Chair's Message

We often better understand ourselves by taking a step back and seeing how others see us.  In Europe, for example, Thomas Frank’s What’s the Matter with Kansas? is titled What’s the Matter with America?.  Same book but broader meaning, implying what happened in Kansas may indeed happen elsewhere.  While Washington State and Thurston County may be “blue,” we cannot sit back on our laurels and assume efforts are not underway to turn us “red”!

(On a related note, take a look at Luntz’s “New American Lexicon,” the Republicans’ “playbook” for the 2006 elections here.(1.5mb file))

If you’ve read Frank’s book you know how the fundamentalist right methodically gained control of the Republican party precinct by precinct.  This demonstrates the effectiveness of organizing at the local level and knowing who our supporters are.  We all know this. We simply need to act upon it, following the examples of:

- Evalyn Poff, PCO Olympia 23 and former TCD Treasurer, recently recognized in a special resolution of the House of Representatives, regularly works her precinct to keep members informed; 

- Olinda Corin, PCO Delridge, our featured PCO, is now actively organizing her precinct; or

-  Sam Cagle, PCO Mullen, has been actively helping recruit PCOs in the 20th LD.

If you’re a PCO, proxy, or someone who simply wants to help, please attend the training scheduled for the April 25th Central Committee meeting.  We must organize now to ensure our success next year and beyond.

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Thurston County Democrat of the Year

Vote at April’s TCD Central Committee Meeting!

The “Democrat of the Year” awards began locally in the early 1980’s to honor the unsung workers who are the backbone of the Thurston County Democrats: those who work behind the scenes at fundraisers, on committees, with phone calls and mailings – the ones “Who Get the Job Done.”  

Yes, elected officials and party officers also work diligently for the Thurston County Democrats, but their work has more public acknowledgement.  Many others work, without fanfare.   These people are known, within the Thurston County Democrats, as “the reliable ones” – willing to work on whatever is needed to be done “for the good of the party.”   So, once a year, we want to officially acknowledge those who have “gone the extra mile”.   

Nominations will be accepted on our website and postal mail until the April 25th Thurston County Democrat Central Committee meeting.   You can also give your nomination to Helen Carlstrom any time before April 25th. At this meeting, the nominations will be read and members will vote.  The results are kept “secret” until announced at the Jefferson/Jackson Dinner.

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Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) Training - Monday April 25th

On Monday, April 25th at 7:00pm, we will conduct a training for both new and experienced PCOs as well as interested members on canvassing. Those who were able to attend the March 28th Central Committee meeting received a packet on canvassing. All who are able to attend the April 28th meeting are asked to bring their packet with them, and additional packets will be available for any who need one. This training on canvassing is for PCOs, proxies, and any members who are interested in serving as precinct committee officer in their own precincts or as volunteers to assist in canvassing in other precincts.

Topics included in the training will be

• the growing importance of the PCO, proxy and precinct committee;
• tips on canvassing and calling; and
• updates on laws pertaining to felons voting and address confidentiality laws (both were major concerns in the recent gubernatorial race).

Due to the importance of this training, it will be held at 7:00pm, immediately following the 22nd LD meeting (which will be held at 6:00pm). Following the training, any new business items will be considered.

At the end of the training session, there will be time to complete a brief survey (which is in the packet). The survey is to help us access the needs of PCOs, proxies, and precinct committee volunteers, and to get your feedback on what will help you in your grassroots efforts within your precinct. If it is determined that folks would like other PCO training sessions separate from the Central Committee meetings, we will look for alternate times to schedule them. However, a number of people have said they prefer fewer meetings, hence the effort to hold trainings during regularly scheduled monthly meetings.

The roles of the PCO, proxy and precinct committee members are critical to the success of the Democrat party. If you've read What's the Matter with Kansas? you surely know how effective the fundamental "religious" right  has been at organizing neighborhoods and precincts to assert control of the Republican party. Now is the time for us to organize!  Please plan to attend the next meeting.

Debby Pattin, 1st Vice-Chair

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Faith Community Outreach Opportunity

A number of Thurston County Democrats responded to the recent request for volunteers to discuss ways that we can reach out to religious communities. If you missed John Cusick's call to action, I am reprinting it here:

“I believe we all have a sense that the Republicans have worked diligently -- perhaps nefariously -- to develop support for their policies and candidates among those who regularly attend religious services.  And part of their spin has been to claim Democrats are "godless," spiritually deficient, immoral, etc.  While we happen to know that spin is incorrect, and that we do, in fact, have deeply spiritual values, convictions and, most importantly, actions, we've clearly shied away from being too closely associated with the various faith communities.

Since last year's elections, many of us have wondered how we could better reach out to those who regularly attend services for their faith.  We have a sense there may be a large number of voters who, were they to hear a compelling message from the Democrats that respects, and does not deny, their strongly held religious convictions, would readily work to elect Democrats to office. 

Perhaps you are a current TCD member who regularly attends services and has some thoughts on things we might do to reach out to others in the religious communities.  If you are, and you would be willing to meet with some other TCD members to discuss what we might do locally to improve our standing in the "faith based" communities, please send an email to Debby Pattin indicating your willingness to help.”

I hope to schedule a gathering sometime in April of those folks moved to participate in this discussion. Ideally, the members would represent a cross section of faith communities: Jewish, Catholic, Protestant (both mainstream and evangelical), Unitarian, Islamic, Buddhist and beyond.  Please let me know if you want to be involved. 

Debby Pattin, 1st Vice Chair, debbypattin@thurstondemocrats.org

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Legislative District News

Legislative District 20 – Represents all of Lewis and south Thurston Counties.

The 20th LD Democrats will gather in Thurston County for their April 11th meeting, 6:00pm at the Tumwater Valley Bar & Grill. Please show your support and join our social/dinner at 5:30pm Also, several Thurston 20th LD PCOs are working to increase the number of PCOs and general grassroots party building. To help out, please contact Joel Staloch at joelws27@earthlink.net or Sam Cagle at caglels@comcast.net.

CONGRATULATIONS! - Evalyn Poff, PCO Olympia 23

Evalyn Poff, PCO Olympia 23, recently received a well deserved official thanks in the House:

HOUSE RESOLUTION  NO.2005-4647, by Representative Williams

          WHEREAS, Our state, and Thurston County in particular, have been profoundly impacted by the dedication, individuality, and energy with which Evalyn Poff has served her community; and

          WHEREAS, Principles of paramount importance to our nation and to our state have been advanced by Evalyn Poff in her service to the ideals of education and democracy; and

          WHEREAS, The many and various successes of Evalyn Poff, who, among other equally impressive accomplishments holds two master's degrees, has performed as a professional trapeze artist, and has performed many activities that greatly enrich the character of our community; and

          WHEREAS, Many people have benefited by Evalyn's dry wit, intelligence, and congeniality; and

          WHEREAS, A woman of significant achievement in higher education at a time of limited educational opportunities for women, and always a person of strength in mind, body, and spirit, Evalyn Poff is an exemplary role model for women; and

          WHEREAS, Evalyn Poff has been a session employee of the Washington State House of Representatives for seven years, including the 2005 session; and

          WHEREAS, No less active in the community at 85 than in previous years, freely giving music lessons to local children, working with the Washington State Legislative Information Center, and actively being involved in public affairs including service on the Thurston County Human Resources Review Council, Evalyn Poff is an exemplary role model for seniors; and

          WHEREAS, We all have much to learn from the example that Evalyn Poff has set for us;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Washington recognize that Evalyn Poff has given the State of Washington, and Thurston County in particular, over twenty-five years of honorable citizenship and service; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express our profound thanks to Evalyn Poff for her many great contributions to Thurston County and the State of Washington.

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Resolutions Passed at March 28th Thurston County Democrat Central Committee

Two resolutions were passed at the March 28th TCD Central Committee meeting:

Medical Malpractice Forum - this resolution passed in support of holding a forum to discuss more fully the merits of I-336, I-330 and any alternatives the legislature may adopt (read the resolution here).

Saving Social Security - this resolution is in support of preserving the SS System and opposing Bush's plan to "save" Social Security (read the resolution here).

A motion was passed to draft a letter to Adam Smith to ask him to change his position on the Bankruptcy Act now in Congress and that he work, instead, toward defeating it. A letter will be drafted for signature and sent to Adam Smith during April.

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Jefferson/Jackson (JJ) Dinner and Democrat of the Year Award - May 21st

You are Invited! 

To our annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Celebration Dinner

Keynote speaker:   Governor Christine Gregoire

May 21, 2005 - Red Lion Inn – Spruce Room

Silent auction and no-host bar opens at 6:00pm

Prime Rib or Salmon Dinner at 7:00pm

Tickets $40 each in advance,  $45 each at the door

For Reservations:  Contact Helen Carlstrom at  (360) 352-8741 with your name, phone number, the number in your party, AND the dinner choices (Prime Rib or Salmon).  Tables will seat 8, so if you want to be a Table Captain & reserve 8 seats for your group, let Helen know.

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NEW! - PCO Spotlight - Meet Olinda Corin, PCO for Delridge (#097)

Olinda Corin is an active retiree who was motivated to volunteer for PCO of Delridge #097 as a result of the November national elections.  “It was past time for me to help out in a much more active roll,” she says.  A great believer in civil liberties, she belongs to the ACLU, PFLAG, Compassion and Choices at End of Life, as well as belonging to the United Churches.

In her spare time, Olinda works a “Demo Lady” at the Tumwater Costco store, and she likes to bicycle and hike.   

Olinda and her husband, Gordon, have walked their precinct and in March held a soup & salad dinner at their home in order to get acquainted with people from the various cul-de-sacs stretching south on Rich Road.

When asked why she is a Democrat, Olinda explains, “I am a Democrat because I am passionate about having liberty under our laws, and I believe in social obligations to share our resources and care for one another.”

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Committees - Help us be the the best county Democrat organization in the state!

Burger Booth Support - Help us get the Burger Booth repaired and in top condition for upcoming fundraising events. The Burger Booth is one of the largest sources of funding for the Thurston County Democrats.
Randy Scott 352-2524 olyaccess@msn.com

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.

For the location of the April 13th meeting, please contact:

Jerry Muchmore 413-9729 bigdogjerry@comcast.net
Joel Staloch 455-1973 joelws27@earthlink.net

Volunteers - Are you an organized person who likes to motivate and engage people? These are the committees for you!
Elizabeth Shepard 943-9448 jemn1@earthlink.net

PCO Support - Develop training, strategies, and other supports to make our PCOs the best trained and best prepared PCOs in the state.
Rhenda Strubb 943-1913 rhenda@irisassociates.net
Jeanne Passarelli 455-0422 j.passarelli@comcast.net

Education and Forums (Social Security Forum) - Develop and manage events and forums that will help educate the Thurston County Democrats and our community on issues that are important to Democrats.
Roger Erskine 709-2445 rogererskine35@hotmail.com

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.
Chris Garst 491-4969 cbgarst@aol.com

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.
Christi McGinley 459-4024 christi@beaudesigns.com

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.
Jeff Holcomb 943-7939 mapmaker98502@yahoo.com

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.
Jeff Holcomb 943-7939 mapmaker98502@yahoo.com

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April 4th - 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. 

Starting this Monday the food bank will also be handing out emergency food along with the commodities. This will entail making emergency food bags up, something none of us has done before. One more item to add to the list of the various jobs available to us, affording people with different preferences and capabilities to all help out!!

If you have volunteered before, please sen your email address to Betty Rose the Volunteer Coordinator at the Food Bank. She is at volunteers@thurstoncountyfoodbank.org.

If you have not volunteered before the paperwork that needs to be filled out is at the Thurston County Democrats web site and can be downloaded. Bring it all with you except for the sheet to put in your front windshield for parking. Parking is in the dirt lot at the back of Alpine Experience.

For more information contact Elizabeth at 943-9448 jemn1@earthlink.net.

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NEW! - Campaign News

Tumwater City Council member Karen Valenzuela's Campaign Kick-off

April 27th, 5 - 7:00 PM at the Crosby House in Tumwater (down the street from the Falls Terrace restaurant).

Tumwater Mayor Ralph Osgood and State Senator Karen Fraser will co-host.

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Thurston COunty Democrat Calendar through June 2005

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Precinct Committee Officer and Proxy Email Lists

If you are a PCO or Proxy we encourage you to sign up for the TCD Announcements email list. This list is used for official TCD administrative communication only such as official meeting dates or agendas, draft policies or resolutions, or TCD sponsored events. This is not a discussion list. Only moderators will be allowed to send email to you from this list.

To subscribe, send an email to TCDannounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and if you are a current PCO or Proxy, you will be added to this list.

If you would like to be part of a PCO discussion list we encouraged to subscribe to the TCDPCO email list. This list should be used to energize and encourage each other, strategize and brainstorm activities for your precincts, and organize to make it all happen.

To subscribe, send an email to TCDPCO-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and if you are a current PCO or Proxy, you will be added to this list.

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