Monroe County Democratic Party Caucus to elect a new Vice Chair
Thursday, May 28, 5:30 pm. Monroe County Courthouse, Nat U Hill Room, 3rd Floor.
     The precinct chairs and vice chairs will be getting together on Thursday this week to elect a woman to serve as Vice Chair.  If you are interested in serving, you need to act right away! Candidates can file for the office by submitting a statement of candidacy to [email protected] no later than  72 hours before the caucus which is Monday 5/25 by 5:30 pm.  If you have questions, email MCDP Chair Mark Fraley at [email protected]. 

IN THIS ISSUE:

Boards and Commissions Openings
Emerging Leaders Project
Summer Volunteers for Planned Parenthood
Girls, Inc. Board of Directors Opening
Calendar -
   County Archives Dedication
   City-County Residents Meeting
   Webinar: Running From Office
   Don't forget the Caucus to elect a Vice Chair
Invite a Friend to Join the DWC
Call to Action

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS OPENINGS
Regina Moore, Bloomington City Clerk has announced that applications for current vacancies for the following Boards and Commissions are now being accepted:

• Bloomington Arts Commission
• Board of Housing Quality Appeals
• Commission on the Status of Black Males
• Commission on the Status of Children and Youth
• Environmental Commission
• Housing Quality Appeals Board
• Housing Trust Fund Board of Directors -- Requires representation from one of 4 areas—banking, low income, not for profit housing, social services
• Traffic Commission
• Urban Enterprise Association 1 zone resident, 1 zone business

Application review will begin immediately and continue 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. For the most part they are open to residents of the city.

A complete list and description of Boards and Commissions as well as application materials may be found at https://bloomington.in.gov/clerk. Information and applications also are available at the City Clerk’s Office in Showers City Hall at 401 N. Morton, and at 812-349-3408.

EMERGING LEADERS PROJECT
The Emerging Leaders Project is a free, year-long leadership development program designed to help build the Indiana Democratic Party’s bench of up-and-coming Democrats. Those selected to participate attend four conferences in Indianapolis throughout the year that focus on various aspects of campaign management, public policy and party building. Emerging Leaders also participate in conference calls with high-profile Democrats, are connected to a professional mentor in their home community and are invited to attend state and local party events. Men and women between the ages of 21-40 are eligible to apply and if selected must commit to attending all four conferences on the dates set forth below.

Friday August 14, 2015 (10am-5pm Eastern)
Friday, November 13, 2015 (10am-5pm Eastern)
Friday, February 12, 2016 (10am-5pm Eastern)
Friday, May 13, 2016 (10am-5pm Eastern)

Deadline for applications for the 2015-2016 is June 15, 2015, and applicants will be notified by mid-July regarding their selection. It is a highly competitive program and applicants not selected are encouraged to re-apply in the future. Applicants may apply online by clicking here: http://form.jotform.us/form/51117074427147 or by printing the online application form and mailing it to by June 15, 2015:

Indiana Emerging Leaders Project
c/o: Indiana Democratic Party
115 West Washington St, Suite 1165
Indianapolis, IN 46204

SUMMER VOLUNTEERS FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD
Because the majority of our undergraduates are gone for the summer, Planned Parenthood of Indiana & Kentucky’s (PPINK) needs patient escorts at their Bloomington clinic. Two shifts are available on Thursday mornings:  8:15-9:45 am or 9:45–11:15 am.  Every other week or even once a month will help.  This is a summer commitment, though they'd welcome volunteers to continue if interested and able.

Patient Escorts provide patients with judgment-free and safe access to the clinic’s services.  Escorts walk patients from their cars into the clinic. Their role is to distract patients from protestors and lend support simply by being there.  Protestors are non-aggressive and primarily interested in sidewalk counseling. A security officer is on site outside of the clinic.

 For additional information or to apply, please contact:

Deborah Meader [email protected]
812-345-0930 - please leave a message

GIRLS, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS OPENING
Apply to be on Girls Inc. of Monroe County Board: If you are committed to helping girls become strong, smart and bold, consider applying for a position on the board of Girls Inc. of Monroe County.  Board membership is a great way to lead in our community and serve an important youth organization.  Questions can be directed to Jillian Kinzie, [email protected].  Application to get involved is available here - http://www.girlsinc-monroe.org/

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION CALL FOR MEMBERS
Monroe County Council President Cheryl Munson has put out the call for people interested in environmental and sustainability issues. The county council is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the county’s Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission. The commission serves in an advisory role and focuses on educating the community and engaging residents and businesses in initiatives that will help ensure a bright and viable future for the county. It meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. Applications are available online through the Monroe County website, www.co.monroe.in.us, and should be returned to the county council’s office via email or at the courthouse.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

County Archives to be Dedicated
Monroe County Record Archives will be dedicated and named for long time Monroe County Recorder and County Clerk Jim Fielder on Tuesday at 4:15 pm. Program will take place at the main entrance to 501 North Morton.  The ceremony will take place inside depending on weather. The public is invited to this event.

City-County Residents Meeting
City Councilor Dorothy Granger and County Commissioner Julie Thomas invite you to attend a City-County residents' meeting on Wednesday, May 27th at 11:30 am at Rachael's Cafe (300 E. 3rd Street). The program will focus on City and County Plan Commissions. City Councilor Chris Sturbaum (Bloomington Plan Commission) and John Irvine (County Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals) will present information on the types of petitions and the process each Plan Commission follows and will explore how the Commissions differ. Your questions and comments are welcome.

Webinar--Running From Office: Why Young Americans Are Turned Off To Politics
On Wednesday, May 27, at 3 PM Eastern, join us for a webinar with Jennifer Lawless, PhD, Professor of Government and Director of the Women & Politics Institute at American University and Richard Fox, PhD, Professor of Political Science at Loyola Marymount University for a conversation about how we can inspire the next generation— especially young women— to run for office. 

Through an original, national survey of more than 4,000 high school and college students, as well as more than 100 in-depth interviews, Jennifer L. Lawless and Richard L. Fox find that young Americans feel completely alienated from contemporary politics and express little ambition or aspiration to run for office in the future. Running From Office paints a profile of the next generation that should sound alarm bells- what will happen when this generation is expected to take the reins of political power?  RSVP at the link below.

https://act.myngp.com/el/8493168213844035328/6795799255883712256

Moderated by Marla Turner, President of Emerge Nevada

INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN THE DWC 
Ask a friend, co-worker or colleague who is interested in learning more about making a positive impact on the presence of women in office to accompany you to our monthly breakfast or to one of the local political events.
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. 

CALL TO ACTION
1- Get a "Fire Mike Pence" yard sign from Democratic Headquarters!
Email [email protected] for information.

2- attend one of the Memorial Day activities:

Do you have news items?
Send your items of interest to us at [email protected].

Deadline for MMN is noon on Sunday.