January 19 Leg Act News

TCDC Webmaster
Jan 21
4 min read

Committees of the Tioga County Democratic Committee

Every TCDC member and supporter is welcome and encouraged to join a committee! The exception is the Executive Committee, which is comprised of TCDC members elected to leadership positions.

Our TCDC committees did tremendous work last year, helping five candidates get elected to office and creating a positive, visible presence throughout the community. Our committee members are providing resources, organizing events and rallies, and developing relationships with legislators through letter writing, phone calls, and attending legislative meetings.

TCDC committees are fun and fulfilling! Committee chairs recognize that people are stronger in some areas than others and have a preference for the type of work they do. We appreciate everyone's contributions, big or small.

Some committees are seasonal, and others are active throughout the year. All of the committees are seeking active, engaged, and enthusiastic participants.

Campaign Committee - Open Chair/Co-Chair Positions

This committee assists in fielding qualified candidates, advises people who want to run for office, and spearheads activities to help candidates get elected.

The past chair, Jo Ellen Rose, is currently immersed in her new role as a Tioga County Legislator. A new chair and/or co-chair are needed to direct and organize the committee and develop a streamlined process for candidates from the time of their initial inquiry until they are elected. Candidates must design their own campaigns, but the committee is available to advise, to assist with petitioning and canvassing, and to provide in-kind support such as signs and flyers.

The Campaign Committee can always use help from interested members! We need volunteers to update the list of campaign tasks and activities and create a timeline for the year; design and implement tutorials on MiniVAN, our mobile canvassing application; coordinate phone banks and canvassing opportunities; organize and assemble campaign signs, and help to distribute and monitor them, and collect/take them down when the campaign season ends.

Interested in serving on the Campaign Committee? Contact Irena Raia at IrenaHorvatt@gmail.com or Joan Davis at jdavis719@live.com.

Communication Committee - Chair Irena Raia

Irena does a great job with focused communication and needs members who can help with disseminating information via social and traditional media outlets. Participants on this committee would create graphics, support the TCDC website, compose and send press releases, and coordinate with other committees to publicize news and events.

The committee is responsible for advertising TCDC activities such as the yearly picnic and other fundraisers. High-profile events for TCDC include Lights on the River and the Owego Strawberry Festival, truly collaborative efforts organized by Irena and made successful with the help of dedicated members and supporters.

Fundraising Committee - Chair Nancy Della Pia

Nancy organizes various large and small fundraisers throughout the year. This committee comes together to plan specific events, so it does have some downtime if a full-time gig doesn't work for you.

Participants coordinate raffles, food, and activities; disseminate information at vendor tables; and are responsible for the success of the legendary TCDC Pig Roast and Fundraiser, held annually in August.

Call Nancy at 607-761-7300 or email her at ndellapia@gmail.com if you're interested in serving on the Fundraising Committee.

Legislative Action Committee (Leg Act) - Facilitator Marita Florini

Our mission statement is “An educated citizenry is essential for Democracy.” This subcommittee meets regularly to discuss ways of showing legislative presence in the community. Leg Act writes a weekly newsletter and sends letters to area papers.

Participants are needed to attend local board and legislative meetings regularly and report on their actions. Federal and State-level bills and information need to be collected and researched. Our committee members advocate in areas of their preference, such as health care or environmental issues. This committee works in tandem with the Campaign Committee to help elect Democrats to office.

Leg Act also helps organize protests, seeks ways to make local Democrats more visible to the community, and provides avenues to discuss Democracy, the Constitution, and the country we want to see.

To become a member of this committee, or to submit a letter, or be part of an event or protest, email Marita Florini at FNPMAF1@gmail.com.

Young Democrats - Coming soon!

If you or your family includes anyone in the 17 to 36-year-old age range interested in joining a Young Democrats group, please email Marita at FNPMAF1@gmail.com. This group will likely be part of TCDC but will need to present its plans to the Executive Committee once organized.

Action Alerts

STOP ICE’S AGGRESSIVE ATTACKS ON IMMIGRANTS AND U.S. CITIZENS. Use 5Calls to contact Congressman Langworthy, Senators Schumer, and Gillibrand. Demand that ICE stop its aggressive actions.
Call Congressman Langworthy (202-225-3161) and be clear about your objections to the Republican Administration's actions in Venezuela. Inform Langworthy that you believe the President is acting illegally according to International law and that his actions are contrary to the Constitution.
Fund Health Care, Not Warfare! Write your health care story as soon as you can! Tell your story about barriers to medical care and prescription medicine, trouble getting coverage, or the high cost of insurance. We hope to collect several instances to share with the public and our elected officials to paint a picture of the woeful inadequacies in public health in the United States. Please also share your story with local legislators and the media; send them an email or write a letter to the editorof your local newspaper. We can help craft your message; just reach out via our contact page.
Run for Something! February 24 to the end of March is the petition period, so it is time to get your name on the ballot!
1. The NYS Board of Elections has a resource page to help you plan. Visit Running for Office | New York State Board of Elections.
2. Locally, we know there will be town justice positions; at the state level, NYS Assembly, Senate, and Governor; and federally, the NY23 Congressional seat.
If you can't run, volunteer! Carry petitions for candidates, make phone calls, host a meet and greet, or lend your talents to campaign committees. Every action helps get our candidates over the finish line!