Welcome to Democrats Abroad United Kingdom (DAUK)!

DAUK members receive a monthly e-newsletter on the first Tuesday of each month (in most cases…) 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

• Senator Kennedy
• President Obama & Democrats Abroad  Anniversary Celebrations
• Join the Autumn Events Host Committee

2)  Speakeasy Gatherings in:

•  Cambridge (Sept 2)
•  London (Sept 2)
•  Manchester (Sept 1)
•  Oxford (Sept 2)

3)Autumn Events Calendar:

• Conversations with Leading British Politicians
• President Obama & Democrats Abroad Anniversary Celebrations

4) Help Get out the Vote for 2010

• Voter Registration Training Sessions
• Corporate Recruitment

5) Policy Action Network – Alert!
6) Volunteer with Democrats Abroad
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

1) From the Chair

Senator Edward M. Kennedy:

“The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy's shoulders because of who he was, but he surpassed them all because of who he became.”  From President Obama’s eulogy.

He was the last of the brothers—and the only one to see a full life-span.  Early on, he was thought to be the least consequential.  But his career as the primary figure in every major piece of social legislation to pass the U.S. Senate over the past four and a half decades proved those early expectations wrong.

Now he enters the pantheon of Senate greats, the outstanding legislator of his time.

He will be missed.  His voice, his moral authority on the issue of health care—and his consummate ability to draw together those at opposite ends of the political spectrum—have already been missed in the current debate.

For many of us of a certain age, he was the last mystic chord reminding us of that time when, in our youth, we were ineluctably drawn to politics by the pragmatic idealism that was so much of the Kennedy appeal.

Senator, the dream does endure.  And the work goes on.

Where were you on November 4, 2008?  And where will you be on November 4, 2009?

Join us for a celebration of the first anniversary of President Obama’s election and of the 45th anniversary of Democrats Abroad.

Mark your calendar now:  November 4, 2009.

This celebration is part of a month-long series of events around the globe to mark the 45th anniversary of the founding of Democrats Abroad, the first year of President Obama’s presidency—and (dare we hope), the passage of land mark legislation this autumn.

Further details will be sent later in the month.

Join the host committee for the November 4 event!

Members of the host committee will not only receive tickets to the November 4 event but will also serve as honorary hosts at the receptions for Nick Clegg (September 16) and for Alistair Campbell (October 15) to be held in private homes following their respective presentations.

Members of the host committee will have the pleasure of knowing that all funds raised from the November 4 event will be used to promote a Democratic turnout of voters from abroad in the 2010 election.  To maintain and increase the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate is our aim.

For a contribution of £100 (£150 for a couple), you too can join fellow Democrats as members of the host committee.  For further information, please email: events@democratsabroad.org.uk

In our last email, we encouraged you to check out the postings of our Policy Action Network on health care.  Inadvertently, one link was omitted—and it was to the page perhaps most useful and informative, with a wide-ranging sample of articles about, and analyses of, the current health care debate.  Do check it out:  http://daukpan.org.uk/node/193    Other pages can be reached at the same site, replacing the node number with  44, 194, or 195.

2) Speakeasy Gatherings across the UK

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! (We recommend you confirm using the email links below, as some re-scheduling may occur due to holidays or special events.)

• Cambridge (September 2):  from 6:30pm, Castle Inn Pub, 38 Castle Street
• London (September 2):  from 7:00pm, Duke of York Pub (upstairs), 35 New Cavendish Street
• Manchester (September 1):  from 7:30pm, Ducie Arms, 52 Devas Street
• Oxford (September 2):  from 7:30pm, Kings Arms, 40 Holywell Street

For more information: http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/3643

3) Autumn Events Calendar:

As we come to the end of the summer vacation, DAUK is gearing up for another autumn of special events.

Leaders and Influencers:

A Speaker Series with Prominent Figures from British Politics

• September 16: A Conversation with Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats   

o RSVP to: events@democratsabroad.org.uk

• October 15: A Conversation with Alistair Campbell, a major figure in  the Labour Party over the past decade and more

o Save the Date

President Obama & Democrats Abroad Anniversary Celebrations

• November 4: Celebrations for the 45th Anniversary of Democrats Abroad and the One-Year Anniversary of President Obama’s Election!

o Save the Date

Leaders and Influencers:

A Speaker Series with Prominent Figures from British Politics

As Democrats Abroad, we are always happy to welcome leading figures from our own party when they travel overseas. But in light of the special relationship between Britain and America, we also feel it is important to hear the voices that shape politics here in the UK.

Join us for a unique series of events, an opportunity to hear one on one from the people who shape the political climate in America’s most valued ally.

September 16, Nick Clegg – Liberal Democrat Party Leader

Nick Clegg has agreed to join us for a discussion and Q&A. This wide ranging event will include a structured interview ranging across Nick’s life and career. We will learn about the challenges and opportunities of leading a third party, Nick’s vision of the US/UK relationship under a prospective Liberal Democratic Government, the inside story of his place at the heart of recent news stories such as the successful effort to secure the “right to remain” for Gurkha veterans, his views on the need for reform in the British electoral system and whatever else you may care to ask.

Marking the first time that a UK party leader has participated in an event of this kind, this is a rare and exciting opportunity to hear from a voice at the heart of one of the U.K.’s major parties.

About Nick:

Nick Clegg is the leader of the Liberal Democrats. A former EU trade negotiator and MEP, he was elected as MP for Sheffield Hallam in 2005 and leader of the party in 2007. He is married with two young children.

Join us from 6:30PM at the Main Hall of:

The Abbey Centre
34 Great Smith Street
Westminster
London
SW1P 3BU

The Abbey Centre is conveniently located near Westminster and St. James Park tube stations.

Admission: £7 per person (£5 concessions) Space is limited. Please RSVP promptly to: events@democratsabroad.org.uk

Make sure to mention “Nick Clegg” in the subject heading.

The second event in this series—an evening with Alistair Campbell, a major figure in the Labour Party over the past decade and more—is scheduled for October 15.  Mark your calendar now.  Further details forthcoming shortly.

President Obama & Democrats Abroad Anniversary Celebrations

And November 4, DAUK will join country committees around the globe in celebrating the founding of Democrats Abroad in London and Paris in 1964—yes, DAUK has been working for you for 45 years—and the first anniversary of President Obama’s election.  Again, mark your calendar now!

4) Help get Out the Vote for 2010

Learn how to register US voters living overseas. DAUK is offering two sessions in September to give you the tools you need to assist other Americans in registering to vote from abroad. You can then be part of DA Voter Registration Team that attends American community functions like Little League Baseball or alumni association events, canvases in expat areas or registers voters at Democrats Abroad events. You can volunteer as little or as much as you like but first you need to learn the ropes.

Please join us:

• September 7 - 6:30 at the Temperance Pub at 74-76 York Street, W1H 1QN. This meeting will be followed by a DAUK voter registration strategy meeting.
• September 22 - 5:30 prior to the DAUK Council meeting. Venue to be confirmed.

Please RSVP to DAUKVote@DemocratsAbroad.org.uk

We also need your help in making contacts at UK-based companies with employees who are US voters.  Here’s how you can help:

If you work at, or have contacts (friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, fellow commuters, etc.) working at companies that are likely to have US voters based here in the UK, please let us know:  company, your contact’s name and position, any guess you have of # of US voters.

We would like to get in touch with your contact – or assist you in doing this - to

-identify who in the company would take an interest in voter registration (this could be someone in HR, CSR, or wearing any other “hat”)

-plan how we approach that person to introduce ourselves and discuss options for working with us to reach out to their US voters

We have a number of ways that we can do this reach out, ranging from: supplying materials to the company to distribute on site, providingVoteFromAbroad.org updates via an e-newsletter, to holding on-site voter registration sessions.  In print or in person, we can present voter registration in a non-partisan manner which allows all Americans at a company to register to vote.

We are interested in all sectors.  We first need a “way in”, and that’s where we’d need your help

Please reply to DAUKVote@democratsabroad.org.uk  if you have a company contact that Democrats Abroad can approach to explore possibilities of offering voter registration assistance to UK based American voters.  Many thanks for your help.

5) Policy Action Network – Alert!

Democrats Abroad UK’s Policy Action Network (PAN)  is ready to engage you online and in person. The Policy Action Network is a space where we can meet, exchange and remain well informed. Whether you're a full-on "wonk" or simply a concerned citizen, your involvement and input are welcomed and encouraged.

The Environment and Energy Security Policy Action Network is planning a Roundtable on carbon trading and the economics, policy and environmental implications of current events such as the UN Copenhagen Conference and the Wax-Markey Clean Air and Security Act. Watch this space!  Other small group discussions are also in the pipeline. Contact them at: eesteam@daukpan.org.uk

Economic Policy: Online resources

Building on the success of the discussion at the screening of Inside the Meltdown, the Economics Policy Action Network has compiled compelling and essential online resources for understanding the financial crisis, as well as proposals for activities, including informal meetings, book discussions, and a panel -led discussion. Contact them at economicspan@daukpan.org.uk.

Health Care Reform: Online resources

A group has begun organizing around health care issues and will hold a meeting in early September. Watch the PAN website for details. On the Policy Action network's website, you will already find useful links to information and suggestions for action you can take to support health care reform in the US. Join us to help shape the direction of future activities. Contact pancoordinator@daukpan.org.uk.

Anything else on your mind?

There is growing interest in developing groups in additional policy areas, but we have yet to achieve a critical mass of volunteers. Find out more, share your interests and join our mailing list by contacting DAUK PAN Coordinator Elaine Capizzi.

6) Volunteer with Democrats Abroad

Are you interested in helping with the 2010 elections, supporting DAUK and meeting new people?

We need assistance with organising and running events, stuffing envelopes, making phone calls, finding interested Americans in the UK to join us, etc….the usual stuff!

Join the list of DAUK volunteers for future needs:

volunteers@democratsabroad.org.uk

In your email reply, please let us know what you would like to do and any particular skills and/or contacts you have in the UK or the US.  

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

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