News & Events


July 22, 2020
New Trier Democrats’ Annual Meet & Greet

Now On Zoom!

Next Tuesday, July 28, 2019 at 7:00pm
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It’s our Annual Meet & Greet – this year on Zoom! This is a great opportunity to hear from your local representatives, as well as candidates running for office. We will be joined by Congressman Brad Schneider, State Sen. Robyn Gabel, State Sen. Julie Morrison, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin and more. Don’t miss this event! Register online . After you register, you’ll be sent an email with your Zoom invite a day or so before the Annual Meet & Greet. Any questions? Contact Joan at [email protected]



Last Friday, Congressman John Lewis passed away. Since then, thousands of words have been said and written in tribute to him; praise for his courage, character and unswerving commitment to the rights of all Americans; words describing his belief in America’s continuing potential and his love for this country and all fellow Americans -- even those who hated him.
  That’s why on Monday, when NTD President Judy Mandel asked me if I’d like to write a few words about Congressman Lewis, I respectfully declined. I had never met John Lewis, or followed his career that closely. I knew he was a remarkable human being in many ways, but what more could I say that hadn’t already been said?
  This morning I changed my mind. I’m an old white guy who was raised in small Midwest towns that were virtually all white. They weren’t purposefully racist environments. But they were obliviously racist. Since those days, so many years ago, my understanding of the role of race in our society has grown a lot. (And my process continues.) And as I thought about John Lewis this morning, I realized that I owed him a personal “Thank you.” -- I would thank him for making my long life better because of his resolute battle against the senseless products of racism.
  Yes, I know John Lewis wasn’t alone in those efforts. There have been many other courageous men and women of every age and race who have battled racist policies. But even among those exceptional Americans, John Lewis was exceptional. His words helped me see America -- its flaws and its promise -- with a clearer vision. And his perseverance helped bring about the integration of businesses, governments and schools. (Unlike my youngest days, my children did not grow up thinking segregation in parts of America was an accepted fact of life.) 
   So...Thank you, John Lewis, for the huge role you played in the positive societal changes I’ve observed in my lifetime. They’ve made America a better nation and, I hope, made me a better person.
  And here’s one final thought: When John Lewis faced death on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, he wasn’t risking his life solely for Black Americans. He was risking his life for all of us -- for the United States of America. He was a patriot in the truest sense and we all owe John Lewis our thanks.

Nels Howard
NTDO Member since 1973

PS: In a year when our democracy is in such danger, I also plan to thank John Lewis by working to remove the racist-dependent Trump administration from the White House and correct the disastrous direction his Republican enablers have encouraged. – Scroll down for ideas on how you can help.
After the Walk: A Conversation Series
Every Thursday in August at 8:00pm via Zoom

Join an hour long community conversation about race in Winnetka every Thursday in August. ‘After the Walk’ is a four-part series following the June 6th ‘Winnetka Walks Against Racism’ march to explore race and prejudice in our own community, as we strive to make Winnetka a more welcoming place. 





Please note that due to Zoom constraints, these conversations are capped at 100 participants. Please register ASAP to save your spot! These conversations will be recorded and posted in the  After the Walk facebook page .
Apply Online Now to Vote by Mail in the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election

Click here to apply online now to Vote By Mail for the Nov. 3, 2020 Presidential Election.  This application is for Suburban Cook County Voters. It’s EASY – takes 2 minutes. You need:

  • Driver’s License or State ID #
  • Last 4 digits of your social security number
  • Address where you want ballot mailed
  • Email address

When you apply online to Vote By Mail, the Cook County Clerk’s office will send you emails:

  • When your ballot is mailed to you,
  • When the Clerk’s office receives your Ballot Return Envelope, and
  • When your ballot has been processed and counted.

They will start mailing ballots in late September / early October 2020. All Vote By Mail ballots come with postage-paid Ballot Return Envelopes.

New this fall:  You may submit the Ballot Return Envelope in a secured drop box at any Cook County Early Voting location!

You may also use standard US mail. If you use standard US mail to send your Ballot Return envelope, you must get a postmark before or on Election Day, Nov. 3.

Questions? Learn more  here , call 312.603.0946 or email  [email protected] . Make your home your polling place!
Volunteering Opportunities
Inclusion in our "Volunteering Opportunities" List – whether it’s for a specific candidate or concerning a particular issue – does not mean that the New Trier Democrats have endorsed that candidate or adopted that position on an issue. 
Sign Up to Write Postcards at Home to Wisconsin & Michigan With Indivisible Evanston

Join Indivisible Evanston to write postcards to likely Democratic voters in Wisconsin and Michigan, encouraging them to vote in the November Presidential Election. 

They will supply the postcards, names and addresses and script. You just supply the postage (and support the Post Office at the same time!) Until we can meet again in person, they will make cards and materials available for pick up seven days a week, at three locations. Just sign up and select how many packs of cards you want and when you want to pick them up. (Just check the blue Sign up box on the date you want. Click on the black “Submit and Sign up” box at the bottom of your screen. Then complete the registration, including selecting the quantity of packs you want.)


Sign Up For July Texting Training and Text Banking With Indivisible’s “IndivisiText Team”

Texting is a great way to connect directly with voters in addition to making phone calls and writing postcards, especially in a pandemic when we can’t canvass. But it’s not quite as simple as sending a message to your friends from your phone. Each campaign or organization has their own peer-to-peer texting platforms and procedures.

Come to one of Indivisible Chicago Alliance’s (ICA) texting classes to learn more about how to reach voters through texting. Their trainings on  July 27  will be for the “IndivisiText Team,” the national Indivisible texting program. They’ll be learning how to use their platforms, TextOut and Slack. It’s easy and fun once you get the hang of it!

This training will prepare and make you part of the ICA texting team that will be ready to jump in whenever texting opportunities arise. As usual, they’ll do it together and learn from each other. And once you’re trained, you’ll be ready to join their regular Zoom  group texting sessions  (like our virtual phone banks and postcard parties). We’ll also share news about other texting campaigns so you can also work on your own schedule!

Our instructors and facilitators are Indivisible Evanston’s Laura Tanner and Jessica Droeger from Indivisible Lincoln Square. They’ll prep you to participate in our group texting sessions on  July 28,  and you can also text on your own! Once you sign up, you will receive a confirmation email and another email with the Zoom meeting registration link the day of the training.  Sign up online .
Lauren Underwood
Join Virtual Phone Banks For U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood’s Re-Election (IL-14th) With Indivisible Evanston or Tenth Dems

As you know,  Lauren Underwood  is running for re-election to the US House in Illinois’ 14th district. And though November is some months away, there are some things we can do now to support her campaign. In a joint effort with the campaign itself to re-kindle the camaraderie of canvassing and phone bank parties in person, Indivisible Evanston and Tenth Dems are hosting weekly virtual phone bank parties.
 
Indivisible Evanston’s Thursday Virtual Phone Bank Parties   

Indivisible Evanston will be hosting weekly virtual phone bank parties with members on Thursdays! Parties will last from 5:00pm to 7:30pm CDT and are hosted by the campaign. A member of the campaign will be on the call and offer training in the first 15-20 minutes and then ‘hang out’ for the duration, answering any questions—about the phone bank system and the script or if one of your call recipients has a question about Rep. Underwood that is not in the script and you’re unable to answer. 

Sign up online.   After signing up, you’ll get an invite to the actual event once it’s available. Questions on the Thursday virtual phone bank parties? Email  [email protected] .

OR Tenth Dem’s Monday Phone Banks

Every Monday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, volunteers will be making phone calls to help reelect Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL), who is in one of the most important races in the entire country. Tenth Dems are joining together with the Underwood campaign to make calls.  Sign up online.
Join Team Casten (IL-6th) For Phone Banking on Tuesdays & Saturdays in July

Sean Casten is running for re-election in Illinois’ 6th Congressional District to hold onto the formerly Republican seat he flipped in 2018. Help Team Casten “check in” on friendly voters AND confirm their support for Sean as part of a virtual phone bank. He has worked hard for Illinois since 2018 and he stands with us. Together–even virtually–we can stand with him as a team by making calls on his behalf.  Sign up here to call Tuesdays from 6:45-8:30pm and/or Saturday’s from 9:45-11:30am . Training is available, too!
Sign Up for Wednesday Virtual Phone Banks to Wisconsin With Indivisible Chicago

The road to the White House runs right through Wisconsin. Indivisible is renewing the fight to turn Wisconsin  BLUE  in November. They will be calling into targeted areas identified by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin to engage voters well ahead of the election. They will be helping identify Democratic voters NOW so we can efficiently get out the vote in November.

They make phone banking easy! Their phone banks begin with a Zoom call orientation and end with the opportunity to debrief. Along the way, their phone bank leaders are available to help you with any problems. After you sign up, they’ll get back in touch with all the information you need to connect. They’re with you every step of the way!

Sign Up for Monday and Wednesday Virtual Phone Banks With Sister District Greater Chicago

Make calls with Sister District Greater Chicago while together on Zoom. Training and coaching will be available for those new to Zoom or to phone banking. Virtual phone banking is fun – they mute everyone, but you can see your fellow callers engaged with voters, they can share experiences via chat, and help is always available via chat or a breakout room with an experienced volunteer. Virtual Phone Banks will support 2020 Sister District candidates in state legislatures.

  • Wednesday, July 22 – 6:30 – 8 pm – register here 
  • Monday, July 27, 5:30 – 7:30 pm – register here
  • Wednesday, July 29, 6 – 7:30 pm – register here
  • Monday, August 3, 5:30 – 7:30 pm – register here
  • Wednesday, August 5, 6 – 7:30 pm – register here
  • Monday, August 10, 5:30 – 7:30 pm – register here
  • Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 – 8 pm – register here

For more information,  visit their webpage .
Other Events of Interest
Inclusion in our "Other Events of Interest" List – whether it’s a fundraising event for a specific candidate or an event concerning a particular issue – does not mean that the New Trier Democrats have endorsed that candidate or adopted that position on an issue. 
Michael Cabonargi
Tomorrow Night, July 23, 2020: Summer Reception for Mike Cabonargi & Larry Rogers, Cook County Board of Review Commissioners

When :  Thursday, July 23, 2020 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Where : Via Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
What:   Summer reception supporting Commissioner Mike Cabonargi and Commissioner Larry R. Rogers, Jr. RSVP or for more information, contact Kaitlin at  [email protected]  or Eric at  [email protected] .  Link to register online or to contribute.
Monday & Tuesday, July 27 & 28, 2020: We Are EMILY Virtual Conference

When : Monday, July 27, 2020 from 2:30pm to 6:00pm Central Daylight Time (Please note: the announcement shows Eastern time). The conference continues Tuesday, July 28, at 12:00 noon Central Daylight Time.
Where : Online. Sign-in instructions provided upon registration.  RSVP online
What : A virtual conference celebrating the 35th Anniversary of EMILY’s List, and looking ahead to the women who will shape the 2020 election. The conference features U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, New York; Kamala Harris, California; Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota; and Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020: U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth Virtual Reception

When : Wednesday, July 29, 2020 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm Central Daylight Time (Please note: the announcement shows Eastern time).
Where : Online via Zoom. Link and meeting ID provided upon RSVP or registration
What : A virtual reception with U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth featuring a performance by musical theater star Arianna Afsar and playwright Lauren Gunderson, telling the story of America’s first congresswoman, Jeannette Rankin.  RSVP online  or contact Monica Medvedec at  [email protected]
Tuesday, August 4, 2020: Tenth Dems University Presents “What’s Going to Happen in November” With Rachel Bitecofer

When : Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 7:00pm
Where : Online via Zoom. Link provided closer to the event.  RSVP online .
What : TDU presents “What’s Going to Happen in November?” with Rachel Bitecofer. Bitecofer, author and political prognosticator, gained fame for her nearly perfect predictions for the 2018 elections. She will discuss what she thinks will happen in 2020 and why.
Wednesday, August 12, 2020: Tenth Dems University Presents “Free Speech and Social Media: Does the Constitution Protect Lies?”

When : Wednesday, August 12, 2020 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Where : Online via Zoom. Link provided closer to the event.  RSVP online .
What : TDU hosts Northwestern Law Professor Marty Redish for his presentation, “Free Speech and Social Media: Does the Constitution Protect Lies?” Trump’s (mis)use of Twitter, false posts on Facebook, and more continue to impact our political discourse and elections. Redish, among the most frequently cited legal scholars in the country, discusses the First Amendment implications for lies on social media. CLE credit available for attorneys.
Thursday, August 13, 2020: Take Back America — Jewish Votes Will Make the Difference in November

When : Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 4:00 CDT (5:00pm EDT)
Where : Via Zoom
What : The Jewish Democratic Council of America presents “Take Back America — Jewish Votes Will Make the Difference in November.” Laugh, learn and be inspired as the path to victory is charted.  Sign up online . 
Daniel Biss
Tuesday, August 18, 2020: Daniel Biss on “Fair Tax in Illinois”

When : Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 7:00pm
Where :   Register online
What : Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois sponsors a virtual presentation by Daniel Biss on “Fair Tax in Illinois” and how to communicate about the Fair Tax based on our values.
Zoom Training Sessions
for Current or Future Democratic Candidates, Party Officials, Supervolunteers, Staff and Activists

The  Democratic Party of Illinois  will host a training series for candidates and party leaders to learn the fundamentals of conducting successful campaigns.

The trainings will be held virtually via Zoom on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30 pm and will include presentations from experienced campaign staff and candidates followed by a 30-minute discussion period.  

Registration is required and limited to Democratic current or future candidates, party officials, supervolunteers, staff and activists. Participants must register for each session individually. Space is limited so sign up early. Register by clicking on the title of each individual session.


Thank you for your energy and commitment to electing Democrats this fall. Please email  [email protected]  or call 217-546-7404 if you have any questions. 
Educate Yourself and Your Family With This Anti-Racism Resource

From the creator of this  google doc : “This  document  is intended to serve as a resource to white people and parents to deepen our anti-racism work. If you haven’t engaged in anti-racism work in the past, start now. Feel free to circulate this document on social media and with your friends, family, and colleagues.”
Need help contacting your
representatives in government?

Visit our website for a complete list of everyone who represents the residents of New Trier Township - from Federal to Village level - and links to contact them.
Still not a member of the New Trier Democrats?
 
Your participation in grassroots political action
will make a difference. Come join us!

When you're a member of the New Trier Democratic Organization, you have an active role in affecting the political process by: participating in grassroots campaigns, staying in touch with elected officials, and playing a role in deciding which candidates are endorsed. You'll also gain free admission to select forums and events throughout the year.    

Come be a part of New Trier Township's grassroots political community.     
New Trier Democrats memberships are on a calendar year basis. We encourage our members to renew their dues annually every January.
Contributions to the New Trier Democratic Organization are subject to the limits and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act. Contributions to the New Trier Democratic Organization are not tax deductible.

Paid for by the New Trier Democratic Organization (www.ntdo.org) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee, nor is any candidate or candidate’s committee responsible for the activities of the New Trier Democratic Organization. A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is available on the Board’s official website (www.elections.il.gov) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.