Welcome to the DAUK Newsletter for September 2011
This Newsletter is sent to all Democrats Abroad members living in the UK. Please forward this information to other Americans living here and encourage them to join Democrats Abroad UK. Do not reply directly to this email. Find DAUK contacts here:
http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/927

Table of Contents
1) Message from the Vice Chair

2) Phone bank volunteers needed

3) New DAUK Representatives to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad

4) Virtual Town Hall on Thursday September 29th

5) Film and Discussion: ÒInside JobÓ

6) DAUK Young Professionals Network

7) Speakeasies

8) Save the Date: Meet DNC Secretary Alice Germond on Thursday October 20th

9) Save the Date: YPN Cocktail Party on Saturday November 12th

1) Message from the Vice Chair

As the long political summer comes to an end, and with the 2012 election a little more than a year away, the lay of the land has become painfully clear. By toying with the option of debt default, Republicans have demonstrated an unprecedented willingness to take our economic system to the very brink of disaster for the sake of cutting services for the poor and taxes for the wealthy. At a time of continuing economic crisis, they have been unwilling to take any steps that economists believe would be effective in stimulating growth. And with private sector jobs growth recovering slowly, the accelerating pace of public sector job cuts – at federal, state and local levels – has led to zero job growth last month. The number of jobs added in the private sector last month was 17,000. The number of jobs lost in the public sector last month was also 17,000. The situation is dire and the need for action is urgent.

This week, President Obama will address a joint session of Congress, calling for them to take urgent action on jobs creation. The good news is that there are steps that we could take that would help resolve this crisis. The bad news is that these steps would require Republican leaders in Congress to stop playing partisan games and start getting serious.

It's been a long time since the Republican Party has displayed any seriousness about solving the nation's problems. President Obama's recent e-mail spoke volumes about his dealings with Congress in recent months: it was simply entitled "Frustrated".

He writes,"It's been a long time since Congress was focused on what the American people need them to be focused on. I know that you're frustrated by that. I am, too."

But it doesn't have to be that way. And that's where you come in.

Before members of Congress are allowed to get away with blocking our economic progress yet again, we need to make sure they hear our voices loud and clear! Please contact your Senator and Representative today to demand that they take urgent action to solve the jobs crisis.

And please add your name to say you stand with the President in demanding that lawmakers stop playing games and start getting serious about jobs:
http://my.barackobama.com/Time-To-Act

Karin Robinson
Vice Chair, Democrats Abroad UK
vice-chair@democratsabroad.org.uk

2) Phone bank volunteers needed

Here in the UK, we're getting serious about helping our members have their voices heard – we'll be reaching out to our entire membership in the coming months to help them register to vote and to talk to them about how they can get involved in the 2012 election. But more urgently we are need of volunteers to make calls and help coordinate phone banking. Can you spare a few hours in the evening or on a weekend to help us reach our members? Please write to vice-chair@democratsabroad.org.uk if you can help.

3) New DAUK Representatives to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad

Susan Schoenfeld Harrington, Bill Barnard, Mara Richard and Dean Menegas have been appointed as the new DAUK Representatives to the DPCA. They were appointed with the unanimous approval of the Executive Committee in a meeting on September 4th.

DAUK is the second-largest national committee (after Democrats Abroad Canada) and, thanks to the development of a more proportional representation system within the DPCA, 22 votes have now been allocated to DAUK, making these appointments necessary. Future DAUK Representatives to the DPCA will be chosen by direct election of the Membership at the biennial DAUK election.

The first task of the four new Representatives (along with DAUK Chair Rob Carolina and Vice Chair Karin Robinson) will be to attend the DPCA meeting in Washington, D.C., in mid-October.

4) Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, September 29th

Concerned about changes to US tax laws as they affect US citizens abroad? Wondering if the changes to the visa application process for non-American family members of US citizens living  abroad (the I-130 visa) will have an impact on your plans? The first of DAUKÕs Virtual Town Halls focuses on these and other constituency issues that affect Americans living in the UK. Phone into this virtual event to find out out more and to make your views known.

What:                   DAUK Virtual Town Hall
Date:                    Thursday, September 29th
Time:                   7:00 p.m.

Information about how to phone into the Virtual Town Hall will be provided in a separate e-mail.

5) Film and Discussion: "Inside Job"

To open its 2011-12 film series, the DAUK Film Committee, with the support of the Economics Policy Action Network, is hosting a screening and panel discussion of the Academy Award-winning documentary about the 2008 financial crisis, "Inside Job." The New York Times review calls it  "a sleek, briskly paced film... a meticulous and infuriating documentary about the causes and consequences of the financial crisis of 2008." Learn more about this unmissable film at its website, or read reviews in the Observer or New York Times.

Date:                    Friday, September 23rd
Schedule:             6:30 p.m.  Doors open (coffee, tea and biscuits will be available until 7:15 p.m.)
7:10 p.m.  Introduction
7:15 p.m.  ÒInside JobÓ (1 hr 44 min)
9:00 p.m.  Discussion with DAUK Economics Policy Action Network members
Carol Moore and Tom Butler (60 minutes)
Location:             Loyola Hall, Heythrop College, 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HN
Street map showing the location of Heythrop College
Please note that the location is not the one usually used for DAUK films.
Cost:                    £5 General, £3 Unwaged

RSVP by September 22 to:          films@democratsabroad.org.uk

This promises to be an extremely popular event. As seats are very limited, please reply as soon as possible to reserve your place (you will receive an email confirmation.) Any unreserved seats will be made available on the night, however, to ensure your seat, send your RSVP as soon as possible.

Speaker biographies:

After more than two decades at JP Morgan Chase, Thomas Butler joined Anglo Romanian Bank Ltd in 2004 in the newly created position of CEO. He led the acquisition that year of related banks in Germany (Frankfurt Bukarest Bank) and France (Banque Franco Romaine) and their integration into the UK bank. Since then, he has led a transformation of the enlarged bank from a traditional 'trade finance' bank into a broader commercial bank with a strong investment bank. This has put him at the center of debates about strategies for banking during the critical period of the financial crisis. Tom is a lifelong Democrat, a member of DAUK since 2007 and a member of the Economics Issues Policy Action Network.

Carol Moore started her career in the financial sector as an attorney at the SEC. She came to London in 1977 to study at the London Business School, met her English husband and moved to London permanently. She switched her career to banking, working at Lazards, Chase Manhattan and the Royal Bank of Scotland, among others. More recently she has worked in west London in education administration, is a director of a youth charity in Hounslow and runs a small family property company in New York. Carol's experience gives her a broad overview of many of the issues relevant to financial services and its regulation. Carol has been a member of DAUK for over 25 years, and is active in the DAUK Economic Issues Policy Action Network.

After the film:

Please join us at The Greyhound Pub at 1 Kensington Square, London W8 5EP.

6) DAUK Young Professionals Network

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) hosts a lively get-together every third Thursday of the month. Young (and young-at-heart) Democrats are welcome. Join us to meet and mingle with fellow Americans, enjoy a drink or two, and find out how you can help elect Democrats and get involved with DAUK.

What:                   DAUK Young Professionals Night
Date:                    Thursday, September 15th
Time:                   7:00 p.m. (until closing)
Location:             The Marylebone, 93 Marylebone High Street W1U 4RE
(If you have trouble finding us, ask the bar staff where we are sitting.)

YPN was set up to provide a space for ex-pats to meet, network, create community, and discuss politics on both sides of the Atlantic. YPN also works closely with other parts of DAUK. Over the past year we have met hundreds of American ex-pats at our monthly gathering. We have hosted special events such as a State of the Union viewing party and informative evenings such as our immigration workshop. As we enter into an election year we are excited to provide opportunities to get involved with the 2012 election.

We are a fully inclusive group and welcome those interested in politics as well as those who just want to make some new friends. We would love to meet your non-American and non-Democrat friends as well. Young or old, we hope to see you at our next evening!

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 (http://twitter.com/dalondonypn) or join us on our Facebook group DAUK Young Professionals Network (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=1156704151154780)

7) Speakeasies

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.

Cambridge
Following a summer break, Cambridge speakeasies will resume in October.
Email:  camchair@democratsabroad.org.uk

London
When:               First Wednesday of the month
Time:                7:00 p.m.
Location (new venue in The City): The Harrow, 22 Whitefriars Street, London, EC4Y 8JJ
Nearest Tubes: Temple, Chancery Lane, St Paul's
Email:                vice-chair@democratsabroad.org.uk

Oxford
Following a summer break, Oxford speakeasies will resume in October.
Email: oxford@democratsabroad.org.uk

8) Save the Date: Meet DNC Secretary Alice Germond on Thursday, October 20th

We are delighted to announce that on October 20th, Alice Germond, the longstanding Secretary of the Democratic National Committee, will be joining us in London for two special events for our members.

Alice has been active in the Democratic Party for over 40 years. She has worked for leading Democrats from Geraldine Ferraro to Bill Clinton, served with progressive organizations from the SEIO to NARAL, and she has been present at every Democratic National Convention since 1974. DonÕt miss this chance to hear her first-hand account of life in the Party.

Further information will be announced shortly, but would like to get on the mailing list, please write to events@democratsabroad.org.uk, using the name Alice Germond in the subject line.

Please be aware that DNC rules require pre-vetting of event attendees, so we will be unable to accept late reservations or ticket purchases on the door for these events.

9) Save the Date: YPN Cocktail Party on Saturday, November 12th

The Young Professionals Network is hosting a cocktail party (evening attire) on Saturday, November 12th. This will be a fundraiser for the DPCA for the 2012 election. It will be a great opportunity for Democrats of all ages and walks of life to network and meet other like-minded Americans in an elegant atmosphere.

Come to the party and help take back the House, keep the Senate, and make Barack Obama a two-term president!