Featured speakers:

 

The club’s First Vice President Anthony Fossaceca announced a number of upcoming events, including 3 events at Chagrin Falls Township Hall:

• How Things Work at the Ohio Statehouse featuring Rachel Coyle, August 23 at 3 pm
• Allison Russo, endorsed Democratic candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, Sept. 23 at 5:30 pm
• Rally in the Valley on Oct. 24 at 10 am featuring many Democratic candidates on the Nov. 3 ballot. This is the club’s premier election-season event!

Marcie Rotblatt recently clerked for 18 months in the Constitutional Court of South Africa. She spoke about Transformative Constitutionalism, which is South Africa’s approach of working toward a society based on equality. The constitution is intended as a guide to redressing the social and economic inequality that was the result of the country’s apartheid past. It may be possible and is certainly worth considering adopting this mindset in the US, as Marcie noted, “an idealistic goal helps drive a country forward.” Individual citizens have the power to influence the government and should do so in whatever ways are possible for them.

 

Sue Durichko explained relational organizing as a crucial aspect of the Acton for Governor campaign. This type of organizing is about having conversations with people in our networks and turning these trusted relationships into votes. This approach was part of the 2008 Obama campaign. It starts by listing 25 people you know, reaching out to them, and following up with them. The Acton campaign welcomes volunteers who would like to engage in this type of organizing. Find out more by signing up here: 

 

Judge Anita Laster Mays is running for re-election to the Eighth District Court of Appeals. She spoke about her background and experience as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney who has handled criminal, civil, probate and domestic relations cases.