Let’s Get Organized

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Dear Washington County Dems Supporter:

We are into our fourth year with an office open full time on Main Street in the reddest county in Wisconsin. We could not have come this far without your continued confidence and support. Thank you.

As we approach the next election cycle, it is time to step up our game and become still better at what we do. As with many all-volunteer organizations, we have reached the limit of what we can accomplish without more help.

There are potential members and supporters in Washington County we have not yet reached. Our data tells us there are more of us out there. We do not have the ability to contact them effectively with those willing to volunteer.

To reach out and bring these new people into our party and get ready for next year, we want to hire a full-time organizer. The position will run from September 1st, 2015, through May 31, 2016. We will know by then if our effort has been a success. Success will be measured by the number of phone and face-to-face contacts, new memberships and volunteer sign-ups the organizer has accomplished. If successful, the organizer can hopefully hire on to the campaigns of either our nominee for POTUS or the U.S. Senate and continue to work out of our office on the campaign’s payroll through November’s election.

No other Democratic County Party in Wisconsin has ever tried to pull this off. We will be breaking more new ground in political organizing and leading the way to a stronger statewide effort to advance progressive values and issues.

Here’s how we do it. We will pay the organizer $2,500 per month ($30K annualized). Add $275 per month for taxes and withholding. Add $584 per month for health insurance through DPW and the monthly nut is $3,359. It adds up to $30,231 for the nine-month period.

Just as we have funded our office operations, we will look to our members and supporters. If 150 people give us $200 or $23 per month, we will have what we need.

The fundraising campaign begins on July 1st and runs to September 1st. We ask for pledges and contributions that will be put into a segregated account. If we raise enough by the end of the campaign, we hire. If not, the contributions received will be returned, unless the donor wants to have us keep the funds towards next year’s office expenses.

Together we will get this done and grow our organization in anticipation of next year’s election efforts.

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UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE WASH DEM OFFICE

The following events will take place at the Washington County Democratic Party Office at 132 North Main Street in West Bend.

“Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage” Community Forum on Tuesday, June 23rd from 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Randy Bryce, a member of Ironworkers-Local 8, will be joining us to talk about “Wisconsin’s Prevailing Wage” and what it does for Wisconsin’s workers, jobs and economy. 

Randy has been at the forefront in the fight for Wisconsin’s workers and has testified in Madison numerous times on issues affecting Wisconsin’s workers. He is knowledgeable, passionate and well-spoken.

Please join us for this important event and spread the word to your friends and neighbors.

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JULY Membership Meeting on Wednesday, July 15th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM

Please join us as we plan for our summer actions and activities.

If you have questions or you would like to add an item to the agenda, please contact Tanya Lohr at 414-467-8469 or telohr@charter.net

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THE “PRO-POTATO” MOVEMENT

Join us in our “Pro Potato” Movement by bringing your potato donation to the Wash Dem Office at 132 North Main Street in West Bend.

Recently, Wisconsin legislators proposed restrictions on the foods that can be purchased through food assistance programs, including restrictions on the purchase of certain types of potatoes.

Potatoes are an important source of nutrition and are an economical way to fill a family’s meal. Complicating the purchase of potatoes appears to be petty and vengeful.

In order to address the issue, the Washington County Dems are having a “Potato Drive” during the month of June to pass on this important staple to our local “Full Shelf Food Pantry” and to draw attention to the importance of potatoes in our diet.

Please bring your potato donation to the Wash Dem Office at 132 North Main Street in West Bend so we can fill the front window with your contributions!

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OUR “PATRIOTIC FLOAT” FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

The Washington County Dems will once again be entering West Bend’s “4th of July Patriotic Float” contest.

This years theme will be “Washington County Dems: Celebrating America’s SHARED values.” It will feature figures from American History—each one holding a sign with a “shared value” which he/she worked on developing. For instance, Abraham Lincoln will be holding a sign with “Equality” and Susan B. Anthony will be holding a sign with “Universal Suffrage.”

We will need to work together to prepare this float. Here are some of our needs:

1- float painters/designers ( to help contact Waring Fincke at 262-334-1030 or wrfincke@charter.net )

2- float walkers (to walk with the float and hand out pencils to children in the crowd contact Tanya Lohr at 414-467-8469 or telohr@charter.net )

3- costumers (to share any items that would work in costumes for the following: “Abraham Lincoln” (top hat anyone?), FDR, Susan B. Anthony & Thomas Jefferson contact Tanya Lohr at 414-467-8469 or telohr@charter.net )

We need many hands on deck to get this work done! Thank you!

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“THE HUNGRY HEART”

Please join us on Tuesday, July 7th at 6:30 P.M. at the Wash Dem Office (132 North Main Street in West Bend) for a showing of the documentary: “THE HUNGRY HEART.”

This film reveals the life of recovering heroin addicts and one physician’s efforts to help them salvage their lives.

A discussion will follow the showing of the documentary and light refreshments will be served.

This event is being held as a precursor to the “Stop Heroin Now” Rally scheduled for Wednesday, July 18th.

These events will be hosted by the Washington County Democratic Party and facilitated by Patricia McIntyre, community educator and member of the Washington County Heroin Task Force. The film is being provided by “Elevate of Washington County.”

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RUMMAGE SALE EXTRAORDINAIRE !

The Washington County Dems will be holding a “Rummage Sale” once again this summer.

You can drop off donations at the office starting on Wednesday, July 1st.  (We will also have drop offs at the home of Bob & Barbara Deters on Wednesday, July 15th and Thursday, July 16th — times will be announced later.)

We will be setting up for the sale on Wednesday, July 15th and Thursday, July 16th at the home of Bob & Barbara Deters at 1402 West Decorah Avenue in West Bend.

The “Rummage Sale” will be held on Friday, July 17th and Saturday July 18th.

We did a “Rummage Sale” two years ago and raised over $1,000. The funds add up quickly when the driveway is full of your donations. So, please check your attic and closets and garage for anything you can contribute to help us this year. images