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South County Democratic Club You have reached the old web site -- CLICK HERE TO GO TO NEW WEB SITE
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POSTED 12/14/07 MOVED 12/25/07 From Michigan Messenger:
Every November in even-numbered years, both political parties turn out thousands of volunteers to man phone banks, knock on doors and hand out campaign literature, but when the election season is over, those volunteers fade away. The Blue Tiger Democrats want to take those volunteers and put them to work making the community a better place to live. "One of the big problems with the party, both political parties, is the start-and-stop mentality of the party," said Frank Houston, the Civic Engagement Organizer (CEO) for the Michigan Blue Tiger Democrats. The Blue Tiger Democrats were founded in 2005 by Bill Samuels, a longtime activist in Democratic and progressive causes, with the goal of getting the Democratic Party in touch with its original values and getting volunteers involved in civic programs and civic engagement. The Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) became the first state party in the nation to adopt the principles of the Blue Tiger Democrats organization and make it a permanent part of their state organizational structure last year, and last month they launched a Web site to find volunteers and match them with projects. "This is a fairly new program, and Michigan is only one of three pilot programs in the nation," Houston said. "Michigan has really become a model program." |
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“Blue Tiger” Democrats Restore Activist Roar to Michigan Democratic Party
“I’m happy to report that the Blue Tiger Democrats are successfully returning the Democratic Party to its roots of community service and civic engagement,” said Brewer. “One-third of our local party organizations currently have community service projects and more are coming aboard every day.” Blue Tiger Democrats, a national non-profit as well as a project of the MDP, has rekindled community service projects as a core purpose of Democratic Party organizations across Michigan. Branded with a blue tiger as a new symbol (or historic one according to national founder Bill Samuels), “Blue Tiger Democrats have awakened activist efforts to support their community through service across the State,” Brewer continued. “Every day, Democrats see the struggles of veterans, seniors and working families,” said Frank Houston, CEO (Civic Engagement Organizer) of Michigan Blue Tiger Democrats. “For many activists, being able to run a charity drive for a veteran’s hospital or a food bank for those in need gives them a way to live their Democratic values every day,” Houston stated. Brewer and
Houston unveiled a new, Michigan-specific Blue Tiger Democrats website,
www.michiganbluetigerdems.com where Party organizations, activists
and leaders can highlight the service projects, volunteers and civic engagement
activities they are undertaking or have worked on.
“Often, volunteers from political campaigns struggle to discover a place to channel their passion and dedication to the issues and politics they are concerned with between elections,” said Brewer. “Blue Tiger Democrats has helped create a renewed sense of commitment for many leaders to get organized and stay active even when the next election may be several months a way,” Brewer concluded. To learn more about the work of Michigan Blue Tiger Democrats, go to www.michiganbluetigerdems.com, or contact Frank Houston at (734) 624-3555 or fhouston@bluetigerdems.com. POSTED 10/27/07 MOVED 11/18/07 |
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The Blue Tigers, the civic action organization of the South County Democratic Club, a political action committee for the 78th Michigan House District with an office in Buchanan, Michigan, has recently conducted a food drive for Resident Services of Southwest Michigan. Resident Services is located in Niles Michigan and helps between 15 to 18 veterans with shelter and living necessities. Most of the clients of Resident Services are Vietnam era veterans who have served at least two years in the armed services and have a honorable discharge. Resident Services emphasis is upon sobriety and training for the work place. They have informed South County that they are now receiving some veterans from the Gulf Wars and with expanded tours of duty in Iraq and the duration of this war, the veteran’s needs will undoubtedly mushroom.
The Blue Tigers learned of a shortage of basic necessities at Resident Services and led by the chair of the Blue Tiger Committee, Michael W. Ringler, South County Democratic Club began a drive for food and basic necessities that were needed. The Blue Tigers are committed to an on-going service project to help provide some of these needs. The public is invited to make contributions through the South County Democratic Club. These items may be dropped off at the SCDC office, 119 Main St. Buchanan (call ahead at 269-695-7232). Items needed include non-perishable food items, razors and other items of personal hygiene, laundry detergent, and toilet paper and most other objects of personal need. The VA estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night and nearly 400,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year. Conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country. According to the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Urban Institute, 1999), veterans account for 23% of all homeless people in America. The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says the vast majority of our homeless veterans are single; most come from poor, disadvantaged communities, with an astounding 45% suffer from mental illness, and half have substance abuse problems.
POSTED 5/13/07 |
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First Project:
Resident Services of Southwest
Michigan UPDATE -- THE COLLECTION DRIVE CONTINUES! The SCDC Blue Tiger Committee thanks everyone who so generously donated items to help Resident Services of Niles and our veterans. We will continue the drive for another two weeks. The Blue Tiger Democrats is a civic action group founded by Bill Samuels, (www.bluetigerdems.com) and endorsed by the Michigan Democratic Party. Frank Houston, who spearheaded the initial Blue Tiger Michigan pilot project and has been named the Civic Engagement Organizer (CEO) for the MDP, spoke at the SCDC March meeting and encouraged all local Democratic organizations to begin civic engagement projects as the way to improve our image with the citizens of our state and county. The Democratic Party is the party that cares about people and we need to put forth this idea in real and genuine programs to show the public that we stand by our values. SCDC’s first Blue Tiger Project is announced: We are all aware of the hardships of the veteran at the hands of the past Republican-controlled Congress (including our representative Fred Upton) and the Bush Administration. For example, we have all read of the horrors at Walter Reed Hospital and how the cold and callous Republicans have turned their backs on the Veterans. Of particular need is the plight of the homeless veteran. The VA estimates that nearly 200,000 veterans are homeless on any given night and nearly 400,000 experience homelessness over the course of a year. Conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country. According to the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Urban Institute, 1999), veterans account for 23% of all homeless people in America. The U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says the nation's homeless veterans are mostly males (4 % are females). The vast majority is single, most come from poor, disadvantaged communities, 45% suffer from mental illness, and half have substance abuse problems. America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom, or the military’s anti-drug cultivation efforts in South America. Forty-seven percent of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam Era. More than 67% served our country for at least three years and 33% were stationed in a war zone. Resident Services of Southwest Michigan (located in Niles) acts as a relief center for needy veterans and provides services for them. However, they are dependent upon the generosity of citizens to make contributions of food stuff, clothing, and items for personal hygiene. SCDC’s first Blue Tiger Project is to spearhead a drive to get items that are badly needed by “Resident Services” and local veterans. Resident Services provided SCDC a list of the most needed items; items that they are in dire need of attaining. Their representative said that food items would be appreciated and said they had only “a few cans of corn left on their shelves.” The SCDC Blue Tiger Committee is asking everyone to make a donation that can be used by Resident Services of SW Michigan to help our local veterans. You may drop off items at our office in Buchanan or bring items to the FDR Dinner. We will transport every item donated to Resident Services. Items needed:
ü
Food items (such as canned
vegetables) Your help is needed to help those who gave to our country – those who put their lives on the line so we can enjoy the benefits of our democracy and freedom. Help the SCDC Blue Tigers by bringing a donation to the FDR Dinner, April 14.
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Michigan Becomes First State to Adopt Blue Tiger Democrats
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer announces that his state will become the first in the nation to adopt the Blue Tiger Democrats program as a part of its permanent mission starting in 2007 Jackson Hole, Wyo. — Determining that the Democratic Party must embrace civic engagement in order to further restore credibility and respect among citizens, Mark Brewer, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party and Vice-Chair of the Democratic National Committee, announced today that Michigan will become the first state in the nation to adopt the principles of the Blue Tiger Democrats organization and make it a permanent part of their state organizational structure. Brewer made the announcement Friday before the post-election meeting of the Association of State Democratic Chairs, of which he is the President, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. At the meeting, Brewer and Bill Samuels, founder of Blue Tiger Democrats (www.bluetigerdems.com), made a presentation to the state chairs reviewing the organization’s 2006 programs and plans to implement the next phase of civic engagement. Frank Houston, who spearheaded the initial Blue Tiger Michigan pilot project, was named as the Civic Engagement Organizer (CEO) for the MDP’s Blue Tiger Democrats activities in Michigan. Brewer also announced that he would form a Blue Tiger advisory board that includes Democratic state chairs, vice-chairs, executive directors and elected officials to provide input on Michigan’s new program. To start, Brewer named the following officials to the advisory board: Terry Lierman, Chairman, Maryland Democratic Party; David Waid, Chairman, Arizona Democratic Party; and David Paterson, New York State Senator and Lt. Governor-elect “Despite the gains the Democratic Party made in the midterm elections, many people still do not believe either party cares much about them. Our goal is to regain respect for the Democratic Party and for the political process.” Brewer said. “The Michigan Democratic Party is committed to making civic engagement an integral part of our state organization. By giving Democrats things to do between elections and providing meaningful services we Democrats can show citizens that parties want to engage them more than just on election day.” The Michigan Democratic Party and Blue Tiger Democrats perceive the lack of respect and credibility for politicians and political parties to be a paramount problem. Consider this: From 2000 to 2004, there has been a 21% increase in the number of self-identified independents; Membership in state and local political organizations has been cut in half over the past forty years while financial contributions have increasingly replaced time commitment; 70% of all funds raised go to television advertisements that generally hurt the credibility of political parties; and $1.6 billion in 2004 campaign contributions went to political advertisements while nearly nothing went to local civic engagement. Collectively these facts have led to a trend where citizens’ alienation from the political parties and elected officials is at a high water mark. Samuels, founder of Blue Tiger, said, “We are excited that Michigan has agreed to be first in the nation to become a full-fledged Blue Tiger state. In addition to civic engagement helping to regain trust for the party in communities, we believe that community projects will provide young, idealistic people enormous opportunities to enter the world of public service. Mark Brewer recognizes that and is why he is such a visionary.” “Blue Tiger’s approach of civic engagement, campaign finance reform and greater accountability and transparency in government can go a long way to helping address the respect gap between people and party. It’s time to put the self back in self-government.” About the Michigan Democratic Party The Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) is chaired by Mark Brewer. Active in the Party for 25 years, Brewer has an extensive record of successful grassroots activity. A 1973 graduate of Mount Clemens High School, Brewer obtained his A.B. with Honors from Harvard College in 1977 and his law degree from Stanford University Law School in 1981. After working for two years for federal and state courts, he joined Sachs, Waldman, O’Hare, Helveston, Hodges and Barnes, PC in 1983, becoming a shareholder in 1989. He resigned from the firm upon becoming Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. In 2006, MDP ran a Blue Tiger pilot project, designed to help low-income families to become more energy efficient and show them ways to lower the cost of their utility bills. The program reached over 28,000 people helped to save many working families over $1,000 each. About Blue Tiger Democrats Blue Tiger Democrats is a not-for-profit corporation whose goal is to energize Democrats and Progressives through the promotion of community based initiatives. Blue Tiger was founded in 2005 by Bill Samuels a longtime activist in Democratic and Progressive causes. Besides from the program in Michigan, Blue Tiger is currently promoting activities such as: running veterans benefits drives to collect “wish list” items for local VA hospitals, holding briefings on emergency preparedness with certified experts and teaching senior citizens to use email, download digital photographs and surf the Internet for the best price on prescription drugs. Blue Tiger believes that civic engagement must be a priority of local Democratic and Progressive organizations across the country. By performing civic engagement, local party organizations will regain respect in their communities and therefore be able to play a larger role in vetting and grooming new Democratic candidates and workers. Learn more at www.bluetigerdems.com Principles
POSTED 11/20/06 |
