Clallam County’s Coffee Party is less than a month old, but it already needs more space.
Organizer Barbara Moody said the group, which has held two meetings at the Cornerhouse Restaurant in Port Angeles, will meet again this Saturday to see how it can split up into several smaller gatherings.
“We were bulging last time with 25 people,” said Moody, who lives between Port Angeles and Joyce.
“Obviously, we won’t fit into the Cornerhouse anymore.”
The Coffee Party, much like the Tea Party movement, is a grass-roots organization with loosely connected chapters across the nation.
But unlike the conservative organization, the Coffee Party has no political agenda; it’s merely a forum, Moody said.
Back to roots
The purpose of the organization, which formed earlier this year, is to dilute partisan bickering with honest debate, she said, adding:
“We are getting down to the basic form of American exchange, discourse, decision making.
“It feels like we are getting back to the roots of this country.”
The group, the first on the North Olympic Peninsula, held its first meeting March 13.
Its counterpart in Jefferson County, the Port Townsend Coffee Party, first met March 21.
That group has about 30 members, said one of its organizers, Frank D’Amore.
Fifteen attended the last meeting, and he said it’s unclear if they will need to split up into smaller groups.
D’Amore said the group wants to organize debates on major topics affecting the nation.
Search for civility
Moody said she and a friend, Connie Hyatt of Sequim, decided to form the Clallam County group over frustration with the lack of civility in American politics, which she equated to childishness.
“When a kid starts being a burden and unfair and stuff, you don’t get to respond with your kid self, you have to find your adult self,” she said.
D’Amore said in a March interview that he and fellow Port Townsend resident Pat Porter formed their group over similar concerns.
After the upcoming meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Cornerhouse, 101 E. Front St., Port Angeles, Clallam County’s Coffee Party will likely split up into three or four groups, Moody said. Some will meet in Sequim, others in Port Angeles.
Moody said the group, which welcomes all political views, is still seeking more participants.
The only requirements: come with an open mind and “leave your talking points at the door,” she said.
But participants don’t need to be afraid about being passionate about their views, Moody said.
“I think it’s important,” she said. “But it’s also important to listen.”
D’Amore agreed.
“We’re not afraid of people being passionate,” he said. “We’re not looking for like-minded people.”
Those interested in joining the group can contact Moody at moody529@olypen.com.
The Port Townsend group will meet again at 10 a.m. April 17 at the Undertown Coffee and Wine Bar, 211 Taylor St., Port Townsend.
To get involved with that group, phone D’Amore at 360-385-3434.
The national group’s Web site is www.coffee partyusa.com.
For those interested in Tea Party-related events, the conservative group, Concerned Citizens of Clallam County, will hold a rally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on tax day, April 15, at the intersection of Sequim Avenue and Washington Street in Sequim.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
