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Civic League

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From L-R: Diane Hanson, Eleanor Tyler, Joan Kloepfer, Kay Miller, Phil Winkler, Kay Sullivan, Susan Macey, Jennifer Taylor, Bernie Baszak

Not pictured: Diane TenHoopen, Steve Huse

PARTICIPATION

The Dewey Beach Civic League is a volunteer organization for property owners and residents of Dewey Beach. The Civic League differs from our local government, as they operate independently from the Town, and adhere to their own bylaws. The DBCL encourages all property owners, long term renters or full-time residents to join the organization! Business owners may also join if they own property in the town and/or if they own a business with a physical presence in town.

The Civic League also meets on Friday mornings at 9:00am at the Starboard to discuss current goals. Interested parties are welcome to join. Questions? Contact us!

FOCUS

The purposes for which the corporation is formed are as follows:

  • To stimulate interest in improving the community.
  • To serve as a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas and experiences.
  • To foster understanding of laws, customs, services, and facilities of the town, area, county, state and federal agencies and government.
  • To advocate, promote, create, establish and/or support worthy enterprise, and to promote and support constructive legislation.
  • To provide information and guidance to its membership regarding the qualifications, experience, and philosophies of town officials and candidates for the town commission.*
  • To keep the membership informed of DBCL events and proposed changes in zoning, tax, or general town legislation through periodic communications.
  • To establish the consensus of the membership in reference to civic, cultural, and legislative matters (past, present, and future) and promulgate the same. The DBCL may endorse candidates for office in the Town, but is not required to do so.*
  • To attend to any other purposes as may be deemed by the Corporation to be in keeping with its general aim of improving the area.

*The Dewey Beach Civic League acts independently from the Town of Dewey Beach. The Town is a bipartisan, government entity that does not endorse any political candidate or other town official.

OFFICERS

Diane Hanson, President

Susan Macey, Vice President

Joan Kloepfer, Treasurer

Diane TenHoopen, Administrative Secretary

Eleanor Tyler, Recording Secretary

DIRECTORS

Kay Sullivan

Jennifer Taylor

Phil Winkler

Steve Huse

Kay Miller

Bernie Baszak

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Community Improvement

  • Continued involvement with Dewey in Bloom by sponsoring a planter. Several board members also helped maintain the planters throughout the year.
  • Donated $10,000 toward the new town hall thanks to membership  dues. Encouraged members to also buy a memorial brick via the town’s website.
  • Members assisted town projects during the Halloween and pre-holiday season festivities.

Advocacy

  • Notified property owners of upcoming public hearings regarding permit changes, updates on town hall, street paving and changes to town code
  • A DBCL board member will be attending town meetings to be sure property owners concerns are heard.
  • Held Candidates Forum (no election required) on August 23, 2025, at the Lifesaving Station that included questions for present commissioners and updates from Police Chief and Town Manager. Concluded forum with our DBCL annual meeting and board elections.

Community Building

  • Held continuing Happy Hours throughout 2025 at varied Dewey establishments to welcome new residents, DBCL members and to support social interaction to help property owners and members get to know each other. Working on schedule for 2026

  • Planned and hosted a SECOND successful history program November, 1,  2025, with speakers, including Dewey residents and guests, with special guest “Chicken Ed.”   DBCL continues coordinating a history of Dewey for the new Town Hall. Also in the plans is a private showing of the edited tapes of the two programs, and then hopefully a larger group film night.  The cost of the Hyatt sessions and the editing and rental costs for a film night will be paid from members yearly dues.

  • Introduced the idea of having at least monthly Zoom board meetings.
  • Continuation of 9:00am Friday breakfast gatherings at Starboard. We've had several guests throughout the year.
  • Modernized our communication system to allow for information to be sent to members as needed.
  • Updated our membership renewal to start in January with need to assure that all members provide an email address to assure members are kept informed.
  • Clearer notification allowing members to pay online.  Updates being made to enable easier payment methods and info on where to send checks for members.
  • A survey will be conducted to see how much info members wish to receive and future project ideas for the DBCL.

DBCL Business

  • Added new board member, Bernie Baszak.
  • Continuation of 9:00am Friday breakfast gatherings at Starboard. We've had several guests throughout the year.
  • Modernized our communication system to allow for information to be sent to members as needed. Updated our membership renewal, allowing members to pay online. Compiled over 300 renewals or new members.
  • Developed and printed copies of new Dewey Beach Civic League brochure.
  • Sent out communications on what was happening in town during the off season to keep our members informed.