Dear Club Members and Friends,
This month we are trying something a bit different from our regular monthly meetings. We will be meeting IN PERSON, without Zoom access, at Bushfire Kitchen in the Beachfront Del Mar Shopping Center, 2602 Del Mar Heights Rd, Suite #102, April 25th at 6:00pm. We have a private area on the patio reserved, and our program will feature an informal “book club style” discussion of the book How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them written by local UCSD Professor Barbara F. Walter.
You are welcome to order your own food and beverages at the Bushfire counter and bring them with you to our meeting area.
There is no need to read the book to participate in our informal discussions. Related topics like political polarization are in the news everyday and we welcome all insights for discussion on this vitally important subject.
Barbara F. Walter is a leading political scientist who has been studying civil conflicts for 30 years. You can order her book HERE and/or you can watch fascinating discussions about this book with Ms. Walter on any of the YouTube links below.
UCTV video featuring UCSD Professor Thad Kousser with Ms. Walter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-_0EEjyNo0
Penn State Law School Presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7mHdT4BelA
American Academy of Arts and Science presentation (at UCSD): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbH-AvNLzWQ
Center for Brooklyn History: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5PkM6E1458
Dear Members of the Torrey Pines Democratic Club,
If you care about our city and county governments, our school systems, climate change, equity in government, fair wages, and good government, then the Torrey Pines Democratic Club needs you and you need us! This is where we discuss these topics and welcome your input, where we hear expert speakers, where we hear out candidates for federal, state, and local offices seeking to serve our region, and where our input matters. We hope you will renew your membership and please, encourage your democratic friends to join with us. Your membership provides the financial support to make these things possible. There are several categories of membership as outlined on our Membership page.
Accomplishments for 2023
- We continued to hold successful meetings via Zoom video conferencing with an eye on returning to in person meetings when possible
- The Club held an endorsement meeting for federal, state and county offices
- Provided a platform throughout the year for direct interaction between our members, elected officials and local candidates running for political office
- Heard a presentation from local school board members about issues effecting their districts
- Enjoyed a picnic social in August and a holiday party in December
- Heard a presentation from a UCSD political scientist discussing trust in elections
- Held a forum on homelessness with a local reporter, elected officials and nonprofit organizations
Why your membership is important
- Our membership totals 57 members and we would love to see it grow
- It provides our club a vote at the pre-endorsements conference
- Member dues help cover meeting room costs/zoom fees
- Dues pay for our County Dem charter renewal
- Dues pay for our post office box and the website
- Being a member in good standing provides you with a vote for club endorsements and other business including electing officers
- It keeps our meetings free
- Your membership is important to help us foster the informed civil society that is so important in these troubled times
- Your membership and your input make a difference!
What’s coming for 2024
- Key elections in November for President, U.S. Senate, and other state and federal offices representing us
- Important local races for county supervisor, local city councils, school boards, and more that we can influence
- Important ballot measures
- Opportunities to learn about important issues that affect us locally and across the nation
- Continued opportunities to make a difference in our community and to dialogue with like-minded people
- Annual summer and holiday social events
- Endorsement opportunities for local and state offices in this Presidential election year
Thank you very much,
Janette Shelton, Membership Chair