DAUK July 2010 e-News
By Joyce Halsan on July 16th, 2010
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) Second Annual 4th of July Picnic in Portman Square
3) Event with Leading Pollster Stan Greenberg – July 13th
4) 2010 Midterm Elections – Voter Registration Info
5) DAUK Young Professionals: July Events
6) DAUK Marketing Toolkit
7) Join DAUK on Facebook & Twitter
8) 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
Is there anything more American than the Fourth of July?
Come, show your colors and share a great time with your fellow citizens.
Join us in Portman Square this Sunday to celebrate that most American of holidays, our Independence Day.
There is a great line-up of entertainment, activities and food, though of course you can bring your own picnic, as well. Details are below.
So call a friend and bring them with you.
And while we are celebrating the birth of our country, we can mark the latest Obama Presidency achievement. We are on the cusp of passage of the most significant financial reforms since the Great Depression.
The bill, which leaders in both houses have agreed, is very close to the original proposals outlined by the President. So mark another one up to the growing list of major accomplishments of this President and this Congress.
Democratically yours,
Bill Barnard
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William D. Barnard
Chair, Democrats Abroad U.K.
2) Second Annual 4th of July Picnic in Portman Square
We look forward to welcoming everyone again this year to our 4th of July celebration in the heart of London. More than 600 of you joined us last year!
Make your reservations now to join us for a fun-filled afternoon of food, games, live music and good old Americana. The 4th of July Picnic in the Square will be held on Sunday 4 July 2010 from 1 to 6 PM at Portman Square Garden in Central London.
Mouth watering barbecue, tantalizing Creole, sumptuous Mexican, sweet and savoury crepes, old fashioned lemonade, ice tea and milkshakes, cupcakes, brownies, whoopee pies and more will be available to purchase.
The event will feature wonderful day-long activities for children, including games, arts and crafts, face-painting in red, white, and blue and fimo clay modelling – kids can create their own red, white, and blue objects to take home with them as a keepsake. All included in the admission fee!
We have a terrific line-up of live music to entertain us while we celebrate the Fourth of July – everything from Jazz, Folk, Mariachi, Barbershop, and a Singer/Songwriter recently signed by an American label.
All are welcome to attend, though only US citizens can buy tickets. Guests are asked to bring their own blankets and picnic hampers.
Date: Sunday 4th of July
Time: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Portman Square, W1H 7BH
Admission Prices:
- Adults - 7.50 GBP
- Kids (6-16) - 2.50 GBP (under 6 are free)
- Students and Seniors - 5 GBP
RSVP to: events@democratsabroad.org.uk
Include the full name and contact telephone of the primary ticket holder (who must be an American citizen), the total number of attendees including children. If you will be bringing children aged 16 or younger, please state their ages.
Once you send through your RSVP, payment details will be sent to you via email.
Upon receipt of payment, you will receive confirmation and your name(s) will be listed at the door. All are welcome – big and small, families and singles.
Non-US spouses and guests are very welcome, but payment can only be accepted from US citizens and permanent residents. This event is not designed to be a fundraiser, but any proceeds over and above the cost of the event will support the Democrats Abroad UK voter registration drive for the crucial 2010 midterm elections. Let us prove history wrong and retain control of Congress this time around!
Directions to Portman Square: Portman Square Garden is by the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, just North of Oxford Street. Enter at South Garden Gate, on Portman Square between Seymour and Wigmore Streets. Closest tube stations are Marble Arch and Bond Street.
More about the Musicians:
JAMES CARRINGTON: Singer/songwriter. James has been signed by a label in America and is going to LA in September to promote his new album The Dreamers Machine. His songs have been used on numerous network programs including Smallville, ER, One Life to Live and Side Order of Life and the movie Rescue Dawn.
You can hear his songs at www.myspace.com/jamescarrington.
ROYAL HARMONICS: Barbershop Choir. They have represented Great Britain internationally and performed for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and Prime Minister David Cameron. They will be entertaining us in one of Americas great musical traditions, that of Barbershop Harmony.
TOM MILLAR QUARTET: Jazz Band. The band is made up of Tom Millar on keyboard, Shabaka Hutchings on saxophone, Diccon Cooper on double bass and Jon Scott on drums. Among them, they have played at a variety of venues including the 606, RonnieÕs, the Vortex, Royal Festival Hall and Pizza Express jazz club. Specialists in jazz and improvised music, each musician plays in a number of different bands, including Kairos Quartet, Paragon, Zed-U and Courtney PineÕs Jazz Warriors. They will be playing a selection of classics from the Great American Song Book.
SANDRA LEE: Vocalist, National Anthem. Her repertoire ranges from Light Opera to Jazz and Pop music. She is going to open the celebration with the US National Anthem.
JOHNNY MUNDANE: Folk Singer. Democrats Abroad member returning from last year to lend his voice in support of our Keep the Congress Campaign.
3) Event with Leading Pollster Stan Greenberg – July 13th
Join us for a candid Conversation with Stan Greenberg, perhaps America's leading pollster and political strategist. Greenberg was a major factor in the Clinton campaign and remains close to the Obama administration. He has advised world leaders from President Clinton, to the British Labour Party and Nelson Mandela. So save the date - the evening of July 13th. Details to follow.
4) 2010 Midterm Elections – Voter Registration Info
We can still use volunteers for the 4th of July picnic in Portman Square! Please feel free to turn up at the Voter Registration table or email janw@mindspring.com if you plan to volunteer. We are also anticipating an early evening DAUK lecture with renowned Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg on 13th of July, location in London TBD. We need two volunteers to register voters at the lecture. If you can volunteer, please email janw@mindspring.com.
Also, summer is a good time to remind friends to go the Vote from Abroad site: (http://www.votefromabroad.org/) to request absentee ballots for the midterm primary and general elections to help keep Congress blue. Direct emails or posts on your club, sports, or alumni message boards can all help.
Stephanie Stewart is transitioning away from coordinating voter registration, but will work closely with Jan Carruthers, the incoming coordinator through the 2010 election cycle. Please contact Jan at the email address above with any suggestions or questions. Thanks!
5) DAUK Young Professionals: July Events
What: DAUK Young Professionals night
When: June 15th at 7pm
Where: The Marylebone - 93 Marylebone High Street W1U 4RE
You can find us in the back room of the pub. Or ask the bar where we are set up if you have trouble finding us!
Thank you so much to everyone who has turned up to our past three events! We had a great time and we hope you all did too - if you were not able to come, have no fear – we are back for July!
Join us on the 15th of July to meet fellow Americans, enjoy a drink or two, and find ways to help Democrats stay in office back in the US!
We are excited to be kicking off a summer of activity - the DAUK has a fantastic Fourth of July party planned, and there will be plenty of chances to participate in getting out the vote for the impending midterm elections. Please let us know if you would like to get involved. If you have any questions or comments or just want to drop us a note you can reach us at youngdems@democratsabroad.org.uk.
Have twitter? Follow us @DALondonYPN or join us on our Facebook group DAUK Young Professionals Network.
6) DAUK Marketing Toolkit
Did you know we have a fantastic marketing toolkit if you want to get the DAUK word out? With fabulous flyers, banners, posters, t-shirts and artwork like our new Keep Hope Alive in November 2010 tear-off flyer! To access the toolkit:
- Log in to www.democratsabroad.org
- Go to http://www.democratsabroad.org/group/marketing-toolkit-team
- Ask to Join and provide us with your details, ideas for the marketing materials and we will approve you!
Please remember to send us photos of how you are using everything, especially the VoteFromAbroad.Org banner at work!
7) Join us on Facebook & Twitter
Connect with fellow DAUK members on Facebook & Twitter:
Facebook: Search under Groups:
* Democrats Abroad
* Democrats Abroad UK
* Young Democrats Abroad UK
Twitter:
* DemsAbroad
8) 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