Policy Matters Panel: How Things Happen at the Statehouse

January 20, 2017December 21, 2020Leave a comment

So you want to understand Ohio government? Want to impact your state legislators? You’re in luck. Come to our latest “Policy Matters” panel and hear from staffers from the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus describe how things work at the Statehouse, explain how you can affect state policy, and answer your questions.

When:
Thursday, February 9, 2017

Where:
400 W Rich Event Space (400 W. Rich Street Columbus, Ohio)

Schedule:
Networking at 5:30pm
Discussion begins at 6:00pm
After the event, attendees are invited to walk over to Strongwater for food/drinks.

This event is free.

Member Spotlight: Nate Hall

July 9, 2016Leave a comment

vote today, cropped Following the success of the repeal Senate Bill 5 movement of 2011, students and others previously not familiar with the labor movement became aware of the importance of organized labor to progressive causes. Nate Hall, an FCYDems member who serves as a policy analyst for the Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC), is one such student.

Nate started working on behalf of progressive causes while still a student, at Ohio University in Athens. He started by working on Obama’s successful 2008 campaign and then later served as the College Democrats President for Ohio University until he worked as campaign manager for the successful race of Nick Barborak for the 5th Ohio House District. Beginning in January of 2013 Nate worked as a Legislative Aide for Representative Barborak. This gave him an understanding of the legislative process until he left the legislature to help run another Democratic House race in the difficult 2014-election cycle. This shift allowed Nate to stumble upon an opportunity to assist the labor movement as a staff member with IKORCC. Labor has been the back bone of the Democratic Party for one-hundred years, and will be for the next one-hundred years,” said Nate. As a policy analyst for IKORCC he has great concerns with continued restrictions on workers rights, and possible changes to unemployment compensation, championed in the Ohio Legislature, which will negatively impact those in construction and other labor workers who might be in-between work sites.

Conversely, Nate sees hope in advancing the ideals of collective bargaining, specifically it’s ability to bring wages up for all workers, however he still remains concerned with the continued movement of so called “Right to Work” legislation, reminiscence of the 2011 S.B. 5 fight, “It’s important for the Democratic Party to be vigilant against future efforts to constrict organized labor.”

IKORCC continues to be active in outreach to communities not traditionally represented in the Carpenters Union, such as women and the growing Latino population in the field. FCYDems are excited to have a member on the front lines of the future of the labor movement in Nate Hall.

By: Dimitri McDaniel

Message from our President

October 27, 2015Leave a comment

FCYDems members,

Thank you for all of the support you have given to Andy Ginther, our endorsed Team for Columbus City Council – Zach Klein, Liz Brown, Jaiza Page, Michael Stinziano and Shannon Hardin and all of the other FCYDems endorsed candidates. From canvasses to phone banks to fundraisers and social media support our members have been doing a great job spreading the word about the candidates we need here in Franklin County! I’m writing you today because it’s time to Get Out the Vote and we need your help. Here are three ways to get involved as we round the final stretch!

1. Phone bank with us on Wednesday. FCYDems is hosting a phone bank for the endorsed candidates in Columbus. We’ll be phone banking from Ginther headquarters (1108 City Park Ave (second floor)) from 5-8pm. Stop by – even if it’s just for 15 minutes and make some calls to likely voters. RSVP to me at president@fcydems.com.

2. Talk to voters at the early vote center on Saturday! FCYDems has volunteered to distribute Democratic Party sample ballots at Franklin County Board of Elections – Early Vote Center (1700 Morse Road) during early voting on Saturday 10/31. We still need people help during all shifts: 1700 Morse Rd 8AM-11AM, 11AM-1PM and 1PM-4PM. Can you make it? Please RSVP and let me know (president@fcydems.com).

3. Help on Election Day! Poll standing on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, will be one of the most important programmatic pieces of the entire 2015 Democratic Coordinated Campaign. We need to recruit volunteers to stand at polling locations and hand out Democratic Party sample ballots. Due to the specific nature of these races, this is a powerful vote-winning activity. Each shift begins with reporting to the Ginther HQ at 1108 City Park Ave, 2nd floor, to pick up materials and receive training, then head to the assigned polling location. Here are the shifts.

Shift 1 – 5:45 am to 10 am (arrive at polling location by 6:30 am)
Shift 2 – 9:30 am to 2 pm (arrive at polling location by 10:15 am)
Shift 3 – 1:30 pm to 6 pm (arrive at polling location by 2:15 pm)
Shift 4 – 3:45 pm to 7:30 pm (arrive at polling location by 4:30 pm)

Our priorities are shifts 1, 2, and 4, since those cover the peak times of before work, the lunch hour, and after work. If someone commits to working all day, we will arrange breaks for them at non-peak times. Please contact me or Brendan Kelley at Brendan.L.Kelley@gmail.com to sign up.

Finally – GO VOTE! Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Make sure you have set aside time to go vote (we all know how busy young people can be). If you would rather vote early – there’s still time. The Franklin County Early Vote Center is open all week. On through Friday the center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, it is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (You can vote before or after your volunteer shift!). The center is also open on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m and Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Thank you for everything that you have done in support of the democrats on the ballot. Our efforts and support have not gone unnoticed. With just one week to go, let’s bring it home for the team!

Democratically Yours,

Jen House
—
FCYDems President

Members Spotlight: Leo Alemida

September 15, 2015Leave a comment

L eo A lmeida is a young energetic FCYDems member who has dedicated a large portion of his life advocating for inclusion and participation of underrepresented populations. It wasn’t until February 2009 when this lifelong American was finally able to participate in his own oath of citizenship and officially become an American citizen. The very same day he registered to vote. While an undergraduate student at Bowling Green State University, Leo’s dream of becoming a United States citizen was finally realized.

Growing up in Bellevue, OH, a small town in Erie, Huron, Sandusky, and Seneca counties, he witnessed several classmates turn 18 years old without taking advantage of their right to vote. While in college Leo helped organize voter registration drives during the 2008 election cycle.

Leo was given a chance to continue his dedication to public service through the Legislative Service Commission Fellowship program at the Ohio Legislature, “it was a great opportunity to dive into government and gain invaluable experiences”. While working in the Ohio Senate, Leo worked for Senator Skindell, Minority Leader Cafaro and Minority Leader Kearny. In December 2013, Leo left the legislature to lead the lieutenant governor candidate’s campaign, coordinating movements for Sharen Neuhardt and learning the intricacies of political engagement and fundraising.

After the 2014 election cycle, Leo returned to the Ohio Senate before moving to the Nature Conservancy in Ohio, where he is currently a policy associate. The Nature Conservancy in Ohio is a regional representative of The Nature Conservancy, which promotes clean energy, revitalizing habitats, and preserves land and water through purchase and reconstruction.

Leo also Co-Chairs the revitalized Adelante Democrats of Franklin County, which serves as a voice for the Latino Community and will promote, endorse and support democratic candidates. Adelante was previously a force of political engagement for the Latino community of Central Ohio. Adelante offered a seat at the Democratic table for our Latino community including the creation of a Spanish language sample ballot. The need for continued communication and engagement in the Latino community is an example of the forward vision that Leo has processed since his youth.

Serving on the Board of Trustees of Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) Leo understand the issues that plague new American’s attempts to navigate the immigration system because he has lived it. As a first generation Brazilian American Leo is dedicated to the mission of CRIS, “I have been fortunate enough to live an American dream, and I want that for other people”.

For those like Leo, who dreamed to participate in our political process, not taking advantage of this most basic right is a rejection of our civil duty. September is National Voter Registration Month; it is our duty to make the process easier to understand and to participate within. Registration remains a great predictor of possible voter turnout and participation.

FCYD members, take time this month to register your friends, families, and neighbors. Registering just two more Ohioans can be the difference between a more progressive future, where lifelong Americans, like Leo, can obtain the American dream and help make that dream obtainable for others.

By: Dimitri McDaniel Jr.