WA Institute for a Democratic Future – December 16, 2025

Posted on December 16, 2025

In this Issue:

Join us to celebrate the Class of 2026 on January 9!
Support WAIDF’s Scholarship Fund
Interested in joining the board of directors?
We’re bringing back our Jobs List-Serv!

Join us to celebrate the Class of 2026 on January 9!

On behalf of the board of directors, staff, alumni, and partner sponsors, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the Class of 2026 as they begin their six-month fellowship journey.

April Sims, President of the Washington State Labor Council, will be the keynote speaker.

We aim to reveal the Class of 2026 before the year ends, so stay tuned for that roster.

Event Details:

Friday, January 9, 6 – 8 p.m.
Inatai Foundation | 1301 5th Ave #2800 Seattle, WA, 98101
Ticket Prices:
- General Admission: $32
- Kickoff Sponsor: $100
- Kickoff Champion: $2026

Questions? Please reach out to us at info@democraticfuture.org.

Buy your ticket(s) now!

Support WAIDF’s Scholarship Fund

One of the most critical aspects of the program is ensuring access and affordability for all fellows.

A contribution, whether it’s $5, $25, $250, or $5,000, helps ensure that someone from Yakima, or Spokane, or a rural corner of the state can say “yes” to this program. It also helps offset travel, reduce tuition, and open doors for leaders who might otherwise be shut out.

Every dollar helps us live our values: that leadership shouldn’t depend on your income. Please help us raise $10,000 by December 31!

Contribute Now

Interested in joining the board of directors?

Join the board of directors! After another record-breaking year of applicants, we’re more energized than before, and we’re looking for board members to join us in this journey in the new year.

One position we are trying to fill is the Treasurer role. If you have a financial background or are willing to step into the role and learn the ins and outs of being a Treasurer, please reach out!

Official recruitment to fill current board vacancies will take place in January. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more, please reach out to board chair Francis Choe at chair@democraticfuture.org.

We’re bringing back our Jobs List-Serv!

We’re pleased to announce that we’re bringing back our WAIDF Jobs List-Serv!

To subscribe, either email jobs+subscribe@democraticfuture.org (no subject line or text in the body is necessary)or use this Google Form.

If you choose the email option, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and your request will be approved shortly thereafter.

Subscribe via Google Form

Our mailing address is:

Institute for a Democratic Future

401 2nd Ave S Ste 303

Seattle, WA 98104

	January 2026
Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
				1	2 FredMeyer Pickup Order Time FredMeyer Pickup Order Time January 2, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 101 Wellsian Way Richland, WA 99352 See more details •	3 No One Is Above the Law: Monthly Hermiston Visibility Rally No One Is Above the Law: Monthly Hermiston Visibility Rally January 3, 2026 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM East Highland Avenue & South Highway 395 Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community members in Hermiston for our No One Is Above the Law visibility action! On the first Saturday of each month join folks in fighting for accountability, democracy, and justice — reminding our neighbors that the rule of law applies to everyone. Bring your signs, your voice, and your energy for an hour of peaceful sign-waving and community visibility. 📅 When: 1st Saturday of every month at 11:00 AM \| 📍 Where: Corner of Hwy 395 & Highland (by Safeway), Hermiston, OR See more details No War No War January 3, 2026 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Columbia Center Blvd Kennewick Well, waking up to an invasion in Venezuela gets your heart pumping and a desire to say NO TO WAR! The local Tri-Cities for Palestine is holding a rally TODAY and TOMORROW at 5pm. IF you want to get out on the streets. Indivisible will not be there as a group, but know many want to get out! Join them!! The Benton County Democrats are not part of planning or activity of this rally. Please attend at your own risk. See more details • •
4 No War No War January 4, 2026 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Columbia Center Blvd Kennewick Well, waking up to an invasion in Venezuela gets your heart pumping and a desire to say NO TO WAR! The local Tri-Cities for Palestine is holding a rally TODAY and TOMORROW at 5pm. IF you want to get out on the streets. Indivisible will not be there as a group, but know many want to get out! Join them!! The Benton County Democrats are not part of planning or activity of this rally. Please attend at your own risk. See more details •	5 Posters for Progress! Posters for Progress! January 5, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Hermiston First United Methodist Church 191 E Gladys Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community organizers for Signs of Progress — a relaxed evening of creativity, connection, and collective action! There will be sign making, postcard writing, and conversation about the issues that matter most to us. Whether you’re passionate about local causes or just love good company and community spirit, there’s a place for you at the table. See more details •	6 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday January 6, 2026 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Richland City Council Richland City Council January 6, 2026 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • •	7	8 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs January 8, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details •	9 FredMeyer Pickup Order Time FredMeyer Pickup Order Time January 9, 2026 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 101 Wellsian Way Richland, WA 99352 See more details Tri-City Democrats - Friday, January 9, 6:00 PM Tri-City Democrats - Friday, January 9, 6:00 PM January 9, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Round Table Pizza3201 W Court St, Pasco Let’s join together for our first gathering of 2026. This month we'll meet at the Round Table Pizza on Court Street in Pasco. January 9 at 6pm. Come gather with like-minded folks and share some fellowship, food and beverages. As is our normal practice, Tri-City Democrats will order several pizzas to share. We'll have the donation box available for those who care to financially support the group. Some of our generous members are likely to purchase pitchers of beer to share. If you want the salad bar or soft drinks, you are on your own for those items. At this writing, we do not have a planned program, but we will have 'Hate Has no Home Here' signs available. We are coming up on election time for the group - at our January meeting we'll plan to hold elections for our officers for 2026. Please let us know if you are interested in serving on the board! For full details, including the address, and to RSVP see: https://www.meetup.com/tri-city-democrats/events/312748334/ See more details • •	10 Ice Out for Good Ice Out for Good January 10, 2026 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Columbia Center Blvd, in front of the mall, parking near JC Penny’s A broad coalition of groups across the country is calling for a coordinated Ice Out For Good Weekend of Action on Saturday, January 10th and Sunday, January 11th to demand accountability, honor the life lost, and make visible the human cost of ICE’s actions. See more details •
11 Sunnyside WA Street Rally and Protest against ICE and corporations that assist them! Sunnyside WA Street Rally and Protest against ICE and corporations that assist them! January 11, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/880996/ This a local Indivisible event! We will meet on the sidewalk in front of Sunnyside Walmart at 12pm.✊🏼Sunday, January 11, there will be a protest in front of Walmart in Sunnyside from 12-2pm! Community, bring your 'No ICE' signs, your flags, and your voices! 📣 We are tired of shopping at their stores and them not protecting or supporting their customers! We don’t want ICE in their parking lots! 🧊🚫 Please share… See you there 🙏🏼 See more details •	12 Posters for Progress! Posters for Progress! January 12, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Hermiston First United Methodist Church 191 E Gladys Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community organizers for Signs of Progress — a relaxed evening of creativity, connection, and collective action! There will be sign making, postcard writing, and conversation about the issues that matter most to us. Whether you’re passionate about local causes or just love good company and community spirit, there’s a place for you at the table. See more details Benton County Executive Board Benton County Executive Board January 12, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Dr, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • •	13 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday January 13, 2026 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Kennewick City Council Workshop Kennewick City Council Workshop January 13, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM See more details • •	14	15 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs January 15, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details Franklin County Democratic Central Committee (FCDCC) Full Membership Meeting Franklin County Democratic Central Committee (FCDCC) Full Membership Meeting January 15, 2026 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM Location: Library, 1320 W Hopkins Street, Pasco Virtual Option (Zoom): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9144488289?pwd=OENYNWRxR1VtQkVFT1RsMU13RlZLUT09 Please join us for our first general meeting of 2026! The January general meeting will happen on Thursday, the 15th. We will have our usual potluck at 5:30pm and with the meeting starting at 6pm. Our meeting will be both in person at the Pasco MCL Branch Library (1320 W. Hopkins) and on zoom. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9144488289?pwd=OENYNWRxR1VtQkVFT1RsMU13RlZLUT09 See more details • •	16	17 Indivisible Tri-cities Working Meeting Indivisible Tri-cities Working Meeting January 17, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Mid-Columbia Library (Union) 1620 S Union St Kennewick, WA 99338 Join us to get the year rolling! We will be planning for the coming year, join together in community, and have a little fun! See more details •
18	19 A Taste of Afghanistan A Taste of Afghanistan January 19, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM B5 Learning Center 715 S Jean Street Kennewick, WA 99336 Join B5 for a meal prepared by our Afghan friends on Monday, January 19. It will be an evening of delicious food, community, and an opportunity to learn about Afghan culture. We hope you join us as we create a community of open hearts, helping hands, and supportive systems where we all thrive. https://thriveatb5.networkforgood.com/events/95545-a-taste-of-afghanistan See more details Posters for Progress! Posters for Progress! January 19, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Hermiston First United Methodist Church 191 E Gladys Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community organizers for Signs of Progress — a relaxed evening of creativity, connection, and collective action! There will be sign making, postcard writing, and conversation about the issues that matter most to us. Whether you’re passionate about local causes or just love good company and community spirit, there’s a place for you at the table. See more details • •	20 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday January 20, 2026 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Richland City Council Richland City Council January 20, 2026 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • •	21	22 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs January 22, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details BCDCC General Public Meeting BCDCC General Public Meeting January 22, 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Meeting details will be provided over email from the Benton County Democrats Chair. See more details • •	23	24 Stitch & Story Circle with Indivisible Tri-Cities Stitch & Story Circle with Indivisible Tri-Cities January 24, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Richland Public Library Doris Roberts Gallery 955 Northgate Richland, WA You’re invited to our next Stitch & Story Circle with Indivisible Tri-Cities! Join us for a cozy, welcoming morning of book discussion, community conversation, and knitting or crafting if you’d like. See more details •
25	26 Posters for Progress! Posters for Progress! January 26, 2026 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Hermiston First United Methodist Church 191 E Gladys Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 Join local community organizers for Signs of Progress — a relaxed evening of creativity, connection, and collective action! There will be sign making, postcard writing, and conversation about the issues that matter most to us. Whether you’re passionate about local causes or just love good company and community spirit, there’s a place for you at the table. See more details •	27 Tri-cities Protest Tuesday Tri-cities Protest Tuesday January 27, 2026 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA "Protest Tuesday" at John Dam Plaza on GWay in Richland from 3:30pm to 4:30PM. Bring your own sign or flag or one will be provided. Join our stalwarts and protest whatever is bothering you most that day. If possible, also bring a donation for the Food Bank. https://www.facebook.com/events/999996418325987/999996484992647/ See more details Richland City Council Workshop Richland City Council Workshop January 27, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Richland City Hall, 505 Swift Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, USA See more details • •	28	29 Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs Indivisible TC - Founder Hour, Thurs January 29, 2026 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM The Zoom link can be found in the most recent Indivisible TC Do Something Email Newsletter. This is a Zoom meeting. The link to the meeting is provided in the weekly Do-Something email. When you join the organization at this link: https://www.indivisibletricitieswa.org/join-us , you will receive this newsletter. Join in and ask questions, get updates or just say hi! These are held every Thursday at 12pm and occasional weekends. See more details •	30 National Day of Action and Walkout National Day of Action and Walkout January 30, 2026 1:50 PM - 5:00 PM John Dam Plaza Knight @ George Washington Way Richland, WA On January 20, I pledge to walk out on fascism and walk toward a Free America. I refuse to accept raids, purges, surveillance, and fear as the new normal. I will help block the routines of power, support my community, and take action with courage and care. Join us for 5 minutes or an hour or more. See more details Benton-Franklin Democrats Precinct Committee Officer Training Benton-Franklin Democrats Precinct Committee Officer Training January 30, 2026 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM IBEW Local 77, 7025 W Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick WA. Plan to attend. Mark your calendar for Precinct Committee Officer Training January 30, 2026, 5 PM to 8PM at IBEW Local 77, 7025 W Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick WA. More details coming. See more details Precinct Committee Officer Training Precinct Committee Officer Training January 30, 2026 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM IBEW Local 77, 7025 W Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99336, USA See more details • • •	31

Benton County WA Democrats