills and a desire to further Democratic politics and a determination to win! Previous political experience preferred but not required. This position is unpaid but the campaign will work with all interns to fulfill college credit requirements. To apply, please email a copy of your resume Matt at [email protected] with the subject line “Yoder Internship”!
Monroe County Citizens' Academy
The Monroe County Citizens' Academy will help you develop a thorough understanding of your county government. Participants will meet with department heads and elected officials to learn about services, operations, funding, and budgets. The County Citizens' Academy meetings will be held on Monday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. February 8-April 4, 2016. There is no fee to participate, but registration is required. Please visit https://extension.purdue.edu/monroe/Pages/article.aspx?intItemID=8015for more information.
2016 Hoosier Heroines Essay Contest
Tell all the teachers and parents you know: Indiana’s First Lady Karen Pence and female statewide elected officials announced details for the 2016 Hoosier Heroines Essay Contest for students in the 5th through 9th grades. The annual competition was established to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. For 2016, in honor of Indiana’s Bicentennial, students are asked to write about currently living or women from history who have made contributions in the following categories:
- 5th grade – Agriculture
- 6th grade – Suffrage
- 7th grade – Business
- 8th grade – Science
- 9th grade – Education
The submitted essays are then divided by grade and judged by the female statewide elected officials:
- 5th grade – Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann
- 6th grade – Secretary of State Connie Lawson
- 7th grade – Auditor Suzanne Crouch
- 8th grade – Treasurer Kelly Mitchell
- 9th grade – Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz
Applications are being accepted until February 22, 2016. On March 30, 2016, a reception will be held with the First Lady and elected officials to honor the selected winner from each participating grade level at the Indiana Statehouse.
To download an application packet, click here.
EVENTS
Join Mayor-Elect John Hamilton and Dawn Johnsen for a New Year's Eve Party
9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut
Mayor-elect John Hamilton, Dawn Johnsen, Matthew and Eric invite you to join them to ring in the New Year and a new City of Bloomington Administration! Enjoy light hors d'oeuvres, live music, cash bar, and a champagne toast at midnight! All are welcome. RSVP is requested, preferably by Dec. 20 (or asap) to [email protected] Please join us New Year's Eve!
Swearing-In Ceremony
January 1, 2016, 12 p.m. at the Bloomington Common Council Chambers
You are invited to attend a special ceremony to swear in our newly elected officials from Bloomington, Ellettsville, and Stinesville. As part of the inauguration festivities, there will be a live jazz band performing in City Hall and food trucks parked outside the building. This is a nonpartisan event, open to the public. A reception hosted by incoming Mayor John Hamilton will immediately follow the event. Please join us New Year’s Day!
Bloomington Chamber Legislative Preview Lunch
Friday, January 8, 11:30 am - 1:00 p.m. at the Bloomington Country Club
It's a new session at the Statehouse. That means new issues and new opportunities for business. Come to our Legislative Preview Lunch on January 8th! Find out what The Chamber will be working on this Session as we unveil our 2016 Indiana Legislative Agenda which our members gave feedback to help create.
Hear from our legislators as they give their perspectives on what's ahead:
- Senator Mark Stoops
- Representative Matt Pierce
- Representative Peggy Mayfield
- Representative Bob Heaton
- Representative Eric Koch
Bloomington and Ellettsville Chamber members - $25; General public - $35. Register here: http://www.chamberbloomington.org/events/Legislative-Preview-Lunch-740/details
National Women's History Project WebinarJanuary 13, 2016; 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern
Join us to learn more about the National Women's History Project (NWHP) and National Women's History Month 2016. The theme for 2016 is "Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government". The NWHP is planning programs and events for March 2016 as well as opportunities to participate in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in 2020. Register.
National Women's History Project
730 Second Street #469
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
http://www.nwhp.org
(707) 636-2888
[email protected]
INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN THE DWC
The DWC is open to progressives regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Join any time. Only $20 for one year’s membership. Join online here.
ACTION ITEM:
From MoveOn.org
Sign a petition to Re-instate Christian professor who wore a headscarf to show solidarity with Muslim-Americans
Sign the petition to Phillip Graham Ryken, President of Wheaton College, urging him to immediately re-instate Dr. Larycia Hawkins, a respected and tenured professor who spoke out in the classroom against bigotry.
Dr. Larycia Hawkins is a political scientist who has taught at Wheaton College in Illinois since 2007. She wore a headscarf to class to show solidarity with Muslim-American women, who have faced increased hate crimes as Islamophobia has spiked this election season. Shortly thereafter, she was placed on leave. Dr. Hawkins had also posted on Facebook that Christians and Muslims worship the same God, which the college said failed to "faithfully represent the college's evangelical Statement of Faith." The college is entitled to stand by its theology, but Dr. Hawkins' was showing us the best side of ourselves. Her action was rooted in a concern for the people around her--particularly people with different beliefs--and a concern for justice. These aren't principles that deserve punishment.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE: https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/re-instate-christian?source=homepage
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/