Decatur Township Democrats Welcome Ann Delaney August 10

The Decatur Township Democratic Club will meet on August 10 at 5:45 p.m. in the Buffer Park Golf Course Clubhouse. On that night, the club welcomes activist, attorney, author, political commentator and Democratic Party leader Ann DeLaney.

DeLaney is a former Indiana State Party Chair and also candidate for U.S. Congress. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Julian Center and a founding partner of DeLaney & DeLaney. She also is a panelist on WFYI's Indiana Week in Review program.

Club meetings are free and begin with a buffet-style dinner at 5:45 p.m. DeLaney will speak at about 6:30 p.m. The club will also entertain some business issues following DeLaney's remarks. As always, please bring canned or dry good items to be donated to the George T. Goodwin Center's food pantry.

Club dues are just $5.00. You can also join the Commodore Club for $25.00 and add your name to our list of boosters. Young people under 25 identifying themselves as Democrats may join the club for free. If you have any questions, contact Jon Easter, Club President, at (317) 856-8541.

Decatur Township Democratic Club Meets July 13

The 2010 Census will change the political landscape across Indiana, and two of the foremost experts on how the census effects political redistricting, Former Indiana Rep. Edmund Mahern and former Marion County Democratic Party Executive Director Joel Miller will talk about how the two relate on July 13. Dinner and social time begins at 5:45 p.m. with the program of the meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. As always, the club will meet at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 Foltz Street.

After the presentation by Rep. Mahern and Miller, the club will address several other business issues. As always, please feel free to bring canned food or other dry goods for donation to the food pantry at the George T. Goodwin Center. Club dues are just $5.00 per year. More information is available online at www.decaturdemocrats.blogspot.com.

Decatur Township Democratic Club to Target Youth Involvement

The Decatur Township Democratic Club voted on Monday night to waive the normal $5.00 dues to join the club for young people under 25 years of age identifying themselves as Democrats.

The change in club policy comes about a week after the club's Executive Board formed a Youth Committee and President Jon Easter appointed Decatur Township resident and University of Indianapolis Student Christopher Jackson as the Youth Committee Chair. Easter said it's indicative of the club's commitment to the youth voters in Decatur Township.

"Some of the other clubs and organizations in Democratic circles have also voted to do this, and it's a great way to show the young people that our club is extending a hand to them if they wish to join us," said Easter.

The proposal did pass with a caveat. Those individuals invoking the dues waiver may vote at club membership meetings but may not hold an office with in the club's leadership structure unless they are dues-paying members. Easter said that the discussion was somewhat tense with opinions for and against the proposal to waive the dues, but he said ultimately it passed by a wide margin. "Some people felt passionately that we should not do this, and I respect what their views. Still, this is an important step to recruit the next generation of Democrats in Decatur Township," said Easter.

Jackson is a dues-paying member, and he is also the President of the College Democrats at the University of Indianapolis. In January, he was one of two local club members that attended President Obama's inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Over 50 people attended the Decatur Township Democratic Club's June meeting. The speaker for the month was United Auto Workers' Region 3 CAP Chair, Keith Neargardner. Given the tough economic times, Neargardner talked at length about the struggles the Detroit Big Three are facing.

A Decatur Township native himself, Neargardner said he is hopeful about the future of the American automotive industry. He also stated that he believes General Motors and Chrysler will emerge as stronger companies with better business plans. Neargardner credited Ford for the work it has done to improve quality and keep from going bankrupt. He also said GM's recent sale of Saturn to Roger Penske would save jobs as General Motors will continue to make the Saturn for at least two years.

The Decatur Township Democratic Club meets monthly at Buffer Park Golf Course, but it's also involved in many community events such as the Relay for Life. For more information, visit the club's website at www.decaturtownshipdemocrats.blogspot.com.

UAW CAP Chair Keith Neargardner Speaks June 8

The auto industry has been hit incredibly hard by the current economic situation, and that's a complete understatement. On June 8, UAW Region 3 CAP Chair Keith Neargardner will speak to the Decatur Township Democratic Club to help educate the organization as to where things stand and what is the next step for the United Auto Workers. Dinner and social time is 5:45 p.m. Neargardner will speak at 6:30 p.m. The club meets at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 Foltz St. in Indianapolis.

Following Neargardner's presentation, the club will have several business issues on its agenda. Club membership dues are just $5.00 per year, and any Democrat can join at anytime. Interested individuals can always attend a meeting before you join. For more information, contact Club President Jon Easter at (317) 856-8541, visit the club's website at www.decaturdemocrats.blogspot.com, or contact by e-mail at decaturdemocrats@gmail.com.

Senator Jean Breaux to address Decatur Democrats, May 11

Indiana State Senator Jean Breaux will talk to the Decatur Township Democratic Club and its members on May 11. Breaux will speak to the club at around 6:30 p.m. following the monthly dinner and social time at 5:45 p.m. The club meets at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 Foltz St., in Decatur Township.

Breaux, the Senate Democrats' Assistant Caucus Chair, has served Indiana's 34th Senate District since 2006 when she was appointed to the seat. She was elected to a four year term in November 2008. The 34th District encompasses portions of Center, Washington, Lawrence, and Warren Townships. She also serves as the ranking minority member on the Indiana Utilities and Technology Committee and on several other committees in the Senate.

The club will also have several other business matters to attend to following the talk from Senator Breaux. Club members are asked to bring canned food or other non-perishable food items to the meeting to be donated to local food pantries. Club dues are just $5.00 per year. For more information, contact Jon Easter at (317) 856-8541 or by e-mail at decaturdemocrats@gmail.com.

Decatur Dems Convene April 13

The Decatur Township Democratic Club meets April 13 at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 Foltz St. Ben Davis High School junior Nasser Siadat will speak to the club about OneCityIndy, an organization Siadat and his friends co-founded. OneCityIndy is trying to put together the largest youth rally in Indiana history. In addition to the club's normal meeting attendees, youth are encouraged to attend the meeting to hear about Nasser's organization and the upcoming event. Siadat will speak following the club's monthly dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dinner time is 5:45 p.m.

Following Siadat's presentation, the club will take up some business matters. On the agenda is expected to be a plea for help from the membership on the organization's new community service activities. The Decatur Township Democratic Club voted to put together a team for the upcoming Decatur Township Relay for Life as well as try to adopt a median in Decatur Township. There will also be other items on the agenda.

Dues for the organization are just $5.00 per year, and anyone dedicated to Democratic principles can join at any time. For more information, contact Jon Easter at 856-8541 or visit the club's website at www.decaturdemocrats.blogspot.com.

Decatur Township Democrats meet March 9

The Decatur Township Democratic Club will meet March 9 at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 Foltz St. Dinner time is 5:45 p.m. with the meeting set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

This month, the club welcomes Toby York from the George T. Goodwin Center to talk about the many programs and services the center provides to the Decatur Township community. The club will also have several business items on the agenda including a proposed large contribution to the Marion County Democratic Party. That motion was proposed, seconded, and tabled at the February meeting for action in March. Any members wishing to discuss or vote on this measure should be present in attendance. According to the Constitution, you must be a member in good standing to vote. New members must have at least 20 days of membership for voting rights while lapsed members acquire voting rights upon payment of membership dues.

Dues are just $5.00 per year, and any good Democrat can join at any time. Please join us for dinner and some stimulating conversation. For more information, visit the club's website at www.decaturdemocrats.blogspot.com or call Jon Easter, President, at (317) 856-8541.