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News and Events December 2011/January 2012 Edited by Bob Soule & Joanna Tanger Coming as it does, at the end of a busy fall of reorganization, this letter is mostly "news" of changes. The "events" part is comprised of two from the past and some that are after the holidays. First, let's look at the changes... 1.) Rutland County Democratic Committee had a very successful reorganization meeting at the Rutland Hospital on Thursday, October 27. A spirited crowd of Democrats braved the early snow and cold to help the party get organized for the coming two years. Those who were able to make it filled our meeting room at the Leahy Conference Center. Members of the Executive Committee related personal highlights of the past two years, and reviewed the great success we have had with gatherings and fund raising for our candidates. Three members of the Committee who have served for several years are now leaving their posts, including Anne Lezak (Chair), Bob Soule (Vice Chair), and David Hoeh (State Committeeman). All were thanked for their many and contributions of time and talents to the party. Election of the new officers and other members of the Executive Committee came next. After nominations closed, the entire slate, which had been assembled, was voted in together by unanimous consent. Our new Chair is Kathy Hall of Chittenden, who will be assisted by new Vice Chair Cindy Murray of Rutland. Also new to the Executive Committee are State Committeeman Bill Moore of Brandon, State Committeewoman Joanna Tanger of Mount Holly, and State Committee Alternate Max Thayer of Wallingford. We are thrilled to have such a talented group of new members to help us as we move into a critical campaign year! Remaining on the Executive Committee, with a wealth of experience to share with the new members, are several veterans: Secretary Marcy Tanger, Treasurer Al Wilkinson, Assistant Treasurer Kathy Milillo, and State Committee Alternates Mike Austin and Bill King. Non-voting members of the committee who will also continue to provide their expertise are Allen Gartner and Mary Mellow. But wait, there's more... In her departing speech, Anne Lezak introduced a new initiative that the Executive Committee has just begun. Inspired by the great work of our several young volunteers during last year's campaign, the committee has begun an informal program of ongoing involvement for young Democrats in our planning and recruitment. The first two members of this initiative are two of the stars of last year's campaign - Kate Lapp of Ira and Hannah Kretvix of Clarendon. Kate and Hannah will assist the committee in finding ways to reach out to younger citizens of Rutland County and get them to be involved in the important work we are doing to make our state a better place! 2.) Town Committee Reorganization Caucuses – September Every two years, political parties in Vermont are required by law to reorganize. This process begins at the most local level – the towns and cities. This year's reorganization was one of the most successful in several years, thanks to the outstanding efforts of our retiring County Chair Anne Lezak and new County Chair, Kathy Hall. All but six towns in Rutland County are organized. To see the list of current town chairs, check our website at rutland-democrats.org. 3.) Recent Events - Halloween Parade and Harvest Dinner Rutland Halloween Parade The
Halloween parade was postponed until the following Monday because of a
winter storm warning, so Anne's truck was re-decorated on Monday. The
Democrats’ theme was thanking the workers who cleaned up after Irene,
and we wore hearts and carried signs that thanked each of the various
groups. As it turned out, that became the theme of the parade.
Fortunately, the weather was good, and the parade had a wonderful crowd.
4.) State and National Conventions for 2012 Elections Are you interested in attending the Democratic Party conventions for next year's elections? If so, you could run for election as a delegate. The process is not too complicated, but it does take a number of required steps, especially if you want to be a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, which is to be held in early September 2012. In its briefest form, the process is outlined at the Vermont Democratic Party website: www.vtdemocrats.org. Just go to the home page, then click on the section (on the right side of the page) entitled "2012 Delegate Selection Plan;" once on that page, click on the second link, for the PDF outline of the plan. Getting elected as a delegate to the National Convention requires a good deal of effort, lots of support from friends and others who are active in the political process, and some luck! Consider just running for delegate to the State Convention, and check this out first: This is a very interesting gathering, and a chance to see the Democratic Party in action on the state level. 5.) Kate Lapp Elected President of “Young Democrats of Vermont” Rutland County Democrats’ own Kate Lapp was elected to be the President of Young Democrats of Vermont. Kate, age 17, is one of the youngest members of the group, which has over seventy members. The Young Democrats of Vermont will make sure that young voters’ perspectives are heard. To read more, visit http://blogs.burlingtonfreepress.com/politics/2011/11/28/young-vermont-democrats-convene/ 6.) All Town Chairs and County Officers should mark their calendars and recruit a couple of good workers to come with them to a training session at the Neshobe School in Brandon on January 7th from 10AM- 1PM. Rutland and Addison County leaders will be treated to a workshop on fundraising, communications and fieldwork for town and county committees. This is a great time for us to lay the groundwork for the big election year approaching. Hope to see a great turnout. 7.) The next State Committee meeting is January 14, in Randolph.
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