NEWS\

Q & A with YDG Exec. Member of the Month:
Jason L. Chitwood - Regional Director (ATL)

How long have you been involved with YDG?
I have been involved with YDG since 2007.  While in graduate school I helped to revive the dormant Kennesaw State chapter and since graduating I have been involved with the county YD chapter here in Cobb.

What keeps you involved? Why is it important for young people to step forward?
I stay involved in YDG because I think it is important to keep the organization strong in Georgia. While we have had some setbacks this year it is a testament to our members that we have continued to make our presence felt.  This is a critical time for the future of our organization and for the Democratic Party of Georgia.  It's not easy right now, but I love the challenge.

What are some words of wisdom on how others can get involved? 
Do your part.  Chapters are only as good as the individuals in it. While there are perennially strong chapters like YD Atl, UGA, and Georgia Tech it is the work of individuals in the lesser known chapters that really strengthens the statewide organization.  One person can take over a dormant chapter and turn it into something to be proud of in a short period of time.  If your chapter only has 3 active members take it upon yourself to change that. If you see something that needs to be done, do it!

With this delicious recipe, Jason, a vegan, shares another element of himself with you!!

Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients:
1/4 cup vegan margarine
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup nutritional yeast (optional)
2 14 ounce cans French style green beans, well drained
1 3 ounce can French-fried onions

Preparation: Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, melt the margarine and add the flour. Add the vegetable broth, soy sauce, garlic powder and onion powder, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens. Whisk in the vegetable oil and nutritional yeast.

Toss together the sauce and green beans in a casserole dish. Bake for ten minutes. Remove and sprinkle the French fried onions on top of the casserole. Bake for another ten minutes.

YDG Reg. Dir. (ATL) Jason Chitwood, w/ lovely wife, Jennifer
 at the Grillin' and Chillin' event for Young Dems of Cobb!

This is a movement made of people of all walks of life and crosses political affiliations. This movement is not about politics; it is about protection of our coastal economies, oceans, marine wildlife, and fishing industry. Let us share our knowledge, energies and passion for protecting all of the above from the devastating effects of oil drilling.

Just a few of the many sponsors of this event included Sierra Club, Greenpeace, MoveOn.org, 350, CleanEnergy.org.

Some of our YDG members, joined hands and took part in this remarkable event. What a great way to get involved and take part in speaking out for a better, cleaner, healthier world! A couple links from the event listed below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1pNnPev5VE

http://savannahnow.com/news/2010-06-27/tybee-beachgoers-join-hands-against-offshore-oil-drilling

Make sure you're registered! Vote early if possible! Know what to bring when you arrive at the polls!

Raise your vote! Visit: https://www.raiseyourvote.com/content/GA

Early voting goes on until July 16. Primary Day is July 20.

For more information, visit: http://www.sos.georgia.gov/MVP/Login.aspx

YDG Labor Caucus is in its formative stages. Please contact Steve at swgolde@emory.edu if you are interested in helping to form this new group.

The Young Democrats of America 2010 Summer National Conference in Washington, D.C. is only four weeks away on July 16 - 18.  This will be our final national meeting before Election Day in November, and we plan to use the conference to officially launch our 2010 midterm campaign to turn out young voters across the country.

*JOB OPPORTUNITIES* 

The House Democratic Caucus is looking for campaign managers to run campaigns for House candidates.  This is a paid position, and requires a full-time commitment between now and the November elections.  If you're interested, please contact Don Weigel, Director of the House Democratic Caucus, at don@gahousedems.com

We’re going to boost Democratic turnout this November, and you can be a part of it. The DPG Victory 2010 Coordinated Campaign is now accepting applications for its Field Organizer positions. Interested applicants should send resumes to:organizer2010@georgiademocrat.org. 

The DNC Youth Council is a resource for information and conference calls with top elected and appointed officials. For more info, visit:
www.facebook.com/DNCYouthCouncil OR on Twitter @DNCYouthCouncil

And in more DNC Youth Council news...

Recently two of our at-large positions with the DNC Youth Council came open, one representing the South and one representing the West. For the application form, as well as other relevant information to the position, including requirements for at-large members, contact A’shanti Gholar atGholarA@dnc.org or 202.863.8000

The Youth Council, were formally constituted as a council of the Democratic National Committee in December 2005. The membership consists of all DNC members under age 36, as well as 12 at-large members selected from each of the DNC’s four regions (East, Midwest, South, and West).  We work to ensure the Democratic Party maintains a majority of the youth vote and to increase involvement of young people in the inner workings of the DNC and state parties.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for one of the positions, please note applications are due July 16 at 11:00pm EST. Please feel free to share this information with others.

Save the Date! August 14, 2010
The Democratic Party of Georgia - State Convention is coming up in Athens!!

We expect to have a full crowd and an energized group of Democrats ready to take back the Governor’s mansion! County elections for delegates must be completed by each local party by July 24th. Please contact your county chair (www.georgiademocrat.org/county_chairs) if you’re interested in being a delegate to the state convention. 

EVENTS  

 ACTION ALERTS  

Stand with our President to Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell LINK

Pledge to Buy Gas from Anyone but BP until the oil crisis is resolved LINK

Reform Immigration for America. Stop Racial Profiling in Arizona LINK

 YDG MEETINGS  

GCSU Young Democrats meetings are every Monday 5:30-6:30 in the Student Activities Center, Maple A in Milledgeville

YDAtl meets the first Wednesday of the every month at Manuel’s Tavern. New Member Orientation begins at 6:30, and the meeting begins at 7:30.

Young Democrats of Cobb County meet twice monthly at various locations throughout Cobb County, please visit us on Facebook for upcoming meeting information.

Young Democrats of Hall County meet twice monthly (1st Wed. evening & 2nd Sat. afternoon of each month) Wed. at the Gainesville Library, and Sat. depend on what the event is. Check us out HERE on Facebook for upcoming meeting information or contact ydhc.ga@gmail.com.

CAMPAIGN OPPORTUNITIES

DuBose Porter for Governor E-mail Steve at steven.golden@youthocracy.org

David Poythress for Governor E-mail Trevor Southerland at tsoutherland@poythressforgovernor.com or visit www.poythressforgovernor.com

Carl Camon for Governor Visit www.camonforgovernor.com for more information!

Roy 2010 is recruiting campus interns for the upcoming gubernatorial race. 

RJ Hadley for U.S. Senate Visit www.hadleyforussenate.com for more details!

Michael Thurmond for U.S. Senate Visit his page on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=98584104984&ref=ts

Ken Hodges for Attorney General seeks Campaign Finance Interns. Please send us your resume at dre@kenhodges.com or shannon@kenhodges.com

Rob Teilhet for Attorney General Visit us at www.robforgeorgia.com. Email resume and questions to David at david@robforgeorgia.com or Rebecca at rebecca@robforgeorgia.com

Angela Moore for Secretary of State Please call 678.888.9001 Visit our website(s): www.mooreforgeorgia.com and for the younger GA voter's www.voteformissangela.com

Gail Buckner for Secretary of State Please call 770-473-9039 for more information! Visit us online at www.gailbuckner.com

Michael Mills for Secretary of State Visit www.michaelmills2010.com

Brian Westlake for Georgia State School Superintendent Please visit www.brianwestlake.com or contact via email campaign@brianwestlake.com or call 912-441-4487

Will Avery for House District 19 Contact Steve- stevenwilliamgolden@gmail.com

Haley Shank for House District 173 Visit http://haleyshank.com/volunteer

Sandy Murray for State House District 80 Contact sandymurray@comcast.net or call 404-273-0906 for information.

Keith Gross for State House District 80 Please visit www.keithgross.com or contact staff@keithgross.com to get involved.

Senator Curt Thompson, District 5, encourages you to visit his website at www.makingyourvoicecount.com, to learn more about him and his campaign.

Elena Parent for House District 81 High-level roles are available for qualified YDs. Please contact Jeff Romig at sjromig@gmail.com for more information!

Simone Joye for Georgia Assembly House District 88 Please send an email inquiry to Pamela Forntey pfortney@joyeforthehouse.com or telephone (770) 573-4210 if you are interested.

Andrew Bostic for State House District 94 Visit www.andrewbostic.com to sign up. Or contact stephanie@andrewbostic.com for more information on how you can Make A Difference!

Brooke Nebel for State Representative House District 51 Please visit
www.voteforbrooke.com for more information.

Joan Garner for Fulton County Commissioner, District 6 is seeking interns & volunteers, please contact Preston L. Harden at (404) 376-6833 for opportunities or visit www.garnerforcommissioner.com

Alisha Thomas Morgan for State Representative House District 39 is seeking volunteers to phone bank, canvass, and flyer. Weeknights 6-8:30 pm, and on weekends. Interested parties can contact Bre at bre@alishamorgan.com  (404) 550-5956.