SAVE THE DATE: FCYDems March 2017 Meeting

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Join the FCYDems for our latest meeting on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at the Ohio Democratic Party (340 E. Fulton Street). We’ll be considering endorsements for the May primary, discussing our plans for 2017 and more.

The business portion of the meeting will start promptly at 6pm. Join us starting at 5:30 to check in, mingle and chat with your fellow members.

Only dues paying members will be eligible to vote on endorsements.  If you are interested in becoming a dues paying member please contact our treasurer, Annie Marsico.

Interested in attending?  RSVP on Facebook so we know you’re coming.

Meet the New FCYDems Treasurer – Annie Marsico

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headshotIn the last week, the FCYDems Executive Board conducted a search to fill the role of treasurer, a position vacated by Mike Liggett after he was elected as the president of the Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio. The board is both grateful and touched by the time and attention the many applicants gave in their survey responses. We were fortunate enough to select a replacement from a field of noteworthy and talented members.

 

We are very pleased to welcome Annie Marsico as the new treasurer of the Franklin County Young Democrats! An attorney and an active FCYDems member, Annie brings a wealth of both campaign and governing experience with her to this new role. Currently a policy analyst for the City of Columbus, she has the background and passion FCYDems needs to accomplish our financial goals, including the management and allocation of funds to young Democratic candidates.

 

In 2003, Annie volunteered on her first Presidential campaign in New Hampshire for Howard Dean.  She served on Judge Laurel Beatty’s 2010 campaign with duties that included campaign finance.  This past year, Annie was elected as a Hillary Clinton delegate from the 15th Congressional District.  She has been a FCYDems member since 2011 and has been an active volunteer with the Franklin County Democratic Party.

 

Annie is a 2005 graduate of Ohio University and has remained active with its Alumni organization. She is also a 2009 Capital University Law School graduate and is a member of the Ohio Bar.  Annie is a member of the Leadership Columbus Class of 2013, and she is a member of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Association Board.  For three years, she served as a faculty in residence for the John Glenn College of Public Affairs’ New Leadership Ohio program at the Ohio State University.  Annie lives in Columbus with her husband, John, and her dog, Satchel.

 

We hope you will join us in congratulating Annie! If you’re interested in assisting her and our organization in a financial capacity, please reach out to her at treasurer@fcydems.com.

Policy Matters: Criminal Justice and Civil Rights

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Join the Franklin County Young Democrats for a Policy Matters Panel discussion on criminal justice and civil rights. Our panelists will discuss the progress that has been made and what’s to come in 2017 and beyond.

Panelists include:
Nikki Baszynski – the president of the Columbus Chapter of American Constitution Society and an attorney in the Ohio Public Defender’s office.

Jack Guttenberg – a criminal law professor at Capital University Law School and the board president for ACLU – Ohio.

Kyle Strickland – a senior legal analyst at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity and an active FCYDems member.

When: Monday, February 20, 2017

  • @ 5:30pm – Networking
  • 6:00pm – Panel discussion begins

Where:

  • Ohio Democratic Party (340 E. Fulton Street)

This event is free. As with all policy matters panels, the speakers will have some prepared remarks and then take questions from FCYDems members and interested Democrats in attendance.

RSVP Here.

Policy Matters Panel: How Things Happen at the Statehouse

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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

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vote today, croppedFollowing 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

Members Spotlight: Serena Finlay

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12038108_10206842031703825_5955207044660919054_nSerena Finlay is a Columbus transplant with a story similar to so many. She moved to the Capital City from Los Angeles to attend The Ohio State University, gaining valuable experience in internships in the public sector. Through her many opportunities, throughout her time at OSU’s John Glenn College, she was able to intern with Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and Former State Representative Michael Stinziano.

Serena deeply believes that Columbus is “America’s Opportunity City,” unsurprisingly she was able to convey this message as a campaign staff member for Mayor Andrew Ginther’s 2015 election. “In addition to the career opportunities in the many different sectors that are available, there is always a laundry list of things to do in the different communities. Another appealing aspect [of Columbus] is the affordability,” she told Joe Ryan at FCYD’s 2015 Holiday Party.

Growing up in the liberal bastion that is the West Coast, Serena saw some of the complex issues being debated in the Ohio General Assembly, especially the attacks on women’s reproductive rights as disheartening, “I don’t think they understand that millions of women rely on Planned Parenthood for basic medical care,” she remarked, but instead of accepting the Republican controlled legislature’s restrictions, these actions galvanized her commitment to public service, “I feel more motivated as a woman to work in politics and government in light of what is happening.”

Serena envisions herself living and working in Columbus in the near future and at some point working towards her Master’s Degree from the John Glenn College. Her first job out of undergrad was working for the Ginther mayoral campaign. She has now returned to the 18th House District to serve as Legislative Aide to newly appoint State Representative Kristin Boggs.

By: Dimitri McDaniel, Joe Ryan

March YDA National Conference

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Young_Democrats_of_America

 

March National Conference

Hosted by, Ohio Young Democrats 

The Ohio Young Democrats are excited to host young Democrats from around the country in the Buckeye state. The Young Democrats of America, the largest youth-led partisan political organization in the United States, announced Monday morning that their next conference would be held in Columbus the weekend of March 18-20.

If you you would like to help, please contact Jen at housejr@gmail.com. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to get in engaged with Young Dems from across the state and the country.

You can read the full release here.

$55 Advance Registration: March 11th deadline

$65 On-Site Registration 

Contact housejr@gmail.com for more information.