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2011 PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT
When Tea Party Republicans were swept into power in 2010, including District One's Andy Harris, there was every reason for Democrats to fold up their chairs and walk away, disgusted. The Forum, and Eastern Shore Democrats, have instead immediately began gearing up for the 2012 election, making plans and holding events to motivate us to get out the vote in 2012.
At the Forum's October Unity Dinner, Congresswoman Donna Edwards exhorted us to "Grow more Democrats-grow more people who believe in the American Dream. We want the President, this nation, to find our FDR moment." Catherine Poe, giving her farewell address at the April annual meeting after eight wonderful years as our leader, said that "ten years ago the Forum was a handful of Democrats trying to keep the little ship afloat in a red sea." Referring to the Forum she continued "We were and have been the little engine that could. All of this happened-thanks to you." Amen.
At the same meeting, Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler spoke on leadership, noting that "I think President Obama will win," and concluded that "The Republican crew is woefully inadequate." Nine months later, his observation has proved remarkably prescient. At a Minority Outreach Committee event in May, Talbot County native and Maryland-D.C. area Verizon CEO William Roberts spoke to an overflow crowd on "Capturing the Dream: Communications Technologies and our Lives on the Eastern Shore-A Journey from Unionville to the iPhone." In a celebration of diversity, the event included Hispanic gospel from the choir of the Iglesia Evangelica Emmanuel.
In an October event sponsored by the Democratic Women's Club, nationally recognized health care advocate Vinny DeMarco gave a lively presentation regarding the Healthy Maryland Initiative, which the Forum has endorsed, and would raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to fund several health initiatives. In March, the DWC hosted Maryland Delegate Heather Mizeur, who gave an enthusiastic report on the politics surrounding environmental, same-sex marriage, and health issues in Maryland.
The Forum participated in rallies in January, July and August outside Andy Harris' Chester office protesting his votes against health care and for defaulting on the country's national debt. Six courageous Democrats attended a Harris meeting with Americans for Prosperity in Grasonville, asking Harris some uncomfortable questions. The Forum bought a table and advertisement in support of the Frederick Douglass celebration in June, and the NAACP Banquet in October, as its members vowed to get out the vote in 2012.
The Forum committees were very active. Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis called the Forum's Communications Committee "the state's most effective." The Minority Outreach Committee, in addition to the May event described above, supported the August Health Fair in Easton. The DWC, in addition to the two events described above, marched for a cure for breast cancer in April, and supported the Festival of Trees in December, raising money for the Easton Hospice. The Environmental Committee was active on several fronts, including Easton Airport and Easton Point issues, keeping Forum members continually informed of important community events and legislative meetings. The Legislative Committee, ever vigilant during the session of the General Assembly, made several recommendations regarding pending legislation to the Forum for endorsement, and produced a very effective legislative scorecard of the voting records of our local delegates and senator. The Membership Committee was re-created to further our efforts in communicating with Talbot County Democrats. Many thanks to committee chairs Steve Bailey, Charlene DeShields, Hasan Wilson, Blair Potter, and DWC President Joyce Scharch
for their outstanding efforts on behalf of Talbot County Democrats.
During the year, the Forum Book Club read and discussed three books: "Magic and Mayhem: The Delusions of American Foreign Policy," "Winner-Take-All Politics" and "The Whites of Their Eyes:The Tea Party's Revolution and the Battle over American History." The book clubs are always lively and challenging events that give us a clear understanding of the issues of the day and their context in American history.
The Forum was heavily involved in the important redistricting debate, both congressional and local, with several Legislative Committee members testifying before the state committee in September. Our new website, www.demforum.com, Facebook page and expanded monthly Forum Update are important sources of information for Democrats. In an election year, we expect another dirty campaign from Republicans. We need to vote, and encourage and help other Democrats to the polls! And you can bet the Democratic Forum will be in the forefront, because elections matter.
2011-2012 BUDGET
2010 Balance Forward: $6,952.79
2011 Actual Revenue (all sources)
Dues/Contributions(inc. Unity Dinner) Donations
Total $14,046.10
2011 Actual Expenses
Annual Meetings,Unity Dinner, Meetings $7,471.02
Mailings, Operating Expenses $1,336.64
Ads $250
Deposit 2012 Annual Meeting $200
Total: $9,257.66
2011 Balance Forward:
Projected 2012 Revenue 2010 Actual Revenue
Membership Dues $9,000 $8,860
Donations $2,000 $1,820
Fundraisers $2,000 $$1,520
Reimbursements $1,500 $1,262
Total: $14,500 Total w/2011 Balance Forward:
Projected 2012 Expenses 2010 Actual Expenses
Website $300 $4,160
Office Rent & Utilities $8,900 $7,215
Hospitality $800 $755
Events $2,000 $3,692
Ads $1,000 $1,203
Printing/Mailing $1,500 $1,839
Total: $14,500
2012 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
Dear Forum Member/Supporter,
The results of the 2010 have taught us that elections matter. Democratic turnout was low, and the results were disastrous. The Tea Party-infused Congress has brought us to the brink of fiscal disaster, and widened the gap between the haves and have-nots. But now there are clear signs that voters are having buyer's remorse, and it's time for Democrats to get off our hands and vote in 2012!
You can bet the Forum will be in the thick of the battle, and we will need your help in sending the Party of NO to defeat in 2012. With the emergence of the secretive Super PACs, this will be the dirtiest, nastiest campaign in history. The Forum will be opening an Easton office from early July through the November election, and need to equip it with phone lines, internet connections, furniture, hold campaign events, and pay utilities. This will be Command Central in the Democratic effort, as we will be conducting phone banks, organizing neighborhood canvassing, conducting campaign rallies, providing the public with information and voter registration forms from the office.
We also need your support for the many Forum events we sponsor, such as candidate forums (the first being February 29), the March 18 Annual Meeting, the April 21-22 Eastern Shore Democratic Summit, and training poll-watchers and election volunteers, among many other tasks.
In short, we are devoting 100% of our resources, time, energy and money toward electing Democrats in 2012. Please clip and complete the form below and send with your check to Talbot County Democratic Forum, PO Box 66, Easton, MD 21601. You can also use our secure and easy to use PayPal function on our website, www.demforum.com, click "Join Us" or "Donate" and follow the simple instructions.
This is our year-please help us! Many, many thanks,
Richard Calkins, President
TALBOT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC FORUM
PO BOX 66
EASTON, MD 21601
Name__________________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________________
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Phone #_____________________________E-mail_____________________________
__$20 Member ___$35 Couples ___$45 Supporter ___$50 Associate
__Red $100 ___White $250 ___Blue $500 ____Other
Please Contribute to Keep the Forum a Democratic Fighting Machine in 2012!
Please make your check payable to the Talbot County Democratic Forum and mail your dues or contribution to the above address, or go to our website, www.demforum.com, and click "Donate" or "Join Us."
PLEASE CONBTRIBUTE! WE NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER IN 2012!
Thank you,
Richard Calkins
President, Talbot County Democratic Forum
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Talbot County Democratic Forum
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