Hello 46th District Democrats --

This is your updated CALL TO MEETING for the August Membership Meeting, to be held on August 27, 2024, now including a link to the Draft Code of Conduct.

NEW DATE: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
TIME: 7:00pm
LOCATION:  This meeting will be held on Zoom

🔵 PLEASE REGISTER TO ATTEND:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIude6tqzgiHNMENl3XlsqbpyBPQmIa25hO

To request an accommodation, please follow the steps outlined on the 46th Dems Accommodations Request Process. Forty-eight hours notice is appreciated.

Eligible voters will receive a voting code (for balloted votes only), at the email address provided for their 46th District Democrats membership, the night before the scheduled meeting. For questions regarding voting codes, please email Effective Meetings Chair, Nathan Antonio, at [email protected]

🔵 REVIEW MEMBERSHIP STATUS:

Memberships expire on January 31 of each year, in accordance with our Standing Rules. Those who were paid members in the previous year (i.e. 2023) can renew at any time (or be granted a dues waiver), and your membership will become active 24 hours later. All others will have their memberships become active 21 days after paying dues (or being granted a dues waiver). For questions on the status of your membership, email Membership Chair, Scott Alspach at [email protected]

Refer to the Bylaws and Standing Rules for more information. Renew and/or learn how to receive a waiver here: https://www.46dems.org/become_a_member

🔵 PLEASE REVIEW OUR VIDEO TUTORIALS ON PARTICIPATION:

• How to Vote
• Meeting Norms
  

🔵 ITEMS TO BE VOTED ON:

• Consent Agenda:
  
  • August 27, 2024 Regular Membership Meeting Agenda
  • Approve June 18, 2024 Regular Membership Meeting Minutes
• Adopting the 46th District Democrats Code of Conduct
  • See below for background information on the Code of Conduct process and status to date.
    
•  Resolutions
  • Resolution in favor of Guaranteed Comprehensive Health Care in Washington

🔵 ADOPTING THE CODE OF CONDUCT:

Proposing Amendments: Opportunities for Members to provide comments on and engage in editing the Code of Conduct proposed language were shared and advertised in April and June. With this final draft in hand, Members who now wish to propose further changes to the 46th District Democrats Proposed Code of Conduct are encouraged to do so in advance of the August 27 meeting, by emailing a written amendment to [email protected]. Amendments proposed during the August meeting must be provided in writing, and clearly identify the section(s) to be amended.

Overview: The proposed Code of Conduct is intended to help our meetings and work go smoothly and help all our participants feel respected, even during discussions about difficult issues. The proposed code of conduct applies to meetings, events, and forums sponsored by the 46^th District Democrats and to other situations where someone is actively representing the organization. The code encourages positive actions and norms. It also defines unacceptable behaviors and describes the process for the Code of Conduct committee to investigate complaints and recommend consequences for violations. Warnings and reprimands will generally be utilized before consideration of more serious consequences that require a majority vote of the membership.

Sections of the Code of Conduct are:

6.1 Preamble
6.2 Scope
6.3 Encouraged Behaviors: Community Agreements
6.4 Unacceptable Conduct
6.5 Accountability Procedures for Violations of the Code of Conduct

Background: Since September 2023, the Bylaws & Rules Committee has been drafting a Code of Conduct (CoC) to replace placeholder language in the Standing Rules, which was adopted in March 2023. The committee reviewed and drew from the conduct code language for the Washington State Democrats, the King County Democrats, other LD Democratic organizations (31st, 34th, 36th, 43^rd), and as well as some organizations recommended by our committee members.

Draft language was circulated to the 46^th membership for review in June. Eight (8) members provided comments, with five (5) members suggesting changes. The Bylaws & Rules Committee discussed the comments at a June 25 meeting and modified the draft language in response to many comments. Members can review the comments and responses in this Comments/Questions-draft CoC spreadsheet. The spreadsheet provides a link to the draft CoC with markup on changes made by the committee. Additional wording clarifications and numbering adjustments were made by the Co-Chairs to finalize the proposal. The 46th District Democrats Proposed Code of Conduct will be presented and voted on at our August 27 Membership Meeting.

🔵 IMPORTANT MEETING RESOURCES:

• Bylaws of the 46th District Democrats of Washington
• Standing Rules of the 46th District Democrats of Washington
• 46th PDC Committee Page

🔵 QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

If you have any questions regarding the meeting or registration, please email [email protected]

We hope to see you at the meeting!

– Hunter Brown

Chair, 46th District Democrats

[email protected]

Hello 46th District Democrats ­– 

Here's what our organization was up to in June!

⭐ June 18 Regular Membership Meeting

Our June 18 Regular Membership meeting was called to order at 7:03pm and adjourned at 8:26pm. Approximately 70 members and guests attended over the course of the evening. Here are some highlights from the meeting:

Following a welcome and declaration of quorum, by Chair Hunter Brown, and a Land Acknowledgement, by Secretary Rachel Woodbrook, we covered the following business items:

• We Approved the May 16, 2024 Special Endorsement Meeting Minutes and the evening's Agenda
• We Approved the following PCO Appointments:
  • Stephen Cook, Sea 46-2360
  • Bill Thatcher, Sea 46-1358
  • April Livingston, Sea 46-1268
  • Lainie Farmer, Sea 46-2128
  • Richard Ellison (Acting)
  • Alan Chitlik, Sea 46-1268 (Acting)
  • David Reno, Sea 46-2303 (Acting)
• We Approved three Resolutions:
  • Endorsing the 4th Avenue South Union Station Location
  • Support of Defend Washington
  • Support of City of Seattle Development of Low Income Housing on Surplus Fort Lawton Land

We also discussed the upcoming Washington State Democratic Convention, heard from Coordinated Campaign representative, Liz Rosenberg, and received an update from Margaret Shield about the Bylaws & Rules Committee work on a draft Code of Conduct.  The committee solicited comments and questions via email, and invite members to join them on June 25 for a discussion.

June 1: PCO Gathering

THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the 46th District Democrats PCO Gathering, on June 1 at the home of PCO Chair, Marc Auerbach.

It was a wonderful morning of camaraderie and training on everything from using the MiniVan app, to answering tough questions when doorbelling. We were also joined by our Legislative Representatives, Darya Farivar and Gerry Pollet.

Over 50 PCOs and volunteers attended, and everyone left fired up for the fall election season and the collaboration that's in store.

June 21-23: Washington State Democratic Convention

Your 46th District Dems State Convention Delegation joined hundreds of other attendees from all over the state, at the Democratic State Convention in Bellevue, June 21-23.

Lead by State Party Chair, Shasti Conrad, this state convention was filled with speakers, strategizing, caucus meetings, ending with the General Session on Sunday, June 23. Over eight hours that day, the party considered resolutions, governance changes, and finalized its platform.

During the General Session, our Delegation Chair Hunter Brown represented the 46th at the microphone, and relayed motions and questions from our delegation.

The state Democrats rejected two resolutions titled “Nuclear power is not the answer," and passed a resolution calling for sex work to be legalized in the state of Washington.

But the biggest news out of the convention was the passage of three resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, the ending of military aid to Israel and the restoration of some humanitarian funding. 46th Delegation members Wafa Hassouneh and Yazan Kader both spoke passionately in support of the resolutions, and stood with other ceasefire supporters in celebration of the resolutions passages.

📢 Don't Miss the 46th Dems GOTV Summer Picnic!

IT'S LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY!  So make plans to join us on Sunday, July 14 at the Northgate Community Center, from 1-3pm, for your annual dose of:

– Mingling with elected officials!

– Getting cozy with the candidates for local offices!

– Snapping a few pictures in our GOTV Photo Booth!

– Picking up your PCO precinct walking materials!

– Satisfying your snack attack with tasty treats and beverages!

And so much more! This event is for all ages, so RSVP at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/46th_summer_picnic. Your registration donation will go towards voter outreach, to get our endorsed candidates elected. If you are unable to contribute, no problem! Just select "Volunteer and/or Living Lightly" when you RSVP and we can't wait to see you there! Here's where you can select an easy volunteer job!

Looking Ahead ….

• 46th District Democrats Executive Committee Meeting – Tuesday, July 2; 7:00-9:00pm
  These monthly meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Register here.
  
  
• 46th Dems GOTV Summer Picnic – Sunday, July 14, 1:00-3:00pm at the Northgate Community Center
  RSVP at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/46th_summer_picnic
  
  
• NO MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN JULY (go out and enjoy the sun!)
  
  
• 46th District Dems PCO Committee Meeting – Tuesday, July 23; 7:00-8:00pm
  Register here.
  
  
• 46th District Democrats Policy Committee Meeting – Thursday, July 25, 6:30-8:00pm
  These monthly meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month. Register here.

🏛️ Connect with our 46th Legislative Delegation

Find out what State Senator, Javier Valdez, Representative, Gerry Pollet and Representative, Darya Farivar are up to by signing up for their newsletters:

Sen. Javier Valdez: https://senatedemocrats.wa.gov/valdez/e-newsletter/
Rep. Gerry Pollet: https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/pollet/e-news/
Rep. Darya Farivar: https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/farivar/e-news/

📢 Looking for a past meeting?

No problem! You can find recordings of many of our past meetings on our 46th District Dems YouTube Channel. And now that we live stream Regular Membership Meetings directly on YouTube, most recordings can be found under the "Live" tab.

📌 Last but not least ….

Renew your membership (or start a new one) TODAY!

Dues support the costs associated with running the 46th Legislative District, and give you voting power at Membership Meetings, for items such as endorsing candidates, ballot measures and resolutions; electing some executive board positions like At-Large Members of the Executive Board; and adopting and amending our budget.

We have several contribution levels:

• Student / Limited Income ($10)
• Individual ($40)
• Couple/Family ($60)
• 4600 Club ($100)
• Friend of the 46th ($250)
• Benefactor of the 46th ($500)

Join at https://www.46dems.org/become_a_member. For questions about the status of your membership, email Membership Chair, Scott Alspach, at [email protected]

THANK YOU, once again, for reading, and for being part of our dynamic organization. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but together, we will fuel a BLUE WAVE this election season! We're excited to be walking and working along side you.

Hunter Brown and Lisa Rivera
Chair and Vice-Chair
46th District Democrats