Upcoming Events

SML Democrats Activities

All meetings and events are held at the SML Democrats office unless otherwise specified. The office is located at 16483 Moneta Road, on the Bedford side of the bridge.

Postcard Palooza – Thursday, September 7, at 2 pm
We’re writing postcards to prospective voters in support of candidates in two competitive districts: HD41 and HD52.

Meet & Greet with Eileen Filler-Corn – Sunday, August 27, at 2 pm
Delegate Filler-Corn (HD41) is considering running for Governor of Virginia in 2025. Light refreshments will be served. Please join us.

Teacher Supplies Donation Drive through September 18
Support our teachers by donating items for classrooms. Donations can be dropped off at the SML Democrats office during office hours or at the Annual Picnic on September 18. Suggested donation items.

Racism Focus Group – Wednesday, June 7, at 10 am
Join the discussion on racism and help come up with solutions to issues affecting our community.

Book Club – Tuesday, June 13, at 10 am
We will discuss Building a Healthy Economy from the Bottom Up by Anthony Flaccavento.

Election Support Committee – Tuesday, July 13, at 1 pm
As Virginia is in a constant state of elections, we welcome new ideas as to how to inform our membership of the candidates, political events opportunities and in what to invest our assets of time and finances. We encourage and invite you to get involved in the political arm of this club and expand our activities.

Public Relations Committee – Wednesday, June 14, at 4 pm (Meeting will be held off site)

Fundraising & Events Committee – Thursday, June 15 at 1 pm

Pints & Politics: Salem Red Sox Baseball Game – Friday, June 16, at 7 pm
Tickets are on sale in the office for $10 per person for general admission on meeting days and when the Daily Office Coordinators are staffing the office. We are hopeful that there will be fireworks post the Red Sox win!!

General Membership Meeting – Monday, June 26, at 1 pm
Anthony Flaccavento wil be our guest speaker. He has written several books including the one our book club is current reading/discussing, Building A Healthy Economy from the Bottom-Up. Anthony is a commercial organic farmer from Abington, and he ran for Congress in 2012. Anthony’s activism is helping to spur change in local government and especially in in southwest Virginia. As is customary we will hold a brief business meeting after the presentation.

Vibes – Sundays at 10 am at the SML Democrats office
Our community outreach play-and-sing-along is going strong. Feel free to join in with our lively group. Anyone who would like to sing or play an instrument, or just listen, is welcome. Also, if you’d like to learn to play the ukelele, lessons are held on Fridays at 10 am; contact Doug Stevens for more information.

Details on times and locations for all activities are provided in the Member Newsletter that is sent by email. If you prefer a calendar view, see below.

County/Community Events

• Bedford County Democratic Committee Blood Drive – Monday, July 10, noon – 6 pm
  Bedford County Gym, off Falling Creek Road. If you wish to help, they need at least two people to help set up tables and chairs, starting at 10 am. If those same people can come back and help take down the tables after 6 pm, that would be great. Additionally, they need three volunteers to work at each shift: 12 pm – 3 pm and 3 pm – 6 pm. It’s an easy thing to do; ask donors if they need something to drink, help walk them to the canteen, and help get them something to drink and eat.
• Also from Bedford County Democratic Committee: Plans are being made for the Bedford Democrats to sponsor Voter Registration Drives prior to the November elections. All volunteers must complete the Virginia Board of Elections required virtual training. For those who completed the virtual training in 2022, you will not have to complete the retraining until July 1 of this year; you will need to recertify after that date. All those who have not taken the training within the last year or more, you are eligible to take it now. This link will take you directly to the training page. 

School Board Meetings

Our presence at local School Board meetings goes a long way to balance out the meetings with reasonable voices countering misinformation and fear about topics such as Critical Race Theory, book bannings, curriculum concerns, LGBTQ+ issues, and more.

If you would like to speak at one of these meetings, please look up your county of residence school board protocol and plan accordingly. Note: You must live in the county where you wish to speak. You do NOT need to reside in the county if you simply wish to attend. Here are some reasons why you should attend or speak at your county’s School Board meeting.

• Bedford County: Thursday, June 8, at 5 pm
The location of the Bedford County School Board Meetings varies from month to month. In May, the meeting will be at Liberty High School Auditorium, 100 Liberty Minutemen Drive in Bedford.

• Franklin County: Monday, June 12, at 6 pm
25 Bernard Road, Rocky Mount

County Democratic Committee Meetings

Bedford County Democratic Committee
The Bedford Democratic Committee meets virtually via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 pm. Contact us to be notified of the meeting.

Franklin County Democratic Committee’s Dining With Democrats
Thursday, May 11 (second Thursday of each month) at 6 pm
Joe’s Pizza, 130 Scruggs Road, Moneta (Westlake)
Jane Winters, executive director of Lake Christian Ministries (LCM), will speak about LCM. The nonprofit organization has served our neighbors in Bedford, Franklin and Pittsylvania counties since 1992 by providing food, clothing, household items, crisis financial aid, referrals and job assistance to those in need. We will also provide additional information about our upcoming Nominating Caucus scheduled for June 3, during which we will choose a candidate for the Senate in Virginia’s 7th District. The General Election this fall will determine control over the state legislature and is very important for Democrats to maintain and enhance rights of Virginia’s citizens. For more information about the Franklin County Democratic Committee, visit fcdemocrats.org.

Franklin County Democratic Committee’s Spring Dinner
Thursday, June 8, at 4:30 pm
Pigg River Community Center, 2410 Main Street in Rocky Mount
Save the date; details coming soon!

Democratic Activities Further Afield

• Democratic Party of Virginia’s annual Blue Commonwealth Gala – Friday, June 23, at 6 pm at Richmond’s historic Main Street Station. Our gala night is an opportunity to see old friends, meet new Democrats, have some good food, and hear from the extremely talented group of Virginia Democrats who will be taking the stage. Virginia is one of the most important battleground states in the nation and, in 2023, we have the most important elections anywhere in the country: our 2023 General Assembly races. Attending the gala helps the DPV provide resources to campaigns for winning programs all across the Commonwealth and up and down the ballot. Use this link for more information and to purchase your tickets.