Work Session Dec 7, 2021

We will hold a work session on Dec 7, 2021. We’ll start early this month; meet at 6pm*. Stay as long as you’d like. If you can’t make it at 6pm, feel free to stop in at 7. I think there’s more than one hour of work to do!

We’ll spend some time working on elements of the position paper and also cards/communications for contacting precinct residents.

P.S. There’s good info about the Diego Rivera Mural (pictured above) to be found at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The 7 o’clock time is in conflict with the Buffalo High School xmas music concert.




[canceled] Freshman Friday Nov 12, 2021

Apparently This Was Canceled

I’m calling this one the “Fresh Dem Spesh Sesh”

Today (Friday) at 6pm.

They’re not posting the URL until it goes “Live”. I’ll try to update this post when I know the link. Or you can check @WyoLegDems on Twitter or Facebook.

Graphic promoting event




Minutes November 2, 2021

Johnson County Democratic Party
Guest Speaker/Business Meeting
November 2, 2021

Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Greg Haas, Chair.

Attendance in person: Mitch Black, Lois Petersen, Sharon Case, Dudley Case, Greg Haas

Attendance online: Vikki Chenette, Ted Hanlon

Secretary Report:

Minutes from October 5 do not need to be approved since it wasn’t an official business meeting.

Treasurer’s Report:

Mitch Black gave the report for Suzi Black. Mitch reported current bank account balance including recent donations.

Chair Announcements:

Greg asked if anyone had names of possible candidates for elective offices. Lois Petersen said she has put together a list of names of potential candidates.

Greg proposed having an election or candidate committee meeting to discuss potential candidates. Mitch and Lois volunteered to be on the committee. Dudley Case suggested that the precinct committee people should be on the committee. Greg Haas said that we should try to get as many precinct committee people on the ballot as possible.

Introduction of Guest Speaker:

Greg Haas introduced the guest speaker, Ted Hanlon, who spoke on Precinct Committee Seats. Ted is from Laramie County and is a precinct committeeman. Ted is a native Wyomingite and has a passion for precinct committee people.
Ted said if we don’t get two people from each precinct to be precinct committee people then we will lose elections. We need to canvass Democrats and find people willing to serve as precinct committee people and then have them sign up for training.
He suggested for the 2022 election we should concentrate on getting precinct committee people on the ballot, because organizing at the local level is really important for winning elections. We can use Vote Builder to get the contact information for Democrats so we can contact them. Ted recommended the book “Plunket of Tammany Hall” to find out how to organize to win elections.
Ted suggested sending postcards to all Democrats in a precinct and he showed an example of such a post card. He said it might cost $150 to $200 to print and mail the postcards. Ted said that mini grants might be available for paying this cost. Then after the postcards are sent out you would need to go door to door to talk with Democrats.
Ted also suggested having social events for the precinct people to help make it fun for people to be precinct committee people. These events would help foster a sense of community. Lois Petersen described the social event that the JC Dems and Sheridan County Dems ran during the summer. Greg Haas suggested small quarterly social events in the county or a precinct.
Ted said we need a ground game at the precinct level over a number of years to be successful and we can’t count on the National or Wyoming Democratic Parties to do this for us.

Platform/Position Paper on Top Five Priorities:

Dudley Case suggested health care in Johnson County as a priority. Vikki Chenette suggested economic issues since coal plants are closing and people are losing their jobs. Vikki Chenette volunteered to write a draft paper on a few platform issues that are important in Johnson County.

Announcements from the Floor:

Mitch Black bought some books to hand out such as, “On Tyranny”, “Plot to Destroy Democracy” and “Our Endangered Values”.

Upcoming Meetings:

December 7 in Room 108 of the Bomber Mountain Building. Craig Cope will be speaking. Lois Petersen said she will write one or two sentences on Craig’s topic and send it out to JC Dems.

January 4, 2022 will be a business meeting.

Adjournment:

Greg Haas adjourned the meeting at 8:10 pm.




Agenda November 2, 2021

Johnson County Democratic Party Meeting
November 2, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Bomber Mountain Civic Center, Rm 108
Also on Zoom! Register first, please!

Agenda

7:00pm Call to order
7:04pm Minutes & Money & Chair Announcements
7:08pm Business, old, but new again
2022 Election:

  • Candidates, Trainings, Offices
  • Precinct Committee Seats w/Guest Ted Hanlon
  • Platform/Position Paper Top Five Priorities
    7:52pm Announcements from the Floor
    Upcoming Meetings
    Other?
    7:59 Adjourn



    Minutes August 3, 2021

    Johnson County Democratic Party
    Guest Speaker/Business Meeting
    August 3, 2021

    Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Greg Haas, Chair.

    Attendance in person: Linda Wilson, Jim Shell, Dudley Case, Sharon Case, Bill McIntyre, Suzi Black, Greg Haas, Vikki Chenette

    Secretary Report:

    The June 1, 2021 minutes were adopted without any changes.

    Treasurer Report:

    Greg Haas reported that he hasn’t gotten the income and expense numbers on the Kearney Hall event yet, so he will call the Sheridan County Democratic Party. There were more than 100 people at the event. The JC Dems did get a thank you card from the Sheridan County Dems for our $200 donation towards the event expenses.

    Suzi Black reported that there is $1,971.67 in the bank account.

    Chair Announcements:

    Greg Haas reported that he attended the Wyoming Democratic State Central Committee meeting. A number of initiatives were discussed at the meeting. First, there was a discussion about creating a resolution to enable the Wind River Reservation to have county rights. They would need to form their own caucus, if they chose to do that instead. Second, there was discussion about voter registration and the need to help high school seniors and people released from prison to register to vote. Third, there was an offer to help people become Notary Publics. There is now a test to become a Notary Public. Fourth, there was discussion about helping county Democrats with goal setting. Fifth, there was discussion about having listening sessions to which state senators and representatives would be invited. Sixth, there was discussion about finding candidates for future elections. Seventh, there was discussion about getting Democratic precinct committee people onto the primary ballots. Eighth, there was discussion about changing the Democratic State Party Bylaws’ language away from gender binary language. Ninth, there was an announcement that Democratic Party staffers are now unionized with the International Association of Electrical Worker (IAEW). Tenth, there was recognition that this year’s budget exceeds projected revenues. Eleventh, there was an announcement that Wyoming met all the criteria for a red state such that the Wyoming Democratic Party could receive extra election monies.

    Greg Haas will work on finding out the filing date for precinct committee people to get on the primary ballot.

    Dudley Case reported that tomorrow, August 4th, there will be election judge training in the County Courthouse at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Suzi Black and Dudley Case will be attending the 9:00 am session.

    Old Business:

    The Kearney Hall event was previously discussed under the Chair Announcements.

    New Business:

    The special election will be held on August 17th. According to a new law that went into effect on July 1, 2021, all voters will need to present a photo ID. Voters can vote between now and August 17th by absentee ballot or by voting in person at the courthouse.

    Greg Haas asked for a volunteer to be present at the testing of the voting equipment on Friday, August 6th at 9:30 am at the courthouse. Dudley Case volunteered.

    Greg Haas led a discussion of the special election sales tax increase, including where members heard about and read about the election issue. It was the general opinion of the group that the JC Dems should not take a position on this election issue.

    Jim Shell announced that he and his wife would hold a potluck dinner at their house on Friday, August 27th from 5 to 8 pm. Their address is 224 S. Lobban Avenue, which is near the movie theater.

    Bill McIntyre said that the next JC Dems luncheon would probably be held in October.

    Adjournment:

    Linda Wilson made a motion to adjourn, and Suzi Black seconded the motion. Motion passed and meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm.




    Agenda August 3, 2021

    Johnson County Democratic Party Meeting
    August 3, 2021 at 7:00 PM
    Bomber Mountain Civic Center, Rm 108

    Agenda

    7:00pm Call to order
    7:04pm Minutes & Money & Chair Announcements
    7:08pm Announcements from the Floor
    7:15pm Old Business
    Sheridan/JC Kearney Hall event June 26 update
    State Central Committee Meeting
    7:25 New Business
    Guest Speakers, Meeting Schedule
    August Special Election

  • Test date for election equipment: Aug 6 @ 9:30am
  • Information and opinions
  • Other?
    7:55 Adjourn



    Kick Up Your Heels

    Sheridan/Johnson County Dems “Round-Up”
    Sat., June 26th, 4-8 pm at Kearney Hall, Banner, WY
    (Just 15 min. from Buffalo)

    Suggested Donation of $10.00 for folks 13 years and up to help cover band and hall rental.

    The June 26th Democrat Round Up is less than 2 weeks away. Let’s show the WY State Democratic Party and Sheridan County Dems that Johnson County Democrats are active and know how to have a good time.

    The event offers games for kids and adults, raffles, a silent auction, good food, live music, and even the opportunity to dance, if you are so inclined. And the venue is beautiful! Kearney Hall, located just 15 minutes from Buffalo, has been newly remodeled and the scenery from the large new veranda is stunning.

    Several JC Dems have volunteered to help with set up and some are helping by bringing side dishes to share. We can always use more help with clean-up so if you can stay a bit after 8 pm to help with that, please let us know.

    To help the most, please call all your JC left leaning friends and ask them in person to join you at Kearney Hall on June 26th. A lot of work has gone into planning and preparing this event, so please come and join us!




    Minutes, June 1, 2021

    Johnson County Democratic Party
    Guest Speaker/Business Meeting
    June 1, 2021
    DRAFT minutes

    Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Greg Haas, Chair.

    Attendance in person: Mitch Black, Suzi Black, Vikki Chenette, Jim Shell, Bill McIntyre, Lois Petersen, Rachel Wear, Shannon Anderson, David Romtvedt, Mary Fowlkes, Tom Spencer, Sharon Case, Dudley Case, Greg Haas

    Attendance online: None

    Introduction of Guest Speaker:

    Greg Haas introduced the guest speaker, Shannon Anderson, who is the staff attorney for the Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC).

    Guest Presentation:

    Shannon said that her organization is a grassroots organization that mainly does organizing work and litigation in five main areas: oil and gas, coal, uranium & the nuclear fuel cycle, agriculture & local foods, and renewable energy.

    Shannon then gave a twenty-minute slide show presentation covering these five main areas. At the end of the presentation Shannon answered questions from the audience.

    Shannon then announced another upcoming PRBRC webinar which is part of the Reclaiming & Growing Wyoming’s Future webinar series that continues on Tuesday, June 8, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with “Resources & Opportunities of the New Economy.”

    This webinar will explore tools available to support sustainable community development.

    Speakers Jay Stender of The WY Ranch (and formerly of Forward Sheridan), Kelli Roemer with the Resources and Communities Research Group at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, and Josh Dorrell and Ron Gullberg from the Wyoming Business Council will address various aspects of attracting and retaining economic development to communities.

    This webinar will be helpful for community planners, local government officials and anyone interested in starting a business. The webinar will be moderated by Wyoming State Representative Chad Banks from Sweetwater County.

    Secretary Report:

    Greg Haas asked if there were any changes to be made to the minutes of the May 4th meeting. Hearing none, the minutes were approved.

    Treasurer Report:

    Suzi Black stated that the party had received another check from Act Blue for about $24.

    Old Business:

    May 19th JC Dems Luncheon – Bill McIntyre

    The luncheon was held at the Par and Grill restaurant at the Buffalo Golf Course. Six people attend the luncheon and several topics were discussed.

    The next luncheon will take place in September.

    Sheridan County/JC County Dems June 26 picnic update – Lois Petersen

    The picnic will be held at the Kearney Hall in Banner from 4 to 8 pm. Joe Barbuto, the WDP Chair, will be attending and perhaps playing some music. Tacos, drinks, chips and dips will be available. If you attend, please bring a dish to pass around. Please let Lois Petersen know what you are bringing.

    There will be a live band and dancing. A $10 donation is being asked for anyone over 13 years of age.

    Volunteers are needed for set up, clean up and kitchen work. Greg Haas, Vikki Chenette and Bill McIntyre volunteered for set up. Set up will be from 1 to 4 pm and clean-up will be from about 7:30 to 9:00 pm. If you wish to volunteer, please contact Lois Petersen.

    If you can, please bring a table and chairs, so we don’t have to rent these items. Silent auction and raffle items are also needed, and Lois Petersen is collecting these items.

    Greg Haas will ask precinct chairs to call precinct members and let them know of this event and also ask them for their email addresses.

    New Business:

    July 6 meeting. After some discussion, Vikki Chenette made a motion that we should skip having a July meeting. Lois Petersen seconded the motion. Motion passed.

    Dudley Case said he has finished calling the Precinct 3-8 members, telling them of this meeting and the June 26 picnic. Greg Haas complemented Dudley on all his calling to precinct members.

    Greg Haas said that other party members can email to the listserv, so that not all the communications are coming just from himself.

    Adjournment:

    The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.




    Agenda June 1, 2021

    Johnson County Democratic Party Meeting
    June 1, 2021 at 7:00 PM
    via Zoom.us, register by Clicking Here to receive invitation.

    Agenda

    7:00pm Call to order
    7:05pm Introduce Guest Speaker
    7:06pm Guest Presentation
    “Learn more from long-time staff Shannon Anderson about the work Powder River Basin Resource Council does to conserve Wyoming’s air, land, water, and wildlife, and protect our quality of life. Shannon will focus on current issues in Northeast Wyoming and briefly touch on the organization’s state-wide priorities, including at the Wyoming legislature.”
    7:30pm Apologies from The Chair
    7:32pm Minutes & Money
    7:35pm Old Business
    Sheridan/JC Kearney Hall event June 26 update
    7:47 New Business
    July 6 Meeting
    Other?
    7:55 Adjourn



    Minutes May 4, 2021

    Johnson County Democratic Party

    Business Meeting

    May 4, 2021

    Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Greg Haas, Chair.

    Attendance in person: Lorajane Kessler, Mitch Black, Suzi Black, Jim Shell, Bill McIntyre, Mary Van Auken, Lois Petersen, Sharon Case, Dudley Case, Greg Haas

    Attendance online: Vikki Chenette

    Greg lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

    Treasurer Report – Suzi Black

    As of May 4th, there was $1,764.59 in the bank account. There is also a check from Act Blue for $96.05 and an anonymous donation of $100.00.

    Secretary Report – Dudley Case

    Lois Petersen made a motion to approve the minutes for the April 6th business meeting. Mary Van Auken seconded the motion. Motion passed.

    Chair Announcements – Greg Haas

    All the JC Dems officers have signed the signature cards at the bank.

    If you are interested in attending the WDP Labor Caucus meeting by Zoom contact Greg Haas for details.

    The Bighorn National Forest Steering Committee will be holding a virtual meeting on May 5th from 10:30 am to 3:15 pm via Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in attending the meeting contact Greg Haas for details or visit the Bighorn National Forest website. [Correction: Was the BLM, not Nat’l Forest. My mistake. -Greg]

    On Saturday, May 16th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Pacific Time) the National Democratic Training Committee is holding the Western Regional Boot Camp training if you are running for office or working on a campaign in 2021 or 2022. If you are interested in attending contact Greg Haas for details.

    Old Business:

    1. June 1st JC Dems Business Meeting – Greg Haas

    In lieu of the 7:00 pm June 1st JC Dems Business Meeting Greg has arranged for Shannon Anderson from the Powder River Basin Resource Council (PRBRC) to make a presentation about the PRBRC.

    Mary Van Auken made a motion to approve Shannon Anderson as a speaker in lieu of the normal business meeting. Vikki Chenette seconded the motion. Motion passed.

    Vikki Chenette made a motion to hold this meeting at the Johnson County Public Library in the large conference room and have it open to the general public. Lois Petersen seconded the motion. Motion passed.

    Suzi Black made a motion to allow the JC Dems Central Committee to find an alternate venue should the public library room not be available. Lorajane Kessler seconded the motion. Motion passed.

    Vikki Chenette, Greg Haas and Lois Petersen volunteered to work on the publicity (community calendar, flyer, press release, etc.) for this event.

    2. May 19th JC Dems Luncheon Forum – Bill McIntyre

    The luncheon forum will be held at noon at the Par & Grill restaurant at the Buffalo Golf Course.

    Thirteen democrats attended the April 21st luncheon forum at the Par & Grill.

    3. Sheridan County and Johnson County Democrats Concert Update – Lois Petersen

    This event will be held on Saturday, June 26 at Kearney Hall from 4:00 to about 8:00 pm. There will be a live band, dancing, a raffle, food and outdoor activities. The hall is located on old Highway 87 and may be accessed from the Piney Creek exit off of I-90.

    Lois Petersen asked that items for the raffle be given to her before June 1st.

    The hall and band will each cost $200, and tables may need to be rented. There will also be publicity costs for such things as postcards, and food costs for such items as sloppy joes and hot dogs. Therefore, a $10 donation will be requested from each attendee.

    Attendees are asked to bring a dish to pass around.

    On June 1st there will be a planning meeting at 3:00 pm. If you are interested in attending, please contact Lois Petersen.

    Volunteers will be needed for cooking, desserts, recycling, set up and clean up.

    There will be an effort to get young people to attend this event.

    Lois Petersen made a motion for the JC Dems to financially help with this event up to $200. Jim Shell seconded the motion. Motion passed.

    4. Precinct Highlights – Dudley Case

    Democratic members in precincts 2-14, 5-9 8-11 and 9-12 were contacted.

    Dudley called 21 members and got two new email addresses and discovered three wrong phone numbers.

    There were two suggestions for guest speakers. One, was to have someone talk on the issue of lack of access to Wyoming public lands, and, two, to have someone talk about the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

    Several Democratic members also said that they would try to make one of the luncheon forums.

    New Business:

    Greg Haas mentioned that Erin O’Doherty has started a Wyoming Dems Book Club. There will be a meeting of the club on May 23rd at 4:00 pm. The first book that will be discussed is Harvest the Vote by Jane Kleeb, which is about how Democrats can win back rural America.

    If you are interested in more information about the book club, please contact Greg Haas. Mitch Black, Vikki Chenette and Bill McIntyre expressed an interest in getting more information about the club.

    Announcements from the floor:

    Lois Petersen stated that a Sheridan Committee Action Team has been formed. The committee will be lobbying local officials on Medicaid expansion in Wyoming. They will be formulating a script for calls made to officials.

    Greg Haas announced that he had attended the WDP precinct committee training. As part of the training the instructor said that Dems should not be afraid to wear Democratic hats and t-shirts.

    Jim Shell stated that he still has some copies of the book On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder if anyone would like a copy.

    Announcements of upcoming meetings:

    1. June 1st JC Dems Guest Speaker meeting at 7:00 pm. Location: TBA

    2. May 19th Luncheon Forum at the Par & Grill restaurant at the Buffalo Golf Course at noon.

    3. June 26th Sheridan and JC Dems Concert event at Kearney Hall at 4:00 pm.

    4. July 6 JC Dems Monthly Meeting.

    Lois Petersen made a motion that this meeting should be a business meeting in part to talk about future guest speakers for our meetings. Bill McIntyre seconded the motion. Motion passed.

    Next Monthly Meeting:

    June 1st at 7:00 pm. Location: TBA

    Adjournment:

    Greg Haas adjourned the meeting at 7:56 pm.