Skip to content Skip to footer

Category: Announcements

Join the 2010 AG Straw Poll Event Committee

The New York State Young Democrats will be holding our 2nd annual Straw Poll in 2010. This year we will be holding a Statewide Straw poll for the Democratic Primary candidates running for New York State Attorney General.

I’m pleased to announce that our President Emeritus, Matthew Silverstein, has accepted the role of Chair of the event committee.

For anyone that is interested in joining the event committee, please email msilverstein@nysyd.net or secretary@nysyd.net before 7/5/2010.

We’re looking forward to everyone’s input and planning a great event

2010 Call To Convention

New York State Young Democrats Biennial Convention

May 22-23 2010

RENEW AND REBUILD

OFFICIAL CALL TO CONVENTION

Join us in New York City this May 22 and 23rd as we meet along side the New York State Democratic Committee for training, networking, elections and to help determine the future of Young Democrats, Congress and ultimately, our Nation. Further details will become available as they are released by the New York State Democratic Committee.

Chartering and Rechartering:
Rechartering packets will be distributed and made available over the Internet on or after February 1, 2010 and due by 11:59PM on April 23, 2010. Each Chapter must submit these packets by registered mail postmarked by the due date with a roster listing of all members including: name, residence and/or voter registration address, date of birth, and optionally phone number and electronic mail address in accordance with Article III, Section 5 of our Constitution. Anyone interested in starting a chapter or serving on the credentials committee should contact the Chair Michael Gilberg at michael.gilberg@gmail.com.

Delegates to Convention:
Rechartered and Newly Chartered Chapters must submit their list of Delegates to the Credentials Committee Chair at michael.gilberg@gmail.com, by 11:59PM on April 23, 2010. 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. In determining the number of Delegates and Alternates the Credentials Committee shall only count the number of members submitted for registration who reside in the County for which they are a member of a Chapter. Delegate and Alternates must be members in good standing of the club they represent and residents of the County in which their club is located, in accordance with Article III, Section 3 of our Constitution. The Delegate lists must include names, gender, date of birth, electronic mail address, residence addresses, voter registration address and their status as Delegate or Alternate. Proxies are permitted but must be submitted to the Secretary prior to voting, and no one person may hold more than 3 proxies, in accordance with Article III, Section 4 of our Constitution.

New York State State Young Democrats Executive Board Elections:

Positions:
We call upon our Young Democrat leaders throughout New York who are currently leading their own chapters or are serving on political campaigns or in government positions with distinction to consider joining the New York State Young Democrats Executive Board. Applications will be distributed on or before March 15, 2010 by electronic mail as well as on our website and are due by 11:59PM on April 23, 2010 Credentials Committee Chair Michael Gilberg at michael.gilberg@gmail.com.

Positions you may consider running for are:

Executives: President, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Legal Director.*

Regional Vice Presidents: Downstate Vice President, Capital Vice President, Upstate Vice President, Central Vice President, and Western Vice President.

National Committee: National Committeeman and National Committeewoman.

Caucuses: Caucus of Color; Disability Issues; Jewish; Labor; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender ( LGBT ); Rural Conference (YDRC); and Women.**

Committees: Communications and Finance.

*Please note that the Legal Director is a non-voting member of the Executive Board and must be an attorney in good standing admitted to practice in the State of New York.

**Please note that the Caucus Chairs are elected by the membership of their respective Caucuses.

Election Procedures:

The following rules shall be used for the conduct of the New York State Young Democrats Elections. The Constitution and By-Laws are available on the NYSYD website and all amendments must be received by 11:59PM on April 23, 2010 by Credentials Committee Chair Michael Gilberg at michael.gilberg@gmail.com.

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 April 23, 2010 to Credentials Committee Chair at michael.gilberg@gmail.com . All Candidates and Amendments 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. Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws shall be voted upon prior to candidates for the New York Young Democrats Executive Board. Each candidate may only run for one position. In an election for a position involving one propositions or candidate, one must receive a majority of the votes cast otherwise the proposition will fail or 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 the election shall be conducted as an instant runoff vote, where each candidate shall be ranked by the voters. 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 the nomination is from a Delegate and then 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.

Convention Details:

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 Planning Committee Chair Michael Corbett at mcorbett@nysyd.net

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 Planning Committee Chair Michael Corbett at mcorbett@nysyd.net 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 Planning Committee Chair Michael Corbett at mcorbett@nysyd.net.

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 Planning Committee Chair Michael Corbett at mcorbett@nysyd.net

Key Dates:
All Items Are Due by 11:59PM on the Applicable Date and Must Be Registered Mail Postmarked or Submitted to Credentials Committee Chair at michael.gilberg@gmail.com

February 1, 2010
-Chartering Packets Available

March 15, 2010
-Candidate Applications Available

April 23, 2010
-Amendments Due
-Candidates Applications Due
-Chartering Packets (Registered Mail) Due
-Delegate Lists

We look forward to seeing you in May.

Democratically Yours,

New York State Young Democrats

Proposed Election Application Draft for Circulation on March 15, 2010:

2010 New York State Young Democrats Applications:
Due 11:59PM on April 23, 2010
First Name:
Last Name:
Birth Date:
Gender:
Occupation:
Email Address:
Residential Address:
Voter Registration Address (if not the same as above):

Are you registered Democrat in New York State?
1. Position Sought:

2. Please list all of the National, New York State or local county Young Democrat events that you have attended in the past year.
3. What relevant experiences would you be able to draw from, and what strengths would you, given your particular background, bring to position you are running for?

4a. Why are you seeking this position?
4b. What is your vision for the New York State Young Democrats in the coming two years?
4c. Give some concrete examples of initiatives within your position you would undertake if elected.

5. Serving on the New York State Young Democrats Executive Board is a significant time commitment.
How committed will you be as an Executive Board member:
5a. Please list any relevant past leadership positions.
5b. Please list all current leadership positions.
5c. How would you be able to fit your leadership responsibilities within your current schedule and given your current commitments?

6. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony? If yes, please explain.

Welcome to the NEW home of the NYSYD!

Welcome to the new home of the New York State Young Democrats! The New York State Young Democrats is the official youth arm of the New York State Democratic Committee. We represent Young Democrats between the ages of 16-36 in all of New York’s 62 counties.

2010 is a very important year for the Democratic Party. In New York State every state wide elected office is up for re-election. The Republican Party is gearing up for a very tough election year with hopes to wipe out the victories, we one here in New York back in 2008. We know that without a strong showing of young voters this fall, we will not be victorious.

We need your help in 2010! Please stay involved with the New York State Young Democrats by joining either your local county chapter or one of our caucuses. If there is not a local yd chapter in your county please consider starting one. We must keep up the momentum in 2010 and continue building a democratic majority in New York State.

Remember that together we can make a difference.

Matt Silverstein

President
New York State Young Democrats

2009 NYC Straw Poll Results

StrawPollLogo20102009 NYC Straw Poll Final Results

(Brooklyn, Queens & Manhattan Combined Totals)

 

Mayor

Bill Thompson – 85.1%

Tony Avella – 14.9%

Comptroller

John Liu – 50.5%

David Yassky- 43.8%

Melinda Katz- 3.8%

David Weprin- 1.9%

 

Public Advocate

Eric Gioia- 45%

Bill de Blasio- 24%

Norman Siegel- 17%

Mark Green- 14%

 

Manhattan District Attorney

Cy Vance- 59.3%

Richard Aborn- 28.8%

Leslie Crocker Snyder-11.9%

* This DA Straw Poll Was Only Conducted At Manhattan Location

Join NYSYD For A Health Care Reform Rally In Times Square

healthcare_phixr(1)This Saturday August 29, 2009 at 2pm, rain or shine, groups from all over New York will converge on Times Square in New York City to pay their repects to the memory of Senator Kennedy and honor him by bringing attention to Health Care Reform. We encourage all NYS Young Dems to join us at this historic event to show the detractors that there is indeed mass support for this important cause. Please join us at 42nd Street & 7th Avenue. Please email Marisa Vigilante at health@gomyd.com if you are planning on attending.

NYSYD Delegation To 2009 YDA National Convention

chicago_pin

Delegation Chair: Matthew Silverstein

Vice Chair: Tajian Jones

Whips: Michael Corbett & Chris Smith

National Committee Members: Dustin Hausner & Kate O’Hagen

Delegates:

  1. Michael Gilberg
  2. Matt Silverstein
  3. Stephanie Hausner
  4. Michael Corbett
  5. Tajian Jones
  6. Kate O’Hagen
  7. Mara Blumenthal
  8. Dustin Hausner
  9. Chris Smith
  10. Brian Letchworth
  11. Matt Peter
  12. John Salka
  13. Tedd Collins
  14. Dion Powell
  15. Sarah Jane Arengger
  16. Daniella Johnson
  17. Jenni Royer
  18. Ian Rivera
  19. Julienne Verdi
  20. Kevin Caneco
  21. Amanda Pizzuti
  22. Erich Reimer
  23. Al Benninghoff
  24. Carolyn Schultz
  25. Chelsea Kadish
  26. George Kevgas
  27. Kevin Lawrie
  28. Jeff Sterling
  29. Ciara Pressler
  30. Heather James
  31. Sam Hudis
  32. Emmy Suzuki Harris
  33. Julie Blitzer
  34. Taylor Stirek
  35. Emilie Simone
  36. Chris Bailey
  37. Melissa LaMontanaro

Alternate Delegates

  1. Jessica Shearer
  2. Michelle Shaljian
  3. Josh Waters
  4. Chas Danner

NYSYD Executive Committee Adopts Health Care Resolution

On July 23, 2009 The New York  State Young Democrats Executive Committee Adopted The Following Resolution….

CONCERNING: Comprehensive Health Care Reform 

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats believe all Americans, regardless of life station or social position, have a right to high quality, affordable Health Care; and,

WHEREAS, one in six or 45 million Americans are currently uninsured and another 20 million are underinsured, which places and expensive burden upon the nation’s emergency services and proliferates contagious diseases; and,

WHEREAS, young people aged 18-29 comprise the largest uninsured group in the United States, with nearly a third living without Health Coverage; and

 WHEREAS, Health care costs have increased 85% in the last ten years, with the expectation of exponential increases in years to come, forcing as many as 72 million Americans onto the roles of the uninsured by 2040; and,

 WHEREAS, the increasing costs of Health Care will lower the take home wages of Americans by nearly $25,000 in 2040, detrimentally impacting the United States’ Gross Domestic Product and saddling future generations with insurmountable national debt; and,

 WHEREAS, the Obama-Biden Health Care proposal seeks to expand coverage, improve quality, lower costs, expand preventative care, and promote innovation and advancement in medical technologies, at an affordable cost to America; therefore,

 BE IT RESOLVED, the New York State Young Democrats and its members actively recommend and encourage the passage of President Obama’s Health Care plan to the members of the 111th Congress; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, New York State Young Democrats officially and publicly add its name to the growing list of progressive organizations which support the Presidents Health Care plan.

NYSYD Executive Committee Votes To Supports Same Sex Marriage

On Tuesday April 21, 2009 the New York State Young Democrats Executive Committee on behalf of the New York States Young Democrats adopted the following resolution supporting Same Sex Marriage in New York State.

(Sponsored By NYSYD President Matthew Silverstein & NYSYD Executive Vice President Ben Jakes-Johnson, GLBT Caucus Jessica Teicher, YDA Secretary Stephanie Hausner, NYSYD Secretary Tajian Jones, NYSYD National Committeeman Dustin Hausner, NYSYD National Committeewoman Kate O’Hagen, NYSYD Council Of Presidents Chair Chris Smith, NYSYD Labor Caucus Chair Michael Corbett, YDA Organizing Director Joe McNearney)

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats support all efforts to afford equal protection under the law to New York State citizens regardless of race, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation;

WHEREAS, same gender couples, opposite gender couples, and their families are equal under the New York State Constitution and equally deserve the protections and happiness of marriage;

WHEREAS, civil union does not mean marriage;

WHEREAS, equal marriage will promote and protect the happiness and well-being of same gender couples and same gender attracted youth and adults;

WHEREAS, Governor David Paterson’s Marriage Equality Program Bill would amend the Domestic Relations Law to give same-sex couples the opportunity to enter into civil marriages. It would mandate that all provisions of State law be construed to encompass same-sex marriages, consistent with the legislation’ s intent, regardless of whether they use gender-specific or gender-neutral terms. As a result of this legislation, same-sex spouses would enjoy the same legal status and treatment under New York law as heterosexual couples, on issues such as property ownership, inheritance, health care, and insurance coverage.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New York State Young Democrats Executive Committee on behalf of the New York State Young Democrats, enthusiastically supports the passage of Governor David Paterson’s Marriage Equality Program Bill to end legal discrimination against same sex couples and recognizes the fundamental civil right of marriage to promote the happiness and well-being of all couples.