The Manchester Township Democratic Club (MTDC) was founded in mid-2021, when a small group of passionate Democrats gathered in a living room to discuss the upcoming General Election. United by shared concerns about the national political climate, they sought meaningful ways to become more engaged in political activity at the local, county, state, and national levels.

As interest grew, so did our community. By November 2021, the group had outgrown its original meeting space and began holding monthly meetings at the Lakehurst Community Center. Since then, the Club has grown to be the largest and most active Democratic Club in Ocean County, and we serve as a strong and active organization dedicated to civic engagement, political education, and community involvement. We no longer meet at the Community Center in Lakehurst, but our monthly meetings are held at a central location in Lakehurst. 

Over the years, the Club has hosted a diverse array of guest speakers, organized candidate forums, and celebrated important cultural and historical observances, including Juneteenth, Cinco de Mayo, Black History Month, and National Women’s History Month. Our programs are open to the public and reflect our commitment to education, inclusion, diversity, civic participation, and Democratic values.

The Club also maintains an active presence throughout the community by participating in local events such as Manchester Day at Harry Wright Lake, the Toms River Pride Day Festival, and the Ocean County United Festival in Manahawkin. These events provide opportunities to connect with residents, encourage civic participation, and promote Democratic principles. We proudly support and collaborate with like-minded organizations, including the Ocean County Chapter of NOW, the Ocean County Democratic Committee, and neighboring Democratic clubs, recognizing that partnerships strengthen our collective impact. In 2025, we were honored to host our gubernatorial candidate, Mikie Sherrill, at two events in Manchester.

On May 24, 2022, the Club adopted its first set of bylaws and elected its inaugural Executive Board. As the organization continued to grow, Members In Good Standing approved updated bylaws on March 16, 2024, expanding the Executive Board from seven to nine members to better support the Club’s increasing membership, activities, and future growth.

Today, the Manchester Democratic Club continues to thrive as a welcoming space where Democrats and like-minded community members come together to learn, organize, advocate, volunteer, and work toward building a stronger, more inclusive community.

Guided by the principles of the Democratic Party, we remain committed to fostering civic engagement, encouraging informed participation in the democratic process, and making a positive difference both within Manchester Township and throughout Ocean County.

Whether you’re a lifelong Democrat or getting involved for the first time, we invite you to attend a meeting, become a member, and help shape the future of our community.

Currently, the MTDC Executive Board is comprised of:

President – Gloria Adkinson 

Vice President – Kathy Frisch

Treasurer – Sandy Lewis

Secretary – Phyllis Scharago

Director of Membership – Christy Cavanaugh

Director of Programming – Adriann Denis

Director of Political Affairs – Rob Gancitano

Director of Fundraising – Bruce Polsky

Member At-Large – Bob Lanik

Additionally, numerous committees support the work of our very active Club. Those committees include:

Membership ~ Hospitality ~ Programming ~ Fundraising ~ Political Affairs ~ Nominations and Elections ~ Communications 

Meetings are held monthly, usually on the the third Saturday of every month. 

For information on our meetings and updates on Club activities, please subscribe to our newsletter, HERE