Strasbourg

photo by Robert Glod

WELCOME TO DEMOCRATS ABROAD STRASBOURG!

Democrats Abroad Strasbourg is the third oldest chapter of DA France, the official country committee for US Democrats living in France.  At the heart of Europe, and home to several European institutions, including the European Parliament and Court of Human Rights, Strasbourg is an ideal setting for international political observers and activists. This helps inspire our chapter to organize a variety of activities ranging from lectures, film screenings and guest speakers, to participation in political rallies and marches on topics of concern to Americans abroad. 

Recent events include our locally-organized March For Our Lives, Science March, events marking Earth Day, Gay Pride, Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech and a Families Belong Together rally. Members have also participated in annual World War military commemorations as well as Women’s Marches organized by the DA chapters in Paris and - thanks to Strasbourg’s unique geographical position on the German border - nearby Heidelberg, Germany.

Our regular monthly meetings, in a variety of social settings, provide an opportunity for members to come together, meet fellow Dems, talk about the current political scene, as well as propose and discuss future projects. Much of our activity is focused on supporting and promoting voter registration for Americans in the East of France, including students participating in the city's numerous Study Abroad programs.  

The Strasbourg chapter encourages current efforts to develop a sub-chapter ("precinct") in the neighboring Haut-Rhin region of Eastern France, for those members who reside closer to the Swiss border.

All our events are posted on the Democrats Abroad France website and on our Facebook page.

With events planned throughout the year, we encourage anyone interested in participating to get in touch.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Barbara Wells, Chapter Chair 

Democrats Abroad - Strasbourg

[email protected]

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DA Strasbourg Leadership:

Steve Meszaros
| DAF-Strasbourg Chair; Secretary
Vivianne Beller
| DAF-Strasbourg Interim Co-Vice Chair
Barbara Wells
| DAF-Strasbourg Interim Co-Vice Chair
Kevin Morgan-Rothschild
| FR-Strasbourg Communications Officer
See all Leaders


  • News

    Strasbourg Chapter Elections

    The nomination period for the Strasbourg Chapter elections is now closed.

    Members of the Strasbourg Chapter will receive a ballot by email, and electronic voting will end on March 13th at 6pm CET.

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    The Election Board is pleased to announce the candidates!

    Candidate for Chapter Chair: Steve Meszaros

    I have been involved in DA since 2003, with a long break from 2009 to 2016 (when everything was ok! :-) ). I became Chapter Chair a little over a year ago when the previous Chair stepped down due to work commitments. I would like to continue to lead the Strasbourg chapter through successful elections in the coming 2 years.

    Candidate for Vice Chair: Barbara Wells 

    I have had the honor to serve in DA Strasbourg, both as Vice Chair and Chair. I am running now for the position of Vice Chair as part of our DA Strasbourg team, dedicated to help keep our local chapter active and engaged during these challenging times. 

    Candidate for Secretary: Vivianne Beller

    I am running for the position of secretary of Democrats Abroad Strasbourg. I have served in several positions in the past. I was chair for eight years and vice chair for six and I hope to remain active in our chapter and keep our presence here thriving. 

    Candidate for Treasurer: John Czechanski 

    John is a long standing member of DA Strasbourg and has agreed to continue on as Treasurer, a position he has already held for several terms.

    Candidate for Comms / Social Media Coordinator: Johanna Meszaros

    Johanna is an International Relations student and is active in DA as Co-Chair Communications for the Global Women's Caucus as well as aiding DA France in communications / social media issues with her design skills. She has agreed to help DA Strasbourg make a greater splash in the coming years.

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    All members of the Strasbourg Chapter may vote in the leadership elections. The elections will be decided by a plurality of votes (the candidate who gets the most votes in the election wins). DAF does not accept proxy votes. The ballot includes a space for write-in candidates for all positions.  

    New members are welcome to join and vote. To join: www.democratsabroad.org/join.

    You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by Nov. 7, 2023. New members may join until the day before the election.

    Questions? Please contact the DA France Strasbourg Chapter Election Board at:

    [email protected]

    Thank you for voting!

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    2021 Strasbourg Chapter Leadership Candidates

    The nominations period for the 2021 Strasbourg Chapter Elections has now closed. Please find below statements for some of the candidates standing for the Leadership Board, including some for specified offices.

    The Annual General Meeting for the Strasbourg Chapter of DA France will take place on March 7th at 6PM — RSVP here. Elections are underway via electronic ballot available to all members of the Strasbourg Chapter from February 27 to noon, March 7. Please join us on March 7 to hear the election results and meet the new leadership team.

    New members are welcome to join and vote prior to the close of voting. To join: www.democratsabroad.org/join. You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by November 2, 2021. 

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


    CANDIDATE STATEMENT FOR CHAPTER CHAIR 

    PATRICK GANNE

    Bonjour, my name is Patrick GANNE. I am declaring my candidacy to serve on the Democrats Abroad Strasbourg Board and to run for Chapter Chair.

    I have been a member of the Strasbourg Chapter of Democrats Abroad France for longer than I can remember. I have served on the Democrats Abroad Strasbourg Board for the past four years. I wish to continue my service to our community, our nation and my fellow Democrats. 

    I have assisted in the planning and execution of numerous events in pre-Corona 19 times and it is my intent to continue doing so once we are free to publicly and safely meet in person.

    As a Candidate for Chair of Democrats Abroad Strasbourg I will bring whatever meager talents and experience I possess to the position and dedicate myself to making the Strasbourg Chapter of Democrats Abroad France the absolute best that it can be.


    CANDIDATE STATEMENT FOR CHAPTER SECRETARY

    STEVE MESZAROS

    I’m originally from Maryland, have lived in the Alsace for 20 years and joined DA in 2004. I consider it vital to get as many Americans as possible out to vote and donate in the coming election cycles – even more so than in the past due to the fractured state of our nation and the unending saga of Trumpism. 

    To this effect there are several things I consider important for the Strasbourg chapter in the coming months:

    • Increasing activities again as soon as the pandemic allows. This includes both social events and events providing political information, lectures, and discourse.
    • Increasing contact with local media to make Americans in the area aware of the Strasbourg DA chapter and attracting new members.
    • Cooperating with DA Switzerland and DA Germany to build a critical mass for larger, more attractive events.

    CANDIDATES FOR CHAPTER COMMS OFFICER 

    KEVIN MORGAN-ROTHSCHILD

    I write to you today for your consideration as Communications and Social Media Officer of the Democrats Abroad Strasbourg Chapter. 

    In 2019, I started to feel more and more disturbed by the situation in our home country. Briefly, I considered moving back to get involved in the upcoming election, ultimately, I decided to stay in Strasbourg and continue my life here. During the summer of 2020, I discovered this chapter via Facebook. Becoming a part of the movement to elect a Democratic candidate for president of the United States fulfilled my untapped desire from years prior.

    Throughout the months of August to October I worked to encourage followers of our page to vote in the November election. Additionally, I co-organized two debate bingo games. This is why this February; I ask to join the board of Democrats Abroad Strasbourg chapter so that we can keep working to preserve democracy together.


    CANDIDATES FOR CHAPTER LEADERSHIP BOARD

    CRAIG GOODMAN

    This last election has clearly shown us, if there was any doubt, that small numbers of votes can prove to be decisive.  Our votes from abroad may well have been the few thousand here and there that helped the Biden-Harris team win.  With this in mind, I want to continue to serve.  A US citizen, American born and educated, I have lived in France since 1987; first in Paris, and since 1998 in Strasbourg.  My two children attended school in the French public schools' Anglophone international section.  I am a career musician, professor at the Haute Ecole des Arts du Rhin (HEAR); Conservatoire, and artistic director of an international festival in Denmark. I believe in France's societal model as well as the importance for the US to revive, enhance and expand its promising identity.  

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    Upcoming Events

    Saturday, April 01, 2023 at 02:00 PM Paris Time · 83 rsvps

    2023 DA France National Elections and Annual General Meeting

    Democrats Abroad France 2023 Annual General Meeting

    Our 2023 AGM will take place on Saturday, April 1 from 2 - 5 PM, both online via Zoom and in person in Paris at the American Church. The AGM is a time to come together with other Democrats from around France, to hear about our achievements of the past year, elect our new national leadership team, and gather our forces for the future.

    Please RSVP by March 30, 2023 to be registered to vote at this meeting. 

    Join us for the biennial election of the National Democrats Abroad France (DA France) Officers and Voting Representatives. The national elections and meeting will be held on April 1, 2023 online via zoom and in person beginning at 2 PM. We will hear candidate speeches and elect a new Leadership team for Democrats Abroad France, hear about how DA France will continue its important work on US elections and political engagement heading into the 2024 election. For those who wish to participate online, the zoom information will be provided upon rsvp. 

    More information on the roles and responsibilities can be viewed here.

    Candidate statements can be viewed here.

    2023 NATIONAL OFFICER AND VOTING REPRESENTATIVE ELECTIONS

    All members of Democrats Abroad France are welcome to attend and vote in the DA France National Officer and Voting Representative Elections on April 1. You will have an opportunity to hear from the candidates themselves prior to the close of voting and final tabulation of results. All members wanting to vote at the meeting are asked to register to vote by virtue of RSVP for this meeting, below, on or before March 30th -- this allows the DA France Election Board to prepare the voter rolls on the day of the meeting.

    EARLY / ABSENTEE VOTING OPTION

    All DA France members also have the option to vote early via an online absentee ballot made available to them via email, from 7 to 10 days prior to the election until 5PM on March 30th. This is to encourage member participation from all across France even if they cannot attend the meeting on Election Day. As a result, no nominations from the floor will be allowed. 

    If you elect to vote via the Early Vote/Absentee Ballot, you will not be able to vote in the same election a second time even if you attend the Election Meeting. However, in the event of ties, the DA France Election Board may elect to conduct snap Run-off Elections to break ties, time and other conditions permitting, at their discretion. In such a case, all members of DA France who have RSVP'd for the meeting by March 30th and in attendance at the Election Meeting, will be allowed to vote in any Run-off Elections. Absentee voting will not be an option for snap Run-off Elections since they will be conducted at the Election Meeting. RSVP below to register to vote on Election Day, April 1.

    To join Democrats Abroad, please go to www.democratsabroad.org/join. You must be a US citizen 18 years of age or older by Nov. 7, 2023 and reside in France.

    Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 07:00 PM Paris Time
    Zoom in Paris, France

    Political Forum

    Join Political Forum host Jean-Pierre LaRochelle and leaders of Democrats Abroad France in a free-wheeling discussion of current events and news of the month, and share your views with other attendees. Send your questions to [email protected]