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DA Spain Women's Caucus says Hola!
Twenty people attended the preliminary organizational meeting of the Democrats Abroad Spain Women’s Caucus on March 18.
The meeting opened with participants’ introductions and a presentation by Ann Hesse, Chair of the DA Global Women’s Caucus (GWC). Ann provided a quick history of the GWC and laid out its three pillars: Education; Community Building; and Activism, particularly in the form of get-out-the-vote efforts. Approximately 10,000 women currently belong to the GWC. Over 300 of those members live in Spain.
Next up, moderator Andrea Host-Barth led the discussion, turning the focus to goals and organizational steps for a DA Spain Women’s Caucus. The Caucus intends to focus initially on providing education on environmental issues, and building community with small, local events. Members were encouraged to support the call-to-action initiatives already available on the GWC website.
The Caucus hopes to play two other roles as well. First, the Caucus can interact with the GWC, helping members in Spain and members of the worldwide group to share ideas and coordinate activities. Second, the DA Spain Women’s Caucus can serve as a template for creating Women’s Caucuses in other countries.
DA Spain’s Women’s Caucus is moving forward in its organizational process. The Caucus welcomes people of all genders as leaders, members, and volunteers.
Not already a caucus member? Simply join the GWC caucus and you automatically are a Spain member. To get involved, fill out the Volunteer Information Form.
Interested in starting your country women’s caucus? Send email to [email protected]
Upcoming Events
Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 11:00 AM Madrid Time · 7 rsvps
Barceloneta beach in Barcelona, SpainBeach cleanup and picnic + get to know the newly elected DAS chair
In observance of Earth Day, we will meet at the Barceloneta beach to pick up trash and leave our beautiful seaside city a bit spiffier. Be sure to wear your DA or VFA sportswear, if you have any. After a couple of hours of cleanup, we will gather at a safe distance to enjoy a picnic lunch. Our special guest will be Daniel James, newly elected Chair of DA Spain and eco-warrier.
Bring your own gloves and a picnic lunch - we will supply the trash bags. Gathering point is on the Barceloneta beach in front of the Opium restaurant, on the beach side.
Given that restrictions on gatherings are in flux, please keep an eye on this page, where we will post any updates to the plan.
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 06:00 PM Madrid Time · 24 rsvps
This is a virtual event; RSVP for the linkOur Forests and Our Climate: an Earth Week Guided Discussion
Wildfires in Australia. Wildfires in California. The Amazon burned to make way for cattle grazing. Pledges to plant a billion trees. Carbon offsetting by protecting forests. The planet’s forests have become ground zero for climate impacts and climate action.
In honor of Earth Week 2021, The Climate Action Team and Democrats Abroad Spain are hosting “Our Forests and Our Climate: an Earth Week Guided Discussion” with Daniel James, newly elected chair of DA Spain.
Daniel has decades of expertise in forest management and environmental policy, working on the Hill, for the US Forest service, and most recently, as Acting Deputy Under Secretary and senior advisor for Natural Resources and Environment at USDA.
Date: April 21, 2021
Time: 6:00 PM CET/12 PM EST
This is a virtual event; RSVP for the link
We hope you will attend to learn more about the connection between forests and climate change, and the importance of protecting and preserving forests to the planet. We want you to be inspired to take action!
Here are some suggested watchings/readings to introduce you to the subject and spark some questions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-nEYsyRlYo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q0xUXo2zEY&feature=youtu.be
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00122-z
https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/forests-and-climate-change
Submit your questions in advance to [email protected]! Please use the subject line “Climate and Forests”.
Daniel James was recently elected chair for DA Spain. He served 34 years in public service and retired from USDA in 2019. His last role was Acting Deputy Under Secretary and senior advisor for Natural Resources and Environment. In that role Daniel led the NRE Mission area which included the US Forest Service, and for a period Natural Resource Conservation Service and Gulf Coast Restoration work.
He was appointed Associate Chief of the Forest Service in July 2016. Prior to this appointment, Daniel, served in many leadership positions, including:
- Regional Forester of the Rocky Mountain Region;
- Deputy Regional Forester in the Pacific Southwest Region; Forest Supervisor of the Santa Fe National Forest;
- District Ranger on the Salt Lake Ranger District of the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest;
- District Ranger on the South Park Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forest, Comanche, and Cimarron National Grasslands;
- Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs of the Intermountain Region, National Press Officer in Washington, D.C.;
- and aide to the United States Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado when he was in the US House of Representatives.
He represented USDA on the National Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, National Wildland Fire Leadership Council and also served on the Board for the Sierra Conservancy and the National Leadership Council for the National Forest Foundation.
Daniel earned a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and a Master’s degree from Regis University of Denver. He and his partner Aaron live in Barcelona, Spain.
Don’t forget that The Climate Action Team has curated this list of virtual Earth Day events - there is something to fit every time zone and every age group.