FROM OUR CHAIR, LAUREN DIKIS
As the inauguration approaches, I find myself filled with apprehension and dread.
One thing that has been keeping me sane is that I’m grateful to live in a community where I know people will stand up and speak their mind. And the Athens County Democratic Party will be there to support ACTION in these times. We are happy to open up our headquarters for anyone who would like to use the space, as everyone finds different ways to make their voices heard and work for the needs of our community.
We are looking for a volunteer to help coordinate the headquarters office in uptown Athens; we can work around your schedule. If you are interested, please email me at laurendikis@gmail.com.
Please join us this Wednesday, January 15 for the year’s first Central and Executive meeting at 5:30 pm at the Municipal Courtroom. There will be a vote on Board of Elections seats at this meeting.
In 2025, a number of important local elections are coming up. If you are interested in running for office, whether it is council, school board, or township trustee, information about filing for office can be found at the Athens County Board of Elections.
– Lauren Dikis
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Jan 15 – ACDP Executive/Central Committee Meeting
Please join us for the first ACDP meeting of the year at 5:30 pm in the Municipal Courtroom at the Athens City Building. Vote to be held for Board of Elections seats; voting is only in person, not over Zoom.
Jan 25 – Yard Sign Return
At 10 am, we welcome anyone to return their campaign yard signs for re-use by candidates in future elections. If this day/time doesn’t work for you, contact info@athensdems.org to arrange another drop-off time.
Feb 5 – 2024 Election Post-Mortem: How Can We Improve?
The Athens County Democratic Party wants to hear from YOU! What lessons can we learn from the 2024 election, and what can we do better next time? Share your insights and feedback at our professionally facilitated post-mortem listening event at the Athens Community Center, Room A, 6 – 7:30 pm.
Feb 8 – Meet Bryan Hambley, Candidate for Secretary of State
At 10 am, join us at the Athens Dems HQ to meet your candidate for Secretary of State, Bryan Hambley.
March 19 – ACDP Executive/Central Committee Meeting
Please join us at 5:30 pm for the March meeting, in the Municipal Courtroom at the Athens City Building.
April 7 – Voter Registration Deadline for Primary
Deadline for voter registration for the May 6 primary and special election (30 days before the election).
2024 ELECTION POST-MORTEM:
HOW CAN WE IMPROVE?
Event by the Athens County Democratic Party, to review our work and discuss your ideas for the future.
The event was originally planned for January, but has been postponed until February 5, at 6 – 8 pm at the Athens Community Center, Room A, with a professional facilitator.
Please text Wenda Sheard, 740-818-1845, if you can help with publicity.
In a New Year’s Day blog post, David Pepper captures the sentiment behind the event:
“First, we must take a deep and honest look at how to do better in this battle. We must listen better, then communicate better, in this complex modern era. Engage a wider swath of Americans more effectively, and all the time. Propose better and bolder solutions to modern-day problems—and not only battle the symptoms of the larger causes. Learn from the failures of 2024, and from before. (FWIW, any post-mortem must include authentic conversations on the ground—not just discussions among elites.) Unite around a longer-term and more strategic plan.
“And then we must choose actions, tactics and strategies that accomplish what I’ve framed above. Some may be loud, others quiet. Some won’t involve politics at all; others will involve engaging voters, better messaging, and running everywhere. All will involve fierce pro-democracy activism.”
VOLUNTEER IN 2025
Interested in volunteering for the Athens Dems or Democratic candidates? You can make a difference in your local Democratic party, our county, and beyond.
Note your volunteer interests by completing our Google Form, and someone from the Athens Dems will be in touch (infrequently) with ways to help out: https://forms.gle/BaqrCueqFzuiQvxq6
JANUARY OFFICE HOURS
For the month of January, the Athens County Democratic Party office will be open by appointment. Contact info@athensdems.org to arrange a visit, or to use the space to host a meeting or gathering – this is your space, too!
The headquarters office is located at 74 E State Street, near the intersection of Stimson Ave in uptown Athens.
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DONATE TO YOUR LOCAL PARTY
We thank everyone who has financially supported the Athens County Democratic Party 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.