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Speakers
We have been privileged to have had a wide variety of interesting speakers. These are the people that share their stories, provide our motivation, and lift our spirits. Please enjoy this recap of our speakers. If you have suggestions for future meetings, contact Prissy Wisnewski, our Programs Chair.
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June 23, 2008
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At the monthly meeting members voted unanimously (with one abstention) to endorse Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama. Members also approved the Board's recommendation to donate $6000 to eight endorsed candidates. See the link to TDWCC in the Press for the full article and details. Other business included encouraging members to get involved in ongoing GOTV activities.
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May 19, 2008
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In May we were able to hear first hand how an individual can truly make a difference in the lives of many. Paulette and Bob Cole described their trip to Darfur with an organization called "Thirst No More." The goal of the organization and its volunteers is to repair water wells and dig new wells to provide much-needed water to the country.
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April 28, 2008
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In April TDWCC members voted on which Democratic candidates to endorse. Candidates seeking endorsement filled out the TDWCC survey and many of them came to the April meeting to speak and answer questions. Candidates who spoke were:
Tom Daley for United States Representative, District 3
Glenn Melancon for United States Representative, District 4
Eric Roberson for United States Representative, District 32
Jim Jordan for Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice
Don B. Chae for 5th Court of Appeals Justice, Place 3
Shawn Stevens spoke as a representative for Rick Noriega for United States Senator
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March 24, 2008
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Many of our speakers are from organizations and speak to us about issues near and dear to the hearts of Democrats, but sometimes we like to mix it up. In March we had the unique opportunity to hear from Mike Howard, retired US Secret Service agent. He worked with several Presidents and first families and was assigned to protect Lee Harvey Oswald’s family after the assassination. He retired as the head of President Johnson's protection division. Mike is an excellent story teller and kept the group entertained the whole time.
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Feb. 25, 2008
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In February we didn’t just have one outstanding speaker, but three! TDWCC Board Member Jeanne Rubin put together an informative panel on LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) issues, politics, and advocacy. Board members from Stonewall Democrats, Collin County Gay & Lesbian Alliance and Equality Texas spoke about the missions of their organizations and how straight allies can get involved at the local, state and national levels.
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Jan. 28, 2008
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Instead of a monthly meeting in December, TDWCC had a Holiday Party. In January we started the new year by welcoming speaker Hayedeh Jahansouz, Interim Executive Director of Hope’s Door. Hope’s Door is a shelter and counseling center serving individuals and families affected by domestic violence in Collin County.
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Nov. 26, 2007
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Our guest speaker for November was long time KERA journalist Marla Crockett. Her presentation was entitled "The FCC: Why We Care About It and Other Issues in Public Life." She spoke about how Corporate media giants are silencing diverse voices, abandoning quality journalism and eliminating local content. She believes that our democracy needs better media — but to get it, we need to fight for better media policies from Congress and the FCC.
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Oct. 22, 2007
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Marcia Mainord, president of Texas Democratic Women spoke at our October meeting. She spoke about the activities that TDW groups are involved in and the history of the Texas Democratic Women.
Bill Baumbach (www.baumbach.org), who ran for County Commissioner against Jerry Hoagland, spoke at this meeting. He presented information about three propositions on a $328.9 million county bond up for a vote and makes a good case for its passage. County Judge Self is opposed to it and many Republicans are speaking against it. November 6, 2007 is election day and although we do not have any candidates up for election there are 3 county bond issues to consider and 16 state constitutional amendments. You can download a voter's guide on the amendments from www.lwvtexas.org and you can talk to any Democrat in the county for a view on the bond issues. Bill Baumbach now reports on The Collin County Observer blog at www.baumbach.org - great up-to-date information on county issues.
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Sept. 24, 2007
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Our guest speaker for September, Mickey Morris, is a scribe for the National Association of Letter Carriers Union (NALC). With over 300,000 members the NALC is the union of city delivery letter carriers working for the United States Postal Service. Morris writes a political column for the union newspaper, is active in union negotiations and was just elected president of the Texas State Association of Letter Carriers Union.
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Aug. 27, 2007
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In August, we welcomed special guest Jo-Hannah Whitsett. Jo-Hannah is the Political Director of Texas Freedom Network, a nonpartisan, grassroots organization that acts as the state’s watchdog, monitoring far-right issues, organizations, money and leaders. TFN has been instrumental in defeating initiatives backed by the religious right in Texas, including private school vouchers, textbook censorship and faith-based deregulation. She updated us on key issues in the 80th legislative session.
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July 23, 2007
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In July, our Special Guest speaker Robin Al-haddad, Public Relations & Outreach Coordinator for International Rescue Committee/Dallas discussed humanitarian aid efforts overseas as well as domestic refugee resettlement programs here in the Metroplex.
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June 25, 2007
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In June, our fellow TDWCC member, Karin Hosenfeld, who is DPCC Coordinator of Precinct Chairs was our special guest. Karen talked about the value of precinct work and being active at the precinct level, what a precinct chair does, and the process for becoming one. To find your precinct, go to http://www.collindems.us/civicspace/Voterinfo
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April 23, 2007
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In April, Rev. William McElvaney, Board member from the Dallas Peace Center gave an outstanding presentation about his opposition to the Bush Library and Think Tank that is planned for the SMU campus. He is professor emeritus at the Perkins School of Theology, and together with another professor started the campus dialogue about the library.
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March 26, 2007
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Charles R. Embry, Professor of Political Science from Texas A&M University-Commerce spoke at the March meeting. He has taught political science since 1969, specifically American and Texas Government. Other courses he has taught: European Political Philosophy from antiquity to the present, European Political Systems, Russian Music and Politics, Love and Death in Western Civilization, The Idea of Civilization, and Totalitarianism. Mr Embry answered our questions about how our political process works, specifically in Texas.
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Feb. 26, 2007
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Ann Drumm, Chair of the Dallas Sierra Club spoke to the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County (TDWCC). Coincidently Ms Drumm’s topical presentation on global warming and the proposed coal-fired power plants was on the same day as the TXU sale announcement. Texas ranks #1 among US states in CO2 emissions. We learned about the Cool Cities Campaign and how several Collin County cities have taken the lead in becoming more energy efficient. Most powerful was the message that individual’s can make a big difference by making our own lifestyles more energy efficient.
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Jan. 22, 2007
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Selena Hoffman from Planned Parenthood of North Texas discussed Legislative Days in Austin.
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