FROM OUR CHAIR SEAN PARSONS
…And we’re back! I want to express my gratitude to the folks stepping up and sharing their time and effort to put together our monthly newsletter. Your contributions are truly appreciated!
While it can be disheartening to see the actions taken by Republican-held legislatures, I find hope in the inspiring conduct of Representatives Justin Jones and Justin J. Pearson in Tennessee. Their unwavering dedication to speaking truth, and pushing back against attempts to silence them and others, has been truly uplifting. If you’re looking for some rays of hope from young leaders, I encourage you to take a moment to watch and listen to their powerful words.
As we look ahead to the next few months, we have several exciting events coming up, including our Spring dinner on May 24th. We hope to see you there as we come together to celebrate and support one another while we continue to lift each other up and work towards a better future!
– Sean
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
ACDO Spring Dinner on May 24th. We’re still finalizing our guest list for the dinner but are excited to announce we will have Ohio House of Representatives Minority Leader Allison Russo joining us.
Come out and march with the ATHENS DEMS and help register voters at the following events planned so far for this year!
- May
- Glouster First Fridays
- June
- 2 Glouster First Fridays
- 10 Athens Pride Parade
- 11 Athens Pride Field Day
- 19 OU Juneteenth Event at College Gate
- 24 Boogie on the Bricks Athens
- July
- 7 Glouster First Fridays
- 15 Amesville Firemen’s Festival and Parade
- August
- 4 Glouster First Fridays
- 5-13 Athens County Fair
- 19 Parade of the Hills Nelsonville
- September
- 4 Old Settlers’ Reunion Jacksonville
- 24 Albany Independent Fair Parade
- October
- 7 Homecoming Parade
- 8 The Plains Indian Mound Festival
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Patrice Beard has lined up a full schedule of parades and festivals leading up to the Fall elections. Starting off is the first FINAL FRIDAY in Glouster on May 5th, 5:30-8:00pm at Sedalia Park/Glouster Depot across from the post office. She needs a few volunteers for voter registration and petition signing for Protect Reproduction Freedom. Contact Patrice if you are able to pitch in
On May 6th the Ohio Young Democrats Group is convening in Bowling Green. You don’t need to be young to attend. Contact Nat Flanagan at 419-276-9886 for more information.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
OFFICE UPDATES
There has been lots of activity in the Athens Dem office during the last month. We are distributing the Protect Choice Ohio Amendment petitions for Athens and neighboring Democratic offices. The office will be open M-W-F from 1:00 -4:00 or anytime the flag is flying. Stop by to sign the petition or to get trained to collect signatures. Recently several local artists have volunteered to paint the office windows to promote the petition. Thanks to Anna, Nick, Andy and Gene!
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Community Service Committee
Community Services gives a great “buzz” and is a powerful antidote to the daily grind of depressing news. Despite starting 2022 with Covid concerns (as well as an election taking precedence for volunteer activity), our local party managed many good works. A big shout out to all of you who cleaned up Dow Lake shoreline, wrote cards to nursing home residents, picked up litter on mile 4-6 stretch of St. Rt. 550 as part of our Adopt A Highway Program, packed boxes at the food pantry, and sewed reusable bags for Athens ReThink Plastics.
If you are interested in being a part of our “Litter Team” our next pick up will be in early June. Please email Janalee for details. Dow Lake shoreline clean-up will not happen this year because of the lake level remaining high. We may do another project like the Hocking River Sweep instead.
Finding a Co-Chair by 2024 for the Community Service Committee is part of our Strategic Plan, as Janalee is ready to step down as soon as a new leader is identified. This is a great committee to spearhead. The message we send, “We care about our neighbors,” is one we can all get behind. Please consider this invitation. If not you, then who?
Neighborhood Campaign Committee
In March, Janalee Stock facilitated a debrief session among those who canvassed for the November general election. There were 18 volunteers who shared their experiences: the highs, the lows, fun memories of canvassing and lessons learned. All agreed that door-to-door canvassing offers the best opportunity to reach voters and is an enriching experience. To be continued…
Right now this committee and volunteers are focused on collecting signatures for the proposed state amendment (see below). These local events have brought in new volunteers to work on important issues.
The Right to Reproudctive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety Amendment
This citizen-led petition is being coordinated by a number of organizations within the state of Ohio, including Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, Protect Choice Ohio, and the Ohio Democratic Party. The goal is to meet the legal requirements to appear on the ballot in Ohio as an initiated constitutional amendment on November 7, 2023. Volunteer supporters are now circulating petitions to collect the signatures of 413,000 Ohio voters by early July 2023. Click here for the summary of the ballot wording: https://protectchoiceohio.com/petition_language
In Athens County, a coalition of organizations is collaborating to share volunteers and promote events. Participating organizations include Planned Parenthood, UCM, ACLU Ohio, and Indivisible Appalachian Ohio, along with Athens County Dems. We are coordinating efforts to collect signatures at events such as drive-through signing events, canvassing, hosting tables, attending local events, as well as individuals circulating petitions. The Ohio Dem Party provided Athens County a suggested goal of 800 signatures. As of April 18th, Athens Dems have submitted 815 signatures to ODP, with another 30 + petitions in circulation. Athens County Dems Rock!!
If you would like to sign the petition, stop by the Athens Dem office on M-W-F from 1:00—4:00, or attend an upcoming event. You can also circulate a petition to get signatures from friends and neighbors.
CONTRIBUTE TO OUR LOCAL PARTY
We thank everyone who has financially supported the ACDP in the past. The fight to defend democracy and turn Ohio blue is far from over. If you have not donated recently to the ACDP, and have the means to do so, please donate today.