The Fountain Hills Democratic Club (FHDC) hosted three speakers at its March meeting at the Fountain Hills Community Center.

Jeanne Casteen and Dianne Post discussed social justice issues while Crystal Bazarnic shared updates on Legislative District 3 (LD3) Democrats.

Casteen is a teacher, mother, former school board president and the current executive director of the nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that protects the constitutional separation of church and state, Secular AZ.

Casteen introduced the club to the organization’s work, discussing its focus on issues such as healthcare, education, religious expression, discrimination and tax policy, said FHDC spokesperson, Dave Long. Casteen also highlighted the ongoing threats to social justice across all levels of government and encouraged members to stay informed and engaged, Long said.

A lawyer since 1980, Dianne Post has spent more than 18 years representing battered women and children in family and juvenile court. She shifted to international human rights law in 1998 and has worked in more than 14 countries, Long said.

Post, the legal director for Secular AZ, is also active with the National Organization for Women, the ERA Task Force AZ and the Arizona Commission on African American Affairs.

Long says Post provided an update on current Supreme Court cases and numerous bills in the Arizona State Legislature focusing on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ issues, economic justice and church-state separation.

Bazarnic, the newly-elected chair of LD3 Democrats, gave an overview of LD3 during the FHDC March meeting. Bazarnic explained the district’s boundaries, demographics, political structure, the work of LD3 Democrats and upcoming events.

The next FHDC meeting is Thursday, April 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fountain Hills Community Center.

Annual membership dues are $25. For more information, visit fhdemclub.org.