Year in Review

Dear friends,
On the eve of a new year, it’s a time for both reflection and planning. It’s a time for look at achievements, and to set new goals. It’s a time to look back on the successes we have had, as well as look forward to our plans for the new year.
This past year has been amazing and inspiring as together we formed the first South Dakota Young Democrats state chapter in decades. The spring months were spent recruiting members all over the state, holding our first elections, and attending McGovern Day, where I had the opportunity to mc the dinner.
Summer was spent continuing to grow our membership, beginning to build local chapters, officially chartering our state chapter with the national organization, fundraising, and attending the Young Democrats of America National Convention. We were able to raise money to fully pay for 5 people to attend the convention, where we helped elect a new outstanding leadership team, as well as attended trainings. We also worked to get important issues on the national platform such as reform for IHS, and the need for accessible polling locations on college campuses, rural communities, and reservations. Because we raised awareness about the need for Native outreach, the Minority Caucus added an appointed position for this purpose.
In the fall, we had a series of calls on different progressive issues with allied organizations. We identified our top issues, and built our issue advocacy plan for the coming months. We had an outstanding meeting at the Black Hills Pow Wow that included a conference call with Young Democrats of America Executive Vice President Rod Snyder, where we talked about many important issues including the unjust voting conditions on reservations. We also worked with the SDDP as they revised their constitution, to include a seat on the executive board for the president of the South Dakota Young Democrats.
The fall also included a November trip to New Orleans for the fall YDA conference. It was attended by Edie Renner, our national committeewoman, Michael Pyle, our national committeeman, and myself. A highlight for me, was getting elected as the first ever woman, and the first ever South Dakotan to be chair of the Young Democrats of America State Presidents Association. With this, I gained a seat on the YDA executive committee.
Winter included a kick-off training event in Sioux Falls for our partnership with OFA. We had holiday parties in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen. Just recently, the Rapid City Young Dems took a strong stance in the face of opposition, RCAS worked on revising their non-discrimination policy.
Looking ahead, we have lots of work to do. We will continue with issue advocacy, put together our campaign plan for 2010, build and solidify chapters, fundraise, and most importantly, continue to build a community of progressive young people in our state. In order to do this, we need more dynamic young leaders, more members willing to face opposition, and additional time and energy invested in our common goals. We need to be strong, we need to be united, and we need to work hard. The past year, has been dynamic, and inspiring to see how we can come together. The year ahead can only get better from here.
Sincerely,
Kristin Aschenbrenner
President of the South Dakota Young Democrats
630-204-1423
sdyoungdemocrats@gmail.com

A Great Message From a SD Vet.....

(SD) The Volante
Nation at a crossroads this Veterans Day
By LeighAnn Dunn
November 11, 2009
http://www.volanteonline.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-nation-at-a-crossroads-this-veteran-s-day-1.2060997

Before the Iraq War, our nation had a policy of not striking a potential enemy unless our interests were clearly endangered of imminent attack.

The Iraqi invasion changed that policy.

This “first strike” standard also obligates our nation to another standard, which is to take extraordinary steps to prevent wars our leaders can see developing in the future. One threat we clearly see and can prevent is further damage from climate change. The U.S. Department of Defense, the CIA, the State Department and the National Intelligence Council see this threat and are all incorporating man-made climate change as a security threat into their long-term planning. Here are some climate change scenarios our nation’s top military minds are looking at:

- Climate change dries up water and creates famine. Nations panic. Wars erupt. American troops get deployed.

- Climate change makes sea levels rise, creating tens of millions of refugees. Refugee camps are ripe recruiting grounds for terrorist organizations.

- Climate change fuels radical storms to occur more frequently. This stretches military resources from their primary mission: defending America against our enemies.

Top military and intelligence authorities are working on strategies to respond:

- In February the Pentagon and State Department will include a climate section in their next respective Quadrennial Review.

- Last year, the National Intelligence Council said “global climate change will have wide-ranging implications for U.S. National security interests over the next 20 years.”

- This fall, the CIA launches a center on climate change to examine security risks.

This year’s Veterans Day finds our nation at a crossroads clouded by political wrangling. Lobbyists for oil and coal companies want to kill climate change legislation in Congress right now, because their clients get rich keeping things the way they are, even though our military and intelligence leaders know climate change will create a series of wars around the world.

Our nation spends $1 billion per day on crude oil from other countries, some of which are unstable or hostile to America’s security. American consumers are forced to help fund both sides of the war against terrorism. Add to the monetary costs the lives of American soldiers, like those who served with me in Iraq. Since 1973, we’ve known America remains threatened as long as we depend on foreign oil.

Our nation has a stronger obligation than ever before to avoid wars that can be prevented to preserve our national interests. I can think of no better response than to pass the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act in Congress, and put our nation in the leadership position to end this threat now.

LeighAnn DunnUSD Graduate Student and member of the S.D. National Guard

Rural Conference Call with Steve Jarding

Join us for a special Rural Caucus conference call with Steve Jarding. Steve Jarding is one of the leading political consultants of the Democratic Party and co-author of the book, Foxes in the Henhouse: How the Republicans Stole the South and the Heartland. Jarding was formerly the Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, and Communication Director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. He has worked on many campaigns including Mark Warner, James Webb, and Tim Johnson. He is also a lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard.

Wed. October 21, 8 pm CENTRAL
Number: 712-432-0850
passcode: 274582#

Stick with Stephanie

Stephanie Herseth Sandlin has announced she is running for reelection for congress.

Here is what SDDP had to say about it:

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will seek re-election to continue her work on behalf of all South Dakotans. It is very exciting that Stephanie will run again for our sole seat in Congress. Representative Herseth Sandlin brings a tenacity, dedication, and passion for the people of South Dakota to Washington, and we will be fortunate to have her serve again.

Check out the website: http://stephanieforsouthdakota.com/

Support the Young Dems delegation to the National Convention

We will be sending a delegation of 12 Young Democrats to the National YDA Convention in Chicago Aug. 5th-9th. South Dakota Democrats can't remember the last time South Dakota sent a delegation to the convention, so this is exciting news!

At the convention we will get to:

-Help elect a new national leadership team for YDA

-Participate in discussions about the national platform for YDA

-Attend fantastic trainings on tracks such as issues, candidacy, and organizing.

We've made the trip as affordable as possible. A Young Dem can attend for $45o which includes hotel room, transportation to Chicago, and registration fees. But, we need your help to get Young Dems there!!!!!!!

Please, can you support us?


$450 covers one Young Dem for travel, hotel, and registration fees.

$250 sponsors our portion of hosting the Midwest Reception.

$100 pays for one person's registration.

A donation of any size helps us meet our goals of helping Young Dems get to the convention.

Please make checks out to South Dakota Young Democrats.

You may mail them to:

South Dakota Young Democrats
5456 Savannah
Rapid City, SD 57703

Congratulations to Brookings County Democrats!

Sam Dunkle has done a great job getting the ball rolling in Brookings County. Sam, and a group of high school Democrats recently decided that they wanted to expand to a county wide group, as well as charter with South Dakota Young Democrats. Sam was elected president at their first meeting and has big dreams not only about electing Democrats, and pushing for legislation, but also for doing service projects in the community. He recently invited Vice President of SDYD and Kneip Young leader award winner, Amanda Mack, to speak at a meeting. I can't wait to see what Sam and the Brookings County Democrats can accomplish!

Officers are as follows:

President: Sam Dunkle
Vice President: Kiese Hansen
Secretary: Melissa Howard
Treasurer: Woot Hammink

Brookings County Young Democrats: Way to go and I can't wait to meet the rest of you!!!!!

Coming Up: The Chicago Convention

The National Young Democrats of America Convention will be held in Chicago from August 5th through 9th.

Check it out: http://www.ydachicago2009.com/

We will be taking a DELEGATION to cast votes for the next national leadership team. In addition, we will have the opportunity to attend trainings on issues, becoming a candidate, organizing, etc. We will also be fundraising to help delegates get to the convention.

The first confirmed speaker is... Drum roll please........

Howard Dean!!!!!!!!!!!!

We will release information on applying to be a delegate on Monday.

Houston Spring YDA Conference

Wow! I spent last weekend in Houston, Texas at the spring national Young Democrats of America conference. It was inspiring to hear the stories of so many awesome people across the nation who have built up great young Dem's groups in their state. I can't believe how much groups across the nation have done to pass legislation, elect Democratic candidates, and make sure that the youth voice gets HEARD!

I probably should forewarn you, we might get a sudden influx of visitors as I might possibly have spent the weekend spouting the virtues of our great state. In the few years I have lived here, I have completely fallen in love with South Dakota's diverse and beautiful terrain, independent spirit, and most of all the incredible people who live here. As I travel to other places, I realize more then ever that there is no place like home.

I'd like to give you just a few of the highlights from this weekend:

1. In August at the Convention, we will be electing a new national leadership team. I had the opportunity to meet representatives from both tickets and ask them questions. Colmon Eldridge, a candidate for vice president, will be coming to visit us here in South Dakota. To find more information about his ticket, go to: http://www.ydaworks.com/. You can find information on the other ticket at: http://www.youryda.org/. Watch for more details soon!


2. I had the opportunity to meet with the Minority Caucus to discuss Native Outreach. I learned of the Empowerment Fund, which helps promising young leaders attend conventions. I would like to apply for several South Dakotans. Please let me know if you are interested.

3. I attended a very useful fundraising seminar. We will be rolling out our fundraising plan for Convention shortly.

4. I had the opportunity to meet leaders from around the country who have a wealth of knowledge and experience that they are ready to share with US! Whether it is writing our strategic plan, fundraising, or implementing an action plan, we can turn to states and leaders who will support our efforts.