Grand Democrats

January kicks off the 2026 election campaign cycle. This is not a time to be complacent! The Election Committee Chaired by Sherry Douglas and Kathy Wyse, will be tracking federal, state, county and local issues.

The Membership Committee, Chaired by Edra Jandro, will be developing strategies to expand our membership among the 2300 Democrats in Grand who are not members. The Social Committee, chaired by Judy Shields, continues Blue Breakfasts, Blue Dinners and our annual April Picnic. The Fundraising Committee, chaired by Past President Suzi Walling, will plan “friend, fun and fundraising events” to replenish the Victory Fund for the upcoming campaign expenses. The Program Committee, Chaired by President Bob Walling, will continue to provide programs that add value and understanding to our community. Community Outreach, Chaired by Carole Karsten, continues West Valley Community Food Bank collections at our monthly meeting and “Adopt-a-Street” quarterly.

Carol and Mike Gontko, take over our Technology Team and we say goodbye with gratitude to Kay and Larry Sawatzki who have managed our MailChimp and Event’s Calendar since 2023. We also thank with gratitude Jim Coffran, our Treasurer since 2023, who has kept us in line and in legal compliance. We welcome Karen Manning as Treasurer for 2025 and beyond!

Our next Grand Dems General Meeting is Wednesday, January 22. A couple changes anticipated in January include coffee, cookies and conversation at 5:45 pm with the meeting starting at 6:15 pm. January is “Get to Know Your Neighbors” month in Grand Dems. Our Guest Speaker is Yolanda Bajarano, Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party. She will address plans for Arizona to move forward in this important 2026 election season. Please RSVP if you have not done so.

As I enter 2025, “my second and last year as President, “it is important that Grand Democrats retain continuity for 2026 and beyond. To do so, we ideally need a President in training either by being Vice President or on the Board. Our Vice President, Ken Kessler, cannot take on the President’s position next year, so with 285 members, we must have at least one person able and willing to continue our Grand tradition?  Please reach out to me at granddems@gmail.com and we’ll have a chat. Each President has their own style-Democrats love “diversity” so don’t think you have to copy me!” Create  your own new approaches for the Club. Know that  Speakers love to come to our Club as they know we are enthusiastic and financially supportive.

One final word as we close out 2024,  be grateful for what  you have, be thankful that there is a community of like-minded people who care about our community and country, be energized by the young people we know are in leadership roles within our party and will  join us in preparing for a bright future. Rest up these final weeks, January is just around the corner, and I can’t wait for the opportunities it will bring.

That’s it for now. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all from the Board to you.

Bob Walling

President