News & Events


July 29, 2020
After the Walk: Thursdays in August
 
Last month, in each of our villages - in Wilmette, Northfield, and in neighboring townships across the North Shore – tens of thousands of residents, students, advocates, and Democrats marched in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. On the Winnetka Village Green, we hosted the largest protest in over 50 years, since Martin Luther King Jr. spoke there in 1965.
 
We marched, because we were called to do  something  in the face of police brutality against Black women and men. We were called, in spite of pandemic, to stand up and be counted. And still, we know, that a walk down Elm street is not enough. Throughout our politics and our societies and our villages, each of us no doubt senses the winds of change.
 
And so, this month, we go further, to engage our community, atone for our past, and reimagine the future of our village. Next Thursday,  I invite you to join us  for the first of four community conversations about race and racism in Winnetka and on the North Shore.
 
On Thursday, we’ll hear perspectives from student organizers and Black neighbors and pick up the conversation that began in earnest a half century ago about who is welcome in Winnetka.  The following week , we’ll hear from almost a dozen students, from a myriad of backgrounds sharing their perspectives on growing up here.  On the third Thursday in August , we’ll invite historians of progress to share the story of how Winnetka chose to be 94.8% white (per the 2010 census) before. Finally,  on August 27 th , we’ll close the series  with an honest conversation about how change happens, and how we can be participants in – and advocates of – racial progress and reconciliation.
 
Some things, we hope, defy partisanship. Protecting Black lives should be chief among them. But as Democrats, we have a special duty to support and lead these conversations, because we believe that racial diversity and racial equity are to be fought for – to be achieved – not just written about.
 
So, join us, Thursday evenings in August, as we embark on a community conversation about a future for the suburbs, and take the next step on a long journey along the moral arc of the universe, which – we trust – we might bend a little further toward justice.

Patrick Hanley, one of the organizers of the Winnetka walk and this conversation series, and NTD's newest Executive Committee Board Member
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 .
Get Your Joe Biden Yard Sign!

Show your support for Joe! New Trier Democrats will have Joe Biden yard signs available for purchase and pick-up at our office (800 Oak Street, Suite 112, Winnetka) on Wednesday, August 5th and Saturday, August 8th from 10am to noon.

Signs are $10 each – first come, first serve – and you may buy multiple signs. We will only accept checks or cash in exact amount (please place your payment in an envelope, if possible). Additional pick-up days will be added if needed and we will order more signs if there is high demand. Thanks!
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!

AND, if you have family members or friends who do not have internet access or are not comfortable with technology, please consider helping them apply online to Vote By Mail.
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. 
Lauren Underwood
Join Virtual Phone Banks For U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood’s Re-Election (IL-14th) With Indivisible Evanston on Thursdays or Tenth Dems on Mondays

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 6:00pm 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 Virtual Phone Banking on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays

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 and/or Thursdays from 6:45-8:30pm and/or Saturday’s from 9:45-11:30am . Training is available, too!
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 August Texting Training on Mondays and Text Banking on Tuesdays 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 Monday nights in August   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). They’ll also share news about other texting campaigns so you can also work on your own schedule!

Their instructors and facilitators are Indivisible Evanston’s Laura Tanner and Jessica Droeger from Indivisible Lincoln Square. They’ll prep you to participate in their group texting sessions on Tuesday afternoons in August ,  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 .
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 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 .
Assemble Postcard Shipping Kits With Indivisible Evanston and Postcards to Swing States – Next Pickup date is Tuesday, August 4th

Since announcing on July 6 that they were expanding to 10 swing states in addition to WI and MI,  Postcards to Swing States  has been inundated by orders for 3 million cards…and counting! Check out recent coverage they got in  The Hill  about their goal to send 13 million handwritten postcards to swing state voters by October. With this new goal and influx of orders, the organizers are in desperate need of volunteers willing to “kit” the packets of postcards to ship all over the country. That’s where we come in!

KEY POINTS AND KIT INFORMATION
  • How does it work? Volunteers pick up kits containing postcards, paperwork, boxes and shipping labels.
  • You assemble the kits at home and mail them with USPS.
  • Each kit includes supplies to prep and ship 56 orders of 200 postcards to volunteers.
  • 2 boxes of postcards with 112 bundles of 100 postcards.
  • Postcard writing instructions and packets of 200 addresses for each order.
  • Prepaid shipping labels, holders and envelopes are provided.
  • Note: postcard boxes are heavy, so please be prepared to lift them. We can help at pickup!
  • Each kit requires 1-2 hours volunteer time to prep for shipping.
  • Once all kits are prepped, you just contact USPS for a pickup.
  • Kits are TIME SENSITIVE and must be shipped within 3-5 days of pickup.

Sign up:  Sign up online  and choose one of the available pickup slots. Click on the button to sign up for a 15 minute window to pick up your kit. If you can take more than one kit, please sign up for consecutive slots! Thanks!

Pick Up Location: Home of Laura Tanner: 2319 Park Place, Evanston, 60201. Social distancing protocols in effect. Once you sign up, you will receive an email with pickup instructions. Thank you for helping Postcards to Swing States! Questions? Please contact  Laura Tanner.
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. 
Tonight, 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]
Tomorrow Night, July 30, 2020: Moms for Biden Kickoff With Jill Biden

When : Thursday, June 30, 2020 at 6:00pm
Where : Online
What: Join Biden for President for the launch of Moms for Biden hosted by Dr. Jill Biden and moms from across the country.  Register online .
Monday, August 3, 2020: Virtual Conversation on Anti-Semitism With U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, Congressman Adam Schiff and Jason Alexander

When : Monday, August 3, 2020 at 7:00pm
Where : Video call instructions will be provided prior to the event.  Register online.
What :  A virtual conversation on antisemitism with U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), moderated by Jason Alexander. For more information, contact Katie Angel 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.
Sunday, August 9, 2020: Tenth Dems University Presents “How Can Illinois Move to a 100% Clean Energy Future?”

When : Sunday, August 9, 2020 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Where : Online via Zoom. Link provided closer to the event.  RSVP online .
What : Tenth Dems U hosts Illinois Sierra Club’s Deputy Director for a presentation, “How Can Illinois Move to a 100% Clean Energy Future?” Kady will discuss the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA-HB3624/SB2321) and how Illinois can move forward 100% clean energy legislation in this moment in time. CLE credit available for attorneys.
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.