Democrats
Abroad Switzerland
July
2012: News and Upcoming Events
Contents:
1) The
Affordable Care Act and what it means for Americans Abroad
2) July
4th events in Switzerland
3) Slugout in the Dugout 2012 photos and results
4) Americans Abroad for Obama fundraiser in Geneva
with George Clooney
5) WANTED: Help us connect with Americans in your study
abroad program, workplace or social club
1) The Affordable Care Act and what it means
for Americans Abroad
This has been a big week for Democrats and President
Obama. As you know, the Supreme Court issued a historic ruling: They upheld the
Affordable Care Act and ensured that millions of American families will have
access to health care and protection from the worst abuses of the insurance
industry.
If you have questions about the Affordable Care Act,
the Supreme Court's decision, and their health care coverage, the White House
has pulled together the most useful information at WhiteHouse.gov.
Some of you are wondering what this will mean for
Americans living overseas. Back in 2009 when the Healthcare bill was being
drafted, Democrats Abroad lobbied members of Congress to ensure that the individual
mandate would not result in a tax for Americans living abroad. Many of us live
in countries that provide adequate health insurance. Members of our DA
leadership worked closely with those drafting the new legislation to ensure
that we would not be adversely affected by the law with the obligation to purchase
insurance in the United States, which we could not use, or be taxed for failure
to purchase it. The Affordable Care Act contains an exemption for Americans
living overseas with a definition of what it means to live outside the US based
on the definition used by the IRS: Section 911 of the tax code where you
qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion. You can find that language in
the Affordable
Care Act on page 170 under section (4).
2) July
4th events
As
previously announced, the following organizations have extended invitations to
DA members to take part in events in celebration of Independence Day.
- American
Club of Zurich July 4th Celebration: Wednesday July 4, 2012, 5:00 PM
- 9:00 PM, at the Swiss
International School Zurich North Industriestrasse 50 CH-8304 Wallisellen.
. More info at http://www.acz.ch/ NOTE THE LOCATION HAS BEEN CHANGED!!
- U.S.
Mission in Geneva is hosting: JAZZ with the U.S.A., an Independence Day
Celebration featuring The Temple Jazz Orchestra on Thursday, July 5,
2012 at 6:30 pm at the Assembly Hall - Palais des Nations. Pedestrian access
only via the UN Pregny gate. Visitors without UN badges must RSVP to bouvieyp@state.gov no later than noon on July 5th in order to
be added to guest list at U.N. entrance. More details and flyer: http://www.democratsabroad.org/JAZZ_WITH_THE_USA
3) Photos and results from the 3rd annual Slugout in the Dugout -
Democrats Abroad versus Republicans Abroad 2012
Thanks
to all who came out to our 3rd annual Slugout in the Dugout on Saturday!
We had great turnout, fantastic weather, and an exciting game, with the
Democrats finally edging out the Republicans, 10-9. Check out the photos, and
we hope to see you again next year!
4) Americans Abroad for Obama fundraiser in Geneva with George
Clooney
As part
of our goal to inform DACH members about Democratic Party and campaign
fundraising activities taking place in the Switzerland, we are happy to
announce such events that are made known to us. These events are not organized,
funded, or conducted for the benefit of Democrats Abroad.
George
Clooney will
be coming (back!) to Geneva on Monday, August 27, 2012, for what
promises to be the single most important fundraising event of Americans Abroad
for Obama in this Presidential re-election cycle.
There will be a Champagne Reception, at an elegant
Old Town venue in the presence of both George Clooney and Ambassador Matthew
Barzun, the Chairman of the Obama Victory Fund, who will welcome all
participants, share some observations on the Campaign, and answer questions
from the floor. The requested contribution for the Champagne Reception is $1000
per person, with attendance strictly limited to 200 people. During the
Champagne Reception, for contributors of $5000 per person or per couple, there
will be the opportunity for a personal introduction and photograph with George
Clooney. After the Champagne Reception, a group limited to the first 60
contributors of $20,000 per person, or $30,000 per couple, will enjoy an
intimate gourmet Gala Dinner with George Clooney and Matthew Barzun in a
private venue. Special Note: During the Champagne Reception, George Clooney will
draw the names of two lucky participants who, along with their spouses or
significant others, will be invited to join in the ensuing Gala Dinner as
guests of the Campaign.
Only U.S. citizens and Green Card holders may
contribute to the Obama Victory Fund, and for Americans residing abroad,
passport information is required to be submitted with the RSVP. Non-U.S.
spouses, partners and guests are more than welcome to attend, provided that
it is the U.S. citizen who makes the contribution of their behalf. Registration
for this event is open: https://my.barackobama.com/GenevaAugust27Reception
5)
WANTED: Help us connect with Americans in your study abroad program, workplace
or social club
Are you
here on a study abroad program? Do you work for a company or government agency
that employs more than 10 Americans in Switzerland? Are you active in the local
branch of your alumni association? Do you participate in any local club or
social group that includes more than 10 Americans?
Then we
want your help! Would you volunteer to be either a Democrats Abroad Outreach
Coordinator or put us in touch with your program/club/group? As an Outreach
Coordinator you can help other Americans in your program or organization
register to vote – or we will connect you to experienced voter registration
volunteers. Together, we can do any or all of the following:
- Schedule
an on-site U.S. Voter Registration day
- Prepare
a flyer about Voter Regisration to share via email to your colleagues or post
in common areas
- Inform
your fellow Americans of election news and voting deadlines
- Enable
your fellow Americans to participate in the U.S. General Election
If you
are ready to help, then fill out our online Outreach
Coordinator sign-up sheet!
We will
give you the information and tools you will need to connect with other
Americans. It might even be as simple as meeting other current members of
Democrats Abroad at your office. If your school program, church or club is
having an orientation day or community fair, let us know so we can set up a
voter registration table or hand out information. All our voter registration activity
can be organized in a non-partisan way.
We look forward to seeing many of you during the
summer, as we continue our preparations for this incredibly important election
year!
Maya Samara
Chair, DA Switzerland
No comments:
Post a Comment