Monthly Newsletter: June is a month for Equity and Action!

June is a Big Month for Progress and Equity!

As Democrats we pride ourselves on being a big-tent party that welcomes, empowers, and advocates for the people in our communities whose fight to overcome discrimination throughout our history is still not fully complete today.  This month we have two powerful opportunities to celebrate our progress toward a more equitable community, state, and country.  That’s why CCDP is proud to participate in both the Charleston Pride Parade and the Juneteenth Family Fest over the next few weeks.

Pride
Join Charleston Democrats in support of the local LGBTQ community as we march in the Charleston Pride Parade this Saturday morning, June 3rd. South Carolina Republicans have recently launched several attacks upon transgender health care, generated a “Don’t Say Gay” and general censorship bill targeting public education, and passed a law giving health-care providers a “license to discriminate” against LGBTQ patients. We need Democrats to show up at the Pride Parade to demonstrate that we stand with our local LGBTQ allies against Republican efforts to stop South Carolinians from freely living their lives and being loved for who they are.

Juneteenth
One of the State’s largest celebrations of Juneteenth is right here in North Charleston.  The Charleston County Democratic Party is honored to participate in this celebration of African American freedom, marking the end of slavery in our country (when word of the Emancipation Proclamation was finally shared in Galveston, TX on June 19, 1865).  Unfortunately Republicans in our state continue to starve our public education system, and refuse to raise our minimum wage or expand healthcare access.  These policies result in our area having some of the worst racial wealth disparities in America.

The Charleston County Democrats are enthusiastically participating in these events not just because we want to be seen, or build bridges, but also because the issues that matter to these communities to are our issues.  Their ongoing fight for rights, freedoms, and empowerment is our fight.  Come join us by clicking the links below!

An Evening Honoring Sen. Marlon Kimpson

Join Charleston Democrats for a signature event on June 20^th as we recognize and thank State Senator Marlon Kimpson for his 10 years of distinguished service as a leading voice for Lowcountry Democrats in the General Assembly. We look forward to his continued service through his new role in the Biden Administration!

Charleston Democrats Monthly Community Outreach Series is Rescheduled

Last month inclement weather delayed the start of CCDP’s Community Outreach Series, but we are excited to finally hold our June monthly meeting at the First Baptist Church on James Island! First Baptist Church is a beautiful and historic Lowcountry African-American church, and CCDP is grateful for their partnership in bringing our meetings out into the community. We will be holding future monthly meetings at various locations throughout Charleston county, and all local Democrats are encouraged to attend our June 15th meeting at this historic location!

CCDP Bylaw Amendment Proposal

CCDP Chair, Sam Skardon, is proposing the following change to our bylaws, which would allow for a transition period between the election of new party leaders and their officially assuming their new office.  Currently, CCDP elects its Chair, Vice Chairs, and State Executive Committee Representatives at our County Convention every-other year (odd number years, i.e. 2023, 2025, 2027, etc.) and the new leadership takes office immediately upon their election.  The proposal is to modify the current Article VI, Section I to read (added language in bold):

The County Chair, in consultation with the Executive Committee Members, shall appoint a Nominating Committee consisting of five members. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for recruiting qualified candidates for office, making nominations, and managing all aspects of the election process. This committee shall submit to the members at the County Convention a slate of names for the offices of County Chair, First Vice Chair, Second Vice Chair, Third Vice Chair, and State Executive Committee Members. The Nominating Committee shall set a date for the official transition of leadership to occur, not more than 4 weeks following the election of new officers.

This proposal was initially discussed at our May 18 meeting and will again be discussed at our June 15 meeting.

Apply to serve on the SC Democratic Party Executive Committee!

We are collecting applications to represent Charleston County as an Alternate on the State Democratic Party’s Executive Committee.  Our county is entitled to two Representatives and two Alternates, and we recently had a vacancy created when Colleen Condon (one of our previous representatives) was elected 1st Vice Chair of the State Party.

Most meetings SCDP meetings are held in-person in Columbia and Alternates are often asked to attend in lieu of a representative, therefore applicants should be able and willing to travel to Columbia 5-10 times per year to attend meetings.  Additionally, they must communicate clearly and regularly with CCDP leadership and general membership, and represent our county in a professional manner.

The person filling this position must be non-male, a registered Charleston County voter, and have a history of engagement with the state and/or local Democratic Party and its Candidates.  Applications will be reviewed by a nominating committee – applications will be accepted through 11:59pm on Friday June 9th.

See the link below for more information and to complete an application!

Stay Current on Charleston County Democratic Happenings!

As a reminder, this full newsletter is now being published monthly on the 1st of every month, but there are several other ways to stay up-to-date on news, events, and other information in-between newsletters:

• Follow our Facebook page.
• Regularly check the Calendar and News pages on our website.
• Search for Charleston County Democratic Party events on Mobilize.
• We will still send ad-hoc email event reminders and action alerts as necessary throughout each month.

Upcoming Events 

Visit our calendar at charlestondemocrats.com/calendar
for the most up-to-date listing of local events.