The Topic:
One year since the US presidential election. No matter where you fall on the political spectrum, the outcome has likely impacted your life or your community; if nothing else, the new administration and controversial policies have dominated your news feed.
As we break bread Friday night, we'll explore this cornerstone of the country where we live - the right to vote and to stand up for what we believe in. Experts and community leaders will guide our discussion about how to prepare for the upcoming midterm elections to increase awareness and build consensus around the issues that you care about.
We will discuss how to get involved and drive change. With one year until the people across the country are asked to come out to vote, this is your opportunity to learn, to share and to celebrate our opportunity to participate in the process.
Menu
Shaved Brassicas and Roasted Chestnut Salad | Hassle-back Butternut Squash
Roasted Fennel | Garlic, Chive, and Rosemary Ash Smashed Red Potatoes
Slow Roasted Madeira Short Ribs | Creamy Hay Smoked Vegetable Gravy
Forest Pine Cranberry Sauce | Homemade Challah
Dessert
Our Experts
Ann Merrill is a technology industry veteran who is currently serving on the Data/Tech team for Sister District in San Francisco. When she isn’t phone-banking for candidates in state legislature races, she is working hard to improve how we manage the data that is the foundation of all GOTV efforts. Ann has an undergraduate degree from Harvard, a Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, and a robust sense of humor.
Judith Bolker is an RN and a PT. She worked as a nurse manager at local hospitals and is currently working as a home health physical therapist. Her interest and support of the Affordable Care Act caused her to get engaged in the Obama campaign and then the Hillary Clinton campaign. She was instrumental in founding San Mateo for Hillary, holding phone banks, tabling and canvassing events. She canvassed in Nevada for their primary and served as a caucus secretary. She then started volunteering at Hillary Clinton San Francisco headquarters, running the morning phone banks. One year ago, Judith was in Las Vegas canvassing for 6 days, knocking on 150 doors a day before that fateful day in November. Currently Judith is on the steering committee for Democracy Action, which runs most of the phone banks in the Bay Area. She also serves as the Co-lead of Swing Left San Francisco, working through phone banking, voter registration and canvassing to flip California District 10. She recently returned from canvassing in Virginia in District 32, where David Reid won by 59%. "The only way I can sleep at night is by knowing I am doing everything I possibly can to preserve our democracy."
Carolyn Glanville has had a unique career spanning politics, entertainment and tech. She got her start in political communications as the Director of Radio, Director of TV, Press Secretary and Deputy Communications Director for two presidential campaigns a party committee and Majority Leader of the Senate. Choosing to leave politics behind she hit the road with the Jonas Brothers providing strategic communications support to them and other Jonas Group artists. After a family move to the Bay Area, she began a career in tech working at Flipboard for many years. Recently, she joined the CA Council for IGNITE National, a nonpartisan organization working to empower more young women to run for office.