First things, first.  Please consider these events: 

·         2/13   *  “Harvest of Empire:  The Untold Story of Latinos in America” community viewing, Wednesday, Feb. 13^th 6:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran, 224 Benton St., Leavenworth.  Eat dinner before coming and enjoy the desserts that will be provided. This critically acclaimed documentary examines the history of Latino migration into the United States. 

·         2/14    Dem HQ Office Hours, 3—7p: Remembering the victims of school violence and their families.  Honoring school safety and sensible gun laws. drop by to write a postcard to our legislators, local law enforcement, or the survivors of these tragedies.

·         2/21    12th LD Democrats 6:30p Douglas County Fire District #2 Meeting Room, 377 Eastmont Ave, E Wenatchee.  The 12th LD Democrats have reserved a space to come together and to share interests and concerns for the current legislative session, for our 12LD organization, and about the state party delegate selection in 2020. We are meeting 2/21 at 6:45 at the Douglas County Fire Station on Eastmont in East Wenatchee. This is not a business meeting. It is a time for sharing. Officers will be there to listen and to answer questions, and to provide resources when possible. All are welcome. You can see a post about the event on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/12thLDDemocrats/ . Please RSVP on the page or to me personally. Hope to see you there, Suellen Harris, 12LD Chairperson, suellenwa@mac.com 

(see additional dates for events below) 

Dear NCW Democrats and Friends, 

In recent weeks, we've rallied and marched.  We've called for "no wall" and for ending the Republican government shutdown.  Your Democratic representatives in both Washingtons are doing their utmost to hold the line and take back our government, one hearing and one vote at a time. We have trust and faith in these good people, but we need to stay informed and engaged on the home-front. 

Recently, your local party state committee members and chairs attended the biennial reorganization meeting for the WA State Democrats.  We examined budgets and data, received updates and training, passed resolutions critical to the current legislative session, re-elected Tina Podlodowski as chair, and set course on the path that will bring Democratic wins -- and a change of tone and direction -- throughout 2019-2020 and beyond.   

Data we examined at the meeting reflect gains due to HUGE efforts across the state over the past 2 years.  Lessons learned from the 2016 election were turned into strategic actions.  Keen analysis and effective fundraising enabled the hiring and placement of field organizers throughout the state, a proactive communication plan, and deep research that will lead us to success in the future.  

·         In 2017, the "Summer of Canvass," put thousands of volunteers on their neighbors' doorsteps, asking voters what was most important to them.  The results: putting people first via 1) more jobs/pay equity, 2) healthcare for all, 3) quality and free public education, 4) affordable housing, and 5) a dignified retirement, plus much more.  Lead with issues and values; not partisan labels.  

·         2018 brought a year of "Rise & Organize" efforts.  In North Central WA, we opened a Dem HQ office in an unprecedented mid-term election year.  We paid for it with your small donations, staffed it with volunteers, and not one, but three field organizers were placed here to coordinate efforts to knock on thousands of doors.  Volunteers from all over the state, as well as Oregon and British Columbia came to help us!  Those contacts resulted in big increases in voter turnout over prior-year voter participation.  If you'd been a sporadic voter or had never voted before, a front-door conversation with our sincere volunteers increased turnout by 12% in Chelan Co and ... wait for it... 17% in Douglas County!  There was a Democrat on the ballot in 97 of the 98 WA House legislative races and 48 of 49 WA Senate races.  And we re-elected Senator Maria Cantwell!  And we increased our voice in DC by sending Dr. Kim Schrier there to speak up for all of us.  If you made one phone call, knocked on one door, donated one dollar, if you voted--you are part of the "Rise & Organize" success story of 2018!

·         During the next two years we’ll "RISE & Run!"  At all levels of government, we must bring our values to the table. We need good people to run for office and we’ll do our best to provide them with support to run, win, and serve.  Sign up to "RISE & Run!"  Receive access to amazing FREE materials and trainings, created and compiled by the amazing staff of the Washington State Democratic Party, a model for states throughout the country.  Whether you want to run for office this year or in 5, or whether you just want to help a good candidate, we want you to  "RISE & Run!"  .  Locally, we'll conduct grassroots trainings and workshops, organizing, getting to know the voters better (basic precinct work, strategic, measurable, rewarding); we'll recruit, train, and support one another and potential candidates; and we'll build teams in every corner of NCW.  

Part of our plan for success involves continuing to work from our Democratic Headquarters Office, sharing the workload and the costs between our two county organizations.  We will support our volunteers who travel to the far reaches of our counties and the state, in order to perform their duties.  Our plan is ambitious, the goals critical to our future.  To do these things, we need your help.  Commit to volunteer, RUN for office, and/or donate to our efforts.   

Your contributions will help pay the Dem HQ rent, train PCOs and other volunteers, purchase supplies, cover expenses for our local party representatives and treasurers to attend mandatory training and meetings, rent meeting venues, run fundraisers and meet-n-greets, conduct voter registration and education, and so much more. 

Please consider a financial donation, large or small, one-time or recurring, to support our goals.  Contribute by check (see the addresses below), in person (at Dem HQ), or online via our secure ActBlue accounts: Democrats of Chelan County OR Douglas County Democrats (LD12 Democrats -- coming soon!)   

Watch for sign-ups for upcoming events/fundraisers.  Donate supplies for Dem HQ here: http://signup.com/go/nmKctbP  

Upcoming Calendar Dates (* = events of interest, held/organized by affinity group/s) 

·         February Dem HQ Office hours:  Tues 12-4, Wed 10-2, Thur 4-7 OR any time you see the "OPEN" light on in the front window, 768 S Mission, Wenatchee

·         2/13   *  “Harvest of Empire:  The Untold Story of Latinos in America” community viewing, Wednesday, Feb. 13^th 6:30 p.m. at Faith Lutheran, 224 Benton St., Leavenworth.  Eat dinner before coming and enjoy the desserts that will be provided. This critically acclaimed documentary examines the history of Latino migration into the United States. 

·         2/14     Dem HQ Office Hours, 3—7p: Remembering the victims of school violence and their families.  Honoring school safety and sensible gun laws. drop by to write a postcard to our legislators, local law enforcement, or the survivors of these tragedies.

·         2/14     12th LD Democrats 6:45p Douglas County Fire District #2 Meeting Room, 377 Eastmont Ave, E Wenatchee.

·         2/18  * "Sharing What We Stand For!!!!!": ClimateConversationsNCW President's Day Rally at Memorial Park Noon to 1:30 (Bring Signs to Support: * The Green New Deal, * Immigrants, * Equality, * Diversity)

·         2/19     Democratic “Coffee Break” at Pybus Market, 10a—noonish, Political conversation.  All are welcome.

·         2/19     Democratic Training A--Z: Lessons Learned: Running a Local Campaign (Bob Bugert), One session ONLY at 6--7p, NW Family Svcs Office, 766 S Mission, Wenatchee (similar one-hour trainings/workshops will occur on the 3^rd Tues of ea month)

·         2/20  * TedX Wenatchee: Education, 12p Grove Recital WVCollege (and live-stream elsewhere)

·         2/20  *  Naturalization Ceremony, 1:00p at Wenatchee Community Center.  Support community members as they become new citizens at a ceremony presented by Hand-In-Hand Immigration Svcs and USCIS personnel.  Volunteer to assist members of CAFÉ as they welcome new citizens and help them become registered voters!  

·         2/23     "Coffee with Dr. Kim" 2:30p at Dem HQ.  Representative Schrier expects to be in her home district over the weekend of 2/22--2/24 and will hold numerous events around the district.  Some will be open to the public, such as townhalls, and offered in her "official political" capacity as our US Representative.  On occasion, she will may have time in her schedule and will ask her "campaign" staff to arrange for meetings with her local supporters. The 2:30p event is one such event organized under the campaign umbrella.  She especially asked to meet with Democratic Party activists who worked to help her become elected.  She'd like to bring us up-to-date on what she's learned and how we can engage.  And of course, she hopes for our continued dialogue and support.

·         2/24  *  Our Voice, 2-6p, Latinx community meeting regarding how to run for office. Location tbd, call (509) 667-1926

·         2/27  *  CAFÉ monthly mtg, NWFamSvcs, 5:30dinner/6:30mtg, 766 S Mission, Wenatchee

·         3/5    *  Wasted: The Story of Food Waste, 7p WVMuseum, donation

·         3/5      Democratic “Coffee Break” at Pybus Market, 10a—noonish, Political conversation.  All are welcome.

·         3/6      NCW Dem General Meeting, 6:30/Social, 7/Meeting, Douglas Co Fire District #2 Mtg Rm, 377 Eastmont Ave, E Wenatchee

·         3/14    12th LD Democrats 6:45p Douglas County Fire District #2 Meeting Room, 377 Eastmont Ave, E Wenatchee.  Not a business meeting, but an opportunity to meet with local education union leadership and to learn and ask about the needs of education districts and how the legislature is addressing those needs.

·         3/19    Dem Training A--Z: Political Compliance Training, 3 & 6p, Dem HQ

·         4/12 -14  Nason Creek Rest Area fundraiser (all hands on deck!)

·         5/13 -18  Candidate Filing Week

·         6/multi  VoterReg events, Pres debates begin

·         7/15    NCWDem Summer Picnic (candidate intros)

·         8/6      PRIMARY ELECTION

·         8/10    NCWDem Ice Cream Social (candidate celebration)

·         8/16-18  Nason Creek Rest Stop fundraiser

·         8/21-25 NCW Fair, Waterville

·         9/4 - 8   Chelan Co Fair, Cashmere

·         10/tbd  Annual C-D Dem Dinner (watch for updates)

·         11/5   GENERAL ELECTION

·         Other dates will be added as we progress through the year 

On behalf of our Executive Committees, 

Bill Miller, Chair, Democrats of Chelan County, POBox 1061, Wenatchee, WA 98807

Karen Keleman, Chair, Douglas County Democrats, 630 Valley Mall Pkwy #175, E Wenatchee, WA 98802

Suellen Harris, Chair, 12th Legislative District Democrats, 914 Briarwood Dr, E Wenatchee, WA 98802