Thurston County Democrats

www.thurstondemocrats.org

John Cusick,
Chair

Debby Pattin,
1st Vice Chair

Randy Scott,
2nd Vice Chair

Jeff Holcomb,
Secretary

Jane Johnson,
Treasurer

Linda Lombard,
State Committee Woman

Joel Staloch,
State Committee Man

P.O. Box 164
Olympia, WA
98507-0164

360-956-0235

Message from the Chair

As the newly elected Chair of the Thurston County Democrats (TCD), I want to thank our past Chair, Jackie Barrett-Sharar, and all the others who helped guide us through a successful local campaign season with unprecedented numbers of new supporters. 

I am excited to now have the opportunity to work collectively with a dynamic and competent team of fellow elected officers and an enthusiastic and determined cadre of recently elected precinct committee officers to further participation at the grass roots level and build a strong, effective community organization.

We have several initiatives in mind to improve timely communication and expand community involvement, including a provision in our new bylaws for electing two “at-large” members of our executive committee from among a dues paying membership.  You’ll be hearing more specifics about this in our next newsletter, but mark you calendars now for the elections at the February 28 Central Committee meeting.

I look forward to working with all of you during the next couple years to make the TCD achieve a new level of excellence for our sister organizations in other counties to emulate!

John Cusick, TCD Chair

January 24th - Thurston County Democrats Central Committee (TCDCC) Meeting

Thurston County Courthouse Bldg. 1, Room 152

6:30 pm – 22nd Legislative District PCOs meet with their new State Committee Reps. Elizabeth Shepard and Zach Smith.
7:00 pm – All Thurston County PCOs, and interested Democrats meet for:

• Any amendments to bylaws
• Vote on proposed $20 membership dues
• PCOs will receive packets with updated precinct information and “To Do” lists

NOTE: If you are interested in applying for a vacant PCO or Proxy position, applications are on our website. All previous Proxies must re-apply with their new PCOs.

February 5th - Champagne Brunch

8:30 – 11:30 am - Elks Lodge, (1818 - 4th E.)

Start the new Legislative session with a victory celebration of our many wins and enjoy the opportunity for one-on-one conversations with our elected officials. 

Make advance reservations by January 31st with Helen Carlstrom at 352-8741.

Advance tickets - $20 per person
Tickets at the door - $25 per person

Campaign Services Adhoc Committee

TCD members have expressed a strong interest in strengthening Campaign Services.

Randy Scott, 2nd Vice Chair, is organizing potential dates, times and locations for a brainstorming session to be held in February.  A signup sheet and more details will be available at the January 24th TCDCC meeting.

February 7th - Thurston County Food Bank

220 Thurston St. NE
Shifts: 8:30-noon or 12:30-3:00

TCD has scheduled the 1st Monday of every month to volunteer at the Thurston County Food Bank. 

Volunteers are welcome to bring friends as long as they are willing to be associated with Democrats!

The first Mondays are Federal Commodities day so there are many different jobs to accommodate those with less strong backs but willing hands and hearts. 

For more information contact Elizabeth at 943-9448 or email here at: jemn1@earthlink.net.

February 28th – Thurston County Democrats Central Committee (TCDCC) Meeting

Election of two “at-large” members. More information available after the January 24th TCDCC meeting.

Tsunmai Response

Most Democrats have already responded to relief efforts. If you haven’t yet contributed to help alleviate the suffering from this unprecedented disaster, here are some ideas:

www.oxfamamerica.org

www.nwmedicalteams.org

www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Moving toward Faster, More Comprehensive and Less Expensive Communications

We want to be better about communicating to all Democrats in Thurston County and are looking for innovative ways to achieve that goal. 

We think it is important to spend our funds wisely and do what we can to support Democrat candidates for office and to support informative and educational forums in Thurston County.

This newsletter was mailed to more than 5,300 Thurston County Democrat households at a cost of nearly $2,000.00 for printing and postage.  That would mean a cost of nearly $24,000.00 to produce a monthly newsletter during 2005!

Therefore, we will actively be moving toward producing a professional quality eNewsletter that will not only save postage and printing cost but will save a tree or two along the way. 

Those who absolutely must have a printed letter will still be able to get one mailed to them but these will become the exception and not the rule.

In the February newsletter, look for a tear-off section that you can return to us with your email address.  During March, you will receive your first eNewsletter and a hearty THANK YOU for helping TCD spend its funds wisely.

We want to be sure we choose the best product that is most cost effective and dependable way to get the TCD newsletter to you. Electronic newsletters can be considered SPAM by many email service providers so it's important that we choose a reputable newsletter provider that isn't on any SPAM lists which could disrupt deliver of the TCD newsletter. This newsletter was sent using IntelliContact but next month you may receive the newsletter from a different service provider. By March we will have settled on a single product. Thank you for your patience!

NOTE: TCD is committed to protecting your privacy and will not share your email with others without your consent.

Quick Glance Calendar through February 2005

January 15 –      100 Thousand & Counting demonstration, Capitol Campus, Tivoli Fountain – Noon-1:00 pm (against the tragic loss of civilian life in the Iraq War (www.100thousandandcounting.org)

January 22 –      Thurston County Democrats Executive Committee (TCDEC) Strategic Planning Retreat  - 9:00 am - 3:00 pm - Tumwater

January 24 –      Thurston County Democrats Central Committee (TCDCC) Meeting – Thurston County Courthouse, Bldg. 1, Room 152 

• 6:30 pm – 22nd Legislative District PCOs; 
• 7:00 pm – All Thurston County PCOs & interested Democrats

January 28 –     State Committee Re-Org reception – Red Lion, Olympia

January 29 –     State Committee Re-Org meeting – Red Lion, Olympia

February 5 –      Thurston County Democrats Champagne Brunch, 8:30-11:30 am – Elks Lodge (1818 - 4th E., near Ralph’s Thriftway)

February 7 –      TCDEC Meeting, 7:00 pm – Thurston County Courthouse, Bldg. 1, Room 152

February 21 –    President’s Day - State Democrats Crab Feed – St. Martin’s College, 5:00 pm - PCO Training available during th day

February 28 –    TCDCC Meeting – Thurston County Courthouse, Bldg. 1, Room 152