WCDP News: Who's Ready for a Watch Party?

State of the State Address Watch Party!

Sponsored by UM Dems & WCDP
Everyone welcome!

When: Wednesday, January 24, 7:15 pm
Where: Earl Lewis Room on the third floor of Rackham Graduate School, 915 E. Washington
Free public parking after 6:00 pm at 510 E. Washington, or use The Ride

Celebrate the accomplishments that Democrats in Michigan have made over the past year while bringing WCDP, YDW, and UM Dems closer together.

Refreshments will be served.

WCDP February Monthly Meeting

Demonstrators marching in the street holding signs during the March on Washington, 1963. Original black and white negative by Marion S. Trikosko. Colorized by Jordan J. Lloyd.

Save the Date: Saturday, February 3

Black History Month: How well is Washtenaw County addressing equity?

Program Speakers

Sheriff Jerry Clayton
State Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. (HD32)
State Rep. Felicia Brabec (HD33)
Board of Commissioners Chair Justin Hodge, Vice Chair Caroline Sanders, and Commissioner Crystal Lyte

Schedule
9:15 – Meet and mingle with your Democratic neighbors, WCDP leaders, and elected representatives. Healthy breakfast food – and coffee – provided.

9:45 – Party business
– What’s the WCDP doing to ensure success this year, and how can you help?
– News from Washington – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
– Open forum Q&A with WCDP leaders and electeds

10:30 – Program

12:00 – Adjourn

Attend in person: Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Avenue

Attend via Zoom: Details to come on the Washtenaw Dems calendar

Call for Volunteers

WCDP is seeking a graphic designer to help create a small library of reusable images, logos, artwork and photos. We’re particularly interested in building a set of assets for use with the Mobilize app, our main tool for recruiting and organizing volunteers. The initial project is estimated to take 10-20 hours over a few weeks. We would be delighted to find a volunteer with longer term interest as well. Experience with Canva or Adobe image tools will be very helpful.

Contact volunteer@washtenawdems.org if you are interested or would like more information.

Presidential Primary is February 27
It’s 2024 and you know what to do!

Voting Absentee: If you are on the permanent absentee voting list your local clerk may have been in touch about your primary ballot party preference. Reply promptly to ensure you get the right ballot sent out!

Voting Early: If you are not set up to vote absentee, you can also vote early in person, thanks to your vote for Promote the Vote (Prop 2) in 2022 & thanks to Michigan Dems putting it into law in 2023. Voting changes things: be a voter in every election!

Early, in-person voting begins February 17th and runs for 9 days.

All sites will be open from Saturday, February 17 through Sunday, February 25, including on the weekends.
Voters must visit an Early Voting sites assigned to the city or township you live in.
23 cities and townships are participating in the Washtenaw County-Coordinated Early Voting Plan.
But the City of Ann Arbor, Milan, Bridgewater & Ypsilanti Townships are administering individual Early Voting Plans. Details on early voting for all Washtenaw County voters are at https://www.washtenaw.org/3970/Early-Voting – scroll down to “Individual Jurisdiction Early Voting Plans”

It’s not just the primary. There are a number of municipal proposals and school millages on the ballot. Just like you did in 2020 and 2022, be a voter and take a friend. Every vote matters. On every ballot. In every election.

Opportunities from Michigan Dems

Voter Protection. You can begin now to help MDP with their Voter Protection efforts. The February primary will be relatively low turnout – a relaxed setting for learning the ropes in voter protection. Learn more about these important volunteer roles.

National Convention Delegate. Have you ever dreamed of being an official delegate at a the Democratic National Convention? You have a chance to attend this year in Chicago, August 19-23. Application forms are available now (deadline for submission April 11). Learn everything you need to know about the process for getting one of these coveted positions, and find the nearest training at Delegate Selection Training.

Job Opportunity in Climate Action – Applications due Jan 21

SHORTER Michelle Deatrick, Chair of Washtenaw County’s Environmental Council, and National Chair of the Democratic National Committee’s Council on the Environment and Climate Crisis, has brought an opportunity to our attention: the Washtenaw County Facilities Management department has been selected as a host partner site for a MI Healthy Climate (MHC) Corps member.

As a member of the MHC Corps, you will:

Provide meaningful capacity support climate action projects at the county.

Help us implement strategies in our community so, together, we can build a more resilient, greener and cleaner Washtenaw County for all to enjoy.
Help us stay connected to federal and state resources available to support our climate efforts.
Participate in fellowship building and professional development training to sharpen your skills for the long haul.

MHC Corps members receive several benefits by participating in and finishing the program. Some benefits stem from being part of AmeriCorps and others because they are members of the MHC Corps, specifically.

A living allowance of approximately $3,000 per month
$5,176.50 education award to use toward loans or future education expenses
Healthcare benefits that include dental, vision, and mental health support
Eligibility for AmeriCorps child care assistance
Free attendance at the MI Healthy Climate Conference
Access to trainings from the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM)
Travel, lodging, and meals provided for in-person events throughout the service term, including a midpoint retreat

The MI Healthy Climate Corps program was established by the MI Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as an innovative approach to advance the goals of Governor Whitmer’s MI Healthy Climate Plan; and will be administered by (CEDAM).

The County encourages all those who are interested to apply, especially individuals from historically underserved communities and those on the frontline of climate impacts. Individuals must be 18 years old to serve; no degree or formal work experience is required.

Applications are due January 21. For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.mihealthyclimatecorps.org/become-a-member.

What Have Dems Done for You Lately?

How about those factories? The American Prospect is enthusiastic about the resurgence of American manufacturing under Biden.

Thanks to the Biden-Harris administration we’ve had:

The two strongest years of job growth in American history.
Lowest unemployment rate in 50 years.
Infrastructure investments in all 50 states, DC, territories, and throughout tribal nations.
Historic record of investment in climate action.

And much more – find it here – and tell your family and friends about the wealth of data they’ll find at the interactive website, Investinginamerica.gov

And of course, we’ve seen Historically high enrollment in ACA this year.