We are thrilled to bring you the first Democrats Abroad Paris Newsletter from the 2021-2023 Paris Chapter Executive Committee members!  We are busy planning exciting events and discussions with all of you, and we can’t wait to get started! Please scroll down or click 'read more' to learn some fun facts about us, how to get involved, and how we will continue to win elections from abroad!

Democratically yours,

DA Paris GOTV Team

2021 Paris Chapter Election Candidates

The nominations period for the 2021 Paris Chapter Elections has now closed. Please find below statements for the candidates standing for election.

The Election and Annual General Meeting for the Paris Chapter of DA France will take place on March 13th at 1PM. Candidates will give speeches prior to the close of voting and tabulation, and results will be announced. RSVP here. Early voting via electronic ballot is available to all members of the Paris / Île de France Chapter region — members should look for an email containing a link to this ballot.

You must be a member of DAF Paris in order to vote. New members are welcome but must join by Friday March 12th. To join: www.democratsabroad.org/join. You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by Nov. 2, 2021. Questions? Email the Paris Election Board [email protected]

If you are a member of DAF-Paris and do not receive a link to the online election but would like one, please contact the DA France Paris Election Board [email protected] 

CHAPTER CHAIR

JUAN CERDA

Bonjour! Je me présente, je suis Juan Cerda, and I would be honored to receive your vote as Chair for the Paris Chapter.

 As a professional Gay Latino man and a life-long Democrat, I have always wanted to address the critical economic, social, and environmental challenges. I am running for Chair because I want to continue our work to build a stronger coalition and widen the Democrats Abroad (DA) party tent. I joined DA in 2016, in which I immediately began making phone calls, helping voters get registered, and co-hosted numerous fundraising events. In 2017, I founded a grassroots Chapter of Solidarity Sundays of Democrats Abroad Austria (DAA) with other grassroots activists. Today the group has expanded throughout our entire Europe, Middle East, & Africa (EMEA) region. I have had the honor to serve in key leadership roles, including as the Vice-Chair (DAA), an EMEA regional Biden Delegate, Global LGBTQ Coordinator, and within our Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

I humbly ask for your vote; I will bring my years of experience, unique skills, and passion for registering voters. 

N’hésitez pas à consulter le site www.juancerda.com pour plus de renseignements!

CHAPTER VICE CHAIR

KATE BARRETT
 
My name is Kate Barrett, and I would like to submit my candidacy for the position of Vice-Chair of the DAF Paris Chapter.
 
A Seattle transplant living in France for the past 10 years, I am the current Paris Secretary and acting Vice-Chair. As a project manager in the public transit sector, I am passionate about the importance of public services in providing equal opportunity and access to all members of society, regardless of means or background.
 
I ran for Secretary in 2019 to contribute directly to DA's efforts to fight the erosion of democratic norms in the US and to put an end to the incompetence and bigoted cruelty of the Trump administration. I’m proud of what we've accomplished, but there is still so much more to do.
 
As Vice-Chair, I will be committed to building on the work of the past two years to ensure we have a Chapter with the vision, structure, and efficiency needed to be an asset to DA France's core mission of serving the American community abroad through voter outreach, education and engagement. It would be an honor to continue to use my skills and experience to serve the Paris Chapter in this capacity.

CHAPTER SECRETARY

JOSEPH SMALLHOOVER

My activism with Democrats Abroad France started at the grassroots when I joined in the winter of 1985 after working for the Mondale Ferraro campaign in California the previous year. I’ve held many posts in Democrats Abroad, both in France and globally, and I have one-of-kind in-depth experience with the Party, wide acquaintance with our members and activists, and broad understanding of our policies and platform. In 1985 all of Democrats Abroad was barely larger than today’s membership in the Paris Chapter. That’s how far we’ve come.
 
My term as International Counsel ends in May; I think it is now time for me to return to the grassroots activism of an earlier time, to put those years of local and international experience to work making the Paris Chapter ever stronger. And working again at the grassroots will inform my continuing work as one of the eight representatives of Democrats Abroad on the Democratic National Committee. There are many challenges ahead, and we need to field the strongest team we can. I pledge to work for to elect Democrats across America, as I have in the past.
 
I hope that I can count on your vote for me for Paris Chapter Secretary and your support.

CHAPTER TREASURER

NATALIA NOLAN

I was incredibly inspired by the work of Democrats Abroad — and especially our Paris Chapter — during this recent election. As we saw when the votes were finally tallied, mobilizing every single vote was absolutely crucial in ultimately securing the Biden-Harris win. But the slim margin of victory was too close for comfort, and it motivated me to become more involved in our local Chapter. My name is Natalia Nolan and I’m running as Paris Chapter Treasurer to help ensure our Chapter has the resources in place to continue — and even boost — our efforts to mobilize Americans abroad to defend principles of democracy and good governance. My background is in international relations and political science, with experience in public financial management. I also have some knowledge of good practices in internal control and audit which I could bring to the role. I would appreciate your vote for this important position, which I will not take lightly, and work with you to support our strategies and activities here in Paris.

CHAPTER COMMUNICATIONS 

EMILIE ROSE AIDAN

I, Emilie-Rose Aidan, present myself as a candidate for the DAF, Paris Chapter, Communications Coordinator position. 
 
Born and raised in Paris to an American mother and French father, I attended a bilingual school, matriculated to UK/American universities, then pursued a marketing and communications career in NYC. After a decade, I returned to Paris in 2019; I am a publicist in a luxury PR agency. 
 
We Democrats witnessed the consequences of 2016’s communications/coordination failures: four years of democratic institutions being dismantled brick-by-brick. Albeit relieved, I fervently believe that the real work begins NOW. I would be honored to assist the Paris chapter to achieve stronger results through education, engagement, and community-building. 
 
My Democratic Party passion runs strong, undergirded by my mother’s tutelage and my French belief in égalité. While a NYC participant, I proudly witnessed my late mother’s Democratic Party work via DAF/Indivisible-France, including her coordinating the Paris Women’s Marches. I would be honored to continue her legacy by serving DAF. As a bilingual, multicultural communications professional who is skilled in brand strategy, digital content, public relations, and storytelling, I bring robust skills—further bolstered by my passion for democracy and social justice—to serve in this role. 
 
Merci à tous.

CHAPTER OUTREACH (GOTV/Database)

SIMONE SLIFMAN

I am pleased to submit my candidacy for Chapter Outreach Coordinator. Our founding board has set a high bar for success; I would be honored to continue and expand upon their work, ensuring every eligible American in our region knows their voting rights and can cast their vote from abroad. 

A DA France member since 2018, I volunteered hundreds of hours with the national and global GOTV teams during the 2020 election cycle, solving complex individual voter problems, supporting special projects, and serving as a resource to other GOTV volunteers when needed. My GOTV participation began in 1992, and my 20 years of management experience in local government agencies, combined with my high energy, positive and collaborative spirit, creativity, flexibility, and love of technology have readied me to succeed in serving our membership. 

While we bask in the afterglow of our momentous electoral victories - some clearly won with the help of overseas voters - remaining engaged in the GOTV effort is vital to success in upcoming special elections and the 2022 midterms, when complacency and other factors may reduce voter participation. I’m excited to help lead this effort. 

Thank you for your consideration.

CHAPTER EVENTS

DANETTE LANDRY

I have been an active member of DA France since 1999. From 2001-2005 I was Chair of Young Democrats Abroad, France, I served as DAF Vice-Chair 2003-2007, and as Co-Chair for the Women's Caucus from 2007-2009. I have been instrumental in organizing activities for sharing interests and rallying points for coalition building, as well as volunteering for voting registration, etc.. A lifelong Democrat and supporter of liberal social values, I have been an active proponent of social liberties for women and minorities around the world, including those in Europe, Africa and Asia. Raised in the Michigan, educated in Social Anthropology at UCLA and completed my graduate studies in France at La Sorbonne and L'Ecole des Hauts Etudes en Sciences Sociales.Today, I am an international artist, which requires me to be to be socially interactive not only in Paris, but also in Europe and the United States. My long association with DAF, and my experience living and working in diverse parts of the world, all complement and strengthen my interests in Democratic social values and will enable me to further contribute to the DAF as the Coordinator of Paris Events. Thank you for considering my candidacy.