3 Ways to Get Involved in The Rice County DFL

I first got involved in the Rice County DFL back in 2004. I attended my first precinct caucus, conventions, and meetings. At each event I learned how to get more involved and I did.

The Rice County DFL (Democratic Farmer Labor) Party is the organizing party unit within Rice County for the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party.

Our party unit is organized and ran by all volunteers. We work year round to organize, engage DFLers and support DFL candidates in Rice County. Our activities range the gambit from fundraising to registering voters. 

There are numerous ways to get involved in the Rice County DFL and we welcome all involvement.

Here are 3 ways to get involved:

1. Attend our monthly meeting.

    - Meetings take place normally on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM and are held online 

       via Zoom.

    - E-mail us if you'd like to attend:  ricecountydfl@outlook.com 

2. Help organize your precinct.

    - We have precinct leaders who are working on building teams and community in precincts.

    - Help organize your precinct by joining a team!

    - E-mail us for more information:  ricecountydfl@outlook.com 

3. Sign up to receive our ACTION Newsletter.

    - We send out our newsletter throughout the month with various opportunities to get involved.

    - To sign up send us an e-mail:  ricecountydfl@outlook.com

We welcome all to be involved. Feel free to contact us with any thoughts, questions, or concerns. We'd love to hear from you. E-mail:  ricecountydfl@outlook.com 

Shawn Groth

Chair, Rice County DFL

Minnesota DFL supply drive

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day just around the corner, the Minnesota DFL is hosting a supply drive to help those in need! Dr. King’s work on economic justice had one main idea: that all people should have what they need to live. 

Join us for a day of service and help contribute to Dr. King’s mission! All materials collected will go to St. Stephen’s Human Services and Simpson’s Housing Services. Both organizations work to house and support people experiencing homelessness. They all need our help to support participants in their programs and guests in their shelters! 

Here’s what you need to know: 

Time & Date: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, January 18, 2021 

Location: MN DFL at 255 Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 

Items needed: Full list and more information available here 

 To help protect folks from COVID-19, please wear a mask and practice social distancing when dropping off donations. We ask that you please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19. 

 We can’t wait to see you there as we all support Dr. King’s vision, St. Stephen's Human Services and Simpson’s Housing Services!

2020 Rice County DFL Precinct Caucus Locations

WHEN:

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Registration Opens:  6:30 p.m.
Precinct Caucuses Start:  7:00 p.m.


WHERE:

Not sure what precinct you live in?
Click here and follow instructions to find out:
https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us

Faribault Middle School

(Cafeteria)

704 - 17th Street West

Faribault, MN 55021

 Precincts meeting at this

location:

Cannon City Township

Faribault P-1

Faribault P-2

Faribault P-3

Faribault P-4

Morristown City

Morristown Township

Nerstrand City

Richland Township

Wallcott Township

Warsaw Township

Wells Township

Wheeling Township

***

Northfield Middle School

(Multiple Rooms - See Below)

2200 Division Street South

Northfield, MN 55057

Precincts meeting at this

location:

Bridgewater Township (room 162)

Dennison City (cafeteria)

Dundas City (cafeteria)

Northfield W-2 P-1 (room 160)

Northfield W-2 P-2 (room 161)

Northfield W-3 P-1 (room 163)

Northfield Township (room 171)

***

* NEW LOCATION *

St. John’s Lutheran Church

(St. John’s Hall and Commons)

500 3rd Street West

Northfield, MN 55057

 Precincts meeting at this

location:

Northfield W-1 P-2

Northfield W-4 P-1

***

St. Olaf College

Buntrock Commons

(Black & Gold Ballrooms)

1520 St. Olaf Avenue

Northfield, MN 55057

Precinct meeting at this location:

Northfield W-4 P-2

***

* NEW ROOM *

Carleton College

Weitz Center

(Cinema)

320 3rd Street East

Northfield, MN 55057

Precincts meeting at this

location:

Northfield W-1 P-1

***

* NEW LOCATION *

Trondhjem Lutheran Church

7525 Garfield Avenue

Lonsdale, MN 55046

Precincts meeting at this

location:

Erin Township

Forest Township

Lonsdale City

Shieldsville Township

Webster Township Precinct 1

Webster Township Precinct 2

Wheatland Township

8th Annual Hotdish Dinner, Cook-off and Dessert Contest Fundraiser

WHEN:

Sunday, October 6th, 2019

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Social Hour with Music by Bonnie and the Clydes

5:00 p.m.
Dinner, Hotdish/Dessert Judging, Program, Speeches & More!

WHERE:

Northfield Ballroom

1055 Highway 3

Northfield, MN  55057

SUGGESTED DONATION:

$15.00 per person

$25.00 per couple

FREE - kids 12 and under

Everyone is welcome regardless of ability to pay.

JOIN US FOR:

Guest Speakers including:

candidates, elected officials, and other dignitaries.
Music by Bonnie & The Clydes
Hotdish & Dessert Campaigning
You're the Judge - Hotdish and Dessert!
Live & Silent Auctions
And much more!!!

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY EVENT:

Biodegradable Plates and Utensils (forks, spoons, etc.)
Composting by Northfield Curbside Composting

7th Annual Hotdish Dinner & Cook-Off Fundraiser AND Dessert Contest

Democracy in the Park

June - Monthly Meeting

With Special Guest Speaker

State Representative David Bly

When:

Thursday, June 14, 2018

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Socialize / Dinner

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Meeting

Where:

The Family Diner / SuperAmerica

(Meeting Room in Diner)

2519 Lyndale Avenue North

Faribault, MN 55021

Rep. Paul Thissen Gatherings in Rice County

State Representative Paul Thissen
(former Minority Leader and Speaker of the MN House) 

Gatherings in Rice County

Thursday, June 15, 2017

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Culvers Restaurant
(Meeting Room)
960 Hwy. 3 South, Northfield

Noon to 1:00 p.m.
The Coffee Shop & Chocolate Haven
313 Central Avenue North, Faribault

Rice County DFL Monthly Meeting

Join the Rice County DFL at our monthly meeting (Central Committee). 

All DFLers are welcome to attend.

When:

Thursday, June 15, 2017
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Socialize / Dinner (optional)
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Meeting

Where:

Perkins Restaurant
(in Meeting Room)
333 Western Avenue
Faribault, MN 55021

Site accessible.

Facebook Event Page

Social Hour Fundraiser

Where DFLers (Democrats) come together to socialize and talk politics.

When:Tuesday, June 27, 2017

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where:The HideAway Coffeehouse

421 Division Street South

Northfield, MN  55057

RSVP:So we can reserve the correct 

number of tables/seats - please 

let us know if you plan to attend by 

e-mailing us at:

ricecountydfl@outlook.com 

Suggested Donation:  $10

(or whatever you can afford)

Appetizer/Door Prize Sponsors Needed:

Suggested Donation of $20 or more

Donors will be recognized 

unless anonymity requested.

Contact Shawn Groth at

ricecountydfl@outlook.com 

All DFLers are invited 

and welcome to attend!

2nd Saturdays with The Rice County DFL

The 2nd Saturday of each month two gatherings will be held at 2 locations in Rice County. We will invite special guests to join us to talk about current events, hot issues, campaigns, and much more!

Join Us Saturday, July 8th with Special Guests:

~ State Representative ~

David Bly

~ Candidate for Congress, First District ~

Vicki Jensen

FARIBAULT

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Coffee Shop

and Chocolate Haven

313 Central Avenue North

NORTHFIELD

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Culver’s

(Meeting Room)

960 Hwy. 3 South

Help us spread the word on social media by using the hash tag: 

#2ndSaturdaysDFL

Facebook Event Pages:

Faribault

Northfield

Snapshot of ACTION

Bobbi (Rice County DFL Director) and Sue (Rice County DFL Vice Chair) 

walk in the Northfield March for Science held on Saturday, April 22nd. 

The Rice County DFL passed a resolution of support for the March for Science: 

“The Rice County DFL fully supports the March for Science and their efforts in advocating the enactment of evidence-based policies in the public interest and for the common good,” said Shawn Groth, Rice County DFL Chairman. 

Many DFLers (Democrats) participated locally and at the State Capitol March. 

Here's a great video ( click here ) that from the Northfield March for Science. 

Rice County DFL Monthly Meeting

Join the Rice County DFL at our monthly meeting (Central Committee).

All Democrats (DFLers), Progressives, Liberals, etc. are welcome to attend.

When:

Thursday, February 16, 2017

5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Socialize / Dinner (optional)

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Meeting

Where:

Perkins Restaurant

(in Meeting Room)

333 Western Avenue

Faribault, MN 55021

Questions:

E-mail:  ricecountydfl@outlook.com 

"Rock the Vote"

This year at our booth at the Rice County Fair we held an unscientific poll. We invited each of our guests to vote for up to three issues that mattered most to them.

We had great participation! And here are the results:

#1 - Health Care & Social Security with 287 votes

#2 - Education & Student Debt with 247 votes

#3 - Jobs & Income Inequality with 179 votes

#4 - Environment & Climate with 130 votes

#5 - Roads & Bridges (Infrastructure) with 121 votes

#6 - Farms & Agriculture with 114 votes

#7 - Money in Politics with 65 votes

If you missed us at the Rice County Fair this year, feel free to post a comment with the three above issues that matter most to you. We'll keep a tally and add your votes to the above list.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 12th and Sunday, June 13th

______________________________________________________________________

Thursday, June 16th

Rice County DFL Monthly Meeting

When:

5:30 p.m. - Social / Dinner (optional)

6:30 p.m. - Meeting

Where:

Perkins Restaurant

(meeting room)

333 Western Ave NW

Faribault, MN 55021

______________________________________________________________________

Rice County DFL looking to fill committee openings

Energized creative applicants are being sought by the Rice County DFL Party for two year terms.

"Volunteers are the lifeblood of our party. They are the reason we have a strong, and vibrant Rice County DFL. We encourage all Rice County DFLers (Democrats) to get involved. Serving on our board is one of the many ways to do so,"  said Shawn Groth, Chairman of the Rice County DFL.
 

The Rice County DFL Nominations Committee is charged with reporting a committee-endorsed candidate for each Executive Committee Position. Those positions are:

• Chair - presides at meetings of the Rice County DFL, but also attends certain meetings within the state DFL and that of the First &  Second Congressional Districts.
• Vice Chair - essentially fills in when the Chair is not available..
• Community Engagement Officer (Affirmative Action Officer) - reaches out to underrepresented groups within the Rice County DFL.
• Secretary - keeps records of meetings, and maintains a current list of all DFL members within the county.
• Treasurer - keeps track of the financial affairs on the Rice County DFL.
• Directors (11) - help organize and plan the Rice County DFL caucuses, Convention, Rice County Fair booth, fundraising, social activities, and party building within the county.

• State Central Committee Delegates (2) / Alternates (4) - attend State Central Committee and Congressional District Central Committee meetings.

Please Note:  Currently - no one has screened for the Secretary position. We really need someone to serve in this important position. We also can use more people for Directors as well.

Those interested in serving in these positions need to attend a screening session. The final two screenings will be held in the following locations:

Northfield, March 30, 6:30-8:00 PM
    Carleton College - Sayles-Hill Campus Center

Northfield, March 31st, 6:30-8:00 PM
Location TBD

The screening committee will present its recommendations for election to the Rice County DFL’s Convention on April 2, at the Northfield Middle School. Candidates must have been screened (interviewed) by the Nominations Committee in order to be considered by the convention. The terms are two years.

For more information, or if you have questions - please contact Nominations Committee Chair Terry Rogers at TRogers700@aol.com or 952-652-2160.

Rice County Democratic Farmer Labor Party Seeks People to Serve on Its Board

Energized creative applicants are being sought by the Rice County DFL Party for two year terms.

"Volunteers are the lifeblood of our party. They are the reason we have a strong, and vibrant Rice County DFL. We encourage all Rice County DFLers (Democrats) to get involved. Serving on our board is one of the many ways to do so,"  said Shawn Groth, Chairman of the Rice County DFL.

The Rice County DFL Nominations Committee is charged with reporting a committee-endorsed candidate for each Executive Committee Position. Those positions are:

• Chair - presides at meetings of the Rice County Democrats, but also attends certain meetings within the state DFL and that of the First &  Second Congressional Districts.

• Vice Chair - essentially fills in when the Chair is not available..

• Community Engagement Officer (Affirmative Action Officer) - reaches out to underrepresented groups within the Rice County DFL.

• Secretary - keeps records of meetings, and maintains a current list of all DFL members within the county.

• Treasurer - keeps track of the financial affairs on the Rice County DFL.

• Directors (11) - help organize and plan the Rice County caucuses, Rice County Convention, Rice County Fair, fundraising, social activities, and party building within the county.

• State Central Committee Delegates (2) / Alternates (4) - attend State Central Committee and Congressional District Central Committee meetings.

Those interested in serving in these positions need to attend one of the four screening session. These sessions will be held in the following locations:

•     Northfield, Friday, March 18, 6:30 - 8:00

    Caribou Coffeehouse, 1162 400 Fifth Street W

•     Faribault, Sunday, March 20, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
      Depot Bar & Grill, 311 Heritage Place

•     Northfield, March 21, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
      Big Steer Restaurant (AKA Big Steer) I-35 & Highway 19

•     Faribault, March 26, 2:00-3:30 PM
      Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division St E, Park in back via 1st Street.

The screening committee will present its recommendations for election to the Rice County DFL’s Convention on April 2, at the Northfield Middle School. Candidates must have been interviewed by the Nominations Committee in order to be considered by the convention. The terms are two years.

 For more information contact Nominations Committee Chair Terry Rogers at TRogers700@aol.com or 952-652-2160.  

Updated Rice County DFL Precinct Caucus Locations

Location #1:

Northfield Middle School
2200 Division Street South
Northfield, MN 55057

Bridgewater Township (room 162)
Dennison City (cafeteria)
Dundas City (cafeteria)
Lonsdale City (cafeteria)
Northfield W-1 P-2 (room 159)
Northfield W-2 P-1 (room 160)
Northfield W-2 P-2 (room 161)
Northfield W-3 P-1 (room 163)
Northfield W-4 P-1 (room 172)
Northfield Township (room 171)

Note: Northfield Precincts W-1 P-1 and W-4 P-2 will be located on St. Olaf (W-4 P-2) and Carleton (W-1 P-1) Campuses.


Location #2:
Weitz Center
3rd Street East
Northfield, MN 55057

Room Number: 236

Precinct caucusing at this location:
Northfield W-1 P-1


Location #3:
St. Olaf College
Buntrock Commons
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN 55057

Room: St. Olaf College The Lion's Pause

Precinct caucusing at this location:
Northfield W-4 P-2


Location #4:
Forest Township Town Hall
3625 Millersburg Blvd.
Faribault (Millersburg), MN 55021

Erin Township
Forest Township
Shieldsville Township
Webster Township Precinct 1
Webster Township Precinct 2
Wheatland Township


Location #5:
Faribault Middle School
Cafeteria (all precincts)
704 - 17th Street West
Faribault, MN 55021

Cannon City Township
Faribault P-1
Faribault P-2
Faribault P-3
Faribault P-4
Morristown City
Morristown Township
Nerstrand City
Richland Township
Wallcott Township
Warsaw Township
Wells Township
Wheeling Township

       

Changes to Locations of College Precincts in Northfield

The vote of the committee at the Thursday meeting has resulted in moving two of Northfield's caucus locations from the middle school onto the two college campuses.

Specific sites are being finalized, and we will have details here as soon as the official locations are determined.

This will affect DFL caucus-goers in Ward 4 Precinct 2 (residents on and near the St. Olaf campus) and Ward 1 Precinct 1 (this on and near the Carleton campus) only, and should help with traffic flow at the middle school.

Those who caucused in 2008 will recall the large turnouts of both permanent Northfield residents and college students resulted in logistical traffic issues, and we're moving to alleviate some of that congestion, while making it easier for students and others near the campuses to walk to their respective locations.

DFL Precinct Caucuses - Tuesday, March 1st

The Rice County DFL Precinct Caucuses will take place on Tuesday, March 1st, 2016. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the caucuses will convene at 7:00 p.m.

All DFLers (Democrats) are invited to participate.

Here are our local locations:

Location 1:

Forest Township Town Hall Location
3725 Millersburg Blvd West
Faribault, MN 55021

Precincts that will meet here are:
Erin Township
Forest Township
Shieldsville Township
Webster Precinct 1
Webster Precinct 2
Wheatland Township


Location 2:

Northfield Middle School
2200 Division Street South
Northfield, MN 55057

Precincts that will meet here are:

Bridgewater Township (room 162)

Dennison City (cafeteria)

Dundas City (cafeteria)

Lonsdale City (cafeteria)

Northfield W-1 P-1 (location to be determined)

Northfield W-1 P-2 (room 159)

Northfield W-2 P-1 (room 160)

Northfield W-2 P-2 (room 161)

Northfield W-3 P-1 (room 163)

Northfield W-4 P-1 (room 172)

Northfield W-4 P-2 (location to be determined)

Northfield Township (room 171)

Location 3:

Faribault Middle School
704 17th Street SW
Faribault, MN 55021

Precincts that will meet here are:
(all will meet in the cafeteria)

Cannon City Township

Faribault P-1

Faribault P-2

Faribault P-3

Faribault P-4

Morristown City

Morristown Township

Nerstrand City

Richland Township

Wallcott Township

Warsaw Township

Wells Township

Wheeling Township

If you are unsure what precinct you live in visit the district finder at the DFL’s website: https://www.dfl.org/resources/caucus-finder/ Or through the precinct caucus finder on the Secretary of State’s website: http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us/ 

If you are unable to attend the caucuses, and would still like to be nominated for an elected position please fill out the absentee participation form:  http://www.dfl.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2016-Precinct-Caucus-Absentee-Participation-Form.pdf