[PDM Info] Invitation to Celebrate with PDM this Friday 12/10

[Mary Ann.]

Marie-Frances -- Wanted to be sure you knew that PDM is hosting an
end-of-year celebration and planning party this Friday over Zoom. We'll be
acknowledging all that we've accomplished this year -- and you've been a
part of it. We'd be delighted if you could join us, starting at 4 PM. More
details below. If you can join, reply-all and we'll send you the link.

It will be great to see you.
~ Mary Ann Stewart, for the PDM Leadership Team



*Progressive Friends* – As we navigate these challenging times, we
want to *update
you about the work that Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts **(PDM) **has
been doing and to ask for your help* for the ambitious work ahead of us.
Most important, *PDM invites you as a Sustaining Member for a virtual
wine-and-cheese get-together via Zoom on Friday December 10*, *2021 4 to 6
PM*, where we can talk together about our accomplishments this year and our
plans for 2022.  *Please Reply All to this email for a link to join us.*



In 2021, we’ve undertaken several important new initiatives, while
continuing our work on numerous other fronts, including our Baker-Polito
Watch which documented many failings of the current administration and--we
hope--helped convince the two subjects not to run again!

·      We started a *monthly series of on-line Public Policy Forums*, in
which prominent experts have discussed crucial issues, ranging from housing
to climate to the opioid crisis. To access videos of the forums, and
related materials on each topic, click here
<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.progressivedemsofmass.org%2Fforums%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cp.enrich%40northeastern.edu%7Cbe57dcb5295740d8d1e508d9b85619c3%7Ca8eec281aaa34daeac9b9a398b9215e7%7C0%7C0%7C637743503097499692%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=BqvT4ZVxm6oULEEXimqvIsGLn64IychJt%2BRtYtyH9uY%3D&reserved=0>
.

·      We have led an effort to* address the dysfunction of the
Massachusetts legislature, convening a* working group to begin building the
broad coalition needed to achieve meaningful change.  The working group has
produced a powerful 30-page report, available at:
https://www.progressivedemsofmass.org/legislative-reform/
<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.progressivedemsofmass.org%2Flegislative-reform%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cp.enrich%40northeastern.edu%7Cbe57dcb5295740d8d1e508d9b85619c3%7Ca8eec281aaa34daeac9b9a398b9215e7%7C0%7C0%7C637743503097509685%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=iTJVc4QdFmXvEQ8G3xUZGJxT6ZSdzZ6SYG8CerrEJtg%3D&reserved=0>
assessing
the problems and identifying paths to reform. And we are creating a
broad-based, diverse coalition of individuals and organizations to drive
the reform effort.

·      We’ve *hired an intern*, who has greatly expanded our research and
outreach capacity.  To maintain this momentum and to continue to bring
talented college students into our activist community, we need the
resources to make this internship permanent.

·      We *continue our active participation in the Raise Up MA Coalition*,
the campaign to  *pass the Fair Share Amendment in 2022, *and our
engagement with coalition partners* Mass Alliance, Mass Power Forward, and
others* pursuing progressive agendas.

·      *Our Education Working Group has taken a leadership role in tackling
the huge challenges facing the state’s system of vocational education*,
pursuing the funding to expand capacity for the thousands of students on
wait lists for admission to our vocational schools and attacking
discriminatory admissions criteria.

·      We have begun to plan *for the 2022 statewide and legislative races.* As
always, we’ll have a participatory endorsement process for the major
statewide races and significant legislative contests. In 2022, we *are
hosting an online forum every Friday beginning on January 7, from 10 to
11am, to hear each of the declared candidates for Governor*.

·      We’re also *building the capacity for strong grassroots campaigns in
2022* for our endorsed candidates, for the Fair Share Amendment, and
against Uber’s anti-worker ballot initiative.

That’s *a big agenda for an entirely volunteer-led organization*. To meet
the challenges ahead, we need your support – your time and skills, and your
financial support.



*You are also invited to let us know*, at info at progressivedemsofmass.org, *if
you are interested in any of the efforts listed above and if you can lend a
hand*. We need you!



*You can make a donation at **this link*
<https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.progressivedemsofmass.org%2Fcontribute%2F&data=04%7C01%7Cp.enrich%40northeastern.edu%7Cbe57dcb5295740d8d1e508d9b85619c3%7Ca8eec281aaa34daeac9b9a398b9215e7%7C0%7C0%7C637743503097509685%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=r0ngRRVjhIUTBba7ep79%2FgV6NO0miOHOFGfzo44m6N8%3D&reserved=0>.
Every dollar you contribute is highly leveraged by all of the volunteer
effort that is at the core of PDM’s work.



Continue as or become *a Sustaining Member*: a) contribute $120 or $10 per
month (or whatever you can afford), and b) actively participate in our
work.



Thanks for all that you do!



The PDM Leadership Team
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