 |
July 2005 Newsletter | ||||||||||||||||||
Thurston County Democratswww.thurstondemocrats.org
|
|||||||||||||||||||
John Cusick, Debby Pattin, Roger Erskine, Jeff Holcomb, Jane Johnson, Linda Lombard, Joel Staloch, Jeanne Passarelli, Executive Committee Woman Jerry Muchmore, Mary Anderson, Calendar Leigh McKinsey, P.O. Box 164 360-956-0235
Highlights from last TCD Central Committee MeetingTrain to Frame Presentation by John Pearce 2005 Campaign Services Policy Adopted Next TCD Central Committee MeetingJuly 25th Thurston County Courthouse Bldg. 1 Room 152 7:00pm – All TCD PCOs and other Democrats Agenda Mark Wilson, Candidate for U.S. Senate Dan Kimball, Candidate for TC Sheriff Leg. District 2Bill Harrington, Chair Meetings Leg. District 20Bob Guenther, Chair Meetings Leg. District 22John Cusick, Chair Meetings Leg. District 35Fran Moyer, Chair Meetings |
Special Messages TCD Chair's MessageWith half the year now behind us, it’s helpful to pause and reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going. Among our many successes and accomplishments thus far are helping the State party ensure the gubernatorial election process was affirmed and Governor Gregoire remains in the office to which she was duly elected, supporting our fine LD 22 legislators and their colleagues in implementing one of the most progressive agendas in years, adopted and forwarded a resolution demanding an exit strategy from Iraq, implemented an attractive and informative electronic newsletter, upgraded our web site, reassessed and began to revise our campaign services offerings, held a well attended and profitable JJ Dinner and auction, began to establish a healthy campaign services fund to assist local candidates, trained PCOs in organizing precinct committees and framing issues, collaborated with local unions to begin long overdue repairs on the burger booth, and increased our involvement with local community groups and organizations, such as the Thurston County Food Bank and the Thurston County Progressive Network. We have much to be proud of and I am humbled and grateful for the cooperation, participation and hard work of so many in achieving so much. With the elections of 2006 rapidly approaching, there’s still a lot to do! We’re increasingly concerned that “A majority of Americans think the country is on the wrong track, with the war in Iraq the most frequently cited cause for concern. But that discontent has not translated into gains for the Democratic Party...” (see http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0629/p02s01-usmb.html). While we Democrats seem able to distinguish ourselves and offer an alternative vision at the State and local levels, we still fail to see a comprehensive, consistent alternative vision at the national level. We can find hope in the fact we’re not alone. Other local and state party organizations are similarly implementing progressive agendas and working to affect similar change nationally. We must continue to grow our party locally in preparation for 2006 and beyond. We have a great start, but we need to reach out further to our friends, neighbors and community organizations, sharing our human values and beliefs in what democracy can and should be at all levels. We need to identify more PCOs for all those vacant precincts, recruit more dues paying members, secure more subscribers to our newsletters and get more supporters involved and committed to change. As more community members get involved, we’re more likely to affect the change we know is needed. The Burger Booth Gets a Much Needed Overhall!With a generous donation from Mike Murphy’s “Committee to Re-elect Mike Murphy, Washington State Treasurer,” invaluable skilled labor from members of the pipe fitters and plumbers, painters and allied trades, electrical and sheet metal unions, and Jerry Muchmore’s persistent coordinating efforts, long overdue maintenance on our Burger Booth has begun by redoing much of the interior and electrical and propane systems. If resources allow we hope to continue by refurbishing the exterior after this busy Lakefair and Harbor Days season. Thanks to all who helped in this effort and to all who are helping staff the booth during the busy summer season! A Message from Adam SmithThis 4th of July weekend, I thought about how fortunate we are to live in the United States. In many places in the world, someone like me – whose family had few economic advantages – would never have received a high school education, let alone attended college and been fortunate enough to become a Member of Congress. My story is not unique in our nation, because all Americans have the opportunity to receive an education and achieve the goals they set. But, elsewhere in the world, children are born into such abject poverty that even surviving into adulthood is an accomplishment. More than 3.5 billion people live on less than $2 a day. 1.2 billion people live without access to safe drinking water. Nearly 800 million people do not get enough food, and about 500 million people are chronically malnourished. More than a third of children are malnourished. I believe that the United States has a strategic and moral obligation to alleviate these problems and the global poverty that causes them. That is why, last month, I worked with other members of the House International Relations Committee to shape the State Department Authorization Act for 2006 and 2007. The committee included a provision I crafted that declares the elimination of global poverty a top priority of United States foreign policy. My provision also states that the US will work with developing countries, donor countries, and international organizations to coordinate a solution. While this will be a difficult task, it is necessary for global security and stability. In unstable countries, poverty leads desperate people to accept extremist philosophies, whose violent manifestations were demonstrated on September 11th, and this week in London. If we can help struggling and failed states to provide economic stability for their citizens, we can produce a generation of people who are less susceptible to violent, anti-Western ideologies. We also have a moral obligation to address the issue of global poverty and the recent G-8 Summit in Scotland provided such an opportunity. I’m pleased with the progress evidenced by the summit, but much remains to be done. I’m committed to working with my colleagues in the House and with other interested groups and individuals to develop and implement a comprehensive, real-world strategy for dealing with global poverty. While our task would be easier with a balanced budget and a sane fiscal policy, we must continue our work, join with the rest of the international community and continue pushing for solutions. Albert Schweitizer famously said “Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight”. The US should demonstrate our commitment to those who are less fortunate show real leadership and help marshal the international effort to rid the world of extreme poverty. Welcome New Precinct Committee Officers (PCO)!New PCO for LD 20
New PCOs for LD 22
Canvassing is Fun!A big thanks to Gus Fromuth for his work as “acting PCO”. He’s recruited a new PCO and found a couple of folks willing to serve on a precinct committee in Olympia 201. Jerry Broadbent, PCO-Bucoda has been busy canvassing his precinct with help from one of our newest PCO’s, KD Chapman-Skookumchuck. Need help with a precinct canvass? Contact Jeanne Passarelli at 360-455-0422 or j.passarelli@comcast.net. Precinct CommitteesPrecinct Committees are a great way to spread the work of managing your precinct. It's also a great way to meet your neighbors and encourage that all important grassroots participation!. If you are interested in forming a precinct committee, we have a video “Karl Rove – The Architect” that you might like to use as a conversation starter. To learn more about Precinct Committees or to borrow the video, contact Jeanne Passarelli at 360-455-0422. ‘Caretaker’ PCOsA Caretaker PCO is someone who serves as the acting PCO for a precinct without a precinct committee officer. The primary duty of the Caretaker is to recruit a PCO who lives within the boundaries of that precinct. The Caretaker PCO will contact the identified “A” and “B” Democrats residing within the precinct and try to put together a Precinct Committee to help with canvassing the precinct. “Caretaker” PCOs do not have the voting privileges that elected and appointed PCOs have, so their work as non-voting volunteers is especially appreciated. If you would be interested in serving as a Caretaker PCO for a nearby precinct, please contact Debby Pattin, 1st Vice Chair, at debbypattin@thurstondemocrats.org or 866-8664. Legislative District News
Annual Picnic Saturday, July 24th, 12 noon to 3:30 pm Meet local elected officials and your fellow District Democrats in this beautiful waterfront setting. TCD Community Connections August 1st - Thurston County Food BankThe next TC Food Bank workday is August 1st. The numbers of people needing food assistance continues to climb, reaching over 200 in one week. Unfortunately for our community, we continue to set new records in numbers served. Why not join us and see what we’ve been doing for our community? It’s fun and satisfying, too! There are two shifts 8:00am and 12:30pm. Contact Elizabeth Shepard jemn1@earthlink.net or 943-9448 for more information. We'll see you there! Thurston County Food Bank Sunshine Committee News Andy Stephenson Volunteer for TCD Picnics are Fun...Really!Want to help make the TCD Picnic in August "the best ever"?We're still looking for volunteers to help coordinate this year's TCD Annual Picnic. Let's make our picnic "the best one ever"" If you want to serve on the Picnic Committee, contact Elizabeth Shepard at 943-9448 or jemn1@earthlink.net. CommitteesHelp us be the the best county Democrat organization in the state!Burger Booth Support - Help us keep the Burger Booth in good repair for fundraising events. Campaign Services/Support - Have you ever been a candidate or worked on a campaign? This is the committee for you. Come help us develop and implement a plan that will support the needs of candidates, Democrats, and others involved in getting Democrats elected to local office. Volunteers - Are you an organized person who likes to motivate and engage people? These are the committees for you! PCO Support - Develop training, strategies, and other supports to make our PCOs the best trained and best prepared PCOs in the state. Education and Forums - Develop and manage events and forums that will help educate the Thurston County Democrats and our community on issues that are important to Democrats. Sunshine Fund - Donate a monthly door prize to be given away at each Thurston County Democrat Central Committee meeting. Funds collected will be used for condolence cards, flowers and other appropriate recognitions for Democrats in our community who have experienced a loss, illness or other event. Communications - Do you have experience writing for publication? Do you have experience producing a regular newsletter? Do you know how to do publicity for events? Are you interested in working on websites? This is the committee for you. We're looking for folks to help pull together the monthly newsletter, keep the website up-to-date and help us publicize Thurston County Democrat events and activities. Data & Information - This committee will be looking at what data is needed, where data is coming from, and how it should be used to further Thurston County Democrat goals and objectives. Historical Records - This committee will begin the important task of documenting the "institutional knowledge" within the Thurston County Democrat organization. There are many who have been around the organization for years who have valuable information that should be collected for current and future reference so we don't unnecessarily reinvent the wheel. Calendar and Events
|
||||||||||||||||||
It's a good day to exercise...democracy! |
|||||||||||||||||||
Comments or questions about TCD or this newsletter can be sent to info@thurstondemocrats.org |
|||||||||||||||||||
Andy Stephenson, a nationally recognized advocate for voter’s rights, passed away in Seattle on July 7th. A memorial service will be held at the Town Hall in Seattle, 1119 Eighth Ave., on Saturday, July 16th at 2:00PM.