Update: Due to the ongoing pandemic, the regional and global conventions have been moved online. We are sorry not to be able to host you in Toronto this year.
Democrats Abroad Canada will have the honour of hosting the 2020 Global Convention in Toronto from May 15-17 at the MaRS Discovery District. The convention is expected to attract 300 attendees from around the world, as well as dozens more participating virtually via teleconference. Thanks to Toronto’s proximity to the U.S., it’s likely that DNC staff and possibly a candidate or two will also be attending, notes Steve Nardi, chair for Democrats Abroad Canada.
What happens at a global convention? Along with determining the 2020 platform for Democrats Abroad, delegates elect members to the Democratic National Committee, as well as candidate delegates to the 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this coming July. Training sessions on topics such as running effective Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiatives and managing communications and media strategy will also be presented.
“This is an opportunity for DemsAbroad Canada to put on a great show for our global friends,” says Nardi. “But it’s going to take a lot of resources. We’ll need enthusiastic volunteers – mostly from chapters throughout Ontario and Quebec – to show off our hospitality skills.” Volunteers can pitch in with the registration team, lunch and coffee-breaks team, reception team, the Gala Dinner team (Sat. May 16) and the IT/WebEx team. Nardi adds that volunteers do not need to be members of Democrats Abroad. “Family and friends are welcome to volunteer also.”
Since Democrats Abroad is 100% volunteer-powered, and since some members will be travelling to Toronto at their own expense from a considerable distance, home-stays with DA members living in the GTA will make it more possible for these members to attend. As Nardi says, “Hosting a fellow Democrat from another country can be a fun and educational experience. If you have a spare room, please consider offering it up for a home-stay option to a convention delegate or convention volunteer.”
Please click here if you are interested in the travel details to attend, or click here to complete the Volunteer/Home-Stay Survey.