"We" Are Democracy - Democracy is a team effort and we need your help!
Let’s Build our Team and our Momentum in SA
Democrats Abroad is a volunteer-led organisation but there's a lot of work to do, especially in an election year!
Democrats Abroad South Africa (DASA) is a small, newly reconstituted Country Committee so we're learning the ropes and trying to build our capacity but we need more help.
We’re looking for volunteers in South Africa with a wide range of skills, interests and availability. Keen to get involved? Please complete our DASA Volunteer Interest Form (HERE) or email [email protected]
We can't do this without you. If you were waiting for the election year to get involved...the time is now!
RECOGNISING VOLUNTEERS MOVING TO THE US
Several of our most involved volunteers from the 2020 election year have moved back to the States so we really need to build our team. We'd like to recognise two steadfast volunteers who are also leaving SA for the States soon - Jill Greenberg and Caroline Hopkins. Jill has served on the DASA Nominations and Elections Committee and assisted with social media, graphics and a range of comms work. Caroline has been one of our core Phonebankers, an ongoing source of support and participant in several of our meetups, and regularly involved in advocacy initiatives. The first time I met Caroline in person was when she brought me homecooked food during COVID and the hectic days of the 2020 election preparation. I will never forget that kindness and generosity! We'll miss you both but hope you'll stay in contact and know you'll keep up the fight in the US!
REQUEST YOUR 2024 BALLOTS NOW
Many of our members have already requested their 2024 overseas absentee ballots. Have you? Head to www.votefromabroad.org today or schedule it in your diary for the coming week.
Request your ballots now so we’re ready for primaries and all 2024 elections! Every state is different so please check your state’s processes and timeframes too.
There is plenty of info available on www.votefromabroad.org but if you need any help, email [email protected]
To vote in primaries you do need to select a party (we highly recommend you choose Democrat 😉💙). When completing your info on VFA please also select to vote in the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary (GPP). You will still vote in your state primaries for all other offices.
Please make sure your friends and family are registered and request their ballots now too!
GLOBAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY (GPP)
5-12 March
Please mark your calendars for 5-12 March. What is referred to as the Democrats Abroad Global Presidential Primary starts on Super Tuesday and runs through the following week. DASA will be hosting events, requesting our 2024 overseas ballots, voting in the primary and actively seeking new voters in South Africa for the 2024 election cycle. We’ll need volunteers around the country and look forward to your involvement!
Joburg area members please mark your diaries for Sunday 10 March 12:00-16:00 for our GPP Election Event in Sunninghill. This will be a family-friendly afternoon and a great opportunity for us to get together!
For more info on the Global Presidential Primary in South Africa CLICK HERE
More details to come but for the Joburg Voting Centre and Family Day event please RSVP HERE
Interested in volunteering with the Joburg GPP & Family Day Event? Email [email protected]
SAVE THE DATE: DASA's AGM is also scheduled during this week of activities for Monday 11 March at 19:00 on Zoom. See Events section below.
UPDATING OUR MEMBERSHIP DATABASE
A very important THANK YOU to members and volunteers!
While keeping any database up to date is a challenge, we think our DASA membership info is even more outdated since we weren’t a formal Country Committee for several years. Thanks to all of you who updated your details on the website or responded to our calls/messages/emails. If you haven’t updated your details recently, please log in to the website and update them (see steps below). It will only take a few minutes but enable DASA to be more efficient and focused on the main task at hand - winning the elections in November!
This is an ongoing project – let us know [email protected] if you’re willing to help. We had a list of members expiring on 31 Jan we needed to contact and I’d specifically like to thank Tanya Cruz Teller, Caroline Hopkins and Tiffany Jackson-Zunker for their help in trying to contact those members. The majority of phone numbers on that list were not current. Please take a minute to update your contact details!
Thanks also to Michelle Taube, one of our colleagues in Denmark, for her ongoing help with the database and so much more! And a loud shout out to the Global Democrats Abroad IT Team - all volunteer and doing incredible work!
Help Us Update Our DASA Membership Database!
It’s important that we have a current membership database as we prepare for the 2024 elections. We want to ensure you get the information you need to vote in your state.
Can you take 3 minutes now to update your profile?
- Log in above (https://www.democratsabroad.org)
- In the top right corner click on your photo (or the empty circle) then Account Settings.
- Update the info in the Public and Private drop downs and Email Preferences Tabs
- Please provide a South African cell number if you have one
- Even if all of your details are correct, please click SAVE PROFILE SETTINGS as this updates a time stamp on your profile so we'll know its current.
If you’ve left South Africa you can either change your details to another country, join the Democrats Abroad Alumni group, or simply delete your membership.
GET INVOLVED
State Teams
DA’s State Teams focus on voter education, voter participation and advocacy in crucial states, and are open to all members of Democrats Abroad who vote in or want to mobilise voters in the states represented. We share our experiences, our knowledge of the process of voting from abroad and other election information that has a real and measurable impact in crucial elections up and down the ballot.
CLICK HERE to see if there's a Team for your state
Voter Assistance Training
Would you like to help others vote? Voter Assistance is a critical aspect of our role as Democrats Abroad. Voter Assistance Training is available online - live or recorded. Take a look at the training coming up this month HERE
Phonebanking
Calling members to remind them to request their ballots or vote has shown to be an invaluable part of our Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts. We use a system called CallHub for global phonebanking. If you're keen to chat with Democrats Abroad members around the world take a look at the info and training available HERE
Tech Skills Needed at Global Level - Call for Volunteers
The Global DA Data & Analytics Team, the DA IT Team, and the DA Comms Teams are looking for volunteers with technically oriented familiarity and skills who can contribute to our work in supporting fellow DA leaders and our back-end data management processes.
Do you like playing with spreadsheets, working with data, video editing, or just helping fellow DA volunteers with technical support?
See the specific skill-sets we are looking for HERE
VOLUNTEER HERE via this form
Last month we profiled the Global Black Caucus (GBC) and the Democrats Abroad Reparations Task Force in our newsletter. We also shared an invitation from the GBC to get involved. DASA members could play a vital role in developing the GBC, ensuring representation and maximising Democrats Abroad as a platform for change. We will set up a discussion with GBC Chair Angela Fobbs to explore those opportunities further with DASA members.
As one locally relevant Black History Month highlight, it was excellent to see the Congressional Black Caucus recognised this week by the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) and the African Diplomatic Corps for their "enduring legacy of strengthening global health programs and contributing to America’s global leadership". READ MORE HERE
REACH OUT
I (Liz) recently met DASA member Emily D’Aubrey in KZN, who graciously also hosted me for the night! It’s great to meet people in person! She also introduced me to Kellie du Preez who registered as a member on the Democrats Abroad website from the coffee shop as we talked. I’ve regularly found that when I talk to Americans (and South Africans)…we find other Americans we should reach out to. I’m sure you find the same. Word of mouth should be one of our strongest membership development and voter outreach tools. This is the time to reach out!
Do you know other Americans in SA or living abroad? Ask them if they vote and encourage them to go to www.votefromabroad.org for info on voting in their state.
Please also invite them to become members of Democrats Abroad at www.democratsabroad.org/join
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?
Contact your elected officials in the US and share your priorities, suggestions and concerns. Your Voice Matters! While Democrats Abroad doesn't engage in foreign affairs, you can contact the White House and Congress directly.
Contact your Representatives in the House
https://www.house.gov/representatives
Contact your Senators
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
Contact The White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
CAUCUS HIGHLIGHT: GLOBAL SENIORS CAUCUS
The relatively new Seniors Caucus aims to create a community where we can inform our members, and help each other to better understand the issues and concerns affecting American Seniors living abroad, thereby building a forum for making our voices heard in Washington DC. Most importantly, we want to empower and encourage Senior Americans living abroad to exercise their voting rights.
The caucus advocates for laws, policies, and programs that improve the lives of Senior Americans, and educate all people on the experiences of Seniors.
CLICK HERE to read more about and join the Global Seniors Caucus
See the Events section below for an upcoming Seniors Caucus online discussion.
EVENTS
Take a look at the various events, with wide-ranging topics, taking place regularly through Democrats Abroad https://www.democratsabroad.org/events
We’d love your input! Please take a minute to share ideas through our DASA 2024 Venues and Events Survey CLICK HERE
|
Kitchen Table Talks Global Democrats Abroad is encouraging Kitchen Table Talks before 12 March to inform the DA Platform but there’s no reason we can’t hold these type of activities throughout the year. Contact [email protected] if you’d like to host one in your part of the country or even online. CLICK HERE for more info and a toolkit |
 |
Taxation Task Force – Wednesday Webinar Series
February 2024
The Democrats Abroad Taxation Task Force Wednesday Webinar Series continues. Learn more about the Task Force’s work HERE and keep an eye on upcoming tax webinars HERE Recordings of past sessions are available for $5.
14 Feb - How to File the FBAR for Americans Abroad
21 Feb - How to File Your Own Taxes from Abroad
28 Feb - (FREE) How to Help Pass Residency Based Taxation
OTHER EVENTS THIS MONTH
Saturday 10 Feb 2024 12:00 SA Time
Thursday 15 Feb 2024 21:00 SA Time
All are welcome to participate in the Global Youth Caucus Zoom events aimed at sharing some love, hopes and appreciation with our elected officials.
Thursday 15 February 2024
Veterans and Military Families Caucus Event with Lieutenant Colonel David Ashcraft (Hybrid online & in person in Paris)
8:30 pm SA Time for the Zoom session
Sunday 18 February 11:30 SA Time (viewing only) and Monday 19 February 2024 8pm SA Time (viewing and discussion with the Director Yoruba Richen) (Zoom)
Reparations Task Force Viewing of The Cost of Inheritance
INFO & RSVP for 18 Feb Viewing HERE
INFO & RSVP for 19 Feb Viewing and Discussion HERE
Friday 23 February 2024
The Global Senior Caucus and Global Disability Caucus invite you to their Monthly Friday Casual Social
4pm SA Time
Importance of Voter Registration – Check Your Voter Registration – Why & Where to Do So + Volunteering at DA (Zoom)
Sunday 10 March 12:00 - 16:00 (In person-Joburg)
DASA Global Presidential Primary Voting Centre & Family Day
Monday 11 March
DASA Annual General Meeting (AGM) - 7pm (Zoom)
Interested in hosting an event or have an idea on finding American voters in SA?
Let us know [email protected]
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
It's important to remember that the Biden Administration - Democratic Leadership of the United States - extends far beyond the Oval Office. We're not just electing a President and VP but the people they appoint and the mandates they are given. As we approach the elections and talk about both our concerns and the achievements we're proud of, let's inform ourselves so we can share with others.
If you read one thing this week let it be this article from Politico! It's long so grab a cup of coffee but there's a lot here we can be proud of. Please also share it with friends and family. CLICK HERE to share it from our Facebook page.
30 Things Joe Biden Did as President You Might Have Missed (CLICK HERE)
CONNECT
Americans in South Africa are invited to get in touch and get involved, contact us at [email protected]
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DemocratsAbroadSouthAfrica
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/democratsabroadsouthafrica/
Join our WhatsApp group https://chat.whatsapp.com/EBGCcLmGh0s3PU4rvCAzMu
We're a volunteer led organisation but still have expenses in getting out the vote. Can you contribute $24 toward our work this year? Thank you!
We encourage you to find a time in the next few days to go to www.votefromabroad.org to request your 2024 ballots. That will be one important action you can check off your list. Thank you!
Democrats Abroad South Africa