Main points of discussion: Chapter Elections, DAJ updates, and what members want to do this year!

Join us at the Aldgate, Shibuya: http://www.the-aldgate.com/.

Bring friends - the more the merrier! 

Welcome the new communications chair to Tokyo!

Cross the Shibuya Scramble from Hachiko Square on the diagonal.  Walk up Center-Gai.   Its almost at the end of the 4th block on the right side, on the 3rd floor.  Look for the Union Jack. 

After the Annual General Meeting (AGM) join us from 5:30 at XIRINGUITO Escribà

• COST: Pay for their own drinks and food
• (Drinks are about 1000yen each. We will order some food from 6:30 pm.) 
• Location - less than 5 min from the AGM meeting venue
• 〒150-0052東京都渋谷区渋谷3-21-3 渋谷ストリーム3階
  Shibuya Stream 3F, 3-21-3, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

RSVP to get updates and to confirm your spot. We will be reserving a table for dinner and drinks

Calling All DPCA Officers... to Vote On 2024 Delegate Selection Plan

Connection details will be emailed to all Democrats Abroad member RSVP's closer to the meeting date.

❖

Every four years, the Democratic Party begins designing the Delegate Selection Rules and a resulting nominating process for the next presidential election.

While the Rules drafting process begins anew after each Presidential election, many norms and traditions carry over, including a rule that lets some states hold their nominating contest early, which in 2024 will be South Carolina, Nevada & New Hampshire, Michigan, and Georgia.

Democrats Abroad has worked hard at crafting our Delegate Selection Plan, which is the guiding document as we play our part in nominating our Party's 2024 nominees for President and Vice President of the United States.

You can review a copy of our draft 2024 Delegate Selction Plan which was posted for public comment on our website on March 6, 2023, and submit your by writing to [email protected] through April 5, 2023.

(Please include the page and line number your feedback refers to in your email. Thank you!)

❖

NOTICE: This meeting will be recorded, including audio, video, and any materials exchanged or viewed during the session.

It’s time for DAJ Kansai chapter bi-annual officer elections!

Announcement of 2023 Democrats Abroad Japan Kansai Election

The 2023 Nomination and Election Committee (NEC) of Democrats Abroad Japan (DAJ) Kansai Chapter is proud to call upon our membership to submit their nominations for the 2023 DAJ Kansai Chapter Election. The call for nominations is for the following positions:

• Kansai Chapter Officer positions
  • Chair (Volunteer Lead, Raises New Leaders)
  • Vice-Chair (Serves as Chair in their absence; Supports the Team)
  • Secretary (Manages/maintains membership database; Technical and Precise)
  • Treasurer (Manages the Kansai finances, maintains transparency and records)

If you are interested in holding an officer position, you must fulfill the following requirements in order to qualify:

• Be a member in good standing pursuant Article III of the By-Laws of Democrats Abroad Japan. You can confirm your membership by signing into DemocratsAbroad.org.
• Not be completing a 2nd consecutive term for the office in question, as per the term limits set out in our by-laws pursuant to Article X, Section 1: “No National, or Chapter Officer, nor any Members-at-Large can serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same position.”
• In the case of running for Chair or Vice Chair, pursuant to Article V, Section 1, “The Chair and Vice Chair shall not be of the same sex.”

Nomination Procedure

In order to join the election process, members may nominate themselves or another member by sending an e-mail to [email protected] no later than 11:59pm Japan time on Friday, March 31st, 2023.  All nomination emails should include the following:

1. Complete name of the person nominated.
2. Contact information including phone number and email address.
3. Name of the nominated position.

Timeline-

• Feb 15- March 31st- Nomination Period
• April 1- April 14th- Vetting Period
• April 15th Annual General Meeting, Meet the Candidates 
• April 15th-May 15th Voting Period

Anyone considering running for office is encouraged to join a Chat with the Chair (National Chair Sarajean Rossitto) on Monday 2/27 and/or Monday 3/27 from 8-9 PM.  The National Nominations and Elections Committee will also be holding a potential candidate Q&A session on March 11th at 10am, but potential candidates from all regions are welcome.  Please see the DAJ calendar for links: DAJ calendar 

Please direct all questions to the NEC by email: [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

Sincerely,

Kansai Chapter Nomination and Election Committee

Raymond Terhune

Eric Gondree

Regina Salathe

Gwen Catley

It’s time for DAJ Kanto chapter bi-annual officer elections!

Per our official announcement, the Democrats Abroad Japan Kanto Chapter Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) is calling for nominations of candidates for the following offices, which each carry a term two (2) years: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Key dates

• Wed, Feb 15 Nominations open!
• Mon, Feb 27 Chat with the Chair
• Sat, Mar 11 Q/A session
• Mon, Mar 27 Chat with the Chair
• Fri, Mar 31 Nominations close at 23:59 JST 
• Fri, Apr 7          Candidate statements (max 500 words), and optional video clip (30-60 seconds), must be received by 17:00 JST at [email protected]; if you can’t attend the “Meet the Candidates” event(s), it is particularly important to consider a video clip
• Sat, Apr 15 Meet your Kanto candidates at DAJ’s Annual General Meeting
• Sat, Apr 15      Voting opens!  
• Mon, May 15 Voting closes, 23:59 JST
• Tues, May 16 Kanto NEC counts ballots online
• Wed, May 17 Kanto NEC notifies membership of results

Nomination procedures

• You may nominate yourself or another DAJ member in good standing (see below)
• If you nominate yourself, your email to the Kanto NEC is considered your consent to run for office
• If you nominate someone else, you must inform the person you have nominated, and your nomination email must include the nominee’s contact information (mailing address, phone number, and email address)
• Email nominations no later than 23:59 JST to the Kanto NEC at: [email protected]
• Nominations must contain: 1) complete name, 2) phone number, 3) email address, and 4) affirmation the nominee is qualified to run for office (see below)
• Nominees nominated by another member will be contacted after nominations close to confirm the nomination

Office descriptions

• Chair – calls and presides over meetings of the officers, establishes agenda, and responsible for all chapter activities.
• Vice-Chair – serves as Chair in absence of Chair and as liaison to with DAJ national and other chapter officers.
• Secretary – takes and maintains notes of meetings, responsible for communication with chapter members.
• Treasurer – oversees finances of chapter events and activities.

Candidate qualifications

• Member in good standing—member of Democrats Abroad who is a resident of Japan in the Kanto area (Tokyo, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa prefectures).
• Term limits: no one who is completing a second consecutive term in the office in question is eligible to run for that office.
• Gender-diversity qualification—Chair and Vice-Chair must not be of the same sex.

Check the DAJ website for more information: https://www.democratsabroad.org/jp. Questions? Email [email protected]   

Links to all events can be found on the DAJ calendar

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

Best,

Your DAJ Kanto Chapter NEC:

John Helwig, Chair

Lexi Takamatsu, Social Media

Mike Fisher, Secretary

It is time again for the DAJ bi-annual officers elections! 

The 2023 Election Committee of Democrats Abroad Japan members are 

Dave Brauer, Matthew Axvig, Regina Salathe, Laurance Staples

We are pleased to be calling for nominations of candidates for the following positions:

National Officer positions: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer & National Counsel

Members-at-Large positions (one each from): Hokkaido, Eastern/Northern Honshu, Western/Southern Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu/Okinawa

One (1) DPCA Voting Representative

Two (2) DPCA Alternate Voting Representatives

Term: Two (2) years

Notes: no officer may serve for more than two consecutive terms in the same office. Pursuant to Article V, Section 1, “The Chair and Vice-Chair shall not be of the same sex”

The Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer are also DPCA Voting Representatives.

Key dates:

2/15 –3/31 Nominations period

• Potential candidates who want to learn more about the positions can drop in to the online Chat with the Chair sessions on Monday, February and March 27th 8~9pm
• The National NEC will hold an Potential Candidate Q&A session online at 10~11am on the 11th of March
• links can be found on the DAJ calendar HERE: 

4/1 -4/7 Candidate statements of 500 words due.

4/15–5/15 Voting period 

Ballots will be accepted until 23:50 Japan time on May 15th. 

5/17 Membership notified of election results.

Please submit nominations in writing no later than 23:50  Japan time on Friday 3/31 to the ElectionsCommittee to [email protected]

All nomination emails should include 

1) Complete name of person nominated 

2) Contact information including: phone, address and email; 

3) Confirmation of the position you would like to run for or are nominating another person to run for.

Please direct all questions to the Committee by email: [email protected]

The DAJ 2023 National Nominations and Elections Committee meetings will be open to observers.  Please find times and links on the DAJ Calendar HERE:

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

DAJ 2023 National Nominations and Elections Committee:

David Brauer,

Regina Salathe, 

Matthew Axvig,

Laurance Staples

While election season has been a hard fought effort, we can't forget those fighting for real tangible change everyday. When the Student Loan Debt relief application opened, it wasn't available to everyday overseas Americans. Democrats Abroad Japan leapt into action. Our members made certain that the form would be available to everyone overseas, despite them initially being blocked by an outdated security feature blocking overseas IP addresses. Through a successful security analysis accepted by the Department of Education's experts, our effort - entirely by Democrats Abroad - opened up the form to millions of citizens overseas, right in the midst of while elections were happening during a key time people needed help. Even with political interests on the line, the Democratic Party was working to make this happen.

While courts have temporarily blocked the application, we can be certain that it will be available to everyone following a successful ruling. This is why our executives and judicial appointments we will make following the successful re-capture of the Senate matters so much. If you want to keep tabs for when the form opens, check Top News from the Department and subscribe here: https://www.ed.gov/subscriptions

A one-time plan will make a huge difference in the lives and families for millions, but millions more will still be saddled with debt throughout the fallout to the economy following the Covid Pandemic. President Biden and Secretary Cardona have extended the pause on repayment, but we are about continued action. Let's continue to advocate for extended pause through cancellation so we can help as many people as we can, and make it clear to our legislators this will not end here and will continued to be addressed for the financial health of the next generation of Americans. https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-continues-fight-student-debt-relief-millions-borrowers-extends-student-loan-repayment-pause

This is another big win for Democrats Abroad, to have the executive branch adjust action on our direct advocacy to help normal everyday people to help those with student loan relief. This is what it means to keep democracy running well for everyone. More details are available here about the current plans: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/debt-relief-info

Copy of the letter Democrats Abroad sent to the Department of Education and Financial Student Aid about the Federal Student Loan Relief application form being inaccessible for Americans Abroad. https://www.democratsabroad.org/democrats_abroad_letter_to_dept_of_ed

Welcome to the Democrats Abroad 2022 Calling Campaign Landing Page

In the last 15 months Democrats have been successful in passing Covid Relief and the Infrastructure Bill. We need to elect Democrats at the federal and state levels to ensure that Republicans do not undo every step of progress made in the last 50 years. 

The GOP continues to infringe upon rights and roll back progress on the issues we Democrats care about most - voting, women’s rights, marriage equality, access to abortion, health care for all, quality education, gun violence, and the environment! You can help maintain control of the house and senate, and elect state officials who will guard the vote and the right to abortion.

1. Please go to www.votefromabroad.org if you have not already done so this year, and request your ballot for 2022.  Overseas voters get special protections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, but you have to request your ballot each year you vote.
2. If you are able to help with our important work this year, please take the volunteer survey HERE:
3. There is lots of material on our DAJ website
   1. Events HERE:
   2. News HERE:
   3. Calendar HERE:
      1. The link is on our main DAJ page, HERE:, just scroll down and click on the image of the calendar to find out the dates of our upcoming events. 

Happy to have you aboard.

contact [email protected] for more information. 

The 2022 DAJ Bylaws Committee reports the results of the Bylaws Amendments Election as follows:

--

2022 May 8 Newsletter contents:

1. Message from your national officers
2. Small action - DAJ Bylaws - May 10th Deadline
3. Leadership Position Openings
4. Upcoming DA Japan Events
5. DA regional and Global Meeting for May

🌟Message from your national officers

Getting back rested from the Golden Week holiday, we reach out to you, our members, with three key issues that require our action: the Supreme Court draft opinion on Roe, Get Out the Vote and the DAJapan Bylaws Ballot.

First, the FINAL call for Democrats Abroad Japan Bylaws Amendment Ballots! Ballots must be returned before midnight on May 10th. Please find your ballots HERE: at least 15 more ballots are needed to validate the election.

When being questioned under oath during the confirmation hearings, the three most recently appointed Supreme Court Justices agreed Roe was the law of the land. However, the recently leaked Supreme Court draft opinion with its sweeping rejection of Roe and privacy rights should not come as any surprise to DA Japan members, who have been watching the erosion of rights under conservative leadership in the US.

This must be a call to action NOW! Voting in the fall elections is not enough. We must raise our voices about the issues that matter to us throughout the year, at all levels of government. This draft opinion represents more than the right to women’s healthcare choices. It demonstrates the fragility of rights protections, and threat to privacy laws, which will impact your legal access to birth control, marriage equality rights, gender and sexual minorities rights, interracial marriage and more. This is not just about access to abortion. This must be our wake-up call. We welcome the new members who have signed up this past week. In response, your leadership is calling an action meeting online: Now what? Roe, privacy and the Midterms on May 10th 8~9:30pm RSVP HERE:

GOTV: calling DA members voting in key battleground states will continue until early July. DA Japan will have our own phone banking campaign later in the month and we need ALL our member engaged! The reason we exist is to affect policy and change election outcomes. You can volunteer from anywhere in Japan to help get out the vote. There are many ways to get involved - let us know what you can do HERE:

❤️ From your DA Japan Executive Committee

Sarajean (Chair), Matt (Vice Chair), Dave (Secretary), Regina (Treasurer)

DA Japan - representing American Voters in Japan.

Together, We Win!

Know Your Rights, Register & Vote! https://www.votefromabroad.org

Have you seen the NEW DA Japan DONATION PAGE?

Help us reach new and more voters by sharing this newsletter with all your American friends!

http://www.democratsabroad.org/jp_news

🌟 One Action you can take today - turn in your DAJ Bylaws Ballot

There are 3 amendments to the DAJ Charter on the ballot. Please help us decide how to manage the organization. Voting is open through May 10th. Please find your ballots HERE:

🌟DA Japan leadership openings - At large positions

We currently have at least two at-large positions open => representing Northeast Honshu and Hokkaido. The role of at-large members:

1. work on getting out the vote in their regions,
2. active involvement in monthly advisory board meetings - which includes the executive committee leadership and the leadership from the chapters as well as leadership from the main committees.
3. You must reside in the region you represent

The Chair is soliciting nominations for potential appointees through the end of May. If you’re interested or can introduce a member, please contact Sarajean ASAP.

🌟Upcoming DA Japan Events

1️⃣ SOS Meeting online: Now what? Roe, privacy and the midterms.

Tuesday, May 10th, 8:00-9:00pm meeting online: An open conversation for DAJ members. This event will consist of three key parts: 1) facilitated discussion, 2) sharing ideas from the global women’s caucus, 3) next steps and action items we will take.

RSVP HERE:

2️⃣ Online Speakeasy Thurs May 12, 7:30~10 pm JST

As always, bring your favorite beverage and hang out with friends old and new.

RSVP HERE:

3️⃣ DA Japan Advisory Board Meeting

Sun. May 15th, 10am to 12noon Japan time

See your leaders in action! Key discussion items 1) GOTV 2) calling campaign 3) chapters 4) new leaders 5) DAJ Day

RSVP HERE:

4️⃣ AP GOTV Phonebanking Action hour

Sun. May 15th, 12noon Japan time

Online phone banking party with people from throughout the Asia Pacific region. RSVP HERE:

5️⃣ DA Japan Global Resolutions Discussion #2

Tuesday, May 17th, 8pm

DA Japan review of bylaws and charter amendments in preparation for the global meeting

This is your chance to influence the DPCA and DNC stance on issues - feel free to join and share any issues that matter to you! RSVP HERE:

🌟 REGIONAL AND GLOBAL MEETINGS OPEN TO THE MEMBERSHIP

• Asia Pacific monthly regional meeting Sun. May 15th, 3pm
• Asia Pacific DNC elections Sat. May 22nd, 2pm
  • RSVP HERE:
• DA Global Meeting May 22-23 JST Open to all DA members. Online via WebEx.

DA Global Meeting Info HERE:

DID YOU KNOW:

For $5 a month - just 1 bowl of ramen - Can have a big impact for DA and DAJ!

• Calling all DAJ members 2X per year => $3000 / 30 people @ $100 per year or 60 people @ $5 per month
• THUS => If just 30 people gave $100 per year or if 60 people contributed $5 per month, we could call all our members 2X this year to get them to vote.

Even if you don't have the time to call, you can help us by making a contribution right on the DA Japan DONATION PAGE HERE. No more need to make bank transfers!

DA Japan - representing American Voters in Japan.

Together, We Win!

http://www.democratsabroad.org/

Subject: DAJ Bylaw Amendments Ballot

The 2022 Bylaws Committee was formed in response to recent vacancies in the National
Executive Committee, as the circumstances under which our National Secretary and National
Treasurer can be appointed are currently in conflict with the Global Democrats Abroad
Charter (the “state” party that represents us in the Democratic Party). The Bylaws
Committee has directly drafted and recommended specific proposals to remedy this and
other common organizational issues. After discussion with members who participated in the
AGM, we heard all concerns to make sure that we had consensus on the final language. The
results are the attached ballot, and we hope for a high turnout.
As a reminder, we must meet a quorum of votes in order to make even minor revisions to
our Bylaws, so please return your bylaws ballots so we can take care of these important
issues! What follows is a description of the proposed changes, our reasoning for each if
necessary, and some thoughts for future officers and volunteers.

Download your Ballot HERE:

Subject: 2022 DAJ Special Election Results

The 2022 Nominations and Election Committee (NEC) is pleased to announce the provisional results of the 2022 Special Election. Votes were counted on April 17th and recorded by the NEC as follows:

Total ballots cast: 22

Total legitimate ballots: 22 (Completed ballots and confirmed membership)

National Vice Chair

• Matthew Axvig – 22 votes; 100% total valid ballots (WINNER)

Member-at-Large for Hokkaido

• No votes – 100% total valid ballots (NO WINNER)

Alternate DPCA Voting Representative

• Kiyoko Ayukawa – 18 votes; 81.8% total valid ballots (WINNER)
• (write-in candidate) Elliott Davis – 2 votes; 9.1% total valid ballots
• (write-in candidate) Raymond Terhune – 1 vote; 4.5% total valid ballots
• No votes – 1; 4.5% total valid ballots

Thank you to everyone who ran as a candidate and who voted in this election!

Sincerely,
2022 Nominations and Election Committee
Anna Costello, Linda Gould, Martin Spang, Larry Staples

The Nomination and Election Committee (NEC) of Democrats Abroad Japan (DAJ) would like to open voting for the 2022 Special Election from now (March 29th) until April 16th at 11:59pm!

{

2022 March #2 Newsletter contents:

1. Message from your national officers
2. Upcoming DA Japan Events
   1. Learn to Phonebank, Sun March 20 5pm
   2. Kanto Hanami, Sun March 27th, 6pm
   3. PhoneBanking Practice, Sun March 27, 3pm​
   4. Gun Violence Prevention Event, Sat April 2nd, 11am
   5. Annual General Meeting and Meet the Candidates Event April 9th, 1:30pm
   6. Online Speakeasy Thurs April 14, 7:30 pm
3. DAJ Proposed Bylaws Amendments

Message from your national officers

The proposals and recommendations from the Bylaws Committee need to be published today, March 19th, to be ready for discussion at our Annual General Meeting on April 9th. To spare you from a flood of emails we will include an abbreviated newsletter of event announcements as a preface.

We hope to see you soon - or hear from you about the bylaws!

From your DA Japan Executive Committee

Sarajean (Chair), Dave (Secretary), Regina(Treasurer)

Have you reregistered to vote/requested a ballot yet this year? Just go to www.votefromabroad.org Help us reach new and more voters by sharing this newsletter with all your American friends!

🌟 Upcoming DA Japan Events

1️⃣ LEARN TO PHONEBANK, Sun, March 20, 5pm

Asia Pacific Phonebanking training and practice

March 2022 Trainer: Layne Mostyn, DA Australia

RSVP HERE:

2️⃣ Kanto Online Hanami Party, Sun, March 27, 6pm

Trivia games and other entertainment - come join the Kanto Team to celebrate the season.

RSVP HERE:

3️⃣ Phonebanking Practice session, Sun. March 27, 3pm

4️⃣ Gun Control event, Sat, April 2, 11am

Gun Violence Prevention: what you can do even from overseas

RSVP. HERE:

5️⃣ Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Meet the Candidates, Sat, April 9, 1pm, online 2022 AGM Sat April 9 1:30-5:00

• RSVP for the AGM HERE:
• The minutes from the 2021 AGM can be found HERE:

6️⃣ Online Speakeasy Thurs, April 14, 7:30pm~10pm JST

As always, bring your favorite beverage and hang out with friends old and new.

RSVP HERE:

DID YOU KNOW:

$5 a month - Just 1 bowl of ramen - Can have a big impact for DA and DAJ!

• Calling all DAJ members 2X per year => $2500 + overhead for the calling platform = $3000 / 30 people @ $100 per year or 50 people @ $5 per month
• THUS => If just 30 people gave $100 per year or if 50 people contributed $5 per month, we could call all our members 2X this year to get them to vote.

Even if you don't have the time to call, you can help us by making a contribution.

DONATE HERE:

DA Japan

http://www.democratsabroad.org/

🌟 DAJ Bylaws Proposals and Recommendations

The 2022 Bylaws Committee was formed in response to recent vacancies in the National Executive Committee, as the circumstances under which our National Secretary and National Treasurer can be appointed are currently in conflict with the Global Democrats Abroad Charter (the “state” party that represents us in the Democratic Party). The Bylaws Committee has directly drafted and recommended specific proposals to remedy this and other common organizational issues.

The Bylaws Committee felt a responsibility to directly address this issue and serve the membership by opening acceptance of any and all proposals on the Bylaws. We have three suggested amendments for discussion at the Annual General Meeting, and three recommendations to the organization regarding interpretation of the Bylaws and related issues.

We are circulating these for discussion amongst the membership and will make changes accordingly before we finalize them for voting at the Annual General Meeting on Saturday, April 9th, 2022.

The Bylaws Committee Members are:

Leslie Anne Rogers (Committee Chair)

Raymond Terhune (Committee Vice Chair)

Max Sternberg (National Counsel)
John Baumlin

Regina Salathe

Routine Revisions

Article IX Section 6

Before

They shall be subject to and operate solely in accordance with these Bylaws and Chapter Guidelines as well as the Bylaws of the Democrats Abroad and its Standing Resolutions.

After

They shall be subject to and operate solely in accordance with these Bylaws and Chapter Guidelines as well as the Bylaws of Democrats Abroad and its Standing Resolutions.

Article IX Section 5

Before

Each Chapter shall be headed by a Chapter Chair elected from amongst the membership of the Chapter at a meeting of the Chapter held in accordance with Chapter Guidelines in the first half of odd numbered years. The Chapter Chair may appoint a Vice-Chair, Chapter Secretary, and a Chapter Treasurer from the Chapter membership. Chapter Chairs and Vice-Chairs must not be of the same sex. Chapter Elections should be in line with the Nominations and Elections procedures as outlined in Article XI of these Bylaws.

After

Section 5: Each Chapter shall be headed by a Chapter Chair elected from amongst the membership of the Chapter at a meeting of the Chapter held in accordance with Chapter Guidelines in the first half of odd numbered years. The Chapter Chair shall use all reasonable efforts to appoint or form an election committee to fill the vacancy for Vice-Chair, Chapter Secretary and Chapter Treasurer from the Chapter membership. Chapter Chairs and Vice-Chairs must not be of the same sex. Chapter Elections should be in line with the Nominations and Elections procedures as outlined in Article XI of these Bylaws.

Suggested Amendment for Vacancy

DPCA Members/Vacancies

Article XII Section 2

Before
Any vacancy, except for the position of Chair as described above, shall be filled by appointment by the Chair with approval from the Executive Committee, no less than thirty (30) days and no more than sixty (60) days from the date of the vacancy. Until such vacancy is filled, the National Chair may appoint at the Chair’s discretion a member to fill the vacancy on a temporary basis. Any member appointed to replace a vacancy shall serve only until the next regularly scheduled election pursuant to Article XI. A person elected to serve out the balance of a term for a period of less than 365 days shall not be deemed to have served a full term.

After

The election to fill a vacancy for the National Vice Chair, National Secretary, or National Treasurer shall be no earlier than two months and no later than four months following the date that the vacancy first arises.

After a vacancy arises, the National Executive Committee may appoint a DPCA Representative on a purely interim basis until an election can be held as described above; provided, however, that the nominated individual so appointed must have previously been elected by the entire membership of Democrats Abroad Japan.

Reasoning

Currently, National Vice Chair, National Secretary, and National Treasurer can be appointed in the event of a vacancy under the DAJ Bylaws. Currently, these members also serve as DPCA voting representatives ex officio, which must be elected, where the conflict occurs. The DAJ bylaws state that DPCA reps in the event of a vacancy can be appointed, however the DA Charter states that they must be elected. We recommend that the following language be added to the bylaws to ensure that DPCA representatives are all directly elected by the membership.

Recommendations

Recommendation

Define designated geographic areas

Article V Section 3, b

Current areas are designated as Eastern/Northern Honshu, Western/Southern Honshu, Hokkaido, and Shikoku, and Kyushu/Okinawa and each are awarded a Member-at-Large, elected by those regions. The National Secretary has currently designated specific geographical locations. It is worth noting that the classification of these regions by each Nominations and Elections Committee ("NEC") has been a discussion topic in the meeting minutes of several previous NECs, so it was raised if we should clearly define borders for geographic regions. We determined that we should not pursue language on this because it can be determined by the NEC.

We recommend that the future NECs specifically add a prefecture section to each ballot and determine which regions are eligible for each position to make it easy for the National Secretary to identify in our database where each voter is voting from. Deciding on a prefectural basis is simple, referenceable, and responsible.

Recommendation

Ranked Choice Ballots for the Chair and Vice Chair

What happens if there is a close election? Does the chair take precedent? Should we go with Ranked Choice Voting?

Such questions have been asked in recent years by DAJ Members. Ranked Choice Ballot Initiatives have shown to increase the outcome of voter preference in a democracy - the voter is able to make more choices and “rank” their prospective candidates and thus, their platforms, which can alter the outcome to more closely align with a constituency.

However, the current level of participation in our elections is lower to the point where it is uncommon for more than two candidates to run for any given position. Currently, as an off-year committee, we have many special elections and vacancies open across the membership. While the bylaws committee generally supports Ranked Choice Voting as an ideal, as a purely logistical issue given the conditions of our elections at this time, we did not see it as an item to take up at this time and instead to be pursued in future bylaws committees. With more pressing urgent issues facing the committee given the reality of vacancies, we did not choose to make a specific recommendation now, but if this wants to be pursued, we recommend those who want to undertake this volunteer for future Nominations and Elections Committee and administer an election in this fashion, clearly record the results and challenges, and then bring it forward to the membership. This is an item for an NEC to experiment with, as we recognize they have the authority to undertake this and we should try it for one cycle to see the results before mandating the change in our bylaws.

Recommendation

In the difficulty of deciding the DPCA vote distribution to ExCom members, one idea raised within the Bylaws committee was the potential for moving Japan’s votes to a purely direct democracy setup for Japan’s DPCA votes. We would be the first country committee to do this and there is no precedent for it.

It was decided that this is not something that can be taken up at this time for mandate, but rather, requires direct testing. As such, for this upcoming DPCA Global meeting, as your DPCA representative from Japan, John has volunteered to put his DPCA vote up to public ballot for the entire membership in the upcoming meeting. He will send and circulate the Global Resolutions and Global Bylaws when he receives the first drafts for input, and he will publicize the votes, results, how he voted, and the challenges therein. It would be great if we could get a quorum of our membership (20 people, same as this meeting) to participate to validate the effort.

We ask everyone to make this a successful test and support the distribution of materials, that the next bylaws committee review his findings at the next AGM, time allowing.

Please send DA Japan National Bylaw Proposal Comments to this e-mail address:

HERE:

For reference, the current DA Japan National Bylaws can be found HERE:

Please keep in mind the following dates:

All submissions and proposals regarding the National Bylaws were accepted until:
Saturday, March 12th, 2022

Proposed bylaws amendment, drafts, and recommendations are being sent to members on:
Saturday, March 19th, 2022

Final discussion and amendments will take place at the next annual meeting of the general membership, which we currently anticipate will be held on:
Saturday, April 9th, 2022

Voting will then begin the following day and be open for approximately one month until:
Sunday, May 8th, 2022

We look forward to reading any and all membership feedback throughout this process.

Best Regards,
Bylaws Committee Members
Democrats Abroad Japan

--

2022 March #1 Newsletter contents:

1. Message from your national officers
2. Annual General Meeting and Meet the Candidates Event April 9th, 1:30pm
3. Upcoming DA Japan Events
   1. Online Speakeasy Thurs March 10, 7pm
   2. GoTV Training Sat March 12 11am
      
   3. AP GOTV Team Leaders Meeting, Sun March 13 5pm
   4. Webinar for US Overseas Taxpayers, Sat March 19 6pm
   5. Learn to Phonebank, Sun March 20 5pm
4. Gun Control event Sat April 2 - looking for PR volunteers
5. Make a video for the Global Women's Caucus Reproductive Justice Team project

🌟Message from your national officers

❤️ From your DA Japan Executive Committee

Sarajean (Chair), Dave (Secretary), Regina(Treasurer)

Have you reregistered to vote/requested a ballot yet this year? Just go to www.votefromabroad.org Help us reach new and more voters by sharing this newsletter with all your American friends!

🌟 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Meet the Candidates on Sat April 9, 1pm, online

2022 AGM Sat April 9 1:30-5:00pm

Democrats Abroad Japan will be hosting its Annual General Meeting on April 9, 2022.

Virtual doors open 1:10pm for mingling and socializing

What will happen

• The Executive Committee reports to the membership on progress and finances
• Get out the vote campaign: updates and training
• Find out how to volunteer
• Special elections: Meet the candidates
• Learn about the new logo, and communications & fundraising plans
• DAJ Bylaws review
• Time to mingle, make new friends and see familiar faces

Have an item you think should be on the agenda? Have a prize for our raffle? Please let us know by March 15. Contact [email protected]

Note: You must be a member of Democrats Abroad Japan to participate.

• Should pandemic conditions ease, we may follow the AGM with small local social events for continuing the discussion. if you can host 1 of these in your area - please contact [email protected]
• RSVP for the AGM HERE:
• The minutes from the 2021 AGM can be found HERE:
• A more detailed mailing and materials will be shared next week!

Nominations for Vice Chair (Liaison to chapters), Member-at-Large Hokkaido (Hokkaido member representative), and Alternate Democratic Party Committee Abroad Voting Representative close on March 14th - More Info HERE:

DA Japan Bylaws proposals accepted through March 12th. More Info HERE:

🌟Upcoming DA Japan Events

1️⃣ Online Speakeasy Thursday, March 10, 7pm~10pm JST

As always, bring your favorite beverage and hang out with friends old and new. RSVP HERE:

2️⃣ GoTV Training - Saturday, March 12 11am

Rebecca - DA Japan GOTV chair - will lead an interactive introductory workshop on how to help US voters get registered, vote, and make sure their ballots are counted. Learn, step-by-step, how to use VFA for voter education as well as registration. Find out how you can make a difference in the midterms. RSVP HERE:

3️⃣ AP GOTV Team Leaders Meeting, Sunday, March 13, 5pm

The monthly meeting of Asia Pacific GOTV point persons - find out more about plans to make a difference in the 2022 midterms.

RSVP HERE:

4️⃣ Webinar for US Overseas Taxpayers, Saturday, March 19 6pm

DA South Korea will be sponsoring a US Taxpayer Webinar with Nathalie Goldstein from myexpattaxes. Get answers to your Tax questions. RSVP HERE:

You might also be interested in this video: Why U.S. Taxes Aren't a Barrier to Voting in U.S. Elections A talk by Rebecca Lammers, DA Global Tax Task Force Chair, Democrats Abroad

5️⃣ LEARN TO PHONEBANK, Sunday, March 20, 5pm

Asia Pacific Phonebanking training and practice

March 2022 Trainer: Layne Mostyn, DA Australia

Phonebanking is one of the easiest and most effective ways for us to turn out the DA vote in Asia Pacific, and around the globe!

The first hour will be an introduction and the second hour we will practice calling, so you can build your confidence and jump right into phone banking!

RSVP HERE:

🌟Gun Control event, Saturday, April 2, 12 noon - looking for volunteers

We have some speakers lined up for a gun control event on Saturday, April 2, but need your help with PR and organizing the event. Contact [email protected] to find out more.

🌟Make a video for the Global Women's Caucus Reproductive Justice Team project.

Make a 1-minute video explaining why the right to abortion is absolutely necessary. Mention VotefromAbroad.org for overseas voter registration in the video. We hope to motivate people to vote once the videos go up on Youtube. Link with information about the project and how to participate: HERE:

DID YOU KNOW:

$5 a month - Just 1 bowl of ramen - Can have a big impact for DA and DAJ!

• Calling all DAJ members 2X per year => $2500 + overhead for the calling platform = $3000 / 30 people @ $100 per year or 60 people @ $5 per month
• THUS => If just 30 people gave $100 per year or if 60 people contributed $5 per month, we could call all our members 2X this year to get them to vote.

Even if you don't have the time to call, you can help us by making a contribution.

DONATE HERE:

Date: Saturday, March 5th, 2022.
Subject: Bylaws Committee Formation & Accepting Proposals

Dear Membership of Democrats Abroad Japan,

This letter is to notify you that as of February 1st, 2022, the Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad Japan has convened the Bylaws Committee to review the existing Bylaws of Democrats Abroad Japan.

The Bylaws Committee Members are:
Leslie Anne Rogers (Committee Chair)
Raymond Terhune (Committee Vice Chair)
John Baumlin
Regina Salathe
Max Sternberg

The committee was formed in response to recent vacancies in the National Executive Committee, as the circumstances under which our National Secretary and National Treasurer can be appointed are currently in conflict with the Global Democrats Abroad Charter (the “state” party that represents us in the Democratic Party). The Bylaws Committee intends to directly draft and recommend specific proposals to remedy the issue of vacancies throughout the organization, and other routine edits to the Bylaws.

Keeping the intended scope in mind, we would like to open and accept any and all proposals to the Bylaws for review from the membership, as we feel a responsibility to serve you during this time. The earlier these are submitted, the more the Bylaws committee may lend scholarly support to your amendment or proposal beforehand if desired.

Please send DA Japan National Bylaw Proposals to this e-mail address:

HERE:

For reference, the the DA Japan National Bylaws can be found HERE:


Please keep in mind the following dates:

All submissions and proposals regarding the National Bylaws will be accepted until:
Saturday, March 12th, 2022

Proposed bylaws amendment, drafts, and recommendations will be sent to members by:
Saturday, March 19th, 2022

Final discussion and amendments will take place at the next annual meeting of the general membership, which we currently anticipate will be held on:
Saturday, April 9th, 2022

Voting will then begin the following day and be open for approximately one month until:
Sunday, May 8th, 2022

We look forward to reading any and all membership feedback throughout this process.

Best Regards,
Bylaws Committee Members
Democrats Abroad Japan

--

Special Election!

2022 Democrats Abroad Japan (DAJ)

The Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) of Democrats Abroad Japan (DAJ) is calling for nominations of candidates for the following positions:

• National Vice-Chair
  • liaisons between Chapters and Officers to make sure all voices are heard
• Members-at-Large for Hokkaido
  • represents the membership to Hokkaido
• One (1) Alternate Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) Voting Representative
  • serves as an alternate to participate and vote in certain conventions and meetings

Term for all positions: Until June 2023

Why should you run for one of these offices?

This is your chance:

⭐️ to be part of Democratic leadership

⭐️ to have voting rights on the Democratic Party agenda (VP and DPCA Rep)

⭐️ to help Americans in your region and across Japan vote in this crucial mid-term election

⭐️ to fight for equality for every American

⭐️ help Democrats retain control of Congress in November.

The NEC would like to see many candidates run for all offices. We encourage all members to take a chance to step up and take an active part in US Elections by becoming an organization leader!

Timeline with Important dates:

The Nomination Process: Members may nominate themselves or others by e-mail.

• If you nominate yourself, your email to the Committee will be considered your consent to run for office.
• If you nominate someone else, you must inform the person you have nominated, and your nomination email to the Committee must contain the nominee’s contact information (address, if known, as well as working phone number(s) and working email address) so that the Committee may contact them in a timely manner to confirm their consent to serve.
• If nominated by another member, the nominee will be contacted after nominations close to confirm the nomination.

How to Nominate: Send an email to [email protected] by 11:59 pm JST on March 14th. All nomination e-mails are required to include the following information:

• Complete name
• Contact information including: phone, address and email
• Confirmation of the position you would like to run for or are nominating another person to run for.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Member in good standing (member of Democrats Abroad who is a resident of Japan and, for members-at-large, who is a resident of the area of Japan they would represent).
• Term limits: no one who is completing a second consecutive term in the office in question is eligible to run for that office.
• Gender-diversity qualification: Pursuant to Article V, Section 1, “The Chair and Vice-Chair shall not be of the same sex.”

For more information and updates:

• Visit the DAJ site https://www.democratsabroad.org/jp
• Visit the DAJ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadJapan/ for regular updates
• Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

Sincerely yours,

The DAJ 2022 Nominations and Election Committee

Anna Costello, Chair

Linda Gould

Larry Staples

Martin Spang