EC HRC RECOMMENDS SANCTUARY CITY STATUS

On Wednesday evening, March 1st, the HRC (Human Relations Commission of El Cerrito) adopted a motion to recommend that the El Cerrito City Council declare the City of El Cerrito a Sanctuary City and that the City adopt a proposed resolution drafted by the HRC subcommittee and City staff.

In addition, the HRC adopted a motion to recommend that the El Cerrito City Council support Senate Bill 54, “The California Values Act.”

Many community members gave additional insights and suggestions this evening to further improve the language and intent of the Sanctuary City legislation. This resolution, the context and recommendations will be brought forth to City Council at the March 21st meeting.

Anyone that would like to add perspectives can provide a written statement or voice positions and ideas at the March 21st council meeting.

Have questions? Want to provide feedback? Contact Karen Pinkos, Assistant City Manager.

Karen Pinkos, ICMA-CM
Assistant City Manager
City of El Cerrito
(510) 215-4302
KPinkos@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us

Thank you,
Georgina Edwards
Chair
El Cerrito Human Rights Commission

Action Item from Senior Strategist of State Party

Hello California Democrats —
We are working on a clearing house for key action items statewide.

In the meantime, here are two more action items to engage new volunteers:

First, here’s a link to a group who is doing events to defend the Affordable Care Act in Modesto, Vista, and Santa Ana. http://fight4ourhealth.org/events/ If you are in those cities or nearby, check out their event listings. This group is supported by many of our labor allies.

Second, if you aren’t in those areas, the Democrats in Wisconsin (the state of Governor Scott Walker) have asked us for help in the re-election campaign of their progressive State Superintendent, Tony Evers. (and, as always – If you have your own local races you are working on with online phonebanks, please send them to us to publicize to other parts of the state!)

Primary Election: Tuesday, February 21, 2017
General Election: Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Given the recent appointment of Betsy DeVos, this is an important front line for our education values.

He is a champion of public schools and staunch opponent of vouchers, which have drastically been expanded under Governor Scott Walker.
We have virtual phone bank links ready for volunteers to use:

Evers Virtual Phone Bank Instructions:
1) Click on one of the links below (in order to call into a corresponding Congressional District); you will be taken to a page that asks you to:
2) “Log in with ActionID”
3) Click on “Log In with ActionID Button”
You will then be taken to a page that asks you to either “Log In” or “Create ActionID”
4) Select “Create ActionID” tab; fill in the information the page asks for. (This is the information you will use to log into the phone bank and make calls.)
5) Now you’re ready to make calls! (You’ll be given a voter’s name and phone number, and a short script for you to use on calls.)

A link for each congressional district is below:
Congressional District 1: http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/callvoters-cd1
Congressional District 2: http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/callvoters-cd2
Congressional District 3: http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/callvoters-cd3
Congressional District 4: http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/callvoters-cd4
Congressional District 5: http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/callvoters-cd5
Congressional District 6: http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/callvoters-cd6
Congressional District 7: http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/callvoters-cd7
Congressional District 8: http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/callvoters-cd8

For questions, please contact samv@wisdems.org.

More about Tony Evers:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Tony4WI/
Website – http://www.tonyforwisconsin.com/

The system is VAN. This first link (below) provides step-by-step powerpoint directions for callers to set up an “Action ID” so they can begin making calls.
Directions for action ID:
http://files.constantcontact.com/1c74ba9e001/ed4d29d8-8b1b-4dae-bda1-4ec56bc5e151.pdf

This next link (below), gets you to the login site.
Log into VAN phonebank system:
https://www.openvpb.com/ngpvanui/login?destination=vpb_bycode/8C0C12A-8487#register

More information on the candidate & the race can be found at this last link.
Richmond School Board Member Jeff Bourne announced his candidacy for the 71st House of Delegates seat vacated by Delegate Jennifer McClellan.
http://wtvr.com/2017/01/11/school-board-chairman-jeff-bourne-announces-campaign-for-delegate-seat/

I would also suggest that you ask callers to keep track of how many calls they make, so you can give them public kudos at the next meeting. (Reminder: volunteers stay where they feel useful and appreciated!)

There is more coming very shortly!! There’s a lot to do, we’re just pulling things together to make it easier to send out.

Go Team California Democrats!

Sincerely,
Shawnda Westly
Senior Strategist
California Democratic Party

THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL: JANUARY MEETING RECAP

Many thanks to the ECDC membership who came out to vote for the 2017 Executive Board. We have a fantastic all-volunteer board this year (listed in the order prescribed by our bylaws):
President:                             Peter Chau
Executive Vice President:    Mister Phillips
Immediate Past President:   Hilary Crosby
VP Membership:                  Tom Cesa
VP Treasurer:                       Greg Lyman
VP Publications:                   Kip Crosby
VP Records:                         Marlene Keller
VP Programs:                       Gabe Quinto
VP Media:                             Mollie Hazen
I want to honor and thank our immediate past president, Hilary Crosby, who served our club with passion and dedication. As a small sample of her accomplishments: she ran the most professional, well-run endorsement forum that I’ve ever attended (ever!); organized great speakers like CA State Treasurer John Chiang for our annual dinner; and mentored the next generation of Democratic leaders. I am inspired by her progressive convictions and work ethic. If I can fill half of her shoes, I’ll call 2017 a success.
At our last meeting, our members approved a new budget for the 2017 year; approved changes to our by-laws to align our by-laws to our club’s best practices; and laid out club priorities for 2017. The Executive Board will work to implement our members’ approved priorities. Many great ideas were considered and approved, making 2017 an exciting year to come. We, as the progressive voice of El Cerrito, will continue to think global, act local.
In the spirit of service,
Peter