Since DACH
elections on 26 March, your ExCom leadership team has made every effort to hit
the ground running! Special thanks go to Maya Samara for her extraordinary
organizing skills and for facilitating the transition from one team to another.
Even better, Maya joins the DACH leadership team as Social Media Coordinator.
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRATS ABROAD (DPCA) ELECTIONS AND ANNUAL MEETING, London, 18-21 April
Vice-Chair
Peter Butterfield followed the meetings and voted from his home through video
connection, and as your Chair, I joined Caitlin Kraft Buchman (member of DNC
and DNC Women's Caucus Board, and past DACH Chair) in London. It was
fascinating following the outcome of the elections for the International ExCom
and we take this opportunity to congratulate our new DPCA leadership team and
to express our full support of their endeavors. Presentations were made on many
developing aspects of the international organization which will inspire our own
efforts. We had an exciting surprise visit from our Minority Leader of the
House, Nancy Pelosi. Click here to read the reports by DA members
from Belgium and France.
ACTIVITIES
On 30
April, DACH Member-at-Large Mark Pasquesi initiated the DACH Task Force on
Issues with a full-house screening of Fast Food Nation (2006) followed
by panel discussions and organic snacks, co-sponsored by the Genevan Green Party.
The film brought attention to food, immigration, and labor issues and those
interested in working on these issues should feel free to contact Mark.
The following evening, Nicole De Feo,
Member-at-Large, together with Dr Sarah Burkhalter once again gave the popular
guided tour of contemporary art galleries in the quartier des Bains. Read more
on both events here !
Mark
your calendars with the date of the next DACH Art Walk : Wednesday 11
September.
VOLUNTEERS
Our team
is still growing! Emily Blitz, Treasurer, is now our Volunteer Coordinator and
contributes this extract from President Obama's speech officially enacting
National Volunteer Week, last year:
"Our
Nation has been profoundly shaped by ordinary Americans who have volunteered
their time and energy to overcome extraordinary challenges. From the American
Revolution and the Seneca Falls Convention to the everyday acts of compassion
and purpose that move millions to make change in their communities, our Nation
has always been at its best when individuals have come together to realize a
common vision. ...That spirit lives on today in countless acts of service
around our country [that] continue to connect individuals, young and old, to
new opportunities to reinvent their world through service."
Obama made
clear the importance of volunteering when he continued by saying:
"In
all of these efforts, we are reminded how volunteer work can expand opportunity
not only for those in need, but also for those who give. With every hour and
every act, our lives are made richer, our communities are drawn closer, and our
country is forged stronger by the dedication and generous spirit of volunteers.
I encourage every American to stand up and play their part -- to put their
shoulder up against the wheel and help change history's course."
DACH has a
host of 'opportunities to reinvent your world through service'. From
phone banking from home to fundraising, from baking treats to tweeting, from member
recruitment to voter registration, writing policy to writing press releases, or
sometimes simply being the first one there to say 'Welcome!'. We are looking
for volunteers of all ages and abilities, talents and technical skills. Let us
know your favorite form of volunteering and we'll do our best to find just the
job for you.
Like our President, we too hope that you will put your
shoulder up against the wheel and join us as we help change history's course!
Now seeking: Young Democrat to organize monthly Young Democrats social
evenings at a Geneva location.
COMMITTEES/TASK
FORCES
The
following committees and task forces are being formed:
U.S. Tax and Legal Affairs Committee
Events/Fundraising Committee
Issues Task Force (Energy and
Fracking, Healthy Food and Farms, LGBT, Gun Control, Immigration)
Membership and Voter Outreach
Committee
Volunteer Coordinating Committee
Social Media Committee
Your input is important to us! To
join please contact info@democrats.ch
U.S. TAX REMINDER
DACH Legal
Counsel Karen A. Monroe offers all members some very helpful, up-to-date
U.S. tax reminders for U.S. citizens abroad. It includes : Filing 2012
returns, FATCA/ "New" Form 8938, FBAR, and advice for
non-filers.
Worth
reading! Click here
OUR PLAN
The
effectiveness of our leadership team is measured by the growth of our
membership and getting out the vote. To that end we will continue to send you
reminders of issues coming up in congress and of special state elections as
well as create opportunities for fellow members and other democrats to come
together.
Your
Chair,
Anne-Shelton
Aaron
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