September Newsletter  - Volume 6, Issue 10

 
CONTENTS:

Membership Information  TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
 
You may click on one of the above titles to go directly to that subject, or simply scroll down the newsletter.     
  
Thanks to Sybil Cantor, Teddi Pensinger, Linda Kolko, Paul Schwartz, Fran Rothstein, Emily Shetty. Riki Sheehan, Lucy Freeman, Tom Hucker, Ed Kimmel, Nikhil Gupta, Annie Floyd, Kathy Deerkoski, Melanie Kreidich, Joan Riggs, Ashley Rhinehart, Enid Light, Joan Gervino, Shebra Evans, Carole Brand, Ann Humphrey, Christa Burton, Reiam Bond, Andrew Malinoff, Barbara Salkin, Andrea Grossman, and Laurie Kelly for their contributions to this newsletter.  

The next newsletter will be published at the end of October. In the interim, information will be sent out via email and social media (Facebook and Twitter).  


Article1CAMPAIGN SEASON

Here in Maryland, we're looking forward to participating in a coordinated campaign run by the Maryland Democratic Party with support from the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee as has been done in previous Election Year cycles.  There are also numerous opportunities to participate in individual campaign activities.  We've reached out to the various area campaigns, and information from them is included below:


VAN HOLLEN FOR SENATE CAMPAIGN

The Van Hollen for Senate and the Maryland 2016 Coordinated Campaign have been very busy over the summer, identifying voters and setting the stage for keeping Maryland a true blue state in November.  Thank you to the many WDC members who have worked with us so far. 

Now we'll turn our focus to GOTV, and we invite all WDC members to help us get out the vote in Maryland for Hillary Clinton, Chris Van Hollen, Elijah Cummings, John Delaney, Steny Hoyer, Jamie Raskin, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes.  We need each and every Democratic vote in Maryland on November 8, and your help will be important to bringing home big Democratic wins!  

Election Day is November 8th from 7 am to 8 pm and Maryland Early Voting is October 27 through November 3 from 8 am to 8 pm.

Email  info@vanhollen.org   or call 301-942-3768 to sign up for one or more shifts between now and November 8, to work at our offices at 10605 Concord Street #205, Kensington, MD or 8625 16th Street, Silver Spring, MD.

Chris Van Hollen wants to alert all WDC members to his upcoming debates and forums:

*                  October 7th, noon:  WAMU The Kojo Nnamdi Show: The Politics Hour Radio Debate

*                  October 8th, 11 am: African Americans in Howard County (AAIHC) Maryland 2016 General Election Forum,  St John Baptist Church, 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia 

*                  October 23rd, 4 pm: New Americans Expo Meet and Greet Our Candidates Forum, Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring 

*                  October 26th, 12:30 pm: University of Baltimore, League of Women Voters, Baltimore Sun, and WJZ-TV Televised Debate

*                  October 30th, 3 pm: Friendship Heights Village Center Candidate Forum, 4433 South Park Avenue, Friendship Heights, MD

Your work will make it possible for Hillary, Chris, and the Democratic Congressional candidates to win and win big in Maryland.
  
We look forward to seeing you at the campaign offices!
--Carole Brand, former WDC president ( csbrand@verizon.net ) & Ann Humphrey, former WDC board member ( aghumphrey@gmail.com )

      VAN HOLLEN FOR SENATE  



RASKIN FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN 

Dear Awesome Volunteers,

I don't know if you saw these local headlines recently (following national  polls  showing Trump making a pass on Clinton nationwide), reporting on the first  debate  in this campaign in CD8, and on the state of the very much present  Montgomery County GOP

We are not taking anything for granted on this campaign and are working every day to spread the word about the amazingly qualified Democratic candidates this cycle. Join me at the doors and on the phones: 
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays we will be hosting Phonebanks in our office to reach out to and engage Democrats and urge them to vote in this critically important election in November. They will be at our office (912 Thayer Avenue) from 5:30pm - 8:00pm every Tuesday & Thursday. To RSVP - email luke@jamieraskin.com
  • Saturdays from 11am-4pm as we join the coordinated campaign in knocking on doors and ensuring a clean-sweep for Democrats in November. We launch out of our office at 912 Thayer Ave. all day, so feel free to come by and pick up a packet at a convenient time. RSVP to luke@jamieraskin.com or 443-987-0653
See you out there-  let's win this thing!
 
Christa Burton
Campaign Manager
Jamie Raskin for Congress
(847)409-5889

In addition to the above, The Raskin for Congress campaign is looking for full time volunteers for the final 6 weeks of the campaign and weekend volunteers. Please contact christa@jamieraskin.com
if you are interested


   
SARBANES FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN

Greater Olney Civic Association 3rd Congressional District Candidate Forum
Monday, October 10th from 7:30pm-9pm
Re/Max Realty Centre, 3300 Olney Sandy Spring Rd #200, Olney, MD 20832



DELANEY FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN

"We are having our Community Phone Bank on October 4th from 5pm-7pm here in the Kentlands office (341 Main St. Gaithersburg MD). The Congressman is going to be here with us, and also a reporter from NBC 4."

"We would love to have supporters here showing support for John. Whoever would like to help get John reelected, can RSVP to me." From Reiam Bond - Field Organizer, reiam@delaneyforcongress.com  , 240-720-7817

To keep up to date on campaign activities as they evolve, please check this link   http://www.mcdcc.org/calendar/ from the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee.  To find a Hillary Clinton campaign event near you,   click here.

We will also be constantly updating our website and Facebook page, and sending out a weekly email, so please check those as well.
                  
         
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UPCOMING WDC EVENT


Thursday, October 13

CoctailSpecial Pre-Election Happy Hour
5:30 to 7 PM   (7:00 - 9:00 pm optional phone bank for Hillary).
8501 Hazelwood Dr. Bethesda, 20814  (home of Enid Light)

Please join us and bring your friends (women and men) to learn about the WDC and the benefits of membership, hear about opportunities to participate in the 2016 campaign, and to have some fun discussing politics and networking. Don't be left out! This is an epic election.  There will be complimentary Happy Hour appetizers and beverages. 

We are delighted that we will be joined by State Senator Susan Lee.

If you would like to participate in the phone bank for Hillary at Enid's house, please bring your cell phone and charger. If possible laptop/tablet.  There should be enough refreshments to tide us through!

  

 

Saturday, October 22

Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW) Conference - From the Style Page to the Front Page: Advancing Women's Issues
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Anne Arundel Community College
101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD

The Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW) conference will feature a moderated panel, including Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary , Delegate Kathleen M. Dumais , Delegate Ariana Kelly , and Senator Mac Middleton . Delegate Aruna Miller , President of the Women Legislators of Maryland, will give opening remarks.

The highlight of the conference will be the presentation of legislative proposals for the upcoming 2017 legislative session. Join us to learn about the bills that will make up the 2017 Agenda. An optional Grassroots Advocacy 101 workshop will be offered from 1:00 to 3:00 pm as well. 

For more information and to register, please go to the MLAW Website.
                                     
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MARYLAND CONGRESSMAN JOHN DELANEY CAPTIVATES AUDIENCE AT SEPTEMBER LUNCHEON
 
 
 

Congressman Delaney Delivers His Message
Another successful WDC lunch program! Over 70 members and friends heard Congressman John Delaney (CD6) discuss the Presidential election and the down ballot race. Excellent Q&A with topics ranging from foreign policy and the Trans Pacific Partnership
.

We are fortunate to have Paul Schwartz' write-up of this luncheon for our members. Paul also wrote a column about the Congressman's talk for the Montgomery County Sentinel.  Members can read Paul's columns at http://www.thesentinel.com/mont/columns/paul-s-viewpoint .




Congressman John Delaney on the campaign trail with the WDC
                                                                                               by Paul K. Schwartz
.
Congressman John Delaney of the 6th Congressional District addressed the Woman's Democratic Club of Montgomery County on Tuesday, September 20th, and made quite a strong case for the importance of the 2016 election and how much there is to lose if we, the voters, don't become engaged.
 
In his remarks the Congressman explained the consequences of a large segment of the electorate losing faith in government and interest in the election process resulting in becoming more and more disengaged. According to the Congressman, progress is made when a large segment of society mobilizes for a common cause.  Think of the civil rights movement.  When "the people" become less engaged in government, it widens the door for the special interests to increase their influence in government.
 
WDC Display at Luncheon
Congressman Delaney doesn't lay all blame on Republicans and their message of fear but also lays some responsibility on Democrats for failing to effectively deliver their own message regarding what works in a globally connected world.  Today's world as compared to our world just some fifty years ago, according to the Congressman, is drastically different due to globalization and we need to accept that fact and build on it.  Fifty years ago, he pointed out, 25 percent of the world was connected economically and 75 percent relied on localized economies.  Consistent with those percentages, world poverty affected 75 percent of the world.  Today the percentages are reversed with 75 percent connected and only 25 percent in poverty.
 
The question facing voters is whether they want to allow Trump to turn back the clock and bring us back to a world of inequality and intolerance or whether we want to progress forward in this globally connected world but one which will require greater tolerance, equality and fairness and an immigration policy that is consistent with our values as a nation.  Moreover, we must decide in this election whether we recognize the importance of investing in education, in infrastructure and in an environment that is severely strained due to globalization.
 
If we can't turn back time, we must progress forward and this upcoming presidential election is as simple as understanding the difference between going forward and going backwards.
 
The ramifications of this election are far reaching and go well beyond the next four years.  In 2012 when the Congressman won his first term, there were 325,000 voters in the District 6 election.  In the 2014 election, his second term, the number of voters in District 6 dropped to a staggeringly low 180,000.  Voter turnout is critical to preventing this country from going back in time and reversing the progress that has been made by President Obama who Congressman Delaney praised for accomplishing as much as he has despite the historical obstructionism he faced from Congress.
 
The year 2018 will see Maryland's next gubernatorial election and 2020 will see the next census and redistricting.  If it is important for Marylanders to keep such effective and established Congressmen as John Sarbanes, John Delaney, Steny Hoyer and Dutch Ruppersberger in their Congressional seats, and elect Jamie Raskin to Congress, then it is imperative that Marylanders take elections seriously and be engaged in the election process.
 
Currently, Democrats hold a three to one lead over Republicans in Montgomery County.  However, according to Congressman Delaney, the fastest growing party is that of Independents.  That three to one ratio can be drastically impacted if Independents slide to the Republican side rather than the Democrat side.  Yes, voter turnout is critical to any election since, when voters turn out, Democrats win and when voter turnout is low, Republicans win.  Getting voters to turn out, however, will only be accomplished if the message resonates with the voters and if that message restores their trust in government.
 
That will not be an easy challenge to overcome in the next month or so, but it is critical for voters to understand that
WDC Members at Luncheon
the challenges ahead won't be met with short term sound bites or a return to a world that no longer exists.  Rather, the challenges we face in a global community will require investment in new industries, new technology and the education of workers to compete in those new industries and investment in the infrastructure to support those new industries and the jobs they create.
 
At the conclusion of the Congressman's remarks he did take several questions and in his responses he pointed out that, contrary to rumors, he has no plans to run for governor in 2018. He also explained that the reason so many members of the foreign policy establishment are so very fearful of a Trump presidency is because his foreign policy rhetoric is so damaging to international relationships built up over decades and his statements on such issues as NATO, nuclear armament, and the like make him, in the eyes of those experienced in foreign affairs, so clearly unfit to be Commander-in-Chief. He also explained quite articulately how the needs of certain areas within his district are so drastically different than are the needs of other areas within his district and how he must assess those needs taking into consideration the greater good.
 
However, the area I want to end with is the topic the Congressman ended his talk with.  That topic is the Trans Pacific Partnership (TTP).  The Congressman is a supporter of this trade agreement and his explanation shed clarity on the debate.  It also shed some additional light on navigating in the global economy.  First, China is not part of the TTP.  The TTP is a giant free trade agreement between Canada, the United States and ten countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Basically, his and President Obama's reasoning reduces the argument to whether we want to be a player with those Pacific nations regarding trade or whether we want to surrender all influence to China in that region.
 
Further, as with any trade agreement, there are winners and losers.  The industries in the United States that will clearly benefit from the TTP are those dealing with technology, agriculture and import/exports.  The industries who will clearly not benefit from this agreement are the old line manufacturers.  The reality is that, in terms of Maryland specifically, the three industries that benefit from the agreement are the three top industries of Maryland.  It is primarily for that reason that the Congressman had no hesitation in supporting the TPP.
 
Further, regarding reality, the old line manufacturing jobs, no matter how many empty promises there are from Trump in his campaign rhetoric, will never return to this country.  In this global economy we can never compete with the 63 cents per hour paid in Bangladesh to sew garments NOR would we want those jobs back since no one here could afford to take them.
                                     
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HOUSE PARTIES' REPORT 
                                            by Lucy Freeman

Pat Murray Speaks at Lucy Freeman's Home
WDC and the Maryland Coordinated Campaign held four house parties to tell attendees about the Maryland campaign and how they can help the candidates.  Pat Murray, Chair of Chris Van Hollen's campaign and former head of the Maryland Democratic Party, spoke at the first party at Lucy Freeman's home.  His message was twofold:  we must all work to elect our Democratic candidates in this election and we must build up the Democratic voter database now to work towards the 2018 election.  As everyone knows, the 2014 turnout was abysmal and the campaign is working now to boost turnout.
Congressman Van Hollen at  Beth Tomasello's House

At Beth Tomasello's house, Chris Van Hollen talked about his campaign. He shared with us that Senator Barbara Mikulski has said Maryland is no longer as deep a blue state.  The eastern and western parts of the state, always Republican, are now more Republican, with fewer Democrats.   He is now running over 20 percentage points ahead of his opponent and wants to continue that trend; he fears if his numbers drop, Republican PACs may start putting money into his opponent's campaign.   He is campaigning in all parts of the state.

At MaeWanda Jackson's home, Jamie Raskin arrived straight from the debate at which his opponent said he was a member of the American Communist Party.  Not true. In addition to talking about his campaign, Jamie put forward an eloquent plea for all to support and work for Chris Van Hollen's and Hillary Clinton's campaigns.

Joan Rolf, a new member, held the final party at which Representative John Delaney spoke. To a crowd of 60 people, almost all constituents of Mr. Delaney, he shared how important the campaign is in the 6th Congressional District. This is the only competitive race in the state. In 2012, 320,000 voted in the district and he won by 20 percent.  In 2014, 180,000 voted and he won by 2 percent.  Anthony Brown lost this district by 15%.  Congressman Delaney wants progress in fighting climate change, improving our infrastructure, helping veterans, and increasing manufacturing.  Mr. Delaney has spent a third of his life learning, a third earning, and now is enjoying serving his state and country. 
                                  
  Article3  
SEPTEMBER HAPPY HOUR REPORT 
                                                        by Enid Light

The WDC September Happy Hour at the Lebanese Taverna was very well attended. We picked up several new members and there was a lot of interest in volunteering at upcoming phone banks, canvassing events and voter registration drives.  Given that we are two months out from the election, there was a lot of discussion about the campaign. Everyone was so busy chatting that we forgot to take a group picture of the entire group! Half an hour after the official end of happy hour, those still engaged in animated political conversations paused, and we got a "smaller" group picture. Cheers to everyone who attended. We hope that next month we will get an even larger crowd. 
                          
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CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER

To WDC Member Laurie Kelly    who received the 2016  Award for Digital Communications at the annual Maryland AARP Andrus Awards Ceremony .   On Laurie's award - AARP Maryland: "Over the past year, you've stepped up in so many ways to get the word out about caregiving and other issues of concern to the 50+. As a social media fan, advocate and speaker, you're always on message and willing to share."  Laurie also helps out WDC with our communications, and is a member of the Advocacy Committee.
 
To WDC Member Lorig Charkoudian who will receive the Mary Parker Follet Award from the Association for Conflict Resolution. Lorig Charkoudian, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of Community Mediation Maryland (CMM), where she has consistently developed innovative partnerships working with agencies such as the Departments of Education, Public Safety/Corrections, Aging, and the Judiciary to bring collaborative conflict resolution to new heights.  She is a leading voice in Maryland and nationally advancing the cause of community mediation and conducting empirical research to improve mediation practices.  Her most recent community-based work includes supporting community dialogues across Baltimore City as residents struggled through issues associated with the arrest and death of Freddie Gray.
 
To Board Member Riki Sheehan whose talented son Ben is the Executive Director of www.savetheday.vote.  SaveTheDay is a short term digital production company and super PAC focused on encouraging Americans to get out and vote on Election Day. The first phase of that effort is a star-studded PSA that recently launched featuring the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Julianne Moore, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Leslie Odom Jr.  It seems to be getting widespread notice, with several million views on the first day it aired. They' re especially pleased with the number of people using the link to register to vote! The second of their videos should be out soon. You can click on the link above to watch their videos.

 
                                                    

ArticleF
WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
 
 
      
 
Great news!!!!  We have three new board members!   Shebra Evans Is our new Event Planner (formerly called hospitality), and Joan Gervino and Enid Light are our new co-chairs of the Membership & Outreach Committee!
 
We will miss our former Board members Nancy Holland and Barbara Salkin, and we are very grateful to them for their service.  And it goes without saying that Natalie Bouquet, our longtime Hospitality Chair, who passed away earlier this year, is greatly missed. 
 
Shebra Evans

Shebra Evans is an experienced and dedicated champion for children. Her volunteerism has led her to be elected to prominent leadership roles with the county PTA including Vice President for Educational Issues. Building on her passion for education and her experience working on behalf of the students and families of Montgomery County Public Schools, Shebra ran for Board of Education At-Large in the November 2014 race. She is currently a candidate for the Board of Education, District 4. 

Shebra earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics and Finance from Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN. In addition to her work with the local schools, Shebra extends her service to the community in various leadership roles. She currently serves as the Financial Secretary for the African American Democratic Club, is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Silver Spring, Maryland - District 7620, Vice Chair of Fiscal Responsibility with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Theta Omega Omega Chapter, Board member with the non-profit Big Learning, Inc., and is involved with a host of other organizations as well.

Shebra resides in Silver Spring, MD with her husband, Lawrence, and their two daughters. 


Enid Light, Ph.D.

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve as Co-Chair of the Membership and Outreach Committee. As the committee moves forward we hope to dramatically increase the number of new members.  No matter what happens in November, it is clear that the WDC has an important and strategic role to play in our county. Plus, we are a fun and energetic organization.

Having recently retired from the NIH (after 43 years at the NIMH) partisan politics was on my "bucket list".  During those years I was program director for program evaluation at the institute wide level, director of a small business research program, and director of various clinical and services programs in mental health. I also served as Associate Director for Research Training and Career Development, DSIR at the NIMH and spent some time on detail to the Fogarty International Center. I hope to bring some of these program development, evaluation and career development skills to the M&O committee.

Our wonderful University of Maryland at College Park is where I earned a Ph.D. in Human Development.  From GW I received a BA in English and a MA in Education.

Although I have written and edited scientific books and articles my real fantasy is to write romantic mysteries about health clubs and feral cats with a hint of politics."


Joan Gervino

"I'm pleased to join the Board of the WDC as Co-Chair of Membership and Outreach. Additionally, I volunteer as a tour guide at the Kennedy Center and at Hillwood Museum. Before retirement I was a Library Director in legal and banking organizations, with a second career as a consultant at a woman-owned consulting firm for diverse Federal and international clients. My undergraduate degree is from Mount Holyoke College and Masters from Rutgers University. 

I look forward to greeting current WDC members and welcoming lots of new ones to this dynamic, superb organization!"
                                                              


Article4
IN MEMORIAM 
                   
  
 
  
Block1
VOTING INFORMATION

VOTER REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Voter Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 18, 2016, 9 p.m. - Close of Registration Deadline to register to vote for the general election.

With regard to absentee ballots, please check the Montgomery County Board of Elections website at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections/.
                               
                               
EARLY VOTING

Election Day is November 8th from 7 am to 8 pm and Maryland Early Voting is October 27 through November 3 from 8 am to 8 pm.

Early Voting Locations

*  Activity Center at Bohrer Park, Social Hall, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877

*  Damascus Community Recreation Center, Social Hall, 25520 Oak Drive, Damascus, MD 20872

*  Executive Office, Building Auditorium, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850

*  Germantown Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown, MD 

*  Jane E. Lawton Community Rec. Center, Social Hall, 4301 Willow Ln., Chevy Chase, MD 20815 

*  Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, 14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 

*  Mid-County Community Rec. Center, Social Hall, 2004 Queensguard Rd., Silver Spring, MD  20906 

*  Potomac Community Recreation Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac, MD 20854

*  Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910

*  Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, 2400 Arcola Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902
             
 
  
 Block2 
BALLOT QUESTIONS

County-wide Questions
Question A: Providing for Special Elections for Filling a Vacancy in Office of
County Executive
Question B: County Executive and County Council Term Limits
Question C: Defining a Term for Purposes of Term Limits
 
Statewide Question 1 : 
Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 511 of the 2016 Legislative Session)
Appointments and Special Elections for Attorney General or Comptroller

Unnumbered Questions : Retention of Certain Judges

Please click here to view the Report of the Ballot Questions Advisory Committee of the Montgomery County Democratic Party. You will find an in-depth explanation of the ballot questions.  

It bears mention that at the most recent Board meeting, thanks to the work of our Advocacy Committee, the WDC Board voted unanimously to join the Coalition opposing term limits for the County Executive and County Council.  

  
 
  

  Block3   ADVOCACY COMMITTEE REPORT   

Advocacy in Support of Paid Family Leave

From Montgomery County Council Member Tom Hucker:

"New parents need to spend time with their children, whether they are newborns, newly adopted or foster children. None of us should have to scramble to find a neighbor to care for a newborn while we return to work to pay our bills. Thanks so much to Emily Shetty (and Ayden) and Fran Rothstein of the Women's Democratic Club and Amber Banks & Mindy Phillips Kassaraba of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland for supporting my bill to expand paid leave to new parents in Montgomery County."


 
Support of WDC Policy Priorities
 
The Advocacy Committee also wanted to share how you can support WDC policy priorities such as the initiative mentioned above:

Help develop and/or deliver testimony .  WDC submits written and oral testimony to the State Legislature and County Council on certain issues of concern to women and families.  If you have served (or are now serving) on a board or commission, and would be willing to be consulted about testimony or to deliver oral testimony in your area of expertise, please let us know. 

Contact your legislators .  If you would be willing to contact state or county legislators about specific bills, we'd like to add your name to our Advocacy Alerts list.  Members of WDC's Advocacy Committee will send you a brief email alert when your call or email to your legislators can have the most impact.

T o help, please email Fran Rothstein ( fran.rothstein@verizon.net ) or Emily Shetty ( Emily.shetty@gmail.com ), with Advocacy Alerts in the subject line.
    
 Block4  BYLAWS REVIEW

The WDC is going to be undertaking a review of our Bylaws, which may be found on our website at  http://womansdemocraticclub.org/about-wdc-purpose-history/.   Members are welcome to take a look at them and see if they have any issues they would like to see addressed or questions to be answered.  Comments should be directed to Betsy Loyless, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, at betsy.loyless@yahoo.com
  
 
  
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MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION - TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
 
The dues cycle for WDC is from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017 so you should have already received a membership renewal letter in the mail.  Any new member who joined the WDC after June 1, 2016 is considered a full member through August 31, 2017.  If  you are not certain about your dues status, please contact Sybil Cantor at sybil.cantor@gmail.com , and she will be able to advise you.
 
WDC appreciates your continuing support  Your voice and membership dues are crucial to the vitality and strength of the Woman's Democratic Club. Your $35 dues ($25 for members 35 years and younger) ($36.00 and $26 online, respectively, at www.womansdemocraticclub.org ) pay for Club mailings; subsidizes events, programming, and the annual New Member dinner; and support the important work of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and Democratic candidates with campaign contributions.   All non-renewing members will be purged from the membership list in February.

The WDC also offers gift memberships.  Honor a good friend or colleague with a gift membership to the WDC so she or he can enjoy the many benefits our club offers!  A gift renewal form will be in your renewal letter or click here to buy a gift membership on-line.

The 2016 membership directory will continue to be available at WDC events to all current dues-paying members.Please review your listing in the directory.  If you find any mistakes, please email us the corrections at  wdcmcmd@gmail.com or call WDC President Linda Kolko at 301-785-1342.  Please note that if we did not receive your renewal by February 1, you were not listed in the 2016 Membership Directory.

Click here  to renew your Membership or join the Club!  Thank you.

facebook

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE - WE'RE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!    

 

Don't forget to like us on Facebook; we're listed as Woman's Democratic Club, Montgomery County. https://www.facebook.com/WomansDemocraticClub
 
WDC also has a Twitter account!   Our Twitter handle is @WomenDems.   Be sure to follow us!  

 

 

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VOLUNTEERS:   IT TAKES A VILLAGE
 
 Help Wanted
Sharing your skills and expertise with us and joining a committee are fun ways to meet other members and make new friends while helping the Club accomplish its goals. We especially need volunteers to help with new member recruitment as part of the Membership & Outreach Committee and we need writers to prepare articles for our newsletter and photographers for our Facebook page and newsletter. We are also looking for a member to help organize our monthly Happy Hour.  Finally, we need volunteers on the Advocacy Committee to help analyze and track important legislation

Click here to volunteer.
 
   
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SUGGESTION BOX:

Suggestion Box  

Do you have ideas for future programs? Do you know someone who would be a great speaker at a future WDC event?  If so, please send an e-mail to wdcmcmd@gmail.com.

 

 

  

A lso, our Education Committee is seeking ideas for future programs in the Montgomery 101 series; if you have issues or subjects about the county you would like to learn about or study, please email Lucy Freeman at dorset4708@yahoo.com or call 301-654-8115.

   

 

 Keeping members better informed, better connected and more politically effective since 1957      

 

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Woman's Democratic Club
Linda Kolko, President
www.womansdemocraticclub.org      wdcmcmd@gmail.com
Woman's Democratic Club
Sybil Cantor
Email Coordinator