DWC 2019 STEERING COMMITTEE ELECTION INFORMATION

We will be electing members to the 2020 DWC Steering Committee at our Dec. 6, 2019 Breakfast at the Village Deli. Up for election are the positions of Vice Chair, Treasurer and up to five At-Large members. Currently we have four women who have expressed an interest in running for the at-large positions. If you have an interest in joining the Steering Committee please email DWC Chair Carolyn VandeWiele at [email protected]. Nominations can also be taken from the floor at the monthly breakfast.

Later today we will send out a ballot and voting information to all the DWC members who qualify to vote in this year’s Steering Committee Elections. If you believe that you should have received a ballot but did not, please email [email protected] asap and we will check into the situation asap.

Here are the candidates and candidate statements for the women who have put their names forward to run for the DWC Steering Committee this year….

VICE CHAIR - KAISA GOODMAN

My name is Kaisa Goodman, and I’m asking for your vote for DWC Vice Chair. I’ve been involved with local politics and the DWC for the past few years, and I’m excited for the opportunity to serve and give back in this role.
Most recently, I worked as the Executive Director for the Monroe County Democratic Party as well as the Campaign Manager for Mayor Hamilton. I currently serve as MCDP Treasurer and as a board member of the Eugene V. Debs Foundation. I’m also a member of the 2019-20 class of Hoosier Women Forward, a leadership development program for Democratic women in Indiana. In 2015, I managed City Council Member Dave Rollo’s successful re-election campaign. From 2015-17, I was a board member for Democracy for Monroe County (Secretary 2015-16, Vice Chair 2016-17), and I’m a graduate of the IDP Emerging Leaders Project, class of 2016-17. While an employee at Bloomingfoods, I was a lead organizer in the successful efforts to unionize, then serving on the negotiation committee for the initial contract and as a union steward with the UFCW Local 700.
I’m a non-traditional student and am completing my Bachelors in Environmental & Sustainability Studies and Political & Civic Engagement at IU this spring. I work as a licensed insurance agent with Shine Insurance.

TREASURER - VICKY SORENSEN

I have been a member of the Democratic Women’s Caucus since 2010. In 2016 I was willing to put my name on the ballot for the Treasurer position as my way to give back to DWC who provided support, training, and encouragement when I ran for Indian Creek Township Trustee in 2010 and in 2014.
My belief in the mission of DWC to empower and support women for political office inspires me to be committed to the work that the DWC Steering Committee provides such as programs for the monthly breakfast, trainings offered to women in either running for a political office or helping with campaigns, and fundraisers. Because of this I am once again willing to put my name on the ballot for the Treasurer position for the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

STEERING COMMITTEE AT LARGE

CLAIRE CUMBERLAND

To the members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. I, Claire Cumberland, am asking for your vote in my efforts to join your Steering Committee. Since graduating from Indiana University I have been involved with multiple boards and committees throughout the community. These include being appointed to the city’s Commission on Sustainability, the Bloomington Food Policy Council’s Steering Committee, as well as an ex-officio appointment to the Board of Directors for Bloomingfoods’ followed by an elected role. I have spent time on political endeavors as well, such as being a delegate to the Indiana Democratic Convention, taking part in Bloomington’s Citizens’ Academy, managing a city council campaign, and most recently being asked to serve as the Monroe County Democratic Party’s Communications Deputy Chair. I have years of leadership experience both academically and professionally. Also, I have recently gone through the Community Justice and Mediation Center’s 40 Hour Mediation training certificate program and in January I am taking the Red/Blue Workshop with Better Angels.
Combining my executive experiences with my political drive and desire for a more effective and ethical body politic, I am confident I will be a unique and potent member of this committee. I appreciate your time and look forward to serving, should you give me the opportunity.

EMILY SALZMANN

I am a local attorney practicing criminal defense law and a partner at Salzmann Law LLC. I am also a mom of two little ones. Though I am very busy, like all the other wonderful women out there doing it all, I have always tried to make time for the DWC. I began attending meetings in 2014 and have tried to be steady and regular in my attendance since then. I have served on the Endorsement Committee and am finishing serving my first term on the Steering Committee in the position of vice chair. Working as a local attorney I have seen in countless ways how local politics and elected officials can influence and affect the lives of those in this community.
I wish to continue serving on the steering committee as an at large member because I believe in the mission of the DWC. I agree with the principles that the DWC stands for and believe in it's mission. I am committed to helping the DWC move forward and stay true to the foundation already laid by the countless women who came before while still doing what is necessary to adapt and excel into a new era. I hope to be elected to the steering committee to help do this great work.

ELIZABETH SENSENSTEIN

I am originally from Akron, Ohio and received a degree in Sociology from Thiel College in Pennsylvania. After working as a social worker in Pittsburgh for four years, I moved to Indiana. During my time in Bloomington, I have been a social worker, owned a food truck, and finally found a home with Monroe County Government. Over the past three years, I have worked in multiple departments, most recently taking over as the Human Resources Administrator.
As a DWC member, I am excited to be considered as a candidate for the Steering Committee. I work with our elected officials every day, many are women who have sought support from the DWC. The greatest resource these elected officials have are the people they surround themselves with, whether that is their family, employees, or groups such as the DWC. The most important part of being a leader is having a team of people around them to inspire and encourage. As a member of the Steering Committee, I will continue the mission of the DWC to strengthen our Democratic Women through unity, collaboration and teamwork.

MARLEYLA WILTZ

Marleyla Wiltz is a junior at Bloomington High School South, and is a budding local activist. In 2017, after the election of Donald Trump, Marleyla traveled to Washington D.C. for the Women’s March. The following year, after the Parkland, Florida school shooting, Marleyla joined the Bloomington Students Against Assault Weapons who raised enough money to travel to DC for the March For Our Lives. She has been an active member of the Young Democrats Club at BHSS as well as the local chapter of Students Demand Action, which advocates for common sense gun laws in America. This past year, Marleyla has started and is the current president of the Women In Politics Club at her high school, which is a nonpartisan club dedicated towards encouraging young girls to become more active in local politics and eventually run for office. She also was one of the participants from South High School who walked out of school on September 20th to strike to demand action from our leaders on climate change. Just last month, she participated in the city of Bloomington’s Teen RoundTable program, which was used by the city to gather information and opinions of local youth about the city’s present and future issues. Marleyla is looking forward to doing even more to help Bloomington in the future.
I am running for a steering committee position because I am interested in local politics, I feel that I bring a unique youth perspective, and I would love to get more involved with the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

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/

We are hoping that everyone has had a good Thanksgiving weekend - whether you shared it with family, or friends, or just did your own thing. This is a great time to reflect on the blessings in our lives as well as the challenges that face our nation and to think about how we can all make the world a better place for everyone. One way to do that is to help elect politicians who are true public servants rather than those who are only concerned with ideology and vested interests.
In her column this morning Sheila Kennedy wrote “If we work hard and are very lucky, next Thanksgiving we will be grateful for the electoral defeat of Trumpworld – grateful for confirmation that good Americans outnumber the racists in his cult. (If we aren’t lucky, we can kiss the America I’ve believed in goodbye.) We shall see what the next year brings.”

The DWC is thankful for all of you who have believed over the years that electing pro-choice, progressive women is important to our lives - for the veterans who have helped guide us over the years and for the youngsters who are just spreading their wings. This is a busy time for the caucus.

At our Breakfast on December 6th we will host a panel that looks at the current efforts to reform the criminal justice system here in Monroe County.
We will also hold elections for 2020 members of the DWC Steering Committee (and yes we’re still looking for a few women to join us). In the next couple of days we’ll send out biographies for the women who have put their names forward to run this year and all up-to-date members will receive instructions on how to vote, whether in person, by email or by proxy.
And finally we’ll start collecting dues for 2020. The coming year will have a lot of challenges and we hope that you will all join us in the fight.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Announcements
Events
Action Items

Carolyn --

**DWC 2019 STEERING COMMITTEE ELECTION INFORMATION

We will be electing members to the 2020 DWC Steering Committee at our Dec. 6, 2019 Breakfast at the Village Deli.

In the next week we’ll be sending out a list of the candidates who are interested in running this year with head shots, bios and information on how you can vote.
Today we wanted to share two important details with our membership…

If you are interested in joining the DWC Steering Committee or would like to nominate someone to run for the Steering Committee, please send that information to [email protected] asap.

If you have questions about what the Steering Committee does, when it meets, etc. please email DWC Chair Carolyn VandeWiele at [email protected] or call her at 812-320-9920.

If you wish to vote in the 2019 DWC Steering Committee Election your 2019 DWC Membership must be paid by Friday Nov. 22, 2019 at noon.
If you are not sure that your membership is up to date email [email protected] and we’ll get back to you asap.
Membership is $20 per year and If you need to update your membership you can do so online here: https://democraticwomenscaucus.nationbuilder.com/membership

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/

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

**DWC TRAINING SERIES - WHAT OFFICES ARE OPEN IN 2020!

Next DWC Training!! - What To Run For in 2020
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
MCDP Headquarters Democracy Lab, 116 S. Madison St., Bloomington

Have you thought about running for office in Monroe County? What offices are up for election in 2020? Although the upcoming presidential election has been overshadowing everything that has been happening in the past months (or maybe years), these are critical offices that keep our government functioning at the state and local level … and affect all of us in the county.
Join the DWC on Tuesday, November 19 at 6pm at the MCDP Headquarters Democracy Lab, 116 S. Madison St., for a discussion about the Offices open in 2020. We’ll talk about what offices are up for election, how to file, what the requirements are, if any, to run, what to expect when in office, and what background experience might be helpful to serve in the office.

The training will be led by Penny Githens, Michelle Bright, Olivia Reed and Carolyn VandeWiele.
Your rsvp to [email protected] will help us have enough training materials on hand.

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/

CONGRATULATIONS!

A hearty congratulations to DWC candidate Sue Sgambelluri on winning her race for City Council District 2!!! Sue worked incredibly hard and ran a great race against an organized and well-funded Republican opponent. Thanks to all of our DWC members who provided Sue with their time and advice. And now on to the work of electing DWC members to our Steering Committee in December, and then to the elections in 2020.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Announcements
Voting Information for the 2019 Municipal Election
Events
Action Items

The last two days of voting in the 2019 Municipal Elections are upon us - it’s crunch time. While much has been made of the fact that there are only two races in this year’s elections - turnout within the two districts where there is voting has been extremely light. These are important elections that will help to decide how our city is governed for the next four years…
When turn out is light getting out the vote is critical. If you’ve got a few hours over the next two days… contact our endorsed candidate Sue Sgambelluri to offer your help. Her opponent may be well funded but ultimately it’s the number of people who vote who will make the difference, so make those phone calls and remind your neighbors that it’s time to vote. You can also contact the Monroe County Democratic Party to see what you can do to help Democrats win on Nov. 5. And, of course, if you live in District 2 or 3, get to the polls - every vote counts.

A big thank you to Christie Popp for coming to our Breakfast last Friday to share her expertise on immigration enforcement with our membership. She gave us a brief overview of the changes that have occurred since the 2016 elections and of how immigration enforcement is handled on the local level as well as the potential costs to the community of current policies and took the time to answer our questions as well.
Those who want to know more are encouraged to like Popp & Bullman, Attorneys-at-Law on Facebook… the website has a wealth of information on the subject. In addition, seek out the American Immigration Lawyers Association Election Guide. With the 2020 elections approaching and immigration at the forefront of national debate, the AILA 2020 Election Guide provides an easily accessible resource for AILA members, Congress, and the public. The Guide shows each presidential candidate's positions and proposals for reforming and modernizing America's immigration system.
And finally, attend the Public Discussion On How Local Immigration Enforcement Impacts Our Community at Monroe County Public Library Auditorium from 7:00 to 8:30pm on November 6 where there will be time for a much more thorough discussion of the topic. An educated public is the best advocate for those who are vulnerable in our community.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Announcements
Voting Information for the 2019 Municipal Election
Events
Action Items

From the Fast Forward Blog - On this day in 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated, the day President Grover Cleveland officially accepted "Liberty Enlightening the World " as a gift from France. It was New York City's first ticker-tape parade, but crowds were modest because of rain. There was a parade of 300 vessels that passed by the statue, and other spectator boats. Among them was a boat chartered by the New York State Woman Suffrage Association, which was unable to obtain tickets to the dedication because they were "unaccompanied women." But they persisted.

The first week of Early Voting in the 2019 Municipal Election is over. In District 2, Democrat Sue Sgambelluri is running against Republican Andrew Guenther. In District 3 Democrat Ron Smith is running against Nick Kappas and Marty Spechler who are running as Independents.
There are approximately 16,200 registered voters in Districts 2 and 3. Fewer than 200 eligible voters have cast their ballots to date. This means that just a few votes could determine who will be representing those two City Council districts for the next 4 years. The candidate who does the best job of getting out the vote generally wins, but this year that may be more critical than ever. If you live in District 2 or 3, it’s time to get out and vote, and remind your neighbors to vote as well. Every vote counts.

If you are interested in working on election day we are still looking for a few more democrats to work the polls - please contact Kaisa at [email protected]

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Announcements
Special Announcement from Sue Sgambelluri
Voting Information for the 2019 Municipal Election
Events
Action Items

Early Voting for the 2019 Municipal Election Starts Today!!

In Bloomington City Council Districts 2 and 3 are the only races that have more than one candidate seeking office and only voters living in Bloomington City Council Districts 2 and 3 will cast a ballot for candidates this year. There are no elections in the towns of Ellettsville and Stinesville, as there were no positions with more than one candidate. Monroe County residents who live outside city and town boundaries are unable to vote in municipal elections.

Who is on the ballot?
Bloomington City Council District 2
Sue Sgambelluri (D)
Andrew Guenther (R)

Bloomington City Council District 3
Ron Smith (D)
Nick Kappas (I)
Marty Spechler (I)

HOW TO VOTE:

Early voting in person
WHERE: Election Central, 401 W. Seventh St.,
near the intersection of Seventh and Madison streets.
WHEN:
Mon. - Fri. Oct. 21-25: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sat. - Oct. 26: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mon. - Fri. Oct. 28-Nov. 1: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sat. - Nov. 2: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Mon. Nov. 4: 8 a.m.-noon

Election Day Voting:
Voters who prefer to wait till Election Day to vote have to go to the poll location that corresponds to their precinct. The polls will be open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Here is a list of the polling locations for the 2019 fall municipal election in Bloomington:
District 2
Bloomington 5, 23: Indiana Memorial Union, 900 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington 7: Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, 2120 N. Fee Lane.
Bloomington 13, 17: Genesis Church, 801 E. Ind. 45/46 Bypass.
Bloomington 14: Arlington Heights Elementary, 700 W. Parrish Road.
District 3
Bloomington 9, 10, 16: University Elementary, 1111 N. Russell Road.
Bloomington 21: Evangelical Community Church, 503 S. High St.
Bloomington 22: Meadowood Retirement, 2455 N. Tamarack Trail.
Perry 20: Binford Elementary, 2300 E. Second St.
Perry 21: Eastview Church of Nazarene, 4545 E. Lampkins Ridge Road.

IDENTIFICATION:
Early in-person voters and Election Day voters need to provide a valid photo ID,
A photo ID must meet four criteria to be acceptable for voting purposes.
According to the Indiana Secretary of State Election Division, a valid ID must:
Display the voter’s photo.
Display a name that confirms with the voter’s registration record. It does not have to be identical.
Display an expiration date that is current or expired sometime after the date of the last general election, Nov. 8, 2016.
Be issued by the state of Indiana or the U.S. government.
In most cases, an Indiana driver’s license, Indiana photo ID card, military ID or U.S. passport is all you need. In addition, a student ID from an Indiana state school may be used if it meets the same criteria. Also acceptable are interim IDs issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
A student ID from a private institution may not be used.

Voting absentee by mail
Registered voters must meet one of the following requirements to vote absentee by mail:
have a disability;
be 65 years or older;
have a reasonable expectation that they will not be in Monroe County on Election Day;
be unable to get away from their jobs on Election Day when the polls are open;
be confined due to illness or injury or are the caregivers of such a person when polls are open;
be unable to vote because of a religions discipline or religious holiday while polls are open;
be a participant in the state’s address confidentiality program;
be members of the military, public safety officers;
be unable to vote due to the unavailability of transportation to the polls or poll workers with official election duties outside their precinct.
Absentee-by-mail voters are not required to show photo ID.
Absentee-by-mail applications must be received by county officials by Oct. 24 11:59 p.m. email, fax or mail.

Voting absentee by traveling board
A voter must meet one of the following requirements:
expects to be confined due to illness or injury or expects to be caring for a confined person on Election Day;
have a disability and believes their polling place is not accessible to them or are physically unable to complete the ballot and sign the affidavit on their own.
A bipartisan absentee voter board will deliver and assist the voter with the ballot.
Those interested in voting by travel board have until Nov. 4 at noon to make that request.
Those who vote absentee by traveling board are not required to show a photo ID.

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/

October is in full swing now and there's less than one month until election day. While our local election is smaller than normal this year with only two Council districts on the ballot, please remember that we have one DWC-endorsed candidate running with an opponent in one of those districts--Sue Sgambelluri in District 2. Please help Sue's push to win in this crucial period by visiting www.SueForCityCouncil.com or Sue Sgambelluri for City Council on Facebook to share your ideas, find out how to get involved, or to make a contribution.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: