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See all posts2021 DACH Basel Elections: Here are our Nominees
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Announcement: Annual General Meeting and Election of Chapter Officers
The Basel Chapter of DA Switzerland (DACH) Officers and the 2021 Nominations and Elections Committee are pleased to inform you that our 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will occur on Sunday April 18, 2021 from 14:00 - 16:30. All members of the Basel Chapter of Democrats Abroad Switzerland are invited to attend the AGM. Due to COVID restrictions on public gatherings, we will meet online via Zoom. The primary purpose of the meeting is to elect our 2021-2023 Chapter Officers. We hope you will attend to hear our annual report, to show support for the nominees and, most importantly, to vote for the candidates.
The offices to be elected are:
- Chair
- Vice Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
We thank all those who came forward to present themselves as candidates. The candidates and their statements are presented below.
Proposed Agenda, subject to change:
- Welcome
- Roll call - online check-in
- Approval of minutes from 2020 AGM
- Year in Review report
- Short description of positions
- Thanks to outgoing officers
- Candidate statements
- Elections
- Welcome of new officers
- Announcements/Upcoming events
- Adjourn
All interested members are encouraged to attend. Pre-registration via our website is encouraged to help us simplify the elections process. You will receive the Zoom link upon registration.
Election Process
Meeting attendees who are members of the DACH Basel chapter as of Friday April 16th may vote. Online ballots will be made available to all eligible attendees.
At the meeting, the four offices will be elected one by one, in the order shown above. Since there is a candidate for each of the offices, per our bylaws nominations for office may not be made from the floor. Each candidate will be given two minutes to address the members.
If you cannot participate in person, it is possible to vote by proxy: Request a proxy form from [email protected], identify a member you know who will attend, send a copy of your completed and signed proxy form to us by April 16th, and give the form to the attending member before the AGM. Any voter at the meeting may hold at most two proxies.
Voting by advance ballot will not be available.
Candidates
Chair - Ben Stewart
My name is Ben Stewart and I am running for the position of Chair for Democrats Abroad-Basel. I am a native Hoosier and I vote in New York where I last lived before moving to the UK, Basel, Dubai, and now back to Basel. Based on my exposure to the DA-Basel community, I am absolutely convinced that we are well-positioned to continue delivering meaningful opportunities for active citizenship for our fellow Americans in the Basel region. More - add link
Vice Chair - Kristen Jafflin
It has been great working with the engaged, active team we have here in Basel over the last 4+ years that I've been active in the chapter. I am hoping to continue that work as Vice Chair for the 2021-2022 period. The last year has been challenging, as the global COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from engaging in many of the activities we hold dear. I'm sure many join me in looking forward to being able to start in-person activities again sometime soon. More - add link
Secretary - Vivian Beetle
Living abroad may create physical distance but it need not diminish our connection and involvement. This is what drives my commitment to Democrats Abroad. Working in concert with like-minded folks to address issues and determine leadership in the USA provides a concrete means to contribute from afar. More - add link
Treasurer - Jon Frost
I am running as Treasurer for Democrats Abroad Basel.
I am a Washington state voter, born and raised in the Seattle area. My wife Elisa, our two kids (9 and 6) and I have lived in Basel since 2017. Before that we lived in Amsterdam for 8 years, and were part of Democrats Abroad in The Netherlands. More - add link
Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Faithfully submitted,
The Basel Chapter Nominations and Elections Committee
Jamie Donahoe and Carolyn GroffBasel Chapter Call for Candidates 2021
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2021 Call for Nominations for Democrats Abroad-Basel Chapter Committee
Every two years, the Democrats Abroad Basel Chapter elects a new committee consisting of four positions: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Democrats Abroad is an organization which supports the Democratic Party agenda by registering U.S. citizens overseas to vote in elections, disseminating information about Democratic candidates and policies, and encourages political activism by assisting voters with their ballot submission, as well as involvement with political causes, such as those promoting social justice awareness, for example.
Nominations Timeline and Eligibility
All active members of the DA Basel Chapter are eligible and encouraged to run for a position. To submit your name for a position, please send an email to [email protected] by March 14th.
On March 24th, candidates’ statements, bios, and voting procedures will be distributed via email, along with the notice of the general meeting.
At the Annual General Meeting on April 18th, voting will take place electronically.
If you are unsure of your active status, please email [email protected].
Position Descriptions:
☆ Chair ☆
- Lead and mobilize members to join the Basel team and welcome new members
- Oversee and coordinate the business functions of the chapter and report to national and international as required
- Ensure that Secretary and Treasurer core work is being done and appoint other positions as necessary for effective functioning of the group
- Represent DACH Basel as a member of the DACH Executive Committee (ExCom) and report to the DACH ExCom on city chapter activities
- Work with the other city chapters, volunteers, and the DACH ExCom
- Hold regular meetings, direct the activities of DACH in this region of Switzerland, and keep members informed about activities and events
- Contribute to DACH fundraising and ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with FEC and campaign finance laws as established by the ExCom
- Coordinate and share responsibility with the DACH ExCom and Zurich Chapter for voter and member outreach in the Swiss German region where no chapters are yet established
☆ Vice Chair ☆
- Assist the Chair in all Basel Chapter activities
- Partner with the Chair to take on some of their responsibilities
- Participate in key discussions and decisions as part of the Leadership Team and with the volunteer corps
- Substitute for the Chair when needed
- Organize and conduct the regularly scheduled Chapter meetings in the absence of the Chair
- Attend DACH ExCom meetings in the absence of the Chair
- Represent DACH Basel together with other Chapter members in media relations activities
☆ Secretary ☆
- Distribute meeting agendas to the Chapter Committee
- Take and distribute minutes of all meetings and distribute to the Chapter Committee and DACH ExCom
- Participate in key discussions and decisions as part of the Leadership Team and with the volunteer corps
- Maintain files and administrative records of the Chapter (Google Drive)
- Manage and maintain the Basel Chapter membership and volunteer lists in coordination with the DACH Secretary. This may require training on the DA database
- Ensure event advertising, internet, and social media presence in collaboration with event organizers and committee members
☆ Treasurer ☆
- Manage the finances of DACH Basel in agreement with the Basel Chair and the DACH ExCom Treasurer
- Participate in key discussions and decisions as part of the Leadership Team and with the volunteer corps
- Maintain clear and accurate financial records and make financial reports as required
- Ensure all financial matters conform to local rules and regulations as well as to those of the Federal Election Commission and campaign finance laws of the United States
- Educate the Basel Chapter members on latest updates on financial compliance guidance for Democrats Abroad
Nominating Committee:
Jamie Donahoe: [email protected]
Carolyn Groff: [email protected]
Upcoming Events
Thursday, April 01, 2021 at 12:00 AM Bern Time
Zoom Meeting in Bern, SwitzerlandClimate Change and Sustainability
In honor of Earth Day, join us to hear about experiences from the front lines of the local Climate Movement in Basel and learn about ways to get engaged and counteract climate change.
Date and time TBD. RSVP now to preregister and receive updates on this event.
Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 02:00 PM Bern Time · 14 rsvps
Zoom Meeting in Basel, SwitzerlandDACH Basel Chapter Annual General Meeting 2021
Save the date for our chapter AGM!
We will celebrate the past two years, hear from our leaders and members, and vote in the new leadership team.
RSVP to receive the Zoom information.
PROPOSED AGENDA, SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
- Welcome
- Roll call - online check-in
- Approval of minutes from 2020 AGM
- Year in Review report
- Short description of positions
- Thanks to outgoing officers
- Candidate statements
- Elections
- Welcome of new officers
- Announcements/Upcoming events
- Adjourn
All interested members are encouraged to attend. Pre-registration via our website is encouraged to help us simplify the elections process.