"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

Barack Obama

If you have ever thought about running for local office, or you want to help friends and neighbors who may run for local office, this on-line training session is for you. This 90-minute introduction presented by experienced campaigners will give you an brief overview of how to be a local candidate, from creating your campaign team, developing your message, collecting signatures for ballot petitions, raising campaign funds, and developing a field organization to reach supporters and encourage voter turnout.

We will email you the Zoom a couple days before the training.

To accommodate your busy schedule, we are holding this training session four times this year: June 25, Aug. 13, Oct. 23, and Nov. 11. Each training session will cover identical material, so you only need to attend one. At the end of the training session, you will be invited to a one-on-one meeting with Palatine Township Democratic Committeeperson Maria Galo to discuss next steps for your campaign.

We're walking in the Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 5, and we are staffing a GPAD Community Booth at Hometown Fest. Please sign up for a shift here: https://www.gpadems.org/2025_gpad_booth_at_hometown_fest

   Please don't forget to RSVP!  We will update our lineup a few days prior to the parade. 

Join GPAD and The City of Rolling Meadows in their 2025, 4th of July Parade! Meet us at 10:30 for set up at 2901 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. (Rolling Meadows High School Parking Lot).  The parade steps off at 11:30 sharp and ends at The Jewel parking lot on Kirchoff. Our Democratic elected, candidates, supporters, volunteers and families are welcome!  We have banners/flags to carry, swag and candy to hand out!  Don't forget to wear your GPAD shirt and your best Americana wear.  

 The Parade ends in The Jewel Parking Lot on Kirchoff. There is plenty of parking in that shopping lot and then many people walk to the beginning.  

Calling all creative types to help set up the GPAD booth at the Palatine Jaycees Hometown Fest. You'll get a chance to decorate the booth with patriotic and Democratic signs and decorations to make it inviting to the families who attend Hometown Fest. AND showcase our amazing Democratic candidates and elected officials!! Many of our volunteers will be walking in the Fourth of July Parade, which will be happening at the same time Saturday morning, so we need lots of volunteers for both the parade and the booth set up!  

    Please RSVP.   the booth number will be updated when it is assigned. 

Join GPAD at the Palatine 4th of July Parade!  Our wonderful electeds, candidates, supporters, volunteers, and their families are welcome! We have banners to carry! Candy and swag to hand out! This is a great event for kids and teens. The parade staging area is at North Cedar street and West Wood Street. (West Wood street is west of the Metra station, on the other side of Smith, and south of The Metra tracks.) Parking is available at the parking garage on Smith and Colfax. Lineup at 10:30a.m., parade kickoff is at 11:00 a.m. sharp.  We'll end up at Community Park, near Village Hall--stop by the GPAD booth for cold water. Don't forget to wear your GPAD tshirt or your patriotic best!

  Please RSVP- Its a great parade!

Check back here for our Parade Number in the lineup.

Celebrate The 4th of July with people who value democracy and personal freedom.  Come out to The Greater Palatine Area Democrat's booth at The Palatine Jaycee's Hometown Fest!  Help staff our GPAD Booth in the Craft/Vendors Expo, which is held in Community Park behind Walgreens at Northwest Highway and Palatine Road on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 afternoons.  We will have our annual "Guess the Amount of Candy in the Jar and Win a Big Stuffed Donkey Game," GPAD t-shirts available for a donation, games for kids, political swag, and great conversations with local Democrats. Candidates are welcome!

What is the impact of federal chaos on our village, schools, township and libraries? What can each of us do to make sure our local government bodies are standing up for all of our rights? How can we mobilize the power of knowledge and truth? Find out how small actions by individuals can help protect our communities. If you are looking to get more involved, this is for you.

Instead of our monthly meeting on Thursday night, we are holding a big, free, volunteer breakfast at our office on Saturday, Aug. 9. Sign up for the breakfast here: https://www.gpadems.org/2025_volunteer_breakfast_meeting_to_help_candidates

We've rallied and we've protested. Now it is time to get to work and turn our outrage into action. Before we can change government policies, we need to elect candidates who share our values and will boldly confront Republicans' undermining of our democracy. And before we can vote for them we have to make sure they get on the ballot. Join us for a free, al fresco breakfast. GPAD volunteers will meet the Democratic candidates running in the March 2026 primary. Volunteers will have a chance to question them about why they are running and hear about the top issues. AND!! Learn how YOU can help our candidates can get on the ballot and WIN. Candidates! You will have a chance to meet GPAD volunteers, get the word out about your campaign, and build your organizations. Volunteers and candidates! Please sign up so we know how much breakfast fixings we need to order. Sign up now!!

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

Barack Obama

If you have ever thought about running for local office, or you want to help friends and neighbors who may run for local office, this on-line training session is for you. This 90-minute introduction presented by experienced campaigners will give you an brief overview of how to be a local candidate, from creating your campaign team, developing your message, collecting signatures for ballot petitions, raising campaign funds, and developing a field organization to reach supporters and encourage voter turnout.

We will email you the Zoom a couple days before the training.

To accommodate your busy schedule, we are holding this training session four times this year: June 25, Aug. 13, Oct. 23, and Nov. 11. Each training session will cover identical material, so you only need to attend one. At the end of the training session, you will be invited to a one-on-one meeting with Palatine Township Democratic Committeeperson Maria Galo to discuss next steps for your campaign.