The Downstate Update
We’re getting the President Elected!
This year the Downstate chapters of the Young Democrats are spending $8,000 of our regional fund to train and send people to serve as volunteer leaders in critical swing States for the last two weeks of the 2012 election. For all those people who would take off to make a difference if only they could afford it we’re making it easy - you can get a free ride on us!
Without a doubt (and this is from OFA itself) being a GOTV fellow is the most impactful thing a person in a Blue State can do with fewer than 30 days remaining days until November 6.
“Well, I just asked them what the most important thing a person could was. They told me they need people to join the GOTV Fellows Program to get trained, go away to battleground states and serve as volunteer leaders. And I was like ‘oh, hey, we can pay for people to do that.’” - Benjamin Yee, Downstate Vice President
In the past, the Downstate Chapters have been extremely active using the funds raised through their annual Keep the Change events; honoring people and organizations which have succeeded in bringing definable change to New York, America and the world. We’ve spent that money giving young people the opportunity to explore ways to make their own change - from giving seed funding The White Roof Project, a Manhattan Young Democrats idea which became its own non-profit; to hosting leadership summits; to sponsoring Young Democrats run canvasses for local Democrats throughout the region.
This year, Keep the Change III won’t just be honoring change makers, it will serve as a farewell bash to our battlegrounders. With free bourbon and moonshine donated by local shop Kings County Distillery, 200-300 of the city’s coolest young progressives a million ways to sign up to help out before E-Day, it should be the biggest GOTV kickoff this side of the aisle. So please join us this year as we honor those who have kept the Change and celebrate as we go off to make more!
To anyone interested in Keep the Change or being sponsored as a GOTV fellow, they should contact Benjamin Yee at ben@nysyd.net. Tickets to Keep the Change can be got at https://secure.actblue.com/page/ktciii
Keep the Change III: Return of the Change
Keep the Change III is here! Help support the Young Democrats in running programs like the Obama GOTV Fellowship! What's what? It's this:
The Downstate Region of the Young Dems has voted, in coordination with OFA , to commit $8k of the regional fund towards the OFA GOTV fellows program. We'll be training and sponsoring people to go embed themselves as super volunteers in battleground states for the last two weeks of the election. On Nov. 6 they'll serve as leaders of the thousands of volunteers who will make the difference in the 2012 battle. Then, when they get back, we'll have all these people with battleground experience to make change at home.
If you or anyone you know anyone who'd be willing to go work for Obama if only they could afford to live two weeks out of state please email ben@nysyd.net; we've got the money, now we're looking for the people!
To help a great organization run great programs, consider stopping by for the open bourbon and moonshine bar. Tickets available at https://secure.actblue.com/page/ktciii/
The Testimony of Sandra Fluke
The Testimony of Sandra Fluke, the woman who wasn't allowed to speak at Darrel Issa's all male hearing on contraception.
You Don't Need a Hearing to be Heard
Wondering what would have been said about contraception today if Republicans let women talk at hearings? Here it is:
Proposed Redistricting Plan is BS
Downstate Young Democrats' Statement on the Proposed State Senate Redistricting Plan
NEW YORK, NY, January 27, 2012: The Downstate Young Democrats, an organization that comprises the New York State Young Democrats chapters of Brooklyn, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens and Staten Island, released the following statement regarding the proposed redistricting plan for the New York State Senate released yesterday by the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR).
"We vehemently oppose the proposed State Senate maps released yesterday. This is gerrymandering at its absolute worst, a petty and cynical attempt by the Republican-controlled Senate to maintain its majority at all costs. There was clearly no care given to the goals of reform that countless legislators pledged to uphold in the 2010 election cycle. This proposal tears apart neighborhoods, ignores demographic trends and actively seeks to diminish the voice of young progressive voters. Furthermore, through blatant manipulation of district size, Republicans have weakened the voting power of New York City residents in comparison to their upstate counterparts. This transparent charade threatens to undermine the progress Albany has made in the last year of restoring the public's faith in our democracy. We applaud Governor Cuomo for stating publicly he will veto these proposed district lines, and it is our hope that he will keep to this promise for the good of New York State. We as Young Democrats will not stand idly by during this debate. We will continue to fight for an independent redistricting commission that will ensure fair and representative voting for all New Yorkers, regardless of party affiliation."