April 2022 Meeting

Hill Country Chapter of

Texas Democratic Women

April 2022

April HCCTDW Meeting

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Check in at the Kroc 11:15 a.m.

Meal served at 11:30 a.m.

Honey Baked Ham, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Sauté Fresh Squash,

Salad, Bread & Cherry/Pineapple Dump Cake

Don't forget your masks!

Reservations for the luncheon should be made by emailing to jmsentell@icloud.com no later than Wednesday, March 30, 2022. The cost of the meal is $16.00 per person.

RESERVATIONS ASSURE BETTER LUNCHEON SERVICE

At our March 8 luncheon, we were thrilled to welcome almost 50 of our members. Unfortunately, we had only 39 firm reservations, so the seating and service were limited for the luncheon. We are required by contract to submit a firm headcount to the Kroc six days in advance, and low estimates can present a challenge to the Kroc staff to provide lunch to everyone. Our meeting start was delayed for about 10 minutes while additional chairs were brought in and food was served to all who wished to eat.

If at all possible, please make your reservation by May 30 to help us work efficiently with the Kroc staff. Thank you!

April Luncheon to Focus on Organizing Democrats to Win

The April Luncheon Meeting will focus on the challenges facing Democratic candidates in Bandera, Gillespie and Kerr Counties as County Chairs prepare for the Democratic Run-off election on May 24 and the November 8 General Election. Organizing Democrats and motivating voters, including less conservative independents and Republicans, while relying on volunteers are daunting tasks.

In Gillespie County, County Chair Cathy Collier has the added challenge of a newly created Texas House District 19 thanks to the redistricting by the Texas Legislature in 2021. Pam Baggett of Blanco is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 19, composed of five counties, Gillespie, Burnet, Blanco, Kendall and part of Travis.

House District 19 shows the effect of redistricting on Texas voters. Before redistricting, there was a House District 19 in East Texas north of Beaumont that was not contested by any Democratic candidate. Gillespie and Kendall Counties used to be part of House District 73, represented by Republican Kyle Biedermann of Fredericksburg. House District 73 now covers Comal County and part of Hays County, leading Biedermann to decide not to run in 2022.

The State Representative race is the most local race for Bandera County Chair Lynn Oliver and Kerr County Chair Barbara Veldhuizen. Kerr and Bandera Counties are still part of Texas House District 53, which added four counties through redistricting as Texas House Districts in rural areas expanded to add sufficient population. Joe Herrera of Medina County is running in District 53 to defeat Republican Andrew Murr of Junction.

Turning out voters for the May 24 Primary Run-off is another big job for County Chairs, with several state-wide contests still pending. Hill Country Democratic Women welcome the enthusiasm and fresh ideas of women candidates battling to be the Democratic Party candidate for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller and Land Commissioner along with U.S. House District 21. Recognizing that the majority of voters are women, Democratic Women see a bright future in these highly qualified women running for office.

During the business portion of the meeting, the HCCTDW will elect officers for the chapter year which begins at the May 3, 2022 meeting.

The public is welcome to attend the luncheon. Reservations for the $16 lunch are highly recommended. Make reservations by email to jmsentell@icloud.com on or before Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

Candidates

Joe P. Herrera is the Democratic Candidate for Texas House District 53, which includes Bandera and Kerr Countie

Pam Baggett is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 19, which includes Gillespie County.

Letter From The President

Dear Dedicated Democrats,

Your energy is showing! We seated close to 50 at our March 8 meeting and have signed up almost 100 members for this crucial election year. The Kroc staff was challenged to seat and feed everyone as we exceeded expectations by almost 20%. The energy level inspired me to use Obama’s theme: “Are you fired up?”

Our guest speaker, Kim Olson, did not disappoint. Speaking without a microphone, Kim engaged our audience with her confidence and solid proposals for the future of the Texas Democratic Party. She will be running for State Party Chair at the State Democratic Convention in Dallas, July 14-16.

TDW does not endorse candidates in the Democratic Primary or Run-off, but I am pleased to point out that we will have a lot of opportunities to vote for women in the Democratic Primary Runoff on May 24: for U.S. House 21, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Land Commissioner and Comptroller. I am excited that so many Democratic candidates are post-Boomers, demonstrating that the Democratic Party is attracting strong, younger candidates.

Kerr County anticipates a low turnout for the Primary Run-off, and will limit polling to four locations on May 24. Mark your calendar now and use this opportunity to outvote the Republicans.

We continue to have encouraging reports from our Treasurer that members are generously supporting our chapter with additional contributions as memberships are renewed. Thank you so much for your confidence in our mission and leadership in the Hill Country.

Pray for Ukraine and the future of Democracy,

Stephanie

BETO IS BARNSTORMING ALREADY

With the theme, “It’s Going to Take All of Us,” Beto O’Rourke has turned up the heat in his campaign for Governor of Texas. After winning the Primary election decisively, Beto’s campaign is recruiting volunteers on his website: betofortexas.com

The website includes posts from recent activities, using the term “barnstorming” to describe Beto’s travels from place to place to meet crowds of supporters and potential supporters. Beto is reaching out to Texans with an inclusive message focused on education, better jobs, broadband and healthcare.

Of course, the website gives you a chance to purchase a sign, to sign up as a volunteer and to donate to the campaign. Go to the website and get a flavor of Beto’s campaign in Trump country.

Democratic Women Elect Officers in April

According to our Bylaws, the April monthly meeting is also the official “Annual Meeting” for our Hill Country Chapter of TDW. Each year, we elect four executive officers by vote of the majority present at the April meeting. Those officers are President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers are elected to one-year terms, and are limited to two consecutive terms, with the exception of Treasurer, who may serve up to three consecutive terms. The Nominating Committee is empowered to recruit a slate of candidates for these four positions, and nominations are also welcome from the members present at the meeting.

The Nominating Committee has three members, Coral Adema, Vicki Luther and Sue Bentsch. The Committee has conferred and begun contacting potential candidates, with the goal of presenting a complete slate of nominees to members prior to the April meeting. Members who are present on April 5, 2022 will vote on the slate, along with any nominations from the floor, to select our leaders who will be installed at the May 3, 2022 monthly luncheon meeting.

News from Gillespie County Dems (3/15/2022)

Cookies for Ukraine -- $800 and counting

Just wanted to update you on our Cookies for Ukraine effort. After doing my homework I discovered that, while Doctors Without Borders is wonderful and efficiently-run charity, they would not let me direct our donation specifically to Ukraine.

Because that was the intent of this project (and your donations), I decided instead to use an agency called Direct Relief. Established in 1948, Direct Relief helps people who confront enormous hardship to recover from disaster and improve their quality of life.

In Ukraine, Direct Relief is working with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, as well as other groups in the region, to provide requested medical aid while preparing to offer longer term aid to people displace or affected by the war.

Direct Relief has a 100% efficiency rating and is one of the top 10 US charities. Zero percent of their donations are spent on fundraising.

So, that said, I made an $800 donation on Monday to Direct Relief and will plan on donating our proceeds this week as well. If any of you are unhappy with that decision, I will be happy to donate the money you contributed to Doctors Without Borders or return your donation. Just let me know. By the way, since we’re being transparent, 100% of the money you spend on cookies is going to Ukraine.

In the meantime, Week 2 of Cookies for Ukraine continues with a great deal of enthusiasm. Some of you have pre-ordered cookies for this Saturday, March 19, and they will be there along with a large quantity of others. So please be sure and drop by to get some wonderful cookies from Dawn Neilon and make a contribution to this effort. Cookies will be available from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at our office for a $5 suggested donation. There will be a table outside as well as inside (at our county convention – see below)

Please feel free to contact me if you want to pre-order: cathycollier@gmail.com

Texas Deserves Better/Vote Blue

If you’re tired of “Trump 2024” and other hateful, odious signs and flags making it appear that everyone in Gillespie County thinks like a very narrow and extreme part of the population, then you’ll be pleased to know that our first order of “Texas Deserves Better/Vote Blue” signs are arriving tomorrow, March 16, and will be available at our office.

Please stop by and pick one up. If you’re concerned that some idiot will steal it, don’t despair! We will replace your sign free of charge. We also have a new batch of “I Live in Gillespie County/Fredericksburg and I’m a Democrat” bumper stickers. Again, just come pick one up. If it’s defaced, come get another one. Please don’t be afraid to display a sign or a bumper sticker. It may seem like just a small step but, in fact, it really makes a difference – in public perception and in demonstrating that we are proud to be Democrats. We’re not going to have snarky, hateful signs printed. We’re going to be positive – because that’s how Democrats are.

Helping Asylum Seekers

The next kit making session will be at 11:30 am on Thursday April 14th after the Zoom Interfaith Welcome Coalition meeting. Please join us for the meeting at 10:00 a.m. if you want to learn more about what is happening at our southern border. The meeting shares the work done by the many organizations helping the desperate people seeking asylum. We purchase all the supplies for the kits so money is always appreciated. Each kit costs $3.50 to $4.00 depending on availability of products.

IWC Zoom Meeting begins at 10:00 a.m.

Kit Making Session 11:30 a.m.

2200 Medina Hwy, Kerrville

Point of Contact

Coral Adema

830-459-4016

cadema@stx.rr.com

"Refugees are going to continue to come, and the only question is what we are going to do to help them". Davan Yahya Khalil

Membership 2022 Membership forms are available at the meeting or on line at this link: Membership Form Download and print the form and then follow the directions.