Q1. Name & role

A1. Jody Wallace, Captain for District 2, Comms Interim Chair

Q2. When & why did you become involved with the WCDP?

A2. I was involved in and conscious of local politics for a decade or so, in particular the activities of the Williamson County School Board. In 2021 I got a postcard for the WCDP Reorganization and thought, what the heck, I guess I could be brave and check it out. The camaraderie and excitement went to my head and I walked out of that meeting with a position on the Executive Committee as a district captain. No regrets! 

Q3. What are the responsibilities of your role? If you were describing it for a volunteer so they know what to expect if they step up, what would you tell them?

A3. I'm doing two things right now - District Captain and Comms Person. As a District Captain, you attend all the EC meetings once a month, help brainstorm ideas, volunteer for things that you have time for, and most of all, try to talk to people in your district about how Democrats are more numerous in the county than they might have suspected and how we are doing a lot of community oriented projects, fund raising, volunteering, reaching out to other groups, and basically seeking ways to be public servants. Many, many ways a person can contribute to the community and the world are nonpartisan, and so many Democrats want to and are willing to be the helpers of the world.

As Comms Person, I am currently managing the WCDP newsletter, posting to social media, and updating the website. If you were to step up with this committee, the fantastic thing about it is how you can do it from your own home and mostly on your own time. It's perfect for introverts who still want to participate. 

Q4. What is your day job/other volunteer work/family responsibilities, to give folks a sense of time management?

A4. I am a published author of fiction and I also work as a freelance fiction editor. I have a husband and two kids, one in high school and one in college, who love it when their mom gets all up in their business. I have become fluent in meme. I have hobbies, too, like crocheting and sewing and tap dancing.

Q5. How much time per week do you spend helping the WCDP? Are there any issues balancing responsibilities that we could work on as an organization?

A5. Right now I'm doing quite a bit with the newsletter and social media and gearing up for the reorg - probably 5-8 hours a week, depending on how efficient I am with the newsletter and social media. Those involve researching news articles to share and creating graphics, and rabbit holes just...happen, and suddenly it's three hours later. But it was an excellent three hours. 

Q6. What do you enjoy most about your role/involvement with the WCDP?

A6. I love that I have expanded my circle of local friends who are guided by kindness, empathy, and a desire to improve their communities, protect their public schools, and preserve voting rights and civil liberties for all. 

Q7. What is your vision for the WCDP in the next 2 years?

A7. I hope to drag, I mean, lure, I mean include more quiet folks who have all that kindness and empathy but think a person has to be a go-getter and a door knocker in order to contribute to "politics". I want more people to understand politics isn't a dirty word, when you don't behave in a dirty way. I hope we can run more local Democratic candidates and register more voters and help more people find the time TO vote, since Williamson County residents don't tend to vote that much in local elections. I hope the WCDP can continue to be active in the community with outreach and public service.

Q8. Who is your favorite Democrat or political role model?

A8. I have been so impressed with the WCDP officers I've gotten to know - Bob Britton, Jenn Foley, Courtenay Rogers, Wanda Bruce Graham - real people making time in their busy schedules, maintaining positive attitudes, encouraging everyone, and being so smart and insightful about navigating the difficulties progressives can face in a conservative area, from finding community to making a difference. Also was really impressed with Odessa Kelly, Heidi Campbell, and others I got a chance to meet when they ran for state or federal offices last year. Attitudes were positive - campaigns focused on how to help people, working families, schools, healthcare, infrastructure - and not how to stop the world from changing or regress in the area of civil rights and equality. It was reassuring, and it's worth stepping out of my comfort zone to be a part of it.