Author: Mitch

It’s time for you – yes you – to join the board of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club!

The La-Mesa Foothills Democratic Club will be conducting the yearly Election of Officers and Board Members on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. That’s at our regular meeting, on Zoom, which starts with unstructured social conversation at 6:30 pm, club business at 7 pm. We’re doing a lot more than holding club elections that night – we’ve got a great program lined up – so mark your calendars! 

But for now we’re talking about the elections, and why you should sign up to run for a board seat. 
 
LMFDC is one of the largest and most active Democratic Clubs in San Diego County, and was awarded Club of the Year 3 times, most recently in 2016. The election is your opportunity to join and help shape the future this dynamic club! 
 
The Club is accepting nominations for Officers and Board Members at Large. Please fill out the attached form and submit to lmfdemclub@gmail.com

Roles of Officers & Board Members 
President:  Role
The President is responsible for the overall direction of the Club’s activities and effective management of the board. The President’s presides at all General and board meetings, and is the Club’s spokesperson. (additional responsibilities listed in Club Manual)
 
VP Laws and Legislation:  Role
The Vice President for Laws and Legislation is responsible for keeping members informed of issues, laws and legislation affecting the general membership.  
 
Responsibilities

• Stay current on new laws as they are enacted. 
• Provide quarterly or bi-annually Issues and Action report to the General Membership 
• Work with the President to identify laws and issues of focus for the report to the Membership. 
• Identify action items for issues needing active Club engagement and support. 

 
VP for Membership:  Role
The Vice-President for Membership is responsible for membership development and maintenance of membership records. 
 
Responsibilities

• Maintain the Club Roster up to date
  • Add new members 
  • Update demographic details of existing members (e.g.:  address changes, renewal status, membership level, etc.)
  • Email monthly updated roster to the President 
• Create monthly Membership Report for the board meeting.
  •  Email to the President after the General Meeting
• Create monthly New Members & Guests Report 
  • Email to the President and to Newsletter Editor
• Create and mail Welcome Letters for new members.
• Annually create and mail Renewal Reminder Letters to lapsed members.  

Present Vice President – Political Action: Role

The Vice President for Political Action is responsible for promoting and coordinating outreach, grassroots organizing and support of community-wide activities in furtherance of the goals of the Democratic Party. 

Responsibilities

• Maintain the Club’s efforts to have a campaign engine by overseeing ten week field and phone-banking campaigns in election years for the primary and general election.
• Facilitating candidate recruitment with political and non-political organizations (e.g. labor unions
• Recruit and help elect candidates for the City of La Mesa for the Office of the Mayor, City Council, Clerk, and Treasurer; to the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College Board of Trustees; Grossmont Union School District Board; La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board; Helix Water Board; and Grossmont Health Board.  
• Develop and maintain relationships with staff & officers at the SDCDP, CDP, political groups, non-political groups, various elected offices to identify and support candidates.
• As necessary, assist the President with the endorsement process. 

Vice President – Programming: Role

The Vice President for Programming is responsible for working with the Board to identify programming topics for the General meetings. 

Responsibilities

• Working with the President, develop program theme for the year.
• Develop program ideas and also seek program ideas from the Board.
• Identify and recruit speakers for the monthly General meetings. 
• Maintain communication copied to the President with all speakers. 
• This allows the President to be current on program status, and also have e-mail address for thank you letters.
• Write monthly program article for the Mission Times Courier and La Mesa Courier by the end of the first week of each month. 
• Review three month program plan at each board meeting. 
• Meet with the La Mesa Community Center to finalize meeting room set-up and AV needs. 
• Bring projector and associated items to the General Meeting. 
• Greet speakers and introduced them to the President at the General meeting. 

Treasurer: Role
The Treasurer along with the President all the official signatories of the Club’s bank account and named individuals on all related tax documents. The Treasurer controls and maintains the Club’s budget, bank account, monetary collection and disbursement. The Treasurer should do his/her best to see that everything is done meticulously to maintain the integrity of the Treasurer’s office and accounting. 

Responsibilities

• After Club Election Meeting, facilitate transfer of Treasurer and President to bank account and associated online accounts (PayPal). 
• Prepare the Club annual budget at the January board meeting. 
• Ensure all budgetary goals are met and adhere to the budget. 
• Collect member dues in coordination with the Vice President – Membership 
• Maintain accurate financial records throughout the year to be reviewed at any time by members and board officers. 
• Transact business through the Club’s bank including deposit of funds.
• Provide monthly Treasurer’s report for the board meeting and General Meeting. (same report)
• File appropriate tax forms with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters (bi-annually).
• Pay fees associated with the California Secretary of State
• Pay fees associated with the California Democratic Party
• Disburse funds and pay bills promptly as approved by the Board.
• Reconcile bank statements.

Secretary: Role
The Secretary shall act as secretary at all General and board meetings and keep a record of the proceedings of such meetings. 

Responsibilities

• Prepare and Submit General Meeting Minutes Monthly
• Prepare and Submit Executive Board Meeting Minutes Monthly
• At the General Meetings post the approved Board and General Meeting Minutes, Treasurer’s Report, Membership Report and current Agenda 

Roles of Board Members at Large

Events Chair:  Role
The Events Chair facilitates the Club’s participation in various events. 

Responsibilities

• Two months prior to an event  identify the Club’s theme for the event by working with the Board 
• Two months prior identify volunteers needed
• Three to two months prior identify any registration requirements and fees, and work with the Board to have the fees approved for payment. 
• Work with other organizations as needed to participate in an event
• Invite elected officials and candidates to the events

GO-Team Chair:  Role
The GO Team Chair is a SDCDP GO Team trained and represent the Club’s GO Team. 

Responsibilities

• Participate in SDCDP GO Team trainings. 
• Coordinate with the SDCDP GO Team activities.
• During election years, speak at the General meetings about GO Team to encourage member participation 
• Serve as a GO Team liaison for GO Team neighborhood leaders and community coordinators. 

Voter Registration Chair:  Role
The Voter Registration Chair leads the Club’s participation in County voter registration events. 

Responsibilities

• Facilitate voter registration in the communities of La Mesa, Mt. Helix, San Carlos, Allied Gardens, Del Cerro, and the SDSU area
• Past voter registration events have been held at Grossmont Center, La Mesa Vons Shopping Center, Cuyamaca College
• Attend monthly naturalization ceremony at Civic Center in downtown San Diego and register new citizens to vote democratic. 
• Coordinate volunteers for voter registration events. 
• As necessary work with the Vice President – Volunteer Coordinator

Marketing Chair:  Role
The Marketing Chair is responsible for publicizing all Club board approved business after approved by the President. 

Responsibilities

• Review SDCDP, CDP, elected officials, candidates, and communities we serve websites and social media for events and action items to be shared during the Club’s weekly announcements sent. 
• Use MailChimp to send out the weekly announcement e-blast
• Create PowerPoints and handouts for general meetings
• Announcements
• Plays during the social ½ hour
• Program using information from the Board meeting and monthly article
• Plays at the beginning of the program
• Send to the President at time set by the President for final approval
• Coordinate proofing with Social Media Coordinator
• Create monthly Announcement One Pager hand out for member tables at the General meeting handout for member tables
  • Mirrors Announcement PowerPoint
  • Coordinate printing and deliver to meeting

Communications-Social Media Chair:  Role
The Communications – Social Media Chair promotes Club activities on all social media and internet channels to retain and increase membership and encourage member engagement to help elect democratic candidates and promote progressive democratic policies. 
 
Responsibilities

• Facilitate Facebook Live at the General Meetings
• To ensure “live” attendance at the General Meeting promotion of Facebook Live should be done the day of the General Meeting approximately 6:00 p.m.
• Collaborates with the Marketing, Website and Newsletter chairs for content on social media and internet channels including but not limited to Facebook, and Twitter. 
• Update Facebook and Twitter with Club events
• Update Facebook and Twitter with political news of interest to the membership
• Promote Club endorsed candidates on Facebook and Twitter
• Forward any questions or concerns received from members on Facebook or Twitter to the President

 
Website Chair:  Role
The role of the Website Chair is to maintain the Club’s website up-to-date. 
 
Responsibilities

• Ensure payment transfer every June to the new President
• Update all pages on the website
• Collaborates with the Marketing, Communication – Social Media and Newsletter Editor for website content. 
• Promote Club endorsed candidates on the website

 
Officers and Board Member at Large Positions
Officers
 
President:  Tina Rynberg*
VP Laws and Legislation:  Sean Quintal*
VP for Membership:  Katie Sigeti*
VP for Political Action:  Chris Pearson*
VP for Programming:  Open
Secretary:  Open (Tracey Magnusun to run for board member at large)
Treasurer:  Open (Pat Welty is resigning)
*Incumbent running for re-election
 
Board Member at Large-7 seats
 
Mitch Wagner:  Communications/Social Media*
Evelyn Andrade*
Sharon Cox*
Merrill Perry*
*incumbent running for re-election

We’ve got a heck of a great line-up for Wednesday evening’s annual holiday party and meeting of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club, mixing business and entertainment.

On the business side: Jean Dittmyer will share information on Georgia’s Special Senate Election on January 5, and how we can help the two Democratic Senate candidates win. Jean is a tireless volunteer for local, county, congressional, state,, and national candidates. She has hosted phone banks on a weekly basis at her La Mesa home. Jean is also the point person for the Indivisible Movement for District 53.

That’s the business. On the entertainment side, we’ve got great musical guests and a spoken word artist – all local.

Lauren Hermas and Laura Payne will perform together. Lauren is a singer, previously with the local band Mixed Signals and the Resizters. And Laura is a local musician, bass player, co-founder and band member of the Resizters and the bassist for Engenue.

Separately, singer-songwriter Jeff Berkley formed Berkley Hart and made 11 records and toured the US, England and Australia extensively. He has played percussion and guitar with Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Indigo Girls, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Wier, and many more musical luminaries. He won The Kerrville New Folk songwriter award in 1999,

And spoken word artist Tisha Tumangan is the director and CEO of Black Kat Theatre, a sketch comedy troupe focusing on politics and social issues.

The party and meeting is Wednesday, Dec. 2 – that’s in two days! Programming starts at 7 pm, with unstructured social discussion starting at 6:30 pm. It’s on Zoom, of course. Here’s the link:

Holiday meeting, La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club

Hopefully now that we’re on our way to having a competent adult in the White House, we can see each other in person again soon.

We had an all-star cast of experts for the November general meeting of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club, to talk about where we go now that the election is done. Speakers were:

• Michael Smolens, longtime political columnist for the San Diego Union-Tribune
• Kyra Greene, executive director of the California think tank Center on Policy Initiatives
• Ric Epps, political science professor at San Diego State University
• Cynara Kidwell, California political consultant and data analyst.
• And moderating was Evlyn Andrade, a member of the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club board and veteran campaigner.

The meeting was the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 4, but it was already looking like the Presidential election was done. Still, as panelist Ric Epps noted, that outcome was “bittersweet.” He said, “It says a lot about this country that it could be this close.”

Topics include:
– The hypocrisy of democracy in the US, where so many people are deprived of the right to vote by voter suppression.
– What do we say of people of color, given the racism inherent in the US?
– Why we need to look for better candidates.
– Liberal closed-mindedness.
– The Democratic Party’s inherent weakness on messaging.
– Whatever happened to Russian meddling?
– California: A deep blue state, but voting on the propositions often didn’t feel that way.
– How Uber, Lyft and other gig economy companies’ successful lobbying on Proposition 22 is an example of the need to control money in politics.
– What do local Congressional races say about the blue wave in California and San Diego?
– What’s the future of the county, and the county Democratic Party?
– The coming Latino wave.
– Why San Diego County needs to address wage theft.
– How police oversight might still fail.
– What San Diego Democrats learned about campaigning in the time of COVID-19, and how that lesson might be applied in future, more normal elections (with comments from Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, San Diego County Democratic Party chair).

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Also, Michael Smolens asked us to clarify one point: Cynara Kidwell said during the meeting that the Democrats could still take the Senate, and Michael said that was impossible. He followed up to say that he was incorrect about that and Cynara Kidwell was correct; the Senate was (and still is) within reach for the Democrats.

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And mark your calendars for next month’s meeting which is Dec. 2 in the evening. We’ll have a holiday party on Zoom, with musical entertainment. And we’ll also be doing our traditional charitable drives, so if you see any sales on socks and canned goods and such, scoop ’em up!

Last night we heard from THREE DOZEN candidates for Congressional, county, city, and local offices. It was a great meeting. But maybe you couldn’t make it. Maybe you chose to watch the VP debate instead, where Kamala Harris demonstrated her fitness to lead in a debate against a guy with a fly on his head.

Fortunately, you can still see the meeting. Watch it on YouTube!

Then when you’ve watched the video, head over to our website for election information, including candidate and ballot proposition endorsements. 

https://lmfdems.com/election2020/

Voting can be confusing this year, so we’ve pulled together these hints to help you out. 

https://lmfdems.com/2020voterhints/

Stay healthy and sane, vote, donate your time and money to Democratic candidates, and vote blue no matter who! 

Join us for an informative in-person Zoom get-together Wednesday evening Oct. 7, with a run-down of candidates on the ballot in November. We’re expecting 37 candidates – more than three dozen! – to speak to our members, with each of them getting just two minutes to make the case why you should vote, volunteer and support them.

We’ll start with our usual 6:30 pm informal discussion, with programming starting at 7 pm. The action is on Zoom, of course. Here’s the meeting link.

Kicking things off: A brief review of all the state propositions on the ballot, from our own Sean Quintal, VP for Laws & Legislation, delivering clarity and simplicity to guide your informed vote.

Then come the candidates! We’re expecting an aspirant army from key Congressional and local races.

We’ll kick things off with Todd Gloria and Barbara Bry, running for San Diego Mayor, and the two Democrats vying for Susan Davis’ old seat in the 53rd Congressional District, Sara Jacobs and Georgette Gomez.

These two races epitomize the change in San Diego from a solid Republican town to a major Democratic city. Neither race has ever had two Democrats in the November runoff. We do now. Winner take all. We’ve grown up. We’re Blue.

We’ll hear from Ammar Campa-Najar, who’s running against Republican Darrell Issa for the 50th Congressional District seat vacated by convicted felon Duncan Hunter Jr.

Liz Lavertu will provide an update on her campaign for the 71st Assembly District seat, as well as Tim Nader in his quest to be elected to the San Diego Superior Court Bench as Judge for Seat 30.

We then plan a quick review of important, but frequently overlooked, downballot races for city councils and school boards. All of these jurisdictions spend taxpayers’ money, set policy, hire staff, and have substantial influence on the quality of our lives. Democrats have rarely run for these seats in the past, nor have they worked to establish governing majorities. That’s changing.

Raul Campillo will review his plans to become only the second Democrat to hold the San Diego City Council District 7 seat which encompasses a substantial portion of our members’ neighborhoods in Del Cerro, San Carlos, and Allied Gardens.

Colin Parent and Jack Shu will discuss their efforts to turn the La Mesa City Council into a governing majority for Democrats, which would be another first. And we’ve asked Tyra Fleming and Abu-Bakr Al Jafri to update us on their races to turn the La Mesa-Spring Valley School Board Blue.

We plan to hear from Sammatha Hurst in her quest to win a seat on the Santee City Council District 4.

The team running in Lemon Grove is led by Raquel Vasquez working to be re-elected as Mayor, supported by David Arambula and George Gastil for City Council and Yahaira Preciado and Cheryl Robertson for Lemon Grove School Board – a complete sweep for Democrats in Lemon Grove.

We’ve asked Stephanie Harper and Estela De Los Rios to speak about their efforts to win seats on the El Cajon City Council. And we plan to hear from Monica Hinton and Stacie Hoover about their quest to make a difference on the Cajon Valley School Board.

There are many more races to consider. Please take a look on the San Diego Democratic Party County website and the Registrar of Voters website . And vote Blue – no matter who!

We had a great meeting Wednesday, hearing from more than a half-dozen Democratic leaders about how you can volunteer to help Democrats win elections and stop the spread of bigotry and superstition in La Mesa and surrounding East County communities, using the peaceful tools of democracy.

And do it all with social distancing — you don’t even have to leave home!

Speakers include:

• Tina Rynberg, club President (that’s her smiling face you see in the video below)
• Sean Quintal, club VP laws and legislation, talking about state ballot initiatives
• Past president Linda Armacost discussing the news of the day
• Terra Lawson Remer, candidate for San Diego Board of Supervisors, running against a Republican incumbent
• La Mesa City Council representatives Colin Parent and Akilah Weber, talking about the city’s public safety oversight task force and the aftermath of the terrible rioting downtown in May, and ongoing demonstrations. Parent also talks about his reelection campaign.
• La Mesa City Council candidate Jack Shu
• Christian Bilson, lead volunteer organizer for Southern California for the Biden/Harris campaign.
• Ali Zaidi, engagement coordinator for the San Diego County Democratic Party.

Missed us? Watch the video here

And join us for our next meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the evening, when we’ll hear from a busload of great candidates, find out more about volunteer opportunities and also learn how you can make sure your vote is counted.

It’s 61 days to Election Day. Vote blue no matter who.

It’s scary out there. Right-wing extremists are here, now, in East County, threatening Black Lives Matter protesters and openly displaying Nazi symbols.

But you can stop them, using the peaceful tools of democracy.

That’s what our next general meeting is about, Wednesday, Sept. 2 on Zoom. We’ll share how you can volunteer your time to help Democrats win in 2020, and stop the spread of bigotry and superstition in La Mesa and surrounding East County Communities.

And do it all while social distancing. You don’t even have to leave home.

Meeting details:
Wednesday, Sept. 2
6:30 pm social, 7 pm programming
Zoom link

We’ll start out hearing from Sean Quintal, our club VP laws and legislation, who will take a few minutes to walk through the confusing array of propositions on the ballot. This is the second of a series. You don’t have to have heard Part 1 to join us in September, but we do urge you to watch if you missed that meeting. It’s on our YouTube channel.

Our guest Terra Lawson Remer is a candidate for San Diego Board of Supervisors, running against Republican incumbent Kristin Gaspar. If Lawson-Remer wins, that will establish a first-ever Democratic majority on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors — a historic shift in the San Diego political landscape.

Terra is an economist, small businesswoman, and educator, who served as Senior Advisor in the Obama Administration developing environmental policies to cut pollution from oil drilling and mining. She supports an evidence-based approach to COVID-19, affordable childcare and housing for San Diego, racial justice, environmental protection, a sane transit policy and more. Find out how to help Lawson Remer become the second Democrat on the Board of Supervisors and help tilt the balance toward the people.

We’ll hear from La Mesa City Council representative Colin Parent and Akilah Weber about the city’s public safety oversight task force and the aftermath of the terrible rioting downtown in May, and ongoing demonstrations. And, as an exciting addition to the programming we’ll also hear on the same subject from Jack Shu, a new candidate to the council.

If Colin wins re-election, which is likely, and Jack wins as well, that will shift the balance on the council from two Democrats, two Republicans and one no party preference (NPP) to three Democrats, one Republican and one NPP — a Democratic majority.

Christian Bilson, lead volunteer organizer for Southern California for Joe and Kamala group, will discuss how you can help send Joe and Kamala to the White House by building support in swing states. Christian is also an admin of the San Diego for Joe & Kamala Facebook group.

And Ali Zaidi, engagement coordinator for the San Diego County Democratic Party, will talk about what you can do to help elect Democrats up and down the line.

Want to do more? Why not phone-bank from home? You can phone to elect Lawson Remer, call voters in swing states, drum up support for California state propositions, and help Kate Schwartz for Assembly District 75 and Ammar Campa-Najjar for Congressional District 50.

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Also: We’d like to take a moment to thank and recognize Jeff Benesch, the club’s programing VP, who resigned this month. Jeff made an enormous contribution; his meetings were informative, enjoyable and packed in literally hundreds of people. He also organized regular anti-war protests in the 2000s, and worked tirelessly for local candidates and causes. Thank you Jeff! We wish you well in your future endeavors.

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And join your fellow Democrats Saturday, August 29 at noon to kick off the re-election campaign for Colin Parent.

When: Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 12 PM
Where: Socially distanced on Zoom!
RSVP: https://www.colinparent.org/2020kickoff