Running for Local Office Workshop in the Books

Running for Local Office Workshop In the Books

Thanks to everyone who attended the Running for Local Office Workshop! We had a good turnout for our session.

This workshop focused on helping attendees understand what the local elective and non-elective positions are, along with what you need to do to get on the ballot, what the core components of a campaign plan are, and how you can start preparing to run for office NOW.

Our thanks also to Valorie Troesch for putting this workshop together. We’re grateful to know that Valorie will be taking the workshop “on the road”. That’s right - Valorie will present again at the second annual Rural Summit in Bellaire MI next month.

Dollar Bay Resident Reappointed to the MI Stem Council

David Rowe, of Dollar Bay, has been reappointed by Governor Whitmer to the MI STEM Council for a term commencing March 14, 2024, and expiring September 30, 2027. Rowe is the CEO of the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone Office.

The MI STEM Council was created to advise the governor, legislature, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Department of Education with recommendations designed to improve and promote innovation and collaboration in STEM education and prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The council shall recommend a statewide strategy for delivering STEM education-related opportunities to pupils and objective criteria for determining preferred STEM programs and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature. 

The announcement of Rowe’s reappointment was included in a March 14th press release from the Governor’s office detailing her latest appointments to Michigan Boards and Commissions. You can find the full press release here.

New Office - Call for Supplies

The Running for Local Office Workshop was the first event we’ve held at our 2024 office. As we wrote in a prior email, the new office has a familiar address - we’re back at 323 Quincy Street in Hancock.

While we’ve occupied this space before we’ve been without a physical office since the 2022 election cycle when we operated out of space in Dollar Bay. So our office supply cabinet is mostly bare and we need to restock.

If you would like to help us fill the supply cabinet in our 2024 space we’d appreciate the support. Email us at [email protected] if you can donate any of the items from the list below and we’ll arrange a drop-off or pick-up time.

• Paper towels

• Toilet paper

• Hand soap

• Dish soap

• Dish cloths / sponges

• Ground coffee

• Coffee filters

• Creamer

• Sugar

• Toilet brush set

• Scouring powder

• Disinfecting wipes

• Trash bags

• Ziplock bags (various sizes)

• Printing paper

• Tape

• Mailing envelopes

• Postage stamps

• Markers, pens, and pencils

• Dish sponge

• Dish towels

If you are able to donate larger items - like cabinets or office furnishings - please drop us a line at [email protected] so we can review our needs list with you.

Spring Fling Tickets Selling Briskly - Get Yours Today!

Tickets are selling briskly for our annual Spring Fling event on Saturday, April 20th, from 5 to 8 PM. We’ll be at the Bonfire at the Continental Fire Co. in Houghton. We’d love to see you there.

Tickets are now available through ActBlue.

The event is also posted on Facebook. Feel free to share the event with your Facebook friends - the link to purchase tickets is available on Facebook as well.

Ticket prices this year will again be $50, with Student tickets available at $40.

The Spring Fling is a great way to meet up and converse with fellow Democrats and progressive voters while listening to elected officials who represent you, and learning first hand about candidates who are looking for your support.

The Fling is also one of our largest fundraising events each year, and in an election year your support is especially important.

REQUEST FOR SILENT AUCTION ITEMS

Do you have an item or items you are willing to donate to our Spring Fling Silent Auction. Past items have included gift baskets, original crafts or works of art, new books, tickets to events, gift certificates and more. If you’d like to donate an item contact Barb Turuc at [email protected].

BUY AN AD IN OUR SPRING FLING EVENT PROGRAM

Each year the HCDP puts out a high quality printed program that contains information on our organization and on local and state Democratic elected officials. The program is both a momento of the event and a handy reference. Ads in our program are available at $25 for a quarter page, $50 for a half page, $100 for a full page, and $200 for the back cover (which is available in full color). Ads can promote a business, commemorate a loved one, or support a candidate or cause aligned with the HCDP. We can take your ad copy or help you format an ad. If you’d like to support the HCDP by purchasing an ad in our program contact Steve Blackburn at [email protected].

Registrations Now Open for the Michigan Rural Summit

The Rural Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party is now accepting registration for the 2024 Michigan Rural Summit. The Houghton County Democratic Party is a sponsoring organization for the Rural Summit.

The first annual Rural Summit was held in April 2023. Over 150 rural activists attended the Summit from 45 Michigan counties. These activists attended work sessions designed for sharing ideas about the work that has been previously done and ideas for moving forward with coordinated strategies.

On April 11-13, 2024 the Rural Caucus will bring together even more rural activists, candidates, and elected officials, along with other organizations working in the rural organizing space to learn, discuss and collaborate to improve the lives of our rural neighbors in Michigan.

Confirmed speakers for the Summit include Mark Brewer, Paul Kendrick of Rust Belt Rising, and Celinda Lake. The Friday Dinner Keynote will be delivered by Senator Debbie Stabenow. The Saturday Dinner Keynote will be delivered by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist. Many State Legislators have also confirmed they will be in attendance.

For more information, and to register for the Summit and book hotel rooms, click the button below.

Next Monthly Meeting

HCDP Monthly Meetings: Unless otherwise communicated our monthly meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month. Potluck at 6 PM, Meeting at 7 PM. In the conference room at the Houghton Super 8, and by Zoom (starting at 7 PM).

NEXT MEETING: APRIL 3RD

Community Events

Governmental meetings are scheduled throughout the month by bodies from the County Commission to City, Village and Township boards, committees and commissions; as well as local School Boards and the Copper Country Intermediate School District.

Check by phone or on the particular governmental website for meeting notices in your community. Your participation in local government meetings lets your elected and appointed officials know you are interested in their work, and can provide you with the opportunity to speak about your concerns during public comment periods.

TUE MAR 19

The regular monthly meeting of the Laurium Village Council will be held tonight at 6:00PM in the village council chambers. You can join the meeting in person or remotely. Find more information on the Village’s meeting web page.

The Calumet Village Council meets tonight at 6 PM in the Village Council Chambers. Further information can be found on the Village website.

WED MAR 20

The Hancock City Council meets at 6 PM in the Hancock City Hall Council Chambers.