We are excited to be able to have an afternoon with WA State Democratic Chair Tina Podlodowski on Sunday June 4 at 2 – 5pm

Format: Social - Bring Snacks and Drinks 2 – 3pm Tina will speak from 3 – 4pm Questions and Discussions 4 – 5pm Come join us!   www.inspireseattle.org

 

The details of the discussion.

Tina was elected Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party in February of this year.  She has just announced the new Resistance campaign and will be on hand to explain the challenges we face here in WA as well as in the US. Tina will outline how each of us can help to win back our state and help to build our bench for the future.  While this is not officially a fund-raising event, Tina will share where the State Democrats are currently focused and where they need help in raising funds.  Please consider contributing if you can. 

 

Where: 

Carrie Bogner and Dean Holloway’s place, 1120 24th Ave E, Seattle  WA  98112.  206-280-4214.  

Directions: (easy to find!) Click here for a map: http://goo.gl/maps/IIHhE

From 520, Eastbound: Take the Lake Washington Exit, go right at the light on to E. Montlake which quickly turns into 24th Ave E. Go up the hill then go left onto Highland Dr. The entrance to the house is in the alley between 24th and 25th, but please park on Highland Dr or on 25th Ave. It is the 2nd house on the west side of the alley (from Highland Dr) and has a 3-car garage. Front door is on the south side of the house. 

From 520, Westbound: Take the Lake Washington Exit, go left at the stop sign, then go right at the next stop sign and then go left at the light on to E. Montlake which quickly turns into 24th Ave E. Go up the hill then go left onto Highland Dr. The entrance to the house is in the alley between 24th and 25th, but please park on Highland Dr or on 25th Ave. It is the 2nd house on the west side of the alley (from Highland Dr) and has a 3-car garage. Front door is on the south side of the house.

 

Here are notes from Tina from the Atlanta National Dem Workshop in February….

·       Only 16 of the nation’s 50 governors are Democrats.

·       Only 31 of the 99 state legislative chambers across the country are controlled by Democrats (Nebraska has a unicameral legislature, hence the odd number).

·       Only six states have a "Democratic trifecta" - a Democratic governor, and two Democratic chambers in the legislature: Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, California, Oregon and Hawaii. Republicans control 25 states; the rest are split.

That's the real work - and that's why I'm proud to be leading a complete reorganization of the Washington State Democratic Party. No matter who wins the DNC Chair’s race in Atlanta this week, I’m not foolish enough to think the DNC is going to “save” Washington Democrats. We must rebuild the party ourselves, and have both a brand and infrastructure that can withstand whatever the “national scene” and the Washington GOP throws at us.

I’d like to come see you, and have you consider pulling together a group of friends, to hear how we are going to change the Party. I’d certainly love your help and financial investment in the Washington Democrats, but this is not simply asking you to give. I want your ideas and input, and smarts, to be able to leverage all the resources we will need to change and build the most functional state party in the country. Activism is the energy that drives our party - but that energy has to be supported with:

1)     A year round organizing and data operation - we can't simply knock on doors once every two years and expect to win elections;

2)     A year round communication shop - that feeds our thousands of PCOs and grassroots activists in order to make them more productive, and also gathers info about what they are seeing and hearing;

3)     A true commitment to “building the bench” of Democratic candidates in Washington State - including appointed and local offices. Because turning from red to blue ain’t gonna happen by itself;

4)     A fundraising operation that feeds our local organizations and activists;

5)     A long term plan to win everywhere.

In 2017, I’m determined to put the basics of the new party organization in place, as well as win in the November special elections and take back our State Senate. We have the all-important race in the 45th, as well as races in the 31st, 48th, 37th and 7th. With more to come in 2018, including the re-election of Senator Maria Cantwell. We need to be working now.

 

Tina’s Bio

Democrat, Tina Podlodowski is the daughter of two naturalized U.S. citizens who fled post-WWII Europe as refugees. As a first generation American who has spent her life fighting for equality and driving forward progress, she understands just how important voting and an equitable election system are to a functioning and flourishing democracy. A Puget Sound Business Journal “Woman of Influence,” Tina’s 30+ years of leadership in technology, government and management has saved taxpayers millions of dollars, improved public safety and health, and revolutionized technology. After a successful career as a software executive at Microsoft, Tina won an at-large seat on the Seattle City Council with 65% of the popular vote. While in office she championed the complete redevelopment and modernization of the City’s financial management system, saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Tina also pioneered in-district council meetings to engage a more diverse group of constituents in the city’s decision making process.

As a senior vice-president at Porter Novelli, Tina led national efforts to improve public health and safety. Her work with stakeholders at all levels of government drove forward progress on environmental justice, women’s health, HIV/AIDS and childhood immunizations. Her clients included the Centers for Disease Control, Office of Environmental and Public Health, the Association of State and Territorial Health Directors, and the National Association of City and County Health Officials.

With respect and compassion for Washington’s most vulnerable and marginalized community members, Tina revitalized two regional non-profit organizations. At Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Puget Sound she grew a nationally recognized mentoring program to one of the 10 largest in nation. For Lifelong AIDS Alliance she increased the reach and scope of prevention and education efforts to over 380,000 Washingtonians.

After the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, Tina helped form the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility, dedicated to keeping all of us and our children safe from gun violence. WAGR successfully enacted sensible gun background check legislation with the passage of I-594 in 2014.

Tina’s strong belief in equality for all guides her work in leadership roles with Washington Citizens for Fairness, the Pride Foundation and The Human Rights Campaign. She is a former member of the Visiting Committee at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington, and was awarded the “Spirit Award” from the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. Her political and philanthropic work has been profiled in The New York Times, The Washington Post, People, and Vanity Fair.

Tina lives in Seattle with her wife and children.

 

When:  Sunday June 4^th, 2-5pm

Where:  You'll receive an email invitation with the address when you provide us with an email address

 

About InspireSeattle:

InspireSeattle is a progressive network of Seattle-area people sharing ideas and supporting action.  InspireSeattle s vision is to create connection throughout our community and better community through activism.  InspireSeattle s mission is to provide a fun, supportive gathering for people who care deeply about our community, our country and our planet. We embrace progressive policies that improve our society and protect our environment.  We discuss current issues, share ideas and activism efforts while striving to inspire additional action.  Subscribe (or unsubscribe) to InspireSeattle by visiting www.inspireseattle.org/contact.html.