Untitled Document

Operation Turn DuPage Blue

NEXT MEETING IS JUNE 28th (Place and Highlighted Speaker Announced Soon)

THIS EMAIL IS FULL OF GREAT STUFF BUT LOTS OF IT. For those of you who just want to graze, there is a table of contents so you can hone in on what interests you. If you can, please print it out, sit down with a nice beverage, read through it and then tack it on your fridge. It would have been shorter but there is too much to cover which is, actually, pretty FANTASTIC!! Also, anyone who would like to take over the task of writing this once or twice a month, we would WELCOME YOU! Write to us at otdb@ameritech.net and type "To The Rescue" in the subject line.

Below you will find:

FUNDRAISER RECAP

OTDB MEETING ON MAY 2

CROP WALK/PRESS RELEASE

RECENT PRESS WE HAVE RECEIVED/REQUESTS TO RESPOND TO THAT PRESS

INTRODUCTION of the NEW EDUCATION COMMITTEE

REQUEST FOR WEBSITE FEEDBACK/ACTION BLOG

PARADE ROUND UP

UPCOMING EVENTS

NEW RELATIONSHIP with WCPT 850 AM

FUNDRAISER

On April 21, OTDB had our first fundraiser. Please go to the website for some photos of the event. Approximately 120 people attended on a beautiful night in Itasca. Our honored guests were Jane Heckman and Art Remus with the unexpected HIGHLIGHT of The Blues Brothers who hale from Glenbard South High School. An evening of joining together to get Dems on the map netted almost 3500 dollars in donations and was bristling with tons of energy. After paying the bills, we have approximately 2500 dollars left (and all the energy and MORE). We intend to do the following with some of this money this week. $250 of it will be used to upgrade our office equipment and add a 4-in-one faxer, copier, printer and scanner to our operation. 580 dollars has been approved to purchase the latest voter data from the county so that we can continue to hone the information we have been gathering in the last year from issue canvasses, petition drives and various campaigns. We will probably also consider spending money to "phone number" this data in the near future. We are in the process of forming a committee to create more fun fundraising events and would welcome all who would like to contirbute to that effort. Please contact Bob Peickert at bobpeickert@msn.com to let him know you are interested.

MAY 2 OTDB MEETING

With all the conflicts folks have at this time of year, we still turned out 45 + folks to listen to Brad Ogilvie talk about the "THIRD SIDE", a method with which we can begin breaking down our stereotypes so we can establish common ground with our neighbors and fellow citizens to expand our movement. Brad has been successfully doing this to prevent the spread of AIDS by being the bridge between communities who might otherwise stigmatize each other.

We received lots of feedback on this event. The comments reflected both complete pleasure that we were finally talking about changing and learning how to communicate with those who seem to be stranded or stifled and disengaged politically (a large percentage of the population) to other comments reflecting fear that ceding ground means centrism and spinelessness.

Obviously, there is more to talk about here and we thank Brad for starting the conversation the end result of which will be reaching across divides to encourage people to examine their real values. In doing so, many will probably realize that core Democratic beliefs like respect for the environment, honoring the right to healthcare and making Education a priority reflect their innermost beliefs and THAT will lead them to change their voting patterns.

We then divided the room into four groups in order to move everyone into action. Connie Baker handled the new Precinct Committemen group and discussed how a Precinct Committeeman is an organizer in their precinct rather than just the one that does all of the work. As an organizer they will recruit helpers and form a team to work their precincts. They discussed how Operation Turn DuPage Blue will help them in this effort. The last thing that we discussed was how to work precincts that contain condo/apartment buildings that you have to ring a bell to get into. PC training is May 19th (see info in upcoming events).

Amy Tauchman handled those brand new to OTDB and worked on immediate ways to get involved including participation in issue-related events, having coffees for those Dems in your precinct and participating in upcoming parades (also see upcoming events)

Bob Peickertworked with those already plugged into the PC postions in DuPage County and talked about what can be done to enhance their roles.

Justins Heath and Major and Seth Arkin worked with folks interested in forming Issue Committees.

OUR NEXT MEETING is June 28th. Details forthcoming. Time always 7-9 p.m. sharp.

CROP WALK

WE MADE OUR GOAL and exceeded it by 45 dollars to put $345 into the coffers of Church World Service! 25% of the money and all the canned goods collected go directly to Glen Ellyn and Wheaton Food Pantries. Many thanks to those who walked and those who heeded the call for donations!! Please contact us ANYTIME you have a charitable event which you think OTDB should be invovled in. A press release about this event will go out today.

SPEAKING OF PRESS!!! OTDB MAKES THE NEWS

The following two articles appeared last week thanks to the efforts of Bob Peickert and Seth Arkin! This article appeared in the Doings, part of the Sun Times, in Elmhurst last week. The next article appeared in the Naperville Sun on Friday. We will get both of these articles up on the website if you can't link them here.

PLEASE TAKE A FEW MOMENTS TO READ THESE ARTICLES AND RESPOND TODAY!!

Two themes that popped out to several people we spoke to were: Cronin's distancing himself from Bush and Lee Daniels and the notion that if we turn Dupage Blue, it will be just like Cook County (read:bad). However, the reason Cook has issues is the SAME reason DuPage has issues...stifled dialogue because of one-party rule. So, without OTDB, Dupage will remain problematic as Mr. Cronin accidentally points out. We are sure there are other things to respond to in these articles that can show how OTDB will enhance electoral choice and improve the overall quality of government. Please send Doings responses to jdanna@pioneerlocal.com (Jeff Danna) and Naperville Sun LTE's to pwinfield@scn1.com (Paige Winfield). Don't forget to include your contact info with the letter.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

We will gradually add committees as interest is realized. If you have a committee in mind (Workers Rights, Healthcare, Environment) and would like to get it rolling, let us know. Our first committee to form is the Education Committee (Justin Heath is also beginning a YOUTH ACTION COMMITTEE quite soon). Education Funding is going to be a very important topic and we need to get out in front on this. If you have suggestions on what aspects of Ed and Ed funding you feel are most important, please let us know at otdb@ameritech.net and put EDUCATION in the subject line. We will get a report directly from that committee in future emails/mailers after their initial formation meeting.

WEBSITE FEEDBACK

Now that the site has been up for 6 weeks (and is rapidly approaching 1200 hits in that time)

we'd like to hear what you think of it. Is it readable? Is it navigable? What could be changed to present the information in a clearer, more engaging way? Also, feel free to post on the action blog. Any questions about how to log on will be directed to our marketing director and tech guru who will surely respond quickly.

PARADE ROUND-UP

Several of you have already signed-up for the Memorial Day Parade. Confirmation calls will be forthcoming. Please invite friends and family and any Dems (or soom to be Dems!) to come to this fun event. This is an easy, spirited way to introduce them to what OTDB is about and to let all of DuPage know we are a passionate, determined and multiplying group of people.

ELMHURST MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

MONDAY MAY 28

9:30 a.m. Step-off. Parade is 1 mile long ending at Wilder Park

Parade starts at York and 3rd. We will start a bit west and south of there in Space 44 with Addison and York Township Dems

Parking can be found on streets west and north of the train tracks...Larch, Maple etc)

Wear OTDB shirts if you have them

We will have a banner, signs, buttons and things to hand out.

See info on Picnic to follow below in UPCOMING EVENTS

4th of July Parades

Already we have teams forming to organize the Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lombard and Lisle Parades. West Chicago Railroad Days is under construction as well for July 15. There are still other towns in DuPage we would like to have a presence in but we need you to pitch in. Parade kits will be provided to every group and will include signs, hand-outs, a banner.

Those who wish to order t-shirts can do so for 10 dollars by contacting our web address with "T-shirt" in the subject line. Sizes run from L to XXL and are white with blue writing on back and front.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

May 17th...Coffee to introduce OTDB and entice people to join precinct teams in Glen Ellyn 7-8 p.m. Call 469-4931 if you or someone you know is interested in attending.

MAY/JUNE Schedule your coffee here. Ask us how (it's easy, especially in the summer!).

May 19th...Inaugural Class (May '07) of Precinct Committeman Trainings. All who are interested in finding out how to turn your own precinct BLUE (and in '08 it's going to be easier than ever) please call Connie at 834-1461 to secure your space 3:30-5:00 p.m.

MAY 28th...MEMORIAL DAY PICNIC at Bob Peickert's house. Bob has generously (as always) offered to provide the grillables and is asking that others provide sidedishes and beverages. Please rsvp at bobpeickert@msn.com if you plan to attend and include in the email how many folks and exactly what you will be bringing. Picnic will be around 11:30 directly after the parade and he and his lovely (and patient) wife Pat have a home at 448 Larch in Elmhurst.

June 1...Coffee to introduce OTDB and entice people to join precinct teams in Elmhurst

7 p.m. Call 421-2405 if you or someone you know is interested in attending.

June 9th...SUSTAINABLE LIVING FAIR at COD. 9 a.m.-3:30 OTDB will have a booth there focussing on how voting Democrat is good for the environment! The event is free to all. There will be demonstrations, workshops, and vendors providing education and opportunities to start making a difference in everyday activities. Following the Fair, there will be a Garden Jam at the COD Prairie Garden hosted by COD's Campus Greens Club. Go to www.sustaindupage.blogspot.com for all the details. We are still interested in folks who would like to help in our booth. Write to otdb@ameritech.net with "SL Fair" in the subject line or call 417-0042.

WCPT 850 AM Radio

If you haven't had a chance to tune into WCPT 850 AM RUN to your radio and do it right now!!! OTDB can now be found on their website. Click GET INVOLVED on the left side of the home page at www.wcpt850.com, then click on LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS and you will see that we have been added to their list of local Dem organizations! In the past, WCPT has run PSA's for the referendum on troop withdrawal and other worthy projects. They will also be a sponsor for the Sustainable Living Fair at COD. Tune in today, support their advertisers and call or write them to say thanks!

Harvey Wells, General Manager
hwells@newswebcorporation.com

Josh Weiss, Program Manager
jweiss@wcpt850.com

Melissa Ryzy, Director of Sales
Mryzy@9chicago.com

To Contact WCPT 850AM:
6012 S. Pulaski Rd.
Chicago, IL 60629
773.767.1000

That's all folks. (I hope)