Dear Democrats,

We’re nearly four weeks of social distancing into this pandemic, and some folks may feel as if their world is becoming smaller and smaller–but others are finding ways to connect with others and help those that need it. It’s important that we double our efforts to check in on family, friends, and neighbors, and remain active members of our communities. Here are just a few ways you can give back:

• Check in on family and friends, especially those who live alone: While social distancing keeps us safe, some folks might be struggling with loneliness. Make sure you check on your loved ones every once in a while.
• Donate blood: The need for donations has grown, and with some collection locations closed due to COVID-19, it’s become more difficult to satisfy the needs of Massachusetts hospitals. Set up an appointment with the Red Cross to donate blood at a site near you. 
• Support Local Businesses: Order takeout or make an online purchase to help small businesses hit hard by this pandemic–just make sure you wipe down packaging or takeout containers when you get home.
• Donate supplies: If you have things like masks, rubber gloves, or goggles, consider donating them to medical professionals on the front lines of this pandemic. You can view a detailed list of items and the donation form here. 
• Volunteer: Contact your local officials to see how you can help combat this virus in your community. Led by Mayor Marty Walsh, the City of Boston and over one thousand volunteers coordinated a city-wide lit drop to get vital information out to residents–in 7 different languages! If you’re a Boston resident, sign up to volunteer here.

And of course, democracy doesn’t stop–and there are plenty of ways you can stay involved in the special elections happening this spring. I’m challenging you to sign up for at least one virtual phone bank shift this week for John Velis for State Senate, Susan Moran for State Senate, Dan Sena for State Representative, or Carol Doherty for State Representative. 

Don’t forget to send your virtual events to events@massdems.org and have a great weekend!

All the best,

Allison Mitchell
MassDems Communications Manager

Ideas for Committees

Sign up for a remote meeting training ahead of your reorganization! We’re hosting a series of trainings for chairs interested in learning more about virtual conferencing and using tools like Zoom.us and UberConference. Dates and times are listed in the Dispatch below.

We’ve also put together a digital Reorganization Toolkit. Our toolkit has all the manuals, documents, and forms you’ll need to reorganize your committee, including guidance for you and your Treasurer. Before your meeting, submit the details here so we can add it to our reorg calendar! More guidelines and best practices can be found here. Again, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out at (617) 939-0800.

Event details:

4/4/2020 CANCELED: Wilmington Democratic Town Committee Scholarship Breakfast

Saturday, April 4, 10 AM

Windsor Place, 92 West St, Wilmington

RSVP: wilmingtondtc@gmail.com 

4/4/2020 Democratic State Committee Reorganization Meeting
Saturday, April 4, 10 AM
Remote on Zoom
The 4/4 DSC Reorganization Meeting will be held online via Zoom. Contact the MassDems at contact@massdems.org for the link. 

4/5/2020 CANCELED: Sturbridge Democratic Town Committee Unity Brunch and Fundraiser
Sunday, April 5, 11 AM
1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge
Promote and support Democratic candidates and raise funds for their annual scholarship award. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/2509188312684489/  

4/5/2020 POSTPONED: Waltham Democratic City Committee Hero’s Brunch
Sunday, April 5, 11 – 1 PM
Chateau Restaurant, 195 School Street, Waltham
This event has been postponed. A new date will be provided in the coming weeks. There will be much food, merriment, remembrances, a few political speeches, and of course, Heroes to honor!  

4/5/2020 Acton Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Sunday, April 5, 6 PM
Remote
ADTC is working on arrangements for a virtual meeting (phone and video) on Sunday, April 5 at 6PM. Contact actondtc@gmail.com for more information. 

4/5/2020 Lexington DTC Reorganization Meeting
Sunday, April 5, 7:30 PM
Brookhaven, 1010 Waltham St, Lexington
 

*4/6/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Monday, April 6, 11 AM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

*4/6/2020 Conversations with Carol Doherty, Candidate for State Rep, and Friends*
Monday, April 6, 7 PM
Remote
Join Carol and a special guest for a discussion and Q&A on the issues that matter most. More information at https://www.facebook.com/pg/dohertyforstaterep/  

4/6/2020 Lowell DCC Reorganization Meeting
Monday, April 6, 7 PM
East End Club,15 West Fourth Street, Lowell
Contact: Judith Durant at judithdurant1@comcast.net 

*4/6/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Monday, April 6, 7 PM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

4/6/2020 Wilmington DTC Reorganization Meeting
Monday, April 6, 7 PM
Wilmington Community Television, 10 Waltham St, Wilmington
 

*4/7/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Tuesday, April 7, 11 AM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

4/7/2020 Pepperell DTC Meeting
Tuesday, April 7, 6:45 PM
Charles Lawrence Library, 15 Main St, Pepperell
Agenda includes reorganization. Contact: tjdem@charter.net 

*4/7/2020 Marblehead DTC Reorganization*
Tuesday, April 7, 7 PM
Remote
For more information contact: Renee Keaney, Chair at reneekeaney@gmail.com  

*4/7/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Tuesday, April 7, 7 PM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

*4/8/2020 MassDems Virtual VAN Training*
Wednesday, April 8, 11 AM
Remote
Contact jeremy@massdems.org for details. 

*4/8/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Wednesday, April 8, 12 PM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

*4/8/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Wednesday, April 8, 6 PM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

4/8/2020 Boxford Democratic Town Committee Reorganization Meeting
Wednesday, April 8, 7 PM
Boxford Community Center, 4 Middleton Road (corner of Elm Street), Boxford
This meeting will likely be held via conference call. Agenda will include the election/re-election of officers. For further information contact: Ken Thompson, Chair@BoxfordDems.org or 978-502-2078. 

*4/9/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Thursday, April 9, 12 PM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

*4/9/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Thursday, April 9, 6 PM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

*4/10/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Friday, April 10, 11 AM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

*4/10/2020 MassDems Virtual DTC Meeting Training*
Friday, April 10, 1 PM
Remote
Email contact@massdems.org for details 

4/11/2020 Malden DCC Organizational Meeting
Saturday, April 11, 10 – 12 PM
Irish American Club, 177 West Street, Malden
Committees from the 8 Malden wards and the MDCC will organize and elect officers for a 2-year term. If you are a member, please attend and participate if you can.

For more information, please contact Adam Weldai (Chair), adamweldai@gmail.com or (781) 264-1629 or your ward chair.  

*4/11/2020 Shirley DTC Reorganization Meeting*
Saturday, April 11, 10 AM
Remote
Find more details at: https://bit.ly/2w7ifO2  

*4/13/2020 Converstations with Carol Doherty, Candidate for State Rep, and Friends*
Monday, April 13, 7 PM
Remote
Join Carol and a special guest for a discussion and Q&A on the issues that matter most. More information at https://www.facebook.com/pg/dohertyforstaterep/  

4/13/2020 Franklin Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Monday, April 13, 7 – 9 PM
FranklinTV and Radio Station, 23 Hutchinson St, Franklin
 

*4/13/2020 Wayland DTC Reorganization Meeting*
Monday, April 13, 7 PM
Remote
Contact waylanddems@gmail.com for details. 

*4/15/2020 MassDems Virtual VAN Training*
Wednesday, April 15, 11 AM
Remote
Contact jeremy@massdems.org for details 

4/15/2020 Burlington Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 15, 7 PM
Town Hall Annex, 25 Center St, Burlington
 

*4/17/2020 Wayland DTC Monthly Breakfast*
Friday, April 17, 8:30 AM
Remote
A place for informal political talk, contact waylanddems@gmail.com for details.  

*4/20/2020 Conversations with Carol Doherty, Candidate for State Rep, and Friends*
Monday, April 20, 7 PM
Remote
Join Carol and a special guest for a discussion and Q&A on the issues that matter most. More information at https://www.facebook.com/pg/dohertyforstaterep/  

*4/22/2020 MassDems Virtual VAN Training*
Wednesday, April 22, 11 AM
Remote
Contact jeremy@massdems.org for details 

4/25/2020 Democratic National Convention Caucuses
Saturday, April 25, 1 PM
Various
 

4/26/2020 Longmeadow Democrat of the Year Breakfast
Sunday, April 26, 9:30 AM
Twin Hills Country Club, 270 Wolf Swamp Road, Longmeadow
The Longmeadow DTC will be holding its annual Democrat of the Year Breakfast, honoring Sheriff Nick Cocchi, with U.S. Senator Ed Markey and U.S. Representative Joe Kennedy III as our keynote speakers. Other notable guests include Congressman Richie Neal, State Senator Eric Lesser, State Rep. Brian Ashe, and Hampden County DA Anthony Gulluni. 

4/26/2020 Groton Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Sunday, April 26, 4 PM
75 Hollis St, Groton, MA 01450
Contact: grotondtc@gmail.com 

*4/27/2020 Conversations with Carol Doherty, Candidate for State Rep, and Friends*
Monday, April 27, 7 PM
Remote
Join Carol and a special guest for a discussion and Q&A on the issues that matter most. More information at https://www.facebook.com/pg/dohertyforstaterep/  

*4/29/2020 MassDems Virtual VAN Training*
Wednesday, April 29, 11 AM
Remote
Contact jeremy@massdems.org for details 

5/2/2020 POSTPONED: Third Middlesex Democrats Annual Breakfast
Saturday, May 2, AM
Waltham Hilton Gardens Inn, 450 Totten Pond Road, Waltham
The Annual Breakfast has been postponed due to the public health emergency. A future date later this year will be announced when the governmental ban on large public meetings has been lifted. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3rdmad/members/  

5/2/2020 Tewksbury Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Saturday, May 2, 10 AM
1009 Main Street, Tewksbury
 

5/3/2020 Wakefield DTC Breakfast – Blue 2020 Vision: What’s at Stake?
Sunday, May 3, 8:30 – 11 AM
Four Points Sheraton, One Audubon Rd, Wakefield
The Wakefield DTC will be recognizing the Wakefield Human Rights Commission. The Breakfast will be held on May 3, 2020 at Four Points Sheraton in Wakefield 8:30 am-11:30 am. Tickets are $28 Students-$15. Guests include Congressman Seth Moulton and State Senator Jason Lewis. 

5/3/2020 The Gloucester Democratic City Committee’s Annual Fundraising Brunch
Sunday, May 3, 11 AM
Elks Lodge at 97 Atlantic Road, Gloucester.
Join the Gloucester DTC during their annual fundraising brunch on Sunday, May 3rd at the Elks Lodge!  

5/9/2020 Three Towns & Two Cities Breakfast
Saturday, May 9, 9 AM
Nicholson Hall, 9 Harris Street, Newburyport 01950
8:30 AM coffee/9:30 AM breakfast. Tickets are $35 if purchased in advance and $40 when purchased at the door. For more information, contact Kathy Pasquina at kathypasq2@hotmail.com or (978) 270-0529. 

5/9/2020 Malden Democrats Monthly Meeting
Saturday, May 9, 10 – 11 AM
Irish American Club, 177 West Street, Malden
For more information, please contact Adam Weldai (Chair), adamweldai@gmail.com or (781) 264-1629. 

5/19/2020 Pepperell DTC Meeting
Tuesday, May 19, 6:45 PM
The Lawrence Library, 15 Main St, Pepperell, MA 01463
 

5/19/2020 Littleton Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 PM
Littleton Town Hall, Room 230, 37 Shattuck Street, Littleton MA 01460.
Join the Littleton Democratic Town Committee for their regular business meeting. Contact Rob Hueston at rob@rghpc.com for more information.  

5/20/2020 Burlington DTC Meeting
Wednesday, May 20, 7 PM
Town Hall Annex, 25 Center Street, Burlington