Jane Roush: Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Written by Linda Thomson | 02 July 2010

Jane Roush of Shelton came to the Mason County Democrats after retiring from the State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) where she helped many a political campaign figure out the complexities of the public disclosure laws – "laws which still remain a mystery to many us," according to attorney Janis Snoey.

Jane was in the MCDCC campaign office at 218 W Cota recently, and indicated that she is excited about this campaign season. There are some positions with Democrats having challengers from within the party. Although she has her favorites, she says she can support any of them if her pick doesn't come through the Primary. At the recent Mason County Democrats' 2010 Kennedy Dinner, Jane was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, a high honor, indeed.

Andrew Graham, who has been chair less than one year, considers Jane to be one of his role-models. "I've learned a great deal from her and learned to rely on her judgment," he said recently. Andrew described the award-winner as a "tremendous asset with a depth and breadth of knowledge of the party." He praised her for her values and determination to share those values, in particular by helping Democrats get elected.

Jane has taken on a number of responsibilities for the Democrats during her years of involvement. She was finance and fundraising chair, coordinated volunteers to do county park cleanup work.

Janis Snoey, who presented the award to Jane at our Kennedy Dinner, indicated Jane was "a special master at putting together wonderful silent auctions," as she did for a number of our annual dinner events. However, Janis warned, when it came to tracking where gifts and money came from, all of which needed to be reported to the PDC, well, "try a little sloppy record keeping and you were dead meat!"

Jane served for a time as treasurer for the 35th Legislative District Democrats, and has been treasurer for a number of local candidates' campaigns over the years. Now retired from State employment, she is in demand in such a position for her knowledge gained in years of work for the PDC, to which campaigns must send regular financial reports.

Janis concluded her speech this way: "Jane Roush has unselfishly given her time and many talents to Mason County Democrats for many years and we're so honored to present to her the Mason County Democrat's 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award!"