FROM OUR CHAIR, LAUREN DIKIS
Hi fellow Democrats,
While the news everyday feels overwhelming, I’m encouraged by how many people and groups are taking action. Locally we’ve had many people organizing protests, taking action and calling our legislators.
If you haven’t heard of 5 Calls, I’d encourage you to check out the site and think about making 5 calls a week to our legislators about what is happening.
Despite some bad weather conditions, we had good turnout for our listening session in February. One big takeaway: we are starting a Substack blog to amplify the issues relevant to our communities (more on that below!) and are continuing to look for more ways to communicate with folks. If you weren’t able to make it and would like to offer any thoughts please feel free to email me anytime at laurendikis@gmail.com.
After the filing deadline for partisan races, we have primaries coming up, in particular for seats on Athens City Council. Still to come are the non-partisan filing deadlines; also on the ballot this year are some school board and township trustee positions.
We have some exciting events coming up that we would love to see you at: a social event on Thursday, March 20 at Dutch Creek Winery, and our annual Spring Dinner with Special Guest Dr. Amy Acton at the Nelsonville Elks. You can buy tickets or a sponsorship for the dinner here.
– Lauren
Photo caption: Attendees at our February listening event. Thank you Athens County for the strong turnout, despite the ice storm!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
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.
March 20 – Athens Dems Social Event
Please join us at Dutch Creek Winery on Thursday, March 20 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Meet other local Dems, and bring your ideas and questions for the county party. Light fare courtesy of the Athens County Democratic Party. Learn more here, and please help spread the word: https://www.facebook.com/events/1107800741115511/
April 7 – Voter Registration Deadline for Primary
Deadline for voter registration for the May 6 primary and special election (30 days before the election).
April 10 – ACDP Spring Dinner
Our party’s annual Spring Dinner will be on April 10 at Nelsonville Elks 42. Dr. Amy Acton, a Democratic candidate for Governor in 2026, will speak. To volunteer or with any questions, contact info@athensdems.org. Pre-register or sponsor the dinner here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/acdpspring
RSVP here also, to help us generate momentum, and please share with others: https://www.facebook.com/events/674354991785978/
May 2 – Glouster First Friday
Join the Athens Dems on Friday, May 2 from 6 – 8 pm at Selida Park / Glouster Depot. We’re seeking volunteers to help set up and represent the Athens Dems! Stay tuned for more details, and contact Patrice to get involved at apbeard11@gmail.com.
EXPANDED COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE & NEW SUBSTACK BLOG
The Athens County Democratic Party’s Communication Committee is pleased to welcome three new members: John Henning, Tom Kinsey, and our OU Intern Ruben Lopez. Their addition will enable the Communication Committee, chaired by Ashley Sarver, to expand the web presence of the Athens County Democratic Party to include platforms such as BlueSky and Substack. Accompanying the expansion will be an increase in issue-based discussions across platforms, including the existing Facebook page and website.
The expanded web presence, and focus on issues, will give members of the party a place to learn about issues (local, state, and national), to exchange ideas and ask questions, and to formulate new strategies. The emphasis on learning and dialog will strengthen the Athens County Democratic community by providing reliable information to counter false or misleading information. Expanding our reach will ensure information can be easily accessed by members of the Party and, importantly, by independents and others looking for that information.
This will be an online place for candidates to engage with Party members and again, independents and others. A wider issue-based web presence also has the potential of reaching and recruiting volunteers, and even some fundraising potential.
Please support our efforts by following the Athens Dems on social media, and by liking and sharing our posts.
If you would like to be part of the Communication Committee’s expanded mission, you are most welcome to participate at any level you are able. We’re seeking researchers, writers, editors, marketers, graphic designers, and more. If you can join the committee and bring your unique talents to the effort — awesome! Learn more or get involved by contacting us at info@athensdems.org.
Please subscribe to the kernel of our Substack blog, called Vantage Blue, here: https://substack.com/@athenscountydemocraticparty.
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
Calling All Volunteer Ideas!
Do you have an idea for a project you’d like to see our local Democrats participate in or lead? Contact us at info@athensdems.org.
HELP US HIGHLIGHT YOUR POLITICAL ACTION
Planning an event or political action that aligns with Democratic values? Let us help you promote your event! We can highlight your event or project in this newsletter, on social media, and of course through word of mouth, reaching thousands.
As you attend rallies, community protests, or other events, we would love to have photos or videos to share on social media –– with the goal of celebrating your action, and inspiring others to join in. Send any content to info@athensdems.org.
OPEN MIC
The Athens Dems are planning a monthly open mic!
Starting later this spring, we will host an open mic at the Headquarters office in Athens. This will be a friendly place for songwriters to try out new material, and for performers to practice their art.
Stay tuned for more details, and contact info@athensdems.org to get involved!
OFFICE HOURS
In March, the Athens County Democratic Party office is open three days a week: Mondays 1 – 4 pm, and on Wednesdays and Fridays 1 – 6 pm.
The headquarters office is located at 74 E State Street, near the intersection of Stimson Ave in uptown Athens.
Come by anytime! It’s a fun scene, especially as more volunteers have stepped up to host office hours at Headquarters –– thank you! They’re opening the office to give us all a place to relax, to meet others, to share information, and to keep our community strong. Suggestions welcome.
- Mondays 1 – 4 pm (Team: Lish, Carolyn & Sue)
- Wednesdays 1- 6 pm (Team: Claudia, Tom & Wenda)
- Fridays 1 – 6 pm (Team: Glen, Lora & Ari)
- Others: Suzanne, Shelley, Richard
If you want to join the volunteer crew, text (740) 818-1845 or stop by the office. Or to use the space (for free) to host a meeting or gathering, contact info@athensdems.org – this is your space, too!
Stop by or call during office hours (or when the flag is flying) for help with any of the following:
- Voter registration, ID requirements, and changes of address
- Sign up for our newsletter (or sign up here)
- Volunteer opportunities
- Upcoming events
- Help downloading the Signal or 5 Calls apps
- Sample ballots for May 6
- List of ballot issues
- How to sign up for legislative alerts from the State House itself
- How to connect with your precinct chairperson, or other elected officials
Photo caption: Two people walked into HQ randomly and we turned them into volunteers. We also accomplished a lot more cleaning and got a lot of suggestions!
COME BY, MAKE A POSTER
Sue Erlewine donated art supplies (thank you!) to our HQ office, and we’re inviting everyone to stop by and make a political poster. Art therapy helps!
RECOMMENDED READ
Sherrod Brown writes, “Democrats Must Become the Workers’ Party Again. Reconnecting the Democratic Party to the working class is an electoral and a moral imperative, and it will be my mission for the rest of my life.”
Read the full text here: https://newrepublic.com/article/192078/democrats-become-workers-party-sherrod-brown
NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
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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.