FROM OUR CHAIR
I’m thrilled to announce that Sean Parsons has taken over as Chair of the Athens County Democratic Party!
Many of you know Sean as an OU Music Professor, Athens City School Board Member, jiu jitsu instructor and a great all-around guy. He believes that electing strong Democrats is critical to the betterment of our region, our state and our country.
Sean is just the kind of leader our party needs — he’s willing to listen, make tough decisions and take bold action. And he’s committed to putting in the time for what can be a very tough volunteer job. I’m so thankful that Sean is lending his considerable talent to the county party.
And I think it’s especially noteworthy that Sean, along with newly elected Vice Chair Solveig Spjeldnes, are spearheading the party’s current strategic planning process. Together, they can put that plan into action. They’ll get a lot of help from party Treasurer Lenny Eliason, Secretary George Bain, Central Committee Chair Kathy Hecht and Central Committee Vice Chair Tim Warren, and committee leadership, Andrea Reik, Janalee Stock, Patrice Beard, Lauren Dikis, Roxanne Groff, and Kate McGuckin, as well as Lisa Eliason, Ted Linscott, Joe Gay, Sara Body, Tanya Conrath, Abi Scherer and Hannah Fleming. I hope you’ll be with them on the front lines.
I love Athens County and I love the Democratic Party, and have been honored to serve as chair for the past seven years. I’ve been blown away by the commitment and generosity of Athens County Democrats. Having spent a lot of time in statewide politics, I know I’m not alone in believing that Athens County has the most engaged activists, the best Democratic elected officials and the strongest Democratic base in the State of Ohio. There’s a reason we are a rock in our region — an island of blue in a sea of red. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me, and for the cause. I truly have been inspired by you every day I’ve served as Chair.
In Solidarity,
John Haseley
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Volunteer Opportunites
PACK FOOD BOXES 🥫📦 – Aug. 27 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, join us to pack boxes of food at the SE OHIO Foodbank in Logan. We need 14 volunteers. Food insecurity is prevalent across SE Ohio, let’s help out again (see photo above from 2019)! Contact Janalee Stock for more information/volunteer.
CANVAS WITH ODP – Aug. 6 – 7 Weekend of Action with door knocking in Athens on Saturday and Sunday. Click here to sign up.
ATHENS COUNTY FAIR 🎡 – Aug. 5 – 13 at the Athens Fairgrounds. Stop by our booth and say hello! Contact Lisa Eliason for more information/volunteer.
GLOUSTER FIRST FRIDAYS – Aug. 5 from 5 – 8 PM at Sedalia Park in Glouster. Join the Dems and the good people of Glouster for this community gathering. Contact Patrice Beard for more information/volunteer.
PARADE OF THE HILLS – Aug. 20 in Nelsonville. We’ll gather on Poplar Street at 4 PM and the parade kicks-off at 6 PM. Dress code is blue and white or an Athens Dems t-shirt. Contact Patrice Beard for more information/volunteer
LABEL FLAGS – Can’t march? Come to the Dems Office on Aug. 15 or 16 at 4 PM to add labels to the flags we will be handing out at the Parade of the Hills. Contact Patrice Beard for more information/volunteer.
POSTCARD BLITZ – Help spread the word about our three outstanding Ohio Supreme Court Justice candidates! Your packet of ten postcards will include messaging options and instructions. Contact Andrea Reik or stop by the office during office hours to get your packet.
SEWING BEE 🐝 – Aug. 7 from 2:00 – 4:30 PM at the Dem Office. Help Athens ReThink Plastics upcycle feed sacks into shopping bags. In 2021, this grassroots group sewed over 1000 bags. Each reusable bag can replace an estimated 700 single use plastic bags! Contact Janalee Stock for more information/volunteer.
Events
NAN WHALEY FUNDRAISER – Aug. 3 at 6 PM at the Zenner House in Athens.
TIM RYAN FUNDRAISER – Sept. 20 at the Zenner House in Athens.
Lunch & Learn
Join us for Lunch & Learn every other Wednesday in August from 12 – 1 PM via Zoom.
- Aug. 10 – Hear from Taylor Sappington, Nelsonville City Auditor, about his historic run for Ohio State Auditor! No pre-registration required. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
- Aug 24 – TBA
Not receiving emails about upcoming Lunch & Learns? Let Andrea Reik know to get on the email list.
RECENT EVENTS
Fireman’s Festival
Loved seeing so many Dems marching in the Amesville Fireman’s Festival parade in support of Ric Wasserman for Athens County Auditor and Lenny Eliason for County Commissioner!
Glouster First Fridays
Patrice and Nancy have become regulars at First Fridays! Thanks to Ric Wasserman, candidate for Athens County Auditor, and Amy Rippel-Elton, candidate for US House 12th District, for stopping by for a chat at July’s gathering!
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Office Updates
Hours – The Dem office is now open Mondays 3-6 PM and Wednesdays 1-6 PM. The amazing Patti Mitchell created our new “Pro Roe” sign hanging in the window and thanks to Cathie Chapman and Suzanne Perry, the office walls are freshly painted and ready to welcome our volunteers as we gear up for the fall election!
Yard Signs – We have a limited number of Tim Ryan yard signs and encourage those with a highly visible location to pick one up! We have placards for other candidates and expect more yard signs to arrive soon.
Reserve the Office – If you would like to reserve the office space for a meeting, please email Andrea Reik.
Meeting Update
The Central and Executive Committee meetings are now on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM.
Join a Committee!
Candidate Recruitment Committee offers advice, support training and opportunities to help candidates and potential candidates take their campaign to the next level. To find out more, email Chair Roxanne Groff.
Communication Committee advances our Party’s message and principles through various communication channels and strategies. To find out more or to volunteer, email Chair Lauren Dikis.
Community Engagement Committee organizes our participation in community events, parades and festivals. To find out more or volunteer at one or more of the many upcoming events, email Chair Patrice Beard.
Community Service Committee supports our communities through volunteer projects. To find out more or to volunteer, email Chair Janalee Stock.
Fundraising & Finance Committee ensures that the party has resources to maintain a strong political infrastructure in the county and to support Democratic candidates. Interested in creative ways to fund the important work of electing Democrats? Email Chair Kate McGuckin.
Neighborhood Campaign Committee organizes activities that develop connections, inform residents about democratic values, and help elect Democrats. Get involved by emailing Chair Andrea Reik or ODP Field Organizer Natalie Flanagan.
DONATE TO THE ACDP
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.
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.
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