Category Archives: advisories

DPCCC Organizational Meeting coming up on Jan 19 – Election of officers, District Directors, and DPCCC’s delegates to CADEM

Posted on by

As directed in our Bylaws, DPCCC will be holding our biennial Organizational Meeting, at which we elect our officers, District Directors, and our delegates to the California Democratic Party for two-year terms. The meeting will be on January 19, 2023, at 7pm.

What positions are there to run for?

Officers

Responsibilities of these positions

Chair

The DPCCC Chair is the chief executive officer and the official voice of the central committee. The Chair shall carry out the policies and purposes of the DPCCC and shall pursue its interests to the best of his/her abilities.

  1. Other responsibilities of the Chair include:
    1. Serve as the official DPCCC spokesperson and liaison to the public, the CDP, and Elected officials.
    2. Lead the effort to develop, encourage and support qualified Democrats to run for local elected office.
    3. Delegate and develop leadership within the DPCCC.
    4. Oversee the management of any staff.
    5. Chair the meetings of the DPCCC and the Executive Committee.
    6. Assist other officers in the appointment of committee chairs.

1st Vice-Chair

The First Vice-Chair shall assist the DPCCC Chair in the performance of the Chair’s duties. To the extent necessary, the First Vice-Chair shall exercise the powers of the Chair in the event of the Chair’s absence. In the event that the office of Chair is vacated, the First Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair until a new Chair has been elected.

  1. Other responsibilities of the First Vice-Chair include:
    1. Oversight of those standing committees responsible for mobilizing election activity to support Democratic issues and candidates.
    2. The administration, management, and strategic use of the voter database system within the county; and appointment of a voter database administrator.

2nd Vice-Chair

The Second Vice -Chair shall assist the DPCCC Chair in the performance of the Chair’s duties. To the extent necessary, the Second Vice-Chair shall exercise the powers of the Chair in the event of the absence of both the Chair and the First Vice-Chair. In the event of a vacancy in both the office of Chair and First Vice-Chair, the Second Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the DPCCC Chair until a new Chair has been elected. The Second Vice-Chair shall be responsible for membership training, member recruitment, and club development.

  1. Other responsibilities of the Second Vice-Chair include:
    1. Maintain the membership roster of the DPCCC.
    2. Ensure each Public Ballot, Designated, and Ex-Officio Member has an alternate.

Controller

The Controller shall be responsible for the financial activities and fiscal health of the DPCCC. The Controller shall have access to the financial records maintained by the DPCCC.

  1. Other responsibilities of the Controller include:
    1. Prepare and deliver at each DPCCC meeting a report on the financial affairs of the DPCCC.
    2. Advise the DPCCC officers, committees, and the membership on financial planning with regards to the budget.

Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for taking the minutes of the regular and special meetings of the DPCCC and for the official communications to the membership, such as the website, e-mail lists, and official publications.

  1. Other responsibilities of the Secretary include:
    1. Appoint a Recording Secretary who will take draft minutes for the Membership and Executive Committee meetings.
    2. Work with the Second Vice-Chair to maintain the Membership Roster of the DPCCC.

Who can run

  • For Chair: Regular Members (not Associates) who are in good standing and are registered to vote in Contra Costa County.
  • For First Vice-Chair, Second Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Controller: All members who are in good standing (including Associates) and are registered to vote in Contra Costa County.

How to run

  • Optional but encouraged: Send a candidate statement to the Secretary for distribution to members. You can do this anytime before the election meeting (January 19, 7pm) but the earlier, the better.
  • Become a candidate in one of two ways:
    • Notify the Transition Team of your intent to run ahead of the meeting.
    • Be nominated from the floor during the relevant portion of the January 19 meeting.
  • Speak for up to five minutes at the election meeting. You may divide this time among yourself and any other speakers you wish.

Who can vote 

  • Voting members, i.e. Regular Members in good standing or their Alternates exercising their credentials in their place.

District Directors

Responsibilities of these positions

  1. Work with the Chair(s) of the Endorsements and Elections Committees to help identify local races, outreach to Democratic incumbents, and prospective Democratic candidates.
  1. Identify influencers within their respective district and encourage participation in the Democratic Party.
  1. May appoint Assistant District Directors to help them achieve their goals.

Who can run

  • All members in good standing (including Associates) who are registered to vote in the supervisorial district for that Director.

How to run

  • Optional but encouraged: Send a candidate statement to the Secretary for distribution to members. You can do this anytime before the election meeting (January 19, 7pm) but the earlier, the better.
  • Become a candidate in one of two ways:
    • Notify the Transition Team of your intent to run ahead of the meeting.
    • Be nominated from the floor by a member in your Supervisorial district during the district caucus portion of the January 19 meeting.

Who can vote

  • All members in good standing (including Associates) who are registered to vote in the supervisorial district for that Director.

Delegates to CADEM

Responsibilities of these positions

  • Attend and participate in both of two CADEM conventions during a two-year term, either in person or virtually depending on how the convention is held. In-person conventions have been held in a variety of locations throughout California where convention venues are available, e.g. San Francisco or Long Beach.
  • Stay through the final General Session on the last day of the convention, usually a Sunday. This is a significant matter. Many delegates leave early in order to travel home; this has often put the meeting quorum at risk for significant matters being decided in that final General Session.
  • This is a significant commitment of time and money (travel and accommodation expenses, dues) on the order of several hundred dollars. Members for whom these costs would be a hardship should reach out to the Chair to privately discuss options to fundraise or obtain support.
  • Active, engaged delegates enhance the interaction and influence of the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County at the state party level. 

Who can run

  • For per-district seats: All members in good standing (including Associates) who are registered to vote in the supervisorial district for that seat.
  • For at-large seats: All members (including Associates) who are in good standing and are registered to vote in Contra Costa County.

How to run

  • Optional but encouraged: Fill out the candidate questionnaire. To inspire votes, consider these questions when filling out the questionnaire.
    • Does the delegate candidate hold or aspire to a position on a CDP Standing Committee or in Caucus leadership? (there may be a requirement to be a CDP delegate)
    • Will the candidate carry forward resolutions passed by the DPCCC to the CDP? (the process may require speaking on the convention floor)
    • Will the candidate increase our DPCCC delegation’s diversity?  Use the CDP Ad Hoc Committee on Committees memo Recommendations for Standing Committee Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as a reference.
    • Is the candidate willing to join a caucus, attend the meeting(s) and report back to the DPCCC on its activities or facilitate engagement of our DPCCC in statewide projects?  Note: there are many caucuses focused on diverse groups 
    • Is the candidate willing to attend a Standing Committee meeting and report back to the DPCCC?
  • Become a candidate in one of two ways:
    • Notify the Transition Team of your intent to run ahead of the meeting.
    • Be nominated from the floor by a member in your Supervisorial district during the district caucus portion of the January 19 meeting.

Who can vote

  • For per-district seats: All members in good standing (including Associates) who are registered to vote in the supervisorial district for that seat.
  • For at-large seats: All members (including Associates) who are in good standing and are registered to vote in Contra Costa County.

Deadlines

  • December 20: Last day for new DPCCC Associate Members to join (pay dues, $24) and be able to vote at the January 19 meeting. (Must be registered to vote with Democratic party preference in order to become a member; this will be checked.) Members for whom this cost would be a hardship should reach out to the Secretary to seek a waiver.
  • January 1: Last day for current DPCCC members (both Regular and Associate) to pay dues ($40 Regular, $24 Associate including Alternates) and be able to vote at the January 19 meeting. Members for whom this cost would be a hardship should reach out to the Secretary to seek a waiver.

November 2022 Newsletter

Posted on by
NOVEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER
CHAIR’S MESSAGE
I want to thank each and every one of you who walked neighborhoods, distributed door hangers, phone banked, texted, donated, and supported our endorsed candidates during this election.

Contra Costa Democrats and Chartered Clubs worked hard to help elect great candidates across the county. We walked neighborhoods and distributed over 100,000 door hangers, mailed 84,000 slate cards, sent over 270,000 texts to voters, and phone banked for hours. I am also happy to share that our newly designed website received over 48,000 unique user visits focusing on our 2022 election pages.

We may be exhausted, but I think we all have a right to feel very proud of our work. We are still waiting for the final results in a few races, but so far we know we helped elect 44 of our 68 endorsed candidates, a win ratio of 65 percent.

There were many close elections, proving once again that our work is vital because every vote counts!

Finally, please plan to celebrate all of our efforts on Friday, December 16, when our DPCCC Holiday Party will be held at the UA Local 342 Union Hall at 935 Detroit Avenue in Concord starting at 6:30 p.m. More details about the Holiday Party are included below in this newsletter, and early-bird tickets are available now!

Stay healthy and enjoy your holidays,

Katie Ricklefs
Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County

DPCCC HOLIDAY PARTY IN CONCORD ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
Join us in Concord at UA Local 342 for an indoor, festive, and fun Holiday Party starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 16! Click here to get your tickets or get a sponsorship now!

Early-bird prices are available through 11:59 p.m. on December 2!

The Union Hall is located at 935 Detroit Avenue in Concord. We will provide food and drinks and present some fun awards! The party will run from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

We are asking our attendees to bring nonperishable food items for a Concord & Solano Food Bank Donation Bin. Donations are down, and so we want to give back while we celebrate.

Masks will be encouraged, and we will have a health check at the door. So dress your best for photos, come to socialize, and celebrate with friends, new members, and our candidates who ran for office this year! We’ll hear briefly from our club leaders on our 2022 annual report and from electeds. We’ll finish off with some club awards as we look ahead to 2023.

NOVEMBER MEETING REPORT
The DPCCC’s November 17 Membership Meeting featured a review of our activities to help our candidates and get out the vote for the November election in Contra Costa County and the Central Valley. We will have a summary of all of this work in our next newsletter, including details about specific efforts to combat misinformation impacting one of our endorsed candidates.

DPCCC members deliberated and passed a revised procedure for electing Central Committee delegates to the California Democratic Party. This election will happen at our January 2023 Organizational Meeting. More details will be posted on the DPCCC website soon. 

Chair Katie Ricklefs reminded everyone that the end of the year brings the end of the term for our current officers and committee leaders. So this is the time for people to start thinking about the possible roles they may wish to have in January 2023. All of our members should pay their dues now so they won’t have to worry about the deadline to be a member in good standing to vote during our January 19, 2023, biennial Organizational Meeting. More details about these elections will also be posted on the DPCCC website soon.

Finally, there will not be a regular Membership Meeting in December, so join us for our Holiday Party in Concord on Friday, December 16!

Would you like to learn more? Under DPCCC’s file access policy, access to all non-confidential DPCCC files is available to any DPCCC member (including Associates) upon request by emailing the Secretary. You can pay your dues by clicking here!

If you are not a DPCCC member and wish to attend the monthly membership meeting, which is typically held on the third Thursday of the month, please RSVP to the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. If you are a DPCCC member, you should receive an email with details for the meeting about seven days in advance. If you do not, please email the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com.

AN APPRECIATION FOR REPRESENTATIVE JERRY MCNERNEY
You are cordially invited to attend the Appreciation Celebration for Representative Jerry McNerney on Sunday, December 4th, from 2–5 pm at Brentwood’s Co.Co. County Wine Company at 633 1st Street in Brentwood.  

This event is sponsored by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, the Marsh Creek Democratic Club, and the San Joaquin County Democratic Party.  

To reserve your space, please RSVP to mcvillaseca@yahoo.com. We hope to see you there!

CONSIDER RUNNING TO BECOME A CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY 
ASSEMBLY DISTRICT DELEGATE

Do you want to have more influence in the California Democratic Party (CADEM)? Then consider running to become an Assembly District Delegate or Executive Board Member!

Assembly District Delegates are elected at CADEM Assembly District Elections Meetings held in each of the state’s 80 Assembly Districts in January of each odd-numbered year. So the next election is coming up in January 2023! Click here to learn more about these positions and the voting process on the CADEM website.

Each Assembly District will elect seven “self-identified female” and seven “other than self-identified female” delegates and one Executive Board member. To run for Assembly District Delegate, you must register as a candidate by noon on Friday, December 9. Click here to register!

Becoming an Assembly District Delegate gives you the opportunity to:  Increase your political impact by voting for the endorsements of the California Democratic Party for partisan legislative and statewide office in California, vote for positions CADEM takes on the Ballot Propositions, build a community with passionate and diverse California Democrats, take on greater responsibility as a voice for your local district when establishing the official California Democratic State Platform (in even-numbered years), and elect 16-25 CADEM Regional Directors who function as your liaison between the California Democratic Party, County Central Committees, and Democratic Party Clubs. All California Democrats can run to become an Assembly District Delegate or vote in this Assembly District Election. 

Registration to vote by mail or in person in these elections will open at noon on Monday, December 12, at this website. More details will be shared in December. 

RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION
The DPCCC adopted the following proclamations and resolutions at its November 17, 2022, meeting:
Proclamation Recognizing February 2023 as Black History Month
Resolution Supporting the Rights of the People of Iran to Free Expression and Standing in Solidarity with the Women and People of Iran
Resolution in Support of a State Windfall Profits Tax on Oil Corporations
You can learn more about the Issues Committee’s process for reviewing legislation, resolutions, and proclamations by reading its submission guidelines and application for consideration. 

You can review an index of the Resolutions adopted by the DPCCC since 2022 and a Legislative Tracker of all the bills on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session.

DPCCC EVENT CALENDAR
This calendar is for DPCCC and other Democratic Party events to which all DPCCC members are invited. To request the addition of an item to the calendar, please email secretary@contracostadems.com. Click on the DPCCC EVENT CALENDAR to get more details!

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
Do you have any questions or feedback about this DPCCC Newsletter? We would love to hear from you! Please send your comments to commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

Election 2022 Results – DPCCC Chair

Posted on by

Dear Democrats,

After a long night of watching election results, I want to thank each and every one of you who walked neighborhoods, distributed door hangers, phone banked, texted, donated, and supported our endorsed candidates. 

While we need to be patient to get the final results from our work, I am particularly proud of all the work Contra Costa Democrats and Chartered Clubs did to help elect great candidates across the county. We walked neighborhoods and distributed over 100,000 door hangers, we mailed 80,000 slate cards, we sent over 270,000 texts to voters, and phone banked for hours. I am also happy to share that our newly designed website received over 48,000 unique user visits focusing on our 2022 election pages. 

We may be exhausted, but I think we all have a right to feel very proud of our work.  So far, with preliminary results in, we have helped elect 44 of our 68 endorsed candidates, a win ratio of 65 percent. I also hope we will add more to this list as the rest of the votes are counted. Importantly, our key candidate for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, Ken Carlson, won his race with over 54 percent of the vote.

On the national level, we can breathe a  sigh of relief that Democrats beat the historical odds and kept some balance in Washington, D.C.  Instead of the poll and pundit predictions of a huge Republican wave, we delivered a strong Democratic response to push back against extreme Republican issues and candidates.  The vote counting is  incomplete, and a few key races have yet to be called, but it looks like nearly a 50/50 split in Congress.  We may retain control of the Senate and have a stronger-than-predicted situation in the House of Representatives.

California races saw Democratic wins up and down the ticket.  We retained our full Democratic statewide officer team.  Plus, John Garamendi, Josh Harder, Mark DeSaulnier, Lori Wilson, Buffy Wicks, Tim Grayson, and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan won their Congressional and State Legislative races. 

Join me in congratulating the DPCCC Endorsed candidates who won their election. You can find the results in Contra Costa County at https://www.contracostavote.gov/elections/november-8-2022-election-results/.

Finally, please plan to celebrate  all of our efforts on Friday, December 16, when our DPCCC Holiday Party will be held at the UA Local 342 Plumbers & Pipefitters location at 935 Detroit Avenue, Concord starting at 6 pm.  More details about the Holiday Party will follow soon!

With tremendous pride and appreciation,

Katie Ricklefs,  Chair – Democratic Party of Contra Costa County

September 2022 DPCCC Newsletter

Posted on by

SEPTEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER
CHAIR’S MESSAGE
The election is almost here—voters will start to receive their 2022 general election ballots in just over two weeks. I hope you will join me in working every day to help elect our candidates. 

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has endorsed 68 candidates for offices ranging from Ken Carlson for the County Board of Supervisors to the city councils, school boards, and special districts throughout the county. Our candidates represent the diversity of our county, with 21 being first-time candidates. Each one needs our support to win and make a difference for their community. You can see more about these candidates in a story later in this newsletter. 

Getting Ken Carlson elected to the Board of Supervisors is one of our top priorities. His election could change the board’s balance for many years to come. If Ken wins, our priority issues and values have a chance to be realized. If Ken loses, our push for housing, healthcare, social justice, climate sustainability, and economic equity will all suffer. This is a race with generational importance. Please add your energy and voice.

I want to urge you to join me in picking a few key races at the local level to get involved in and help us Get Out the Vote! In addition to Ken’s campaign for the Board of Supervisors, other local candidates are facing coordinated efforts to get MAGA Republicans elected to our school boards. 

Please pick a few campaigns to help by knocking on doors, making phone calls, sending texts, or making contributions. A few hours a week will help us elect our 68 locally endorsed candidates and our statewide and Congressional officials. You also will see later in this newsletter how you can take action to help Democrats win close elections in the Central Valley and keep our House majority. 

It is a lot of work. But I believe electing Democrats is the reason we are here. Let me know if you have any questions. You can email me at chair@contracostadems.com.

I hope to see you on the campaign trail! Stay healthy and strong,

Katie Ricklefs
Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County

SEPTEMBER MEETING REPORT
The DPCCC’s September 15 Membership Meeting featured the wrap-up of our endorsement process, a report from our Issues Committee (see report later in this newsletter), and updates from our committees on the work they are doing to prepare for election day.

Chair Katie Ricklefs thanked Tamela Hawley and Irene Tait for their excellent handling of the endorsement process, working with our District Directors and endorsement committee members. 

Chair Ricklefs also announced that she was appointing Jeff Koertzen and Robyn Kuslits as the Ad-Hoc Transition Committee for the January 19, 2023, DPCCC Organizational Meeting.

First Chair Susana Williams announced that Rebecca Barrett was appointed to co-chair our Elections Committee, joining Chuck Carpenter. The two co-chairs have talked with the District Directors and endorsed candidates, especially new candidates and have received input on what our priority races should be from them and our club leadership. We learned more about what all of our members can do to help elect our endorsed candidates. 

DPCCC members discussed and approved a revised budget for the rest of the year. 

Communications Director Jan Bell reported on updates to the DPCCC website to showcase endorsed candidates and encouraged people to provide feedback about this newsletter at commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

Would you like to learn more? Under DPCCC’s file access policy, access to all non-confidential DPCCC files is available to any DPCCC member (including Associates) upon request by emailing the Secretary. You can pay your dues by clicking here!

If you are not a DPCCC member and wish to attend the monthly membership meeting, which is typically held on the third Thursday of the month, please RSVP to the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. If you are a DPCCC member, you should receive an email with details for the meeting about seven days in advance. If you do not, please email the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com.

DPCCC ENDORSES 68 CANDIDATES FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION
The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has endorsed 68 candidates for local offices. These endorsements include the County Board of Supervisors, city councils, school boards, and special districts. 

The DPCCC’s website has the full list of these endorsed candidates, grouped by east, central/south, and west county. Our endorsement website includes candidate questionnaires, campaign videos, and other useful information. 

The DPCCC has also endorsed Measure K, a Martinez Unified School District Bond, and Measure Q, a Voter Protected Open Space Initiative for the City of Brentwood.

You can also see the California Democratic Party’s endorsements for federal and statewide offices and the statewide propositions on the November ballot. 

Most importantly, remember to VOTE by November 8th and donate or volunteer for Democrats running for office!

TAKE ACTION – Calling all volunteers, phone bankers, and canvassers! 
The path to the next House majority goes through California

Join Contra Costa Democrats for a one-day bus trip to work some canvassing magic in Tulare on Saturday, October 15. 
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/514161/

Join Contra Costa Democrats as we turn voices into votes…calling voters in Kern and Kings counties on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m., Wednesdays at 5 p.m., Saturdays at 10 a.m., and Sundays at 1 p.m. 
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/439762/

Knock doors every Saturday in Hanford, Kings County, through election day!
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/445111

Knock doors on Fridays through Sundays, beginning on September 30 in Bakersfield, Kern County, through election day!
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/494449

For more information on volunteering, contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.comor call 510-693-4259.

RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION
The DPCCC adopted the following proclamations and resolutions at its September 15, 2022, meeting:
Proclamation in Support of Veteran’s Day 2022
Proclamation In Celebration of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November 1 – 30, 2022;
California Native American Day, September 23, 2022; and National Day of Recognition of Native American Heritage, November 25, 2022
Resolution Urging that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors conduct Open Study Sessions on Critical Contra Costa County Sheriff Department Functions Related to the Internal Investigations Process from an Equity Lens, Including Potential Oversight Mechanisms
Resolution Re-Committing to Core Principles of Our Democracy—Free & Fair Elections

The DPCCC voted at its September 15, 2022, meeting to take positions on the following statewide and local measures on the November 2022 general election ballot:

SUPPORT Proposition 1 (Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment to the California State Constitution). Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.

SUPPORT Measure K, Martinez Unified School District Bond. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.

 SUPPORT Measure Q, City of Brentwood Voter-Protected Open-Space Initiative. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.

You can learn more about the Issues Committee’s process for reviewing legislation, resolutions, and proclamations by reading its submission guidelines and application for consideration. 

You can review an index of the Resolutions adopted by the DPCCC since 2022 and a Legislative Tracker of all the bills on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session.SUPPORT OUR ENDORSED CANDIDATES Our Communications team is posting canvassing and fundraising events for our endorsed candidates on the DPCCC website and the DPCCC’s event calendar. 

There are events all around Contra Costa County. Please support as many of our endorsed candidates as you can as Democrats work to get them elected this November!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Alameda County Democratic Party is hosting its 50th Anniversary Democratic Unity Dinner at the Oakland Airport Hilton on Saturday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. 
 
If you have an announcement you would like us to consider including in next month’s newsletter, please email commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

DPCCC EVENT CALENDAR
This calendar is for DPCCC and other Democratic Party events to which all DPCCC members are invited. To request the addition of an item to the calendar, please email secretary@contracostadems.com. Please click HERE to go to the DPCCC Calendar.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
Do you have any questions or feedback about this DPCCC Newsletter? We would love to hear from you! Please send your comments to commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

Agenda for special Membership meeting to decide 2022 endorsements

Posted on by

DPCCC is holding a special Membership meeting this Thursday, September 1 at 6pm to decide our 2022 general election endorsements. Although it has already been noticed to members by email as usual with our meeting agendas, the agenda is also being posted here on the public website in compliance with our Bylaws:

Any DPCCC meeting where official endorsements will be voted on must have this item properly placed on the agenda, and the agenda must be postmarked or sent by e-mail to all DPCCC members at least seven (7) days before the meeting is held and posted on the DPCCC public website.

If you are a registered Democrat, wish to attend, and do not already have the Zoom link for the meeting, please email the Secretary to receive it.

Please note that while any registered Democrat may attend, only the Regular Members of DPCCC and/or their Alternates will be able to vote.

Special membership agenda

2022 general election endorsements

Thursday, September 1, 2022, 6pm

Agenda

  1. Call to order and welcome
  2. Review Zoom meeting procedures
  3. Establish a quorum (31 out of 60 Regular Members)  
  4. Approve agenda
  5. Action items and reports
    1. 1st Vice-Chair – Susana Williams
      1. Endorsements Committee – Irene Tait and Tamela Hawley
        1. General election 2022 endorsements consent calendar (additional documents: Endorsements voting process, candidate questionnaires)
  6. Adjourn

August 2022 DPCCC Newsletter

Posted on by
 
AUGUST 2022 NEWSLETTER
CHAIR’S MESSAGE

At our August 18 General Membership meeting, DPCCC members heard an important message from Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) President and CEO Gilda Gonzales and Director of Public Affairs Margaret Martinez Franks. 

I appreciated their update and the call to action they shared with us. You can read more about their presentation in the August Meeting Report. 

Our Endorsements Committee has been hard at work in all five districts preparing to make recommendations for the candidates we should support in the November elections. We will have a lot of work to do to counteract the statewide and national efforts of Republicans and their allies. CalMatters reported on what is happening in school board elections throughout California. I am glad the reporter pointed out what we have been doing to support our school board members in Contra Costa. 
 
Please let me know if you want to learn more about our endorsement and overall election efforts. You can email me at chair@contracostadems.com.

I also hope you are enjoying this edition of our DPCCC newsletter. Please let our Communications Committee know what you think by emailing its Chair, Jan Bell, at commsdir@contracostadems.com. 
 
Best wishes,

Katie Ricklefs
Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County

AUGUST MEETING REPORT

The DPCCC’s August 18 Membership Meeting featured a presentation by Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) President and CEO Gilda Gonzales and Director of Public Affairs Margaret Martinez Franks. 

Gonzales and Martinez Franks discussed Reproductive Freedom: Meeting the Moment at the Ballot Box. This issue has become even more of a priority for DPCCC members in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to end the federal right to abortion. 

Martinez Franks explained that California is a Reproductive Freedom State and outlined how California Planned Parenthood Affiliates are the key to fulfilling this commitment.

She introduced DPCCC members to PPNC’s operations that cover 20 California counties from Contra Costa north to the Oregon border. There are six health care centers in Contra Costa County. Overall, PPNC serves over 70,000 patients. Preventative care makes up most of the services provided by PPNC, including sexually transmitted disease screening and treatment, pregnancy testing, contraception services, and cancer screening.

Gonzales then discussed what we could expect in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. “The situation will get worse before it gets better,” she said. “The only way it will get better is through positive electoral outcomes—and California needs to lead the way.”

Gonzales shared that PPNC, like abortion providers around the country, is dealing with the legal ramifications in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision and the efforts of abortion-hostile states to criminalize efforts to help people who can become pregnant receive these vital health care services. 

DPCCC members can help with this fight right now have three significant ways. 

First, Gonzales encouraged Democrats to be “all-in on Proposition 1—it is vital for California to send a message.” Proposition 1 will enshrine abortion and birth control access in the California Constitution. Visit YesOn1CA.com to learn more.

Second, support abortion funds like Access Reproductive Justice (ARJ). There is a need not just in hostile-to-abortion states, but also here in California. As ARJ explains, “Reproductive rights are meaningless when you don’t know where to get birth control, no abortion provider accepts your insurance, you are afraid to seek prenatal care because of your immigration status, or the closest clinic is hours from your home.”

Third, she said that we all needed to elevate abortion stories to minimize abortion stigma. “There should be no shame. And this is everybody’s issue,” Gonzales emphasized. 

The DPCCC, through its Issues Committee, has made abortion a focus of the legislation we have supported this year. The DPCCC voted to support several federal bills that attempt to address what the Supreme Court ruled in its Dobbs decision and a concurring opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas. You can review these on the DPCCC’s Legislative Tracker. 

The DPCCC also adopted the updated California Democratic Party Code of Conduct. The DPCC will share it with candidates seeking the DPCCC’s endorsement. The DPCCC will also ask its chartered clubs to review the Code of Conduct and consider adopting it. 

The Elections Committee is preparing to support the candidates the DPCCC endorses at its Special Membership Meeting on September 1 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Elections Committee Chair Chuck Carpenter noted that our school board and city council members are under attack by coordinated Republican efforts. 
 
Would you like to learn more? Under DPCCC’s file access policy, access to all non-confidential DPCCC files is available to any DPCCC member (including Associates) upon request by emailing the Secretary. You can pay your dues by clicking here!

SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR ENDORSEMENTS

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will hold a special membership meeting on Thursday, September 1, at 6 p.m. via Zoom to consider endorsements for the November General Election.

If you are not a DPCCC member and wish to attend, please RSVP to the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. If you are a DPCCC member, you should receive an email with details for the meeting about seven days in advance. If you do not, please email the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com.

IN THE NEWS

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County’s efforts to support our local school board members during some of the more contentious meetings about public health measures and teaching accurate history over the past year were featured in a Cal Matters story about how California Republicans are betting big on local school board races in 2022. 

After hearing from some Contra Costa school board members asking for help, the DPCCC adopted two resolutions to support our School Board members. In addition to sharing the resolutions with our members and posting them on our website, DPCCC members and leadership, including Chair Katie Ricklefs, attended school board meetings to share the resolutions. 

The Republican efforts to take over school boards are happening in Contra Costa County. That’s why supporting the DPCCC’s endorsed school board candidates in the November elections will be one of our top priorities. 

TAKE ACTION

JOIN US IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY TO TALK TO VOTERS, ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME!

There are less than three months left to reach voters and the path to the next House majority goes through California. Canvassing is the most effective way to introduce voters to Rudy Salas, help support Democrats, and get your steps in! Lodging and carpool options are available.

Knock doors every Saturday in Hanford, Kings County, through election day!
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/445111

Knock doors on Fridays through Sundays, beginning on September 30 in Bakersfield, Kern County, through election day!
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/494449

Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before—when you arrive at the staging location you will be trained and given all the supplies you need. And once you get going, you’ll find that talking to voters is fun and rewarding!
 
For more information on volunteering, contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.com or call 510-693-4259.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE DPCCC BBQ PARTY

Save the date! The DPCCC’s annual BBQ will be on September 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Concord Community Park (3501 Cowell Rd, Concord, CA 94518).

Early Bird Tickets are now available through August 31! We’ll enjoy music, a taco bar (our BBQ Chair will BBQ too), plenty of fun drinks, cornhole, giant Jenga, speeches, tabling from our candidates and clubs, and the opportunity to meet and speak with electeds and other activists and volunteers. Bring a friend or new member, bring your dog, wear your Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (DPCCC) shirts or hats, and come ready to have fun! 

Sponsorships are available and play a vital role in supporting the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County in recruiting and electing democrats both here and in critical or contentious races locally or across the state or country. Your sponsorship also helps support our County party infrastructure to be able to host more fun events, recognize members and support our members.

Click here to purchase a ticket or sponsorship!


RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION

The DPCCC adopted the following resolutions at its August 18, 2022, meeting:
Proclamation in Support of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15, 2022 – October 15, 2022
 Proclamation Recognizing and Commemorating the 77th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 2022

The DPCCC voted at its August 18, 2022, meeting to take positions on the following bills currently under consideration in the United States Congress:
SUPPORT H.R. 8296 (Authored by Representative Judy Chu), the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which would create a federal right for patients to receive and providers to provide abortion care, ensuring every American—regardless of where they live—can make decisions about their own lives and bodies. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
SUPPORT H.R. 8297 (Authored by Representative Lizzie Fletcher), the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which would prohibit anyone acting under state law from interfering with a person’s ability to access out-of-state abortion services. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
SUPPORT H.R. 8373 (Authored by Representative Kathy Manning), the Right to Contraception Act, which would provide statutory protections for an individual’s right to access and a health care provider’s right to provide contraception and related information. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
SUPPORT H.R. 8404 (Authored by Representative Jerrold Nadler), the Respect for Marriage Act, which would provide statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.You can learn more about the Issues Committee’s process for reviewing legislation, resolutions, and proclamations by reading its submission guidelines and application for consideration. 

You can review an index of the Resolutions adopted by the DPCCC since 2022 and a Legislative Tracker of all the bills on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session.

DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY  

The primary focus of our District Directors during the past month has been organizing and managing our candidate endorsement process for the November 2022 election. Check back next month for more details on what is happening around the county!BIDEN/HARRIS ACCOMPLISHMENTSTo counteract the Republican negative campaign against the Biden/Harris administration, we’ve generated one slide that summarizes their long list of accomplishments under three major goals they have achieved.  You can use this information when you’re out canvassing, for talks with your friends and family members and—if you’re really brave—with moderate Republicans!

In any event, don’t give in to the Republican negative messages—defend the Biden/Harris administration’s accomplishments! Click here to see the slide:
https://contracostadems.com/biden-harris-accomplishments/.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Farm workers are marching to win the right to vote for a union free from intimidation and threats. This march is to convince Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2183, the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act (AB 2183-Stone). The bill would give more choices to farm workers so they can vote free from intimidation. Farm workers would be able to vote in secret whenever and wherever they feel safe. 

You are invited to join the Farm Workers as they complete the final mile of their march in Sacramento on Friday, August 26 at 9 a.m. Click here for more details!

The Alameda County Democratic Party is hosting its 50th Anniversary Democratic Unity Dinner at the Oakland Airport Hilton on Saturday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Early bird tickets for $110 are available until Friday, September 2. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. 
 
If you have an announcement you would like us to consider including in next month’s newsletter, please email commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

DPCCC EVENT CALENDAR

This calendar is for DPCCC and other Democratic Party events to which all DPCCC members are invited. To request the addition of an item to the calendar, please email secretary@contracostadems.com. Please click on the image to get more details!LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINKDo you have any questions or feedback about this DPCCC Newsletter? We would love to hear from you! Please send your comments to commsdir@contracostadems.com. 
Copyright © 2022 secretary@contracostadems.com, All rights reserved. 

Our mailing address is: 
Democratic Party of Contra Costa County
P. O. Box 4112
Martinez, CA 94553
Add us to your address book

Sign Petition for AB 2183

Posted on by

Dear Democrats,

Please sign the petition and help farm workers deliver a strong message to CA Governor Newsom to sign AB 2183, the CA Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act, when it reaches his desk.

The bill would give more choices to farm workers so they can vote free from intimidation. Farm workers would be able to vote in secret whenever and wherever they feel safe. AB 2183 offers the same voting choices Gov. Newsom used to defeat the GOP recall election in September 2021. Yet, that month he vetoed last year’s farm worker voting choice bill. His veto came despite huge support for the bill in both state houses.

Click HERE to sign Petition for AB 2183

Join the March from Delano to Sacramento.  The March ends on Friday, August 26 at the step of the State Capitol.

Click HERE to see March Schedule.

June 2022 DPCCC Newsletter

Posted on by
JUNE 2022 NEWSLETTER
CHAIR’S MESSAGE

I want to thank all DPCCC members, Democratic Clubs, and Democrats across Contra Costa County for your hard work during the recently concluded June 7 primary elections. 

In early 2021 we agreed that our highest priority race was to re-elect District Attorney Diana Becton, and we succeeded with more than 56 percent of the vote!

While we could not unseat the Sheriff and Assessor, we had strong first-time candidates who changed Contra Costa’s conversation about accountability and equity. I believe we can build upon these efforts and pave the way for change in future elections.

Our DPCCC and Democratic Clubs did more voter outreach in this Primary than ever before! Thanks to all of our efforts, we:    reached over 170,000 households with mailers and door hangers; texted close to 100,000 voters; used social media blasts to reach thousands of voters; and walked neighborhoods in every corner of this county.  I believe we will see the benefits of our hard work after we study the release of the precinct-level turnout results. 

Please share what you observed in this primary and what you think we can do better as we prepare for the November 8 General Election. Our Elections & Endorsements Committee will create ways to capture your ideas this summer.

This fall, we will have to work hard to help our endorsed Democrats win local elections. I’m sure you’ve seen the media coverage about how supporters of Q-Anon and The Big Election Lie are organizing across the country to win these offices that are so important to ensuring progress in our schools and communities. Please join me in doing all we can on behalf of our candidates this fall. 

I hope you find our new monthly email newsletter helpful and informative! Please let our new Communications Committee know what you think by emailing its Chair, Jan Bell, at commsdir@contracostadems.com.

Best wishes,

Katie Ricklefs
Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County

JUNE MEETING REPORT

We were excited to have Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan join the DPCCC’s June 16, 2022, General Membership Meeting. She updated us about her legislative priorities and explained what Democrats could do to help her and her colleagues. 

Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan’s legislative priorities include:efforts to prevent gun violence and improve gun safety;protecting reproductive health access, including access to abortion services and protecting patients; improving the state’s mental health services;ensuring safe drinking water for all;criminal justice reform, especially for juveniles; and finding solutions to the housing problems facing so many people and families. These priorities align with the DPCCC’s, and our members have taken support positions on legislation Bauer-Kahan has authored to address these critical issues. 

Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan asked us to continue to get out the vote for Democrats, like the recently re-elected District Attorney Diana Becton, who support our values. 

She urged us to pay attention to local races this fall and make sure we support the Democrats running for these offices. City councils, school boards, and special district boards can significantly impact our quality of life—and our opponents are targeting these offices. 

Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan also requested that we continue to speak up. We mustbring issues to state legislators’ attention, attend committee hearings, go to city council and school board meetings, and take these opportunities to speak up and support our elected officials on our priority issues. 

We also heard updates from the Elections Committee about our activities to support our endorsed candidates during the June primary election. The Fundraising Committee updated us on their efforts and plans for upcoming events. We are excited to share more about these plans in future newsletters. 

Our new Communications Committee Chair, Jan Bell, reported on the organization of the new committee and some of its initiatives (including this new newsletter). You reach the Communications Committee by emailing commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

We also heard early plans about trying to find ways to hold our monthly General Membership meetings in a hybrid fashion that would allow for in-person and online participation. 

Would you like to learn more? Under DPCCC’s file access policy, access to all non-confidential DPCCC files is available to any DPCCC member (including Associates) upon request by emailing the Secretary. You can pay your dues by clicking here!

TAKE ACTION

KEEP NEVADA BLUE PHONE BANKS: Join Contra Costa Democrats on Wednesday, June 22, 5 p.m. (PDT) to hear from Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health, an advocacy group working to create change from the ground up, to protect and advance access to reproductive healthcare. With the Supreme Court set to overturn Roe v. Wade in June, this is the time to hear about the decision and our next steps. REGISTER NOW to hear Andrea Miller and then call voters in Nevada—where we need to hold a critical Senate seat in order to codify abortion rights. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) is running in a toss-up race! No experience is needed; our coaches will train you.

KNOCK DOORS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY: Even in California, a Central Valley woman was jailed for the death of her stillborn infant in 2018. And in 2019, it happened again. Everyone in the Central Valley and across the country deserves the power and freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions. TJ Cox beat Valadao in 2018 by 862 votes. In 2020, we could not knock on doors, and we lost this seat by 1,522 votes. California’s Central Valley is the key to Democrats holding the House in 2022…and we must win in 2022. SIGN UP HERE to join the Rudy Salas team and Contra Costa Democrats to knock on doors on Saturday, June 25, in Hanford. Lodging and carpool options are available. We need your help introducing voters to Rudy Salas and registering voters in the Central Valley…one conversation and one voter at a time!

GET FIRED UP AND READY TO GO WITH MIKE LUX: The Bay Area Coalition Speaker Series presents Mike Lux on Thursday, July 14, at 5 p.m. (PDT). SIGN UP HERE to learn from Mike as he discusses the reasons that prove we can win in 2022 and the strategies and messaging needed to do it. Mike Lux is an important progressive voice. As he says, “What Democrats need to do is shake off the doldrums, get over the pessimism, and get about the business of fashioning a winning strategy for 2022. We can’t—and our democracy can’t—afford to let pessimism become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

For more information on volunteering, click here or contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.com or call 510-693-4259.

GET YOUR DPCCC SWAG

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County is partnering with ForeAmerica, a California-based, Democratic woman-owned small business and union printer, to provide all the Democratic accessories you need. ForeAmerica can connect you with American-made (and reasonably priced!) shirts, buttons, bumper stickers, signs, hats, and fun masks to keep you safe during COVID. FREE SHIPPING!

Use our link, and we will receive 30-50% of each purchase, which will support our upcoming 2022 campaigns! 

RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION

The DPCCC voted to take positions on the following bills currently under consideration in the California State Legislature: SUPPORT SJR 13 (Authored by Senator Cortese), which would urge the United States Congress and the Department of the Interior to reaffirm and restore the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe as a federally recognized Indian tribe. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT SB 300 (Authored by Senators Cortese and Durazo), the Sentencing Reform Act, which would address the injustice of the felony-murder special circumstance law by allowing a sentence other than the death penalty or life in prison without parole for a person who did not cause, or intend, a death during the commission of a felony. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
 SUPPORT AB 1608 (Authored by Assembly Members Gipson and Akilah Weber), which would require the separation of the offices of the County Sheriff and County Coroner and the offices of the County Tax Collector and County Coroner. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.You can learn more about the Issues Committee’s process for reviewing legislation, resolutions, and proclamations by reading its submission guidelines and application for consideration. 

DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY  

DISTRICT 1: Democrats in District 1 participated in many activities leading up to and through the June 7 election. West County’s three Democratic Clubs took the lead by distributing lawn and window signs and walking precincts. Local Democrats also hosted a Meet and Greet for endorsed 8th Congressional District candidate John Garamendi.

DISTRICT 2: District 2 volunteers worked diligently to support our Democratic candidates. Lamorinda Democratic Club members called, wrote letters, and emailed thousands of potential voters to urge them to vote for the Club’s endorsed candidates through its Precinct Organizing Project. The San Ramon Valley Democratic Club enlisted 15 volunteers for the past election. These volunteers each distributed 100 or more DPCCC Door Hangers or flyers by canvassing the homes of Democrats in Danville and San Ramon. The Democrats of Rossmoor texted, phone-banked, and canvassed with over 1,400 door hangers to many homes in the Saranap and Parkmead areas of Walnut Creek.

DISTRICT 3: The Marsh Creek Democratic Club will meet on June 26 instead of June 19.

DISTRICT 4: Many cities in District 4 are raising LGBTQ+ flags during Pride Month, and the City of Clayton is creating a more welcoming community by hosting its first Pride Parade on Saturday, June 25. You can secure your spot on Main Street before 10 a.m. to cheer on marchers. You can also stop by Chick Boss Clayton, who made CLAYTON PRIDE BRACELETS. For a minimum $25 donation, you can get a bracelet that will benefit Clayton’s Pride Parade. Click here for more information about the Clayton Pride Parade. You can see more of the District 4 report by clicking here, including details about the March for our Lives event and how to advocate for renters’ rights and improve city housing elements.

DISTRICT 5: Democrats in District 5 continue to have an active presence at the Martinez Farmer’s Market. We have had members there every weekend sharing our slate and asking for support of our endorsed candidates leading up to the election. The Farmer’s Market includes a food drive on the second Sunday of the month from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Please help support and bring nonperishable, not outdated food to donate. Please don’t bring glass packages. The need is great every month of the year, and this is a wonderful way we show support for our community.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Recruitment Committee is seeking volunteers for the DPCCC’s upcoming BBQ. You can volunteer by completing this form.

If you have an announcement you would like us to consider including in next month’s newsletter, please email commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

DPCCC EVENT CALENDAR

This calendar is for DPCCC and other Democratic Party events to which all DPCCC members are invited. To request the addition of an item to the calendar, please email secretary@contracostadems.com. Please click on the image to get more details!

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINKDo you have any questions or feedback about this DPCCC Newsletter? We would love to hear from you! Please send your comments to commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

Are you reading this newsletter on Gmail?
You may not be seeing the whole newsletter unless you click for it.

When you get to the bottom of the page, look for this:
[Message clipped] View entire message 
and click on the link to see what you’d miss otherwise!

Copyright © 2022 secretary@contracostadems.com, All rights reserved. 

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. 

DPCCC Newsletter – July 2022

Posted on by

JULY 2022 Newsletter
CHAIR’S MESSAGE

On Saturday, we will have 100 days left until election day–and only 74 days remaining before the deadline for county elections offices to mail out ballots to voters. 

We are working hard to be ready for this election. I am so pleased that Tamela Hawley and Irene Tait have stepped up to co-chair our Endorsements Committee. That committee’s members will be working long days in the coming weeks to make recommendations for endorsements in November’s city council, school board, and special district elections. 

Our District Directors have been working with Clubs and DPCCC members in their districts to plan endorsement interviews and candidate outreach. Now is an excellent time for Democrats to get involved with these efforts! We are working to have a great Democrat running in every seat this fall.  

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has made its first endorsement for the November election by voting to support Ken Carlson for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District 4. You will learn more about this endorsement in the July meeting summary below.  

It will be vital for DPCCC members to work together and unify around supporting the candidates, like Ken, that we endorse. We will need to focus through November 8 on endorsing candidates, planning for the election, and turning out our county’s Democratic voters.  

I hope all Contra Costa Democrats will join me in committing to work at least an hour a week, from now until Election Day, to support the endorsed candidate or candidates of your choice! 

Please let me know if you want to learn more about our endorsement and overall election efforts. You can email me at chair@contracostadems.com.

I also hope you are enjoying this second edition of our DPCCC newsletter. Please let our new Communications Committee know what you think by emailing its Chair, Jan Bell, at commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

Best wishes,

Katie Ricklefs – Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County

JULY MEETING REPORT

The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County voted unanimously to endorse Ken Carlson for election to the County Board of Supervisors in District 4 at its July 21 meeting. 

Carlson had prevailed in the June 7 primary, garnering more votes than the other four candidates in the race. The district represents Pleasant Hill, Clayton, and the majority of Concord and Walnut Creek. 

After the announcement, Carlson said he was humbled and thankful for the support of the Democratic Party. 

DPCCC Chair Katie Ricklefs stated, “Ken is a great guy and excellent candidate. He has outstanding experience and a passion for the position that will make him an exceptional supervisor.” 

Carlson has also been endorsed by Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades, Contra Costa Central Labor Council, Senator Bill Dodd, Assembly Member Tim Grayson, and over 30 elected officials across the county. He is the first and only openly LGBTQIA+ person to hold a seat on Pleasant Hill’s city council, and he would be the first to serve on the County Board of Supervisors. 

For more information about Ken Carlson’s campaign for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District 4, please visit www.kencarlson.vote. 

Please save the date for our next regular meeting on Thursday, August 18, as we will host Gilda Gonzales, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California. She will discuss Reproductive Freedom—Meeting the Moment at the Ballot Box. 

Would you like to learn more? Under DPCCC’s file access policy, access to all non-confidential DPCCC files is available to any DPCCC member (including Associates) upon request by emailing the Secretary. You can pay your dues by clicking here!TAKE ACTIONConnect with voters…one conversation and one voter at a time!

CALL VOTERS IN CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, NEVADA!
Wednesdays 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.
We’ll be talking with voters about Democratic candidates in Nevada, Arizona, and California! Let’s turn our voices into votes!
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/439762/

KNOCK DOORS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY EVERY SATURDAY!
It’s time to introduce voters to Rudy Salas … and register voters in the California Central Valley! Join Contra Costa Democrats in going door-to-door talking to Democratic voters.
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/445111

VOTER COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP
We want to be as effective as possible when we talk to voters. Every conversation with a voter is like gold. The two-part training will be held from 3-4 p.m. (PT) on two consecutive Saturdays: July 30 and August 6.

Our Voter Communication expert, Kathi Walsh, will lead these workshops on communication techniques focused on active listening, goal-focused communication, scaling, and sharing information.
https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/477672/

For more information on volunteering, contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.com or call 510-693-4259.2022 DPCCC BBQSave the date! The DPCCC’s annual BBQ will be on September 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Concord Community Park. Taco Bar, music and more! Details to follow.

RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION

The DPCCC voted to take positions on the following bills currently under consideration in the California State Legislature:SUPPORT AB 2091 (Authored by Assembly Member Bonta), which would enhance privacy protections for medical records related to abortion and pregnancy. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
 SUPPORT AB 2134 (Authored by Assembly Members Akilah Weber and Cristina Garcia), which would establish the California Reproductive Health Equity Program to ensure abortion and contraception are affordable for and accessible to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
 SUPPORT AB 2223 (Authored by Assembly Member Wicks), which would prohibit using the coroner’s statements on the certificate of fetal death to establish, bring, or support a criminal prosecution or civil cause of damages against any person exercising their rights under the Reproductive Privacy Act. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.
 SUPPORT AB 2644 (Authored by Assembly Member Holden), which would prohibit a law enforcement officer from using threats, physical harm, deception, or psychologically manipulative interrogation tactics when questioning a person 25 years of age or younger about the commission of a felony or misdemeanor starting on January 1, 2024. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.You can learn more about the Issues Committee’s process for reviewing legislation, resolutions, and proclamations by reading its submission guidelines and application for consideration. You can review a tracker of all the legislation on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session by clicking here. 

DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY  

DISTRICT 1 (Michael Nye, Director): The West County Democratic Club has been reorganizing. We are still recruiting candidates for open positions, especially in Richmond, and preparing for our endorsement process. 

DISTRICT 2 (Tom Duckworth, Director): District 2 clubs and volunteers are focused on the endorsements process for November’s general election.

DISTRICT 3 (Carolina Villaseca, Director): East Contra Costa Fire finished its merger with Contra Costa Fire. This will result in more fire coverage in the area. A new fire station in Oakley has opened, and Bethel Island finally has coverage. Antioch passed a ban on oil and gas drilling. Oakley has a ban on their August agenda. Much credit goes to Ian Cohen (member of Marsh Creek Dems Club and now a senior at Heritage High School), his friends, and the Sunflower Alliance for organizing, writing, and saving our future. Next steps, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors! It’s election season! Please check with me if you are interested in running for City Council, School Board, or any Special District (like water district). We have lots of seats that are open or where only GOP candidates have pulled papers. My e-mail is District3Director@ContraCostaDems.com.

DISTRICT 4 (Ady Olvera, Director): Please join us and other area Democrats as we implement our endorsement process for candidates running for office in 2022. We will be establishing interview questions, participating in interview panels, and making recommendations to the DPCCC. Everyone is welcome as long as they are a registered Democrat. We are creating safe spaces for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color to participate. Please encourage your BIPOC neighbors and loved ones to participate.Monday, August 1, 6-9 p.m. Develop Interview Questions & Preparing Panels
Monday, August 8, 6-9 p.m. Develop Interview Questions & Preparing Panels
Sunday, August 14, Time TBD, Endorsement Interviews
Monday, August 15, 6-9 p.m., Endorsement Interviews
Saturday, August 20, Time TBD, Endorsement Interviews
Sunday, August 21, Time TBD, Endorsement Interviews
Monday, August 22, 6-9 p.m., Endorsement Interviews
Wednesday, August 24, 6-9 p.m., District 4 Endorsement Recommendations/Straw Poll Vote

DISTRICT 5 (Amy Scott-Slovick, Director): Anamarie Ávila Farías was in the national news because of a Facebook post about not wanting to celebrate the 4th of July after Roe was overturned. The DPCCC responded with this press release. A March for Reproductive Freedom was held in Martinez before July 4. Martinez Farmers Markets are raising food for the food bank and engaging with voters. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Democrats of Rossmoor are hosting In-Person Postcard Events on THURSDAYS beginning July 21st until the end of September (except for August 11).  We will meet from 5–7 p.m. in the Oak Room at the Gateway Building (1001 Golden Rain Road) in Rossmoor, Walnut Creek.  Registration is NOT necessary. All are welcome to attend!Postcards and lists from Commit to Democracy will be made available at each event.Bring your blue pens and stamps and come for an hour or stay for two!Bring 3 friends! Volunteers will help get you started on this very effective Get Out the Vote effortDonations for postcards accepted on The Commit to Democracy website: https://www.committoflipblue.com/donateThe Lamorinda Democratic Club is hosting its annual Hot August Night Political Trivia Championship on Thursday, August 11, at 6 p.m. Just like last year, the 2022 ”Trivia Night” will take place at the Lafayette Library, outside, on the patio. Seating is limited, so please register soon using this link: https://forms.gle/Cwq55VapXFsQJJNM7. You can learn more by reviewing LDC’s event announcement.

The Alameda County Democratic Party is hosting its annual Summer Picnic on July 30, from 12 noon-5 p.m. at San Felipe Park in Hayward. There will be food, trivia, and games! It will also be a great opportunity to mix and mingle with candidates for office. Click here to purchase tickets.

If you have an announcement you would like us to consider including in next month’s newsletter, please email commsdir@contracostadems.com. DPCCC EVENT CALENDARThis calendar is for DPCCC and other Democratic Party events to which all DPCCC members are invited. To request the addition of an item to the calendar, please email secretary@contracostadems.com. Please click on the image to get more details!LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINKDo you have any questions or feedback about this DPCCC Newsletter? We would love to hear from you! Please send your comments to commsdir@contracostadems.com. 

Are you reading this newsletter on Gmail?
You may not be seeing the whole newsletter unless you click for it.

When you get to the bottom of the page, look for this:
[Message clipped] View entire message 
and click on the link to see what you’d miss otherwise!

Copyright © 2022 secretary@contracostadems.com, All rights reserved. 

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.