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WDCC May ’22 Newsletter

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Massachusetts Democratic State Convention, Worcester, MA, June 3-4
The Democratic State Convention is less than a month away.  In the hybrid format this year, Delegates will vote on amendments and resolutions to the Charter of the State Party in advance of the Convention, and during the Convention will participate in endorsement voting of statewide candidates.  Delegates to the Convention should watch their email for communications from the Massachusetts Democratic Party throughout this month.

Volunteers are needed to help run a successful convention – if you are interested in volunteering for the Convention, MassDems would like to hear from you!  You can choose to volunteer virtually or in person and you can select your shift.  Trainings will be held online leading up to the event.  For more information and to sign up, click here.

You can view our Convention delegate list here.

Save the Date for Juneteenth Woburn 2022! Saturday, June 18, 2022, 1-4pm, Woburn Public Library

The Woburn Democratic City Committee is again joining several area organizations in marking Juneteenth for the 2nd annual Juneteenth Woburn.  Social Capital Inc. (SCI) is leading the organization effort along with the City of Woburn, Woburn Public Library, St. John’s Baptist Church, Woburn Welcomes, Woburn MHS embRACE Club and others to provide educational programming and entertainment to celebrate the holiday.  Planning is underway for a great event featuring local artists, students and food.  

Keynote speaker for this year’s event is Michael Curry, Esq., CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.  Mr. Curry is past president of the Boston Branch of the NAACP and currently serves on the National NAACP Board of Directors.  He has a long career in healthcare and policy.  We are excited to welcome him to Woburn for our Juneteenth event.

If you would like to make a gift to support this special community program of if you have a business interested in sponsoring the event, please reach out to SCI’s Deputy Director, Phil Gordon, for information and opportunities.  The committee is also welcoming local Black-owned vendors to participate in the event.  More information on Juneteenth Woburn and vendor opportunities can be found here.

April Meeting Review – Candidates Speak and Nomination Papers are Signed!
We had great attendance for our April 9 WDCC meeting with many more candidates than we anticipated joining us to address the group, and most importantly, to collect signatures for their nomination papers!  It’s been a big project for candidates to get signatures this year, so your effort to attend and sign papers for as many candidates as possible showed that Woburn Democrats are working to get Democrats on the ballot!

To review the draft minutes of the meeting and the list of candidates who joined us, click here.



How are Massachusetts Democrats planning to win in 2022? Check out the Blueprint to ’22 and commit to volunteering this year!

Support the WDCC through ActBlueEmail the WDCC

WDCC April ’22 Newsletter

Join us at our April Meeting! Saturday, April 9, 2022, 9:30-11AM,
American Legion, 194 Lexington Street

Don’t miss our spring meeting, this Saturday morning! We’ll have a few candidates with us, lots of nomination papers to sign, and it’s a great time to visit and say hi to our Woburn Democrats! Convention Delegates and Alternates elected last month will gather for a photo at the end of the meeting.

Agenda Items:
– Election of a Vice Chair for the City Committee as Steve Hurley is stepping out of the role (nominees must be male or non-binary as the Chair is female).
– Election of a new Ward 7 Chairperson as Sue Coakley is moving to Vermont.
– Ward Committee Meetings to add New Members – email your ward chair or woburndems@gmail.com to be added to the list of new members to be voted on to the committee.
– Signing nomination papers for candidates – candidates need signatures in order to run!

Candidates Joining Us:
– Mayor Kim Driscoll, Candidate for Lt. Governor
– Bret Bero, Candidate for Lt. Governor
– Quentin Palfrey, Candidate for Atty General
– Shannon Liss-Riordan, Candidate for Atty General
– Marilyn Devaney, Governor’s Council
– State Rep. Michelle Ciccolo
– State Rep. Rich Haggerty

Join us for coffee and refreshments!  Please feel free to bring a special treat to share!

Congratulations to Woburn’s Delegates! Successful virtual caucuses elect 21 delegates and 13 alternates

On Saturday, March 5th, Woburn Democrats caucused in two Zoom events – we had a great turn out and it was fantastic to meet so many new friends!  Lots of appreciation goes to our ward chairs, City Committee leadership and our volunteers who helped us run a successful event in a virtual medium – we all learned some new skills in the process.

The Add-On Delegate application is open until April 9 – if you or someone you know is interested in being a delegate and qualifies as youth (16-35), LGBTQ+, an underrepresented ethnic or racial minority, or is disabled, please use the Add-On Delegate application to apply.  If you use this application, please let us know at woburndems@gmail.com so we know you may join our delegation.

You can view our delegate, alternate and ex-officio list here.

Save the Date for Juneteenth Woburn 2022! Saturday, June 18, 2022, Woburn Public Library
The Woburn Democratic City Committee is again joining several area organizations in marking Juneteenth for the 2nd annual Juneteenth Woburn.  Social Capital Inc. (SCI) is leading the organization effort along with the City of Woburn, Woburn Public Library, St. John’s Baptist Church, Woburn Welcomes, Woburn MHS embRACE Club and others to provide educational programming and entertainment to celebrate the holiday. 

Planning is underway and if you are interested in joining the planning committee which meets every other Wednesday at 6pm, please email woburndems@gmail.com for info.

Keynote speaker for this year’s event is Michael Curry, Esq., CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.  Mr. Curry is past president of the Boston Branch of the NAACP and currently serves on the National NAACP Board of Directors.  He has a long career in healthcare and policy.  We are excited to welcome him to Woburn for our Juneteenth event.

If you would like to make a gift to support this special community program of if you have a business interested in sponsoring the event, please reach out to SCI’s Deputy Director, Phil Gordon, for information and opportunities.

Candidates Night Video Available
Woburn Public Media Center helped us share our March 1 Candidates Night event with the community by posting the video on their YouTube channel.  Check out the 19 candidates who joined us if you haven’t had a chance to watch yet! 

How are Massachusetts Democrats planning to win in 2022? Check out the Blueprint to ’22 and commit to volunteering this year!

Stay connected with us and support our Committee!Support the WDCC through ActBlueEmail the WDCC

WDCC March ’22 Newsletter

Congratulations to Woburn’s Delegates! Successful virtual caucuses elect 21 delegates and 13 alternates

On Saturday, March 5th, Woburn Democrats caucused in two Zoom events – we had a great turn out and it was fantastic to meet so many new friends!  Lots of appreciation goes to our ward chairs, City Committee leadership and our volunteers who helped us run a successful event in a virtual medium – we all learned some new skills in the process.

The Add-On Delegate application is open until April 9 – if you or someone you know is interested in being a delegate and qualifies as youth (16-35), LGBTQ+, an underrepresented ethnic or racial minority, or is disabled, please use the Add-On Delegate application to apply.  If you use this application, please let us know at woburndems@gmail.com so we know you may join our delegation.

You can view our delegate, alternate and ex-officio list here.

Candidates Night Video Available
Woburn Public Media Center helped us share our March 1 Candidates Night event with the community by posting the video on their YouTube channel.  Check out the 19 candidates who joined us if you haven’t had a chance to watch yet! 

Join us at our April Meeting! Saturday, April 9 from 9:30-11AM, American Legion, 194 Lexington Street
Since we had to meet virtually for the caucus, we’ll plan for an in-person social gathering on April 9th.  Ward Committees will hold brief meetings to welcome any new members that wish to join.  Meeting in person will also give us an opportunity to sign nomination papers for candidates.  Save the date and plan to join us for coffee and to catch up!  

Woburn Dems Give Back Support for Ukraine
Woburn Dems Give Back joins Woburn Memorial High School embRACE Club to collect donations for Sunflower of Peace. To donate medical supplies, drop them off at the Main Office at WMHS by Thursday, March 10 or to Margaret Valentine 617-462-7512.  Items will ship overseas on Saturday.

Desired medical items:
Disposable masks & gloves
Hand Sanitizer
Band-aids, Gauze, and medical tape
Tylenol, Motrin, Aspirin
Medical scissors
Antiseptic ointment and wipes
Blood pressure cuffs and IV starter kit
First Aid kits

Another organization to consider is World Central Kitchen founded by Chef Jose Andres.  They are getting food and meals to the border areas surrounding Ukraine and within some regions of Ukraine.
Https://donate.wck.org/give/393234#!/donation/checkout

Please contact Margaret Valentine 617-462-7512 with questions or to learn more about Woburn Dems Give Back.

Democracy Summer Fellowship
Congresswoman Katherine Clark’s office shared a great opportunity for high school juniors, seniors and college students. Developed by Maryland Congressman (and law professor) Jamie Raskin and expanded across the country in partnership with the DCCC, this program is dedicated to training and educating the next generation of Democratic political activists, organizers, and leaders. 

As a part of this initiative, Congresswoman Clark is looking for dedicated high school and college students to join as Team Clark Fellows. Selected Fellows will participate in an exciting online seminar and curriculum designed by Rep. Raskin focused on the history of social and political change in America and the progress of political democracy while simultaneously training as organizers and volunteer activists with Rep. Clark’s reelection campaign here in MA-5.

The theme of this year’s academic seminar is “Political Democracy and its Enemies.”

Through the academic program, Fellows will learn from great activist heroes, both young and veteran political leaders, Democratic policy experts, and top political and community organizers across the country. Past Democracy Summer speakers have included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Civil Rights leaders Bob Moses and Rev. William J. Barber II, Prof. Laurence Tribe, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among many others.

Fellows will participate in key organizing events and learn to phone-bank, text-bank, use social media to organize and educate, canvass, door-knock, fundraise, sign-wave, register voters, run effective field programs and build change in our country. Fellows will also be given a one-time stipend of $500 upon completing the program. More information and a program application can be found here – the application deadline is March 15, 2022.

How are Massachusetts Democrats planning to win in 2022? Check out the Blueprint to ’22 and commit to volunteering this year!

Support the WDCC through ActBlueEmail the WDCC

WDCC February ’22 Newsletter

Woburn Caucus – Saturday, March 5
On Saturday, March 5, 2022, Woburn Democrats will convene virtually to elect delegates and alternates to represent Woburn at the 2022 State Democratic Convention.  Wards 1, 2, 3 and 6 will meet at 9:30AM; Wards 4, 5 and 7 will meet at 12:30PM.  Information on how to join the meetings is available at our website:  www.woburndems.org.  Please register for the Zoom meetings in advance of March 5.  Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7 will be electing 3 delegates and 3 alternates; Ward 5 will be electing 4 delegates and 4 alternates.
 
All Woburn registered Democrats or those 16 and older by February 4, 2022* who pre-register as Democrats are invited to participate in their ward meeting and may run as delegate or alternate during the caucus.  Youth (age 16-35), people with disabilities, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be an add-on delegate at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/caucus.
 
The 2022 Convention will be a hybrid convention, with in-person proceedings taking place alongside virtual participation options on June 3 and 4, 2022 at the DCU Center in Worcester.  Delegates will convene to endorse candidates for statewide office ahead of the September Democratic Primary.  The MassDems are closely monitoring changes in public health guidance and will update plans accordingly.

Register for Caucus A – Wards 1, 2, 3, 6

Register for Caucus B – Wards 4, 5, 7

*For those under 18 who wish to participate, please bring a copy of your registration receipt or email it to woburndems@gmail.com – we will have a list of Woburn’s registered Democrats available for checking eligibility, but we can’t check the voting status for minors.

Review the Preliminary Call to Convention document here – the Method of Selecting Delegates is on page 4.

Delegates and Alternates elected at the caucus will need to pay a fee of $75 to attend the Convention.  A fee waiver is available and will be provided to each delegate and alternate following the caucus.
Meet the Candidates!WDCC Candidates Night, Tuesday, March 1, 7-8:30pm, Zoom

Join Woburn Democrats in welcoming state-wide candidates to join us in advance of the caucuses.  Since our caucuses will be in 2 events and we’ll be using breakout rooms, the March 1 event gives us and candidates the opportunity to meet Woburn Democrats from across the City at the same time.  

Meet candidates running for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer and Auditor with each candidate given a slot to address Woburn Democrats.  Are you already supporting a candidate? Do you want to learn more before running as a delegate?  Do you want to get to know all the candidates who jumped in the race after the calendar flipped to 2022?  If you answered “yes” then you should plan to be with us!

Register to attend the Candidates Night Zoom on Tuesday, March 1
How are Massachusetts Democrats planning to win in 2022? Check out the Blueprint to ’22 and commit to volunteering this year!

WDCC January ’22 Newsletter

Woburn Caucus – Saturday, March 5
The Massachusetts Democratic State Convention will be held in Worcester on June 4th, 2022.  Delegates to the Convention will vote to nominate candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Auditor and several other state-wide positions.  Woburn will hold a caucus on Saturday, March 5th.  MassDems has asked that all caucuses have a virtual component.  Because we anticipate high participation due to the number of candidates running, we will hold our Woburn caucuses virtually via Zoom – there will be no in-person component.  This is to allow equal access to all participants.  The Method of Selecting Delegates has been released by the State Party.  Woburn has been apportioned to elect 3 Delegates and 3 Alternates in Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 & 7 and to elect 4 Delegates and 4 Alternates in Ward 5.  Please note the article below regarding reprecincting and ward changes which may change your ward and the caucus in which you will participate.

We’ll have more details about our caucus very soon –  we will likely hold 2 caucus events with some wards designated to one event, and the other wards to the second event.  We are still recruiting volunteers to help with technical support during the caucuses, such as checking in Woburn Democrats against the registered voter list, creating Google Forms for Balloting and for help checking results – if you’re able to volunteer, please email woburndems@gmail.com.

The caucus is usually a time that we meet several candidates running for office as they gather signatures for their nomination papers.  We hope to be able to hold some type of social gathering in the early spring so we can sign papers and support those running.  We will also be working to organize a casual Zoom event for state-wide candidates to meet Woburn voters – details very soon!
Special Election:District-Wide Referendum on Bonding for a new
Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School

Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 11a.m. to 6p.m.
Old Wyman Elementary School, Main St. and Eaton Ave.

In November, the Woburn City Council voted unanimously to support the bond for building a new Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational School.  All communities who use the school had to approve but not all communities did, which has forced a referendum in all communities.  The election will be held on Tuesday, January 25 from 11am-6pm (note the hours are different than usual).  All wards/precincts will vote at the Old Wyman School.  Absentee ballots are available – requests for a ballot by mail must be made by Wednesday, January 19 at 5pm.  The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot in person is Monday, January 24 at Noon.  Please note that the rules around absentee voting have changed back to pre-pandemic rules.

For more information on this special election, please visit the City Clerk’s website.
Reprecincting and Ward Changes Following the 2020 Census, some Woburn voters
will receive notice of change of voting location

Based on population growth in Woburn, precincts had to be rebalanced across the City.  The City Clerk will send notice of voting location changes to all impacted voters.  You can also check your voting location on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Where Do I Vote Page – changes are being made this month.  Given that these changes are effective December 31, 2021, we will be using the new ward assignments during our March 5 caucus – please make sure you check your ward prior to our caucus so you register for the correct event.  If you are a member of your ward committee, please notify your ward chairperson if your ward assignment changes.
How are Massachusetts Democrats planning to win in 2022? Check out the Blueprint to ’22 and commit to volunteering this year!

WDCC December Newsletter

Woburn Caucus – Details Coming Soon!
The Massachusetts Democratic State Convention will be held in Worcester on June 4th, 2022.  Delegates to the Convention will vote to nominate candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Auditor and several other state-wide positions.  Woburn will hold a caucus in early March to elect delegates.  Mass Dems has asked that all caucuses have a virtual component.  Because we anticipate high participation due to the number of candidates running, we will hold our caucuses virtually via Zoom – there will be no in-person component.  This is to allow equal access to all participants.  The Method of Selecting Delegates has been released by the State Party.  We’ll have more details about our caucus in the months ahead.

The caucus is usually a time that we meet several candidates running for office as they gather signatures for their nomination papers.  We hope to be able to hold some type of social gathering in the early spring so we can sign papers and support those running!
Woburn Dems Give Back –
Thanksgiving Collection
Thank you to so many in our membership who contributed to our Woburn Dems Give Back appeal for the Council of Social Concern’s annual Thanksgiving Basket Food Drive.  We collected enough to make up two Thanksgiving Baskets and to supply the Council with several supermarket gift cards toward their December holiday drive.  Very special thanks to Margaret Valentine for her efforts to organize this project.  If you are interested in helping out on future Woburn Dems Give Back projects, please let us know.
Assistant House Speaker Congresswoman Katherine Clark to hold Tele-Townhall TONIGHT!
Congresswoman Katherine Clark is hosting a Telephone Town Hall this Thursday, December 16 to discuss how the new Infrastructure Law will address climate change, create jobs, improve our transportation and water systems, and lower your costs!
📆 When: 12/16, 7PM EST
📍Where: Dial (844) – 734- 8764
To submit a question in advance, use this form.
Best wishes to all for a joyous winter season and a Happy New Year! How are Massachusetts Democrats planning to win in 2022? Check out the Blueprint to ’22 and commit to volunteering this year!


WDCC November Newsletter

Fall Meeting Re-Cap
We held our fall quarterly meeting on Saturday, October 23rd.  It was great to see so many of our committee in person!  Thank you to our Ward Chairs and Executive Committee for helping to plan the meeting. 

We welcomed several speakers to the meeting and we were very pleased to be joined by Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin.  You can see the (somewhat glitchy) Zoom recording of our meeting and note the approximate time stamps below for each speaker.

Thank you to Secretary Galvin, State Senator Cindy Friedman, State Representative Richard Haggerty and State Representative Michelle Ciccolo for their updates on legislation and for their advocacy – we’re very fortunate to have you all in service.

Approx Time Stamps for Speakers on Zoom Recording:
Business Meeting – Start
Secretary Galvin: @ 27 minutes
State Senator Friedman: @ 38:45 minutes
State Rep Richard Haggerty: @ 48 minutes
State Rep Michelle Ciccolo: @ 54 minutes
Danielle Allen for Gov: @ 1:02:40
State Rep Dr. Tami Gouveia for Lt. Gov: @ 1:08:20
Chris Dempsey for Auditor: @ 1:15:00
State Senator Diana DiZoglio for Auditor: @ 1:23:00
Veterans Day
A special thank you to Woburn’s veterans – your service and sacrifice is appreciated and you have our utmost respect and gratitude.  Woburn’s Veterans Day Parade will take place Thursday, November 11 at 10:30am (Main Street from Cross Street to the Common) with assembly on the Common at 11am.
Woburn Community Housing Workshop –
Saturday, November 13, 9-11, Woburn Library
Join Mayor Galvin, Rep. Richard Haggerty, City Councilor Jeff Dillon and case workers for information on housing assistance, eviction prevention and food assistance.  The event is also sponsored by Social Capital Inc. (SCI) and Metro Housing – Boston.  Please share the flyer below within your Woburn network.

Woburn Dems Give Back –
Thanksgiving Collection
Thank you to so many in our membership who contributed to our Woburn Dems Give Back appeal for the Council of Social Concern’s annual Thanksgiving Basket Food Drive.  There is still time to participate!  If you are willing and able, please consider donating a local super market gift card – we’ll do the shopping and make up two Thanksgiving Baskets – anything left over will be given for the Winter Holiday gift card drive for the Council.  If you’d like to participate, please email us for information.  We are accepting contributions until Friday, November 19.

Thank you very much for helping us gather contributions to serve our community!  We hope to continue our efforts throughout the year.  Thank you to Margaret Valentine for your leadership on this initiative!
Photos from our Fall Meeting
Photos L-R, Top to Bottom:
Woburn Democrats receive an update from Secretary William F. Galvin.  Galvin joined by WDCC Secretary Carol Donovan (L) and Chairperson Jennifer Baker Jones (R).  Candidates for state-wide office in 2022: Danielle Allen, Chris Dempsey, State Rep Dr. Tami Gouveia and State Senator Diana DiZoglio. Galvin addressing the audience at the 10/23 meeting at the American Legion.

WDCC October Newsletter

Join us for our Fall Meeting
Saturday, October 23, 9:00AM
American Legion, 194 Lexington Street
We invite you to the Fall Quarterly Meeting of the Woburn Democratic City Committee.  Our meeting will take place on Saturday, October 23.  Doors will open at 9:00AM for socializing and signing in.  All Woburn registered Democrats or those interested in the work of the Party are welcome to join us! 

We won’t be serving refreshments during Covid, but please feel free to bring your own coffee/water/beverage of choice.  We will hold a brief business meeting for the City Committee and look forward to welcoming members of our State House delegation and candidates running on the 2022 state-wide ballot. 

Masks are required inside the building throughout our meeting.  If you are not comfortable attending in person events right now, we will have a Zoom link available and will do our very best to include those joining remotely in our presentations and discussions.  Following is a brief agenda outline:

Woburn Democratic City Committee Meeting
Saturday, October 23

9:00AM – Doors open, social and sign in
9:15AM – Ward 6 Meeting for electing a new chairperson and secretary
9:30AM – Woburn Democratic City Committee Meeting called to order
Welcome and Updates
Reading and Acceptance of February 6, 2021 meeting minutes
Treasurer’s Update
Report on the 2021 Massachusetts State Democratic Convention
Updates from members of our State House delegation
State-wide candidates on the 2022 ballot
11:00AM – Adjourn

We hope you will join us to catch up with each other and to keep us moving forward toward the next election cycle!
 
Ward 6 – Special Meeting to
Elect a New Chairperson & SecretarySaturday, October 23, 2021, 9:15AM –
American Legion Hall & Virtual

After several years of service to the Committee, Patty McCall and Calvin McCall have stepped down.  Thank you both so much for your time and efforts to serve Woburn Democrats in Ward 6. 

A special meeting of Ward 6 Registered Democrats is being called for Saturday, October 23 at 9:15AM, American Legion Hall, 194 Lexington Street, Woburn, MA (virtual option will also be available).  Open positions include Chairperson and Secretary.  Any Ward 6 Democrats who would like to join the Committee are welcome to sign up at this meeting as well.  If you have questions about roles and responsibilities, please email woburndems@gmail.com.
Food Collection Drive for Thanksgiving
As the holiday season approaches, we’d like to ask you to join Woburn Democrats in supporting the Council of Social Concern’s annual Thanksgiving Basket Food Drive.  If you are able, please consider bringing a gift card to a local supermarket or making a cash contribution for this cause – we’ll have volunteers collecting at the meeting.  We will use all funds raised toward creating as many Thanksgiving Food Baskets as we can.  If you prefer to contribute food or table  items, here are some ideas of non-perishable items they ask to be included with the baskets:

– Dry stuffing mix
– Cranberry sauce
– Holiday paper plates/napkins
– Canned green beans, corn, gravy

If you’d like to make a contribution but can’t attend our 10/23 meeting, email woburndems@gmail.com for a drop off/mail location.

Thank you very much for helping us gather contributions to serve our community!

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