The 2010 Spirit of Millie Jeffrey Award Dinner on tap

The deadline for buying tickets to the 2010 Spirit of Millie Jeffrey Award Dinner is Wednesday for the dinner set for March 21,

The annual award and fundraising dinner is sponsored by The Justice Caucus and honors the life of Millie Jeffrey, a progressive grassroots leader. The dinner will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott. 3205 Boardwalk Dr. in Ann Arbor, beginning with a reception and book signing with the keynote speaker, Governor Madeleine M. Kunin at 6 p.m.

The following progressive activists will be recognized with the Millie Jeffrey award that reflects their commitment and work for economic and social justice: Elizabeth Bunn, the secretary-treasurer of the UAW — the highest post held by a woman in the union's history; Maryion T. Lee; Ethel Schwartz and Ron Scott. The dinner will also see a new award for the first time: the Millie Jeffrey Rising Star Award. That award will be given to Sarah Juster, an Ann Arbor high school student who has shown exceptional leadership in the fight against genocide and to provide relief to the refugees of Darfur.

The MC for the night is Michael McGuinness, the chair of the Oakland County Democratic Party. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. and the keynote address by Kunin begins at 8 p.m.

Kunin has an impressive resume. She was born in Zürich to a Jewish family, and moved to the U.S. as a child. Kunin received her bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a master's degree from the University of Vermont. She was first elected as a Vermont State Representative, serving as the Minority Whip of the House. In 1978 she was elected to the first of two terms as the Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. In 1984 she was elected to the first of three terms as governor. She is the first woman in U.S. history to be elected governor three times. She was also the Deputy Secretary of Education from 1993 until 1997 in the Clinton Administration, and following that she became the ambassador to her native Switzerland, as well as to Liechtenstein. She is the author of
“Pearls, Politics, and Power: How Women Can Win and Lead” and “Living a Political Life.”

The Justice Caucus mission is to promote the cause of progressive democracy within the Democratic Party, in government and in the legal profession. The fund-raiser pays for such things as Camp Millie. Camp Millie is a 2-day weekend intensive training program designed to give Democratic activists the tools for effective progressive political action in your community based on Camp Wellstone.

Join the Battle in Battle Creek for Michigan Saturday

Join like minded Democrats and progressives this Saturday for the “Battle in Battle Creek” sponsored by the Justice Caucus for the first battle in the war to take back the Michigan Senate from the obstructionist Republicans.

Rep. Martin Griffin, D-Jackson, is running in a special election set for November for the 19th District that represents Calhoun and Jackson counties that was vacated with the election of Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, to the U.S. House last November. This is the first step in taking back the Senate like we did the House in 2006.

The state election will have national repercussions when the Congressional district boundaries are redrawn based on the 2010 Census.

The plan is to gather at 12:30 p.m. at Ironworkers Local 340, 510 Columbia Ave E, Battle Creek, MI 49014. Following a picnic lunch, volunteers will hit the streets of Battle Creek to knock on the doors of targeted Democratic and independent votes in support of Griffin. Bring a friend or two and make a contribution to improving the state. Griffin is well known and popular of his home county of Jackson, but he is less known in Battle Creek and Calhoun County.

For more information call (313) 333-4502 or (734) 674-7327.

The Justice Caucus mission is to promote the cause of progressive democracy within the Democratic Party, in government and in the legal profession. They also put on Camp Millie that gives Democratic activists the tools for effective progressive political action in their community.

Equip yourself with the proper tools with Camp Millie

It has been more than a week since the Michigan Democratic Party Convention in Detroit’s Cobo Hall in Detroit concluded. I, and many, other Democrats left Cobo energized and ready to save and defend the state we call home by working and electing Democratic candidates.

But how do we accomplish that?

In the main hall in Cobo there were many fliers and papers lying on the chairs. One of them was a yellow sheet advertising The Justice Caucus’ Camp Millie. This is a perfect way to equip yourself with the tools to change things. Camp Millie is a weekend intensive training program based on Camp Wellstone.

Camp Millie is a 2-day weekend intensive training program designed to give Democratic activists the tools for effective progressive political action in your community. A faculty of experienced political organizers and activists share their expertise on a wide range of topics that grass roots activists, campaign managers and candidates must know to succeed. Attendees will get first hand knowledge on framing your issues, message development; volunteer recruitment; Democratic Party structure, techniques and strategies to Get-Out -The-Vote, door-to-door canvassing, phone banking; fundraising and Campaign Finance Law compliance. Sessions include hands-on practice exercises so you can hone your new skills. Your $35 tuition fee includes training materials and box lunches on Saturday and Sunday.

I attended this training in Monroe last spring, and it was invaluable. The take home print outs and handouts alone was worth the money.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring a session in their area simply contact the organizers. The training draws activists from all over the state. Call Fran Brennan at (734) 330-5225 or e-mail campmillie@justicecaucus.org to sponsor a session.

Camp Millie is named in honor of the late Millie Jeffrey, a long-time Justice Caucus Board Member. She was a champion of social and economic justice for workers, women and minorities. Millie was the co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus, and she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 2000.

The Justice Caucus Mission is to promote the cause of progressive democracy within the Democratic Party, in government and in the legal profession.