Democratic Club of Wicomico County

Vision Statement

Wicomico Democrats envision a reawakening of the American and Eastern Shore spirit of community with collaboration among citizens from every corner of our county joining together to bolster our economy with more livable wage jobs, enhance our public school system, appreciate and improve our natural resources, and provide a hand up to the disadvantaged among us.

We believe the engine for economic growth is intrinsically tied to increased investment in our public school system. Education is the foundation of economic development. Economic growth and protection of our environment are also dependent on expansion of our wastewater management system and elimination of suburban Salisbury’s dependence on wells and septic systems.

Club Meetings

The Club meets the third Wednesday of each month, except for the months of July and August
from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at the SBY ArtSpace:

212 West Main Street, #101, Salisbury, Maryland 21801 and for GPS 127 Camden Street,
Salisbury, Maryland 21801 (Please use the entrance on Camden Street, across from the city parking lot.)

Note: In late August the Club holds it's Annual Crab Feast & Fundraiser and
in December we host a holiday party for members.

June 15 Club General Meeting 2022
D1 County Council Candidates at June 15 Meeting
Monica Brooks, Amber Green and Shanie Shields, Democratic candidates for the District 1 Wicomico County Council seat, make their respective cases for election at the Wicomico Democratic Club’s general membership meeting on Wednesday, June 15, 6:30 p.m., at Salisbury Art Space. The public is invited; refreshments are served.
Also, representatives from the Salisbury City Council and Wicomico County Council will provide respective updates.
This is the last club meeting until September. The club’s annual Crab Feast is on Sunday, August 21, 1-4 p.m. at the Schumaker Park Pavilion.
For more information, contact club president, Gains Hawkins, at gains2@yahoo.com or 410-603-6677.

April 20, 2022 Meeting Photos (Click Here)
May Newsletter Link - Click here
State of the Club Full Report 2022

Join the Club!

To become a member of the club, one must be a resident of Wicomico County, a
registered Democrat and complete a membership form. There are no dues. Members are eligible
to vote for club officers and on club endorsements of candidates for elected office. They also
receive regular emails about upcoming club activities.

For more information about the Wicomico Democratic Club, contact Hawkins at 410-
603-6677 or gains2@yahoo.com.

Club Membership Form

Strott receives Wicomico Dem Club President’s Award

Connie Strott, long-time supporter of Democratic candidates and causes as well as an advocate for numerous local charities and non-profits, was recently named the recipient of the 2022 Democratic Club of Wicomico County President’s Award. The President’s Award is given by the club’s president to a Wicomico Democrat who has made outstanding lifetime contributions to the community.

The previous awardees are Mike Pretl, Dr. Harry Basehart and Lee Whaley. “The breath of her involvement with Wicomico Democrats and list of organizations and accolades recognizing her lifelong commitment to living the Rotary motto of “Service above Self” made the award decision easy,” said Wicomico Democratic Club Present Gains Hawkins.

Her political activism includes: past secretary, Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee executive board; campaign manager, Rick Pollitt for Wicomico County Executive; and campaign manager, Bill McCain for Wicomico County Council.

CFO of the law firm of George G. Strott, Jr., her leadership roles with community organizations is extensive: past president, United Way of Lower Eastern Shore board of directors; past president, Urban Salisbury board of directors; founding committee member and co-chair, Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District Committee; co-founder, Salisbury’s Third Friday Celebration; past advisory board member, Big Brothers/Big Sisters; past member, Art Institute & Gallery (Salisbury Art Space) board of directors; past member, Salisbury Festival Committee; and past co-chair, Arts on the Plaza Committee.

She’s been the Wicomico Rotary Club’s Rotarian of the Year an unprecedented four times. She served as president of that Rotary club as well as assistant District Governor of Rotary District 7630.

Other honors include: Community Leadership Award by Wicomico County Commission on Women and co-recipient of Outstanding Arts & Entertainment District Award, Maryland State Arts Council.

Her recognition as a Lower Shore Woman of Distinction by Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay serves to reinforce her embodiment of the Girl Scout Promise--On my honor, I will try: to serve God and my country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law.
She’s on the board of directors of Salisbury University’s Edward H. Nabb Resource Center for Delmarva History & Culture and the Recovery Resource Center. She’s an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

“It has been my honor to work with this year’s award winner on multiple committees,” said Hawkins. “As this tally of her accomplishments implies, she’s much in demand because of her positive results and work ethic. Not so obvious, she’s imminently pleasant to work with, a joy to be around.”

Keith Henry was recently named 2021 Democratic Club of Wicomico County Member of the Year for his significant contributions to the organization.

“The recipient is perceived by many—much warranted—as my right hand,” said Club President Gains Hawkins, “performing the tasks vital to keep the club alive and well during a pandemic. Whenever I needed something done or had a question about the prudent way to proceed when it came to the best interests of the club, this was invariably the first person I’d contact.”

The club has come a long way in recent years, with significant growth in membership and fundraising prowess. Membership now stands at 220 and the club
raised some $10,000 in donations. The club’s annual Crab Feast in August attracted a record number of participants. “Nonetheless,” said Hawkins, “I’ve believed from early on that a primary charge for the club officers was to make sure the trains run on time--that is we meet at a dependable time at a convenient and inviting location, have interesting speakers, communicate routinely about club news, maintain accurate and transparent financial records, and encourage feedback concerning club decisions. One person has served with the club from the outset and deserves whatever positive recognition the club leadership is due during that time—Keith Henry.”

This is the second time Henry has received the award. As club treasurer, he maintains the financial records and reports on them monthly. He serves on the Crab Feast committee--keeping track of ticket sales and pitching in with set up and take down. He is on the Candidate Recruitment committee, taking the initiative to be club conduit with the Lower Shore Progressives. At the club’s September Rally About Wicomico’s Future—and How Politics Can Shape It, he explained to potential candidates about how the club can help them.

“He helps the club in myriad ways,” said Hawkins, “often behind-the scenes. He shuns credit, but is deserving of the recognition of his considerable contributions to the Wicomico Democratic Club.”