By Lydia Orth and Cory Kalanick

President Obama spoke Tuesday, April 24 to a packed auditorium on the University of Colorado
Boulder campus, his message clear: We cannot price the middle class out of a college education.

The unventilated auditorium was hot and muggy, but this did not deter students from their
opportunity to hear the President speak. Obama was over an hour late after making a pit stop at a
local favorite pizzeria, The Sink. He looked road-weary and drained as he took the stage, but the
moment Obama stepped up to the podium, the entire audience sprang to their feet in applause.

“Hello, Boulder! How’s it going, Buffaloes?”

This speech was no typical campaign-trail talk, but rather a policy speech on student loans and
higher education. President Obama reminded us that earning a college degree in an investment
not only in oneself, but also in the future of our country. Since long before the GI Bill, a college
education has remained the best-laid path to the middle class for millions of low-income
Americans. Yet the hurdles are growing higher and higher as students graduate with more debt
and now face a doubling of interest rates that could happen this July. This doubling of interest
rates would basically be a $1,000 tax hike for more than 7 million students across America.

Obama joked, “Now, I just want to see a show of hands because I want to make sure I’m not
misinformed here. How many of you can afford to pay an extra $1,000 right now? I didn’t think
so.”

President Obama trumpeted a call to action for Congress to end the political games and help
students across the country. Though he acknowledged this investment in America should
transcend partisan politics, Republicans have taken a different approach with members of
Congress such as Denny Rehberg from Montana calling Pell Grants “the welfare of the 21st
century.” While both Republicans and Democrats have publicly supported the one-year
extension on lower interest rates, they have divided over how to pay for it.

Sadly, Senators apparently do not subscribe to Twitter. Although President Obama called on
college students in the audience, and across America, to tweet in support of extending the lower
interest rate on federal Stafford loans using the hashtag #dontdoublemyrate, the measure failed
this week. Unless Congress acts quickly, millions of low- and middle-income students will be
disenfranchised and will face burdensome obstacles to achieving the American dream.

Students nationwide are extremely disappointed in Congress’ failure to put aside party lines and
work to achieve a bipartisan solution, and that’s why we stand with YDA’s Executive Director,
Emily Tisch Sussman, in calling on Congress to immediately help struggling students and develop a
solution in the best interest of our future: http://www.yda.org/yda-statement-on-failure-of-
student-loan-interest-rate-bill.

#dontdoublemyrate

Being a mother is one of the most important and rewarding jobs any person can take on. Mothers help create the next generation and the future leaders of the world. On a personal note my mom was crucial in my development as a child with a disability. She introduced me to leaders who had disabilities, made sure I had tutors to help me catch up with the other kids and made sure I had all the modifications I needed to show my full strengths. Mothers are very important in the development of children and especially in the lives of children with disabilities. I would like to wish every mother a Happy Mothers Day!!!

Sincerely,

Dustin Hausner

YDA Disability Caucus Chair

Statement from YDA Executive Vice President on Passage of North Carolina’s Amendment 1:

“The Young Democrats of America join the thousands of North Carolinians, led by the North
Carolina Young Democrats, and millions of Americans, in our profound sadness that once again
hate has found a place in a state constitution.

Since our founding, America has been strongest when it has led with the conviction that, for
whatever our personal prejudices, the rights of law abiding citizens should not be restricted
by the constitution, but rather protected by it. It seems that Republicans believe it is sound
conservative politics and policy to protect the rights they agree with while perverting state
constitutions to disenfranchise those they find disagreement with. This strategy is not only
divisive, but weakens America by weakening our strongest founding principles of liberty and
justice for all.

While saddened by this outcome, we are proud of the leadership of the North Carolina Young
Democrats by fighting for equality and for remaining on the right side of history. Their leadership
should give all hope that in the not too distant future, North Carolina will have a generation of
leaders who will correct this grave injustice and lead their state with integrity and fidelity to the
intent of the US Constitution.

The Young Democrats of America will continue to press within our own party for the inclusion
of equality in our party platform and look forward to working with leaders throughout the
Democratic party to move America forward by standing by the constitution not manipulating and
dismantling it for political and hateful purposes as has unfortunately become all too common in
this Republican-Tea Party era.”

Statement by YDA Executive Director Emily Tisch Sussman:

“YDA is disappointed with the failure of the Student Loan bill in the Senate today. With the rate for Stafford Loans doubling on July 1, time is running out for Congress to do the right thing and keep loans affordable for young people. An increase to 6.8% on loans would create a huge burden on young people who are trying to create a better future for themselves, their families, and America. YDA is proud to stand with President Obama and Majority Leaders Harry Reid in a continued call for Congress to find a solution that is in the best interested of our future. “

Last week, the newly formed YDA Hispanic Caucus participated actively in the first ever ” Latinos for Obama National Video Conference Call ” where young Hispanics from across our nation were able to visually chat and interact with President Barack Obama’s Hispanic campaign advisors. DNC Senior Advisor for Hispanic Affairs Juan Sepúlveda and Obama for America Policy Director James Kvaal were online to answer questions and discuss the important role of young Hispanics in this year’s election.

“Tonight’s video conference via Adobe Chat was phenomenal in the sense that we were able to visually talk to President Obama’s top Hispanic campaign advisors; I think this kind of accessibility of young Hispanics with top DNC advisors says alot about this campaign and our President. Make no mistake, young Hispanics across the nation are ready to send a strong message on the campaign trail, and that is , Republicans have turned their backs on our community’s needs and now is our moment to fight back, ” said Phillip Arroyo, Chairman of the YDA Hispanic Caucus, and who is also President of the Puerto Rico Young Democrats.

“ I committed myself to campaigning for then-Senator Barack Obama in January of 2008 in a small meeting space in Inglewood, CA. I remember the energy in the room, the sense of duty that every single person in that room felt to our country, and the understanding that Barack Obama had to win that election. I felt that very same energy tonight and it was with young Latino leaders at Harvard University who were listening intently to the message of hope and change that President Barack Obama has championed in the White House, ” expressed Harvard Young Democrats President Adan Acevedo who is also Director of College and University Affairs in the YDA Hispanic Caucus.

Last March, the YDA Hispanic Caucus was officially constituted during the YDA winter meeting in Chicago to serve as a a mechanism to rally up, motivate and activate young Hispanics for the campaign and represent the Hispanic community within YDA. The caucus plans to execute a campaign plan which will focus on targeting and invading key battleground states such as Nevada, Florida, North Carolina and New Mexico to tip the balance in our party’s favor and secure President Obama’s reelection.

YDA is excited to announce that Philadelphia will host our Summer National Meeting on June 29 – July 1.  The conference will begin around lunchtime on Friday and run through noon on Sunday. The program will include a number of guest speakers, political trainings, business meetings and a special new member orientation.  A more detailed schedule will be released in the coming weeks.

The Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel Philadelphia (220 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103) is the host venue for this meeting.  YDA has secured a group rate of $137/night plus tax. To reserve a room, please contact the hotel directly at  (215) 735-6000 and mention you are with Young Democrats of America to ensure you are given the proper group rate.

Registration is now open:

-       Super Early Bird registration ($25) will be open until 5 PM EST Friday, May 11th

-       Early Bird registration ($45) will be open until 5 PM EST Friday, May 18th

-       Regular registration ($55) will then be in available until 5 PM EST Friday, June 15th

-       After 5 PM EST on Friday, June 15th, only On-Site Registration ($75) will be accepted.

If you have any questions, please contact YDA Meetings Director Kelly Drake (meetings@yda.org) with any questions.  We look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia this summer!

I have lived in Washington, DC for almost three years, but I still get giddy every time I walk past the White House, so imagine my excitement when, on April 22, YDA and the White House gave me the opportunity to attend the annual White House Garden Tour. Despite the disappointing rainy weather, spirits were high among tour participants. We walked past the Rose Garden, the oval office, and Michelle Obama’s own kitchen garden. We even got a peek at the basketball court where President Obama plays when it’s nice outside. My favorite part, though, was seeing Sasha and Malia’s swing set. Seeing the swing set reminded me that for the first family, the White House is a place to call home.

One of the best parts of the day was seeing the diversity of attendees at the event. Looking around, you could see a visual representation of the “big tent” that we Democrats live underneath together. As a Young Democrat, I was particularly pleased to see so many young people standing next to me. President Obama and his White House understand how important it is to include youth in their programming, especially White House events. We are the heart and the work horses of the party, and this White House recognizes our important role, and makes sure that young people are welcome and encouraged there. I’m grateful to be part of the party that values and encourages youth participation in politics.

-Tory Lauterbach

On July 1, 2012, more than 7.4 million students with federal student loans will see their interest rate double.  This rate increase will not be caused by bad credit, late payment, or income; regrettably, this rate increase will be the result of congressional gridlock.

For every year that Congress allows the rate to double, the average student with these loans will rack up another $1,000 in debt. The Young Democrats of America feel this increase is both unjust and un-American.

How can our generation achieve the American dream if GOP members of Congress turn their backs on our future? How can our generation get ahead if this Congress continues to put us on the backburner?

These questions and this rate increase should spur young people to action all across this country. Now is the time for Young Democrats to stand with our President, who believes we must reward hard work and responsibility by keeping interest rates on student loans low so more Americans get a fair shot at an affordable college education.

We cannot cut our way to economic growth. Making it harder for our generation to afford higher education and earn degrees is nothing more than cutting our nation’s future out at the knees.

The fight over college affordability and student debt is not a fight for our parents’ generation or our grandparents’ generation. This is our generation’s fight and we can win it if we unite and work together.

The Young Democrats of America oppose any congressional measure or inaction that would result in an increase in the cost of attending higher education and hope our allies and friends will do the same.

The Young Democrats of America (YDA) is the largest youth-led, national, partisan political organization. YDA mobilizes young people under the age of 36 to participate in the electoral process, influences the ideals of the Democratic Party, and develops the skills of the youth generation to serve as leaders at the local and national level.

The YDA National office, in Washington, D.C., is seeking a full time graduate intern, or post-graduate fellow.  Successful candidates will work closely with YDA’s Executive Director through the 2012 election cycle.  Interns will be closely involved in the planning and execution of several YDA events, grassroots and new media operations, managing chapters, book-keeping, and fundraising.

Qualifications:
Successful candidates will be extremely organized and have a demonstrated interest in the political process.  Candidates must also be available to work in the national office through November.  Recent graduates and those seeking independent study options are encouraged to apply. A sense of humor is greatly appreciated.

Role and Responsibilities:
Interns will be asked to perform a variety of tasks including but not limited to providing communications support, event coordination, research and general administrative tasks.

Compensation:
Compensation will be in experience and/or credit. The position is unpaid.

How to apply:

Please send a cover letter detailing your interest in YDA and CV to ydajobs@gmail.com with the subject heading of YDA Executive Intern.  Due to the high volume of applicants only successful candidates will be contacted.

Non-discrimination policy:
YDAis fully committed to the principles of non-discrimination and treats all its Board members, Stakeholder Board members, Officers, volunteers, employees, donors, contractors, consultants and clients without discrimination as to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, height, weight, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability (if otherwise qualified with or without accommodation), HIV status, gender identity, gender expression, veterans status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

On the night of May 1st, 2011, I was driving back into D.C., with my friend Trevor. My cell phone sent me a news alert that President Obama was making a special announcement. What could possibly warrant a late-night Sunday news conference, especially, the night after the National Correspondents Dinner?

Osama Bin Laden was dead. He had been killed by Navy SEAL Team Six, on a bold order of the President.

We abandoned the car as quickly as we could, and all but ran down to the White House. Our rational brains said we should go home, as it was late on a work-night, but something about this moment was just too huge. We had to be with other patriotic Americans. We had heard that people were congregating there, and that somehow made sense to us. When we got there, it was among the most electrifying scenes I have ever seen. Young people were everywhere. It was later slandered as an improper celebration, but that did not adequately capture the scene. As young Americans, we can hardly remember a time without Bin Laden as the constant villain. We have adjusted to a way of life where it takes half a strip search just to travel on a plane. The feeling at the White House was overall relief. A huge looming fear had finally been removed and we wanted to go to the White House, where the bold President who made the call was.

President Obama has proven himself to be a leader in National Security. He refocused the US efforts, and made Bin Laden a top priority. We have a choice now, to continue with a leader who made us safer, or to go in a different direction. Seeing the energy at the White House, one year ago today, I know that I, along with countless other young people, will be choosing President Barack Obama.

Emily Tisch Sussman
YDA Executive Director

On Tuesday, May 8, North Carolina voters will vote for or against a Constitutional Amendment on the May Primary Ballot, also known as “Amendment One.” Amendment One isn’t your average anti-LGBT amendment – the amendment on North Carolina’s ballot will make Marriage the only “domestic legal union” recognized under NC law. The term “domestic legal union” isn’t defined anywhere in North Carolina case law – so the state is looking at an overly broad, unnecessary amendment that could go as far as stripping domestic violence protections from unmarried couples.

Since September, the Young Democrats of North Carolina (YDNC) has been busy fighting the Amendment. Within hours of the Amendment’s passing, YDNC became the first group in the state to officially oppose the Amendment when its Executive Committee unanimously passed a motion in opposition. Young Democrats got to work immediately, participating in events across the state, recruiting volunteers, making calls, and even advertising on facebook and local blogs. Some members of the executive committee joined the campaign against the amendment as staff, while others got to work organizing their chapters.

YDNC President Sam Spencer spoke out against the amendment in print, online, and on television, while chapter leaders like Buncombe YD President Parker Sloan organized phone banks to reach out to voters. YDNC launched the Democrats for Equality campaign to ask Democrats to oppose the Amendment, and the Wake County Young Democrats put forward a forceful resolution that eventually became the state party’s resolution against the amendment (http://www.ncdp.org/page/-/20120319141149495.pdf).

After the State Party adopted the YDNC resolution against Amendment One, YDNC worked with the party in hiring a full-time staff member to oppose the Amendment. As part of the YDNC Convention in March & April, YDNC Vice President Gabriel Seth Koch led a day of action against the amendment. The YDNC Women’s Caucus has been vocal about how the amendment harms women, and many of its members are actively working to defeat the measure.

YDNC is currently recruiting poll workers for election day (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGE5UXVfTVVaWFVfaTNQYVhGRURYelE6MQ), and any YDA member can join in the fight starting at 7:00 PM on May 2. Sign Up Here: http://www.anymeeting.com/WebConference/default.aspx?ip_ek=voteagainst1

You can also sign up to call from home from across the US here: http://www.protectallncfamilies.org/crmapi/volunteer

Other Links:
YDNC: https://www.facebook.com/theYDNC
YDNC Women’s Caucus: https://www.facebook.com/YoungDemocratsOfNorthCarolinaWomensCaucus

via Think Progress

By Alex Seitz-Wald on Apr 24, 2012 at 11:55 am

In its effort to reach out to young voters, Mitt Rommney’s campaign held a conference call with reporters today to discuss what the presumed GOP nominee thinks of President Obama’s record on the youth (not much) and what they have to offer young Americans (also not much).

“President Obama gets an ‘F’ for failing our youth,” said surrogate Hank Brown, a 72-year-old former Republican senator from who also served as the president of the University of Colorado. Obama was merely “able to fool” the two-thirds of people under 30 who voted for him in 2008, Brown added, before promising, “You’re going to see a dramatic turnaround on the campuses this year, with much stronger support for the Republican ticket.”

So, if Obama was so bad, what would a Romney presidency do instead? The septuagenarian Brown, joined on the call by Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) and College Republican National Committee Chairman Alex Schriver, didn’t really have much to offer.

First, Romney’s surrogates downplayed the importance of issues that directly affect young people. Schock criticized Obama for his “focus on student loan and student debt,” saying the real issue young people care about is jobs. Brown, meanwhile, attacked Obama for not reforming entitlement programs, saying young people should worry about their solvency in the future.

And, while Romney and Obama agree that Congress should extend a provision currently before Congress to extend lower interest rates on some student loans, Schock was not optimistic about his Republican colleagues’ willingness to pass it. The congressman repeatedly called the issue a distraction, saying, “In the grand scheme of things, it’s not what we ought to be — we shouldn’t allow issues like this to bog down the bigger agenda, which is how do create jobs in this country.” He added: “In the meantime, we need to be focused on the bigger issues.”

Meanwhile, Schriver suggested the reason tuition costs are going up is because “this president decided to take over the student loan market.” Schriver is referring to a provision passed along with the Affordable Care Act, that removed Wall Street middlemen from the student loan process. Tuition costs were rising long before the law passed in 2010, and the reform actuallysaves taxpayers money, so Schriver’s claim rings hollow. But Romney himself has suggestedthat he would roll back this provision, and insert banks once again in the student loan system, where the money comes from taxpayers and the middlemen merely add costs with profit.

In all, the call mentioned not a single positive program to help young people directly, offering only attacks on Obama and generalized prescriptions for the entire economy.

Not mentioned on the call is how young people wold be negatively impacted by other policies Romney supports, starting with the House Republican budget authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). The proposal, which Romney has strongly endorsed (and Schock voted for), would allowstudent loan interest rates to double, and would cut $200 billion from the Pell Grant program,kicking off over 1 million students.

Romney also wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act, including its provision that allows kids up to 26 years old to remain on their parents’ health insurance plans. More than 2.5 million young adults had already received coverage, as of December, under this part of the law, and would presumably lose it if Romney has his way.

A new poll from Harvard University shows Obama widening his lead over Romney among voters 18 to 29, now enjoying a 17 point lead, a gain of six points from the last poll in November.

http://thinkprogress.org/education/2012/04/24/470083/romney-youth-conference-call/

Executive Vice President Colmon Elridge has released the following statement on behalf of the Young Democrats of America:

“It is apparent that as the general election heats up and with the lack of any coherent vision for the future of our nation, the Romney campaign is so desperate for attention, they will stand by anyone, even if that person has proven through his rhetoric and actions, that his love for our country is at best conditional to having his prefered candidate in office. We can only hope that Mitt Romney does not agree with the sentiments expressed by Ted Nugent and that his abdication of true leadership in this matter does not incite his supporters to violence against the President, Vice President, members of the Obama Administration, or anyone who does not share their world view.

The real question for Nugent’s preferred presidential candidate Mitt Romney is why he and his campaign feel as though his tepid response to the patently un-American, hate filled, and violent rhetoric spewed by Ted Nugent shows anything but a cowardice on Mr. Romney’s part to disassociate himself with such out-of-bounds rhetoric and admonish his “celebrity” endorser for comments that are the antithesis of what it means to be an engaged citizen.

After almost three decades with no legitimate marketability or success in music, Ted Nugent has shown himself to be exactly what most Americans believe him to be, an aging and irrelevant celebrity, who not being able to nab 15 minutes of fame, looks for five seconds of attention.”

Last winter, the Young Democrats of Louisiana embarked on a mission to recruit, file, and elect young Democrats to local and state Democratic Party posts. In the past, these posts largely went unnoticed and some committees have been empty for years. These posts are the grassroots positions needed for a great state party. They recruit candidates for local and state office, register voters, inform the public of the party’s principles, and much more.

After months of online-organizing, canvassing, and phone banking, election day arrived. Young Democrats took almost 30% of all seats on the state party’s committee. East Baton Rouge Parish is the largest in Louisiana and includes the capital city, LSU, and Southern University. Young Dems in East Baton Rouge Parish won half of all seats on its Democratic Parish Committee.

“With these election experiences and new offices, Young Dems will be ready to run for and staff bigger and better things in the near future. There is no better time than now for Young Dems to bring needed progress to Louisiana,” said Brett Jackson, President of YDL, who won both his state and local party posts.

The YDA Faith and Values Initiative launched its inaugural Faith and Values Leadership Summit last weekend in Washington, DC. This first-of-its kind gathering brought together a diverse group of leaders from 24 states for networking and training in faith-focused Democratic communications, campaign outreach, and organizing. In addition to the leadership development and education provided during this three-day event, participants left the Summit with a sense of purpose and a firm commitment to the work ahead.

“The Summit reminded me that I’m not alone in these convictions or this work,” said Kate Davis, who traveled from Kansas for the event. “I got to sit in a room with extraordinary people – young people with incredible stories about deeply held faith, and how that faith becomes action in the form of changing the policies and structures that are immoral and unacceptable. I am leaving with a network of friendships and support that will strengthen me as I take this work back to my state and local party.”

Speakers and presenters included former Congressman Tom Perriello (D-VA); Burns Strider, former Director of Faith Outreach on Senator Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign; Eric Sapp, founding partner of the Eleison Group; Mara Vanderslice Kelly, former Director of Faith Outreach for Senator John Kerry’s presidential campaign; John Kelly, former Democratic National Committee director of Catholic Outreach; and Rev. Derrick Harkins, the current Director of Faith Outreach for the Democratic National Committee. This group of national experts provided unique and practical insights into how to do highly effective outreach to people of faith.

“I really enjoyed engaging with people who are enthusiastic about bridging the gap between people of faith and Democratic policies and politics,” says Jamal Hill of Washington, DC. “What I am most appreciative of is the tangible takeaways we received for how to affect electoral politics, and the strong networks gained.”

The Summit is part of the YDA Faith and Values Initiative. Launched in October 2011, this effort aims to communicate to young Americans the values at the core of Democratic Party policies. The mission of the initiative is to win religious Millennials to the Democratic Party today while building faithful Democratic leaders for the future. Since its inception, the initiative has developed a leadership team representing 22 states and established Communications, Campaign and Outreach committees to reach religious Millennials with the message that Democratic policies are much more aligned with the values of people of faith than the extreme positions that today’s out-of-step Republicans have come to embrace.

“Whether it’s fighting for economic justice for the working class, stewardship of the environment, compassionate immigration policies, or a commitment to civil rights and equality, young people of faith are finding that their values are increasingly in line with the priorities of the Democratic Party,” says YDA President Rod Snyder. “The political fault lines and culture wars of the past four decades are shifting dramatically, and the YDA Faith and Values Initiative will seek to demonstrate that the Republican Party no longer has a monopoly on faith.”

Moving forward, the Faith and Values Initiative will conduct robust outreach to young Americans throughout the 2012 campaign cycle and will train young Democratic leaders from around the country to effectively connect with their religious peers based on shared values. To learn more about the YDA Faith and Values Initiative, go to www.ydafaithandvalues.org, sign up for our monthly updates, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@ydafaithvalues)!

The headlines the last few days have been filled with debate about The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed into law 2 years ago by President Obama, and whether or not the U.S. Supreme Court will accept it as constitutional, mainly because of the individual mandate. Without the individual mandate and the power to hold health insurance companies accountable, many of the new reforms can’t be enforced. If the ACA is struck down, it will have a major impact for people all around the country, and especially for young people and those with disabilities.

Working young people and recent college graduates have been the greatest beneficiaries of the ACA thus far, because of its provision that allows them to remain on their parents’ health insurance until age 26. This gives these young people extra time to conduct increasingly difficult job searches. It allows them to accept one of the increasing number of jobs that do not provide health insurance coverage. And once they have that job, it provides them the flexibility to save money or work to pay back increasingly burdensome student debt loads. This last point is especially important, as the average college graduate now graduates with over $20,000 of student debt.

The ACA also expands Medicaid to people making less then $14,400 a year and creates tax credits for purchasing insurance for those who earn under $43,000 a year. So for those who have a low income the law helps save them money and provides them better health options then they previously had.

For Americans with disabilities, the ACA prohibits health insurers from denying coverage due to a pre-existing condition, raising rates if you get sick, and canceling an existing policy to avoid paying claims. For those who have disabilities, health problems or simply have needed medical attention previously, stopping health insurers from leaving you behind because of a pre-existing condition is a moral imperative and a must for all Americans.

The simple fact is, once fully implemented, the ACA will help America’s young people, disabled people, and ultimately all Americans. Republicans have been trying to scare us into believing that the ACA is a “government takeover” of health care, and yet their only alternative is to cut health benefits and deny Americans needed health care, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.  We don’t need to look much further then the GOP’s War on Women over the past few months as another example of this phenomenon. Democrats support policies that put prevention first in order to save lives and benefit all Americans, while Republicans keep attacking women’s rights in order to please their extreme right-wing base.

All Americans should be free from abuse by insurance companies and have the freedom to make their own choices. All young Democrats need to show their support for the ACA to be upheld, to preserve its benefits for all Americans.

Washington, DC -  The Young Democrats of America (YDA) kick off their inaugural Faith and Values Leadership Summit today with former Congressman Tom Perriello (D-VA) at the National Democratic Club. A weekend-long gathering, the Summit brings together 100 young leaders from around the country for training in Democratic faith outreach. The Summit is co-sponsored by the Catholic University of America College Democrats and will take place on the campus of Catholic University on Saturday and Sunday. Presenters include Rev. Derrick Harkins, the Director of Faith Outreach for the Democratic National Committee; Burns Strider, former Senior Advisor and Director of Faith Outreach for Secretary Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign; Eric Sapp, founding partner of the progressive faith-based consulting firm the Eleison Group; Mara Vanderslice, who oversaw faith outreach for Senator John Kerry’s presidential campaign; and John Kelly, former Democratic National Committee and White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships staffer.

“YDA has taken a bold and important lead in making it clear that Democrats understand the relevance of faith and values,” says Rev. Derrick Harkins. “The summit they are holding this weekend will lay important groundwork as the 2012 election unfolds. We see it made clear by the negative rhetoric of the GOP that we need young leaders with visionary optimism grounded in enduring values. I am thankful for what YDA will accomplish with this effort.”

“This YDA summit is focused on exactly where we need to be as a Party: on articulating our values, which is how we inspire and connect with all voters, and on the importance of special engagement with faith communities, which make up the largest swing voter populations each election,” says Eric Sapp.

YDA launched its Faith and Values Initiative in October 2011 to provide a strong young Democratic voice to communicate the values the Democratic Party represents. The mission of the initiative is to win religious Millennials today while building faithful Democratic leaders for the future. Since October, the initiative has developed a leadership team representing 22 states and established communications, campaign and outreach committees to reach religious Millennials with the message that Democratic policies are much more aligned with the values of people of faith than the extreme positions that today’s out-of-step Republicans have come to embrace.

“The goal of the YDA’s Faith and Values Initiative is to ensure that as Democrats, we are doing everything we can to show young people of faith the deep connection that exists between their values and the core principles that guide the policies and work of the Democratic Party,” says DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “It’s a conversation that simply is not had enough – and Democrats are committed to changing that.”

“Whether it’s fighting for economic justice for the working class, stewardship of the environment, compassionate immigration policies, or a commitment to civil rights and equality, young people of faith are finding that their values are increasingly in line with the priorities of the Democratic Party,” says YDA President Rod Snyder. “The political fault lines and culture wars of the past four decades are shifting dramatically, and the YDA Faith and Values Initiative will seek to demonstrate that the Republican Party no longer has a monopoly on faith.”

The Faith and Values Leadership Summit, the first of its kind in the history of the modern-day Democratic Party, is aimed at equipping young leaders around the country to communicate the values connection between Democrats and people of faith on their campuses and in their communities. Each participant will commit to engage in a number of high-level ways to do this in the 2012 election cycle.

“Democratic values have always been aligned with religious principles. The YDA Faith and Values summit is incredibly important to highlight political organizing skills and teach our participants how to operationalize those skills, through their roles in the faith community,” says YDA Executive Director Emily Sussman.

In the coming months, the Young Democrats of America will reach out to faith-based campuses and places of worship to begin a conversation about the type of country the next generation wants to inherit.  YDA will host listening sessions, issue advocacy campaigns, trainings and service days to demonstrate that people of faith have a home in the Democratic Party.   Through their website (www.ydafaithandvalues.org), Facebook page and twitter account (@ydafaithvalues), the Young Democrats are spreading the message that Democrats are the party that best represents religious values.

We are excited to announce the third annual Young Democrats of America High School Leadership Academy on July 8 – 11 in Washington, D.C.  This unique four-day summer camp will focus on developing the next generation of Democratic Party leaders.

Students will participate in leadership workshops and policy panels and will be introduced to the nation’s top Democratic elected officials and Party leaders. YDA will provide an inside view of elections, the media, campaign finance, grassroots organizing, interest groups, the legislative process and careers in politics.  The HSLA will feature a truly interactive experience unlike any other summer political camp in Washington.

YDA will be accepting a total of 48 students from graduating classes 2012 -2015 with diverse leadership experience.  Interested individuals should apply online by Wednesday, May 2. Final enrollment decisions will be announced by Friday, May 11.

Apply today for the 2012 YDA High School Leadership Academy

There is a $575 registration fee, which covers hotel, meals, educational materials, a guided monument tour and ground transportation within Washington, D.C. This non-refundable registration fee will be due on June 8 for those students who are accepted into the program.  Airfare or other travel arrangements must be purchased by each participant.

The historic Phoenix Park Hotel on Capitol Hill will serve as the home base for the four-day training.  However, most sessions will occur “on location” throughout the city for the most authentic Washington experience possible.

A detailed schedule of HSLA training sessions and speakers will be released over the coming weeks; however, you can view last year’s agenda for a snapshot of the types of activities that will take place.  If you have additional questions, please email hsla@yda.org.

Please apply online for the HSLA by May 2

For 80 years, YDA has been the official youth arm of the Democratic Party.  We are excited to expand upon our traditional campaign activities by offering this important leadership training for high school students.  We hope to see you in our nation’s capital this summer!

Sincerely,

Rod Snyder
President
Young Democrats of America