As a group based on activism, it shouldn’t be surprising that, like the world around us, we are always in motion and always in a state of change. We have seen some of our most valued leaders depart, as when Mark and Jo Kraych moved to Arizona. While some members have lessened their roles due to busy schedules, others have stepped up to assume new roles in leadership. Each of those who have become involved has gained a better understanding of how they personally are best able to contribute to the Club’s work and success. We have all found some things at which we are skilled and in which we are comfortable. We have also discovered that there are tasks in political activism that make us “ill at ease” and awkward. Still, many of us have reached beyond our “comfort zones” and challenged ourselves to “make a difference”. The Club has afforded many new opportunities to those getting involved for the first time and for those who had grown tired of political “business as usual”. A Club leadership that was largely inexperienced in political action is now tested and tried in the electoral crucible, and prepared to take on other challenges. This became clear when SADC president Garnet Lewis last month announced her intention of running for the 98th State House District. Others are sure to follow. If not in 2008, possibly it will be 2009 or 2010. We are developing new leaders and hopefully motivating more experienced ones.

We have had our share of disappointments. The defeats- by such narrow margins- of Carl Williams in the State Senate race and John Cammin for county commissioner were difficult to accept. The overwhelming passage of Proposal 2 (effectively ending affirmative action), despite our efforts, those of the state party and so many others, left a lingering sense of how far we still have to go.

Yet, there was so much to be thankful for and a lot to celebrate in 2006. We helped send a Democratic majority to the State House of Representatives, including Saginaw’s own Andy Coulouris. We worked to return Jennifer Granholm to a second term as our Democratic governor. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Dale Kildee were also reelected by huge margins, returning to Washington as members of the new Democratic majorities in the Senate and House. Democrats retained a strong majority at the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners. The one seat “lost” was due only to Bob Blaine leaving his 2nd District position to run a spirited and energetic campaign in the highly challenging 94th House district. Bob has now taken on the role of Chairman of the Saginaw County Democratic Party, and his close ties with the Club are sure to lead to an ever more united Democratic front in the region.

For most of 2006 the SADC was housed in 2nd floor offices in Old Saginaw City, with an impressive view of the Saginaw County courthouse. For the 2006 election, we put together a formidable “war room” that was praised by several representatives of the Michigan Democratic Party and statewide campaigns. With computers, maps, data files, phones, and a media center we were able to put into play a fully operational election center. Although at this time we continue to seek a more permanent home, our Club continues its activism. In September, we will have our third Michigan Department of Transportation Adopt-a-Highway cleanup on M-46 between Watson and Orr Roads. We have also “adopted” two riverside park areas in Saginaw. In July, we had an astounding 15 volunteers participate in the Adopt-a-Park cleanup!

Our website (www.saginawareademclub.org) is updated regularly with upcoming events and news items. It has had over 55,000 “hits” since the end of June 2006. As the election draws closer, we will again be collecting biographical data and photos from each Democratic candidate- local, state, and federal. Currently we have sketches and photos of each presidential candidate. We always welcome submissions from local Democrats who have had letters to the editor printed in news papers or who want to pass on any news or events. We send out email updates often. If you wish to be included in our email list or are looking to contact us, please send your name, address, and comments to: sadc_communications@yahoo.com.

At our two most recent membership meetings, we had the pleasure of hosting 95th State Representative Andy Coulouris on May 21st and five Democratic county commissioners- Cheryl Hadsall, Bregitte Braddock, Eddie Foxx, Todd Hare, and Jim Graham on August 20th. Each of these elected officials spoke to SADC’s assembled members about ongoing budget concerns. All were informative and insightful.

We look forward to 2008 when the Democrats will get the chance to recapture the White House and increase majorities in Congress. Senator Carl Levin, Congressman Kildee, and State Representative Coulouris will run for reelection. All county commission seats will be on the ballot, as will many local board positions. Already, there is much anticipation of the gains we can make in the State House, where Garnet Lewis will meet the challenge in the 98th and Bob Blaine fights again for the 94th.

The Saginaw Area Democratic Club has learned a lot from the experiences of 2006 and is prepared to go even further in 2008 through strengthening the campaigns of our Democratic candidates and nurturing a flourishing culture of democracy in the Saginaw area. We urge all local Democrats to join us in these efforts.