DAG annual general meeting
a critical mass for victory in 2008!
With all the excitement about our Democrats Abroad Global Primary, I am writing to you again to tell you about the upcoming annual general meeting of Democrats Abroad Germany that will take place February 23rd in Göttingen starting at 2:30 p.m.
Every year, in accordance with our bylaws, all of the members of DAG are invited to meet together, conduct any needed business and have a chance to discuss and act on the current political situation. This year we shall elect a new vice chair (must be female due to gender balance rules of the Democratic party), hear reports from the officers and chapter chairs, plan our Get Out the Vote for 2008, and vote on any resolutions (see below my signature for the rules on these) that come before the organization.
Since this is an election year, we will also report the results of the DAG Global Primary vote, the impact of the vote on Germany’s participation in the regional caucus in Brussels in mid March and most importantly, work on platform issues (see below my signature on how these are handled) that will become a part of the Democrats Abroad input to the national party platform to be voted on in Denver. Much to do, but a lot of fun. Why not join us?
As we have done for many years, Saturday night we will have a dinner with a quality speaker, some fun activities (trivia quiz for prizes, humorous political videos and music). Sunday morning we will have a brunch at a local American-style restaurant followed by a tour of Göttingen for those who haven’t seen this lovely historical city before. All in all, a great weekend of politics, good humor and a chance to meet fellow Democrats from all over Germany.
So here are the details on the hotel and meeting/dinner location, times, prices for coffee and meal on Saturday and how to register and pay. PLEASE NOTE AND FOLLOW THE DEADLINES.
HOTEL and MEETING/DINNER LOCATION:
Eden Hotel
Rheinhäuser Landstrasse 22a
37083 Göttingen
Tel: 0551 50 72 00
Fax: 0551 50 72 111
Web: www.eden-hotel.de
Email: info@eden-hotel.de
The rates for the hotel are €73 for a single and €93 for a double. When making a reservation, please use the code word “Democrats” so that the hotel will know that the reservation is part of the DAG room block.
The hotel Eden is approximately fifteen minutes by foot from the main train station; taxis are available for those who choose not to walk.
Hotel reservations are the responsibility of the individual attendee and reservations must be made directly with the hotel. Democrats Abroad Germany has a room block for 20 double rooms and 25 single rooms until 31 January 2008; after that date, the rooms will be made available to the general public, so booking by 31 January will assure you a space. If there are individuals who cannot afford this or any other hotel, please contact Göttingen chapter chair Ben Sandidge at tel. 0551-375715 or via email at bsandid@yahoo.com.
EVENT TIMES;
1. AGM. The annual general meeting will take place from 2:30 to approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, 23 February. Participants are asked to come a bit earlier than 2:30 to register for the meeting. The meeting is not open to the general public; family members of DAG members may attend, but this is not encouraged, especially for children. The coffee service (including meeting room rental) will be €14.
2. DINNER. The dinner will begin with cocktails at 7 p.m.; dinner at 7:30. Our guest speaker will be Professor Dr. Andreas Falke, Chair of International Studies, School of Business and Social Studies, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg at Nürnberg. Professor Falke is an expert in tr ans-Atlantic relations and will discuss how Europeans will react to the 2008 election in the US. A question and answer session will follow his remarks.
The cost of the dinner will be €29; individual beverages not included. The dinner is a buffet to include a vegetarian main dish.
3. SUNDAY BRUNCH. The Sunday Brunch will take place at Mr. Jones Restaurant at 10:30 a.m. payment will be the responsibility of each participant.
4. SUNDAY TOUR OF GÖTTINGEN. The Sunday tour will begin about 1 p.m. and will be at no cost.
PRICES AND HOW TO PAY. All prices are per person, regardless of age:
Meeting only: €14*
Dinner only: €29
Meeting and Dinner: €43
*Under the rules of the Democratic Party and Democrats Abroad, a fee for attending the meeting is not allowed. The €14 covers the coffee/soft drinks at the meeting and the rent of both the meeting room and the dining room. All participants are asked and urged to pay the above mentioned price to save funds within DAG, but DAG cannot require it as a condition of attending the meeting.
To assure that we have as accurate a count as possible in time to coordinate with the hotel on the proper size room for both the meeting and the dinner; please email Ben Sandidge at bsandid@yahoo.com no later than 10 February 2008. In the text of the message, please provide your name, DAG chapter (if known) and phone number where you can be reached.
PAYMENT MAY NOT BE MADE IN CASH AND ONLY US CITIZENS MAY MAKE PAYMENT. (It’s the law.)
When paying for the coffee or dinner, please bank transfer the Euros to ARRIVE in the DAG account no later than 15 February 2008 to:
KSK Kaiserslautern
Account Name: Democrats Abroad Germany
Konto Nr. 140270299
BLZ 540 502 20
Please put the name of the person(s) ordering coffee or dinner in the remarks section of the form.
Remember the prices above are per person, so if more than one is coming to either the meeting or the dinner or both, multiply accordingly.
The officers and members of the Executive Committee are looking forward to seeing you in Göttingen!!
Yours Democratically,
Mitch Wolfson,
Chair, Democrats Abroad Germany
Resolutions may be on any topic for which Democrats Abroad and Democrats Abroad Germany would have a normal interest (i..e. political issues) and a draft must be submitted to me or Acting Vice Chair Shari Temple no later than 9 February 2008. The proponent of the resolution is responsible for providing sufficient copies of the resolution for discussion 40-60 is recommended). Successful resolutions are usually no more than one typed page in length. Discussion of resolutions will be held strictly under the provisions of Roberts Rules of Order.
Platform planks are much shorter than resolutions, consisting of a single clearly written paragraph of 25-50 words concerning an issues followed by ONE of the following sentences:
DAG applauds.... (for an action done by X in the past.)
DAG abhors.....(for an action done by X in the past.)
DAG favors....(for an action to be done by X in the future.)
DAG opposes.... (for an action to be done by X in the future.)
In the past, DAG platform planks have dealt with issues in the following areas: Issues affecting Americans living abroad; economic issues; domestic US issues; foreign and military policy of the US, environmental and energy issues; issues affecting minorities and women. DAG Planks that have had the greatest chance of being adopted by the regional and global caucus of Dems Abroad have been in the first-named area.
Platform Planks will be discussed and voted upon under a revised set of procedural rules designed to reduce the amount of time per plank and limit wording or repeated arguments.