Make the Rooster Crow Chili Cookoff; Wolley to Speak to Decatur Democrats, Nov. 9

The Decatur Township Democratic Club meets Nov. 9 at Buffer Park Golf Course, and Marshawn Wolley, President of the Indianapolis Chapter of the Indiana Democratic African-American Caucus, will talk about what the IDAAC is and what services it provides to Marion County residents interested in community service. Dinner is at 5:45 p.m. with the Wolley set to speak around 6:30 p.m.

The club invites all good Democrats to make a pot of their best chili and bring it to the meeting for our second annual Make the Rooster Crow Chili Cook-off. Carol Collester won last year with the "Hot As Barack Obama Chili". Whichever pot of chili brings in the most money in donations will be declared the winner and that winner will receive bragging rights and a small gift from the club. Please bring either your best pot of chili or side items to go with chili. Money raised on the chili cookoff will be used to help purchase a club banner.

The club will also have several other business items on its agenda that evening including the presentation of the slate of officers for the 2010 club year. Nominations will also be taken from the floor. If there is a contested office, the election will take place in December.

Meetings are free and to the media or to anyone that identifies with the core values of the Democratic Party. There are many chances to get involved in the club, and we need good Democrats. Our meetings always attract the best line-up of candidates, so come out and meet the difference-makers in our community. Club dues are just $5.00 per year, and one can become a Commodore Club Booster for just $25. Individuals under 25 may join for free. In addition to non-perishable food items, please bring new or gently-used hats, mittens, scarves, and coats to donate to the Goodwin Center so that we can help keep the needy warm this holiday season.

Decatur Township Democrats To Get 'Healthful' Information Oct. 12

An expert on viruses and a medical doctor headline the October 12 meeting of the Decatur Township Democratic Club.

Dr. David Sanders, a Purdue University Associate Professor of Biology, and Dr. David Orentlicher, former Indiana House Representative and Co-director of the William S. and Christine S. Hall Center for Law and Health, will speak to the club. Sanders will talk about the H1N1 flu virus commonly known as the "swine flu," and Orentlicher will address health care in the United States. Before the presentations by Dr. Sanders and Dr. Orentlicher, the club will take up few business items.

A free dinner is provided by the club and its members at 5:45 p.m. with the meeting set to begin at a special time of 6:15 p.m. The club meets at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 Foltz Street, in Decatur Township. Dues are just $5.00, and you can become a member of our Commodore Club Boosters for just $25. Young people under 25 identifying themselves as Democrats may join the club for free. Contact Jon Easter, Club President, at (317) 856-8541 for more information.

There will be a general Halloween and autumn theme for the evening. Please feel free to come in costume. As always, please bring non-perishable food items for donation to the food pantry at the George T. Goodwin Center.

Stonewall Democrats Visit Decatur Dems; Wishard Reps Also to Speak

The Decatur Township Democratic Club welcomes Indiana Chapter President Douglas Meagher and Lori Morris from the Indiana Stonewall Democrats on September 14. Meagher and Morris will be speaking on GLBTQ issues in the local community as well as what the Stonewall Democrats organization does in supporting causes, advocating on important issues, and helping good candidates win elections. Following the Stonewall Dems' presentation will be an opportunity to hear about the upcoming Wishard Hospital referendum with representatives from the hospital on hand to speak on the proposal. Meeting attendees are asked to wear their favorite football gear or team jersey to celebrate football season.

The meeting begins at 5:45 p.m. with a free dinner provided by the club and its members, and the program begins at a special time of 6:15 p.m. Before the program by the Stonewall Democrats, there will be a few business items on the agenda. Club dues are $5.00 per person, and you can become a booster for $25. Any Democrats under 25 may join for free. The club meets at Buffer Park Golf Course, 3825 Foltz Street, in Decatur Township. Please join us in putting the "D" in Decatur. For more information, contact Jon Easter, Club President, at (317) 856-8541. Please bring non perishable food items to donate to the Goodwin Center Food Pantry.

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.