July 2019 Meeting
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Date: June 15, 2019
Guest Speakers: Nicole Hughes Port St. Lucie-based recruiter for the Guardian ad Litem Program, a statewide organization (founded in 1988) which represents abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency courts. Nicole spoke about how the Program changes the lives of children in the foster care system on the Treasure Coast. The goal is to reunite children with their families, or get them adopted. The program has an 80-85% success rate for return or adoption. Currently, 365 volunteers and 30 staff work with the 950 children in the system. Volunteers receive two days of training – talking to children, how to bond, court observation for testifying on behalf of the kids. The GAL volunteers visit their charges at least every 30 days – either announced or unannounced – and advocate to a judge five times a year. There are also programs for kids after they turn 18, such as extended foster care and an independent living program that provides tuition and a stipend. Terissa Aronson President and CEO of the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce. Terissa serves as the official spokesperson for the Chamber in conjunction with the Chairman of the Board. In addition, she volunteers on various boards and committees throughout St. Lucie County to further the mission of the Chamber of Commerce. Terissa explained that St. Lucie County has only one Chamber of Commerce, creating power in being united since the 90s. The Chamber is a 501(c)3 business organization supported by dues-paying members and does not receive any government funding. The Chamber’s projects include the Young Floridians with a full scholarship to community college plus $1,000. There is also an adult leadership program, a one-year educational effort that includes tours of area businesses (e.g., Tropicana) and the county jail. The Economic Development Council, a spinoff of the Chamber, which now gets public funding, serves as a business advocate. We also heard from Rebecca Booth with Keep PSL Beautiful on collecting caps for the Buddy Bench project. Plastic caps and lids that cannot be recycled normally are melted and formed into Buddy Benches for schools, a place where children who are bullied or feeling down can sit to meet new friends or get help. Keep PSL Beautiful will also be experimenting with recycling plastic wrap and if that goes well, foam container recycling. The club will be collecting these materials at our monthly meetings. |
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June 2019 Meeting
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Date: June 15, 2019
Guest Speakers: Andi Poli President, League of Women Voters SLC Topic: Encouraging an informed, active participation in government here and around the nation. Andi provided an overview of the nonpartisan LWV, a political action group which got its start in 1920 following on the work of the Suffragettes. The group does not support or endorse any candidate. However, the League does support positions based on research. While often considered a progressive organization (ala the Suffragettes), they work to attain and maintain a position “in the middle” of the political spectrum. She cited an example of local efforts, such as working to get Amendment 4 (regarding re-registering convicted felons to vote) on the ballot. Currently, they are focusing on issues including the census, gun safety, education, voter education, the environment, healthcare – particularly for women – and the expansion of Medicaid. The League is addressing voting irregularities and election security as well. Ellyn (Mel) Bromberg MCPH Bio Indian River Lagoon Council Management Board WaterSHED International Topic: Florida’s “Hot” Water Issues: Micro to Macro Mel’s comprehensive presentation addressed harmful algal bloom (HAB’s), Lake Okeechobee discharges, the Indian River Lagoon Council – CCMP and citizen engagement, U.S. Clean Water Act rollback (U.S. waters), and global climate change/water quality and quantity within Florida. She cited efforts through technology and water conservation groups to combat the damage and dangers of blue-green algae, red tide, bio-solids, nitrogen and phosphorous pollution with concern over increasing intensity and duration of these conditions and events. The Indian River Lagoon Council is working on restoration projects to help the lagoon get and stay healthy with its “One Voice. One Community. One Lagoon.” campaign addressing 32 vital signs. Regarding climate change, she noted, “It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not,” it’s happening here. We are suffering from extensive flooding and drought (“water whiplash”); Florida is shifting to a subtropical climate; it may benefit the state to increase its desalinization capacity. “Science illiteracy costs money,” she said. Noting that water issues are local, she urged speaking to everyone from the “city council on up,” including the Regional Planning Commission in Stuart, which handles development. |
May 2019 Meeting
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Date: May 18, 2019
Join us for a Members-Only, working meeting. We will be looking at what we've achieved so far, and discussing what we are planning for the rest of the year. This is a great opportunity to hear from and speak with your committee chairs, officers and fellow club members. Bring all your knowledge, experience and ideas! Your contributions are critical to our mission! **New Members and those interested in joining welcome. |
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April 2019 Meeting
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Date: April 13, 2019
**Please note this month's meeting is off schedule, on the 2nd Saturday! Join us for a timely meeting focusing on building awareness of sexual violence and human trafficking in our community. Guest Speaker: Mindi Fetterman, Founder of The Inner Truth Project As you know, seating is limited so please bring a folding chair if possible. Thank you! |
March 2019 Meeting
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Date: March 16, 2019
We are very excited to be able to host Carey Haughwout this Saturday. She is a Public Defender in Palm Beach County and President of the Florida Association of Public Defenders. Our community has been disproportionately impacted by the drug epidemics and mass incarcerations over the last two decades. As we move forward with our engagement in the community in Rights Restoration, this discussion gives us a broader understanding of the issues.....JOIN US!!!!! As you know, sometimes there is standing room only, so please bring a folding chair if you have one. |
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February 2019 Meeting
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Date: February 16, 2019
Join us for a panel discussion on the School Support and Teacher Pay Voter Referendum! Speakers: Kathryn Hensley, SLC School Board Wayne Gent, Superintendent SLC Public Schools Voters in April will be asked to raise property taxes to helps the school district improve teacher pay, school security, student mental-health programs and school educational programs. This referendum will be held entirely as vote-by-mail so be on the look-out for your ballot in April! TC PALM Article |
January 2019 Meeting
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Date: January 19, 2019
Join us as we look at our strengths, challenges, and the emerging issues in our community! Our guest speakers will be two of our newly elected officials. Reminder: As we begin the new year, we will also begin collecting dues for 2019. Help us continue moving forward together by investing in the club and the important work we are doing in our community. Thank you for your continued support! Join us this Saturday as we look at our strengths, our challenges and the emerging issues as we move forward together. Our special guests will be newly elected officials, State Representative Delores Hogan Johnson and County Commissioner Sean Mitchell. |
Speaker:
Sean Mitchell County Commissioner |
Speaker:
Dolores Hogan Johnson FL State Representative |
December 2018 Meeting
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Date: December 8, 2018
Location: Carrabba's Italian Grill, St. Lucie West December's meeting will be replaced with our Holiday Celebration! Join us as we celebrate the season of Light, Peace, and Love! We will install our new officers, honor the 2018 officers for their service and dedication, and provide a nice retrospective of our achievements this year. Please bring an unwrapped toy for the Guardian Ad Litem Program Toy Drive! |
November 2018 Meeting
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Date: November 17, 2018
Join us for our election of officers this Saturday! At our meeting all members will be asked for a voice vote, as all of our candidates are running un-opposed. A short bio of each candidate will be provided prior to voting. The candidates will also have a few minutes to present their vision for the club. We've worked hard to make a blue wave happen and are encouraged by the results of our dedication, particularly here in St. Lucie County! I know we all are looking forward to continuing to move our community, this state and our nation FORWARD...TOGETHER!!!! See you there! |
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October 2018 Meeting
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Date: October 20, 2018
Our October meeting will be very short. We will have postcards, phone calling turf and walking turf available for everyone. Our fundraising event has enabled us to fund GOTV activities with printing and postage. We will also have printed information you can hand out regarding the amendments and our slate of candidates. Immediately following our meeting we ask that anyone capable, please consider spending a few hours canvassing by phone or walking turf at the Port St. Lucie Democratic Headquarters 1034 SE Port St Lucie Blvd (BRIDGE PLAZA - Corner of PSL Blvd and Westmoreland behind the McDonald's and Mobil gas station). We will have experienced folks to make calls or walk turf with and canvassing packets ready to go! We've reserved a table at Lefty's grill right next door to the headquarters so we can gab a quick lunch before working. So let's Get Out The Vote...and make the BLUE WAVE happen :-) |
September 2018 Meeting
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Date: September 15, 2018 With the primary behind us, we will be outlining our strategy for the General Election and how we will get our slate of wonderful Democratic Candidates elected. Additionally, there will be a breakout session for volunteers and signups for our Get Out The Vote actions. Everyone can contribute, whether it's door knocking, phone banking, or writing personalized postcards. Now more than ever, voters are becoming motivated to change the direction of our community, our state and our nation! There is no time to waste and we need your help to flip FL Blue! See you there! |
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August 2018 Meeting
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Date: August 18, 2018 We're pleased to have Chris King, candidate for Governor of the state of Florida. speak to us as well as our scheduled candidates forum on "The POWER of Education!" Don't miss this meeting. It will be packed, so please help us by bringing your own folding chair, if you have one! Please park way, way..way in the back of the dealership near the body shop. Lastly, come join Chris King for canvassing in Gifford with Nicole Haagenson immediately following the meeting. We will car pool and have a quick lunch on the way. Join us at our monthly meeting focusing on the POWER of Education! Special Guest Speaker: Matt Theobald, Candidate for FL House District 83 Followed by Discussion, Q & A, and a meet and greet with the local School Board Candidates: Debbie Hawley, Felicia Bruce, and Donna Mills. |
June 2018 Meeting
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Date: June 16, 2018
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am Guest Speaker: Felicia Bruce Candidate for St. Lucie County School Board https://www.feliciabruce.com/ Join us for a discussion about education in St. Lucie County! |
May 2018 Meeting
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April 2018 Meeting
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Date: April 21, 2018 Time: 9:30am - 11:30am Guest Speaker: Sean Mitchell Candidate for St. Lucie County Commission District 2 http://www.sean4countycommission.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sean4countycommission/ Guest Speaker: Michelle McGovern Director of Outreach, Sen. Bill Nelson |
March 2018 Meeting
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Date: March 17, 2018
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am At this month's meeting, our members that attended Tally Days in February will give us a full report on what they learned! We will also have a presentation by Bob Sciranko, DCCC District 18 Organizer. |
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February 2018 Meeting
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Date: February 17, 2018
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am Guest Speaker: Pam Keith Democratic Candidate for District 18 Congressional District We are excited to host the second candidate running for the 2018 election! Please come listen to Pam Keith speak about her run for Congress. Visit her website for more information: http://electpamkeith.com/about-orderasc/ |
January 2018 Meeting
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Date: January 20, 2018
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am Guest Speaker: Lauren Baer Democratic Candidate for District 18 Congressional District We are excited to kick off 2018 with a candidate for the 2018 election! Please come listen to Lauren Baer speak about her run for Congress. A Message from Lauren Baer Bio |
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December 2017 Meeting
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Date: December 16, 2017
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm Location: Hokkaido Hibachi and Sushi in Port Saint Lucie West Map Our monthly meeting for December was replaced by our Holiday Celebration and also celebrated the installation of our New Officers! This festive event kicked off the coming year with great food and camaraderie! We welcomed many new members at the meeting! |
November 2017 Meeting
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Date: November 18, 2017
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am Please make sure to attend this important meeting! We will be voting on Club leadership for the next year. If you are interested in running or taking on a leadership role, please contact us and we will give you more information. Elected positions include: President First Vice President - Plans club meetings Second Vice President - Coordinates membership Secretary - Records minutes of monthly and board meetings Treasurer - Manages club funds Appointed positions include: Regional Representative - Coordinates with the Democratic Women's Club at regional and state level Legislative Liaison - Disseminates information regarding relevant legislation and legal matters Fundraising - Manages raising funds for club business Social Media Specialist - Manages the website and social media |
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October 2017 Meeting
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Date: October 28, 2017
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am Guest Speaker: Jacquelene Burke Co-Founder of the Puerto Rican Association for Hispanic Affairs, Inc http://www.prafha.org/JB_Bio.pdf |
September 2017 Meeting
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Date: September 23, 2017
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am Guest Speaker: Jake Sanders Florida Young Democrats President We will engage in a little fun and theatrics as we learn about phone banking and door-to-door canvassing! We will also discuss the On the Riverwalk fundraiser coming up on November 3. |
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August 2017 Meeting
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Date: August 26, 2017
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am Guest Speaker: Kathryn Hensley Saint Lucie County School Board Representative Bio Join us as we educate ourselves about the big issues facing students, parents, and educators in Saint Lucie County. All are welcome! Please bring a donation of school supplies for local, needy kids! See the St. Lucie County School Supplies List for suggestions. |
July 2017 Meeting
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Date: June 28, 2017
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am Guest Speaker: Patty Farley First Vice President, Democratic Women's Club of FL She is running for State President of DWCF and will share her plans. Then it's your turn to speak out on issues with a DWC Group Interactive Project. Special Event to follow: Fundraising Luncheon Location: Hokkaido Hibachi and Sushi |
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June 2017 Meeting
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Date: June 24, 2017
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am Guest Speaker: Sandra McClinton Second Vice President, Democratic Women's Club of FL She is running for State President of DWCF and will share her plans. Special Event: Our June meeting is going to be lots of fun! Members will be playing "Political Trivia" and our president, Paula Albright, promises lots of humor as well as facts. There will be prizes given and our over-all WINNER will receive the first "Political Trivia" plaque. |
May 2017 Meeting
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Date: Saturday, May 27, 2017
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am Guest Speaker: Ghazala Salam, President American Muslim Democratic Caucus of FL Event to Follow: Fundraising Luncheon Location: Zapata's Mexican Grill More Info |
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