“We need to believe in something bigger than ourselves, otherwise we just become egomaniacs.  If you don’t have something to look forward to and lean on, it’s a hard fall when things happen.”  Dolly Parton

I would like to thank all of the people who believed in something bigger than themselves and came out for our Roosevelt dinner. Your presence and donations show that you believe in our future and in shared values.  Your support means everything for our local party and it means support for candidates that will support our concerns and challenge the current administration. Many thanks too to the events committee, and all the volunteers who worked so hard to put on this event.  So many hours, coordination and calculations went in to making this happen.  Special thanks to Julie Elmquist for chairing this committee and to Marissa Gurule-Hake and Barb Niebauer for handling financial figures and red-tape. And of course, many thanks to our fearless leader, Jeri Shepherd, for herding all the cats.  Congratulations to Zee Hake and Marissa Gurule-Hake for receiving this year’s Hummingbird Award for all their hard work for the party.

We owe a debt of gratitude to Congressman Joe Neguse, for bringing our speaker, Congressman Brendon Boyle, of Pennsylvania. He provided some fresh stories and great insight.  To everyone who donated items to the silent auction, I extend a big thank you as it was a resounding success! This is what happens when small groups of dedicated individuals come together to make a difference, as this is the only thing that has ever changed the world.

If you missed the Roosevelt Dinner, you can still get involved before the November election.  A State party’s coordinated campaign for all candidates is now based in our downtown building,  We will be gearing up for canvasing, phone banks, postcards, voter registration, staffing event booths, walking in parades, and more.  We are putting together volunteer lists now.  Go to our website and fill out the volunteer form so we can direct your efforts and expertise where it is most useful.

This is the most optimistic election cycle in years for the Weld Democrats.  We can turn all our districts blue if we put in the effort.  We must get Democrats out to vote, which is our biggest challenge.  Even unaffiliated voters have been getting out to vote for Dems more than registered Dem voters.  We have information about candidates who have submitted their information on our website, as well as ballot issues. 

It is so easy to just give in to complacency.  I know we are all overwhelmed with the never-ending news cycles about voting, voter suspension and interference.  Do not be discouraged or dissuaded.  Colorado is the gold standard for voting integrity and turnout.  We need to get people to believe their vote counts and that it is important, or why would the opposition be working so hard to keep us from believing in our system and the power of the vote?  Don’t let negative talk about elections be a part of your vernacular.  Stand up for our voting system and pledge to be a positive voice for voter integrity.  Become an election judge or poll watcher.  We will not let fear or intimidation steal our rights away.  As the Canadians say, “elbows up!”

I started this article with a quote by Dolly Parton.  We are all sad to learn of her passing.  Democrats can learn a lot from Dolly.  She always led with kindness and kept a positive attitude to the very end.  Like Ruth Bader Ginsberg, she fought for things she cared about but did it in a way that others would join her.

Dolly never indulged in self-pity and she went on to change the world around her even if she got criticism for her methods.  She stood up for marginalized communities and found a way to get people of all stripes to work together. She was an amazing listener and observer and showed real empathy for the struggles of the people. If we and our Democratic leadership could adopt even some of her attitude, it would go a long way in securing a blue wave for November.  Rest in peace, Dolly.