Democratic Party is Active and Growing in Franklin County
Guest Column: Democratic Party is Active and Growing in Franklin County
June 14, 2006
by Beth Shupp-George
Unlike many activists and political "junkies," I wasn't very interested in the political process when I was younger. I assumed I was a Republican because my parents told me so.
However, as I learned more about ways of the world, I realized that many of the people who were making decisions about issues that directly affected my life were not, in fact, looking out for my best interests, so I'd better start paying attention.
I wasn't moved to become personally involved until Gov. Howard Dean came along in 2003. I was inspired by his willingness to speak truth to power, his desire to bring about real change in our country and his understanding of the power of the grassroots.
When his presidential campaign ended I knew that the work of "taking back our country" was not finished, and that my own involvement in the process had just begun. I was immediately welcomed and put to work by our local Democratic Party.
From there, a flurry of activities and growing responsibilities led to committee appointments, service as director of volunteers and first vice chairperson and, most recently, election as chairperson of the party.
Over these past two years, I've worked closely with other local Democratic leaders -- especially former county chairs Don Richards and Bruce Hockersmith -- to recruit volunteers, keep our activities vibrant and expand our visibility in the community.
Together we've put together a stellar team of volunteers and activists to carry our values, visions and dreams into the future. I'm proud to say that our Democratic Party is vital, active and growing in Franklin County.
Our downtown Chambersburg office is ideal for community involvement. Over the past year, we've opened our doors to visitors during many local celebrations, offering information, political merchandise and free refreshments.
In February we participated in the gubernatorial nominating petition drive for the first time in many years, surpassing our goal of gathering 250 signatures for Gov. Rendell by nearly 20 percent and contributing to the record-breaking number of signatures that he gathered statewide.
In the recent primary, our volunteers were instrumental in spreading the word to voters about Tony Barr's write-in campaign. Barr received 837 votes in Franklin County; assuring him the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District.
We elected more committee members than in any year in recent memory, and have appointed several more to fill open seats. We have a database of hundreds of volunteers, and continue to recruit committee members, block captains and other volunteers. We welcome all Democrats who are interested in getting involved, on any level.
Whatever your interests -- visiting with your fellow Democrats over coffee, going door-to-door talking to voters, stuffing envelopes, or just learning more about the party -- we're always happy to see new faces and to build our local progressive community.
Please stop by our headquarters at 85 N. Main St. in Chambersburg to meet some of our volunteers, browse our library of books and movies or our selection of bumper stickers and buttons, and find out more about how you can get involved. Our office hours are Mondays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As we approach the November election, our volunteers will be reaching out to voters in support of our local and statewide candidates and talking with people in the community about the Democratic Party's vision for America.
We sponsor frequent social and educational activities, including a weekly "Monday Morning Coffee Caucus" (8 a.m.-noon each Monday at party headquarters, free), monthly "Movie Nights" (third Tuesday, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at party headquarters, free), monthly Democratic Breakfasts (first Saturday, 9:30 a.m. at Ryan's in Chambersburg; $6.99 breakfast buffet) and our annual Democratic Picnic and Family Fun Day (Saturday, Aug. 19, noon to 5 p.m. at Scotland Community Park, free admission).
If you can't make it to headquarters, please visit our Web site at www.FranklinCountyDems.org or contact me directly at chair@franklincountydems.org or 717-262-4328.
I hope to be meeting and working with many of you over the coming months and years, and I welcome your input about the issues that matter most to you, and what you would like to see from the Democratic Party.
Beth Shupp-George of Chambersburg is chair of the Franklin County Democrats.
Get more information about Franklin County Democrats.
June 14, 2006
by Beth Shupp-George
Unlike many activists and political "junkies," I wasn't very interested in the political process when I was younger. I assumed I was a Republican because my parents told me so.
However, as I learned more about ways of the world, I realized that many of the people who were making decisions about issues that directly affected my life were not, in fact, looking out for my best interests, so I'd better start paying attention.
I wasn't moved to become personally involved until Gov. Howard Dean came along in 2003. I was inspired by his willingness to speak truth to power, his desire to bring about real change in our country and his understanding of the power of the grassroots.
When his presidential campaign ended I knew that the work of "taking back our country" was not finished, and that my own involvement in the process had just begun. I was immediately welcomed and put to work by our local Democratic Party.
From there, a flurry of activities and growing responsibilities led to committee appointments, service as director of volunteers and first vice chairperson and, most recently, election as chairperson of the party.
Over these past two years, I've worked closely with other local Democratic leaders -- especially former county chairs Don Richards and Bruce Hockersmith -- to recruit volunteers, keep our activities vibrant and expand our visibility in the community.
Together we've put together a stellar team of volunteers and activists to carry our values, visions and dreams into the future. I'm proud to say that our Democratic Party is vital, active and growing in Franklin County.
Our downtown Chambersburg office is ideal for community involvement. Over the past year, we've opened our doors to visitors during many local celebrations, offering information, political merchandise and free refreshments.
In February we participated in the gubernatorial nominating petition drive for the first time in many years, surpassing our goal of gathering 250 signatures for Gov. Rendell by nearly 20 percent and contributing to the record-breaking number of signatures that he gathered statewide.
In the recent primary, our volunteers were instrumental in spreading the word to voters about Tony Barr's write-in campaign. Barr received 837 votes in Franklin County; assuring him the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District.
We elected more committee members than in any year in recent memory, and have appointed several more to fill open seats. We have a database of hundreds of volunteers, and continue to recruit committee members, block captains and other volunteers. We welcome all Democrats who are interested in getting involved, on any level.
Whatever your interests -- visiting with your fellow Democrats over coffee, going door-to-door talking to voters, stuffing envelopes, or just learning more about the party -- we're always happy to see new faces and to build our local progressive community.
Please stop by our headquarters at 85 N. Main St. in Chambersburg to meet some of our volunteers, browse our library of books and movies or our selection of bumper stickers and buttons, and find out more about how you can get involved. Our office hours are Mondays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As we approach the November election, our volunteers will be reaching out to voters in support of our local and statewide candidates and talking with people in the community about the Democratic Party's vision for America.
We sponsor frequent social and educational activities, including a weekly "Monday Morning Coffee Caucus" (8 a.m.-noon each Monday at party headquarters, free), monthly "Movie Nights" (third Tuesday, 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. at party headquarters, free), monthly Democratic Breakfasts (first Saturday, 9:30 a.m. at Ryan's in Chambersburg; $6.99 breakfast buffet) and our annual Democratic Picnic and Family Fun Day (Saturday, Aug. 19, noon to 5 p.m. at Scotland Community Park, free admission).
If you can't make it to headquarters, please visit our Web site at www.FranklinCountyDems.org or contact me directly at chair@franklincountydems.org or 717-262-4328.
I hope to be meeting and working with many of you over the coming months and years, and I welcome your input about the issues that matter most to you, and what you would like to see from the Democratic Party.
Beth Shupp-George of Chambersburg is chair of the Franklin County Democrats.
Get more information about Franklin County Democrats.
posted by PA progressive @ Saturday, July 01, 2006
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