Dear Democrats,

It’s the last day of January and you know what that means: presidential primary season is officially here. The Iowa Caucus is just a few days away! It’s an exciting time to be a Democrat and a crucial time in our nation’s history–in other words, it’s time for you to get involved. 

With the start of the presidential primaries, we can’t help but think about the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee this July. We’re down to the final few Democratic National Convention Delegate Selection Trainings–Boston (2/1), Hyannis (2/1), Chelsea (2/8), and Newton (2/9). If you can’t make it to one of the remaining trainings, all the materials are accessible here.

2020 isn’t just about taking back the White House, it’s about laying the groundwork to elect Democrats down the ballot in November. February marks the start of MassDems’ caucus season, when town and ward committees across the Commonwealth elect delegates to the 2020 MassDems Convention in Lowell. You can search for your local caucus, here. Are you a new chair, a caucus veteran looking for a refresher, or just interested in our new one-ballot process? Tune in to one of MassDems’ caucus trainings happening in early February, details can be found below and on our website. 

You’ll all read more in Kate’s note below, but MassDems’ Communications Manager, Patrick Coyne, will be leaving the Party next week. This transition is bittersweet; while we’re all sad to see Patrick go, we’re thankful for the work he’s done with the Party–and for the Dispatch.

The Democratic Dispatch is nothing less than a staple of Massachusetts politics, and I’m looking forward to working with Kate to continue this long standing tradition!

All the best,

Allison Mitchell
Communications Manager, Massachusetts Democratic Party

A Special Note from Kate

Patrick Coyne has made the difficult decision to move on from the Massachusetts Democratic Party. Patrick oversaw the transition of the Democratic Dispatch from a volunteer effort to being part of the Mass Dems. Patrick and the rest of the team worked extensively with Matt and me to ensure that the Dispatch was being done to the same standards that we had established. I am here in Iowa for two weeks. I am very grateful that I don’t have to take time off from the things that I am doing to write the Dispatch. Please join me in wishing Patrick good luck in his future endeavors.

Ideas for Committees

With three Democratic Debates scheduled in February–Friday, February 7th; Wednesday, February 19th; and Tuesday, February 25th–there are plenty of opportunities to host debate watch parties! Start by picking an easy to find and accessible location–like a local restaurant, community center, or someone’s home. Just make sure you’ll be able to use the TV or projector, and have access to cable/WiFi. Once your event is booked, make sure to email events@massdems.org so we can add it to the Dispatch! Advertise your watch party by making a Facebook event, and share it with your members and on social media. We don’t need to say this–but a little free food goes a long way getting people to come to your events.

Upcoming Events

*1/31/2020 A Conversation with MD-8 Rep. Jamie Raskin and Candidate for MA-4 Alan Khazei*
Friday, January 31, 6 PM
RSVP for Address
Join MD-8 Rep. Jamie Raskin and Candidate for MA-4 Alan Khazei and their host committee for an intimate conversation. RSVP for address: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/raskinjan31 

2/1/2020 Central MA Democratic Candidates Forum
Saturday, February 1, 10 – 12 PM
Salem Cross Inn, 260 W. Main Street West Brookfield 
Hosted by: The DTCs of West Brookfield, North Brookfield, and Brookfield. Come hear from representatives from the presidential and congressional campaigns in advance of Super Tuesday. This is a free event & coffee and muffins will be served. Contact: northbrookfielddemocrats@gmail.com 

*2/1/2020 Democratic National Convention Delegate Selection Training: Boston*
Saturday, February 1, 10 AM
Sheet Metal Workers’ Union Hall, 1157 Adams St, Dorchester, MA 02124

Attendees will learn about the process to become a delegate to the National Convention. The training will also include presentations on the 2020 Census and “Check the Box,” our voter registration initiative. RSVP here: bit.ly/BostonDNCDel  

2/1/2020 Ipswich DTC Annual Breakfast
Saturday, February 1, 10 – 12 PM
Ipswich VFW, 110 County Road, Ipswich
Featuring an appearance by Secretary of State William Galvin. They will be honoring Meryl Baier and the Committee who brought Americans Who Tell the Truth to Ipswich. Enjoy a gourmet breakfast catered by The Wooden Spoon. For tickets email Sherry Hurley, hurley13@aol.com or buy them online at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ipswich2020 Tickets: $40; Sponsors: $60. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/475109109865130/ Questions: hurley13@aol.com or 978-500-0694  

2/1/2020 West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield and Sturbridge DTCs Team up: Democratic Presidential & Congressional Candidate’s Forum
Saturday, February 1, 10 – 12 PM
The Salem Cross Inn, 260 West Main Street, West Brookfield, MA 01585 
On Saturday, Feb. 1, the Democratic Town Committees of West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Brookfield and Sturbridge are teaming up to co-host a forum for presidential and congressional candidates and campaigns at the historic Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield. Event is free and open to the public. In addition to campaign surrogates for Biden, Sanders, Warren and Yang, several campaigns for the U.S. Senate and Congressional seats have also committed to participate. Representatives from the U.S. Senate campaigns of Sen. Ed Markey, Congressman Joe Kennedy and attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan will be on hand, as well as the campaigns of Alex Morse, former mayor of Holyoke who is challenging Congressman Richard Neal, and Congressman Jim McGovern. County and district candidates are also expected.

For more information, visit nbdemocrats.org. 

2/1/2020 Force Multiplier’s 2020 Dance Party for the Movement Voter Fund
Saturday, February 1, 7:30 – 10 PM
Somerville Center for the Arts Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville
Join Force Multiplier for their “2020 KICK BUTT KICK OFF Dance Party…Kiss Donald Goodbye!” They are are putting the FUN in Fundraising and raising money for the Movement Voter Fund which supports voter empowerment groups and their efforts to turn of the vote in their communities. Featuring: Tempo Azul Salsa Band + salsa lessons + Munchies + Cash Bar + Fundraising Fun. $25 Suggested minimum for tickets. Donate/buy tickets to be added to the guest list here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ttforcemultiplierparty
Tickets also available at the door. Details: https://www.forcemultiplierma.org/   

*2/3/2020 Transit Round Table with Jordan Meehan, Candidate for State Representative (17th Suffolk)*
Monday, February 3, 6:30 PM
Charlesview Residences, 123 Antwerp St, Brighton, MA 02135-1311, United States
123 Antwerp St, Brighton, MA 02135-1311, United States
Join candidate for State Representative for 17th Suffolk Jordan Meehan for a community dialogue about issues in transit. Contact Micaela at (508)-918-4409 & jordanforma@gmail.com with any questions. RSVP on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/177580663325795  

2/3/2020 CD-4 Congressional Candidate Forum hosted by the Wellesley DTC
Monday, February 3, 7 PM
Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington St, Wellesley
7pm Social Hour and Postcards; 7:30pm Business Meeting; 8pm Candidate Forum. Details and RSVP: https://www.wellesleydems.org/events/congressional-candidate-forum 

2/3/2020 Wilmington DTC Meeting
Monday, February 3, 7 PM
Wilmington Community Television, 10 Waltham St., Wilmington
Join the Wilmington DTC for their February meeting. Contact: https://www.facebook.com/WilmingtonDems/ 

2/3/2020 Massachusetts Congressional District Four Candidate’s Forum
Monday, February 3, 8 PM
Wellesley Community Center, 219 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02481
Come and meet the candidates running in the 4th Congressional District. Doors open at 7:00PM and forum begins at 8:00PM. To RSVP, click here: https://bit.ly/2RrShgl  

*2/4/2020 2020 MassDems State Convention: Chair’s Caucus Training*
Tuesday, February 4, 7 PM
Remote
Join Chair Gus Bickford and Executive Director Veronica Martinez for an online training regarding the state convention caucus process. Learn how to run your caucus from start to finish and ask questions during an in-depth review of the new process to run your caucus on one ballot. Join the webinar here: bit.ly/24CaucusTraining 

2/05/2020 5th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration with Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu
Wednesday, February 5, 6 PM
Omni Parker House, 60 School Street, Boston
Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu invites you to the 5th annual Lunar New Year Celebration! If you would like to be involved or attend, please respond to this email, or email sharon@michelleforboston.com. You can also find more details on the invite here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/wulny20  

*2/5/2020 2020 MassDems State Convention: Chair’s Caucus Training*
Wednesday, February 5, 7 PM
Remote
Join Chair Gus Bickford and Executive Director Veronica Martinez for an online training regarding the state convention caucus process. Learn how to run your caucus from start to finish and ask questions during an in-depth review of the new process to run your caucus on one ballot. Join the training here: bit.ly/25CaucusTraining 

*2/5/2020 Andover Democratic Town Committee Meeting*
Wednesday, February 5, 7 PM
Andover Baptist Church, 7 Central St, Andover, MA 01810
 

2/05/2020 Bellingham DTC Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, February 5, 7 PM
Municipal Center, 10 Mechanic St
Join the Bellingham DTC for their monthly meeting. 

2/5/2020 Rowley DTC Meeting
Wednesday, February 5, 7:15 PM
Rowley Public Library, 141 Main St, Rowley
Special Guest: CD6 candidate Angus McQuilken. Representatives from several of the presidential campaigns have been invited attend and give their candidate’s perspectives on how to cure the current healthcare system. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/474787590089074/ 

2/6/2020 Grafton Democratic Town Committee Business Meeting
Thursday, February 6, 7 PM
Grafton Municipal Center, Room E, 30 Providence Rd, Grafton, MA 01519
Contact democratsofgraftonma@gmail.com for more information on the meeting!  

*2/6/2020 Medicare 4 All: Get your Healthcare Policy Questions Answered with Rep. Elugardo and Sen. Eldridge
Medicare 4 All: Get your Healthcare Policy Questions Answered*
Thursday, February 6, 7 PM
First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 02130
Join JP Progressives for a Community Education Forum and Discussion on Medicare for All moderated by State Representative Nika Elugardo. Panel will include Senator Jamie Eldridge, Benjamin Day, Rebecca Wood, and Gordon Schiff. For more information visit their facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1680904635385396/, or contact moreinfo@jpprogressives.com 

2/07/2020 The Harwich Democratic Town Committee 21st Annual JFK President’s Day Brunch 
Friday, February 7, 10 AM
1421 Orleans-Harwich Rd, Harwich MA 02645
The Harwich Democratic Town Committee invites you to the 21st Annual JFK President’s Day Brunch. During the breakfast they will honoring the 2019 Award Recipients: Judith Underwood, the Mabel Canto Democrat of the Year, and Harwich Conservation Trust, receiving the James Noonan Community Service Award. Seating is limited, please RSVP by 2/11 to madawaskamarvel@gmail.com or call (415) 420-6706. $25 per person. 

*2/8/2020 Democratic National Convention Delegate Selection Training: Chelsea*
Saturday, February 8, AM
Chelsea Public Library, 569 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150

569 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150
Attendees will learn about the process to become a delegate to the National Convention. The training will also include presentations on the 2020 Census and “Check the Box,” our voter registration initiative. RSVP here: bit.ly/ChelseaDNCDel  

*2/8/2020 2020 MassDems State Convention: Chair’s Caucus Training*
Saturday, February 8, 10 AM
Remote
Join Chair Gus Bickford and Executive Director Veronica Martinez for an online training regarding the state convention caucus process. Learn how to run your caucus from start to finish and ask questions during an in-depth review of the new process to run your caucus on one ballot. Join the webinar here: bit.ly/28CaucusTraining 

2/8/2020 Holliston DTC Monthly Meeting
Saturday, February 8, 10 AM
Holliston Town Hall, 703 Washington St
Join the Holliston DTC for their monthly meeting. 

2/9/2020 2020 Democratic National Convention Delegate Selection Training: Newton
Sunday, February 9, 5 – 7 PM
Social Restaurant, 320 Washington St, Newton, MA 02458
The MassDems is hosting trainings on how to become a delegate to the 2020 Democratic National Convention to make sure the convention process is as accessible as possible! During this training, you will learn about the process to become a DNC convention delegate and hear from past delegates about their experience during previous Conventions. RSVP: http://bit.ly/2snEtsX Contact: (617) 939-0800  

2/11/2020 Billerica DTC Meeting
Tuesday, February 11, 7 PM
Billerica Town Hall, Room 110, 365 Boston Road, Billerica
Join the Billerica DTC for their February meeting. Contact: billericademocrats@gmail.com 

*2/12/2020 2020 MassDems State Convention: Chair’s Caucus Training*
Wednesday, February 12, 6 PM
Remote
Join Chair Gus Bickford and Executive Director Veronica Martinez for an online training regarding the state convention caucus process. Learn how to run your caucus from start to finish and ask questions during an in-depth review of the new process to run your caucus on one ballot. Join the webinar here: bit.ly/212CaucusTraining  

2/13/2020 Braintree Democratic Town Committee Monthly Meeting
Thursday, February 13, 7 – 8 PM
Thayer Public Library, Logan Auditorium, 798 Washington Street, Braintree
Guest speakers: Dr. Robbie Goldstein, candidate for MA 8; Matt O’Brien, field organizer for Kennedy for Senate. Details:  https://www.braintreedems.org/events 

2/13/2020 Arlington Democratic Town Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 13, 7:15 PM
Function Room, Common Ground Arlington, 319 Broadway, Arlington, MA 02474
All interested Democrats are cordially invited. For more information, visit https://arlingtondems.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/adtcma, or call Chair Aimee Coolidge at 781-646-5339. 

*2/15/2020 Grafton Democratic Town Committee Coffee Hour*
Saturday, February 15, AM
Pub 122, 215 Worcester St, North Grafton, MA 01536
Join the Grafton Democratic Town Committee for their informal coffee hour, generally the third Saturday of the month. Contact democratsofgraftonma@gmail.com for more info.  

*2/15/2020 Greater Lowell Area Democrats Meeting*
Saturday, February 15, 8 AM
10 Independence Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Join the Greater Lowell Area Democrats and special guest State Rep. Ken Gordon for their meeting on 2/15. Contact Christopher Jenkins at jenkins@gwmail.gwu.edu for more information.  

*2/15/2020 Taunton Democratic Campaign Institute*
Saturday, February 15, 10 AM
The District Center For The Arts, 15 Court St, Taunton, MA 02780
Regional DCIs provide candidates, campaign staff, and activists with opportunities for attendees to ask questions, receive hands-on training, and network with other local Democrats and campaign experts. RSVP here: bit.ly/DCITaunton 

*2/18/2020 Pepperell Democratic Town Committee Meeting*
Tuesday, February 18, 6:45 PM
Charles Lawrence Library, 15 Main St, Pepperell, MA 01463 
Join the Pepperell Democratic Town Committee for their monthly meeting. Contact tjdem@charter.net for more information. 

*2/22/2020 Salem Democratic Campaign Institute*
Saturday, February 22, 10 AM
135 Lafayette Apartments, 135 Lafayette St, Salem, MA 01970
Regional DCIs provide candidates, campaign staff, and activists with opportunities for attendees to ask questions, receive hands-on training, and network with other local Democrats and campaign experts. RSVP here: bit.ly/SalemDCI 

2/23/2020 College Dems of MA Winter Leadership Summit
Sunday, February 23, 11 AM
Mount Holyoke College, 50 College St, South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075
This year, the College Dems of MA annual Winter Summit will focus on building leadership skills. They’ll have trainings, discussions, and speakers focused on leading the charge towards a successful 2020 election. Details: https://www.facebook.com/events/959959051056066/ 

*2/24/2020 Lowell Democratic City Committee Meeting*
Monday, February 24, 7 PM
East End Club, 15 W 4th St, Lowell, MA 01850 
Join the Lowell Democratic City Committee for their general meeting. Contact Judith Durant at judithdurant1@comcast.net for more information. 

*2/26/2020 Burlington Democratic Town Committee Meeting*
Wednesday, February 26, 7 PM
Grand View Farm, 55 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803
 

*2/26/2020 Natick Democratic Town Committee Meeting with State Senator Becca Rausch*
Wednesday, February 26, 7:30 PM
Natick Town Hall, 13 E Central St School Committee Training Room, Natick, MA 01760
Join the Natick Democratic Town Commitee and State Sen. Becca Rausch for a conversation about the Roe Act. This meeting is open to the public.