Welcome to Democrats Abroad United Kingdom (DAUK)!

DAUK members receive a monthly e-newsletter each month with fun and useful information for Democrats in the UK.  Please forward to other Americans living abroad, and encourage them to join Democrats Abroad.

Table of Contents
1) From the Chair
2) Speakeasy Gatherings in May:

• Manchester (May 4)
• Cambridge (May 5)
• London (May 5)
• Oxford (May 5)

3) Volunteer Request: Project Manager for Voter Registration Needed
4) July 4th Party – Save the Date
5) DAUK Young Professionals Network - Successful Launch and Next Event
6) Join DAUK on Facebook & Twitter
7) Contact Us
Please do not reply directly to this email - find all DAUK Contacts here: http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/927

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1) From the Chair

The President is on the cusp of another major legislative victory - financial reform.  We do not know the final shape of the bill, but consideration is moving with unusual speed on the Hill.

This bill, like all legislation, will be less than perfect.  And it cannot guarantee that ‘never again’ will we have to deal with a major financial crisis.  But if it is as effective as the New Deal legislation and lasts as long, then we can genuinely say ‘Well done.”

The initial Republican strategy of ‘Just Say No’ collapsed when a small but responsible band of Republican Senators could no longer accept the misleading and deceptive descriptions of the proposal put up by Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate. The Republicans realized that they were putting themselves in a position that was politically impossible.

Rescuing the American economy, and in turn, the global economy, from a frightening abyss (including a stimulus package that continues to support the American economy and provides middle and working class Americans with one of the largest tax cuts ever), stabilizing the nation’s financial system, overhauling the system of aid to college students, signing a new arms control treaty with Russia, passing strengthened equal pay legislation - quite a record for an administration only a little over one year in office.

And with financial regulation to come, it is genuinely impressive.  If and when action on climate change/energy security legislation and comprehensive immigration reform are achieved, it will be a convincing record to take into the 2012 Presidential election year.

But before we get there, we have to meet another challenge--to maintain Democratic majorities in the House and Senate in this fall’s mid-term elections.

Be sure to register or to request your absentee ballot. Please volunteer to register voters and to remind our members through our phone-banking to request their absentee ballots.

Do your part to help President Obama fulfill his Democratic mandate.

Democratically yours,

Bill Barnard
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William D. Barnard
Chair, Democrats Abroad U.K.

2) Speakeasy Gatherings in May

Join fellow Americans, Democrats and friends at speakeasies all across the UK. Let us all keep up the momentum by helping Americans register to vote in the midterm elections!

*Please note the new location of the London Speakeasy
*Request your ballot for the midterm election
*Grab some leaflets and help spread the word about VoteFromAbroad.org
*Learn how you can help register US voters

May 4th

• Manchester: From 7:30pm, The Ducie Arms, 52 Devas Street, M15 6HS

May 5th

• Cambridge: From 6:30pm, The Castle Inn Pub, 38 Castle Street, CB3 0AJ
• London: From 7:00pm at a Special New Location, The Temperance Pub, 74-76 York Street, W1H 1QN - this month’s Speakeasy will have a UK election theme, with British activists from all three leading UK parties invited to join us and share their insights.
• Oxford: From 7:30pm, The Royal Oak, 42-44 Woodstock Road, OX2 6HT

Our regularly scheduled Speakeasies are a chance to meet like-minded Americans, have a drink, talk politics, or just make new friends. Speakeasies are informal and held throughout the country, usually once a month. Drop by and join us - and bring a friend! For more information: http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/3643.

3) Volunteer Request: Project Manager for Voter Registration Needed

Democrats Abroad UK voter registration and canvassing team helped deliver the votes that secured election victories in North Carolina, Minnesota, Alaska, New York, Virginia and Montana. The UK Voter Registration Committee tracked where Americans work, play and socialize and made sure that voter registration resources were at hand.

In planning for the next ‘Get Out the Vote’ efforts in August and September, and in preparation for the 2012 Presidential Elections, Democrats Abroad UK is seeking a volunteer to project manage the voter registration activities.  This is an exciting opportunity and a fun way to meet like-minded Americans living here in the UK!

Skills Required: The applicant should have good project management, communications and organizational skills. They should like working in a team environment and motivating volunteers to achieve results.

The Role: As the Chair of the DAUK Voter Registration Team you would target American-focused organizations and events to find means of offering voter registration to the quarter million Americans living in the UK. You will coordinate all of the efforts of our volunteers, and ensure we continue to engage new volunteers to embed within this team.  Time commitment is approximately 2-4 hours per week in the busy season (e.g., Aug, Sept & early Oct) and periodic thereafter.

Volunteer Resources Available: DAUK has the resources in place to launch a successful voter registration effort:

• Skilled volunteers to train members on how to register voters
• Database of target organizations and events
• Volunteer who manages data tracking and volunteer lists
• Dedicated person to track results
• More than 100 trained voter registration volunteers and canvassers
• New stock of leaflets, books, signs, banners and forms
• Supplies Coordinator for voter registration tools
• Predecessor available to help you set the strategy for the Fall voter registration drive

Next steps or questions:  Send in your resume/CV and a short paragraph of how you would approach this exciting role. Contact: DAUKVote@DemocratsAbroad.org.uk

4) July 4th Party – Save the Date

Please Join DAUK for the 2nd Annual 4th of July Picnic in the Square on Sunday, July 4th, 2010. Last year, more than 600 shared a great afternoon. Be a part of the good times this year! Ticket information to come...Meanwhile

We need YOU:
Entertainers
Musicians
Coordinators
Helping Hands

Please send an email to volunteer@democratsabroad.org.uk and let’s get the party started!

5) DAUK Young Professionals Network – Successful Launch and Next Event

Thanks so much to everyone who turned out for the launch of the DAUK Young Professionals Network in April! We had an incredible turnout and a really great, enthusiastic crowd.  We are really excited to grow and to continue our rousing conversations, and to that end, please join us our next event on Thursday, May 20th, at The Marylebone.  As a reminder, we plan to meet every third Thursday of the month at the same place. Thanks again and please come join us!

6) Join DAUK on Facebook & Twitter

Connect with fellow DAUK members on Facebook & Twitter:

Facebook: Search under Groups:

* Democrats Abroad
* Democrats Abroad UK
* Young Democrats Abroad UK

Also join iVoteFromAbroad, request your absentee ballot today for the November 2010 election, and spread the word! http://www.facebook.com/iVoteFromAbroad. The site mission is helping US Citizens vote from absolutely anywhere in the world. Share your story! What brought you abroad and why do you vote? Share your videos and photos here: http://www.facebook.com/iVoteFromAbroad.

Twitter:

*DemsAbroad

7) Contact Us

Click on the link below to access the DAUK contacts page, which includes contacts and links to:

* Join Democrats Abroad
* Volunteer with DAUK
* Chapter / Regional Contacts
* Press Liaison
* Democrats Abroad UK Officers
* Mailing address, fax, other
* Register to Vote / Email to Send Questions

Full List of Contacts and Links: http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/927