“Signs, signs, everywhere there’s signs …” Let’s make a day out of it and prove that there really is a lively and diverse group of card-carrying democrats in Yakima and the surrounding areas!
Please join us to meet like minded people, take a walk around downtown and maybe post up to wave at a street corner or two. Once we are done, we can disperse to a wide range of businesses for hydration and sustenance.
Date: Saturday, October 22, 2022
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Performance Park – Northwest corner of North 2nd Street and Sgt. Pendleton Way in Yakima
Bring a sign that radiates your passion, expresses your anger, embodies your hope or advertises your candidate in the upcoming election.
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Our next joint monthly meeting of the Yakima County Democrats and the 14th LD Democrats will be held on Monday, October 24th at 6pm, in person at our office at 402 S. 3rd Street, and also via Zoom.
We look forward to seeing you!
Naomi Whitmore Chair, Yakima County Democrats Aileen Kane Chair, 14th LD Democrats
Our mailing address is:
Yakima County Democrats
402 S 3rd St
Yakima, WA 98901-2834
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your loved ones had a bright and happy holiday season!
This Saturday is our biennual Reorganization meeting, where we elect officers for the next 2 years. Yakima County will meet at 1:00pm and the 14th LD will meet at 2:30pm. The meetings will be held via Zoom to ensure greater accessibility across our geographically large districts.
All are welcome to attend, but only Precinct Committee Officers elected in 2022 will be able to vote at the meeting.
If you would like to receive the Rules and Agenda and the Zoom link for the meeting, please fill out the following form to register for the meeting:
(The Zoom link will also be sent out to this list prior to the meeting – you do not have to register to attend.)
The most important thing to note about the rules is that nominations are required in advance. This means we will not be accepting nominations from the floor during the meeting. If you wish to nominate yourself for an elected position – Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, or State Committee Member (2 positions), please send a declaration of your candidacy to Yakima County Chair Naomi Whitmore (naomijwhitmore@gmail.com) by January 5th.
Declared candidates for Yakima County are:
Lindsey Keesling for Chair
AJ Cooper for State Committee Member Pos. 1
Doug White for State Committee Member Pos. 2
Naomi Whitmore for Treasurer (this office is appointed)
Declared candidates for the 14th LD are:
Naomi Whitmore for Chair
Betsy Shedd for Vice Chair
Patricia Whitefoot for State Committee Member Pos. 1
Naomi Whitmore for Treasurer
Throughout the year, there will also be plenty of opportunities to work on Committees either at the local or state level to accomplish specific goals. There will also be local elections to work on, including City Council and School Board races.
What do you think the Democrats should be doing? Join us and help make it happen in 2023!
Upcoming Events
January 9 – First day of Legislative Session
January 22 – Women’s March
January 27 will be our return to Lobby Days, hosted by the WSDCC Advocacy Committee. More information to come on this exciting event!
January 28 – State Party Reorganization, Olympia
The Yakima County Democrats and the 14th LD Democrats are 100% volunteer (no paid staff), and entirely funded by donations. We need your support more than ever to keep our office open and to expand our outreach and programs in 2023. We have exciting plans and we can’t wait to get to work on them!
Thank you to all our supporters who make our work possible!
On November 17, the Columbia Basin Badger Club will present an analysis of the 2022 midterm elections by Peter Wehner, Richland native, and Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, a conservative think tank.
Wehner is a contributing opinion writer for TheNew York Times, and a contributing editor for The Atlantic. He served in the Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush administrations, including as Deputy Director of Speechwriting and later Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives for President George W. Bush. He is the author of several books, including his latest, The Death of Politics: How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump.
Wehner will provide his analysis of the meaning of the 2022 mid-term elections; what’s ahead for our politics as a result of those elections; what the mid-terms tell us about the state of American politics; and his take on the future of the Republican and Democratic parties after the mid-terms.
You won’t want to miss this important program. There is no cost to Badger Club members. Non-members may register for a nominal $5 charge.
We look forward to gathering with you at our upcoming South-Central Regional Cluster Gathering this Sunday, November 13, at 2:30 pm, in person at Shalom United Church of Christ at 505 McMurray Street in Richland, and also on line. For those in the Yakima area, you also have the option of joining a watch party at Wesley United Methodist Church at 14 N 48th Avenue in Yakima.
Please register hereyour intention to attend this gathering, including letting us know if you will be attending in person or on line. Everyone who registers will receive an emailed link to join on line. This email will come from Anderson@FANWA.Org.
Cluster gatherings are designed for learning from each other about what is happening in and around our region while also working together to develop ways that FAN can help us respond to issues collectively and powerfully.
We hope to see you Sunday. Until then, stay well and well loved!
Eric
Eric Don Anderson, M. Div. South Central WA Regional Organizer, he/him/his FAITH ACTION NETWORK www.FANWA.org 509.492.2216
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for November 9, 2022:
Midterm Election Report
Upcoming Topics in November:
Nov 16 – Creating an Inter-Movement “Generative Change” Community to Save & Strengthen Our Democratic Republic with Walter Roberts & Caleb Christen
Nov 23 – NO Democracy Happy Hour this week – Holiday Break
Nov 30 – Share your favorite democracy themed book or documentary
Democracy in Action Across Washington State | News from the League of Women Voters of WA
To Do List
Make sure to check the status of your ballot at VoteWA.gov. If it’s been rejected or challenged, make sure to cure your ballot by the deadline (11/29) so that it counts!
This country has waited too long for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to become a part of the Constitution. Over 100 years after (some) women gained the right to vote, women and nonbinary people are still not guaranteed equality under the law. Tell your Senators to Support the Equal Rights Amendment.
Upcoming Events
12.10 SAT | Action Workshop
Learn about what's expected in the upcoming legislative session on the League's key issues from our lobbyist, legislators, and Advocacy Team. Learn more.
1.7 SAT | Speak Up School
LWVWA is supporting local Leagues and ally organizations to host workshops called Speak Up Schools. This upcoming Speak Up School people will learn how to give effective testimony. Save the date—more info to come!
Around the League
What are League Members Up To?
The midterm election may be over and the legislative session still weeks away, but the League of Women Voters of Washington is as busy as ever. So, what are League members up to? Here is a short list—we’d love to have you join us!
The League actively worked to empower voters and defend democracy this election season, with both the state and local Leagues holding election forums and debates so voters could hear from the candidates themselves.
Celebrating Karen Verrill’s Commitment to Civic Education
At the 2021 Convention, the League of Women Voters of Washington awarded Karen Verrill the Evergreen Award for her tireless commitment to civic education.
Fix Democracy First Speaks Out on Corporate Money in Washington’s Elections
The LWVWA’s coalition partner Fix Democracy First spoke with the Spokesman Review about the money four of WA’s largest public companies contribute to elections and the impact those contributions have on our state’s politics.
Join Your Local League
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Any person 16 and older may become a voting member of the League
Support the League
We're able to continue our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy because of support from folks like you. Show your support by donating to the League of Women Voters of Washington right now!
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The League of Women Voters of Washington
1511 Third Ave, Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98101
United States
We are pleased to present an online screening of the political thriller Dark Money. This event is a collaboration with POV, the award-winning independent non-fiction film series on PBS www.pbs.org/pov.
The film takes viewers to Montana and analyzes the influence of corporate money on government officials and elections. Dark money, directed by Kimberly Reed, follows John S. Adams of the Montana Free Press, who plays a crucial role as an investigative reporter that has been “chasing the money” and investigating state politics for several years. The story describes how the 2010 ruling of Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court, a vital supreme court decision regarding finance laws, has impacted corporate interests in the political scene of Butte, Montana, and is now a rising source of national concern. As Montana’s former attorney general, Steve Bullock, tries to stop the supreme court rule and the spread of dark money from being applied in the state, the people of Montana find themselves at the forefront of the fight.
Please join us online on November 4th at 6:30 PM PST for a screening of the film followed by a community discussion with guest speaker Cindy Black, executive director of Fix Democracy First.
Meaningful Movies Project is hosting it’s 2022 Awards Celebration on Thursday, November 10th at 7 pm PT.
Join our friends, the Meaningful Movies Project, for a night of fun and celebration, as they raise a toast to honor filmmakers, organizations and individuals who have made it possible for Meaningful Movies Project to continue doing amazing work in communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Meaningful Movies Project Manager, Melinda Raebyne, will be your host for the evening along with co-host, Lavinda Lyfe. They will be joined by special guests; spoken word artist Sharon Williams and a musical performance by Dain Norman. There will be an after-party where guests can meet and greet filmmakers and artists. And everyone who attends will receive some E-SWAG!
****If you have not yet subscribed to the BPI Newsletter, sign up HERE****
Hello Democrats,
Election Day is less than a week away! That means that GOTV is upon us! It is our hope that you find this month’s resources to be helpful as you prepare to ensure our base of voters, go out and vote through your GOTV efforts.
As always, thank you for all of the work you do to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.
Onward, Best Practices Institute
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
DNC Talent Bank The DNC Talent Bank is a resource to help state parties and campaigns find the best applicants for a wide range of positions, from field organizers to digital directors to communications staff, and more.
If you are interested in pursuing a campaign position, please sign up for the DNC Talent Bank in order to receive information on available positions and other career opportunities. All levels of experience and fields of interest are encouraged to apply.
BPI Hiring Update – Deputy Training Director We are hiring here at the Best Practices Institute! If you know someone who would be a great candidate to join the team as the Best Practices Institute’s Deputy Training Director have them apply with their resume HERE.
TRAINING AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
November Activist Challenge
Our monthly Activist Challenge is designed to build infrastructure for Democratic campaigns and organizations through grassroots engagement. Are you ready to accept the challenge, and help elect Democrats up and down the ballot?!
BPI Spotlight Training The Spotlight Training portion of the BPI Newsletter will highlight specific trainings that cover skills and concepts that are core to our work and ask you to revisit those trainings in our BPI Victory Vault. The trainings spotlighted in each month’s challenge will correlate to skill building that we believe is most relevant to the timeframe in which it is recommended, allowing participants to put their new knowledge to work right away.
After reviewing these “spotlight” trainings, we will urge you to share and implement what you have learned within your local Democratic organizations and groups. Happy training to all the amazing Democrats stepping up to run for office, and those who are continuously working to support their campaigns! You must register for Victory Vault access to review these materials.
BPI Victory Vault
The BPI Victory Vault contains on-demand training resources, tailored toward volunteers, community organizers, activists, and campaigns, which cover a variety of grassroots organizing skills. The BPI Victory Vault continues to grow, with new additions added periodically as resources become available. New members are added each Wednesday, and you must use a gmail account to register in order to access the BPI Victory Vault Google Drive folder. Check out our BPI Victory Vault instructions if you have trouble accessing the BPI Victory Vault once you receive your email invitation.
The BPI Victory Vault resources are meant for educational purposes only. BPI Victory Vault materials are not downloadable or shareable. Any individual interested in viewing the BPI Victory Vault resources must complete the application in order to request access. We reserve the right to remove individuals from any and all BPI resources in the event of inappropriate use.
ABOUT THE BPI
Best Practices Institute
The Best Practices Institute (BPI) is the shared training department of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC). The BPI delivers training to activists and volunteers, party leaders and staff, students and youth organizers, candidates and campaign staff, constituency caucus members and community leaders, and so many more!
BPI training topics range from field organizing to digital mobilization, data to finance, communications to compliance, and leadership development to movement building, just to name a few.
Through this vast expansion of training programs, the new BPI is building and strengthening the Democratic Party infrastructure to ensure success for years to come!
CONNECT WITH US
Text “Training” to 43367 to stay updated on BPI training opportunities, and other insider DNC news! (By texting 43367, you are consenting to receive recurring and/or automated text messages and calls from the DNC. Text STOP to stop, HELP for Help. For SMS, msg & data rates may apply. Democrats.org/privacy-policy)
Check us out on social media by searching #BPItraining– and don’t forget to tag us in all of your training and volunteer activities!
Want to be part of an online community of Democrats, get involved at the local level, and stay up to date on events happening in your state? Click HERE to join one of our many DNC Facebook groups!
Happy Training!
****If you have not yet subscribed to the BPI Newsletter, sign up HERE****
JOIN BADGER CLUB It’s easy, just follow this link. Annual membership in the Columbia Basin Badger Club is only $60, unchanged from our very first year. Members pay nothing to attend Badger Forums, so you save $5 for each one you attend.
LOCAL CONTROL OF SCHOOLS:
Who really makes the decisions?
Tim Garchow, Executive Director Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA)
Liv Finne, Director Center for Education Washington Policy Center
Politicians, educational advocates, parents, and community members repeatedly call for local control of education. But what does that mean in practice? Whether there is any local control, how much the state has infringed upon locally based decision making, and benefits or detriments of local control are the focus of the next Badger Forum on November 3.
The phrase “local control” in discussion of our public schools references influence over curriculum selection, staff training, district policies and procedures, and local response to state mandates, rules, and laws. The discussion is often expanded to include alternatives to public schools, vouchers, charter schools, and private schools.
When considering local control and decision making, many factors come into play. Who makes educational decisions for the larger community and why? Should that dynamic change and would changing it impact our communities for better or worse?
Join us as our panelists not only discuss what local control of education looks like in state law, but what it looks like in practice.
Today: Democracy Happy Hour, November 2 @ 5 pm PT: Midterm Elections: What can we expect?
Dark Money screening & discussion, Nov 4th @ 6:30 pm PT
Democracy Happy Hour November 2 @ 5 pm PT!
Grab a drink and come hear about the latest democracy news, ongoing efforts to fix democracy, and actions you can take at our weekly Democracy Happy Hour, Wednesdays @ 5 pm PT.
Today's topic for November 2, 2022:
Midterm Elections: What can we expect?
Upcoming Topics in November:
Nov 9 – Midterm Election Report
Nov 16 – Creating an Inter-Movement “Generative Change” Community to Save & Strengthen Our Democratic Republic with Walter Roberts & Caleb Christen
Nov 23 – NO Democracy Happy Hour this week – Holiday Break
