Friday, May 31, 2019

Pre-convention news

I thought it was important to get a letter out before the state convention.

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS REPORT:

The Progressive Caucus, has been meeting twice a month, with one Exec meeting and one membership meeting, per month.

We have established a Resolutions/Policy Committee, a Networking/Website committee and a candidates state/party committee.
Our Executive committee, each headed a separate committee.

John Stanley, Chair: Hosted the Resolutions/Policy Committee where we were able to get resolutions passed in 6 CDs.

Tammy Joy Wood, Vice Chair: Hosted the candidates state/party committee and has been encouraging progressive candidates to run for office.

Cathy Van Maren, Secretary/Treasurer: Leading the Networking/Website committee. Cathy was able to create a web presence for the Progressive Caucus at dpwprogressives.blogspot.com/

With our committee strategy, to bolster local county grassroots and democratic candidates, the rural and progressive caucuses have been working together to create a progressive rural strategy. We know that the legislature will be coming out of the red districts, so we need to double down and organize in a 72 county strategy, not urban vs. rural.

Our caucus met in February, at Chula Vista, and adopted the "Rank Choice Voting Method" for our caucus in the progressive spirit that the D.P.W so boldly and bravely initiated.

We voted for a logo, but the measure was tabled.

Cathy Van Maren, our Secretary/Treasurer, attended the Treasurers forum this spring.

Rev. John Stanley has attended every executive admin meeting, with the exception of one, where he had to work.

We will be proposing an amendment, during the convention, to our caucus constitution to increase the number of required meetings.

Tammy Joy Wood is running for vice-chair of the Party, and will not be seeking re-election; as vice-chair of the Progressive Caucus.

Cathy Van Maren, who has filled in as secretary/treasurer from Jsnuary, will not run.

John Stanley will run for chair of the Progressive Caucus.

[See the candidate page for info about others who will run.]

All three officers have agreed to initiate a handover day, to update, fill in and help newly elected officials. We hope to make a tradition, of a "Turning over the Keys" to the successors to help new officers and give them passwords, mail chimp, email control and anything else they may need.

The Progressive Caucus established a Progressive Google Doc folder, with the entire contents of our actions, meeting minutes, agendas, etc.

As we come upon the State elections, let’s unite in the same spirit, paying close heed to what is right and what we can do to build, rather than what is wrong and where we falter. We have a long way to go, and we all make mistakes, but the Progressive Caucus has really helped to push the narrative and make changes in Wisconsin that are important for the future, changes that will strengthen our values and return our progressive state back into the hands of the people. I say, let others try to weaken our values, let us focus on strengthening them.

Much to learn and much to build on, but as Joyce Meyer said, “I may not be where I want to be, but thank God that I’m not where I used to be”.

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