Waldo County Dems kicked off their first meeting of 2024 with updates and announcements from our elected officials and candidates:
- Sheriff Jason Trundy told us about some great work the Sheriff’s Department is doing and the importance of the County Commission’s budget process.
- Rep. Paige Zeigler said the legislature is busy working on carryover bills this legislative session.
- Rep. Jan Dodge provided a statement that she has filed her ballot petition to seek re-election as a Clean Elections candidate, is accepting seed money and $5 qualifying contributions.
- Judge of Probate Joanna Owen said she is running for election and would appreciate volunteers to help collect ballot petition signatures and take other campaign roles.
- Mike Ray of Lincolnville is going like gangbusters on his campaign for House District 40 Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill, Searsmont, and Appleton).
- Shortly after our meeting, Elise Brown of Liberty announced that she is running for County Commissioner in District 3 (Brooks, Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Liberty, Montville, Morrill, Palermo, Searsmont, Troy, Thorndike, and Unity). You can learn about her campaign on her Facebook page.
Click here to make a $5 qualifying contribution for those running with Clean Elections funding.
Mark your calendar for local caucuses on February 3 and 4! View specific dates, times and locations at www.waldocountydemocrats.com/caucus, where you can also RSVP to get updates and notices of any weather cancellations. Why is it so important to attend your caucus?
- All County Committee members need to be elected or re-elected at caucus!
- Caucuses elect our delegates to the State Convention May 31-June 1 in Bangor!
- We can build our party up at the local level by forming municipal or regional committees to activate more volunteers!
- They’re a great chance to meet local candidates, sign their ballot petitions, and support their campaigns!
If you can’t attend your caucus, email info@waldocountydemocrats.com BEFORE caucus weekend to make sure you’re on the ballot to become a WCDC member and/or get elected as a convention delegate.
We still need a few more volunteers to help us have a successful caucus for every town. If you can help, please email info@waldocountydemocrats.com or call Sara at 232-1028 (if you volunteered during Sunday’s meeting – thank you! no need to email). Can you:
- post on Facebook or other social media about the caucuses? (we’ll provide sample posts for you)
- make phone calls to local Dems to encourage turnout? (we’ll provide a call list)
- recruit strong Dems you know in Stockton Springs or Prospect who could help with the caucus on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2pm in Stockton? (we’ll give you a list of prospects)
- bring cookies or other snacks for your caucus? (we’ll put you in touch with your caucus convener)
- help collect ballot petition signatures at your caucus?
- Be an ambassador for WCDC at your caucus and encourage people to join the committee?
Our standing committees are where a lot of WCDC’s work gets done. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging Committee chaired by Laura Baker is drafting a hate crimes statement to mirror the Maine Dems’ statement, which calls on Mainers to “stand together and speak out with one voice in support of Maine’s marginalized communities, and against hatred and bigotry. We must continue to make clear that while all people, regardless of their race, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity are welcome to come and make their home in this beautiful state; hate will never have a home here.” DEIB members successfully lobbied the Belfast City Council to cover offensive material at the Tarratine Hall on election day and are developing a hate crimes resource.
Valerie Tate of the Campaign Committee said they are recruiting candidates for local offices, including select boards, the county commission, and legislative seats, and updating our local offices database. Cheryl Cassidy reported for the Engagement Committee that they are preparing welcome packets for new County Committee members and helping recruit volunteers to help with caucuses. Platform Committee members Josh Goldstein and Sue Conard let us know that their subcommittees are completing their work on individual sections of the platform and will be voting on their recommendations next month.
Bylaws Change. Bylaws and Policy Committee Chair Philo Hutcheson presented a proposal, and WCDC members approved, for members, whenever elected, to serve until the next caucus in a presidential year. In most cases, this means that members’ terms will be four years instead of two. The proposal also made technical amendments to add regional committees to bylaws that apply to municipal committees and to clarify how the number of members from each municipality is calculated.
Strategic Planning for 2024 Contest Every Race Grant. Our Contest Every Race grant continues throughout 2024, with a whole new set of monthly actions giving us an opportunity to receive $500 each quarter. This month’s activity is strategic planning, which requires us to think about our mission and values, as well as current challenges, our goals for this year and beyond, and our budget. To review the draft strategic plan, email info@waldocountydemocrats.com. The monthly action areas for the next few months:
- February is Candidate Recruitment, just in time for town meetings
- March is Volunteer Engagement, which will include a cabin fever reliever
- April is Voter Registration, with a focus on young voters
- May is Relational Organizing, to build up our committee and support our candidates
SCHEDULE CHANGE: Our next meeting is Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 1pm (preregister here)
In the meantime – see you at caucus!