California Volunteers
Sister District Sonoma West County
SEBASTOPOL, FORESTVILLE, GUERNEVILLE, OCCIDENTAL, HEALDSBURG, WINDSOR AND WEST SANTA ROSA
About our team
Thank you, everyone, for all that you did to make November 2020's election a success. We made a difference. We're actively looking now for new volunteers.
We are based in Sebastopol with members and volunteers from West County to Santa Rosa and north to Healdsburg and Cloverdale.
On November 8 Jeanette Dillon acknowledged founding member Karen Walker's hard work for SD by presenting her with a personal keepsake— an original signed photo of Barbara Boxer and Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman nominee for VP in 1984. Thank you Karen.
Roberta Elzey campaigning in Georgia with our Vote Mask!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Monthly Volunteer Action Meeting: Wednesday, May 19th, 6-7pm via Zoom. We will start at 5:45 for a social half hour and to help anyone with tech issues. Debra Gardner, one of our candidates from Virginia, will be joining us at the beginning of the call!
Email us for the Zoom link.
Agenda
- Connectors
- Stats
- State Bridges
- Phone Banking
- Hiking/Book groups
- Walk It Blue - May 22nd, more info below
- State Bridges
- Garden Party
- House parties
Monthly Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of each month, starting at 5:30 for a social half hour and to help anyone with tech issues.
Please join us for our first fundraiser of the year, Walk it Blue, on May 22nd!
Winning State Races Is More Important Than EVER! Because the Republicans are controlling the majority of State Legislatures, they are able to pass new laws restricting the right to vote. We must keep the State Legislatures we control, flip key legislatures where we are competitive, and make inroads into legislatures when we can.
We are supporting Debra Gardner and Chris Hurst for the Virginia State House. Chris is an incumbent and Debra is attempting to flip a current Republican seat.
- Please REGISTER for the walk and then DONATE to help Debra and Chris in their tough fight in Virginia.
- Share this flyer with friends and ask them to donate and walk with you.
- Have fun on your social distanced walk and interaction with our community on May 22nd!
State Bridges Event Series
Through August, each of Sister District's twice-monthly State Bridges events will focus on one of our partner organizations doing year-round power-building work in key states!
May 19: Florida Rising with Andrea Mercado, co-Executive Director
June 1: Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) with Tomas Robles and Alejandra Gomez, co-Executive Directors
All events begin at 5pm by Zoom and last 45mins unless otherwise indicated.
What We’ve Been Up To
- We have two new candidates running in Virginia!
- Chris Hurst, District 12, is currently a member of the House of Delegates. He is an incumbent running for a 3rd term, and has an excellent legislative history in the House. He has written several laws that have passed. Donate to Chris.
- Debra Gardner, District 27, is a first time candidate. She is running against an incumbent Republican. Debra has a BA and MA in Public Administration and Sociology. She has 30 years of public service experience. Donate to Debra.
- If you want to donate to them jointly, please do so here.
- We hope to have one of our candidates attend our May meeting. Stay Tuned!
- We discussed our priorities as a chapter, and came up with four key goals:
- Build a sense of Community focusing on purposeful action.
- Fundraise for Bridges and local events for our Virginia candidates.
- Learn new Sister District systems.
- Post carding, if our candidates request.
- For details see our April 21, 2021 meeting minutes here.
Current or past profession:
I’m currently the IT Project Manager for Sonoma County Adult & Aging Services
Describe some of your hobbies and passions:
I have two amazing kids- Dorian, 8 and Briar, 3. We spend a lot of time outside together playing, hiking, at the playground, or going to the beach. I love cooking and baking, reading, and doing some art when I can. My husband, Alan, and I play music together. I also co-chair the Deep Democracy initiative on civic engagement with the North Bay Organizing Project, and am a member of their Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force.
What was the genesis of your political activism?
My family. My first protest was when I was 4 or 5, against the first Iraq War. Social justice and
politics have always been a dinner time conversation. I worked for a Political Action Committee in Nevada in 2004, and on a congressional campaign through the Human Rights Campaign’s Youth Campaign College in 2006. In 2020 the pandemic, the election, and the Black Lives Matter protests really motivated me to get back into taking regular action as a part of my life.
What keeps you up at night?
My kids, and the world I want to leave for them. Sometimes it feels like there is so much work to do, and it’s overwhelming.
How did you hear about Sister District Project?
From my awesome aunt, Mary Ann Ciavonne. I also heard a great interview with Gaby
Goldstein on the podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness.
What appealed to you about SDP?
I like the thoughtfulness of SDP’s approach in terms of getting a lot of bang for your buck. It’s
also a great group of people.
How were you involved with Sister District Sonoma West this past election?
I got involved about a year ago, helping out with Trivia Night and the Auction for Action. I also
did some phone banking and work on the website.
What are your goals for 2021?
Locally, I want to see more law enforcement accountability and alternatives to calling the police for issues that are non-violent, or related mental health or shelterlessness. I’d like to see the Santa Rosa City Council review the Human Rights Commission report on treatment of the protestors during last summer’s Black Lives Matter protests.
On a national level, I want to see progressive democrats win and keep seats so they can fight
anti-voter legislation and anti-trans legislation.
Our team in action
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