News from the Skagit County Democrats
Posted on December 17th, 2023
Skagit County Democrats Action Newsletter for December 18, 2023
DEMOCRATIC EVENTS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
1. NEW – The Skagit County Democrats Used Live Translation during our most recent Membership Meeting
The Skagit County Democrats, for the first time, held our quarterly Central Committee and membership meeting using live translation services during their Dec. 9 meeting. This also was the first-ever meeting held by Skagit Democrats in a "hybrid" format, in which there were participants both in person, and virtually through Zoom. There was a great turnout with more than 80 members in attendance between Zoom and in-person.
“We're very proud of the fact we provided live interpretive services for a number of our non-English speaking members, a project that was championed by our Diversity Committee, which is co-chaired by Faviola Lopez and Rosalinda Guillen,” said Lynn Campbell, chair of Skagit County Democrats.
“This was made possible in part by a grant we received from the Washington State Democrats to be used for voter outreach,” Campbell said. “We had two translators on site that we hired from the Language Exchange. We issued out all 10 of the translation headsets to members of the Latino community that required interpretation.”
“We would also like to express our deep gratitude to Rosalinda Guillen and Community to Community (C2C) for allowing us to hold our meeting in their Community Center,” Campbell said.
Skagit County Democrats were joined by distinguished guests: Washington state Attorney General and candidate for Washington state governor Bob Ferguson; Washington State Democrats Chair Shasti Conrad; Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair; state Rep. (40th LD) Debra Lekanoff; state Sen.(40th LD) Elizabeth Lovelett; state Rep. (40th LD) Alex Ramel; and state Rep. (10th LD) Dave Paul.
The Skagit County Democrats will hold their next membership meeting at 10:00am on Jan 13. Skagit County Democrats' events can be found on our website at https://skagitdemocrats.org/community/business-calendar/.
2. NEW – The Fidalgo Democrats will host the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Tuesday, Jan 9, 7:00pm, Anacortes Public Library, 1220 10th Street, Anacortes
Hazel Brown, Policy and Advocacy Manager, and Alex Castro, Field Organizer, will speak about the Alliance’s work and their 2024 Legislative Priorities. The local group Safe and Sane Skagit is a Chapter Team of the Alliance and will speak as well. Julia Hurd and Diane Studley will talk about what SaSS has been up to and plans for 2024.
3. 10th Legislative District Representative Dave Paul requests our participation in a survey to prioritize issues for the upcoming Legislative Session
Click Here for access to the survey.
4. NEW – National Democratic Party Training Resource
The National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC) offers free training for all Democrats on a variety of topics. Upcoming remote (Zoom) training include the following topics:
- So You Want to Run for Office? – January 8 – Click Here for more information.
- Running in a Red District – January 9 – Click Here for more information.
- What is a Democratic Precinct Chair? – January 17 – Click Here for more information.
5. Skagit County Democrats Headquarters Holiday Schedule
We are closing on Friday, December 22nd and reopening on Tuesday, January 2nd.
6. The Skagit County Democrats now have a Threads account
Threads is the Meta (Facebook/Instagram) alternative to X (Twitter). Click Here to view our Threads feed.
7. Beware of PAC (Political Action Committee) solicitations
We recently came across a solicitation that could have easily been mistaken for a legitimate Democratic Party request for support. It was, in fact, a solicitation from a PAC that did not advertise itself as such. It contained phrases like: 'BREAKING FROM PBS: “Over one million Democrats have left the Democratic party to register as Republicans since Biden took the presidency.”' and 'Will you vote for Democrats in 2024?' Admirable sentiments, to be sure, but obscuring the fact the soliciting organization had nothing to do with either the Democratic Party or specific Democratic candidate campaigns.
If you wish to support an issues-PAC, that is obviously perfectly fine. However, please be sure you know exactly who it is you are supporting. If you are unsure, one way to check is to look at the URL in the address bar of our router. You can then open a Google page and in the search bar enter "whois" and the URL portion of the address (for example: whois skagitdemocrats.org) and the output should identify the organization.
8. NEW – This Newsletter will be taking a week off!
Your humble editor will be taking the week off between Christmas and New Year's Day. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Be Safe!
9. NEW – Links of the Week
The Links of the Week provide in-depth pieces and resources the Editor has found to be relevant, insightful, and thorough on important issues of the day.
- New Washington State Laws that go into effect January 1
- Here's how the abortion pill at the center of a Supreme Court case works
- ‘It’s going to delay the mail’: the fight over Louis DeJoy’s USPS plan
- Stop Planting Trees, Says Guy Who Inspired World to Plant a Trillion Trees
- It’s Only a Matter of Time Before a Tsunami Hits the Northwest. Why Is It Missing from FEMA’s Risk Analysis?
- How To Spot The Latest Texting Scam: 'Smishing'
COMMUNITY EVENTS
1. NEW – Candlelight vigil for our unhoused friends who have lost their lives living on the street, Thursday, Dec 21, 6:00pm, Riverwalk Park, 509 Main Street, Mount Vernon
"Sponsored by Skagit County Public Health and Radius Church. "There will be an open mic for anyone who may have some words of hope & love or would like to share a story. Hot drinks & flameless candles will be provided." Click Here for the flyer.
2. Employment Training Opportunity
Skagit Valley College has a Worker Retraining Grant Program. Grants can include funding tuition, books, and tools as well as offering 1 to 1 advising and support. Click Here for a flyer providing information on eligibility and contact information.
3. Please assist C2C (Community to Community) with their holiday toy drive for children of Farmworkers
They need toys for children ages 1 -10 years old. They have approximately 180 young children. Please take toys to C2C located at 224 Stewart Rd suite 230 before Friday, Dec 15.
4. Evergreen Goodwill, 242 E College Way, Mount Vernon, is offering employment preparation training
The training is for community members interested in Computer Basics, Microsoft Word, ESOL, Work-Readiness workshops, GED test preparation, and Citizenship test preparation classes at the Mount Vernon Goodwill's Job Training and Education Center. Walk-in registration for students starts on Monday, December 11th through Thursday, December 28th, Monday-Thursday, 9 am – 4 pm. The center will be closed on Monday, December 25th. Those interested are welcome to visit the center to learn more about registration. The center is located inside the Mount Vernon Goodwill, on the right-hand side. Click Here for the English language version of the Registration and Class schedules. Click Here for the Spanish language version of the Registration and Class schedules.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Anacortes Sunday Demonstrations
Progressive folks regularly demonstrate each Sunday, 12:00pm – 1:00pm at the corner of 12th Street and Commercial Avenue in Anacortes. While this is not an official Skagit County Democrats activity, turnout is encouraged.
2. Coffee & Cards, Wednesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Skagit County Democrats Headquarters, 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon
Coffee and Cards meets on Wednesdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm. This is the group that was previously led by Carol Sullivan and is now led quite capably by Judy Farrar and Judith Chilcote. The group is a way for us to express ourselves about issues of importance to us all.
We will write messages of encouragement and support to people who are making positive contributions as well as messages of concern and opposition to people who are negatively impacting our world. This includes legislators on the local, state, and federal level as well as CEOs of corporations and other people having a significant impact in our world. We will share ideas for people to write to and issues to address.
Postcards and stamps will be provided, but we ask that people bring money to cover the cost of the postcard stamps which are currently $.51. Coffee will be provided or bring your own. As Carol always reminded us, “We are stronger together.” Our office is located at 2021 East College Way, Suite 104, Mount Vernon, 360-336-1555."