ABOUT US

SCPD is a grass roots organization that formed after the '04 election to continue to work for progressive, democratic change at the local, state and national level. We are just about to celebrate our second anniversary and have an impressive list of accomplishments in that time (read more). We presently have about 150 dues paying members and average about 70 people at our monthly meetings.

SCPD is organized into a Board of Directors, an Executive Committee and Action Committees. We have a Mission Statement, Guiding Principles and a Strategic Plan to guide our work.

We are an action-oriented organization with members participating by working in our action committees and on projects and events that we develop. We have formed a PAC to enable us to support political candidates as well as progressive issues that are aimed at improving the quality of life for all people. We presently have 24 members who are precinct committee people who are focused on building an infrastructure of citizens who will actively distribute information and get out the vote in their neighborhood.

We are dedicated to developing our membership's skills by providing training in leadership, public speaking, campaign design and implementation, and letter to the editor writing. Many of our members are regular contributors to the letters section of the Beacon Journal and other media (see our library page). We are also working to create alliances with other grass roots organizations in Ohio .

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: SCPD at 1082 Foxglove Circle , Cuyahoga Falls , Ohio 44223 or ikunstel@neo.rr.com .

Mission Statement

The mission of the Summit County Progressive Democrats (SCPD) 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.

SCPD Achievements

January 2007

A number of members attended the inaugural celebrations in Columbus
SCPD assisted in publicizing and coordinating with State Representative, Vernon Sykes, and Kent State University’s Political Science Department for a conference on elections and ethics held in Columbus

February

Raised funds to provide a t-shirt and book bag for each of the young students enrolled in the 100 Black Men Mentoring Program in Akron
Began contacting people who write progressive letters-to the-editor and inviting them to join us at our monthly meetings

March

Offered our second round of Leadership Development Training, It was attended by 9 SCPD members.

April

Hosted a Recognition Party for the volunteers of SCPD which featured First Lady of Ohio, Frances Strickland as keynote speaker and which was attended by 150 people
Developed its lobbying program for state and National legislators with a Legislative Contact person and an Issue Content person assigned to each lobbying contact

June

Had booths at both the Juneteenth Festival in Akron and the Gay Pride Festival in Cleveland
Organized a meeting of various Democratic Clubs within Summit County to identify ways we can all collaborate during the campaign cycle to strengthen our efforts, avoid duplication of activities and intensify our campaign activities

July

Held a lobbying breakfast for State Senator Tom Sawyer and State Representatives Steve Dyer, Vernon Sykes and Bob Otterman
5 SCPD members invited to visit the Governor’s Mansion for a reception
Held first SCPD discussion group. Attended by about 20 people.

August

Lobbying breakfast with State Representative Brian Williams

September

Campaigned for Barberton County Council candidate, Penny Sells
Held the second SCPD Picnic at Lake Kim Tam Park. Attended by about 70 people.

October

Began our first major fundraising effort for the SCPD PAC and are preparing brochures and information packets for that
John Cross lobbys Sherrod Brown
Board of Directors did a formal review of the SCPD Strategic Plan

November

Denise Woods lobbys Tim Ryan
Mehool Patel lobbys Betty Sutton's D.C. Legislative Director

First Year Achievements

Second Year Achievements