June Newsletter

Wednesday, June 10, 2015  

 Letter From the Chair

Dear Democrats Abroad

As this goes out, four Democrats have stepped forward to present their candidacy for President of the United States: Hillary Clinton, Senator Bernie Sanders (VT), ex-Governor Martin O’Malley (MD) and ex-Governor and -Senator Lincoln Chaffee (RI). Ex-Senator Jim Webb (VA) is formally exploring his candidacy. With four maybe five candidates, we now have a race! Stay tuned for information on upcoming primary debates and information on becoming a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.

Here is a brief resumé of our role in the election year:

1 March (Super Tuesday) through 8 March

Democrats living in Switzerland will be able to choose their favorite candidate in our Global Presidential Primary at voting centers in Geneva, Zurich and other locations to be announced.

The number of delegates that will represent our Democrats Abroad region (Europe/Middle East/Africa), among the full At-large Delegation of 12 plus 1 alternate, will be determined by the voter turnout during the primary.

Late April, May

Elections for these delegates will be held at our regional caucus (and at the two others), and at the Global Convention in Berlin.

July

Democrats Abroad Delegation of 21 attends the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

The latest edition of DA’s international newsletter The Democrat Abroad focuses on our recent Global Meeting held in the Dominican Republic and on work we do, such as passing the Delegate Selection Plan, on behalf of our members.

– Anne-Shelton Aaron
Chair, Democrats Abroad Switzerland
Virginia voter

 Members' Corner

Overview of DPCA Global Meeting

Report from the Chair & Vice-Chair

Anne-Shelton Aaron and Peter Butterfield represented Switzerland's Democrats at the Global Meeting held early May in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. They share highlights, including reflections on the election of DA's International Leadership, plus DA's Delegate Selection Plan which outlines the process for selecting the 21 delegates that Democrats Abroad will send to the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.   Read more →

Meet the Members of the ExCom

This month: Emma Clark
Position: Secretary

Originally hailing from Bronxville, New York, Emma has lived in England, Rwanda and, now Switzerland, where she works for the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization in Geneva.

Emma joined DA as a way to stay involved in American politics while living abroad. In addition to serving as Secretary of Democrats Abroad Switzerland, Emma organizes events for young Dems in the Geneva area. Her goal is to engage a base of enthusiastic young Democrats to support Democrats Abroad and help to get out the vote in 2016.

Letter from Washington

May letter from Tom Fina (Democrats Abroad Executive Director Emeritus) to our global community.

The monthly dilemma for your observer on the Potomac is to choose which great national issue to discuss for Americans abroad: ISIL gains, the Democratic split on fast track, the Republican split on NSA, the imminent SCOTUS ruling on Obamacare, the 2016 campaign, Cuba or Iran?   Continue reading →

 Special Event

Slugout in the Dugout

Sunday June 21 ● Vessy, Geneva

Get out your glove and get in some practice now, we need you! The annual Democrats v. Republicans softball game will take place at the Centre Sportif de Vessy. Join in the action on the diamond, or in the bleachers.

2:00 pm Warm up practice
3:00 pm Game
Burgers and dogs BBQ for sale
Venue: Centre Sportif de Vessy, 31 route de Vessy, 1234 Vessy  Map it →

 Events Calendar

Expat-Expo Basel

Sunday June 14 ● 11am – 5pm ● Basel

Come by and meet us along with local English-speaking businesses, organizations, museums, clubs and service providers together to showcase their goods and services.

Free admission. Venue: Congress Center, 21 Basel Messe, 4058 Basel  Map it →

Filing Deadline for U.S. Taxes

Monday June 15

The automatic two-month extension for those resident outside the U.S. comes to an end.

Young Dems After-work Drinks

Wednesday July 1 ● 6:30pm ● Geneva

Since we were rained out of this location last time, let's try again for July drinks! In the case of rain, we will move to the other Barje location at Place des Voluntaires.

Venue: La Barje  Map it →

Day Hike to Rochers de Naye

Saturday July 11 ● Montreux

We are planning a hiking trip to the Rochers de Naye viewpoint above Montreux.

The group departing Geneva will meet Saturday morning at Cornavin (outside the Migros) at 9:45am to take a 10:03 train. Anyone who would like to join from a different originating point, please contact Emma to coordinate.  Email Emma Clarke →

 DACH Organization

Executive Committee

Chair: Anne-Shelton Aaron

Vice chair: Peter Butterfield
Treasurer: Christian Jordan
Secretary: Emma Clarke
Counsel: Karen A. Monroe
Immediate past Chair: Maya Samara
Get-out-the-Vote Coordinator: Robert Samors
Digital & Social Media: Eileen Weinberg
International Policy Issues: Ashley Jackson
Member-at-Large: Alison Bradley

Zurich Chapter

Chair: Renée Rousseau

Committee Contacts

Events & Fundraising Committee: events@democrats.ch
Press and Media Team: press@democrats.ch
© 2015 Democrats Abroad Switzerland.
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Democrats Abroad Switzerland (DACH) is part of Democrats Abroad, the global extension of the Democratic Party representing U.S. citizens living outside of the United States. DACH is open to voting-age American citizens living in Switzerland.