Advocating for Democratic values
in Newport Beach
and neighboring communities
Thursday, June 22, 2023
5:30 p.m. Doors open for refreshments & social
6:00 p.m. Program Begins
OASIS Senior Center, Room #2
Guest Speakers
Our series of interviewing candidates before the DPOC/CADEM Pre-Endorsement Conference continues. The June speakers will be announced shortly.
Support NBWDC
We urge you to join our growing team and become an NBWDC member. We have much work to do to ensure Democratic victories up and down the ballot for the 2024 Primary and General Elections. We are a committed and energetic group of volunteers who have made great progress in turning this part of the OC BLUE! We work hard and have some fun along the way. Both memberships and donations provide the support we need to carry out our goals. Choose the option below that works best for you.
Become a Member
Membership is $50* per calendar year (valid January 1 through December 31). Our members receive unique benefits such as voting rights, delegate opportunities, members’ only news, invitations to special events and free admission to our monthly meetings. See our full Member Benefits listing here. Join us today!
* If you are a Veteran or full-time Student, please contact NBWDC about rate options.
Make a Donation
If you are not able to join right now, please consider a donation, large or small, to continue our historic momentum of electing Democratic candidates in all levels of government. OC is becoming bluer than ever thanks to all our supporters and volunteers. Support our efforts as we prepare for the critical 2024 General Election!
Donations to political-party organizations, like NBWDC, are not tax-deductible.
Paid for by the Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club, FEC ID# C0057016.
Not affiliated with any candidate or candidate campaign.
Federal Reporting Rule
Members and Donors – Please note:
We are required by the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) to maintain accurate information about all our members and donors. If you have made a donation, joined as a new member or renewed your membership, please choose one of the options below to provide the required information.
- An online form that you submit through our website
- A PDF form that you can fill out and return to us by email
Thank you for helping us stay in compliance with federal and state reporting requirements.
2023 Club Officers & Committees
Officers
President: Lori Karaguezian
Vice Presidents: Faye Hezar & Cate Hardesty
Treasurer: Mikelle Fish
Secretary:
….Corresponding Secretary: Deborrah Lugo
….Recording Secretary: Jill Nelke
Committees
View our current Committee Listing here
Please contact NBWDC if you have an interest in serving on a committee.
We welcome all volunteers who share our common goal of advocating for Democratic and Progressive values.
Policies
Code of Conduct available here
Privacy Policy available here
Connect with NBWDC
- Subscribe to NBWDC E-News Updates
- Update your Contact Information
- About NBWDC: Officers, Committees & Bylaws
- View our Photo Albums
- Contact us
Our Big, Blue, Local Team
Take a look at all we’ve accomplished over the last couple of years . . . and having fun while we did! Just click on the photo below to start the Photo Slideshow of just a few of the things that energized us to GOTV and win BIG & BLUE!
Voters & Candidates & GOTV
Voter Registration
Since the last election, have you:
- Turned 18 and plan to vote in the upcoming elections
- Changed your address
- Decided to change your party affiliation
If you answer yes to any of these questions, don’t forget to register or update your voter registration. There are several helpful online tools and forms which can be found here at OCVote.com.
Help us GOTV
Your financial support, large or small, will help us fund our Newport Beach campaign support office, materials and events; all crucial in turning out the biggest number of Democratic voters ever!
Congratulations WISEPlace!
One of NBWDC’s favorite non-profit charities
And apparently one of the State of California’s favorite charities as well! Join us in congratulating WISEPlace for their well-deserved recognition. And if you can, a donation would be even better!
WISEPlace is a leader in ending homelessness for unaccompanied women through housing solutions and empowering wrap-around services that provide a path toward personal self-reliance. Check out their Wish List options. Financial donations are welcome too. Please visit WISEPlace.org for details.
Lend a Helping Hand
Thousands of people in Orange County are for the first time receiving food assistance due to the pandemic. This new demographic of people in need has created an unprecedented demand for food here and across the country. Stepping up to meet this need locally, Second Harvest has been creating in meeting these new demands. There are many ways you can help support their efforts. Visit their website FeedOC.org to select one or more options.
Membership is $50 per calendar year (valid January 1 through December 31). If you are a Veteran or full-time Student, please contact NBWDC about rate options. Appropriate verification will be required.
We work tirelessly to seat Democratic candidates in our local, state and federal governments. With the support of our members and friends, we launch major get-out-the-vote programs and promote voter education through our regular topical meetings and sponsorship of a variety of community events. We are active and vocal on social media and participate in local marches and demonstrations which focus on inclusion and equality for all.
Unique Benefits: Our members receive unique benefits such as voting rights, delegate opportunities, members’ only news, invitations to special events and free admission to our monthly meetings. See our full Member Benefits listing here.
Member Responsibilities: As a member, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with NBWDC’s Club Bylaws and Code of Conduct Policy. Both these documents provide the guiding principles for our organization and are required to be chartered by the California Democratic Party and Democratic Party of Orange County.
If your registered party affiliation is other than Democrat, we welcome you to submit a membership application for consideration as outlined in our Bylaws. Please contact NBWDC for more information.
We offer convenient payment options and encourage you to set up your membership payment on an automatic annual renewal so your benefits won’t expire.
Donations (GOTV & General Fund)
We rely on support from Democrats in all our local communities, even if you are not an NBWDC member. GOTV donations are earmarked for voter education, voter outreach and supporting the campaigns of our local Democratic candidates. General fund donations are used for all other projects that help promote Democratic and progressive values, including event sponsorships, improvements to our communications infrastructure and so much more.
All donations, large and small, are put to good use. Whether you donate a roll of stamps, make a recurring monthly or annual pledge, or a one-time payment by credit card or personal check, we appreciate each and every one. Please use the links below for these types of donations. Thank you!
ActBlue Links
Credit/Debit Card Links
Personal Checks and In-Kind Instructions
Federal Reporting Rule
Members and Donors – Please note:
We are required by the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) to maintain accurate information about all our members and donors. If you have made a donation, joined as a new member or renewed your membership, please choose one of the options below to provide the required information.
- An online form that you submit through our website
- A PDF form that you can fill out and return to us by email
Thank you for helping us stay in compliance with federal and state reporting requirements.
2023 Club Officers & Committees
Officers
President: Lori Karaguezian
Vice Presidents: Faye Hezar & Cate Hardesty
Treasurer: Mikelle Fish
Secretary:
….Corresponding Secretary: Deborrah Lugo
….Recording Secretary: Jill Nelke
Officer Terms 2023
President: 2-year Term expires 12/31/2025
Vice President: 2-year Term expires 12/31/2025
Treasurer: 2-year Term expires 12/31/2025
Recording Secretary: 2-year term expires 12/31/2025
Corresponding Secretary: 2-year term expires 12/31/2025
For roles and responsibilities, please see Bylaws Article VIII below.
*Only Members in Good Standing shall be considered for officer positions: a registered Democrat who has attended at least one meeting as a member in the last 12 months.
Bylaws – Ratified & Adopted March 24, 2022
Bylaws Summary of Changes
Bylaws Complete Copy
Policies
Code of Conduct available here
Privacy Policy available here
Committees
View our current Committee Listing here
Please contact NBWDC if you have an interest in serving on a committee.
We welcome all volunteers who share our common goal of advocating for Democratic and Progressive values.
Past President Roster
Immediate Past President: Cate Hardesty
Past President: Laura Oatman
Past President: Tara Steele
Past President: Rima Nashashibi
Past President: Mridula Udayagiri
Past President: Jean Hastings Ardell
Founding President: Dr. Suzanne Savary
Committee Opportunity
Our club’s mission is to provide a forum for civil political discussions and promote and participate in activities that help educate members about local, regional, and national issues. One way to help support our mission is to serve on a committee. We have many opportunities for you to showcase your skills and passion. For example:
- Communications & Social Media
- Events Planning
- Membership
- Voter Outreach
- Governmental Activism … and more
If you have an interest in any of these areas, please let us know. Send us an email or leave us a phone message (949.423.6468) and the appropriate committee chair will respond to you directly.
2022
NBWDC Volunteers of the Year
NBWDC Holiday Celebration
2021
NBWDC Earth Day on Back Bay
2020
2020 in Review
City of Newport Beach
Congressman Correa’s
Woman of the Year – Nashashibi
Historical
Speak Up!
Letters and calls to our legislators, letters to editors, Social Media postings, conversations with friends. These are all important tools to help get the word out and building support for issues that are important to women and Democrats. Find an issue you are passionate about and do your part to join in the conversation.
Local Press Contacts
Elected Officials – Federal and State
#StandwithPP Campaign (Planned Parenthood)
A Powerful Video – Marginalized Voters on a Global Scale
“Why Labour lost the election” by George Monbiot
George Monbiot is a British writer known for his environmental and political activism. Though he was born to privilege he is known for his writing on the effects of corporate greed on the environment and the political process. In this video he shares his opinion regarding why all over the world peoples appear to be voting for marginal and autocratic individuals rather than competent leaders. His analysis really gives the viewer pause to think about what is the cause of democracies behaving in an inexplicable way. It is his opinion and not everyone will agree with what he has to say, but it is an interesting perspective. Our thanks to long-time NBWDC Member Saboohi Currim for sharing this powerful video with us.
Newport Beach City Government
City Council Meeting Recaps
By Kathy Andrews
NBWDC Government Activism Committee Chair
City Leadership Email Addresses
Our History, Mission & Focus
The Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club was formed in 2007 by a small group of like-minded Democratic women who wanted to create an environment for civil discussion of the political issues which impacted them and their communities. Their mission was to draw Democrats and like-minded people with progressive values together to raise awareness, educate and find solutions for political issues by emulating principles and values consistent with the Democratic Party’s goals.
Today, membership is open everyone, regardless of gender, who supports progressive and Democratic values. NBWDC has become a formidable presence in Orange County’s progressive communities with a diverse membership which grows each year.
NBWDC supports Democratic values through activism. We do not sit by quietly when there is work to be done.
We work tirelessly to seat Democratic candidates in our local, state and federal governments. With the support of our members and friends, we launch major get-out-the-vote programs and promote voter education through our regular topical meetings and sponsorship of a variety of community events. We are active and vocal on social media and participate in local marches and demonstrations which focus on inclusion and equality for all.
The Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club focuses its efforts within the cities of Newport Beach and in the surrounding cities of Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine and additional South County cities to support and advance the goals of the Democratic Party and progressive values in general.
Stop in and visit with us at one of our monthly meetings. Once you do, we know you’ll want to be a part of this inclusive, dynamic, energetic and accomplished organization.
Our Accomplishments
The Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club was chartered by the Democratic Party of Orange County in February 2008. Since then, we have accomplished much. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Hosted 2016 Candidate Forums for Federal, State, Local and City elections
- Worked directly with local elected officials to help support important legislation
- Worked as a founding member to create the California Alliance of Democratic Women’s Clubs
- Supported our founding president’s campaign for 48th Congressional District in 2016 and 2014
- Staffed the Democratic Party of Orange County’s voter registration booth at the Orange County Fair each year
- Recognized by Planned Parenthood in 2015 as part of the OC Women’s Coalition for work against abortion bans
- Participated as a partner in the OC Women’s Coalition against abortion bans at Hoag Hospital after its affiliation with St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital
- Joined women’s groups from around the county in 2014 to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision
- Honored as Coalition Partner of the Year in 2011 by Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties for our support of their organization.
Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club
Post Office Box 11761
Newport Beach, CA 92658
NBWDC.org
Voicemail/Text: (949) 423-6468
Paid for by the Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club. FEC ID# C00570168.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
Copyright Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club (NBWDC). All rights reserved.