YDA 2009 Election Forum

Bissett Running for VP

2009-03-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

I'm Running!

Dear Fellow Young Democrat,

When I became President of the Virginia Young Democrats in November of 2007, our state organization had 11 chapters and $18 in the bank. With a lot of hard work, my board and I were able to raise and spend over $200,000 on a successful peer-to-peer campaign program, hire an Executive Director and increase the number of local chapters to 51 in just ten months.

During the 2008 Election Cycle, Young Democrats were instrumental in Virginia Democratic victories, and I'm proud of what we’ve done to empower young voters and elect Democrats. Virginia went blue for the first time in 44 years and not only did we vote for President Barack Obama, we elected Mark Warner to the Senate to join Democrat Senator Jim Webb, and we picked up three Congressional seats, including electing two of our own Young Democrats, Tom Perriello (D-05) and Glen Nye (D-02) to the House of Representatives.

It’s been a long, tough year in Virginia. But with dedication and hard work, we enjoyed major success. I believe my skill set and experience developing a state organization put me in a unique position to understand the challenges and opportunities that YDA faces. It is for this reason that I am announcing my candidacy for YDA Vice President alongside Chris Anderson's team of talented young leaders.

If elected, I would focus on training other local and state leaders to use the resources available to them to build a stronger donor base and a larger, more active membership. I believe with the right information and a little ingenuity, almost anyone can achieve results similar to those that my board and I were able to achieve in Virginia. As we approach Chicago and the YDA National Convention, I'm looking forward to talking to you about how we can make your local and/or state chapter more efficient and effective. I'm excited about the opportunity we have to make our organization more responsive to you and your efforts as a chapter leader!

Democratically Yours,
Jennifer Bissett
Candidate for YDA Vice President

YDA in Manhattan??

2009-02-22T21:49:00.001-08:00

Any updates from this weekend's conference in NYC?

Both teams had parties with high attendance at both.

Which team is best suited to help get YDA out of the financial situation going on?

Anderson rolls out Bissett for VP

2009-02-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

My Choice for YDA Vice President

Dear Fellow Young Democrat,

In just a few hours, some of you will be starting your journey to New York for the YDA Winter meeting. I wanted to take a moment to introduce the newest member of my team. Like our other members, this young leader is a state president who has proven her ability to build chapters, get out young voters, and elect Democrats. Please join me in welcoming Jennifer Bissett of Virginia to our slate of effective and experienced young people running for YDA office!

When Jennifer became president, the Virginia Young Democrats had $18 in their bank account. Under her leadership, the state chapter raised and spent $200,000 on successful campaign initiatives. During her tenure as president, she increased her rosters from 11 to 51 chapters, and created a fellowship program with the House Democratic Caucus to help Young Democrats in Virginia to obtain direct policy experience. If elected, Jen plans to focus on assisting local and state organizations with chapter building and fundraising. I know that her enthusiasm and professionalism will be a great asset to this organization, and I'm honored to have her on our team.

I love to hear your thoughts about how we can improve your experience within YDA, so please contact me if you have questions or concerns. Also, please take a moment to check out our team's newest project, www.youryda.org, where you can tell us what your YDA looks like. We look forward to seeing you this weekend in Manhattan, New York for the YDA Winter National Conference!

Thank you again for all you do.

Democratically Yours,

Chris Anderson

YDA Executive Vice President

Candidate for YDA President

What to expect in Manhattan?

2009-02-18T13:38:00.000-08:00

With the recent barrage of emails from YDA candidates and their supporters this upcoming weekend YDA Conference is sure to be filled with politicking and campaigning, even more so than normal.

To make it easier on the mind, here is the current list of candidates matched with their respective teams. If there is a mistake comment so it can be changed to accurately reflect all candidates.

Anderson Team:

Chris Anderson (TN)- President

A'shanti Fayshel Gholar (NV)- Executive Vice President

Zack Hawkins (NC)- Vice President

Eliseo "Rick" Puig (MO)- Vice President

Strait Team:

Crystal Strait (CA)- President

Rod Snyder (WV)- Executive Vice President

Renee Hartley (TX)- Vice President

William Isaac Robinson (MI)- Vice President

Mark Newman (NC)- Treasurer

What are your thoughts on the teams as they have formed so far? See anyone surprising? See anyone missing? Let's start a dialogue.

A Tarheel for Treasurer!

2009-02-18T13:37:00.001-08:00

**this email sent February 16**

The 2008 elections truly demonstrated that our generation is ready to assert our power and influence in a new era of American politics. No place was this more evident than in my home state of North Carolina, where for the first time in 32 years Democrats won up and down the ticket. It is clear, the map has changed and Democrats have shown that we can compete everywhere. Young people made that a reality. YDA must be prepared to demonstrate our leadership in that effort.

I am proud to announce that I am running for Treasurer to ensure that the financial health of YDA is strong and our resources are used wisely. Given the changing dynamics of political fundraising, YDA may need to overhaul and transform its funding structure in the coming years.

As a college chapter leader, North Carolina National Committeeman, Southeast Region Director, and currently YDA Finance Committee Chair I have learned much about the needs of young Democrats and feel qualified to serve as your next Treasurer. Professionally, I have experience in political and higher education development helping candidates and organizations raise hundreds of thousands of dollars should help make me an asset to the organization.

With the wild success seen in the 2008 election cycle engaging small and medium-sized donors to run and win elections, YDA must employ those cutting edge practices to fulfill its mission and achieve our goals. We have made great strides in expanding our Tomorrow Club membership. This is a critical step in expanding not only our grassroots fundraising efforts, but also sends a powerful message to medium and large donors of our own commitment to the health and longevity of YDA.

However, our work does not stop here. We must examine every dollar spent by YDA to make sure we are spending our resources efficiently and transparently. We must expand our donor base to include not just a few, large traditional donors, but also to include small and medium-level donors. We must also provide various levels of budget and finance training to our state and local chapters, so they can be in the best financial position to join a growing number of partnership opportunities with YDA. Finally, I am committed to expanding our Tomorrow Club membership to include all members of the National Committee during my term as Treasurer.

I am proud to join an experienced and qualified team of candidates led by Crystal Strait and Rod Snyder. Together, we will work to bring new people to the table with fresh ideas and new experiences. I look forward to working with them. But we know we can't do it alone! We need your ideas, your input and your support if we want to continue to move YDA forward and build on our successes. I look forward to talking with you in the coming days and months about what we can do together to make YDA better from the ground up.

I hope I can count on your support.

Democratically Yours,

Mark Newman

Yes We Can YDA!

2009-02-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

**this email sent February 13**

In 2008, the hard work of millions of Americans coming together from every walk of life led to an unprecedented result: Yes We Did. YDA is ready to go to the next level, but just talking about it is not going to get it done. Each and every one of us is going to have to work and fight to make it happen. It must be an inclusive and team effort.

Yes We Can.    This organization must stand up for young people. We must empower local chapters and the next generation of leaders to tackle issues impacting cities and states across America. This is why I am asking you to support me as a candidate for Vice President of the Young Democrats of America. We need strong leadership at this critical time in our nation's history and we must seize the moment. We must take action, grow our movement, and play a bigger role in the direction of our country. We must have a stronger voice. We must stand up on issues.

Too often in politics, the rhetoric does not match the results. I know Crystal Strait, Rod Snyder, and Renee Hartley will work for the changes we want to see in YDA. I am happy to be part of a team who believes in opening up the process so that new members and current members will have a larger role in the operation of our great organization. We will only reach our true potential through a grassroots approach.

I am a Detroiter, a Teamster, and the Chair of the YDA Labor Caucus.   I am proud to be a part of the labor movement and the diverse and talented team of leaders in the YDA Labor Caucus.    I am proud to be a member of YDA. We, as Young Democrats, must champion social and economic justice, civil rights, and fight for a level playing field for every American without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.

YDA is creating a standard for training and engaging young people in political activism, and we are on the cusp of securing a permanent place as leaders in the world of youth politics. We cannot stop now. We have to keep working. By opening up the process, we will develop more leaders and bring new people into YDA.

My work in the labor movement and the Democratic Party has taught me that when passionate people get together to make a difference, it's not only possible - it's inevitable. If we do this right, embrace diversity, and support inclusion, we will develop YDA into an organization that ensures a lifetime of Democratic voters. Then we can truly say: Yes We Did.

I hope that you will consider supporting me and our team. I encourage you to call, e-mail, and as you all know, you can contact me on Facebook anytime to share your ideas with me and discuss your vision for YDA. This is a campaign about forming a collective vision for YDA and where we want it to go.

Thank you,

William Isaac Robinson

A Texan with a Big Announcement

2009-02-18T13:34:00.001-08:00

**this email sent February 10**

For many young people across America, 2008 was a transformational year. President Obama's campaign energized young people in new and innovative ways, resulting in the demonstration of our electoral power this past November. As an organization, we are uniquely positioned to capitalize on this excitement, ensuring these inspired young voters remain engaged and active in the years to come.

This is why I am asking you to support my candidacy for Vice President of Young Democrats of America.

With two dedicated young activists like Crystal Strait and Rod Snyder, I feel fortunate to be a part of this team that generates results through hard work. Crystal and Rod are faithful champions of the causes important to young Democrats. They believe, as I do, that by working together we can bring about the changes we need to move YDA forward.

You may know that I am the National Committeewoman from the great state of Texas; and, I started out in Democratic politics by volunteering on campaigns and supporting the candidates that shared my values. What you may not know is that I am a wife and mother, and I share the values of many young Democrats who are parents. We want to restore fairness and opportunity to the pursuit of the American dream for our families - for our children.

YDA has helped engage, train, and mobilize young activists around the country, and we are poised for unprecedented successes. We have some work to do.

We must do a better job of developing young leaders; emphasizing accountability and empowerment. We must galvanize the millions of young people who were fired up during the campaign of 2008. And, we must actively shed the insular internal politics of the Old YDA, and prioritize reaching out to "non-traditional" young Democrats.

Accomplishing these goals together, we will grow YDA and secure a bloc of Democratic voters for generations to come.

This campaign is an opportunity to have open and candid conversations with each other about where YDA is and where we want it to go. To find the right solutions, we all must take part in the dialogue.

In the coming weeks, I want to earn your support. I will always be available to talk about your questions and concerns. I encourage you to call or e-mail me when you have an idea or want to discuss your vision for YDA. I am eager to hear from you, so let's start talking. While I know I don't have all the answers, I am confident that we can answer the questions together.

Thank you so much.

Renee Hartley

Anderson announces Puig as VP Candidate

2009-02-18T13:27:00.000-08:00

**this email sent February 9**

My Choice for YDA Vice President

Dear Fellow Young Democrat,

We have received an overwhelmingly positive response to my selections of A’shanti Gholar of Nevada for Executive Vice President and Zack Hawkins of North Carolina for Vice President. I am thrilled that we have such capable individuals willing to lead YDA into the next term. Today, I would like to tell you about my choice for one of the two remaining Vice President positions. In the two years I have known him, he has been a rising star in his own state and among other state presidents and national committeepersons in YDA. The newest addition to our team will be Eliseo “Rick” Puig of Missouri. Please join me in welcoming him.

As President of the Young Democrats of Missouri, Rick increased the number of local chapters by 50%. When he was elected, the state chapter had roughly $1,000 in the bank, but by the end of 2008, they had raised almost $30,000 to help elect Democrats and turn out young people to vote! When Missouri was among the states that did not receive a partnership program in 2008, Rick and his executive board raised all of the money necessary to run a youth campaign that registered 1000 voters and knocked on 2000 doors on election day in a targeted state house district. I am proud to say that Young Democrats made the difference in Missouri, and the Democratic candidate won by only a few hundred votes. Rick also serves on YDA's Executive Committee as the Region Director for the South-Central Region. It is an honor to add this talented individual to my team and I am confident he will bring energy and dedication to the YDA Board of Directors. You can learn more about Rick at his campaign website, www.rickpuigforyda.com.

I am always happy to hear your thoughts about how we can improve your experience within YDA, so please contact me if you have questions or concerns. Also, please take a moment to check out our team’s newest project, www.yourYDA.org, where you can offer ideas that will make YDA stronger and more accessible. Remember, this is your YDA!

Thanks for all that you do. I look forward to seeing you in Manhattan for the YDA Winter National Conference later this month.

Democratically Yours,

Chris Anderson

YDA Executive Vice President

Candidate for YDA President

Anderson announces another VP candidate

2009-02-18T13:24:00.000-08:00

**this was sent February 2**

I'm Running

Dear Fellow Young Democrats,

It has been my honor to serve YDA and my state chapter over the last two years as the president of the Young Democrats of North Carolina. During this election cycle and over the past years, we organized counties, phone-banked voters and walked door to door to get Democrats elected. Young Democrats made the difference in my state, and I want to make sure that your state has the resources it needs to achieve the same goals that North Carolina has. It is in this spirit that I am running to serve you as Vice President of the Young Democrats of America.

In doing so, I join Chris Anderson and A’shanti Gholar’s team of experienced, action-oriented leadership as an individual who is dedicated to serving this organization for the right reason: to build YDA into the premier organization for young Democratic activists and future leaders.

I believe that our involvement now will build party loyalty across the nation for years to come, improve our ability to organize our states, and raise young voter awareness as we approach the 2010 cycle. The process of inspiring the next generation of leaders starts now with our work as YDs.

Though we’ve experienced a great deal of positive development and growth, we can always make more calls, knock more doors, and welcome more young people into our ranks. Chris, Ashanti and I want to keep YDA growing so it can better serve you and your chapter. To this end, we must:

- Develop strategies that target new youth voters and organize specific outreach programs to build local chapters and grow state rosters

- Introduce an action plan and reporting system for state chapters regardless of state partnership status.

- Partner with regional directors and YDA Staff to charter all 50 states by 2010.

- Create a standard fundraising program that can serve as a guide for both county and statewide officers.

As we near the National Convention in Chicago, I look forward to meeting you and talking with you about what my team and I can do to help strengthen your local and state chapters. I know that together we can extend our hand to even more young activists and voters, and I hope that you will stand with me as I work to make this goal a reality.

Democratically Yours,

Zack Hawkins

President, Young Democrats of North Carolina

Candidate for Vice President, Young Democrats of America

Another candidate for EVP

2009-02-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

**this email was sent on January 30**

I'm running for YDA Executive Vice President. This is why...

Over the past several years, nothing has been more rewarding for me than working to ensure that our generation plays a major role in shaping the direction of our country. The results of November 4^th proved to all of us that a new brand of politics is here to stay, and I'm inspired to keep working.

Because WE'RE. NOT. FINISHED.

I am excited to announce my candidacy for Executive Vice President of the Young Democrats of America.

I am honored to be running with one of the most dynamic and experienced leaders of the youth movement, Crystal Strait. While our hometowns of Sacramento, California and Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia could not be more different, Crystal and I share the same vision for YDA. We believe in this organization's incredible potential for becoming a stronger political force in the coming years, and we have a plan to make it happen.

In announcing her candidacy for YDA President, Crystal said, "We must ensure that the ineffective organizational politics of old are left behind so we can build upon our achievements and embrace the change our generation so desperately wants and our country so desperately needs."

This is not the same type of YDA campaign you've seen in the past. Quite frankly, I don't have patience for that and neither do you. Crystal stated that this campaign is about "bringing more people into the room, not fewer." It's about learning from the collective wisdom of our state and local chapters and caucuses to determine how YDA can best serve its members. It's about building a truly grassroots organization where every club has the tools to be successful.

Over the past four years, I have served as a local chapter president, state chapter president and regional director within YDA. I have a personal understanding of the challenges on the ground, and I will be a tireless advocate for those leaders who are working in the trenches to organize and mobilize our peers. Far too often we lose sight of the fact that YDA does not exist for the benefit of a handful of us who attend national conferences or hold special titles. If we want to remain relevant, we must look past ourselves.

Let me be clear. Every ounce of energy we exert and every dollar we spend must be for three simple purposes: to develop the next generation of leaders, to communicate the values of our Party, and of course, to elect Democrats by turning out young voters.

There is no doubt we have much work to do, but there has never been a more exciting moment in American politics than right now. The momentum is on our side. The Millennial Generation has already proven to be one of the most politically engaged in our nation's history. Crystal and I need your help advancing YDA to a place where we truly represent the voices of millions of young voters. Together, we will ensure that our organization remains at the forefront of this rebirth of the youth movement.

I hope over the next six months I can earn your support. And even more importantly, I hope we can work together throughout this campaign to generate the ideas that will position YDA for growth throughout the next decade.

Sincerely,

Rod Snyder

Strait Jumps into the Race for President

2009-02-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

**This email was sent January 27**

I'm taking the plunge!

I want you to know that I am running for President of the Young Democrats of America.

For more than 75 years, YDA has served as an arena for young leaders to cut their teeth, learn politics and earn their first stripes. But for many of us, just playing politics isn't enough.

Over the last three election cycles, there has been a slow and steady push for YDA to be a people-powered organization that dedicates our time to doing the hard work it takes to build a bloc of progressive young voters. Like many of us, I have dedicated myself to this change and want to see YDA become a place that will continue to build and represent our generation.

That's why I am running for YDA President and hope I can earn your support.

Through the inspired efforts of young people across America, we have generated unprecedented results; and we are now poised to become a sustained force for change and progress. We must open the doors and embrace this once-in-a-lifetime energy. We must ensure that the ineffective organizational politics of old are left behind so we can build upon our achievements and embrace the change our generation so desperately wants; and our country so desperately needs.

We know change is never easy, but it is necessary for progress.

With our talented and diverse membership, I am confident we have the power to make the changes we need to move YDA forward. I am running for YDA President so together we can make these changes and realize our collective potential. Working together, we can make progress; without all of our shoulders to the wheel, we cannot advance.

We will change YDA by bringing more people into the room, not fewer--by making our programming serve and help our members grow at the local level--by making sure that we represent millions of young voters by directly advocating on the issues that impact them the most—and most importantly by holding each other accountable for getting the work done.

From my time as a local chapter president, state chapter president and national officer, I have ideas on how we can get there—and I know you do, too. The future of YDA is in our hands. I look forward to talking with you, so we can share our ideas and plan how we move YDA forward, together.

Last Tuesday night, our President said to a room of young people just like you and me: "The future will be in your hands...You will make it happen."

Let's make it happen, together.

Best,

Crystal

Crystal Strait
Candidate for YDA President

What happened in DC?

2008-11-24T11:32:00.000-08:00

Does anyone have any information or insight into what happened in DC at the exec meeting this past weekend?

According to a recent comment from Alexis & Dominic there are more hats being thrown into the ring. Check out tamerongabello09.blogspot.com for more candidates being announced.

More candidates?

2008-11-19T07:46:00.001-08:00

Are there other candidates or potential candidates out there waiting in the wings?

Rumors have circulated with many names flying through the air. Have you heard of any candidates for any positions?

With the exec committee meeting in D.C. this weekend look out for political posturing and more confusion.

Here are some names that are flying around for various positions, in no particular order:

Stephanie Hausner
Crystal Strait
Rick Puig
Billy Joiner
Omar Khan
Rob Dolin
Emily Beer
Kristopher Anderson
Jennifer Bissett
Michael Gilberg
Kelly Drake
Francisco Domenech
Amy Lewis
Rod Snyder
Shaunica Pridgeon
Isaac Robinson

Anderson's Executive Vice President Candidate

2008-11-18T12:31:00.001-08:00

This e-mail was sent on November 18, 2008.

Dear Fellow Young Democrat,

I am humbled by the number of phone calls, text messages, and emails I have received in the last week supporting my candidacy. After many discussions with state, local and national leaders, I have decided who will join my team as the candidate for Executive Vice President. There were several individuals who had qualities that I believed would make them a strong choice for this role. There were many who I would have been excited to have with me as I campaigned, but of all these leaders, one stood above the rest.

With her extensive experience, her extraordinary talents, and her unparalleled work ethic, the woman I chose is exceptionally qualified to share in the duties of running our fine organization. I am pleased and honored to announce that my fellow national officer and good friend A'shanti Fayshel Gholar will be joining my team as the candidate for Executive Vice President. There is no one who I trust more with the future of this organization than A'shanti. If elected, I know she will work tirelessly to make this organization stronger and more effective. A'shanti will be rolling out her campaign in the next week as we get ready for the Executive Committee Meeting in Washington D.C. I hope you will join me in welcoming her!

Democratically Yours,

Chris Anderson

Executive Vice President

Candidate for YDA President

First candidate opens up the race for YDA President

2008-11-18T12:18:00.000-08:00

This e-mail was sent on November 12, 2008.

Dear Fellow Young Democrat,

Over the past year, we have witnessed something truly incredible. I am so proud that our country has united to elect our first African-American President, and I am prouder still that young people have led the way to this historic moment. An estimated 23 million young people voted in the 2008 Election, and they voted overwhelmingly (roughly 68%) for President-Elect Barack Obama. More than ever before, young people are engaged and excited about politics. We have made our voices heard in an unprecedented way, but there is much to be done – and quickly - to ensure that we can maintain this momentum and keep young people involved in the political process as we approach the vitally important 2010 legislative cycle. It is with this task in mind that I announce my candidacy for President of the Young Democrats of America.

I have worked within the Young Democrats of America for the past eight years, serving as local Chapter President, State President, YDA Platform Chair, YDA Rules Chair, YDA State Presidents Association Chair, YDA Vice President for Programs, and currently YDA Executive Vice President. In these roles I have witnessed a monumental change in our organization. We have grown exponentially to become a force in Democratic and Progressive politics that few could have predicted. YDA Young Voter Revolution campaigns were able to contact over 150,000 young people, not to mention the outreach done by member chapters to reach additional tens of thousands of young people around the country. Though this expansion has been very positive on the whole, it has brought with it new challenges and new opportunities. If elected, my administration will focus on the following goals:

- Direct more of our resources to local and state programs
- Make the national office more responsive to your needs
- Manage our resources to provide funds for quick response operations
- Aggressively court new donors
- Promote consistency and branding among our state and local chapters

As the next several months unfold, I look forward to hearing your thoughts regarding YDA and the role it plays in your state. I know that while we have made great strides with regard to reaching out to young people, we have an opportunity to improve YDA’s relationship with you and your chapter. I have concentrated a great deal of my time and energy over the past eight years on finding creative solutions for the challenges we face, but I need your help to take us even further. We must keep young people active and engaged, and we must ensure that the Democratic Party and the nation remember that young people have brought us to this point. Together, we can continue to lead the youth movement to great things.

I hope I can count on your support.

Democratically Yours,
Chris Anderson

Candidate for YDA President,
Executive Vice President
Please visit my website at http://www.chrisandersonforyda.com/