DEFENDING OUR DEMOCRACY:                        In concert with Black Votes Matter (BVM), Sun City Indivisible and Lowcountry Indivisible, we are supporting the Freedom Ride for Voting Rights which will take place across the South beginning on June 19 and culminate in a rally in Washington, DC on June 26.   BVM’s Freedom Rides for Voting Rights continues the tradition of the original Freedom Rides as more than 40 states consider legislation to restrict voting rights.     The Freedom Ride event will be at the State House (1100 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29208) in Columbia, SC on Tuesday, June 22 from 2 to 4 PM.  If you are interested in participating in the event, we are coordinating carpools that will leave the Hardeeville area from the Walmart parking lot at 10:15 AM.  Look for the American flag by the corner closest to the gas station.  Bring signs saying “Protect Voting Rights” as well as water and snacks.   Contact Jerry Whalen replyLCI@gmail.com or Pam Reading-Smith suncityindivisible@gmail.com for more information and to schedule your participation.  Please put Freedom Ride in the subject line.   Click here for more information on the Freedom Ride and Black Votes Matter:  https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/news/black-voters-matters-announces-juneteenth-launch-national-partnerships-for-upcoming-freedom-ride-for-voting-rights/

To All Democrats:

 

Exciting plans are underway.  As you know, by statute, we reorganize the Precincts every two years - but we are starting early this election season to be up and running at the start of 2022.   We already have 2 Democratic candidates running for US Senate and 3 Democratic candidates running for SC Governor (time for Gov. McMaster to retire).

 

To kick off - the BCDP is hosting a Virtual Precinct Training Session specifically geared to the Hilton Head precincts (such as covering how to organize gated communities, etc.).   We urge all of those interesting in preparing for the 2022 elections to attend - and please pass on this opportunity to anyone you think might be interested.  Membership in the SOB Club is not required to be part of a precinct team.

 

If you are interested in attending this training - please RVSP to:  SOBDemClub@gmail.com and you will be sent a Zoom link.   

 

We need all of you - please plan to attend.

 

Lowcountry Indivisible (LCI) is pleased to invite members of all other Beaufort County liberal organizations to attend our monthly meetings, now held via ZOOM on June 12.

You MUST REQUEST THE  LINK IN ADVANCE. 

This meeting will focus on a detailed analysis of the 2020 election data for Beaufort and Jasper Counties and strategies for increasing voter participation going forward.  

Email replyLCI@gmail.com to RSVP.

In 2022, there will be many opportunities to run for political offices. The Beaufort County Democratic Party is offering a series of training opportunities for those interested in running for elected office. 

This first session (offered on 3 different dates) will answer some of the most asked questions about running for office such as what positions in the state, county, and towns are up for election in 2022 and what should you know to make an informed decision about running for office. This training is also useful for those who are interested in working on a campaign or getting further involved with elections. This “nuts and bolts” session will include reviewing a checklist of how to prepare for announcing a run for political office as well as ample time for questions and answers.

 

This Session will be offered on the following dates: 
(All Classes are Virtual and will be by Zoom)

Sat, Jun 5, 10:00am–11:30am EDT
Wed, Jun 23, 11:30am–1:00pm EDT 
Wed, Jul 7, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm EDT 

Sign Up Here to Register for one of these sessions: 
https://www.mobilize.us/beaufortcountyscdems/event/390831/ 

or contact us at  beafortcountydems@gmail.com

Topics Covered in What You Need To Know About Running for Office in Beaufort County

• What positions are up for election in 2022 (State, County, and municipalities) and what are the requirements for each office?
• What should I consider before making a decision to run for political office?
•  How should I determine what office I want to run for?
• How do I register my campaign and make it official?
• Check List of To Do’s before you announce your candidacy.
• Starting to develop your messaging, organizing volunteers, and creating a campaign budget.
• Calculating your win number (the number of votes to need to win).
• How much money do I need to raise?
• Resources For Candidates in Beaufort County

Submitted by:  Chris deVries

Community Conversations with Alex Brown Returns This Friday, May 21 at 5:00pm with New Town Manager, Marc Orlando

Alex Brown, Ward 1 Town Council member is continuing his series of Community Conversations this Friday, May 21 at 5:00 pm at the Sailing and Rowing Center Park on Squire Pope Road. As you may know, Alex has scheduled several of these conversations to bring important topics and decision-makers directly to you. Marc Orlando, our new Town Manager, will be his guest this Friday.  The topics that Marc will address include: Impacts of upcoming 278 Corridor Construction Unique Ward 1 issues: historic overlay district, exodus of working folks due to low wages and inadequate housing, perpetuation of Gullah-Geechee culture Long-term challenges to our residents’ quality of life Priorities in implementing Our Plan opportunities There will be time to raise any questions and concerns you may have. Please join Community Conversations with Alex Brown as he welcomes Marc Orlando. As always, COIN appreciates your active involvement in these issues.  Risa Sreden Prince and Patsy Brison Co-founders of the Coalition of Island Neighbors coinhiltonhead@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1460139940807776/

The World Affairs Council of Hilton Head is currently conducting its 2021-22 membership campaign. Many Liberal Ladies are members but if you are new to the area or not already a member, consider joining.

For just $125, you are provided 14 Friday morning presentations by world class leaders in their disciplines. John Bolton, (yes, that John Bolton) opens in October with a presentation followed by an impressive line up of presenters. For the complete list, click here: https://wachh.org/FridayMeetings21-22

In addition to the Friday morning speaker series, there is a fall book club (one book over 3 -4 sessions) and a winter 8 week small discussion series. Usually, three evening sessions are offered as well. I have participated in all and found them very valuable.

All for $125! They intend to resume in person meetings in \October at First Presbyterian Church and sessions will also be live streamed. As always, the speaker is recorded and posted on their website if you miss the presentation.

For membership information click here…. https://wachh.org/Join

Full website is worth exploring. Hope to see you there.

Any questions? contact Lynn Cordy lcordy@me.com

The Virtual Run for South Carolina Native Trees will act as a public fundraiser to acquire funds for the needed gardening supplies of the project so that 500 trees can be grown and planted principally in Beaufort County.  From increased residential/commercial development as well as past hurricanes, coastal South Carolina has been losing many trees.  The loss of trees has caused the displacement of animals often leading to road kill, poor air quality, destroyed habitats, and diminished natural beauty.  In an effort to restore the lost trees, the Environmental Club at USCB is starting a tree planting initiative to have 500 South Carolina native trees planted by 2022.  Some of the coastal native trees we are working with include:

    1. Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
    2. Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)
    3. Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata)
    4. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
    5. Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)

https://runsignup.com/virtual_run_for_SC_native_trees

3 good articles on 3 timely issues in our national and state governments. 

https://www.lwv.org/blog/electoral-college-what-it-good

https://www.brookings.edu/policy2020/votervital/what-is-the-senate-filibuster-and-what-would-it-take-to-eliminate-it/

https://www.lwv.org/fighting-voter-suppression/league-opposes-calls-article-v-constitutional-convention

Barb Hammes, DEI, League of Women Voters

The 2021 inaugural meeting if the HHI Drinking Liberally group will be held at Jarvis Park on April 7 at 5:00. Bring a snack, beverage, chair, and mask and join us!

Submitted by:  Tippy Amick

Dear Fellow Liberals, Progressives, Democrats, and Other Kind  People:

Back in June 2020, our group was formed to help the Mayor and Council of HHI develop and vote into law, in time for the July 4th tourist vacationers, a group of anti-Covid prevention mandates, commonly called "Mask Laws." We worked with Bluffton, Beaufort City, Port Royal Town, Yemassee and Unincorporated Beaufort County. All passed these laws and the County was our toughest fight.

Every 60 days the laws came up for renewal, and we had to lobby all over again. Anti masking law groups became loud and vocal, and did outdoor demonstrations, ignoring mask laws and social distancing rules, which we couldn't counter, without putting ourselves in harm's way.

We have 2,000+ locals in our  group now.

For a while, we had 'calls to action', asking our members to email council members. After mayors and council members told us they were getting 400+ emails from us, they said one email from us, would represent all members wanting 'mask laws' renewed. Hence we are ASKING FELLOW LIBERAL, PROGRESSIVE, DEMOCRATS, TO CLICK ON TO THIS FACEBOOK PAGE, AND CLICK 'JOIN'. https://www.facebook.com/groups/933445013749224. This will get our member count higher.

In January 2021 our group took on another task. We are working directly with SC DHEC, our local hospitals, chain and local pharmacies, doctors' offices, MUSC, and even GA and NC locations et.al. to achieve swift and equitable vaccine appointments and vaccinations.  We help folks without computers or those who are not computer savvy to get appointments. 

We have also provided volunteers to local vaccination locations to help with paperwork, patient flow, and we have had many of our retired nurses and doctors volunteer to give shots. We announce when shots are available, and help anyone get a vaccine. Pharmacists for example let us know when they have extra vials at the end of the day, and we send people asap to them.

We are working with local Walmart Pharmacies who have partnered nationally with Uber to get 'free' rides for vaccinations. Uber via Walmart gets paid by Medicare, Medicaid, and some insurance companies.

We do much more as well. So we are asking for your support by clicking 'join' at https://www.facebook.com/groups/933445013749224

Toni Valenstien, Bluffton and

Art Segal, HHI

co-administrators of the FB group