The DWC had a busy day on Friday, February 6….

At our monthly breakfast we were visited by Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer and Jenny Robinson from the Indiana Coalition For Public Education. They spoke about the difficulties facing our Public Education System in the state. From the replacement of our elected State Superintendent with a superintendent appointed by the governor, to the pressures of flawed mandatory tests that replace educational time with learning to the test, to the squeeze placed on public school budgets and the loss of financial stability created by the diversion of funds to voucher and Charter programs, and the devaluation of our public school teachers, public education is under attack from all sides. 
Jenny and Cathy spoke to us of the value of public schools where students of different races, ideologies, religions and economic status meet and interact on a daily basis, teaching kids some of the basic tenets of living in a democracy. While they were quick to admit that public schools have not always fulfilled their promise and obligations to all students, the stretching of finite educational resources over ever greater numbers of schools is setting our schools up to deteriorate further. Loss of local control over curricula and lack of transparency in the use of financial resources have separated us from what our children are learning and has led to the devaluation and loss of opportunity for students whose passions take them in directions that aren’t “valued” by those making the decisions. Consolidation and closure of our public schools are causing the loss of community ties, especially in rural areas, and public-private partnerships can close schools mid-semester leaving students scrambling to find alternatives. The premise of “choice” is touted as a benefit of alternatives to public schools but in truth 99.4% of voucher funding in Indiana goes to religious schools who are allowed to discriminate.
20,000 people showed up for Red For Ed day at the Indiana State House and legislators did pay attention. They have made certain gestures to meet some of the concerns expressed by those who spoke during the day; for example they voted to hold schools harmless from the recent test score debacle and have made some efforts to separate those results from teacher evaluations, but there is much yet to be done and some bills will continue to hurt public schools. You can find a list of education bills that made it through half-time in the Indiana Legislature here. And you can find out what ICPE is doing to try to keep education public and how you can join that effort at https://www.indianacoalitionforpubliced.org

Later that evening DWC supporters gathered at The Fields for our Roaring-Twenties Murder Mystery. Our thanks especially to Steering Committee member Olivia Reed and her helpers who coordinated the event. The guests got into the spirit of things with some wonderful roaring twenties outfits. Catering from One World, tasty goodies from Baked! & the Rainbow Bakery as well as drinks from Cardinal Spirits filled our stomachs. A great list of silent auction donations from spa treatments to champagne, pet services and comedy tickets helped us to raise funds for the upcoming political season and Josh Johnson of Mid by Midwest Murder Mysteries kept our brains occupied as we met in dark alleys and under the flickering light, pondered clues and investigated suspicious characters. As with all good whodunits the culprits were unmasked at the end and a good time was had by all. We’ll put photos up on our DWC Facebook page soon.

And now we’re gearing up for the primary season. The filing period has ended so watch this space for information on candidates, endorsement information, trainings, meet & greets, forums and debates over the next few months - all the things that will help us to elect pro-choice, progressive women candidates in 2020. Confirm that all your information is up to date on-line at https://indianavoters.in.gov/ and get ready to vote -early voting starts on April 6, the Indiana Primary is on May 5.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:

As the campaign season heats up, our women candidates will be depending partly on this newsletter and DWC social media to keep you apprised of their activities, events, volunteer needs, and details of their campaigns.  Won't you join our team of communicators to help with this and DWC communications. We are losing a couple of long time writers and you could be just the person to do this!!

 It is not time consuming, and it is not difficult. Plus, for those of us who like to write and craft messages, it is actually fun! If anyone reading this newsletter has a few scant hours a month to help us out, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]

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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial: On Aug. 26, 1920, Hoosier women won the right to vote. At first glance, the meaning behind that statement is simple. But the real story goes much deeper. In Indiana, almost seventy years passed between the first calls for women’s voting rights and the passage of the 19th Amendment. And, though momentous, 1920 is just one milestone in a long and ongoing journey, and access to the voting booth is just one part of what it means to be an equal part of the democratic process.
The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial, catalyzed by Indiana Humanities, the Indianapolis Propylaeum, the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Historical Bureau, working with many grassroots and local partners, marks the anniversary of the 19th Amendment. We invite Hoosiers to honor the ideas and ideals that fueled the suffrage movement in Indiana, and the people who led the way; to engage in a conversation about inclusion, equity, perseverance and power; to consider what remains to be done to ensure that our democracy truly includes everyone; and to identify and act on the lessons of the women’s suffrage movement.
The Indiana Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission has issued a Call for Proposals to Indiana-based artists to create an original work of art to be displayed in the Indiana Statehouse to commemorate the 19th Amendment.
Read more: indianasuffrage100.org

MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: contact Taegan Bolden-Davis, Executive Director, Monroe County Democratic Party at [email protected]

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 in a tab at the right side of the boards page. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Thomas ([email protected]). 

UPCOMING TRAININGS:

Emily’s List Webinars:
Thursday, February 20, 2020 3:00pm - 4:00pm - Fundraising and Budgeting Best Practices  
If you want to win, you're going to need money. Campaigns are like a small business and the most successful campaigns are built on thoughtful budgets. In this webinar, we'll walk through the steps of building your campaign budget and finance plan - critical pieces of any campaign.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 3:00pm - 4:00pm -  Introduction to Campaign Messaging
Who are you? Why are you running? Why should people support you? As a candidate, you must be able to answer these questions with confidence. In this webinar, we'll walk through how to craft your personal narrative to create a message that potential voters can trust.

MCDP Trainings:

Saturday, February 22, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm - Campaign Communications Training
MCDP will be hosting a campaign communications  training for candidates, campaign staffers, and volunteers. Come to the MCDP Headquarters, 116 S. Madison Street Suite A, and learn more  about how to communicate with constituents to best serve your campaign!

Watch for upcoming trainings on VAN use and fundraising to be scheduled soon.

National Democratic Training Committee Webinars
Check out their list of courses at https://traindemocrats.org/course-catalog/

CANDIDATE NEWS AND EVENTS:

Volunteering for Shelli Yoder: If you are interested in volunteering to help get Shelli to the State House, please join our team by emailing Ashley Pirani at [email protected]. We have several ways for you to get involved. Some of those opportunities include canvassing, helping to write postcards, and hosting a meet and greet. We'd love to have you join us!

OTHER EVENTS:

Monday, February 10 & Tuesday, February 11, 2020, 7:00pm
Cardinal Stage presents Sally Perkins’ original one-woman show, Digging in Their Heels
Ivy Tech Waldron Rose Firebay.
Tickets: $15 General Admission. Tickets available HERE.
For two nights only, celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment with Digging In Their Heels, The Story of Women’s Suffrage Told In A Way You’ll Never Forget! If Susan B Anthony and her pals had iPhones, Twitter, and Uber drivers, maybe it wouldn’t have taken 72 years to win the vote. Maybe. Sally Perkins imagines the suffragists with modern technology as she takes her audiences through the 72-year journey in this interactive, hilarious, and poignant story, revealing the suffragists’ struggles, strategies, racism, and endurance.
Run time: 1 hour, recommended for ages 15 and up.

Thursday, February 13, 2020, 7:45 - 9am
Wake Up! with United Way “Food Security: Feeding Monroe County”
The Mill, 642 N. Madison St.
Tickets: $10 
One in six children in Monroe County are at risk of going hungry in households that struggle to put food on the table. How does our community ensure that these families have access to adequate food and nutrition? Join us for the return of Wake Up! with United Way to explore the systems in place that help families experiencing food insecurity. What’s working, what’s not, what’s new? Co-hosted by United Way and IU Political and Civic Engagement. Guest speakers are Julio Alonso, Executive Director of Hoosier Hills Food Bank; Vicki Pierce, Executive Director of Community Kitchen; and Brandon Schurr from IU Division of Student Affairs and MCCSC School Board.

Your $10 ticket will cover the cost of breakfast, with remaining proceeds supporting United Way of Monroe County's efforts to address our community's critical needs today, while reducing those needs tomorrow. www.monroeunitedway.org/WakeUp or 812-334-8370

Vehicles may be parked at the lot at 10th and Rogers, the Morton Street garage at 220 N Morton St, or on-street on 11th or Rogers. There is bike parking on the West and South sides of the building and the #2 Bus travels along Morton Street. Please enter through the lower entrance, near the southwest corner of the building. For accessible parking, please contact Alison Zook at [email protected].

Save the Date, March 14, 2020, 7:00pm
Screening and discussion of Suffragette (PG-13) 
Buskirk Chumley Theater
Join Girls Inc. at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater for a celebration of the centennial of the 19th Amendment with a screening of Suffragette (PG-13) and a panel discussion on the value of women in political leadership and leadership of al levels. 
$25 for adults and $15 for under 18. al proceeds will go to benefit Girls Inc. of Monroe County. Tickets can be obtained through the BC Box Office on Kirkwood or online.

Save the Date, March 26, 2020, 6:00-8:00 pm
2020 FDR Gala 
Switchyard Park Pavillion, 1601 S. Rogers
oin Join us for drinks, h'ors d'oeuvres with fellow Democrats. The event is free but donations and sponsorships are welcome. For more information about contributions, contact [email protected] or [email protected]. 

ACTION ITEM(s): 

1. Renew your membership in the DWC for 2020 (see below)

2. Educate yourself about the promise of and challenges to public education in Indiana. Check out all the information on the Indiana Coalition for Public Education on their website, https://www.indianacoalitionforpubliced.org . Consider becoming a member of this hard working grassroots organization, they are always in need of more volunteers.

3. Take action to defeat SB334. 

Write to your state senator** by email or snail mail, or post to the senator's Facebook page. Here's a basic letter. Please feel free to copy it, as well as to add your own comments. Some ideas to consider adding are: specific parts of the bill you disagree with, personal incidents you have encountered with being taken off the voter rolls or denied your right to vote, or reasons why you feel this bill is unnecessary.  

Dear (your senator name),

SB 334 will institute processes that have a high probability of erroneously purging voters from the voter registration rolls. If the language of the bill cannot be changed to eliminate this probability, I urge you to either stop the bill from being put up for a vote, or to vote “Nay” when it arrives on the Senate floor for a vote. 

Thank you, 

Your name and address

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

State Senators:
Both may be reached by snail mail at: 200 W Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2785

District 40 (most of Monroe County)
Mark Stoops 
[email protected]
317-232-9847

District 44 (Indian Creek, Clear Creek and Polk townships)
Eric Koch
[email protected]

US Senators (for this week's comments):

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
(317) 822-8240

Congressman: Trey Hollingsworth
https://hollingsworth.house.gov/contact/
(202) 225-5315 (U.S. House) or (812) 288-3999 (Jeffersonville Office)

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/