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February 2022 Kent Dems Newsletter

In this newsletter:

Letter from the Editor
Kathi Harris: A Profile in Community Dedication
Special Election for House District 74
What do my dues do?
Why become a Precinct Delegate?
Upcoming Events

Letter from the Editor

Happy February from everyone here at the Kent County Democratic Party! This month we take special notice of the many sacrifices, contributions and successes of our African-American brothers and sisters. Although many African-American's ancestors were brought here in slavery and endured centuries of discrimination and abuse, subsequent generations have not only endured but thrived and are an irreplaceable part of what makes our nation great.

While February is the shortest month on the calendar, we certainly have a busy month in front of us. Later on in the issue feel free to browse and then take part in our candidate trainings, our club events and our opportunities for community engagement. As always we thank you for your support as we continue to do our best to make 2022 a pivotal year in claiming the Michigan legislature and retaining the Governor's office.

Kathi Harris: A Profile in Community Dedication

This month, we are profiling a member of our party who is also a prominent member of our community. Kathi Harris is a life-long activist in the Civil Rights movement and throughout her career with General Motors was a leading member of the United Auto Workers Civil Rights Committee and the Community Action Program Committee.

Not letting retirement slow her down, Ms. Harris was elected as president of the Grand Rapids chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, she founded PROACTIVE (People Reaching Out Advocating in the Community Together Increasing Voter Empowerment) and she has also been instrumental in connecting the building trades with minority populations in Kent County through the Workforce Development Institute. Ms. Harris has done all of this as a single mother to a son and a proud grandmother to a grandson. She is representative of the very best that our party has to offer.

Special Election for House District 74

Walker City Commissioner Carol Glanville is running in the special election for the 74th house district, which includes the cities of Grandville, Walker, Rockford, and Cedar Springs, as well as Algoma, Alpine, Solon, Sparta, and Tyrone Townships.

Glanville also filed for the newly designated 84th district in the November election. The 84th includes Grandville, Walker, and various precincts in Ward 1 and 2 of the northwest side of Grand Rapids.

Carol hopes to gain your support in flipping a crucial seat to gain the majority in the Michigan State House of Representatives. To learn more about Carol, click here for her bio, follow her on Facebook, or reach out to info@voteglanville.com to get involved!

What do my dues do?

YOUR DUES = A MAJOR IMPACT

Bill Higgins

A foundational principle of the Democratic Party is that everyone should have equal opportunity to fully participate in all elements of society and in all political and governmental processes. Accordingly, the Kent County Democratic Party welcomes and encourages everyone to become a member of the party and permits members to determine the dues payment level that best matches their personal financial situation.

The Kent County Democratic Party exists to promote equal opportunity for all and to promote other core Democratic Party values by working to elect local leaders who share those values. Most of this work requires funding and the primary source of that funding is membership dues. Therefore, each of us has the opportunity to have a major positive impact on our community by becoming a member of the Kent County Democratic Party and setting our dues payments to a level we can afford.

Dues payments help to fund our local headquarters facility, our great support staff, and many important activities. Here are a few examples of how membership dues might be utilized:

$25 can purchase five yard signs.
$50 can facilitate sharing a digital ad with 6,600 targeted voters.
$100 can provide canvasing literature to support 1,100 personal visits.
$250 can fund a mailer to 350 targeted voters.
$500 can fund a neighborhood meet and greet event for a candidate.

Every member of the Kent County Democratic Party is critical to its success. If you are not a member, please join and select a dues payment level commensurate with your financial capabilities. If you are already a member, please be sure to keep your dues payments current and consider increasing the amount of those payments.

Click here to become a member of the KCDP or renew your membership.

Why Become a Precinct Delegate?

It is important to have Democrats visible on the ballot. On even election years (including this year!) all 558 Precinct Delegate seats in 253 precincts in Kent County are open for election. There is no responsibility after winning a seat but having your name on the ballot helps signal a Democrat presence in your area.

Click here for more information on how to become a precinct delegate.

Upcoming Events & Activities

Protect the Vote! 2022 Volunteer Opportunities

2/8 - Wyoming Democratic Club Meet & Greet
2/17 - Virtual Precinct Captain Training
2/26 - GLPA Candidate Training
3/3 - Kent Dems Meet & Greet
3/5 - Kent County 2022 Spring Convention
3/10 - Virtual Happy Hour w/Rachel Hood and Guests Sen. Winnie Brinks & Rep. Donna Lasinski
3/11-3/13 - Help Staff the Women's Expo!
3/17 - St. Patrick's Day Parade
4/30 - Save the date for the Kent County Democratic Party Gala at the Eberhard Center at 7 P.M.! More details to follow.

Monthly Meeting Preview

Our next monthly meeting will take place on February 9 at 7 PM via Zoom. You can register for the meeting here and the full agenda and meeting materials will be shared with KCDP members in advance of the meeting.

Donate to the Kent Dems!