Below is a partial list of dignitaries who have addressed Club members and guests.

Waldo Proffitt speaks to the Club in September 2007
Waldo Proffitt, op-ed columnist at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, came to Sarasota in 1961 as managing editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Subsequently, he became editorial director of it and the evening paper, the Journal. After the Journal closed, he was made editor of the Herald-Tribune. Proffitt, who has written his op-ed column since he retired in 1998, says it’s “the thing I enjoy most about journalism.”

Dave Beatty
Dave Beattie, a Democratic political consultant, spoke on “Winning Democratic Campaigns.” In addition to his work as president of Hamilton Beattie & Staff, Dave Beattie helps train the next generation of political leaders as an adjunct professor in the University of Florida’s graduate program in campaign management.

Waldo Proffitt
Waldo Proffitt, op-ed columnist at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, was the featured speaker at the Democratic Club of Sarasota luncheon meeting on Saturday, May 14, 2005. Proffitt came to Sarasota in 1961 as managing editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Subsequently, he became editorial director of it and the evening paper, the Journal. After the Journal closed, he was made editor of the Herald-Tribune. Proffitt, who has written his op-ed column since he retired in 1998, says it’s “the thing I enjoy most about journalism.”

Paul Duke
Paul Duke, former moderator for the PBS program "Washington Week in Review", spoke at the March 2005 meeting of the Democratic Club of Sarasota on the topic: "Is There Hope for the Democrats After the November Disaster?".

Wade Matthews
Wade Matthews, President of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, spoke at the January 2005 meeting of the Democratic Club of Sarasota about the Democratic Party and moral values and how we can position ourselves in the future.

Professor Keith Fitzgerald
Keith Fitzgerald, a professor at New College gave an uplifting speech at the November 2004 meeting of the Democratic Club of Sarasota in which he gave us a positive outlook on our nation's future.

Former Senator Daryl Jones
Daryl Jones, former Florida State Senator and Gubernatorial Candidate, spoke at the October 2004 dinner held at Michael's on East.

Professor Keith Fitzgerald
Keith Fitzgerald, a professor at New College spoke to the Democratic Club in January of 2004 regarding the differences in worldview between the Bush Administration and the Democratic Party.

Senatorial Candidate Betty Castor
Ms. Castor's address to the Democratic Club of Sarasota on October 11, 2003 wherein she shared her background and views with us.

Retired U.S. Ambassador Don Leidel 
Mr. Leidel at the Democratic Club of Sarasota on September 13, 2003 on the subject of the Bush administration’s foreign policy and the Iraq War.