[Cal Dems] April 20 Digest: Board Elections-Candidate Statements

[Molly Green]

Cal Dems Email Digest for April 20, 2008

Hello wonderful Cal Dems!  I hope you have been enjoying the weekend,
whatever that may mean for you :).  This week we're having board
elections...lots of contested races this year so be sure to read the
candidates' statements so you can be an informed voter, woo!  So if you're
interested in how Cal Dems will be run next year, be sure to come to this
week's meeting.

Happy Birthday to Theresa Ryan Stueve, Katie Borofka, Michelle Johnston,
Annie Powers, and Jennifer Cooke from the Cal Dems!

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CAL DEMS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Executive Board Elections
This Thursday will be the elections for five positions in the Cal Dems
Executive Board for the 2008-2009 school year. Below are the names and
statements of candidates who have thus far declared their candidacy for
these positions. Other members who would still like to declare their
candidacy can do so until Wednesday night at 7 pm if they wish to have their
name appear on the ballot; the deadline to have a statement sent out to the
membership has already passed. If you would like to declare your candidacy,
or if you have any questions about the election, please email Sarah G. at
sarah at caldems.com, and Molly G. and molly.green at caldems.com


 PRESIDENT
Candidates: Sean Barry and Molly Brennan

Statement for Sean Barry:
     I'm running for president because the excitement surrounding the
2008 election allows the Cal Berkeley Democrats the opportunity to be
a clearinghouse for progressive action on campus and in the
surrounding community. My experience and contacts at every level of
government make me the right person to help chart this course for the club.
This summer, I will intern with the Democratic National Committee. I worked
in the State Capitol in Sacramento last year and am currently the Chair of
the Berkeley Waterfront Commission. I have walked precincts in
Nevada, phone-banked half a dozen states and registered nearly 100 students
as permanent absentee voters. I also have experience running
an organization—serving as Manager of the UC Men's Chorale. As president,
I will ensure our club is a welcoming place for all Democrats, and I
will pursue issue-specific partnerships with other campus groups to
broaden our appeal and policy reach. I will put our members to work making
phone calls, talking to peers, walking precincts and taking the bus to
Nevada to help the Democratic nominee. I will lead the club in pursuing a
policy agenda and work with the board to bring Democratic Party leaders
to campus to headline issues of importance to students. I ask for your
vote, and let's make history this November!

 Statement for Molly Brennan:
     I need to come right out and confess it, I'm in love with Cal Dems. You
may have already observed this love affair in my dedication to the
organization's values and members. Just in case you haven't taken notice of
the sidelong glances we give each other, let me tell you a bit about myself
and why I would make the best choice for President. I'm a true blue
Democrat; the first place my feet took me the first time I stepped onto the
Cal campus was the Cal Dems table. As Secretary last year I chartered Cal
Dems with more members than any other college or professional democratic
organization in the state. This year as Internal VP I led a successful voter
registration campaign in conjunction with the ASUC and I've already started
working on how to get even more students registered for the fall. Through my
participation at a number of political conventions and conferences I've
acquired a good amount of knowledge on everything from getting progressives
motivated, to compiling press packets, to developing connections with the
leadership of the state and national Democratic organizations under which we
fall. I'm intimately familiar with all the nitty-gritty details that it
takes to run this organization on a daily basis so you can rest assured that
my energy will be focused on important objectives like voter registration,
campaigning, fundraising, and retaining membership after the election.
Above all, it is especially important to me that Cal Dems remains an admired
and inclusive organization that motivates and activates its members. What I
can guarantee you is that I'm dedicated to making sure Cal Dems carries out
these goals successfully, with input from all members of the club, and of
course, with a little bit of style.


 EXECUTIVE AFFAIRS VICE PRESIDENT
Candidates: Elliot Scales and Morgan Wallace

Statement for Elliot Scales:
     My name is Elliott Scales and I am running to be the External Affairs
Vice President of the Cal Berkeley Democrats. For those of you who don't
know me I am currently the IT Director for the Cal Berkeley Democrats and
the Chapter Coordinator for Students for Barack Obama here at Cal. I have
been a very active member of Cal Dems for the last year and a half as well
as Students for Barack Obama. My Plans if elected would be three fold:

   1. Grassroots leadership Training and Campaign outreach: There are
   going to be at least two close Congressional races here in Northern
   California next fall, that of jerry McNerney and Charlie Brown, as
   well as the close State Assembly race for Joan Buchanan. Nevada will also be
   close in the presidential arena. All of these campaigns will require strong
   grassroots support if they are to succeed. As external VP I will work to
   bring a grassroots leadership training program, such as Camp Wellstone, to
   the Berkeley Campus in the Fall to help build both our club and other
   progressive campus club's leadership as well as  to help prepare our
   members to be the more effective grassroots organizers. I will also work
   closely with these campaigns to make sure the Cal Students have the needed
   information and resources to intern or volunteer for these campaigns.


   1. Fundraising: I would work closely with the treasure and President
   to develop an aggressive fundraising plan for Cal Dems so that we can afford
   to pay the traveling and lodging costs of Cal Dems as we send them off to
   help on these campaigns.


   1. Reaching out to other California College Democrats (CCD) and
   California Young Democrats (CYD) clubs: I would work to coordinate with
   other CCD and CYD clubs in our area both in our fundraising events and
   grassroots campaigns with candidates so that we all can be at our most
   effective in scheduling large fundraising events and turning people out for
   the campaigns, as well as building relationships between our clubs.

Statement Morgan Wallace:
     As a long standing member of Cal Dems and as an appointed board member
this last year I know I have what it takes to be External Vice President.
Throughout the last year I have continually done more than was asked of me,
always contributing 100% (or, arguably, 110%). As the External Affairs Vice
President I can assure the membership of Cal Dems that I would actively plan
ahead, stay organized and keep everyone abreast of the events of the
community.
     With regards to my commitment to progressive politics I would like to
mention my past experiences (Oh God, here comes the unavoidable chest
thumping). As Policy Values and Communications chair I planned weekly
meetings that addressed progressive issues and issues pertinent to the
organization of Cal Dems general meetings. I organized the Cal Dems debate
team for last semester's Cal Dems vs. BCR debate. I worked as a full time
staff member of the Jenny Wilson (Democrat) for Mayor [of Salt Lake City]
campaign for the summer of '07. I worked successfully to pass The Green
Initiative Fund (TGIF), a ASUC ballot referendum last April; I was then
appointed to the grant making committee of TGIF and elected to the co-chair
position last November and have successfully, along with the rest of the
committee, awarded $170,000 to student, staff and faculty projects that
increase campus environmental sustainability. TGIF will be awarded a Campus
Sustainability Award (from Chancellor's Advisory Committee on
Sustainability) for outstanding group contributions to campus sustainability
on Monday the 21st of April, 2008.
-end chest thumping-
     In the end, what it comes down to is connecting. Through Cal Dems I
have made friends that I hope to have my whole life. Cal Dems gives me a
home on Sproul Plaza. So even when I feel down, I know there is a table by
the GBC where I can go talk about how ugly BCR people are. The little things
like this make Cal Dems great. Great enough to make me commit a whole year
as the Policy Values and Communications committee (even more great people)
chair and want more. As EAVP I will be committed to effectively bringing our
community at-large to the members of Cal Dems.


INTERNAL AFFAIRS VICE PRESIDENT
Candidates: Ariel Boone, Kristen Hunziker, Andy Kelley, and Keith Ketter

Statement: Ariel Boone
[no statement submitted]

 Statement: Kristen Hunziker
     As a candidate, I want to make this upcoming election about growth. Cal
Dems is in a unique position on campus in that we are the group that
represents the liberal party in American politics on a campus that is
historically very liberal. We have almost unlimited potential to grow, and
in order to help us achieve this goal, we need to focus on both the
Democratic Party and Cal Dems ourselves.
     With the Presidential election occurring in November, it is vitally
important that we do as much as possible to get the Democratic nominee
elected. Therefore, voter registration is going to be one of the most
important things that the club can do for the Party. Secondly, when a
Democratic candidate is finally chosen (which they will be by the time
school starts next year), Cal Dems needs to do everything they can inform
the campus community about the candidate's campaign.
     The second part of growth must include Cal Dems as a group. According
to the Cal Dems Constitution, the Internal Vice President is in charge of
"outreach" and "social gatherings." This coming year is going to present a
unique opportunity for the Internal Vice President and for all Cal Dems to
reach out to the campus community because the elections are going to
generate a lot of interest in the Democratic Party and thus ourselves. We
need to do as much as possible to generate and hold this interest in our
group. This is a very important aspect on which I will focus. I believe that
"outreach" can include anything from welcome week activities, "Cal-topia,"
and Cal Day to just getting out word on interesting events that are coming
up in meetings, and in that sense, Cal Dems can do much more outreach in
order to interest new members to our club.
     I am running to be on the board of Cal Dems because I believe that Cal
Dems has a history of excellent leadership, and I am excited to continue
that leadership for another year. I have the experience necessary to help
lead Cal Dems because I have been trained at Camp Wellstone, Camp Obama, and
the CYD training at the state convention. I have attended all but one Cal
Dems meeting this year, so I am very aware of where Cal Dems has been and
where we as a group want to go. I am excited about organizing voter
registration for the elections because I saw how helpful it was and what an
excellent job the club did on Super Tuesday. I am also even more excited
about taking the opportunity that the Presidential election is going to give
and using it to help Cal Dems grow as much as possible!

Statement: Andy Kelley
[no statement submitted]

 Statement: Keith Yetter
     Hello fellow Cal Dems members!!  My name is Keith Yetter and I am
running to be your Internal Affairs Vice President next year.  I have been
an active member of Cal Dems for almost 2 years now and would love
the opportunity to continue to serve our community and promote
progressive values as a member of the Cal Dems Board next year.  This Fall
is going to be a exciting and critical time for Democrats.  We have the
opportunity to increase our majorities in Congress and the unrivaled
necessity to win back the White House in order to repair the damage of the
last 8 years. Closer to home, we feel the squeeze of the budget crisis in
Sacramento in the form of increasing tuition and less financial aide.  My
vision for Cal Dems next year is an organization that can harmonize the
voices of the many progressive groups on campus in order to maximize our
ability to effect positive change.  As IAVP I will work with other groups on
campus in order to fundraise for and increase student involvement in
the campaigns this Fall.  I will also work to maintain these new
relationships past November in order to increase Cal Dems' presence on
campus.  Another responsibility of the IAVP is to coordinate tabling, which
I hope to energize next year.  I feel that I would make a great Internal
Affairs VP because I am dedicated to Cal Dems and the progressive values we
champion. I will work hard to make next year a provocative, progressive, and
just plain fun time to be in Cal Dems.  Thanks for reading my pitch, I
would really appreciate your support on Thursday.


SECRETARY
Candidate: Claire Viall

Statement: Claire Viall
Dear Friends,
  My name is Claire Viall and I am a 2nd year History and Celtic Studies
major and also a lifelong democrat. Thank you for the opportunity to tell
you why I would like to be your Cal Dems secretary for the '08/'09 school
year.
   As some of you may know, I have been an intern for Madam Speaker Nancy
Pelosi in San Francisco this year. Why does this make me qualified for the
position of secretary? Well, as an intern I have learned to love the tedious
tasks that no one else truly appreciates. I have grown fond of event
spreadsheets and note taking at staff meetings. Furthermore, I have
perfected the art of the congressional letter to the constituent which I
believe translates very well into the skills required for the weekly
digest.
   However, my year is almost up with the Speaker's office and I need
something to replace it in my life. I feel that the position of secretary
could do just that. Thank you for your time and as the Speaker would say
"best wishes" to all of the candidates!
          Warm Regards,
          Claire Viall
PS: As a history major, I enjoy taking pictures (or as I like to call it
"Documentation") and I feel that especially with the excitement of the
upcoming election, it would be worth it to incorporate more "documentation"
into events and meetings.


TREASURER
Candidates: Daniel Osborn and Mia Pskowski

Statement: Daniel Osborn
     As a spring admit, I came to Cal this semester excited to get involved.
Since I missed out on an entire semester of activity at Cal, I decided
immediately upon arrival to jump into the Cal Dems fray.  As I became more
involved, I became increasingly excited about everything that Cal Dems was
doing this semester.  I thought that if I enjoyed this semester so much,
next year is going to be amazing with the national elections going on.  I've
decided that I really wanted to devote myself to the efforts of Cal Dems
next year.
    I am running for Treasurer of Cal Dems because I not only want to help
mobilize Cal's youth vote, but because I also want to be involved off
campus. I believe that next year, fundraising will be a large priority of
the Cal Dems agenda.  In order to be successful at large scale fundraising,
we need to look beyond our traditional avenues for acquiring money and reach
out as a club to the larger Democratic community (which includes lots of
donors!).  If we can show them how involved we are, that we want to not only
help mobilize Berkeley and Cal voters, but that we also want to help
mobilize the vote elsewhere, we can secure funding for campaign events and
trips.
     When I first decided to run, I didn't know what positions to consider.
All I knew was that I wanted to be involved not only on campus, but also in
reaching out to the larger Democratic community.  Considering this, I
decided to run for Treasurer, because I knew that next year, we would need
to contact everyone possible who might make it possible for us to campaign
in large scale ways that have previously been difficult to do.  So, for the
last three weeks, I've had my mind set on running for Treasurer, and on how
I can most effectively raise money for future Cal Dems activities.  Just
these thoughts over the last three weeks have been exhilarating to me.  I
can only imagine how exhilarating actually working for Cal Dems will be next
year.

 Statement: Mia Pskowski
     With the election coming up, it's going to be a busy year for Cal Dems.
A strong relationship with the ASUC will be vital to getting greater funds
for the club. Also, fundraising within the club to make sure that every
member can participate in trips to Nevada and other activities will be
important in the coming year. In addition, I have the political background
to contribute in other meaningful ways to the board than just the
treasurer's assigned duties. From running my high school's Young Democrats
Club to working at the State Capital, volunteering for the Angelides
campaign, and currently interning at the Barack Obama office, I've dealt
extensively with networking, fundraising, and working in various political
settings. I hope to work with the rest of the board towards helping to build
the progressive community not just within the club but throughout campus.
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PROGRESSIVE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"The very first words that we, the American nation, spoke were right here in
Philadelphia. You know those words: "We the people." It wasn't, "We the
conglomerates." It wasn't, "We the corporations." It was, "We the people."
-Al Gore
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