Here's what's happening in DA Austria in April —
Message from the Chair
Events:
- Hands Off Protest
- Young Americans – Cornhole Tournament
- Salzburg Meet-up
- Solidarity Sundays in Vienna
Inside Democrats Abroad:
- Annual General Meeting Recap
- Elections Results
Issues and Actions:
- DA Global’s Resistance Advocacy
- Dem’s Wins & Upcoming Down Ballot Elections
Review:
- Young Americans Game Night
- Women's Day Women-Owned Business Walk in Graz
- Solidarity Sundays Vienna 2.3: Defining What We‘re For
Our Executive Committee meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of the month. Our next meeting will be on Thursday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m. Members are welcome to join us at the meetings. Please contact Lisa Savitt at [email protected] for the address and meeting link.
DAA is making a concerted effort to include in our monthly newsletter all the information you need to stay up to date. By sending you fewer emails, we hope you will read those you receive. Thanks for reading!
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Message from the Chair:
Thank you all for the opportunity to serve as DA Austria chair. These are certainly challenging times. The new Executive Committee is rolling up its sleeves to engage members in getting to know one another through social events as well as to keep members informed as to possible action items from calling your representatives to participating in permissible demonstrations. We also are coordinating with Democrats Abroad Global and will be sending information out via email, so please read your emails and also visit the Democrats Abroad Austria website.
We are grateful to our past and current volunteers who will be assisting with the tasks that lie ahead of us this year. Soon enough we will be gearing up for the 2026 midterm elections, but there is much to be done now, including preparing for several special elections. If you are interested in volunteering for DA Austria, please email me at [email protected], and I will forward a volunteer form. We especially need volunteers for drafting and posting social media. I plan to travel to visit members around Austria – stay tuned for dates of my visits.
— Lisa Savitt, DA Austria Chair
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Events Coming Up –
Hands Off! Protest
When: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Time: 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Where: Platz der Menschenrecht (Mariahilferstrasse side of Museums Quartier)
Salzburg Meet-up
When: Friday, April 18, 2025
Time: 5:30–8:00 p.m.
Where: Krimplestätter Restaurant, Müllner Hauptstrasse 31, Salzburg 5020
KHM Guided Tour with Jonathan Fine: Arcimboldo – Bassano – Bruegel
When: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m., dinner following at Burgring 1
Where: Kunsthistorisches Museum, Burgring 5, 1010 Wien
Young Americans – Cornhole Tournament at Burggarten
When: Sunday, April 27, 2025
Time: 2–4p.m.
Where: Burggarten, Josefsplatz 1, 1010 Vienna
Solidarity Sundays in Vienna
When: Sunday, April 27, 2025
Time: 4–6 p.m.
Location: Amerlinghaus Room 4, Stiftgasse 8, 1070 Wien
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Inside Democrats Abroad:
Annual General Meeting ReCap
DA Austria held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 16, 2025. At the AGM, DA Austria leadership presented its 2024 activities and its current financial and membership status, followed by DA Austria elections. Please write [email protected] to request the PowerPoint summary from the meeting.
Elections Result
Congratulations to Our Newly Elected Executive Committee!
Democrats Abroad Austria is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of our 2025
Annual General Meeting and the election of a dynamic, dedicated new Executive Committee and DPCA Delegation for the 2025–2027 term! We would also like to extend our appreciation to all of our candidates for their commitment to sustaining and strengthening our community here in Austria and to every member who participated in the election process — both online and in person.
We proudly present the newly elected leaders of Democrats Abroad Austria:
2025–2027 Executive Committee
Chair
Lisa Savitt
Vice Chair
Brett Carnito
Secretary
Jacqueline Berman
Treasurer
Jennifer Rakow-Stepper
Counsel
David Schuman
Members-At-Large
William Holaday
Hilary Monihan
Michael Phillips
Elisa Schmidt
2025–2027 DPCA Delegation
DPCA Voting Representative
Bruce Murray
Jennifer Rakow-Stepper
DPCA Alternate Non-Voting Representatives
Jacqueline Berman
David Schuman
We’re excited for what lies ahead under this fresh leadership team. Their passion, experience and vision will no doubt guide DA Austria with purpose as we continue building momentum for the midterm elections and beyond. We thank all who stepped up to lead and our members who make this vibrant, active chapter possible. Here's to another great term ahead!
In solidarity,
The Nominations and Elections Committee
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Issues and Actions:
DA Global’s Resistance Advocacy
Resistance happens in legislative chambers and courthouses, at the ballot box, and on the phone. It can take minutes, or years. Our Resistance Advocacy program equips members and leaders to defend democracy and drive change at every level—from quick actions to long-term campaigns. With a focus on coordinated strategies and actionable priorities, we provide tools to amplify our impact.
Key initiatives in the program:
- Defending Democracy Initiative: advocating for overseas voter rights in legislation. Join the team!
- Take Action Team: No time for legislation but want to be active? Get our rapid response materials for activist outreach - sign up to be notified!
- Community Engagement: support for our Country Committees, Task Forces and Global Caucuses to help them grow through our advocacy work, and to help empower their membership to advocate for the issues that matter to them.
You get to roll up your sleeves locally, in person, virtually, or at the global level – we need all hands on deck! Sign up as a volunteer with any of these teams.
Got Questions? Write to [email protected].
Dem’s Wins & Upcoming Down Ballot Elections
PENNSYLVANIA DEMOCRATIC RECENT WIN. Dems delivered an upset in Pennsylvania, as James Malone FLIPPED the state Senate seat in District 36, becoming the first Democrat elected in Lancaster County since 1889. This was a Trump +15 district. Dan Goughnour also secured the state House seat in District 35, maintaining the 1-vote Democratic majority in that chamber. (This is why we vote up and down the ballot folks!)
🚨🚨TAKE ACTION NOW: Stop the SAVE Act! UPDATED April 1: This bill will be voted on in the House soon. If it passes it will then move to the Senate. Don’t wait - call your elected officials now! The so-called SAVE Act would require presenting in person proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport) in order to register to vote, and also every time you update your voter registration. It would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters and make the act of voter registration next to impossible for many — including for military and civilian voters overseas. If passed, the SAVE Act will destroy democracy as we know it. Call your US Congressperson and your US Senators and demand they STOP the SAVE ACT — VOTE NO. See here for details. Then ask your friends and family to call their electeds too! Sign up for regular Take Action alerts here.
📞PHONEBANK FOR WISCONSIN AND FLORIDA DEMOCRATS! Thanks to our phone bankers who made calls to help Susan Crawford win and retain liberal control of the state Supreme Court. More special elections are coming up and you can help make calls from anywhere in the world — you just need an internet connection and a headset. You can help make a difference from abroad! For details, go here.
— Ada Shen, EMEA Get Out The Vote Coordinator
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Review:
Women's Day Women-Owned Business Walk in Graz (pic)
Democrats and allies in Graz spent a sunny Saturday morning supporting women to celebrate Women's Day on March 8. Caitlin Ahern led a group of about 15 international women on a walking-and-shopping tour of women-owned businesses to raise awareness of opportunities we have to get our shopping done at small businesses run by women rather than giving our money to tech giants buying political influence. We had a blast browsing the lovely options we have in Graz. We ended with lunch at the delicious cafe Limes, owned by two women from Rome, where we discussed more options for ethical alternatives. Many women were exchanging phone numbers at the end, too! To stay informed about upcoming Graz events, contact [email protected]
DAA Youth Caucus – Young Americans Game Night
Fourteen young Americans attended the Board Game night on March 9 at Spielebox. Thanks to Bryan Quandt for setting up this fun time as a way for younger Democrats Abroad to get to know one another. Game attendees played Carcassonne,
- What Do You Meme?, Settlers of Catan, and Codenames. Future get-togethers are in the works.
Solidarity Sundays Vienna 2.3: Defining What We‘re For Recap (pic)
Our March 23rd gathering sparkled with purpose. We chose three vital focus areas: Economic Justice, Media & Messaging, and Rule of Law. Each reflects our vision for a more equitable society.
- Economic Justice — because everyone deserves financial security.
- Media & Messaging — because truth powers democracy.
- Rule of Law — because fair application of laws protects us all.
At our April 27 meet up: Media & Messaging focus group takes the lead! They'll teach us about media influence and information flow. We'll discuss what we learn and brainstorm creative actions together. Bring your curiosity. Let's reshape the narrative.
— Tanya Lolonis
Questions: [email protected]