October/November Newsletter  - Volume 6, Issue 11

 
CONTENTS:

Membership Information  TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
 
You may click on one of the above titles to go directly to that subject, or simply scroll down the newsletter.     
  
Thanks to Sybil Cantor, Teddi Pensinger, Linda Kolko, Fran Rothstein, Emily Shetty, Ginger Macomber, Bonnie Wicklund, Ed Kimmel, Dave Kunes, Kathy Deerkoski, Melanie Kreidich, Joan Riggs, Ashley Rhinehart, Enid Light, Joan Gervino, Shebra Evans, and Shruti Bhatnagar for their contributions to this newsletter.  

The next newsletter will be published in early December. In the interim, information will be sent out via email and social media (Facebook and Twitter).  


Article1CAMPAIGN SEASON

Here in Maryland, we're participating in a coordinated campaign run by the Maryland Democratic Party with support from the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee as has been done in previous Election Year cycles. Let's work hard and elect our terrific Democratic candidates up and down the ballot!  Our next major focus will be on GOTV, and we invite all WDC members to help us get out the vote in Maryland for Hillary Clinton, Chris Van Hollen, Elijah Cummings, John Delaney, Steny Hoyer, Jamie Raskin, Dutch Ruppersberger, and John Sarbanes. We need each and every Democratic vote in Maryland on November 8, and your help will be important to bringing home big Democratic wins!  

Hours on Election Day on November 8th are from 7 am to 8 pm and Maryland Early Voting hours (currently ongoing and continuing through November 3) are from 8 am to 8 pm. Please check your email for opportunities to volunteer during early voting!

To keep up to date on campaign activities as they evolve, please  click here  to view the latest MCDCC Election Newsletter. To find a Hillary Clinton campaign event near you,   click here .

We will also be constantly updating our website and Facebook page, and sending out a weekly email, so please check those as well.
                            

Article2aADVOCACY ALERTS
WDC's Advocacy Committee ceaselessly works to advance our policy priorities, and we need all of your help.
SIGN UP FOR ADVOCACY ALERTS.  If you would be willing to contact state or county legislators about specific bills, we'd like to add your name to our Advocacy Alerts list.  Members of WDC's Advocacy Committee will send you a brief email alert when your call or email to your legislators can have the most impact.

To help, please email Fran Rothstein ( fran.rothstein@verizon.net ) or Emily Shetty ( Emily.shetty@gmail.com ),
with Advocacy Alerts in the subject line.
 

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UPCOMING WDC EVENTS


Thursday, November 10 and Thursday, December 8


Coctail
Happy Hours  
5:30 to 7 PM  
Lebanese Taverna
7141 Arlington Road, Bethesda

Want to meet new people and talk politics?  Join us at a WDC Happy Hour. Every second Thursday of each month, Democrats who are passionate about politics gather to relax and network with WDC members and their guests. Whether you want to meet elected officials, make new friends, form new business contacts or just have fun, the WDC Happy Hour is the perfect place to meet and greet fellow Democrats.   Members and potential members are welcome, so come and bring your friends!   

Friday, November 18 

Luncheon with  Preeminent Pollster Fred Yang, Partner, Hart Research Associates 
"What Happened...and Why -  The Unprecedented & Unpredictable 2016 Election"

12:00 Noon
Pooks Hill Marriott
5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda

Cost:   Members: $30
Guests:  $35
Free Parking

To make your reservation for the event, send your check to Judith Heimann, 6900 Marbury Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 or reserve online at www.womansdemocraticclub.org   by Tuesday, November 15
Questions about the event? Contact Shebra Evans at (703) 786-5848 or 
shebraevans@yahoo.com
 
This event will sell out quickly so please buy your ticket soon!
 
Montgomery County resident Frederick S. Yang is a partner with the Garin Hart Yang Research Group, one of the most respected and successful political polling firms in the country for Democratic candidates. Mr. Yang has achieved a reputation for providing insightful analysis in his approach to political survey research, and for his hands-on involvement with his clients' campaigns. Campaigns & Elections magazine has singled out Mr. Yang for "his ability to master the local nuances of a race." And Capitol Hill's newspaper, Roll Call, named Mr. Yang as one of ten Democratic consultants on its list of "Consultants Who Make a Difference."
 
Fred Yang works for a wide range of clients, ranging from governors, U.S. senators, other statewide elected officials, and scores of municipal officials. He has helped elect at least one new House member in each of the past seven election cycles. Mr. Yang, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University, got his start in politics at age 14, when he worked in his state assemblyman's district office. Prior to joining Hart Research, he worked on several political campaigns in a variety of roles, from precinct walker to field coordinator. 
 

Sunday, December 4


MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY
Please Bring a Toy to Make a Child Smile

1:00 - 3:00 PM
Montgomery County Education Association Building
12 Taft Court
Rockville 

To continue our tradition, we ask everyone to please bring a New, Unwrapped Toy to Make a Child Smile. Toys will be donated to Interfaith Works of Montgomery County, which will distribute them. Please also bring an Item to share (feed 8-10 people) according to your District: * Districts 17-19-20, Salad or Dessert, Districts 14-18 Hors d'oeuvres or Fruit, Districts 15-16-39 Breads or Finger Foods.   But feel free to bring your "special dish" whatever your District.

If possible, please email montgomerydems@msn.com to help us make sure that we have plenty of food and supplies on hand. Questions? Call Wendy Cohen at (301) 385-7243 or the MCDCC office at (301) 946-1000.


Thursday, December 15

Committee for Montgomery Annual Legislative Breakfast
7:00 - 9:30 AM
Bethesda North Marriott
5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda
 
This year's program is "Finding Common Ground:  The City of Baltimore and Montgomery County, a conversation moderated by longtime Maryland politics commentator Josh Kurtz, and featuring Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and State Senator, Presumptive Mayor of Baltimore, Catherine Pugh.
 
To secure a sponsorship, purchase tables, or individual seats, visit http://www.committeeformontgomery.org .  For more information, contact Barbara Henry or call 301-960-5263.  

                                     
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2017 WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE BRIEFING
 
 
 

Women's Legislative Briefing Sunday January 29, 2017

The Universities at Shady Grove, Building II, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
Doors Open at 11:30 am, Program 12:30-6 pm

Regular Registration:  $30.00 in advance       $40.00 at the door  

The Women's Legislative Briefing (WLB) is the premier and longest-standing women's legislative event in the state of Maryland. It is coordinated by the Montgomery County Commission for Women and brings together advocates, policy makers, and emerging leaders to empower, engage, and mobilize Marylanders around issues affecting women and girls throughout the state. 

The purpose of the briefing is to provide information on legislative issues of concern to women and families, including bills that will be introduced in the upcoming sessions of the Maryland General Assembly and U.S. Congress.  Local and state officials are invited to attend the briefing. The ending reception allows participants the opportunity to meet with their legislators and discuss issues of concern.

For more information, please contact the Montgomery County Commission for Women at 240-777-8333 or merci.wolff@montgomerycountymd.gov.   
 
WDC will have a table with information about our club, membership forms, and other materials.  We need volunteers to staff the table in 2-hour increments throughout the day.  If you volunteer, WDC will cover the registration fee.  Please contact Enid Light, enid530@aol.com or Joan Gervino, joan.gervino@verizon.net ., if you can help at this important event.

                                     
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OCTOBER HAPPY HOUR REPORT 
                                                        by Enid Light

The WDC held a special Happy Hour and Hillary Phone Bank at the home of Enid Light and organized by the Membership and Outreach Committee. The event was attended by over 35 people and we were fortunate to have elected officials Senator Susan Lee and MC Councilmember Marc Elrich speak to us.

There were lots of lively political discussions and we are happy to welcome several new members who joined during the event. Then in the words of Michelle Obama we did, "what women have always done in this country". We rolled up our sleeves and got to work making calls for Hillary and volunteering for campaign events and participating in advocacy to protect abused women. Postcards were filled out to send to Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett encouraging him to protect domestic violence victims and their children even if the budget is tight and to please fund Safe Visitation Centers.

                          
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PANEL DISCUSSION AT WDC OCTOBER LUNCHEON:  THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 
                                                                                                    by Paul Schwartz

Kathleen Matthews Moderates Discussion
The panel discussion on the 2016 presidential election hosted by the Woman's Democratic Club on October 28th was both enlightening and informative.  The panelists were Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus and former Time Magazine columnist and current Bloomberg News columnist Margaret Carlson.  The discussion was moderated by former WJLA TV news reporter, former Congressional candidate and successful business woman the WDC's own Kathleen Matthews.

The discussion focused on the 2016 presidential election and having these experienced journalists provide their perspectives gave insight into how they viewed the 2016 campaign.
 
Both Ms. Marcus and Ms. Carlson agreed that the election of Hillary Clinton as the first female president was not going to be an easy one. They also agreed that the focus on women's issues during this campaign had as much, if not more, to do with the nomination of Donald Trump than it did with the nomination of the first female candidate.
 
Ms. Marcus, who happens to be an independent, pointed out that having the first female president will bring with it certain dynamics that had not yet been experienced by this nation. What will it be like to have a "first spouse" that
Panelists Ruth Marcus and Margaret Carlson
has "his" own career and who has already served as president? She suggested that it might be wise for former President Bill Clinton to "disappear" and let Hillary be president on her own terms without distraction.
 
She also pointed out that we will have to see how the other nations react to the United States now having its first female president.
 
Ms. Carlson made it clear that in her opinion Hillary Clinton is by far the most qualified candidate to be president that we have seen in quite a long time. To the question regarding why it took so long for the first female presidential candidate to garner the women's vote, Ms. Carlson observed that women are often many times harder on each other.  She pointed out that the so called "enthusiasm gap" for Secretary Clinton was somewhat ironically filled, not by Secretary Clinton herself, but, rather, by Trump and his vitriolic rhetoric as well as his positions on women's issues.
 
Both speakers agreed that the Trump candidacy brought the war on women to the forefront, although the Republican Party has been engaged in a war on women well before the Trump candidacy.  Issues such as Roe v Wade and unequal pay for equal work are just two examples of the Republican stance on women.
 
This campaign, however, in which Trump, in essence, seized control of the Republican Party with his 40 percenters, brought treatment of women to the public discussion.  His exchanges with Fox's Megyn Kelly was just the beginning.  Add in his comments about Carly Fiorina during the primary debates: "look at that face" and "a headache to listen to" gave Ms. Fiorina some positive reaction in the way she stood up to him and, by so doing, stood up for all women.
 
More importantly, bringing this dialogue to the campaign helped raise awareness of issues not clearly understood by many, especially men.  Both Ms. Marcus and Ms. Carlson women pointed out how it took the Access Hollywood tape to raise awareness of some of the "ugliness" that accompanies women in the workplace. They also pointed out their own experiences in this regard and noted that men in their own lives reacted with some surprise when told of these experiences. The point: inappropriate behavior towards women does happen and all too routinely.
 
Regarding the accuracy of the polls, Ms. Marcus felt strongly that they can be relied on to serve as an accurate indicator of the voting results. She is also convinced that there is a very low number of individuals who don't say who they vote for. This, she believed, is because voters usually are in the company of other individuals who vote the same way.
 
Ms. Carlson made clear her belief that there is little evidence of any voter fraud. She also feels strongly that a good voter turnout helps the Democrats.
 
The real question for this election is why Trump has that 40 percent following and how will President Hillary Clinton address that segment of the electorate? Both Ms. Marcus and Ms. Carlson pointed to the need to create policies that reflect the "unhappiness, anxiety and worries" of this group who most clearly have felt "left behind" AND that address these mostly economic concerns.

Another issue discussed during this enlightening discussion concerned the longer term impact of the election results. Although both panelists agreed that the likelihood is that the Democrats will take back the Senate, they also acknowledged that there is also a likelihood that it could again be lost in the 2018 midterms.
Audience listens intently.
 

Both speakers also noted the so-called Republican "autopsy" performed after the 2012 failed election of Mitt Romney and how that
 autopsy was basically ignored.  The expectation is that, as became quite possible during the 2016 election, if historically deep red states such as Utah, Georgia, Arizona, and even Texas became in play for
Democrats, then Republicans might finally wake up to the need to reconsider their approach. Whether this will translate into less obstructionism by the likes of Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan can be hoped for if not, realistically, expected.
 
There were several questions from the packed house of attendees. Some dealt with already discussed issues. Others dealt with such topics as redistricting to which the speakers agreed that getting state legislatures to give up their ability to draw districts according to party lines will be quite the challenge.  Regarding whether they expect to see the rise of Trump T.V. after the election, their reaction was that it is hard to say. 


                                  
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CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER

Launch of Indian American Democratic Club:

Shruti Bhatnagar, WDC member, launched the Indian American Democratic Club in September 2016 with a purpose to engage the Indian American Community in the political process.

Shruti Bhatnagar, resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, has been actively involved in communities as an advocate for public education, youth and families. Her energy and passion to make a difference has led her to be elected in several leadership positions at the local, County, and State PTA board level. Shruti has served as the Chair of Membership & Board Development Committees at MCCPTA, following which she was elected to the Maryland PTA Board as the Chair for Extension & Diversity Committee. She is currently the President of Takoma Foundation, chairs the Education Committee for the Kensington Heights Civic Association and is a founding member of Maryland Welcomes Refugees. Her work in the community extends through various other initiatives she is leading in collaboration with other stakeholders. Shruti was recently appointed as a commissioner on the Montgomery County Commission on Children and Youth.

The Indian American Democratic Club has been actively working to engage Indian Americans in the 2016 Democratic elections, strongly emphasizing the importance of this election and importance of voter participation. The club is quickly gaining support not only from elected officials but from Indian American residents across the State of Maryland.

In a short period of time, the club has organized weekly phone banks in October, and co-sponsored all the Presidential and the Vice Presidential Debate Watch parties that were held at the AFI Silver Spring in collaboration with the other Democratic Clubs of Montgomery County. The club also co-sponsored a Meet and Greet Event, to re-elect Congressman John Delaney to Maryland's 6th Congressional District. Senator Brian Feldman, Senator Roger Manno, Senator Nancy King, Delegate Kumar Barve, Delegate Aruna Miller and some members of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee were also in attendance with several community members representing South Asian Communities. Their latest event called the "Diwali 2016 Voterfest", co-sponsored by WDC, MCYD and MDC was held on Oct 29, 2016. More information is available at: https://www.facebook.com/events/319356501778018/

Shruti Bhatnagar, President of IADC, is especially thankful to State Senator Jamie Raskin, Delegate Kumar Barve and Delegate Aruna Miller for supporting her in this initiative and also extends her appreciation to the Muslim Democratic Club, Montgomery County Young Democrats and the Woman's Democratic Club of Montgomery County for the warm welcome and support.

Visit the Indian American Democratic Club Facebook Page:

Shruti Bhatnagar, can be reached at shruti_bhatnagar@yahoo.com

Publication of Letter Opposing Term Limits

Congratulations to our third Vice President, Member of the WDC Board, and Co-Chair of the WDC Advocacy Committee Fran Rothstein whose letter to the Editor was recently published in the Washington Post. To read the letter  please click here.


                                                    

ArticleF
GETTING TO KNOW WDC BOARD MEMBERS

INTERVIEW with SHEBRA EVANS
                  Edited   by Bonnie Wicklund
                     


Shebra Evans is the new WDC board Event Planner for the club. Shebra earned her BA in economics and finance from Tennessee State University in Nashville.  She has resided in Silver Spring, MD with her husband, Lawrence, for the past 16 years with their two school age daughters. Low performance levels in her daughter's home school led her to aggressively advocate over the past nine years for more equitable distribution of resources for Montgomery County students at both the local and state level. Her volunteerism led her to be elected to prominent leadership roles with the county PTA, which allowed her to learn the needs of the community and to build strategic alliances that are critically important in moving MCPS forward in educating students. Building on her passion for education and her experience working on behalf of the students and families of Montgomery County Public Schools, Shebra ran for Board of Education At-Large in the November 2014 race. She will appear on the ballot in the November 2016 election as a Board of Education candidate for the 4th District. She believes her involvement at the local level is another way to communicate to the broader community that our economy depends on an educated citizenry and skilled workforce.
 
READING
The book that will probably stay with me for a while is Just Mercy, by lawyer Bryan Stevenson, who knew early on that he wanted to help people living in poverty. This true story reminds the reader that our criminal justice system is not working well for everyone, but that not all hope is lost if people such as Bryan are championing important causes. Bryan believes in justice for all, and in this book gives voice and hope to the unjustly accused and imprisoned.
 
VIEWING
Having young children means I am generally up to speed on kid movies, but we try to include trips to Broadway plays, ballets, and more. My choice of television shows varies, but generally I watch comedy, crime, or suspense shows (Seinfeld, The King of Queens, Law & Order, Cold Case, The Wire, etc.).
 
LISTENING
I'm a lover of all music-R&B, jazz, classical, Pop, Reggae, Blues, Hip Hop. It really just depends on my mood. You can find me in the car most days, so I prefer upbeat music or songs that tell a story.
 
EXCITING POLITICIAN
Hillary Clinton will be the first female president. I feel very comfortable making this statement 13 days prior to the 2016 presidential election. The impact of this kind of "first woman" will pave the way for more women in roles where we are currently lacking. #ImWithHer
 
POLITICAL HIGH POINT
It was exciting to live in the DC area when the first African American president of the United States was elected in 2008 and reelected president in November 2012. The Obama presidency has allowed generations to see possibilities that they might not otherwise have deemed obtainable.
 
URGENT POLITICAL ISSUE
There are so many pressing issues that are urgent to me. The way to tackle the issues will be to get the right leaders elected into office at the local, state, and federal level. 


Article4
IN MEMORIAM 
                 by Linda Kolko  



Dr. Stanley Sigel
 
The WDC mourns the loss of Dr. Stanley Sigel, husband of long time WDC board member and former president Madeleine Sigel, who died on October 8, 2016. Stan was an economist par excellence, a proud Navy man, and a devoted husband and father. A World War II veteran, Stan participated in landings at Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy.  A graduate of  Harvard University and the University of California, Berkley, he had a long and distinguished career at the Federal Reserve Board, including Advisor to the Board of Governors. The Club extends its condolences to Madeleine and the entire Sigel family. To read Stanley's obituary, please click here.





Maryland State Senator Leonard H. Teitelbaum


The WDC mourns the loss of former Maryland State Senator Leonard H. Teitelbaum, of Silver Spring, MD. Sen. Teitelbaum represented District 19 from 1995-2007 in the State Senate and in the House of Delegates from 1987-94.  In the State Senate, Leonard served as chair of the Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Data Systems and Chair of the. Joint Technology Oversight Committee, The WDC extends its condolences to his wife Marilyn and the entire Teitelbaum family.  To read Leonard's obituary, please click here


  Block3   ADVOCACY COMMITTEE REPORT   
                                             by Fran Rothstein and Emily Shetty


We are pleased to welcome several new Advocacy Committee members: Lorig Charkoudian, Sharon Cranford, Laurie Kelly, and Kathleen Sheehan.  The committee is always open to new members.  We work on state and county issues that are directly relevant to women and families, and for which we have member expertise, interest, and energy.  We would especially welcome committee members with experience and expertise in county-level advocacy and affordable housing.

Recent Montgomery County issues which the WDC Board has approved for advocacy include: 
  • Opposition to Question B (term limits for County Executive and Council);
  • Support for the Safe Families Visitation Initiative (to establish safe, affordable visitation and exchange centers for domestic abuse victims); and
  • Increasing the Montgomery County minimum wage to $15/hour.
 
Working Families issue captain Ginger Macomber drafted a letter in support of the $15 minimum wage proposal, which WDC president Linda Kolko sent to the Council, with special attention to those members who serve on the Health and Human Services Committee, which has initial jurisdiction over the bill.  WDC members who live in Council Members Berliner's and Rice's districts can make a difference by contacting those members in support of a $15 minimum raise.  (Council Member Leventhal, the third member of the HHS committee, is supportive; emailing your appreciation to him would be great.)


Emily and Ayden at the County Council
In addition, Committee Co-Chair Emily Shetty (along with son Ayden) testified before the Council in support of allowing the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act to cover parental leave.  Ayden was an effective spokesman on WDC's behalf!  This County bill has passed committee review and is now up for consideration by the full County Council. 

  Click here to view Emily's testimony.

 








Our issue captains continue to identify bills that meet our advocacy criteria and that are likely to be introduced during the 2017 legislative session.  Issue captains are:
  • Margaret Hadley and Mary Lou Fox (health care);
  • Ginger Macomber (working families);
  • Lynn Olson (criminal justice); and
  • Debbie Stine (children's issues).
 
Several WDC members participated in the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women conference October 22, where Del. Aruna Miller delivered a spirited keynote speech, followed by a panel of five legislative leaders including three from Montgomery County (Delegates Kathleen Dumais, Ariana Kelly, and Miller). Committee members will review the 16 bills that MLAW selected for consideration and identify those WDC should support.

We are planning a Day in Annapolis sometime during the 2017 session.  This will be open to all interested WDC members, and may include: how a bill becomes a law, advocacy training, and lunch with or advocacy visits to MoCo legislators.  Depending on interest, the agenda could also include a State House tour.

And finally:  Friends don't let friends stay home on Election Day!  Work at a poll, get out the vote, support your candidates and your issues. Our Party is urgently recruiting volunteers to fill shifts at all early voting sites. If you'd like to sign up, click here.  If you're interested in signing up to help on Election Day, please contact Emily.Shetty@gmail.com .  GO DEMS!!

  
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VOTING INFORMATION

                               
EARLY VOTING

Election Day is November 8th from 7 am to 8 pm and Maryland Early Voting is October 27 through November 3 from 8 am to 8 pm.

Early Voting Locations

*  Activity Center at Bohrer Park, Social Hall, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877

*  Damascus Community Recreation Center, Social Hall, 25520 Oak Drive, Damascus, MD 20872

*  Executive Office, Building Auditorium, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD 20850

*  Germantown Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown, MD 

*  Jane E. Lawton Community Rec. Center, Social Hall, 4301 Willow Ln., Chevy Chase, MD 20815 

*  Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, 14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 

*  Mid-County Community Rec. Center, Social Hall, 2004 Queensguard Rd., Silver Spring, MD  20906 

*  Potomac Community Recreation Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac, MD 20854

*  Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD 20910

*  Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, 2400 Arcola Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902
             
 
  
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SAMPLE BALLOTS AND BALLOT QUESTIONS

 
If you want to know the MCDCC's positions on the ballot questions, go to    http://www.mcdcc.org/   and scroll down the sidebar section, Ballot Questions Information

One of the most publicized ballot questions concerns term limits for the County Executive and County Council.  It bears mention that at a recent Board meeting, thanks to the work of our Advocacy Committee, the WDC Board voted unanimously to join the Coalition opposing term limits.

 Block4  BYLAWS REVIEW

The WDC is going to be undertaking a review of our Bylaws, which may be found on our website at  http://womansdemocraticclub.org/about-wdc-purpose-history/.   Members are welcome to take a look at them and see if they have any issues they would like to see addressed or questions to be answered.  Comments should be directed to Betsy Loyless, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, at betsy.loyless@yahoo.com
  
 
  
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MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION - TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
 
The dues cycle for WDC is from September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2017 so you should have already received a membership renewal letter in the mail.  Any new member who joined the WDC after June 1, 2016 is considered a full member through August 31, 2017.  If  you are not certain about your dues status, please contact Sybil Cantor at sybil.cantor@gmail.com , and she will be able to advise you.
 
WDC appreciates your continuing support  Your voice and membership dues are crucial to the vitality and strength of the Woman's Democratic Club. Your $35 dues ($25 for members 35 years and younger) ($36.00 and $26 online, respectively, at www.womansdemocraticclub.org ) pay for Club mailings; subsidizes events, programming, and the annual New Member dinner; and support the important work of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee and Democratic candidates with campaign contributions.   All non-renewing members will be purged from the membership list in February.

The WDC also offers gift memberships.  Honor a good friend or colleague with a gift membership to the WDC so she or he can enjoy the many benefits our club offers!  A gift renewal form will be in your renewal letter or click here to buy a gift membership on-line.

The 2016 membership directory will continue to be available at WDC events to all current dues-paying members.Please review your listing in the directory.  If you find any mistakes, please email us the corrections at  wdcmcmd@gmail.com or call WDC President Linda Kolko at 301-785-1342.  Please note that if we did not receive your renewal by February 1, you were not listed in the 2016 Membership Directory.

Click here  to renew your Membership or join the Club!  Thank you.

facebook

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE - WE'RE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!    

 

Don't forget to like us on Facebook; we're listed as Woman's Democratic Club, Montgomery County. https://www.facebook.com/WomansDemocraticClub
 
WDC also has a Twitter account!   Our Twitter handle is @WomenDems.   Be sure to follow us!  

 

 

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VOLUNTEERS:   IT TAKES A VILLAGE
 
 Help Wanted
Sharing your skills and expertise with us and joining a committee are fun ways to meet other members and make new friends while helping the Club accomplish its goals. We especially need volunteers to help with new member recruitment as part of the Membership & Outreach Committee and we need writers to prepare articles for our newsletter and photographers for our Facebook page and newsletter. We are also looking for a member to help organize our monthly Happy Hour.  Finally, we need volunteers on the Advocacy Committee to help analyze and track important legislation

Click here to volunteer.
 
   
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SUGGESTION BOX:

Suggestion Box  

Do you have ideas for future programs? Do you know someone who would be a great speaker at a future WDC event?  If so, please send an e-mail to wdcmcmd@gmail.com.

 

 

  

A lso, our Education Committee is seeking ideas for future programs in the Montgomery 101 series; if you have issues or subjects about the county you would like to learn about or study, please email Lucy Freeman at dorset4708@yahoo.com or call 301-654-8115.

   

 

 Keeping members better informed, better connected and more politically effective since 1957      

 

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Woman's Democratic Club
Linda Kolko, President
www.womansdemocraticclub.org      wdcmcmd@gmail.com
Woman's Democratic Club
Sybil Cantor
Email Coordinator