Featured Member: Ann Harroun
by Trudi Manuel

Ann Harroun is a stalwart of the Larimer County Democratic Party (LCDP) and the Loveland Democrats. In 1995 she was elected First Vice-Chair and also served as the Party's Second Vice-Chair. She has been House District 51 Director and Vice President of Jane Jeffersons, in charge of programs. She has overseen and arranged booths and parades for the Party and served as Chair of the Events/Dinner Planning Committee. Additionally, she served on the State Party Executive and Central Committees and chaired the 2007 Nominating Committee.

Ann's smile, pleasant nature, and intelligence shine through when she talks about highlights of her activism. A major highlight was securing speakers on health care funding for a Jane Jeffersons meeting, "probably because it is such an important issue, because our speakers were so great and we learned a lot, and because my fellow Janes were pleased with the outcome." Ann's personal reflections on her time with the Janes is below.

For her dedication and tenacity and other skills, Ann received the Volunteer of the Year award at the 2006 Presidents' Day Dinner. Another Jane, Char McDaniel of Loveland, received the Lifetime Achievement Award that year also.

Spearheading the improvement of the party's booths at community events and participation in community parades is another highlight cited. She enjoyed the "fun and outdoing the Republicans, and especially fun having a band or a DJ in our parade entries."

During the 1980s Ann served eight years in the Vermont House; two years on the Transportation Committee and six years on Ways and Means. She also served four years (appointed) on the local Planning Commission and nine years (elected) on the Town Select Board (governing board). In Loveland she served two years (appointed) on the Loveland Budget Advisory Committee, and in 2000 she ran for State Representative for House District 51.

Ann's Reflections

When the first Jane Jefferson Club was formed in 1904, women weren't even allowed to vote in Federal elections. By the 1950s, we were essentially the "ladies auxiliary". We did the work, kept the records and planned the events; the men held the offices and got the credit. That has not been true in a long time.

I see Janes educating our own members on issues, meeting candidates, and providing a venue for the public to meet Democratic candidates and to hear debate on issues. I see us remaining in close touch with the Democratic Party (e.g., advertising meetings in the Dem. newsletter), but running our own show. I also see us grooming female candidates for various positions, but not necessarily preferring female to male candidates. Perhaps the organization should remain neutral in primary contests and leave each member to also.

I probably joined the Loveland Jane Jefferson Club in 1994. I think the only official position I had was Vice President in 2003 and 2004, when I arranged for speakers and sent out press releases. We devoted one year to studying health care.

I have enjoyed the comradery of eating, working, studying, and traveling together. We really get to know each other through these pursuits, and it makes for a stronger organization.

Ann's suggestions for the 2007- 2008 priorities:
* Keeping Democrats involved with the Party during a non-election year
* Organizing; filling our Party positions
* Raising money to support Party activities and a productive new office
* Raising money to support our candidates in 2008
* Finding good candidates for 2008
* Finding and organizing volunteers
* Adding Democrats to the voter rolls
* Maintaining a high public profile