Arizona List Welcomes Deb Dale

Arizona List is proud to announce Deborah Dale as our new executive director. Dale comes to Arizona List from The Primavera Foundation where she was the Chief Development Officer for over six years. She was named Southern Arizona’s Professional Fundraiser of the year at the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ 2008 National Philanthropy Day.

Dale will be replacing Pam Grissom who will continue to serve as Chairwoman of Arizona List’s Board. Grissom said, “Deb’s leadership, expertise and passion for fundraising and women’s politics made her an ideal candidate for the job. Her experience will take Arizona List to new heights of excellence.”

Deb, a long-time supporter of Arizona List, says “I am thrilled to be joining Arizona List and look forward to building the organization’s mission of electing pro-choice, Democratic women to local and state office,” said Dale. “This is a crucial time for Arizona, the decisions being made at the legislature will have long term impact on women’s health in Arizona. Now more than ever, we need to protect and elect true leaders.”

Nominate a Member for our Board of Directors

Do you know someone who is committed to women’s politics? A leader who is willing to be an ambassador to her community for Arizona List? If so, nominate her to be on our Board of Directors by completing the Board Application and Responsibilities. Return the completed application to Arizona List, PO Box 42294, Tucson, AZ 85733 or fax it to 520-327-6920.

The 2010 Arizona List bylaws call for our current members to elect a member to our Board of Directors. Our Board will review the nominations you send us and nominate three women to be voted on by you in the March newsletter. The Board of Directors will be selecting nominees who have demonstrated a commitment to Democratic politics and to women’s rights. Board members are asked to make a 1 to 2 year commitment, attend four Board meetings a year, help Arizona List with fund raising and candidate mentoring as well as serve on one of our committees. Nominations must be received by March 1, 2010.

Take Our 2009 Survey

Arizona List is your organization. We would like to know what you think about what we did in 2009 and where we should go in 2010. Don’t forget we are counting on you to take our survey and give us your thoughts. Your comments are important to help us improve Arizona List for you, our candidates, and our political community. The survey will be open until March 1, 2010.

Ballots in the Mail for Fountain Hills Election

The ballots go in the mail this week for the Fountain Hills election where Arizona List has endorsed Ginny Dickey. Ms. Dickey is the only woman running in this race and is asking Arizona List members to contribute so she can get her final mailing out this week. Checks can be sent to “Ginny for Council”, 13227 N. Mimosa Drive #112, Fountain Hills, AZ 85268. The maximum allowed contribution is $410. Find out about Ginny Dickey’s campaign on Facebook.

Save the Date

Phoenix: Saturday, March 13 – Effective Messaging for Political Campaigns

Tucson: Friday – February 26 – Arizona List Night at the Theater

Annual Luncheon and Happy Hour Set for March 27

The Arizona List Sixth Annual Luncheon will be March 27 at the Doubletree Hotel in Tucson with an evening dessert reception at the Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix. Our special guest for this event is Amy Walter, Editor of The Hotline. Arizona List is excited to share Amy Walter’s perspective on the 2010 election and the current status of women in politics with our members. Her expertise provides an engaging, compelling presentation that keeps audiences riveted. Look for invitations in the mail in February.

Center for Progressive Leadership Training

The Center for Progressive Leadership offers a comprehensive training program for progressive individuals planning or thinking about running for an elected office in the near or distant future, as well as those wishing to hone their skills as campaign managers. The Center is currently accepting applications for the session held on the weekends of April 10-11, May 1-2, and May 22-23 (all workshops are in Phoenix). The program fee is $100. Applications are due by March 22. For more information or to register, please contact Angelica Delgadillo at (602) 254-1495 or adelgadillo@progressiveleaders.org.

Just the Facts

Arizona List celebrates Arizona Statehood Day on February 14. Did you know:

• Arizona has sent only four women to Congress: Isabella Selmes Greenway (D) 1933-36, Karan English (D) 1992-94, Gabrielle Giffords (D) elected in 2006, and Ann Kirkpatrick (D) elected in 2008.*
• Arizona is in 10th place in the percentage of women legislators (31.1%). Women hold 28 of the 90 legislative seats (12 out of 30 in the Senate – 7 Democrats, 5 Republicans; 16 out of 60 in the House – 9 Democrats, 7 Republicans).*
• As of July 2009,  in the 25 Arizona cities with populations of over 30,000 49 (27.6%) of the 177 elected municipal officials are women.*
• Only three (12%) of the 25 mayors are women – Elaine Scruggs of Glendale, Marie Lopez Rogers of Avondale and Sara Presler (previously Arizona List endorsed candidate) of Flagstaff.*
• Until January of 2010 when Arizona List endorsed candidate Sharon Wolcott was sworn in, Surprise was the only Arizona city with a population over 30,00 with no woman serving on its mayor/council.*

Celebrate Arizona Statehood Day by making an additional contribution to Arizona List to be part of our effort to elect women in Arizona who will provide real leadership in our legislature and focus on the right priorities for Arizona.

*Arizona Women’s Political Caucus