May 19th, 2026 Democratic Meeting Minutes
May 19th, 2026 Democratic meeting summary
- Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm and followed by the pledge
of allegiance.
- Approval of the minutes: April minutes were approved.
- Treasurer’s report: Current balance was reported with several bills still outstanding.
Monies were paid out for the fair & also state convention fees for delegates. Anyone
who would like to pay their own $35 fee, see Sandy. The veterans’ fund was also
reported.
- Glenda Breeden, Vice chair:
1. The upcoming Festival schedule was discussed…Owen County Fair, Gosport
Lazy Days, Apple Butter Festival, Cataract Bean Festival & Spencer Pride
Festival. Fish Frys were also mentioned.
2. State convention delegates were asked to stand: Stephanie Barlow, Jane
Rubeck, Kristin Szczerbik, Julie Coffin, Sandy Calvert, David Henk, Glenda and
Bill Breeden.
3. Thanks to all those that helped with the flag pole. Solar light installed.
- Legislative report, Judy Darnel: Left papers on the tables with many issues: Epstein
file, Iran war, billion dollar slush fund, health issues and prescription plans, school
funding, privatization of Social Security, data centers.
- Fundraising, Ann Henk:
1.) Discussed the Sustainer program and referenced the cards on each table with
the QR code, or contact Sandy Calvert, treasurer. All amounts welcome: $5, $10, $15,
$20 a month. ($5.00/month = $1.15/week; $20/month = $4.61/week) If we have 30
sustainers at each level, imagine all the great things that we can achieve: funding
election candidates, air conditioning in the building, etc.
2.) Yard Sale report--Thanks to all who donated and special thanks to Julie Coffin &
Sandy Calvert for all they did to make this a success. We experimented a little with a
bake sale, as well.
3.) July 23 rd , 7pm, Tivoli presents Times of a Sign, a PBS documentary starring Bill
Breeden (OCDems Chair). Bill stole a John Poindexter street sign and was the only
person to serve time for the Iran/Contra Affair. This is the 40th Anniversary of his
infamous civil disobedience.
- Food committee, JoAnn Neal: Thanks to all who donated food this evening! JoAnn
asked people to contact her about helping out and donating so that her job of planning
will be easier. Please donate for the meals; this raises money for the party.
Outreach committee, Stephanie Barlow:
1.) Little Pantry boxes continue to meet every Monday at noon & Thursday at 6pm.
2.) New pantry going in at the Hamilton Center.
3.) Trivia night June 27th. Doors open at 6:00 and starts at 7:00. There will be
prizes & free food.-
4..) Another pre-order of T-shirts is in the works. A sign-up sheet is up front.
- Building Report, David Henk: Asked for volunteers to install a few more outlets. Also
looking for a good way to hang pictures.
- Chair. Bill Breeden introduced Zach Harrison with the Indiana Rural Summit. Zach
is also part of Blythe Potter’s campaign team. He congratulated our county for the
protests, the outreach committee work, and our work with the surrounding counties.
Event: Build Today, Win Tomorrow, May 31 st , at the Smithville Community Center, 7555
S. Strainbridge Rd., Bloomington, IN 3-6pm, tickets are $25 or $10 for students. This
is about building infrastructure to propel students into the next generation as leaders,
organizers, and candidates. Zach spoke about the importance of knocking on doors.
-Chair, Bill Breeden: Bill spoke about the state convention. He will pick up ID badges.
Carpool, if possible.
-Jerry Reynolds asked to speak. He was a council member in 1994. He talked about
road conditions, the new jail, taxes, and recent property assessments. He proposed a
petition to form an oversight committee for accountability. Also ask that the
commissioners meet in a bigger room so that people don’t have to be out in the hall.
- June 14th Protest on Trump's birthday proposed., Good trouble day!
- The meeting adjourned.
NEXT MEETING: June 23 rd . Supper/Social 5:30-6:30; business meeting 6:30-7:30.
Submitted by: David & Ann Henk, co-secretaries