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Category: Announcements

Northern Vice President Special Election

WHEREAS, a vacancy exists in the office of Upstate Vice President of the New York State Young Democrats due to the recent chartering of the County of Oneida;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PATRICK JORDAN, President of the New York State Young Democrats, pursuant to Article V, Section 7 of the New York State Young Democrats Constitution, do hereby order and proclaim that an election for Northern Vice President be held on the twelfth day of October, two thousand seventeen and that such election is to be conducted in the manner prescribed by said section the New York State Young Democrats Constitution with the President of the lone chapter of the Northern Region of the New York State Young Democrats serving as the designated elector and that all perspective candidates shall apply no later than the fifth day of October, two thousand seventeen.

GIVEN under my hand in the City of New York, Borough of Queens this twenty seventh day of September in the year two thousand seventeen.

NYSYD Statement on Charlottesville

While our President and other leaders of our nation did not provide the kind of guidance and condemnation we deserved in the aftermath of Charlottesville, the New York State Young Democrats condemns these actions wholeheartedly. We will not back down to White Nationalist, Neo-Nazis. We will not stop supporting our brothers and sisters of color, and we will NEVER stop fighting to stem to tide of racism, bigotry, and hate. We will resist.

Young Democrats Forward

Endorsement of Young Democrats Forward Slate

The Executive Board of the New York State Young Democrats is proud to endorse the Young Democrats Forward Slate of candidates for the upcoming Young Democrats of America Convention in Dallas. The YD Forward candidates are strong, passionate, and experienced leaders that will continue to embolden young progressives into taking action wherever they are from. From promoting young candidates running for office, to strengthening relationships between the caucuses and their DNC counterparts for continued issue advocacy, the slate will empower state chapters with the resources and training to ensure progressive values are the future of this country. We look forward to working with them in the years to come.

For more information on the YD Forward platform, please visit: https://www.ydforward.com/

Downstate Vice President Special Election

WHEREAS, a vacancy exists in the office of Downstate Vice President of the New York State Young Democrats;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PATRICK JORDAN, President of the New York State Young Democrats, pursuant to Article V, Section 7 of the New York State Young Democrats Constitution, do hereby order and proclaim that an election for Downstate Vice President for the unexpired term be held on the sixteenth day of July, two thousand seventeen and that such election is to be conducted in the manner prescribed by said section the New York State Young Democrats Constitution with the Presidents of the chapters of the Downstate Region of the New York State Young Democrats serving as the designated electors and that all perspective candidates shall apply no later than the Ninth day of July, two thousand seventeen.

GIVEN under my hand in the City of New York, Borough of Queens this twelfth day of June in the year two thousand seventeen.

Statement on Comments Made at Convention

In light of comments of which I was made aware following convention, I want to make something perfectly clear about the board of the New York State Young Democrats: we will not tolerate any racially charged nor racially insensitive comments made by anyone who wants to be a member of this organization.

We will do anything and everything that we can do to tackle the issue of race. I will work with any chapter who asks, as well as the New York State Democratic Party, to fight this. If you have any statements on actions of individuals that were made at convention please report them to myself and any member of the board you wish to handle this. I will respond to any questions or comments as quickly as I can.

It is my belief that the diversity of this organization is one of its strongest as well as most important qualities. However, moving forward, I do want us all to have open and frank discussions and dialogues about how to address issues of race in the future of this organization.

NYSYD 2017 – CALL TO CONVENTION Official Call to Convention

Join us May 5-7, 2017 in Dutchess County, New York as we meet for training, networking, electing officers and continuing to build the future of the New York State Young Democrats. This document is the official Call to Convention for the 2017 State Convention.

Convention Officers

The 2017 Convention Chair is Andrew Goldston. The 2017 Convention Rules Committee Chair and Parliamentarian is Dusan Lakic. Other convention officers shall be named at a later date.

Chartering or Re-chartering

Re-chartering packets will be distributed and made available electronically on or before February 1, 2017, and will be due for submission by electronic mail by no later than 11:59:59 PM EST on March 17, 2017. Each Chapter must submit a roster listing all members and required data in accordance with Article II Section 1.1 and Article III, Section 5 of the NYSYD Constitution.  A spreadsheet template will be provided online. The Chartering fee is $65.00 plus 0.50 cents per member in accordance with Article IV, Section 1. The deadline for the chartering fee and certification from county chairs to be submitted is April 6, 2017.

Delegates to Convention

Re-chartered and Newly Chartered Chapters must submit their preliminary list of Delegates to the Credentials Chair at the following e-mail address: credentials@nysyd.net by no later than 11:59:59 PM EST on or before March 17, 2017. Amendments can be made to delegate lists until 11:59:59 PM EST on  May 1, 2017. Each chartered or re-chartered County Chapter shall receive one (1) delegate for every ten (10) members of the Chartered Chapter who are residents of the county in which the chapter is located as set forth in Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution. Delegates and Alternate Delegates must be members in good standing of the chapter they represent in accordance with Article III, Section 3 of our Constitution. Proxies are permitted, and individuals may be empowered to act as proxies on behalf of delegates, so long as such individual’s name is submitted to the Secretary prior to the commencement of voting. No one person may hold more than 3 proxies, in accordance with Article III, Section 4 of our Constitution. All delegations are subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 6.1 of our Constitution. The Credentials Committee shall submit their final pre-convention report of eligible delegates and alternates by April 22, 2017.

New York State Young Democrats Executive Board Positions

All members of the New York State Young Democrats are invited to consider running for an Officer position on the State Executive board. Applications will be collected via Google Form. The link for applications will be distributed on February 1, 2017 by electronic mail as well as our website and social media pages. Applications are due by 11:59:59 PM EST on April 1, 2017. All applications will be automatically time stamped.

Pursuant to the constitution and bylaws, positions you may consider running for are:

President, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, National Committeeman, National Committeewoman, Regional Vice President (Capital, Central, Downstate, Hudson Valley, Upstate, and Western), and Legal Director (must be an attorney licensed to practice in the State of New York).

In addition, the following caucuses will hold elections: Caucus of Color; Disability Issues; High School; Jewish; Labor; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT); Rural  (YDR); and Women. Only members of the aforementioned caucuses may vote in these elections.

Executive Board Election Procedures

All candidates must submit their applications via Google Form by 11:59:59 PM EST on or before April 1, 2017. All Candidates shall have an opportunity to address the convention and answer any questions delegates may have prior to their election. All elections must be conducted by roll call vote by County name in alphabetical order alternating between ascending and descending order. Each candidate may only run for one position. In an election for a position involving one candidate, one must receive a majority of the votes cast otherwise the position will remain vacant. In an election for two candidates one candidate must receive a majority of votes cast, a failure for either candidate to achieve a majority will result in a further round of debate and voting until a majority is reached. In an election for a position involving more than two candidates, one candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast, and if no candidate received a majority then the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be dropped from the ballot and the election run again with the remaining candidates until one candidate receives a majority of the votes cast.

Write-in votes will not be accepted.  Nominations from the floor will not be accepted unless there is an Amendment to the Constitution on that day and only for a position that was newly created or for which the nominee was not previously eligible for candidacy. Following the conclusion of elections, the newly elected officers will assume their positions. In the event of a vacancy after the application due date or following elections, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with our Constitution and By-laws.  A motion to suspend the rules shall be in order upon the affirmation of 2/3rds of the appointed delegates.

Special Executive Board Election Procedures

Each region elects a Regional Vice President pursuant to the Constitution, Article III Section 3. Only individuals who are registered voters in the region shall be eligible to run for a Regional Vice President position. The elections for Regional Vice Presidents will occur in a manner and time identical to all other Executive Board positions, except only votes from the respective region will be counted for each regional election.

Constitutional Amendment Procedures

Any proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted electronically to the Rules Chair Dusan Lakic at rules@nysyd.net. Any proposed amendments to the Constitution must be received by 11:59:59 pm EST on or before April 22, 2017. All proponents for a Constitutional Amendment shall be entitled to be heard by the Convention Rules Committee. Proposed amendments to the constitution must both articulate the specific provisions amended and the rationale for the amendment.

Agenda and Programming

The agenda and program of the Convention will be determined by the Convention Programs committee, pursuant to the NYSYD Bylaws Article V.

Key Dates

February 1, 2017

  • Re-chartering Packets Distributed Electronically
  • Executive Board Election Applications Open

March 17, 2017

  • Re-chartering Packets Due
  • Proposed Delegate Lists Due

April 6, 2017

  • Chartering Fees Due
  • Certification from Democratic County Chair Due

April 22, 2017

  • Final Pre-Convention Credentials Report Due
  • Constitution and Bylaws Amendments Due

May 1, 2017

  • Amended Delegate Lists Due

We look forward to seeing you in May and ensuring the future of our organization.

New York State Young Democrats Biennal Convention May 19-20

Official Call to Convention

Join us in Albany this May 19 and 20 as we meet for training, networking, elections and to help determine the future of the New York State Young Democrats. The following details will explain the upcoming State Convention.

Convention Chair
The Convention Chair will be Michael Gilberg. The Convention Secretary will be Seamus Campbell.

Chartering or Rechartering
Rechartering packets will be distributed and made available over the Internet on or before January 15, 2012 and and due by electronic mail by 11:59 PM on March 1, 2012. Each Chapter must also submit these packets by registered mail postmarked by the due date with a roster listing of all members including: name, voter registration address, date of birth, and optionally phone number and electronic mail address in accordance with Article II Section 1.1 and Article III, Section 5 of the NYSYD Constitution.

Anyone interested in starting a chapter or serving on the credentials committee should contact the Convention Chair, Michael Gilberg at michael.gilberg@gmail.com.

Delegates to Convention
Rechartered and Newly Chartered Chapters must submit their list of Delegates to the NYSYD Secretary, Tedd Collins at tedd.collins@gmail.com by 11:59PM on March 1, 2012. Each chartered or rechartered County Chapter shall receive two (2) delegates for the initial 25 members required for chartering, plus one more delegate per additional 10 registered County Chapter members, in accordance with Article III, Section 6 of our Constitution. The Chartering fee is $65 plus 50 cents per member, so that the minimum fee for the 25 required members is $77.50, in accordance with Article IV, Section 1. The Credentials Committee shall determine the method in which Delegates are counted per chapter. Delegate and Alternate Delegates must be members in good standing of the club they represent, in accordance with Article III, Section 3 of our Constitution. The Delegate lists must include names, gender, date of birth, electronic mail address, voter registration address and their status as Delegate or Alternate. Proxies are permitted, and individuals may be empowered to act as proxies on behalf of delegates, so long as such individual’s names are submitted prior to voting to the Secretary. No one person may hold more than 3 proxies, in accordance with Article III, Section 4 of our Constitution. All delegations are subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 6.1 of our Constitution.

New York State Young Democrats Executive Board Positions
All New York State Young Democrats are invited to consider running for an Officer position on the State Executive board. Applications will be distributed on or before January 15, 2012 by electronic mail as well as on our website, nysyd.org, and are due by 11:59 pm on March 15, 2012 to NYSYD Secretary Tedd Collins at Secretary@nysyd.net.

Positions you may consider running for are:
All Candidates: President, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, National Committeeman, National Committeewoman.
Regional Vice Presidents, Elected by a Vote of the Region: Downstate, Capital, Upstate, Central, and Western.
Caucuses, Elected by a Vote of the Caucus: Caucus of Color, Disability, Jewish, Labor, LGBT , Rural, Women
New York Attorneys in Good Standing: Legal Director

Executive Board Election Procedures
The following rules shall be used for the conduct of the New York State Young Democrats Elections. To be eligible to apply all candidates must be registered Democrats of at least 16 years of age who have not yet reached the age of 34. All candidates must submit their applications by 11:59PM on March 15, 2012 to NYSYD Secretary Tedd Collins at Secretary@nysyd.net. All Candidates shall have an opportunity to be heard and debated upon prior to their election. All elections must be conducted by roll call vote by County name in alphabetical order alternating between ascending and descending order. Each candidate may only run for one position. In an election for a position involving one candidate, one must receive a majority of the votes cast otherwise the position will remain vacant. In an election for two candidates one candidate must receive a majority of votes cast, a failure for either candidate to achieve a majority will result, in a further round of debate and voting until a majority is reached. In an election for a position involving more than two candidates, one candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast, and if no candidate received a majority then the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be dropped from the ballot and the election run again with the remaining candidates until one candidate received a majority of the votes cast.

Write-in votes will not be accepted. Nominations from the floor will not be accepted unless there is an Amendment to the Constitution on that day and only for a position that was newly created or for which the nominee was not previously eligible for candidacy. Following the conclusion of elections, the newly elected officers will assume their positions. In the event of a vacancy after the application due date or following elections, the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with our Constitution and By-laws.

Special Executive Board Election Procedures
Each region elects a Regional Vice President pursuant to the Constitution, Article 3 Section 3. Only individuals who are registered voters in the region shall be eligible to run for a Regional Vice President position. The elections for Regional Vice Presidents will occur in a manner and time identical to all other Executive Board positions, except only votes from the respective region will be counted for each regional election.

Constitutional Amendment Procedures
All amendments to the Constitution must be received by 11:59 pm on March 1, 2012. All amendments shall be submitted to the Convention Rules Committee pursuant to the NYSYD Bylaws Article V. All proponents for a Constitutional Amendment shall be entitled to be heard by the Convention Rules Committee. Proposed amendments to the constitution must both arrticulate the specific provisions amended and the rationale for the amendment. Amendments should be subcommitted to NYSYD Secretary Tedd Collins at Secretary@nysyd.net.

Agenda and Programming
The agenda and program of the Convention will be determined by the Convention Programs committee, pursuant to the NYSYD Bylaws Article V.

Lodging
The State Committee will have a block of rooms at the location of the convention and NYSYD will be organizing hosts for attendees. If you are interested in a hotel room, staying with another Young Democrat or would like to host other Young Democrats who are attending the convention please contact Convention Chair Michael Gilberg at michael.gilberg@gmail.com.

Volunteers
The State Committee and NYSYD will need volunteers throughout the convention, to assist with everything from organizing delegates, troubleshooting, staffing sign-in tables and checking delegate credentials. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Convention Chair Michael Gilberg at michael.gilberg@gmail.com. Registration fees will be waived for non-delegate registrants who volunteer enough hours. Be sure to indicate availability, electronic mail address, and a mobile phone number.

Speaking/Scheduling
If you have ideas for speakers or entertainment or any matter regarding scheduling at the convention or convention related events, please contact Convention Chair Michael Gilberg at michael.gilberg@gmail.com

Registration
The NYSYD convention is open to registered Democrats from all over our State and Country. If you are not a delegate or alternate and wish to attend you may reserve your registration for the convention by contacting Convention Chair Michael Gilberg at michael.gilberg@gmail.com.

Key Dates
All Items Are Due by 11:59PM on the Applicable Date and must be Registered Mail Postmarked or submitted to the relevant individual.

January 15, 2012

  • Recharting packets distributed
  • Executive Board applications distributed

March 1, 2012

  • Rechartering packets due
  • Delegate list due
  • Constitutional amendments due

March 15, 2012

  • Executive Board applications due

We look forward to seeing you in May and ensuring the future of our organization.

The New York State Young Democrats

NYSYD Delegation To 2011 YDA National Convention

The New York State Young Democrats are pleased to announce the following as delegates to the Young Democrats of America 2011 Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

Delegation Chair: Michael Gilberg

Vice Chair: Matthew Peter

Whips: Eric Katz & Chelsea Kadish

National Committee Members: Chris Smith & Amanda Pizzuti

Delegates:

  1. Al Benninghoff
  2. Mara Blumenthal
  3. Seamus Campbell
  4. Christina Chang
  5. Tedd Collins
  6. Joseph Coe
  7. Michael Corbett
  8. St. Jermaine Endeley
  9. Michael Gilberg
  10. Andrew Goldston
  11. Dustin Hausner
  12. Stephanie Hausner
  13. Heather James
  14. Sophia James
  15. Chelsea Kadish
  16. Liz Kanter
  17. Eric Katz
  18. Amy Lavelle
  19. Kevin Lawrie
  20. Andy Marte
  21. Kim Moscaritolo
  22. Glenn Oldhoff
  23. Matt Peter
  24. Juan Carlos Pineiro
  25. Taylor Pineiro
  26. Amanda Pizzuti
  27. Amanda Roman
  28. Jenni Royer
  29. John Salka
  30. Jugba Santi
  31. Jessica Scarcella
  32. Amelia Shister
  33. Matt Silverstein
  34. Chris Smith
  35. Julienne Verdi
  36. Josh Waters
  37. Ben Yee

Alternate Delegates

  1. Robin Brown
  2. Alicia Criss
  3. Kevin Davis
  4. Brian Hegt
  5. Sam Hudis
  6. Carolyn Schultz