Category Archives: Progressive Democrats of Benicia

350 Bay Area, California Legislature, Climate action, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

Getting smart about upcoming CA State legislative session

From 350 Bay Area – EVENTS
[Message from PDB Chair Ralph Dennis: “Anyone interested in going to the meeting with me, Sat. Jan. 26, 2:00 to 4:00?”  Reply to Ralph at redennis5156 at att dot net.]

2019 MEETING  –  350 BAY AREA ACTION LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
JANUARY 26 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

350 Bay Area is convening its first Legislative Action Committee meeting for 2019, and is inviting climate activists interested in working on state climate legislation to attend. Legislative issues expected to be discussed include electrifying transportation, pushing smart growth while preserving low income housing, protecting community choice energy, stopping fracking, and closing down California’s existing oil production.

In addition, the meeting will also focus on lobbying bills, working with our legislators, and partnering with allies.

Where:
Sierra Club Bay Chapter Office
2530 San Pablo Ave., Unit 1
Berkeley

350 Bay Area works to stop climate chaos by supporting clean energy and eliminating fossil fuels. Its mission is building a grassroots climate movement in the Bay Area and beyond that achieves deep reductions in carbon pollution and presses for socially equitable solutions and a just transition to clean energy. Its vision is that all who live in the Bay Area equitably share clean air, water and soil in a healthy, thriving and stable post-carbon future, benefiting all life.

Meeting notices, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

PDB Meeting, November 13

General meeting of November 13, 7:00 p.m., at the Benicia Library, Dona Benicia room

Message from Ralph Dennis, Chair, November 9, 2018:

Members and Friends –

Our next meeting, and the last one for this year, is Nov. 13 at 7:00 pm, Benicia Library.   (Agenda)

Following the Club reports and related items, we’ll be discussing:

  • Elections: The Nov. 6 election results – local and national races. What happened, and what do we make of it all, in particular locally? (What’s it all about, Alfie?)
  • PDB in 2019: ideas and activities for PDB, beginning in January (then, to space and infinity, and beyond). Ok, enough song and movie references. Maybe we all needed a bit of brevity?

Both discussions are intended to be open with the audience. In fact, we hope to draw future meeting agendas from the comments and ideas provided by the members present. As well as hear any thoughts about how the Club did in 2018, suggestions, and especially anything we should be doing differently and better.

During the discussion of elections, we’ll also provide a summary of the Club’s process for election of its officers, which is scheduled for Jan. 2019 and is required by our bylaws.

As for what there is to say about the elections, we can at least vent some more – the PAC money intervention, the outrageous and nonstop and largely orchestrated comments on social media. But, that can help identify areas to address for the future – 2020, as is already started to happen. As a member recently expressed, “Heaven help us in 2020!” And, as I shared in a recent Benicia Resist! post, “If a progressive runs in 2020, you better have your own PAC.” Not to sling mud, but to counter the volume of stuff we saw on digital ads and through the postal mail. Counter, but remaining positive and on point.

This is an important meeting, as we’re talking about 2019 and how PDB should spend our time. We plan on continuing meetings every 4-5 weeks, maybe in the Library as we have mostly done of late, but maybe elsewhere (which would be less costly or even free). When you come, you can be part of the decision making as we plan out 2019, and ultimately get closer to 2020 races.

See you Tuesday, Nov. 13, Benicia Library, 7:00 pm. Be there or be square!

Ralph E. Dennis
Chair, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

Endorsements, Josh Harder, Kari Birdseye, Meeting notices, Progressive Democrats of Benicia

PDB Oct. 9 meeting cancelled: WORK PARTY A SUCCESS!

On Tuesday, on October 9, instead of our monthly meeting, the Progressive Democrats of Benicia invited Benicians to come to a work party for our endorsed City Council candidate, Kari Birdseye.

We changed the location from the Library to 1215 West Second Street for this phone/postcard make-a-difference party!

This was an opportunity to put words and support into action. We made phone calls on behalf of our endorsed candidate for Benicia City Council, Kari Birdseye and wrote postcards to Democrats in districts that the Democrats hope to flip. Kari was present for a brief campaign update.

To help with the phone banking everyone was asked to bring a cell phone and a laptop along with necessary chargers. Training was provided. Those without laptops sent postcards to help flip a District.

There was also a brief summary of the propositions on the state ballot with the PDB Steering Committee recommendations and an update on our endorsed and recommended candidates.

Progressive Democrats of Benicia ENDORSEMENTS