Treasurer, Switzerland

I’m a lifetime Democrat, now voting in California and living in Aubonne, Switzerland since 2004. My wish: I want to see the US get over its ultra-partisan divides, restore a collegial functioning Congress and return to the Roosevelt/Kennedy/Johnson Democratic principles that made mid-century America work so well.

When I learned about Democrats Abroad in 2010, I attended events and then got active to help DA advance its admirable mission. I'm excited to continue my engagement by taking on the role of Treasurer.

In the 2020 and 2022 elections, Dems Abroad in Switzerland and globally achieved critical turnout of voters abroad, helping drive Democratic victories all over the map. Voter turnout continues to be our chief goal, this year and crucially in 2024. That goal needs funding, and as treasurer I will see that the funding of DA Switzerland's outreach and cohesiveness projects is done correctly. As of last year, DA committees in every country need to take extra steps to keep donations and spending in full compliance with F.E.C. rules, and I'll make sure that happens.

You can email me at [email protected].


  • rsvped for It's Toast to Taxes Tuesday at the Pub! 2023-03-31 12:34:00 -0400

    It's Toast to Taxes Tuesday at the Pub!

    Mulligans Geneve

     

    Even though tax-filing day for expat Americans is still two months off, June 15th, the date we all know is April 15th. So let's toast all our state-side compatriots lost in their 1040s this week! Look for us by the window, or downstairs if numerous.

    Drinks at the Pub is a DACH 2023 regular event the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, Mulligan's Irish Pub. Next round: Tuesday May 9th!


    Add to your Google Calendar.

    WHEN
    April 11, 2023 at 6:30pm
    WHERE
    Mulligan's Irish Pub
    14 Rue de Grenus
    Geneva 1201
    Switzerland
    Google map and directions
    3 rsvps rsvp

  • WEP and Americans Abroad—How To Stop It Hurting Retirement Plans

    What is WEP?  The Windfall Elimination Provision, (“WEP”), is a source of concern and some serious financial implications for Americans living abroad.  Will it affect you when you retire abroad? The answer is - it might.

    WEP, in a very broad nutshell, can affect the benefits that you are paid by the Social Security Administration. If you receive both a pension from doing work that did not pay into Social Security and are also receiving a pension from Social Security, the amount you receive from Social Security may be reduced and spousal benefits may be eliminated.

    How do you prepare for WEP? What if as a retired person you receive a pension from abroad as well as Social Security – how will WEP affect you?

    Democrats Abroad has been working on the elimination of WEP since the early 2000s. There is currently a bill in the House -  HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 - which would eliminate WEP. The DA Seniors Caucus is currently advocating for WEP elimination. Please join us to find out more.

    Our guest speaker is Nancy Altman from Social Security Works and she will speak to us about WEP and answer our questions about WEP.

    About our Speaker:

    Nancy J. Altman has a forty-five year background in the areas of Social Security and private pensions. She is president of Social Security Works and chair of the Strengthen Social Security coalition.
    Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi appointed Ms. Altman to a six-year term, starting October 1, 2017, on the Social Security Advisory Board. The seven-person Board is a bipartisan, independent federal government agency established in 1994 to advise the President, Congress, and the Commissioner of Social Security.
    Ms. Altman is the author of The Battle for Social Security: From FDR’s Vision to Bush’s Gamble (John Wiley & Sons, 2005) and The Truth About Social Security: The Founders’ Words Refute Revisionist History, Zombie Lies, and Common Misunderstandings (Strong Arm Press, 2018). She is also co-author of Social Security Works! Why Social Security Isn’t Going Broke and How Expanding It Will Help Us All (The New Press, 2015). She has shared her Social Security expertise on numerous television and radio shows, including PBS NewsHour, MSNBC, and FOX News. She has published op-eds in dozens of newspapers including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
    From 1983 to 1989, Ms. Altman was on the faculty of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and taught courses on private pensions and Social Security at the Harvard Law School. In 1982, she was Alan Greenspan’s assistant in his position as chairman of the bipartisan commission that developed the 1983 Social Security amendments.
    From 1977 to 1981, she was a legislative assistant to Senator John C. Danforth (R-Mo) and advised the Senator with respect to Social Security issues. From 1974 to 1977, she was a tax lawyer with Covington & Burling, where she handled a variety of private pension matters.
    Ms. Altman chairs the Board of Directors of the Pension Rights Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of beneficiary rights. She is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund, the Economic Opportunity Institute, Latinos for the Secure Retirement, and the Institute for America’s Future. In the mid-1980’s, she was on the organizing committee and the first board of directors of the National Academy of Social Insurance.

    WHEN
    April 01, 2023 at 10:30am
    527 rsvps rsvp

  • Suisse Romande Chapter Elects its Chair at Annual Meeting

    The Suisse Romande Chapter of DA Switzerland held its Annual Meeting and Elections on March 22, in Nyon. Co-chairs Emily Blitz and Peter Butterfield presented an overview of Chapter activities during the past year, plans for the upcoming year as well as plans for the 2024 election year. Special guests were national Chair Tory Mallett who came down from Basel, and DA Global Secretary Leedonal (Jazz) Moore who drove from Zurich.

    We also held biennial elections for the Chapter. Emily T Blitz was re-elected as Chair for the 2023-25 term. Thank you Emily for your enthusiasm and dedication, and congratulations. Emily will have help on the chapter committee, and plans to find and appoint a vice-chair and secretary.

    The meeting wrapped up with Tory and Jazz leading a stimulating group discussion on the importance of the work Democrats Abroad and its local chapters do as part of the Democratic Party to elect Democrats into office, and on the many ways in which local members can play a big part in that global effort. All attendees left enthused.

    Shown in photo L-R: Tory, Emily and Jazz. 


  • is hosting Walk & Talk through the Narcissus in bloom 2023-03-26 08:33:10 -0400

    Walk & Talk through the Narcissus in bloom

    A Saturday walk with Democrats Abroad through the carpets of flowers that dabble the foothills of the Riviera region. On the steep, open slopes, a few hundred meters above the lake edge, several species of wild narcissus have found their perfect habitat. Often called ‘la neige de mai,’ the annual bloom has been featured on tourism posters and postcards, and from 1897 to 1957, the Narcissi Festival, featuring orchestras and parades, was the flagship event of Montreux. See https://www.narcisses.com/.

    Details of the walk: Our adventure will begin with a short train ride departing from the Montreux station (either the 10:17 or the 10:21 AM departure - TBD based on bloom conditions). This will be a 2.5 to 3-hour walk, approx 8-10 km at a leisurely pace for plenty of photography, plus an hour's picnic lunch pause. 

    What to wear and bring: Wear layers and good walking shoes; we will not stay on paved roads. Bring your picnic lunch and beverages.

    Rain date: Saturday May 27

    Public transport: Trains or buses to Montreux.  Car: Paid parking at Montreux station garage.

    Meet on the Montreux station platform between tracks 3 and 4 (on a wide open space next to the top-most level of the covered parking garage) at 10 AM CET. Allow time to buy ticket for 10:17 AM train.

    RSVP below. Contact Christine (   or call ) to join the WhatsApp group for the Walk, for late details.


    Add to your Google Calendar.

    WHEN
    May 20, 2023 at 10:00am
    WHERE
    Montreux train station
    Avenue des Alpes 45
    Montreux 1820
    Switzerland
    Google map and directions
    rsvp

  • is hosting Happy Spring with Dems at the Pub 2023-03-26 07:44:20 -0400

    Happy Spring with Dems at the Pub

    Mulligan's Irish

    Spring is upon us, let's enjoy it with a few drinks together with fellow Dems. Look for us by the window, or downstairs if numerous.

    Drinks at the Pub is a DACH 2023 regular event the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, Mulligan's Irish Pub. Next round, and the last before September: Tuesday June 13th!


    Add to your Google Calendar.

    WHEN
    May 09, 2023 at 6:30pm
    WHERE
    Mulligan's Irish Pub
    14 Rue de Grenus
    Geneva 1201
    Switzerland
    Google map and directions
    rsvp

  • rsvped for Lac Leman Spring Meetup & Potluck 2023-03-26 09:11:03 -0400

    Lac Leman Spring Meetup & Potluck

    Join Dems Abroad members on Saturday April 22nd, to get acquainted and talk about issues of the day and Dems Abroad activities, in a convivial and beautiful setting. All members, new and veteran, are welcome to join us to start and continue conversations while enjoying fresh air and the lovely view of Lac Leman from a balcony above Montreux.

    Bring your favorite food and/or beverages. Bring your friends, too! We’ll provide the rest!

    RSVP required. Host and hostess: Gregory Greenwood and Christine Perey

     

    Contact:   

    Place: Private Residence in Montreux (address provided to those who RSVP)

    Getting there:
    Public transport:  From the Montreux train station, take bus 205 destination “Le Taux” (every 20 minutes). Get off at Ballalaz stop.
    Car: Limited parking is also available on site, if you prefer to drive.


    Add to your Google Calendar.

    WHEN
    April 22, 2023 at 3:30pm
    WHERE
    Private residence
    Montreux 1820
    Switzerland
    Google map and directions
    8 rsvps rsvp

  • rsvped for 2023 Extraordinary General Meeting 2023-03-19 17:06:45 -0400

    2023 Extraordinary General Meeting

    Democrats Abroad Switzerland was fortunate enough in the final global membership count this year to be awarded an additional Democratic Party Committee Abroad representative position. The DPCA representatives attend general meetings of the Party and represent the interests of Democrats living in Switzerland to the Democratic Party globally. While having an additional representative is wonderful news for our members, it also means that we need to elect that individual.

    We will be holding an Extraordinary General Meeting on April 13th. At this meeting, we will:

    • elect our new DPCA representative
    • elect alternate DPCA representatives
    • elect a new Vice Chair

    If you are interested in running for either DPCA representative or Vice Chair, please inform the Nominations Committee via email before the deadline of March 9th. Include your name, address, telephone number, email address, and a brief statement of intention to run.

    By March 19th we will distribute candidate names, short bios, and voting procedures to all members by email. You can follow this link to see excepts from the DACH Bylaws that describe the positions available.


    Add to your Google Calendar.

    WHEN
    April 13, 2023 at 7:30pm
    WHERE
    Zoom - RSVP to receive details
    Basel, BS
    Switzerland
    Google map and directions
    22 rsvps rsvp

  • published 2021 DACH Elections: Here are our Nominees in News 2021-02-16 11:43:14 -0500

    2021 DACH Elections: Here are our Nominees

    New Executive Committee to be elected at Annual General Meeting March 14

    The DA Switzerland 2021 Nominations and Elections Committee is pleased to announce that Election of the 2021-2023 Executive Committee will take place during the 2021 Annual General Meeting, on Sunday March 14th, online. (See separate AGM announcement for details). We hope you will attend to hear our annual reports, to show support for the nominees, and, most importantly, to vote for the candidates of your choice. The offices to be elected are:

    1. Chair

    2. Vice-Chair

    3. Secretary

    4. Treasurer

    5. Members-at-Large (4)

    6. DPCA Voting Representatives (3)

    We thank all those who came forward to present themselves as candidates. See their names and statements below.

    Read more

  • 2021 DACH Elections: Offices of Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer

    Candidate for Vice-Chair

    Liz Voss (Basel)

    I have been an active member of the DACH ExCom since joining as replacement Secretary in May 2017, being reelected in 2019, and becoming Vice Chair effective January 2020. I have worked hard to assist the other members of the ExCom, as well as my local Basel chapter, and members around the country, with tasks including event planning and promotion, voter registration, and fundraising and donation tracking. With my degree in Business Admin and minor in Management Information Systems, I am able to handle digital organization with ease. I have managed the new members as well as overseen the annual membership verification process, keeping our records accurate while handling record membership growth. I organize the Google Drive where we store our documents. I also take minutes at our ExCom, AGM, and supplementary meetings, distributing them afterwards via email and in Slack.

    Read more

  • published 2021 DACH Elections: Office of Chair in News 2021-02-16 11:08:11 -0500

    2021 DACH Elections: Office of Chair

    The Candidates (2)

    Eric Wasson Burns (Zurich)

    The last few years have been difficult for all of us. Our nation has become increasingly polarized, basic information has become politically charged, and mistrust in our institutions has grown. At the same time, our planet faces tremendous challenges which desperately call for urgent and unified fact-based action.

    I am running for Chair of Democrats Abroad Switzerland not because I think I am the solution to our problems. Instead, I run because I know that we must empower our community to deliver the necessary solutions that we all want and care about.

    Read more

  • 2021 DACH Elections: Offices of Member-at-Large and DPCA Voting Rep

    Candidates for 4 X Member-at-Large (4)

    (in alphabetical order by last name)

    Joe Amato (Zurich)

    I was born in New York City in 1955 and grew up in Flushing, Queens. I left in the early 1980s to work as a Biology and Geography teacher as well as an IB Coordinator at international schools in Caracas, Bangkok, Tokyo and in Zurich (since 2000). I am presently retired and once the pandemic dust reasonably settles, hope to be involved in a number of volunteer activities.

    Read more

  • donated on ActBlue via 2020-04-23 16:51:37 -0400

  • Zurich Chapter Invites Committee Nominations

    Zurich - Wasserkirche by night by Lukas Schlagenhauf, on Flickr
    Zurich - Wasserkirche by night by Lukas Schlagenhauf, on Flickr

    The Zurich Chapter of DA Switzerland will hold its Annual Chapter Meeting on Saturday June 22, when we’ll elect our new Chapter Committee. We seek candidates to stand for the four committee positions of Chair, Vice-chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

    DA Switzerland and the Zurich Chapter have a long history of helping many Americans vote from abroad, working to build a broad member base, and hosting different events to increase community and socio-political knowledge among Americans in the Zurich region.

    Let’s continue this journey together as an active chapter. There will be plenty of opportunities for any member to get involved over the course of this year and the 2020 Presidential Election year. If you are motivated to take a leadership role in getting out the American vote in Swiss Germany, please consider running for a Chapter office! Details about the Annual Chapter Meeting with elections will be announced ASAP.

    The four committee positions are described below. Each officer is elected for a two-year term. To nominate yourself or someone else, please write the Zurich Chapter Nominations Committee at [email protected]. Include the name, address, telephone number and email address of the candidate, plus the position desired and a brief statement of intent. Nominations should arrive by end of Saturday, June 1st and will be publicized the first week of June; later nominations will be less publicized to voters.

    If you are interested in volunteering now but not in seeking a position, please don’t hesitate, contact Liz Voss, DA Switzerland Secretary at [email protected].

     

    ZURICH CHAPTER COMMITTEE ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

    CHAIR

    • Lead, mobilize, and encourage current and new Zurich chapter members
    • Oversee and coordinate the business functions of the chapter
    • Report as necessary to the national committee
    • Ensure that the core work of the Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer is accomplished
    • Create & appoint other positions as necessary for effective functioning of the chapter
    • Represent DACH-Zurich as a member of the DACH Executive Committee (ExCom), and report to the ExCom on chapter activities
    • Hold regular meetings, direct the activities of DACH in this region of Switzerland and keep members informed about activities and events
    • Contribute to DACH fundraising and ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with FEC and campaign finance laws, as established by the ExCom
    • Coordinate with other leaders & volunteers to assist the event managing & fundraising activities of the chapter
    • Coordinate with DACH GOTV for membership and voter outreach in the Swiss regions where no chapter is yet established.

    VICE-CHAIR

    • Assist the Chair in all Zurich chapter activities
    • Partner with the Chair to take on some of his/her responsibilities
    • Work with the Chair, leadership team, and volunteers to assist the event managing & fundraising activities of the Chapter
    • Substitute for the Chair when needed
    • Attend DACH ExCom meetings in the absence of the Chair
    • Participate in key discussions and decisions as part of the Leadership Team.

    SECRETARY

    • Distribute meeting agendas, take minutes of all meetings and distribute to the Chapter Committee and DACH ExCom
    • Maintain files and administrative records of the chapter (Google Drive)
    • Manage and maintain the Zurich Chapter membership and volunteer lists in coordination with the DACH Secretary. This may require training on the DA database
    • In collaboration with event organizers and any respective committee members, ensure event publicity (social media, DACH website, print, etc)
    • Work to boost DACH Zurich’s social media presence in collaboration with appropriate committee members or event organizers
    • Participate in key discussions and decisions as part of the leadership team
    • Assist the leadership team and chapter volunteers in event managing & fundraising activities.

    TREASURER

    • Manage the cash needs DA Zurich in agreement with the Zurich Chair and the DACH Ex-Com Treasurer
    • Maintain accurate financial records and make financial reports as required
    • Ensure all financial matters conform to local rules and regulations as well as to those of the FEC and campaign finance laws of the United States
    • Educate the Zurich chapter members on financial compliance guidance for Democrats Abroad
    • Participate in key discussions and decisions as part of the leadership team
    • Assist the leadership team and chapter volunteers in event managing & fundraising activities.

    To nominate, or for further information, write [email protected].

     


  • Nominees for Geneva Chapter Committee 2019-2021

    On April 1 the Geneva Chapter's Nominations Committee issued a call for candidates to serve on the new Chapter Committee. We are now pleased to announce the nominees as listed below. At the Annual Chapter Meeting elections on May 7, further nominations will be accepted from the floor, and encouraged for the open secretary and treasurer positions. We invite all Geneva/Vaud members of DA to attend the annual meeting, meet the nominees and vote, and plan for the coming two years and presidential election with the new committee.

    Candidates are listed here according to office, in the same order the offices will be elected at the ACM.

    Nominated Candidates

    Office: Chair (1)

    • LAURA MESSENGER

    Two years ago, I was asked to take the leadership of the new Geneva chapter of Democrats Abroad Switzerland. I must admit, I did so with some reluctance – although I, like so many other Americans, felt compelled to get more involved in civic activities after the 2016 presidential elections, I wondered if I was the right person to be in charge of such an important undertaking. And then I realized that it was not an undertaking I would assume alone. I was right. Together, all of us, the many dedicated people who volunteered their time, talents and money, helped bring the Geneva chapter to fruition, with special events, speakers, book group discussions, voter registration drives, and meetups where we just sat and talked.

    Now as we begin the next two years of existence as a formal chapter, we’re looking toward another presidential election, one in which we have the chance to correct the grave injustices that have been brought upon our country by a man that I believe to be the worst president in American history. We in Democrats Abroad have an important part to play in that decision, and we need to make our voices heard. I ask you to give me a chance to help in that mission by electing me for a second term as chair of the DACH Geneva chapter.

    Over the last two years, we have been able as a chapter to build a sense of camaraderie and connection to the elections and other issues impacting us as Americans and have worked diligently as part of the country and global DA committees to educate voters abroad of their rights to vote while living outside the country. We will continue to do so in the lead up to November 2020 by continuing to reach out to potential members, to raise funds for use in global primaries and voter registration, and to encourage current members to stay connected to the process through attendance at local and national events and membership in one or more of the DA caucus groups. Our efforts paid off handsomely in 2018. Together, we can do the same in 2020.

     

    Office: Vice-Chair (1)

    • NATHALIE GONS

    The harsh wake-up call of 2016 has driven home that we cannot take anything for granted. I never thought I would see our democracy as fragile and battered as we see it now. Living in Geneva made me unsure about what I can do from afar, until I discovered Democrats Abroad. DA has helped me connect with other Americans, stay more deeply informed about the realities and issues that our country faces, and inspired me to act from abroad. Collectively, Americans who vote from abroad can make a real difference!

    I personally really appreciate our book club, where we help each other critically examine and articulate ever more clearly what we stand for and why it matters now more than ever, so that we can reach out here and back home to our communities and make our case.

    As Vice-Chair for the Geneva Chapter, I look forward to supporting our Chair in organizing events that keep us informed and connected with other concerned citizens, and that keep us actively engaged in our political processes.

     

    Office: Secretary (No nominee)

    Office: Treasurer (No nominee)

     

    The Nominations Committee thanks those engaged members who have stepped up to serve, and hopes to see a large gathering at the election meeting on May 7. For any questions, comments or to nominate yourself or someone else, please write the Committee at [email protected].

     


  • Elections for 2019 DA Switzerland Executive Committee

    Published Nominations for the nine elected positions on the 2019-2021 Executive Committee (ExCom) of Democrats Abroad Switzerland, and for the three elected DPCA Voting Representative positions, closed on Sunday March 3. Listed below are the nominated candidates. All offices will be elected on Sunday April 7 at the DA Switzerland Annual General Meeting. At that meeting, additional nominations will be allowed from the floor. All candidates will be given time for a brief statement to the members.

    Candidates below are listed according to office, in the same order the offices will be elected at the AGM. Within each office, candidates appear alphabetically by last name, showing their city of residence and their statements. In the interest of readability, we display here only the candidates' names. Click the office title to see their full statements on the pages that follow.

     

    Nominated Candidates

    Office: Chair (1)

    • Kelli Brouillet (Basel)

    Office: Vice-Chair (2)

    • Farid ben Amor (Geneva)
    • Vance A. White (Buus, Basel region)

    Office: Secretary (1)

    • Elizabeth Voss (Basel)

    Office: Treasurer (1)

    • Meli Hughes (Basel)

    Office: Counsel

    • (No Nominations)

    Office: Member-at-Large – Communications and Media (1)

    • Lyndsay Obbarius Grieder (Basel)

    Office: Member-at-Large – undesignated (3 positions)

    • (No Nominations)

    Office: Voting Representative to the DPCA (3 positions)

    • (No Nominations)

     

    Voting Method

    Americans who are DA members as of Friday April 5th may vote. Please register at the online form here to indicate your attendance at the AGM. You may vote in one of the following ways:

    • In-person voting: Printed ballots will be distributed at the meeting.

      If you cannot participate in person, a second possibility is available:
    • Vote by proxy: Request a proxy form from [email protected] Send a copy of your completed and signed proxy form to us by April 5th, and give it to your chosen attending proxy member before the AGM. Any voter at the meeting may hold at most two proxies.

     

    Election Process

    At the meeting, the twelve offices will be elected one by one, in the order shown above. Nominations for office may be made from the floor, as write-in candidates. This includes listed candidates who did not win their announced race. All candidates will be given two minutes to address the members. Voting by advance ballot will not be available.

    This election process aligns with that used at DA international meetings. Voters will be able to meet and hear the candidates in person, before choosing.


  • published Office: ViceChair in News 2019-03-12 14:05:02 -0400

    Office: Vice-Chair

    The Candidates

     

    Farid ben Amor (Geneva)

    STATEMENT: Perhaps like some of you, I withdrew from activism after the last presidential election - for me the only thing it motivated was my flight to the stability of Switzerland. But after starting to volunteer with Democrats Abroad, I learned that even from over here, we can help make things safe at home again. We may have already been the margin of victory for some elections, and with millions of us abroad, we certainly have the potential to tip more elections.

    As a former DNC delegate for Bernie, staffer for Barack, staffer for ACORN, and platform editor for the California Democratic Party, I'm proud to have been part of the broader effort to push our political system to vigorously defend our fundamental principles of protecting the dignity of all people, no matter their backgrounds. I would be honored to advocate for this unabashed progressive fundamentalism on behalf of Democrats living in Switzerland as we ramp up for impeachment and 2020 - especially by motivating those who didn't vote in the last presidential election to vote. Thanks for all your ongoing work to restore our American values from here!

     

    Vance A. White (Buus - Basel region)

    BIO: I grew up in a suburb of Denver. I recently celebrated my 62nd birthday (and the memory of my mother working on the JFK election in 1960!). I have had the honor of being married to my French husband since September, 2015.

    I have a B.S.in Accounting, I worked from 2006-2017 as the Site Director/General Manager of a pharmaceutical firm near Basel. As a result of this experience, I have the ability to have a complete overview of all functions of a business (Production, Quality, Engineering, Health & Safety, HR, Finance, IT, Logistics & Distribution, Sales & Customer Service). This has allowed me to focus on the needs of both the clients and the employees. Previously, I worked in Auditing/Financial Management for oil companies (Colorado and California) and Financial/IT management in pharmaceutical companies (Puerto Rico for 15 years).

    I am fluent in Spanish, decent in Deutsch, and I am a good listener for French speakers.

    I love the exposure to new cultures which travel provides. My extensive international travel and 28 years of living outside of the continental USA has heightened my sensitivity to making sure that I properly represent the USA as a mix of many cultures and nationalities and I focus on making sure to not expect that other countries adapt to the “American way”.

    My passion is food. I experience creative joy in the kitchen by cooking for others and I gain new gastronomic insights by sampling the cuisine offered by talented professionals.

    STATEMENT: I am interested in the position of Vice-Chair for Democrats Abroad Switzerland. I have been in Switzerland since 2006 and I greatly admire the work that Democrats Abroad has been doing to help people to register for voting and to publish different deadlines for each state so that people can properly exercise the power of their voting rights.

    I am committed to helping to make voting easier for Expats and to expand the overall voting percentage of Americans.

    As an expat in Switzerland I am particularly interested in tax reform for Americans living abroad and I believe that helping fellow expats to know how to contact their Representatives and Senators is essential to having our voice and concerns heard at the federal level.

    I believe that volunteer work is the bedrock of creating positive change in the world and that Democrats Abroad is a strong grass roots organization to help promote Democratic principles.

     (See Vance's full statement with photo)

    ← return to all candidates

    +

  • published Office: Chair in News 2019-03-12 14:03:27 -0400

    Office: Chair

    The Candidates

     

    Kelli Brouillet (Basel)

    BIO: I’m a Washington State voter that grew up in Maine and has lived in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Texas. My husband and I have spent 3 to 5 months in places like China, Thailand, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and India, where I voted from in the last primary. I have been in Basel for almost 3 years, most of that heavily involved with Democrats Abroad.

    My original degree is in Public Administration and in my 40’s I went back to school to become an RN. I worked in hospitals in Emergency, Telemetry, Critical Care and Neuro units in WA and TX. This background has honed my communication and prioritization skills. I spent many years coaching creative problem solving teams with children grades 3 through high school, which taught me much about teamwork. This was invaluable in my nursing career as well.

    STATEMENT: I have spent the last 2 years as Chair in Basel. We are very proud in Basel of our creative team that has built a broad member base, registered many voters for mid-term and special elections and hosted a large number of varied events to enhance socio-political knowledge and foster a sense of community in our group and with our fellow members of Democrats Abroad.

    My passion and strength is teamwork. I’d like to bring those skills to help all members in Switzerland work together for the benefit of all. There are so many strengths within our local memberships. I’d like to see skills, ideas, events and expertise shared so all chapters and members can duplicate them and benefit accordingly. Attending the Regional DA Meeting in 2018 made me realize there are many resources to use as a jumping off point.

    My priorities are often directed by the team. Whether the task is to register voters, hold our primaries, encourage new memberships and chapters or help Americans gather for support and friendship, if we work together to accomplish those goals, we can do much.

    I feel I have the time, skills and drive to help create a strong national team within which all chapters can be as successful. I look forward to it.

     

    ← return to all candidates


  • published Office: Secretary in News 2019-03-12 13:34:28 -0400

    Office: Secretary

    The Candidates

     

    Liz Voss (Basel)

    STATEMENT: Since joining the ExCom as replacement Secretary in May 2017, I have worked hard to assist the other members of the ExCom, as well as my local Basel chapter and members around the country. With my degree in Business Admin and minor in Management Information Systems, secretarial work plays to my skill set quite well. I manage the new members as well as oversee the annual membership verification process. I organize the Google Drive where we store our documents. I also take minutes at our ExCom, AGM, and supplementary meetings, distributing them afterwards.

    In addition, I traveled to Spain for our EMEA regional meeting and Japan for the international AGM in 2018, both of which were educational, fun, and memorable trips.

    I have started a local Swiss caucus focusing on voting rights, which will include working with the international Voting Rights Committee moving forward. I also served on the Compliance Committee and helped develop comprehensive compliance tools and materials to ensure that DACH is doing everything we can to follow rules and regulations regarding donations.

    I believe that my (almost) two years on the current ExCom have been successful and I hope to build on that success in the next two years.

     

    ← return to all candidates


  • published Office: Treasurer in News 2019-03-12 13:32:37 -0400

    Office: Treasurer

    The Candidates

     

    Meli Hughes (Basel)

    STATEMENT: I have been an active member of the Basel chapter of Democrats Abroad since I moved to Switzerland three years ago. I am committed to doing whatever I can to make sure that Americans abroad have a voice in the US political process.

    I have an MBA from the Stern School of Business (NYU). I worked for two years as an auditor for Arthur Andersen, then worked for Bayer Pharmaceuticals for 12 years where I developed and analyzed budgets for the Marketing and Sales organizations. After I stopped working to raise my family, I was the treasurer for the PTA at my children’s school. I would be happy to serve as treasurer for Democrats Abroad, Switzerland.

     

    ← return to all candidates


  • Office: Member-at-Large for Communications and Media

    The Candidates

     

    Lyndsay Obbarius Grieder (Basel)

    BIO: I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota (a proud blue state girl!) and I have lived in Basel for the past 11 and half years.

    STATEMENT: I was obviously very disheartened by what happened in 2016, as were many people, and I would like to actively play a part in helping to ensure that we can change the direction US politics have been moving in the upcoming 2020 elections. I would like to run for this position given my background and education in Journalism & Mass Communication. I have a BA in the field and I feel that my skill set would be complementary to this role. In my current full-time job I work on a lot of communication for business development within my firm, but I do miss some the core journalistic competencies that I studied years back. 

    (Lyndsay’s photo available here )

     

    ← return to all candidates


Semi-retired software developer. Active Democrat.