The West Calaveras County Democratic Club (WCCDC)

Serving Democrats in western Calaveras County, including the communities of
 San Andreas, Rail Road Flat, Mokelumne Hill, Mountain Ranch,
Sheep Ranch, West Point, Valley Springs, Jenny Lind, Burson,
Rancho Calaveras, Wallace and Copperopolis

Next meeting - Saturday, August 23 - 10:00 am
 Mokelumne Hill Library
Main Street, Mokelumne Hill

The new West Club Chair, Margaret Copenhaver, is eager to work with Calaveras Democrats who want to get Democrats elected to local, state and national positions, and have fun while doing it.

Margaret was a candidate as a Barack Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention.  She is energetic and ready to step up to help the West Calaveras Democratic Club focus its efforts to meet its goals.

There’s never been a better time than now to get involved!  Any amount of time you can spare can make a difference.  Come to the meeting on May 31 with your ideas and energy, and enjoy free refreshments. 

If you have any questions, please email westclub@calaverasdemocrats.org
or call 209-559-2673.

The Calaveras County Democratic Clubs focus their efforts within Calaveras County by:

  • Providing social and informational activities of interest to Democrats.

  • Publicizing, advertising, and advocating for Democratic candidates, causes, and activities.

  • Increasing the visibility of Democrats and building the number of registered Democrats in the county.

  • Having monthly meetings where Democrats can share ideas and support one another.

  • Working in conjunction with the Calaveras Democratic Central Committee on activities.

The original Calaveras Democratic Club was formed in January 2004 to promote Democratic causes and candidates in Calaveras County, and to bring Democrats together in a social - and visible - way.

The original Club quickly grew to more than 60 members, and marched in the Murphys Irish Days Parades, sponsored a public forum on school financing and helped throw a picnic that raised over $3,000 to support Democratic candidates.

In 2006 it became apparent that we needed another Democratic Club in Calaveras County. There is a large number of Democrats living in San Andreas, Rail Road Flat, Mokelumne Hill, Mountain Ranch, Valley Springs, Jenny Lind, Burson and Wallace that wanted a club that met in a location that was more local to these areas.

At the March 9th Calaveras County Democratic Central Committee meeting we had a motion to charter the WCCDC. The motion was seconded and passed. The new club was officially chartered on April 9, 2006.

On March 25th, we had our organizational meeting at the Oak Shadows Mobile Home Park in San Andreas. Our friend Doug Hope, who has regrettably since moved to Amador County, chaired the first meeting. There were seventeen Democrats in attendance. A rough draft set of bylaws was distributed.

The first official meeting of the WCCDC took place on April 22, 2006. Holly Mines and Tom Pritchard were elected as co-chairs and Doug Hinsdale was elected Secretary/Treasurer. Marj Geiszler presented the first revision of the bylaws.

In early May, at a residents' meeting of the Oak Shadows Mobile Home Park, there was a vote taken to prohibit the use of the community center for any political groups. The vote passed and our members were notified that they could no longer use the park's facilities. This action caused a mini-rebellion at Oak Shadows. One resident, a war veteran, wrote a letter of objection and circulated it amongst the residents. Another park resident did some research and discovered the State of California Mobilehome Residency Law specifically states that residents cannot be prohibited from holding political meetings in a mobilehome park clubhouse. The relevant portions of the law, passed in April 2006 can be read by clicking here.

On May 27th, the second official meeting took place at the Oak Shadows Mobilehome Park. There were 28 people in attendance. A revised set of bylaws were read to the membership and accepted by unanimous vote. You may read the WCCDC bylaws by clicking here.

The WCCDC meetings are open to the public. We meet on the last Saturday of the month at the Oak Shadows Mobile Home Park, 1330 Calaveritas Road, San Andreas. Our meetings start at 10:30 a.m. If you would be interested in attending a meeting to find out how you can get involved, please call 209.559.2672.
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Updated: August 17, 2008