We Are Moving to Facebook

Yes, we are surging into the 21st century and you can now find us on Facebook. You do not have to be a Facebook member. See the sidebar badge? (Look to the left.) From now on, we'll update Facebook with our events, postings of interest, and photos of our activities.

Coming Up - May Membership Meeting

Our Annual Happy Hour Gathering

Spring is in the air, and that means we're moving our meeting outdoors. This is always a great time and based on what's been going on in Lansing, we'll have lots to talk about.

It's a Congressional and Presidential election year, and there are many local races on the ballot where we can make a difference. Candidate recruitment and support is one of our key goals.

Join us for a review of the year to date, our current plans for summer and fall, and to offer your own ideas to make the Western Washtenaw Democrats more effective.

Contact current Western Washtenaw Dems Chair Frank Parkinson for further information.

Adopt-A-Highway Spring Cleanup

Done!

We had FOURTEEN volunteers who cleaned up our stretch of M-52 on May 1. More hands do make lighter work, and Guerin was very pleased by the turnout.

Never fear if you missed it. You'll get your chance to pitch in because we'll be doing it again in July! Stand by for a call to action when the date draws nigh.

In the meantime contact Guerin Wilkinson or current Western Washtenaw Dems Chair Frank Parkinson for more ways you can volunteer and help make the Western Washtenaw Democrats more visible to the community.

2011 Annual Membership Meeting Recap

Officer Elections

The meeting was well-attended, as the subject addressed by our speaker (Michigan's Budget and Fiscal Situtation) is of keen interest to everybody in Western Washtenaw. Photos and notes will be forthcoming. At the meeting, we elected the following slate of officers:

• Frank Parkinson, Chair
• Frank Grohnert, Vice-Chair
• Kent Brown, Treasurer
• Thomas Knox, Secretary
• Roy Schmidt, Vice Chair for Communications
• Jane Pacheco, Vice Chair for Events
• Guerin Wilkinson, Vice Chair for Community Outreach

Having said that, if you are interested in working more closely with the club as this year in any capacity, or if you know someone who might, please let us know. We need your energy, ideas, and enthusiasm!

2011 will be a year in which our focus will be on reconnecting with old members, recruiting new members, and prepping for 2012. Please join us!

Our Guest Speaker:
Mitchell Bean on Michigan's Budget and Fiscal Situation

How did we get where we are?

• Are you concerned about Michigan's state budget?
• Would you like to better understand the possible ways we can change our revenue and expenditure picture?
• Do you look at what's going on in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, and wonder what's going on in Lansing?

If so, you will not want to miss our speaker on March 24. Mitchell E. Bean is an expert with extensive knowledge of Michigan's budget picture, and presents the facts of our fiscal situation across the state of Michigan as a public service.

More About Mitchell Bean

Mitchell E. Bean is the Director of the Michigan House Fiscal Agency and chief fiscal advisor for the Michigan House of Representatives. He is one of three voting members of the Michigan Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference which, by law, determines the official economic and revenue forecast that serves as the basis for the state budget.

Mitch has extensive experience in forecasting Michigan’s tax revenue, and has produced numerous publications on related topics. He served as a statutorily-appointed Commissioner on Michigan’s Legislative Commission on Government Efficiency and as the Staff Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Budgets and Revenue Committee for 2009-2010.

Mitch is currently a member of the NCSL’s Deficit Reduction Task Force to consult with the newly created National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform and serves as Overall Staff Vice Chair of the NCSL Standing Committees for 2010-2011.

Western Washtenaw Democrats In the News

The meeting and Mitchell Bean's presentation were covered by local press. Keep your eyes out for articles.

Contact Western Washtenaw Dems Chair Frank Parkinson for further information.

Fellow progressives in Western Washtenaw

There are many active progressives in Western Washtenaw striving for change. If you aren't familiar with the Dexter for Obama group, you should be. These grassroots activists rallied together as part of Obama for America (now renamed Organizing for America) during the 2008 presidential campaign, and they are still fired up, active, and working hard to make a difference.

Drop by and learn more about their activities and events - you won't be sorry.