The following statement from Frank Barbaro, Chairman of the Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC), was emailed this afternoon to members of the Party’s Central Committee.
Gerrie Schipske has resigned as Executive Director of the Orange County Democratic Party to accept a teaching position at California State University Long Beach. Her resignation is effective today.
Under Gerrie’s leadership the DPOC held a very successful Truman Awards Dinner featuring Congressman Barney Frank, and built a robust summer intern program in which more than 30 college students completed detailed research of each city in the County. She implemented an online OC Democratic Endorsement slate in the last election and made certain the DPOC had a strong volunteer presence in the coordinated campaign efforts of 2010. She also arranged to have Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones at a successful DPOC spring fundraiser. I greatly appreciate Gerrie’s dedication and hard work and wish her every success in her current and future endeavors.
I wonder if this means the Orange County Democratic Party will get an Executive Director that actually lives in Orange County.
Thats nice she had college kids research each city……God knows I’ve NEVER seen the OC dems in mine…….
Good luck to Ms. Schipske. It is imperative that Mr. Barbaro, the executive board, and the committee as a whole, seek out an ED who is not divisive, actually understands how to win campaigns, and can raise money. While the demographics of Orange County have been shifting in the Democrats direction the last several years, a lack of unity, competence, and sheer inward self serving tactics have not allowed that party to take advantage of these demograhpic changes. The committee should not serve as a monthly discussion group for like minded friends rather should be catalyst for gains in local, state, and federal offices. No besmirchment of Schipske, but a friendly, hard working, and electorally competent, ED who is not out for personal enrichment (as some have been) would go a long way to moving our moribund committee forward.
How could anything involved Barney Frank be a success?
Ms. Schipske actually understands how to win campaigns, and can raise money. She has a record of doing just that. That is why she was hired.
I no of no ED who has been padi enought to consider it personal enrichment, in fact Ms. Schipkse actually earned less than previous ED’s. With all the work, stress and lack of graditute shown to her and most previous ED’s I am surprised that anyone would want the job and the amount the DPOC can afford.
People who serve on the committee in many cases cannot or will not put aside differences to come together to work to elect democrats. That is the problem pure and simple.
like I said no besmirchment of Ms. Schipske. Some of our ED’s in the past have been more into self enrichment/ self aggrandizement rather than winning elections. Let’s win and quit being a monthly chit chat club