ABOUT US

SCPD PAC is a grass roots political action committee formed after the '04 election to work for progressive, democratic change at the local, state and national level. See below for a list of our accomplishments in the first five years of our existence.  We presently have about 114 to be consistent members and average about 50 people at our monthly meetings.

SCPD PAC  Mission Statement, Guiding Principles, and Strategic Plan guide our work, which is organized through a Board of Directors, Action Committees, and Issues Teams.

Our “Feet on the Street” program puts our members into campaign action for candidates we endorse. Many local and state candidates believe we made a significant contribution to their election to office.

Our "Action Alert" system puts our members into action contacting our legislators to promote progressive legislation aimed at improving the quality of life for all people.

Our monthly meetings and public programs educate our membership and the general public In several ways. We invite elected officials to meet and address our members at our monthly meetings and answer questions from the attendees. We invite knowledgeable speakers to inform us about issues of importance to progressives. We provide programs, such as candidate forums, issues forums, and movies.

Twenty-six of our members serve as Democratic precinct committee people focused on building an infrastructure of citizens who will actively distribute information about candidates and issues and get out the vote in their neighborhoods.

We register voters and educate them on their voting rights.

We meet the second Tuesday of each month at the Main Akron Public Library at 60 S. High Street, in meeting room 2. The meetings begin at 6:30 PM. For more information, contact: president@summitprogdems.org

Mission Statement

The mission of the Summit County Progressive Democrats PAC (SCPD PAC) is to create a more just society by advocating issues and candidates who advance progressive ideals, where people can work together to articulate domestic and foreign policies that support human rights, equal economic opportunity, social justice and environmental stewardship. We work to expand grassroots participation in the political process and to return the government of this nation to the will of the people.

Our Principles

As members of the Summit County Progressive Democrats, we believe in:

a government of, by and for the people of the United States
the immutability of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the freedoms, rights and protections they convey to the American people
equal economic opportunity for all people of the United States and an equitable distribution of nation's wealth
recognition of the responsibility of American society to assist those citizens who cannot or can no longer provide for themselves
a respect for the environment and the responsibility for its stewardship
social justice for all individuals regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation
a separation of church and state in the development of public policy and its implementation
support for a strong and equitable public education system
the right of every individual to affordable healthcare
an equitable, accountable election system where the right of every citizen to vote and to have that vote counted is honored
an open and transparent government that truly informs its citizens and supports discussion and consideration for opposing viewpoints
a foreign policy that advocates multilateralism and cooperation with other countries in the maintenance of U.S. security and world peace
preemptive war as a foreign policy is contrary to American and international law
a woman's right to reproductive choice
the right of labor to freely organize and participate in collective bargaining
the concept that a people's right to dissent and to oppose policies they deem harmful to the common good is an essential ingredient of democracy
true patriotism requires three elements: a deep love of one's country; a willingness to praise and defend its virtues; and the courage to recognize and correct its deficiencies.
a free and unencumbered media is essential to a fully functioning democracy, and that our media must be protected from political and corporate manipulation.

Click here for our latest Strategic Plan

SCPD Achievements

November 2009

SCPD PAC will sell jackets, hooded sweatshirts and baseball caps emblazoned with the SCPD-PAC logo at the November general membership meeting
Member Sandra Kurt was elected to Akron City Council.

October

Thirty SCPD PAC volunteers put "Feet on the Street" over 136 times from May through October for Sandra Kurt's Campaign for Akron City Council from Ward 8.

September

Sandra Kurt won her primary race against four Democratic opponents to be the Democratic candidate for Akron City Council from Ward 8. SCPD PAC volunteers were there for her all the way.

August

Members Diana Orendi, Steve Cochran and President Denise Woods traveled to Washington, D. C. to lobby for a public plan option in health insurance reform. They delivered messages from SCPD-PAC members to Senator Sherrod Brown and an aide of Representative Betty Sutton.

July

SCPD PAC endorsed Sandra Kurt for Akron City Council and Judges Orlando Williams, Stephen Fallis and Jerry Larson for Municipal Court judicial seats.
SCPD PAC joined with the Young Democrats and the Stonewall Democrats to watch the Aeros play baseball at Canal Park. They also bought 60 game tickets and food coupons for inner-city children and their parents. A great time was had by all.

May

Immediate Past President, Ingrid Kunstel, was honored with the Jane Quine Award at the Democratic Party's 10th annual JFK Dinner for her coalition building and mentoring. Senator Sherrod Brown was the keynote speaker
SCPD PAC held its 3rd annual Awards Party/Fundraiser. Secretary of State, Jennifer Brunner was the keynote speaker. She was serenaded by the SCPD PAC Quartet: Kathy Johnson, Mary Starbuck, Mary Lohman and Denise Woods. About 300 people attended and contributed 50% more this year in generous sponsorships to SCPD-PAC, which fund our activist activities.
Committee Person of the year was Eileen Goldman, Unsung Hero was Guy Marentette, Member of the Year was Frank Kunstel and Progressive Patriot of the Year was John Cross.
Ingrid Kunstel was honored by SCPD PAC in deep appreciation for her four years of leadership and hard work as our founding president.

April

SCPD PAC elected new officers with Denise Woods as President, Mary Lohman as Vice-President, Guy Marentette as Executive Secretary, Bobbie Carper as Treasurer and Sherrie Weitzenhof and Nancy Clem as Members at Large.
SCPD PAC held a series of educational panels to address the impact of the country's financial crisis on lower income people and on the agencies that provide them with services.

March

SCPD PAC took part in Ohio Lobby Day in Columbus with member Eileen Matias and President Denise Woods lobbying for environmental concerns.

December 2008

Members had a relaxed, festive meeting and bought activist gifts at the SCPD PAC Holiday Gift Shop.

November

SCPD PAC celebrated the success of their campaign efforts to elect Barack Obama, President, Russ Pry, County Executive, Mike Moran, State Representative from the 42nd District, and Eve Belfance, Judge for 9th District Court of Appeals
Members joined the Democratic Party at Posh Nightclub to celebrate our new President, Barack Obama and the success of our other candidates
72 SCPD PAC members volunteered for these campaigns with a total of 946 activities of 1-2 hours or more each.

September

SCPD PAC Legislative Contact People met with our State Senator, Tom Sawyer from the 28th District, Representatives Brian Williams from the 41st District, Vernon Sykes from the 44th District and Stephen Dyer from the 43rd District to find out how our members can help them and to educate them on the issues that are important to us. They all agreed it was a helpful meeting and asked that we hold another in January.

August

SCPD PAC helped plan a Convention Party in Summit County. This was an opportunity for the public to experience the excitement of a convention and to hear Barack Obama make his acceptance speech.

July

Vice-President Sandra Kurt was honored at the Democratic Party's 9th Annual JFK Dinner where Attorney General Richard Cordray was the keynote speaker. Sandra was given the Chair's Distinguished Service Award for her dedication to the Party and its principles.

May

Members heard candidates speak and endorsed them, making them eligible for SCPD's ‘Feet on the Street' assistance for their campaigns.
SCPD PAC gave campaign contributions for the first time.
SCPD PAC held its 2nd annual Awards Party/Fundraiser with Senator Sherrod Brown as our keynote speaker. Over 200 people attended and many generous sponsors contributed substantially to fund our progressive activities. Wendy Bednar was honored as Committee Person of the Year, Mary Starbuck as Unsung Heroine of the Year, Barb Medlock Liston as Member of the Year and Janet Dando as the Progressive Patriot of the Year.

April

SCPD PAC held a forum for members and the public called "Social Justice-Democracy's Imperative". Subodh Chandra was the moderator and guest speakers were Dr. William Keck, Emeritus Chair and Professor in the Department of Community Health Services at NEOUCOM, Rev. Dr, Curtis Walker, Pastor of Wesley Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and Vice President of the Akron School Board and Dr. Stephen Brooks, Associate Director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Akron. It was an excellent and thoughtful presentation.

First Year Achievements

Second Year Achievements

Third Year Achievements