November 5 has come and gone and once again we congratulate all the winners in this year’s Municipal Elections. We look forward to seeing everyone at the swearing in on January 1. And now it’s time to look forward to 2020.
The DWC will take our first step with a training that looks at the offices up for election next year. We sent out a special email yesterday with all the details. If you are considering running for office, want to help someone who might be running for office, or are just curious, come by Democratic Headquarters Tuesday night at 6pm and check it out.
Then join us on Dec. 6 when we’ll elect members of the 2020 Steering Committee and share a program that takes a look at criminal justice reform in Monroe County.
While you’re there, consider renewing your membership to the Caucus for next year (or do so online). It’s going to be a big year and we’ll need all hands on board. Check out all the details below.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Announcements
Events
Image of the Day
Action Items
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DWC ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES:
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 6:00 - 8:00pm
DWC Training: 2020 Offices up for Election,
Monroe County Democratic HQ, 116 S Madison St Suite A. Bloomington
We will take a look at the offices up for election, their requirements, how to file, filing deadlines and what qualifications would be useful to have. How might you be uniquely qualified for a particular office? Questions - contact us at [email protected].
**DWC Steering Committee Elections - Dec. 2019:
Nominations for the DWC Steering Committee are now open:
December is fast approaching as are elections to the DWC Steering Committee.
The following positions will be up for election:
Vice Chair:
Treasurer:
and 5 at-large positions.
The Steering Committee is a working board… we meet on the third Saturday of the month at 10am. If you have questions about serving on the Steering Committee, about duties of the officers and at-large members, would like to nominate yourself or someone else for the Steering Committee, or you are a member who would like to serve on the Nominating Committee to help develop a slate for the December elections, please contact DWC Chair Carolyn VandeWiele at [email protected].
**Are you creative, skilled at writing, a social media expert?? - THE DWC NEEDS YOU!!
We are looking for a few good women to join our Monday Morning News and Social Media Team to help keep our membership informed - if you can help - contact us at [email protected].
Your thoughts are always welcome: We welcome your thoughts on DWC events and issues….Please share your thoughts on this organization as we move forward, in our community and our state. For those brilliant ideas that come in the middle of the night! Email [email protected].
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OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:
E. Thomasina Marsili has filed paperwork with the State of Indiana to run for U.S. Congress in District 8
You may find more information about her campaign at:
Website: E. Thomasina Marsili For Congress
Facebook: Hope In 8: Thomasina For Congress
A Tournament of Roses Parade Float Is Celebrating the 2020 Suffrage Centennial
The Nineteenth Amendment was officially approved by Congress on June 4, 1920 and the 100th anniversary year of women’s rights to vote will kick off in true suffrage style during the New Year’s Day parade in Pasadena, Calif. next year.
During the “Power of Hope”-themed event, a float will announce the city’s celebration of the Votes for Women Centennial, offering “an exceptional and unprecedented opportunity to commemorate this political victory and to remember that this victory was won by a 72-year long struggle and campaign for the vote.”
The float will feature a 30-foot Statue of Liberty, a symbol of enlightenment, holding the tablet of the 19th amendment and dressed in the suffrage sash. Riders on the float will include the “Bouquet of Suffrage Descendants”—descendants of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells, Frederick Douglass and other key advocates.
The float will be covered in yellow roses, a symbol during the suffrage movement of support for Women’s Right to Vote, and 100 people will have the rare chance to march five miles down Colorado Boulevard as part of the event—”out-marchers” dressed in all-white wearing historic suffrage sashes.
With the 2020 election looming larger than ever, the float will act as “a symbol of inspiration and a reminder for all Americans to recognize the responsibility and the power to vote.”
To get involved by donating floral vials, click here. If you’re interested in becoming an out-walker, click here.
MCDP Caucus Results: The Monroe County Democratic Party held a caucus on Thursday, November 14, 2019 for Monroe County Council District 1, Monroe County Party Vice Chair and Monroe County Party Treasurer.
Elected at the Caucus were:
Peter Iversen - County Council District 1
Gavin Everett - Monroe County Democratic Party Vice Chair
Kaisa Goodman - Monroe County Democratic Party Treasurer
MONROE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY EVENTS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
Please contact Monroe County Executive Director Taegan Bolden-Davis at [email protected] to volunteer, to sign up for a shift (or two) or if you have any questions.
Ongoing Tabling at the Farmers Market Saturday mornings
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
Monday, November 18, 2019 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Legislative Advocacy Training: LGBTQ Rights at the Statehouse
Monroe County Public Library, Room 2B
Hosted by Bloomington PRIDE
Change starts with you – every one of us can help make a difference in our community, in our state, and in our nation. Our legislative advocacy training will cover how the power of community can effectively generate social change and hold our government officials accountable. We invite you to learn more about the fight for LGBTQ rights in Indiana and how people powered movements can generate change in our state.
Presenters:
Ashley Toruno, Community Engagement & Policy Advocate, ACLU of Indiana
Kit Malone, Advocate and Educator, ACLU of Indiana
Bios for both presenters can be found on the ACLU of Indiana's website: https://www.aclu-in.org/en/biographies/ashley-toruno.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019, 11:30am to 1:00pm
Monroe County Democrats’ Club Luncheon Meeting
DeAngelo’s Restaurant in Eastland Plaza
Guest speakers will be representatives of Mo. Co. Recycling and the City Recycling programs talking about what can be recycled--and where--and what people can do to help. Susie Hamilton will bring some stuff that she thinks can be recycled, let’s see if she is right or wrong!
Remember to bring your questions.
Also be ready to congratulate the winners of the city council election.
This will be the last M.C. Democrat's Club meeting this year and the public is invited to attend.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 6:00pm - 8:00pm
DWC Training: 2020 Offices up for Election,
Monroe County Democratic HQ, 116 S Madison St Suite A. Bloomington
With the Municipal Elections over it’s time to start concentrating on 2020. We will take a look at the offices up for election, their requirements, how to file, filing deadlines and what qualifications would be useful to have. How might you be uniquely qualified for a particular office? Questions - contact us at [email protected].
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 9:00am - 2:00 pm
Red For Ed Action Day
Indiana State House, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Hosted by Indiana State Teachers Association, The Indiana Student Education Association, IREP (Indiana Rising Education Professionals and Invest in Education IN.
For one day only, legislators are back in session to organize for the upcoming General Assembly. Kids, educators and public schools need to be the top priority. Let's remind lawmakers that we are still here, activated and ready to advocate for our kids, our schools and our future.
To learn more about Red For Ed in Indiana, visit InvestInEducationIN.org.
Event information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/512299189339936/
Wednesday, November 20th, 6:30pm
A Comprehensive Look at Criminal Justice in Monroe County
Unitarian Universalist Church, 2120 N Fee
The Unitarian Universalist Hope for Prisoners Task Force will host a community-wide event entitled “A Comprehensive Look at Criminal Justice in Monroe County”. This is an opportunity to learn why reform is needed, what is already being done, and how we can act as caring and voting citizens in Monroe County. Panelists will include Monroe County Commissioners, Monroe County Prosecutor, Chair of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, and a member of the UU Hope for Prisoners Task Force. The event will be moderated by CJAM with time for questions and a reception with opportunities to learn about non-profits working with prisoners and their families. See http://uubloomington.org/monroe-county-criminal-justice for more details.
Friday December 6, 2019 7:30am - 9:00am
DWC Monthly Breakfast
The Village Deli, 409 E. Kirkwood
At the breakfast this month we’ll hold elections for the DWC Steering Committee for 2020 and we’ll host a panel on current efforts to reform the Monroe County Criminal Justice System.
Saturday December 7, 2019 11:00am - 12:00pm
Isabel Piedmont Smith Constituent Meeting
Bloomington City Hall, Room #135
The meeting will feature a discussion of issues coming before the City Council. All city residents are welcome to attend Council Member Piedmont-Smith's meetings
Note: There will be no Constituent Meeting in November
Sunday December 8, 2019 4:00pm-6:00pm
Film & Panel Discussion: The Revolutionist: Eugene V. Debs
Monroe County Public Library Auditorium
A Bloomington showing of The Revolutionist: Eugene V. Debs, the new WFYI documentary narrated by Danny Glover. Eugene V. Debs is one of the most impactful Hoosiers in history: a labor leader, co-founder of the Socialist Party in the United States, and five-time candidate for president. When he spoke out against America’s involvement in WWI, the Supreme Court upheld a guilty verdict that sentenced him to ten years in prison for violating the Espionage Act. From his cell, he ran for president for the final time, garnering nearly a million votes and sparking a national conversation about the right to free speech.
Following the film there will be a panel discussion about Debs' relevance in today's world, featuring Kim Jacobs, Jeff Isaac, and Joe Varga.
Pizza and drinks will be provided
Hosted by: The Debs Foundation, Democracy for Monroe County, Bloomington Democratic Socialists of America, Jobs with Justice, The Monroe County Democratic Party, John Hamilton for Mayor, IU College Democrats, and IU Young Democratic Socialists of America
This event is free and open to the public but donations to the Debs Foundation are encouraged and can be made online here.
Sunday December 8, 2019 6:00pm-8:00pm
West Side Democratic Collaborative Holiday Social
O'Charley's, 360 N. Jacob Drive
The West Side Democratic Collaborative cordially invites you to a Holiday Social Gathering. This newly formed group is working to build the base in our four western townships, Richland, Van Buren, Indian Creek, and Bean Blossom. Come celebrate the season at this no-host event. Join us for a fun evening and a chance to live our Democratic values – we will be collecting non-perishable food items and/or cash for Grace Center and Pantry 279, food pantries serving the west side at a time of great need. No matter which side of the highway you live on please come for good conversation with both new and old friends.
Thursday December 12, 2019 11:00am-1:15pm
Election Security Under Attack: How Vulnerable is Indiana?
Indiana State House, House Chambers (3rd Floor) • 200 W Washington St., Indianapolis, IL 46204
Hosted by Common Cause Indiana - contact Info: Julia Vaughn, [email protected]
What should local, state, and the federal government be doing to ensure the upcoming presidential election in 2020 will be free of outside interference? How can we safeguard a system that varies not just state by state, but county by county? Will partisan officials be able to agree on the problem, let alone the solution?
Join Common Cause Indiana to hear from state and national election security experts as they tackle these questions and more.
General Registration, $25.00, Student Registration $10.00 per ticket
Attorney Claiming CLE Credit Registration $75.00 — Note: we have been certified for 2.2 CLE credits
Panelists include:
Susannah Goodman, Director of Election Security at Common Cause
Bill Groth, Indianapolis attorney and election law expert
Greg Shufeldt, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Butler University
Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. and will conclude at 1:15 p.m.
IMAGE OF THE DAY:
ACTION ITEM(s):
1. STAND UP FOR INDIANA PUBLIC EDUCATION THIS TUESDAY:
From the North White Classroom Teachers Assn. of ISTA - Why November 19th is so important:
For THE COMMUNITY:
1. Public schools give students access to equal learning opportunities.
2. Public schools have the power to unite a community.
3. Public schools prepare students to become great employees.
4. Great employees build strong communities.
5. Schools build relationships.
For STUDENTS:
1. Students deserve classrooms that are conducive to learning.
2. Students deserve access to school counselors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers.
3. Students deserve educators who know the students by name and have built family relationships.
4. All students deserve the same quality education.
5. Students deserve the opportunity to learn and interact with the neighbors of their community.
For TEACHERS:
1. It allows teachers to have a voice in education policy.
2. It gives teachers an opportunity to learn and lead.
#RedForEd
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
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
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/