April 2014 Newsletter - Democratic Women`s Club of Florida

November 2013
April 2014
Message from President Maureen McKenna
have her work with your club or region to host a fundraising
event for the DWCF Political Committee. If you are
It has been an exciting first quarter of
interested in honing your fundraising skills and would like
2014 for DWCF!!!
to help the Political Committee, please contact Samantha at
We have continued to identify tools
[email protected]
for local DWC President's toolboxes.
I thank the Chairs, Officers and local Club leadership who
Handbook updates have been provided
have
been working so hard and for finding the time to help our
and a very well-attended President's
state
club move forward in a Positive, Progressive and Prepared
Teleconference was held in February.
manner.
The next President's teleconference will
During this past 8 weeks I have visited Flagler County and
be on May 5 at 8:30 PM Eastern, after
helped install new officers in Collier County. I have attended
whichh the third Region Chair teleconference is 7:00 PM Eastern.
Region 8's 1st Region meeting in at least 2 years.
Local DWC officers are invited to the President's Teleconference.
I thank Rachel Pienta who did a great job representing DWCF at
Teleconference access information will be shared with Region
Gadsden County's wonderful Gala on my behalf.
Chairs, Presidents and Vice Presidents as the date for the
I have presented to the Marion County Democratic Ladies
teleconference grows closer.
Club
in an effort to bring them onboard with DWCF along with
Region Chairs are working on identifying at least one possible
Danielle
Neetz and Betty Gissendanner.
new club in each region this year, with some regions working on
I
have
asked FDP Vice Chair Alison Morano to serve as the
several new clubs. We must increase the number of clubs.
DWCF Grassroots Campaign Chair to help DWCF provide an
Clubs have been working on verifying the correct date of the
receipt of their charter with DWCF. If you have old DWC documents organized election campaign approach to turn Florida Blue in
2014 and beyond.
in your possession please give them to Danielle Neetz, Archivist, in
During the next quarter I plan on visiting new and intact
order for her to house them at the UCF Library. Every little bit may
clubs
who invite me, including Escambia/Santa Rosa the end of
help us with our investigation and go a long way to preserve Florida
April.
I
plan on Attending the NFDW Convention in June in
Democratic women's history. Clubs are planning exciting community
Kansas
City. All DWCF members are encouraged to attend a
activities to celebrate May as Democratic Women's Month.
NFDW
Convention.
I also plan on attending the June FDP
The Convention Committee is planning a very informative and
Leadership Blue Event in Hollywood, Florida.
inspiring annual convention in St. Augustine on September 18-21,
The DWCF quarterly meeting in Ocala on July 12 will
2014. Please plan on attending!!!
include reviewing proposed Resolutions and any bylaws
Nancy Hurlbert, Stephanie Kunkel and Dr. Rachel Pienta and
the rest of the Tally Team worked hard to make sure our 2014 Tally changes.
In addition, we will have a strategic planning session on
Days was the most memorable to date. Thank you for kicking it up
Friday
evening, July 11 at the Ocala Hilton. As part of our
notch!!! It is so heartening to see our club become so politically
strategic
planning, we will be looking at our Florida Blue strategy
visible and our efforts in Tallahassee to be noted and respected by
which
will
outline how the DWCF's legislative and election arms
so many, including our legislators.
will work in concert to turn Florida Blue and insure DWCF has a
I am so grateful for DWCF member and FDP Chair Allison
positive impact on Florida's future.
Tant's involvement in DWCF's Tally Days.
As you can see by this wonderful DWCF newsletter which is
published by Judy Schnabel, corresponding secretary, and
amantha Hope Herring, Chair of the Political Committee,
proofread/edited by Dr. Ada Burnette, DWCFs are very active
has been readying for the 2014 election and beyond. The
Political Committee hosted a fabulous fundraiser in Tallahassee and members reach out to include all. We take pride in our
on Sunday evening before Tally Days. Please reach out to her to efforts and work together as a team and build relationships with
other organizations and progressive causes.
Dear DWCF Members,
President’s Message Cont’d.
Democratic women continue to make history. We run for office.
We support phone banking and canvassing for Progressive
Democrats, especially women running for office. We make sure our
voices are heard on legislative issues and in the political arena. We
need to continue to work for those Progressive Democrats who are
now running for office. We need to support our causes with the
activism we employ so well.
We shall PINK SLIP RICK!!
I look forward to seeing members in Ocala in July at our
strategic planning session and board meeting.
I am delighted to help you in any way I can to grow and engage
our membership and turn Florida Blue. Thank you for allowing me to
serve this great club full of smart and determined democratic
women.
We ARE Blue. We ARE the Best.
We are progressive flag-bearing Floridian feminists.
I am respectfully Fired up and Ready to Go!
Dr. Maureen McKenna
President
DWCF
AFL-CIO labor update
By Patricia Farley-Crutcher, Chair DWCF Region VI
Most people do not think of Florida as a UNION state, but did
you realize that teachers, firefighters, police officers and letter
carriers all work under collective bargaining contracts? Florida is
also heavily populated with retired union members who move here
from other states. Florida may be a “right to work for less” state, but
we are loaded with union members.
A strategically planned attack on Labor Unions started in 1971
with the publication of what has become known as the “Powell
Memo, a Corporate Blueprint to Dominate Democracy” by Lewis
Powell, then a corporate lawyer and member of the boards of 11
corporations, who wrote a memo to his friend Eugene Sydnor, Jr.,
the Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The memo was a
plan on what to do to save the American Free Enterprise system
from socialistic influences, or i.e. to get rid of labor unions. Powell
was appointed shortly after the Supreme Court by Richard Nixon.
The attack against Unions and the middle class has been ongoing
since that time.
National Level
Some of the biggest and most important struggles working
families engage in take place in state capitols where legislators and
governors set the agendas. As we saw in 2011, in states where
newly elected Republican governors and lawmakers took office,
those agendas are often blueprints to advance corporate influence
and lower wages, suppress voting rights, and eliminate worker
protections on the job. Working families are facing many of the
attacks by state lawmakers on their livelihoods, voting rights, and
collective bargaining for a middle-class life.
A few examples follow.
The rights of public employees to collectively bargain for a
better life are under attack in several states, as are their health
care and pension rights. Politicians in many states are rewarding
corporate contributors by privatizing public services.
● Right to work for less laws—backed by the extreme
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and other
anti-worker groups—are on the radar screens in several
states. Indiana Republicans rammed a right to work for less
bill through the legislature in early 2012.
● Republican lawmakers want to mute the voice of workers in
elections with paycheck deception laws and ballot
initiatives.
● Workers’ wages—especially those of construction
workers—are threatened by attacks on project labor
agreements and prevailing wage laws.
● New voting restrictions aimed mainly at young and
minority voters could disenfranchise millions of voters in
critical elections.
● More states are considering extreme anti-immigrant laws
like those in Arizona and Alabama.
Volkswagen Plant in Chattanooga:
Recently employees at VW's Chattanooga plant voted
against representation by United Auto Workers, leaving the
factory as the only Volkswagen plant worldwide without a formal
mechanism for workers' representation. Volkswagen had been
supportive of the movement, but the fact that Volkswagen did
not discipline managers and salaried employees for
campaigning against the union raises questions about
Volkswagen’s true commitment to its neutrality agreement,
which also barred the union from visiting workers in their homes
or making any negative statements about working conditions at
Volkswagen. But in addition to the union-busting efforts of lowlevel supervisors, pro-union workers are up against codes of
masculine self-reliance that hold great sway with the
predominantly white and male workforce at the Volkswagen
facility. Workers were told that a real man should be able to
speak for himself. The UAW has filed an appeal with the
National Labor Relations Board to challenge those results,
charging interference from U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.,
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and other politicians. The union
wants the NLRB to order a new election. Some elected officials
Cont’d on page 10 – AFL-CIO
Page 2
DWCF News from around the state
EmergeUSA, a nonprofit focused on advocating for the
rights of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian American (MASA)
communities, honored our DWCF Recording Secretary and
Greater Orlando DWC President Anna V. Eskamani.
June Keener, president Pasco Co. DWC and Maggie Koons at Awake Tampa Bay.
Karen Welzel honored
When women succeed,
the WORLD succeeds.”
–Hillary Clinton speaking
at Intl. Woman’s Day
3/7/2014
Anna was the recipient of their Community Service Award,
and was recognized alongside former Orlando Police Chief and
Democratic Mayoral Candidate Val Demings who received the
Public Service Award.
Anna was honored for her contribution to the Central Florida
community, and for her work in breaking barriers through
community service. Some notable accomplishments that were
mentioned during the program included Anna's 2011 campaign to
keep PBS in Orlando, her commitment to equality, and her work in
the local community of Bithlo.
South Brevard DWC
Manatee County
shows off their
charter
Milly Krause, vice president and Patty
Farley, president of South Brevard DWC at
the Awake the State Rally.
Recently, Karen Cooper Welzel , president
East Polk Ridge DWC, was presented with the
Polk County DEC Marlene Duffy Young
Democratic Woman of the Year award. Karen
remarked “I am honored and humbled to have
my name on an award named for a highly
respected Democratic woman who was a leader
among leaders. Thank you!”
DWC of Manatee County Board Members
(from the left) Linda Gallen, Recording
Secretary; Mary Duda, President and Mary
Bass, Regional Council Representative with the
club charter which states the date their club
was certified on November 14, 1959 which,
according to DWCF President Maureen
McKenna, may make Manatee the oldest DWC
in Florida.
Page 3
Indian River news
Indian River DWC
marched in the Martin Luther
King Day Parade. L to R
Glenda Swanson-Massa,
Kathie Jaskolski, Irene
Thompson, Elsie Visel and
Claudette Pelletier.
Linda MacDonald and Sharyn
Seiler represented the Indian
River DWC in the Martin Luther
King Parade.
Lake County
supporting
medicare expansion
Members of the Lake County DWC
joined others in MoveOn.org's Call to Action
on Saturday, March 29th, to call attention to
our FL legislators refusal to take $51 billion
in Medicaid expansion funding. "It is
unconscionable that Governor Rick Scott and
the Republican-led legislature refused $51
billion of OUR tax dollars to help 1.1 million
uninsured, poor Floridians...and ignored
120,000 new jobs this expansion would bring
to Florida," said Lake County DWC President
Nancy Hurlbert. What Florida refuses will
simply go to other states who have agreed to
the federal dollars over the next 3 years.
Thereafter, the federal government has
assured that 90% of the expansion will be
paid for through federal dollars. "This is a no
brainer", said Hurlbert, "which might be a
good description of our leaders in
Tallahassee...no brains!"
Indian River DWC attended
their local NAACP dinner: L to
R Crystal Bujol, Susan Seidler,
back L to R Linda MacDonald,
Claudette Pelletier, Elsie Visel,
and Lanie Frame.
AFL-CIO – Cont’d from page 2
threatened to withhold tax incentives for an expansion of the assembly plant if workers
joined the UAW. In the days and weeks before the election, politicians — including U.S.
Sen. Bob Corker — blasted the UAW and said the state might withhold tax incentives for
the plant expansion if workers accepted the UAW.
Volkswagen--the world’s second largest automaker-- believes the works council
model is a key reason for its success. But under U.S. labor law, a works council cannot be
established without union representation. Bernd Osterloh, a VW supervisory board
member and head of the automaker’s works council, also said that without a German-style
works council, the Chattanooga plant might be denied the opportunity to produce a new
midsize SUV
An anti-union organization, The National Right to Work Foundation, and three
Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tenn., have sued the automaker and the UAW to
prevent them from colluding to overturn the results of a vote last month in which more than
half the workers rejected UAW representation.
In researching the National right to Work Foundation one finds that Mark Mix,
President of the National Right to Work Committee and President of the National Right to
Work Legal Defense Fund, was a presenter at a Koch Conference in Aspen, Colorado,
where he discussed coordinated electoral strategies. His organization, National Right to
Work, receives free summer employees from the Koch summer fellows program. Mix
attended the 2010 Koch Conference in Aspen, Colorado. Mix presented a session entitled
“Mobilizing Citizens for November,” on the topic: “Is there a chance this fall to elect
leaders who are strongly committed to liberty and prosperity?” alongside Sean Noble and
Tim Phillips of the Koch Funded Americans for Prosperity. Mix is a Speaker for the
Leadership Institute, an organization that received over $100,000 from Koch-funded
Page 4
News from Escambia
Lake County DWC steps out
This Event was held in honor of Black
History Month. We had as key note
speaker, Ciara Taylor, from the Dream
Defenders. We had other speakers
including civil rights icon and 86-year-old,
Rev. H.K. Matthews. It was an amazing
event to have these two passionate
speakers about civil rights in the same
room at one time. We estimated
attendance at about 75 people.
In celebration of Women's History Month and our local GeorgeFest Parade, DWC of Lake
County participated with other Democratic Clubs in the GeorgeFest Parade on a float (and some
members walking). The theme of the Parade was "It's a Grand Old Flag" and our float theme had
several "Betsy Ross'’ sewing the flag with a banner, "Women Holding the Fabric of America
Together" on one side and "Democrats Are Everyday People" on the other side while Sly & The
Family Stone sang "We Are Everyday People"!!
Sitting on
the back of the
Harley is longtime DWC of
Lake County
member,
Melba Seron.
Since this
inaugural ride
in the
GeorgeFest
Parade, Melba
has
represented
DWCLC in
several
parades, riding
in front of our
banner and
marchers!
Pictured are Ciara Taylor, from the
Dream Defenders and civil rights icon, 86year-old Rev. H.K. Matthews.
Please submit articles for our July
newsletter by July 1 , 2014.
Send pictures in jpg format to
judyschnabel@embarqmail. Identify
those in the picture, the occasion of
the picture, location and any DWCF
member in the picture.
Thank you.
The Gulabi Gang
The Gulabi gang was founded in 2006 by
Sampat Pal Devi, a mother of five, as a
response to widespread domestic abuse and
other violence against women. Gulabis visit
abusive husbands and beat them up with laathis
(bamboo sticks) unless they stop abusing their
wives.
The Gulabi gang is a group of Indian
women vigilantes and activists originally
from Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, but
reported to be active across North India as
of 2010.
Page 5
How to Celebrate and Recognize the
First Annual Democratic Women’s Month in May 2014
Celebration ideas include but are not limited to the following:
● Having a specific, well-advertised fundraiser or membership recruitment event celebrating Florida Democratic Women with Democratic
Women as the theme.
● Selling or purchasing Newspaper Ads, buttons, bumper stickers, social media, flyers and mailings announcing and celebrating Florida
Democratic Women's Month. Contact President McKenna for sample media release.
● Asking local municipality or county commissions to declare May as Democratic Women's Month. Using appropriate media to promote
this. Contact President Maureen McKenna for sample proclamation.
● Having a voter's registration drive targeting women for the month of May.
● Encouraging candidates and elected officials to speak at local DWC functions celebrating the month of May as Democratic Women's
Month.
● Celebrating Eleanor Roosevelt's life and history at meetings and events in May.
● Recognize the achievements of local Democratic women elected officials.
● Write a Letter to the Editor about the achievements of Democratic women.
● Sponsor an essay contest or poster contest to commemorate local Democratic Women’s History or current Sheros for middle or high
school students. Arrange to recognize winners at a local school board meeting.
● Host a Democratic Women’s month celebration with a keynote speaker.
● Research and commemorate Democratic women “firsts” in your city and/or county. Who were the Democratic women trailblazers in
your local area? Who are they now?
Highlands County ‘s
Michelle/Hillary luncheon
Kunkel Honored
Dr. Joyce
Henry-Hamilton
(center),
AC U,speaker for the
Michelle/Hillary
luncheon, is
presented with a gift
basket by Velma
Lumpkin, (L)
president Highlands
County DWC and
Nancy Linville, DWC
member.
Charlotte joins Moms Demand Action
Moms Demand Action
rallied to stop gun violence.
The rally took place in
Gilchrist Park on the Peace
River in Punta Gorda.
Pictured left to right are
DWCF members Patty
Flynn, Mary Lou Kennedy
and Betty Gissendanner.
Patty Flynn serves as
ambassador of SW Florida
Moms Demand Action
group.
Stephanie
Kunkel , DWCF
legislative chair
was honored
recently by
winning the
Tallahassee
Network of
Young
Professional's
Golden ACE
award in the
Government
Relations & Law
category.
The Tallahassee Network
of Young
Professionals is a non-partisan organization of business
professionals under the age of 40 who live, work and play
in Tallahassee. To be nominated for a Golden ACE means
you best exemplify Authentic Community Engagement in
your life in Tallahassee.
Stephanie was selected as one of the top 3 finalists in
her category, and then was selected as the winner (Golden
ACE) in that category.
Page 6
Tally Days 2014
speakers
Committee Report
Elder Affairs/SS/Insurance
Joan McGinnis
Chair
Pat Dix, representing the Florida
Education Association, spoke to the delegates
regarding education.
Ciara Taylor, political director of The
Dream Defenders, addressed Tally Days
delegates.
A. Update on status of Florida ACA
Exchanges. HHS reported a few weeks
ago a total of 566,450 had signed up thru
the Federal Exchange for Insurance in Florida (442,094 for private insurance, and
124,363 for Medicaid or the CHIP program); 90% were eligible for financial assistance. 24% were between the ages of 18 –
34. There are 764,000 individuals who fall
into the gap – not eligible for any coverage,
partially due to Florida’s refusal to accept
federal funds - $51 billion over 10 years.
B. Florida is limiting all of its 3 million Medicaid recipients to 6 Emergency
Room visits per year which is not in compliance with the Federal regulation which has
no cap. The Federal HHS has informed the
state that funds will be withheld due to this.
C. Sen. Nelson has announced recently that his office has been working with
the HHS to find a way around the State’s
refusal to accept Medicaid Expansion. He
also announced in the manner of a warning
to the Governor and Legislature that Florida could also lose $678 million in Medicaid
expenditure to hospitals and doctors for
Uncompensated Care, funds that were
planned to be covered by the increase in
Medicaid enrollees for which the state did
not accept funds.
D. The Dept. of HHS has announced
that enrollment through the end of March is
7.5 million, with extensions of the enrollment period beyond March 31 to persons
unable to complete enrollment by the deadline.
E. Speaker of the House Weatherford
has refused Medicaid Expansion with the
stated reason that he cannot trust the Federal government to pay those monies. As a
talking point, Florida is already accepting
Federal funds for Terrorism, Ports, Transportation and Education, without a lack of
trust.
F. Several of our coalition partners in
the Florida Health Alliance have had Legislature Lobby days with more planned.
G. Finally, SB1364 and HB969 have
been flying under the radar, sponsored by
Sen. Bradley and Rep. Cummings with cosponsors Reps. Tobia and Van Zant. Titled
“Employee Health Access Act” in true GOP
style, it would do just the opposite and revise the definition of “eligible employee” to
increase from 25 to 30 hours those employees who qualify for employer health insurance coverage. Thereby they increased the
number of uninsured without INCREASING
Medicaid Expansion.
FDP Chair Allison Tant and DWC member
addressed the press during the news
conference held in the Rotunda of the Capitol.
DWCF President Maureen McKenna and
several state legislators joined her at the
podium.
Page 7
Region III welcomes her sister clubs to the 2014 DWCF
Convention in St. Augustine.
Mark your calendars for September 18th through the 21st
and book your reservations for the Marriott at World Golf
Village. We’ve planned a full schedule of events to keep you
INFORMED, INSPIRED, and INVOLVED, starting with:
Thursday, September 18 -- Join us for a guided tour of the
historic civil rights sites of old St. Augustine. That evening, plan
to attend our welcome reception with open bar and hors
d’oeuvres.
Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20 – Our
luncheon guest speakers include Dr. Lawanda Ravoira,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Delores Barr
Weaver Policy Center, who will discuss the devastating effects
of the juvenile justice system on at-risk girls and young women.
Also, Claire Conner, author of Wrapped in the Flag, will speak
on right wing extremists who are hijacking the political process.
-- Interested in workshops? Perhaps you’d like to attend
“Communicating Through Social Media,” and learn the
terminology used by those engaged in social media and the
types of social media that enable us to connect with like-minded
individuals, express our political views, and recruit others to
progressive causes. If you’re interested in “Growing Your Club,”
you might want to hear from a panel of DWCF mavens who
have successfully recruited new members, retained existing
members, increased member diversity, and raised funds. For
wannabe activists, we offer “Building Organizational Coalitions.”
This workshop features representatives from a variety of
progressive organizations who will explain ways that you can
make a personal contribution to their organizations at different
levels of involvement. And, for the folks interested in the
legislative process, consider attending “What’s on the 2014
Ballot?”
-- After the workshops, we plan to entertain you with a
Mother Jones performance (Friday) and a Trivia game
(Saturday, with PRIZES!), challenging your knowledge of
women in . . . .
Evening dinner speakers will be announced in a later
edition of the DWCF newsletter. Stay tuned!
Donkey auction is the Democrats’ answer to a White
Elephant sale. Here’s your opportunity to find a loving and
appreciative home for that unused birthday or holiday gift that
you’ve had stored in the closet for the past year or so. Every
convention attendee is asked to bring at least one Blue Donkey
auction item to the convention.
Now that you’re INFORMED, we hope you’re INSPIRED
and planning to be INVOLVED in the 2014 DWCF Convention
in St. Augustine. See you in September.
Clay County Democratic Women's Alliance (CCDWA) members Cary Herold, Elaine
Weistock, Louise Bergeron and Yvonne Stock at the St. Augustine World Golf
Village's Marriott Hotel, during a planning session for the DWCF 2014 convention.
Did you know?
All members are welcome to come to State Executive Committee
Quarterly Meetings. Please contact Carol King at 352-483-2011 or
[email protected] to pay for a $25 luncheon. When you register for
lunch, you will be registered to come to the Quarterly meeting. You are
welcome to the Strategic Planning Session on Friday, July 11 at 7 PM.
July 12 from 9-3:30 PM is our next Quarterly meeting. Deadline for
registration for the July Quarterly meeting is June 30. Deadline for
discounted Hotel Reservations at the Hilton Ocala is on July 1. Any
questions, please contact Dr. Maureen McKenna at
[email protected] or 863 214 4680.
State Executive Committee
Meeting Dates
Friday, July 11, 2014 7 PM DWCF Strategic Planning Session
at Hilton, Ocala
Saturday, July 12, 2014 9 am - 3:30 pm at Hilton, Ocala
September 18-21, 2014 at Renaissance Golf Village Resort
Hotel, St. Augustine
2014 Convention Chair – Julia Heckendorn
2015 Convention Chair – Danielle Neetz
2016 Convention Chair - Mary Freeman
Page 8
Rules for DWCF
Endorsement
Ellen Holt, DWCF Campaign
Screening Chair, had the following DWCF
Candidate Endorsement Rules approved by
the DWCF Executive Committee on March
23, 2014. All DWCs are expected to follow
the rules as outlined.
1. Endorsements will be given only after the
filing deadline when there is only one
Democratic candidate or after a primary
election.
2. There will be only one endorsement per
candidate, per election cycle.
3. Endorsements can be considered in a
run-off special election when there is no
other Democrat running in state special
elections.
4. No endorsements will be given in Federal
elections until after primary, per National
Federation of Democratic Women rules.
5. Candidate Survey Forms will be
accepted by the Campaign Screening Chair
during the election season. Endorsements
will be considered in a timely manner,
according to the rules stated above.
6. The Campaign Screening Committee will
present nominations for endorsement to the
State Executive Committee for approval.
The Campaign Screening Chair is
responsible for notifying the candidate
immediately after the endorsement
approval by verbal contact, followed up by
an email indicating the DWCF endorsement
(copied to the DWCF President). An
additional email will be sent to the DWCF
Political Committee Chair and
Communications Chair communicating all
candidates endorsed in a timely way.
7. The DWCF Communication Chair, with
the President's approval, will provide a
press release advertising individual
endorsements to relevant media outlets.
8. Endorsements of candidates who are
DWC members will not be given to
candidates solely based on DWC
membership.
9. Local DWCs are to comply with the
above rules for endorsement as they relate
to local, state and national candidates.
10. A running and updated list of DWCF
endorsements will be kept by the Screening
Committee Chair and communicated to the
DWCF President.
Your strategic planning ideas are needed
By Nancy Hurlbert
President McKenna has asked me to
facilitate a Strategic Planning Session for
DWCF at our July Quarterly Board Meeting.
The Session will take place on Friday evening
(July 11th) from 7-10 p.m. You are being
asked to submit Goals and Action Steps (to
accomplish the Goals) between now and
July 1st. As anyone who has gone through
Strategic Planning, 3 hours is an extremely
short period, so we will have to be focused
and prepared for discussion before the
session. Good news is, we have our "Mission
Statement" in the form of our "Bylaws
Objectives":
a. To bring together in common purpose
all local Democratic Women’s Clubs
of the 67 counties of Florida.
b. To stimulate an active interest in
governmental affairs among
Democrats (not just women) of
Florida and to provide a forum for
the discussion of public matters.
c. To promote the principles of the
Democratic Party.
d. To assist and work with the State
Officers of the Florida Democratic
Party to support only Democratic
candidates for public office and to
encourage actively qualified
Democratic women to seek elective
office.
e. To seek increased Democratic voter
registration and participation.
To accomplish this compacted time
schedule, we have identified four (4) items of
focus:
● Membership - Growth & Participation
● Financial Stability
● Strategy Blue (Develop a
comprehensive and complementary plan of action
which could impact DWCF's
effectiveness in the next 2-3
years in turning Florida Blue
- successful race
strategies/actions, successful Legislative Issues
Advocacy/Action. What
more could we be doing to
get Democrats elected?)
● Visibility (Maybe there are
only two (2) focus areas
(Membership Growth could
be our Financial Stability
plan; perhaps Strategy Blue
includes Visibility strategy.
This will work itself out when
we work through some of
our Goals and Action Steps)
Now your job...PLEASE e-mail
me - no later than July 1st, but why
not do it now! - a goal or two you
would like to see DWCF accomplish
short-term (next 18 months) and longterm (through December 2016 through Hillary's election <smile>).
But your work doesn't stop there!
Along with your suggested Goals, outline a couple Action Steps we could
take to accomplish those goals! Remember, at this point no Goal or Action Step is too outlandish or small.
We will refine these Goals and Action
Steps at the Strategic Planning Session (which I hope many Board members and Club active members will
attend!).
Page 9
Victory over 7-Eleven
By Gina Burrell
About two years ago, we heard that 7-Eleven wanted to put one
of their convenience stores, and twelve gas pumps on a lot that was
on the corner of San Marco and May Street. This property is on the
edge of a National Historic Register District site. The way we found
out about it was the developer wanted to take down some large trees
on the site. developer went to the City of St. Augustine Planning &
Zoning Board for approval for tree removal, which was granted. The
neighbors appealed that decision, and we lost. 7-Eleven then started
going through a long process with the city for applying for a building
permit.
The neighborhood and beyond stayed engaged. We got
residents to sign petitions, and altogether we got over 800 signatures
opposing this project. We held rallies in front of the site, and got our
local newspaper to cover the story. This corner is very dangerous, a
heavy traffic area, is an Evacuation Route in case of a Hurricane, and
there have been many accidents on May St. It is the worst location for
a heavily used convenience store with a 24-hour gas station.
Just recently, the city building dept. director denied the
application for a building permit because it did not comply with a 24
foot curb cut. 7-Eleven appealed this decision to the City's Historic
Architectural Review Board (HARB). There were 120 residents
present. HARB upheld the decision of the building dept. director, and
denied the appeal. 7-Eleven then appealed HARB's decision to the
City Commission on March 24, 2014. The City Commission sided with
HARB's decision. So, right now this is a victory for the neighborhood
and the city. We have heard rumors that 7-Eleven will probably take
their case to the Circuit Court. We hope we will still be victorious; we
have public opinion on our side.
Join us in immigration reform
The Statue of Liberty beckons immigrants with “I lift my lamp
beside the Golden DOOR,” written by Emma Lazarus.
A DOOR behind which is a cruel, inefficient, out-dated
Immigration System.
A DOOR behind which highly skilled scientists, engineers,
information technologists, and medical personnel lack quotas to
enter the U. S.
A DOOR behind which agricultural, construction, medical and
lower skilled immigrant workers of all kinds are left out due to low
quotas.
A DOOR behind which nearly 12 million immigrants are held
hostage by 100 Senators and 435 Representatives of the U. S.
Congress.
Our immigration system has run amok, and that is why the
Democratic Women's Club of Highlands County began an
Immigration Reform Committee last fall. Our report of the Blue Card
Immigration System was presented to the Club in February and
approved. It also was presented to the Board members of the DWCF
on March 3rd and also approved.
Next, it is being readied for the National Federation of
Democratic Women convention June 1st.
ACTION is paramount in the cause of Immigration Reform, as
you can see the ground swells are becoming large waves. You are
invited to join a statewide DWCF committee supporting the Blue
Card System and other immigration concerns. It is our intent to put
pressure on our national Senators and Representatives to pass
immigration reform and also on our Florida legislators to make the
laws applicable to the well-being of all who live in our State.
Elli Million 863 382 4944 email: [email protected]
Ruth Hill, Roxie McMillon, Patricia Henderson
Celebrate Earth Day April 22, 2014
On Earth Day, April 22, 2014, take action and honor the
generations of women who have taken the lead to save the planet.
Earth Day began in 1970 as a catalyst to promote meaningful
opportunities for celebrations, education and actions that include all
social sectors, nationalities and cultural groups.
Join an Earth Day event near you. http://earthday.net
As we shop for picnic supplies and our regular household supplies, let’s remember the products we should avoid buying.
It seems as though the Koch Brothers have their hands in everything (including politics) these days. Some of the products we
should boycott include Angel Soft, Angel Soft Ultra, Brawny paper towels, Dixie cups (& napkins & plates), Insulair cups,
Perfect Touch cups, paper products, Quilted Northern, Sparkle paper towels,Vanity Fair napkins & paper towels, Mardis Gras
napkins, and Zee Napkins. For a full list of products click on this link. http://www.boycottkochbrothers.com.
We will celebrate Earth Day on April 22. With that in mind, let us all be good stewards of Mother Earth by taking our
reusable bags to the store and refusing to buy water in single serve containers. We can make a difference!
If your headquarters is buying cases of single serve bottled water, check out getting a cooler and having the 5-gallon jugs
delivered to you. It’s a lot less expensive and Mother Earth will be smiling.
Page 10
Important deadlines
DWCF members! Deadlines are listed below to submit nominations and
changes to our bylaws, resolutions and platform.
Please submit proposed DWCF Resolutions by June 24, 2014 to Dee Willliams Tatis, Resolutions
Chair at [email protected] by July 1, 2014.
Please submit proposed DWCF platform changes by July 1, 2014 to Maureen
McKenna, President at [email protected]. Please see DWCF.org for current
platform to Stephanie Kunkel, Legislative Chair at [email protected] by July 1, 2014.
Please submit nominations for DWCF awards by July 1, 2014 to Ida Eskamani at
[email protected]. Please email Ida for Awards Nominations Forms. Forms can be
obtained at http://dwcf.org/Awards.html
Please submit nomination for DWCF Legislative Advocacy Award recognizing a
Florida Legislator who advocated for the DWCF platform during the 2014 Florida
Legislative Session.
Please submit proposed bylaws by July 1, 2014 to Nancy Hurlbert, Bylaws Chair at
[email protected]
Please submit proposed Rules by July 1, 2014 to Evalyn Narramore, Rules Chair at
[email protected]
Page 11
Democratic Women’s Club of Florida by Region
Region 1
Mildred Hall
9017 Turnberry Court
Tallahassee, FL 32312
Phone: 850-893-4736
Email: [email protected]
Region 2
Judy Byrne Riley
1501 Bayshore Drive
Niceville FL 32578
Phone: 850-217-4003
Email: [email protected]
Region 3
Mary Lou Woods
87 Village Del Lago Circle
St. Augustine, FL 32080
Phone: 904-461-5408
E-mail: [email protected]
Region 4
Danielle Neetz
936 Chickadee Drive
Port Orange, FL 32127
Phone: 386-295-7513
Email: [email protected]
Region 7
Sandra McClinton
5028 Pelican Blvd.
Cape Coral, FL 33914
Phone: 239-471-7704
Email: [email protected]
Region 5
Judy Meyers
5340 Carlton Road
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone: 727-967-4257
Email: [email protected]
Region 8
Susie Johnson
4808 Boabadilla Avenue
Sebring, FL 33872
Phone: 863-385-0008
Email: [email protected]
Region 6
Patricia Farley Crutcher
101 Bay View Drive
Indian Harbor Beach, FL 32937
Phone: 321-773-2949
Email: [email protected]
Region 9
Mishell Warner
571 NW 194 Street
Miami Gardens, FL 33169
Phone: 786-367-7795
Email: mishellwarner@gmailcom
Page 12
ELECTED OFFICERS:
President
Dr. Maureen McKenna
130 South Circle
Avon Park, FL 33825
Phone: 863-214-4680
Email: [email protected]
1st Vice President
Nancy Hurlbert
35624 Cypress Ct.
Leesburg, Florida 34788
Phone: 352-483-4962
Email: [email protected]
APPOINTED OFFICERS:
SPECIAL COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Parliamentarian
Dr. Ada Puryear Burnette
P.O. Box 38543
Tallahassee, FL 32315
Phone: 850-445-7260
Email: [email protected]
DWCF History Chair
Mary Freeman
960 Starkey Rd. #1404
Largo, FL 33771
Phone: 727-581-4630
Email: [email protected]
Sergeant at Arms
Cheryle Davis-Darrell
2637 East Atlantic Blvd #26904
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Phone: 561-713-4964
Email: [email protected]
Awards Chair
Ida V. Eskamani
857 Spring Oak Circle
Orlando, Fl 32828
Email:
[email protected]
Recording Secretary
Anna V. Eskamani
857 Spring Oak Circle
Orlando, FL 32828
Phone: 407-376-3609
Email: [email protected]
Corresponding
Secretary/Newsletter
Judy A. Schnabel
200 Madrid Blvd.
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: 941-637-7014
Email:
[email protected]
200 Madrid Blvd.
Page/Teller/Quarterly Meeting
Hostess
Sandra Cogley Brown
301 Brady Way
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
Phone: 850-628-4031
Email:
[email protected]
Treasurer
Carol Flaumenhaft-King
35445 Highland Drive
Eustis, FL 32736
Phone: 352-483-2011
Email: [email protected]
Time Keeper
Barbara Bartell
301 Bady Way
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
850-628-4031
Email:
[email protected]
2nd Vice President
Dr. Rachel Sutz Pienta
53 Meadowlark Drive
Crawfordville, FL 32327
Phone: 850-926-8894
Email: [email protected]
Past President
Janet L. Goen
1104 Clippers Way
Tarpon Springs, Florida
34689
Phone: 727-937-8590
Email:
[email protected]
Membership Vice Chair
Dr. Sharlyn Roach
19610 NE 1st Place
Miami, FL
33179
Phone: 305-815-5799
Email: [email protected]
Elder Affairs/SS/Insurance Chair
Joan M. McGinnis, MLS, Med
4866 Las Flores Ct.
Elkton, FL 32033
Phone: 904-535-0099
Email:
[email protected]
Equality Chair
Ida V. Eskamani
857 Spring Oak Circle
Orlando, Fl 32828
Email:
[email protected]
Convention Best Practices Chair
Judy Byrne Riley
1501 Bayshore Drive
Niceville, FL 32578
Phone: 850-217-4003
Email: [email protected]
Training Resource Chair
Susan Smith
16111 Vanderbuilt Drive
Odessa, FL 33556
Phone: 813-926-2768
Email: [email protected]
Grassroots Campaign Chair
Alison Morano
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
Phone: 813-766-9872
Email: [email protected]
Page 13
Standing Committee Chairs
Credentials
Dr. Sharlyn Roach
19610 NE 1st Place
Miami, FL 33179
Phone: 305-815-5799
Email: [email protected]
Communications
Judy Meyers
5340 Carlton Rd.
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone: 727-967-4257
Email: jmeyer_region5@
outlook.com
Bylaws
Nancy Hurlbert
35624 Cypress Ct.
Leesburg, FL 34788
Phone: 352-483-4962
Email: [email protected]
Rules
Evalyn Coe Narramore
2088 Downing Drive
Pensacola, FL 32505
Phone: 850-476-0044
Email: [email protected]
Finance & Special Projects
(Ways & Means)
Betty Gissendanner
23259 Painter Ave.
Port Charlotte, FL 33954
Phone: 941-624-2735
Email:
[email protected]
Resolutions
Dee Williams Tatis
P. O. Box 1358
Bowling Green, FL 33834
Phone: 863-375-3186
Email:
[email protected]
Chaplain
Julia Heckendorn
106 Loyal Road
St. Augustine, FL 32086
Phone: 904-806-1945
Email: [email protected]
Audit
Carolyn Chism Helms
1387 Landmark Court
Ft. Myers, FL 33919
Phone: 239-432-0970
Email:
[email protected]
Campaign Screening
Ellen M. Holt
1158 Muirfield Way
Niceville, FL 32578
Phone: 850-216-5685
Email: [email protected]
Nomination and Grievance
Committee
Janet Goen
1104 Clippers Way
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: 727-937-8590
Email:
[email protected]
Legislative
Stephanie Kunkel
1143 Albritton Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: 850-320-4208
Email: [email protected]
Political Committee
Samantha Hope-Herring
P. O. Box 1404
Santa Rosa, FL 32459
Phone: 225-806-8552
Email:
[email protected]
Platform Chair
Vacant
Archives & History
Danielle Neetz
936 Chickadee Drive
Port Orange, FL 32127
Phone: 386-295-7513
Email: [email protected]
Budget
Velma Lumpkin
1623 Roberts Avenue
Sebring, FL 33870
Phone: 863-471-2672
Email: [email protected]
Handbook
Anna Eskamani
857 Spring Oak Circle
Orlando, FL 32828
Phone: 407-376-3609
Email: [email protected]
Protocols
Dr. Ada Puryear Burnette
P. O. Box 38543
Tallahassee, FL 32315
Phone: 850-445-7260
Email:
[email protected]
Page 14
Design and Layout by
Judy Schnabel