Chair’s message

“Health, environment and education win big” reads the headline in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on April 23, the day after the 2007 Washington State Legislature adjourned.  The Democratic majority working together with Governor Christine Gregoire once again passed a series of bills benefiting all of Washington’s citizens in such areas as equal rights, health care, education, clean up of Puget Sound, and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.  We’re proud of our legislative representatives and Governor Gregoire and grateful for all their hard work!

Now, won’t it be nice to read a similar headline – with the addition of “peaceful diplomacy” – referring to the US Congress and the new Democratic President in the New York Times or Washington Post two years hence?  “Yes,” you say?  Well, it’s up to each of us to make that well deserved future a reality by getting involved now.   Before we know it, the 2008 elections will be upon us and we need folks in every precinct of the county ready to help identify Democrats, organize caucuses, educate voters, help campaigns, and get out the vote.

There are a number of ways to get involved now to guarantee success next year.  One of them is to apply to become a Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) for the precinct in which you reside if that position is vacant.  PCOs are the grass roots backbone of the Thurston County Democrats, representing the Democratic party to their neighbors and their neighbors to the party.  

As Elizabeth Shepard notes below, we have embarked upon a “100 PCOs in 100 Days” recruitment project which, considering we have over 6,000 known households on our mailing list, is certainly an achievable goal.  Thurston County is solidly Democratic and our mailing list likely just represents the “tip of the iceberg” in terms of support. 

You can help us achieve this goal and ensure Democratic victories in 2008 by first determining if your precinct has a PCO, easily done by checking the following link: thurstondemocrats.org/findpco 

(If you are unsure of your precinct name or number, check your voter registration card or use the following link: www.co.thurston.wa.us/cm/auditor-precinct/precinct-info.asp)

If your precinct already has a PCO, please consider contacting her or him and offer to help.  Walking a precinct to register new voters or distribute information is a lot of work, and some of the rural precincts are virtually unwalkable.  A lot more can be accomplished by a team of people working together than one person working alone.  So, if you see a PCO already exists for your precinct, please don’t hesitate to call him or her (their phone numbers are listed) and let the PCO know you’re willing to help out.

Finally, if you are not already an annual dues paying member of the Thurston County Democrats, please become one!   Membership dues are critical in helping us defray the many costs associated with a grass roots, all volunteer, political organization such as producing and distributing newsletters and event notices, mailings, preparing lists, telephone and offices expense, sponsoring events and helping candidates who need help.   You can register on line at: thurstondemocrats.org/membership

We all came together and worked hard in last year’s elections to change Congress and the country is yearning for more.   Although it often seems George Bush’s relentless pursuit of flawed, failed and corrupt policies will guarantee a Republican failure in 2008, we need to determine our own collective destiny and not leave it up to him.   Please get involved now to help ensure victory in 2008!

New Precincts for Thurston County

By Elizabeth Shepard, TCD 1st Vice Chair

On Monday, April 2nd, the Thurston County Commissioners voted to create 27 new precincts within Thurston County.  This brings us up to a total of 294 precincts.  We had Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) for only 37% of our precincts prior to the addition of the new precincts.  The Thurston County Auditor will be sending me a CD of the new precinct lines so that I can pass them along to those affected. Those of you that are affected by this change have already received an email from me regarding the change.

What Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman and the Election Office staff tried to do was to keep precincts between 650-700 households so that the precincts were not too large to be workable.  An example of this is Lacey precinct #24 whose PCO Russ Olsen had over 2037 individuals and 1239 households, so his precinct ended up being divided into what is now 4 precincts which are Lacey #24, Lacey #46, Lacey #47, and Lacey #48.  This will take a huge burden off of Russ, but it means we need to find three new PCOs to fill the new precincts.

The county is doing this for two very good reasons, first to keep precinct levels at a manageable size and second to have everything in place before the 2008 Presidential Elections.  The Election Office has been very open about this process and both Democrats and Republicans were invited to preliminary meetings to look at what their initial proposals were.  We were able to ask questions and provide suggestions on the size and boundaries for the precincts.

Twenty-seven new precincts require 27 new PCOs (see 100 in 100 article below) and hopefully 27 new Proxies.  With the upcoming elections in 2007 and 2008 every PCO should have a Proxy.  This will ensure you are represented at the Thurston County Democratic Central Committee meetings and can also help you do your PCO related work.   To quote Eleanor Roosevelt "What one has to do usually can be done".  As a person who accomplished so much, we can use her (or her husband) as an example in the work we have to do ahead.  As Thurston County grows, it's our job to grow and nourish more Democrats.

100 in 100 – Precinct Committee Officer Recruitment Project

By Elizabeth Shepard, TCD 1st Vice Chair

On March 31st, ten Precinct Committee Officers (PCOs) spent a half a day working on new strategies for recruiting PCOs.  With the help of Stewart Henderson who facilitated the meeting we discussed new and old strategies for recruitment and retention of PCOs.  As we go about recruiting the new PCOs we will also be evaluating our various recruitment methods to see which are working well and which are not.  As a result of the strategy meeting, we have new ideas for recruitment that we will be trying.

Our goal is high. We will be recruiting 100 PCOs in 100 days.  We are all very committed to this project and working hard on it.  If someone asks you for suggestions or to help them on a part of the project please help us out.  What we have committed to is a huge undertaking but we are intent on meeting it!  Thurston County has 267 precincts, 27 more precincts have been approved by the Thurston County Commissioners (see New Precincts for Thurston County above).   Prior to these newly added precincts we only had 37% of our PCO positions filled and now there are 27 more to fill.

Those working on this project other than myself are, Roger Erskine, Chris Stearns, Laura Van Tosh, Mike Pelela, Paul Donohue, Jerry Broadbent, Sam Cagle, Debby Pattin and Harvey Williamson.   We have broken up into smaller groups to share the work.  For instance Debby, Laura, and I are working the various Presidential Meet Ups and campaign groups, Democracy For America (DFA), Move On, and others.  Working the southwestern end of Thurston County, Jerry and Paul are using the voter file lists and making contact the traditional way by calling voters in that area of the county.

We also will develop materials that you can use to help us in this recruitment.  Harvey is working on bulletin board notices and handouts explaining what a PCO is and does and how to get in touch with us to join the Thurston County Democrats.  One way you could all help as we prepare for the very busy next two years is to make sure you have a proxy or a committee of people in your precinct to help you carry out the tasks necessary to change the direction of our government both locally and nationally. 

Thank you to all PCOs for taking the time and making the commitment to make our government respectable, responsible, and relevant.

Frustration with War Prompts Resolutions

The following two resolutions were debated and passed at the April 23 meeting of the Thurston County Democratic Central Committee.  Respectful and persuasive arguments for and against each resolution, but, when it came time for a vote, each resolution passed.  Frustration with the Iraq war was a factor in each debate.

One resolution encourages flying the American flag at half-mast in an effort to remind all citizens of the grievous loss of so many lives resulting from the ongoing war in Iraq. 

The second intends to maximize the meaningful participation of all registered voters in next year’s Democratic presidential candidate selection process.  The fact that active duty military registered voters serving in Iraq are unable to participate in the precinct caucuses was one of the arguments made on behalf of the “Presidential Primary Resolution.”

Half-mast flag resolution

WHEREAS the American flag belongs to ALL Americans, and was once a beacon of hope and respect for laws for oppressed people world-wide; and

WHEREAS it has instead been hijacked to symbolize aggressive, imperialistic militarism by the political right; and 

WHEREAS in pledging allegiance to the flag we are NOT pledging allegiance to aggressive militarism, but to the U.S. Constitution which embodies all the enduring principles upon which our Country’s greatness rests; and 

WHEREAS, when flown at half mast, it honors and mourns the departed; and 

WHEREAS those troops (now averaging 2 - 3 a day) who sacrifice their lives in Iraq are equally, or more, deserving of being so honored as any prominent politician, dignitary, or the 33 victims of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute massacre;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we urge Americans to respectfully fly the flag at half-mast in mourning for the thousands of American troops, as well as the countless innocent Iraqis who have perished and are yet to perish needlessly, in this immoral  occupation, and that we continue to do so for the duration of this brutal conflict.

Adopted April 23, 2007

Presidential Primary Resolution

WHEREAS a Presidential Preference Primary is a democratic and inclusive means for Washington State Democrats to elect Democratic National Convention Delegates;

WHEREAS having a Presidential Preference Primary will allow Washington to join the national primary;

WHEREAS the Presidential Preference Primary is a useful way possible to identify Democrats and mobilize them to support the party and its candidates;

THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Washington State Democratic Party's Delegate Selection plan should be a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary and the Presidential Caucus for apportioning district level delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Adopted April 23, 2007

Burger Booth Season is Upon Us!

By Rhenda Strub, Burger Queen

It’s almost here again.  Can you smell it?  Sit still and breath deep.  There it is…the smell of summer.  Sweet flowers, cut grass, garden compost and—Oh Be Still My Heart—GRILLED ONIONS!

Yes it’s nearly time to roll out The Booth and grill some DemoBurgers ™.  Which means it is time for all good Demos to stake their claim on a shift in The Booth.  There you can serve up some juicy burgers to the customers, serve up some juicy gossip to your kindred spirits, and raise the money we need to get our people elected.  We’ll have fun, fun, fun till our daddy takes the onion knife away!  (YD’s:  Google Beach Boys lyrics circa 1964)

Our first outing comes on June 16th at The Evergreen State College for Super Saturday.

There are only three shifts to be filled:

10:00 am – 1:00 pm,
1:00pm – 4:00 pm; and
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. 

Don’t delay signing up for your preferred shift.  To sign up, contact me at rhenda@irisassociates.net or 943-1913.

Also, put a note on your calendar for the next outing during Lakefair July 18-23.  We’ll be nagging you about that in June.

Rhenda & Jerry
Burger Royalty

Just Yell Fire

Recently, Linda Lombard, PCO Gull Harbor, wrote the following letter and sent it out to High School Principals in Thurston County regarding a video to help teenage girls learn skills to be safe from physical attack.  We’re including her letter here.  Perhaps you, too, will be inspired to watch the video and encourage others to use it as a tool to help protect teens in your community.  The letter reads:

Principals, Thurston County School Districts

RE:   “Just Yell Fire – Empowering Girls to Protect Themselves” – a 45-minute Self-Defense video

Dear Principals:

I recently learned that some high-school sophomores from My Portland, Oregon School have created a film that I have watched – and think you could use – for FREE!

The two students of St. Mary’s Academy, Dallas Jessup and Catherine Wehage worked with coach, Chad Von Dette, to develop a quick-to-learn strategy a teenage girl could use to get away from an attacker.  They found financial backing from the Portland & Vancouver communities and many volunteers to help, including two stars from “Lost” – Evangeline Lilly and Josh Holloway.

This is especially important to me since (years ago); I taught a “Common Sense Self Defense” class at the YWCA and at S.P.S.C.C.  This is a simple form, and uses easy strategies that most teenagers know.

Actually, this is available to anyone who can download a DVD from:  www.justyellfire.com

Please copy one for your school, and advise your students of its availability.

Calendar

2007 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and Auction - May 5

Thurston County Democrats, Progressive Majority hold training for prospective candidates - May 13

By Emmett O’Connell, PCO Olympia 48

Have you ever thought about taking your activism to the next level, but don't know how to take the next step?  Have you ever considered becoming a candidate for public office, but don't understand what is needed to run an effective campaign?

Then, this training is for you! Join our expert trainers as we explore how to run for legislative, county, or local office and discuss the basic fundamentals of being a candidate:

• Making the decision to run for elected office
• Raising money for campaigns
• Contacting voters
• Developing your message
• Organizing grassroots and field campaigns

The deadline for filing for public office in Washington State is Friday, June 8. More than 70 positions are up for election in Thurston County this year, including city council, school board and port commission positions.

When: Sunday, May 13th
Time: 1:00-4:00pm (snacks will be provided)
Where: Thurston County Courthouse, Room 152, Courthouse Building, 2000 Lakeridge Drive, Olympia, WA

This event is free, however, seating is limited to 50 people. So register now at www.progressivemajoritywashington.org

Sponsored by Progressive Majority Washington and Thurston County Democrats