Dear Fellow Young Democrats: This past month has been a busy one! The National Convention is right around the corner and our new television show, Issues in Progress, just finished its first episode and (with your help) will shortly be aired across the state.
This past month has been a busy one! The National Convention is right around the corner and our new television show, Issues in Progress, just finished its first episode and (with your help) will shortly be aired across the state. Some important membership building events are coming up we ask that each member take a few hours out of their weeks to stop by and lend a hand. Here’s how you can help: • Our Urban Development Caucus, led by Deirdre Loftus and Carl Horton, will be working this entire weekend to recruit members from Bridgeport and the surrounding area. • Bring a friend to our summer BBQ! The event starts at 3:00 p.m. on July 26th in Glastonbury. Information is below. Contact Kelly Libby or Dann Dunn to lend a hand with this fundraiser. Our next general meeting is on Monday, July 21st at 7:00 p.m. The newly formed political affairs, platform, and finance committees will be meeting at 6:00 p.m. before the meeting. Organizational and Development will meet at a later date to be announced. It’s not too late to join any committee, so let us know what your level of interest is. We encourage all Young Democratic candidates to get in touch with us and learn how the Connecticut Young Democrats can help you achieve victory in November (or even earlier i.e. special elections). We look forward to seeing you soon! Lon & Kerry

I. CONNECTICUT YOUNG DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

CT YOUNG DEMOCRATS MEETINGS, EVENTS & FUNDRAISERS:

MEETINGS:

We are looking for members who would like to be involved on one of our 3 Committees:

Finance
Organization & Development
Political Affairs

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Issue Forums
Our newly re-organized group is currently planning Issue Forums/Workshops, Campaign & Candidate trainings, fundraisers & networking opportunities. What issues are important to you? We are always looking for your suggestions.

September at the University of Hartford: The Rising Costs of Higher Education and How We Can Curb Costs

October (location TBA): Reproductive Rights Under Today's Supreme Court

SUMMER B-B-Q
First Annual Connecticut Young Democrats’ Summer B-B-Q
Saturday, July 26 at 3:00 p.m. (Meet at pool/picnic area)
Hale Farms
100 Oxbow Drive
Glastonbury, CT

$10 donation at door. Event open to all! R.S.V.P online at yd.dems.info

Come out for food, fun, raffles & a chance to meet other Young Democrats and candidates!
Bring a friend new to CT YD and enter our raffle for free!
Special guests and dignitaries have been invited, too.
Proceeds to benefit CT Young Democrats on our trip to the National Convention 2003 in Buffalo.

CT YD Booth at Beach Festival 2003 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Seaside Park
Bridgeport, CT
July 19 & 20th at 12 -7 p.m.

The CT Young Democrats are sponsoring a booth at event. Looking for volunteers to meet and greet guest and hand out flyers. This should be a really fun event with a DJ contest, comedy show, luxury car show, volleyball and more! If anyone is interested, please email Mindi Haddad at mdh2003@msn.com or Deirdre Loftus at deirdreloftus@msn.com.

BRISTOL YD HAPPY HOUR:
Thursday, September 18
“Cacti’s”
417 Broad Street
Forrestville, CT

Come out and meet the Bristol area Young Democrats while enjoying some Sangria in a casual setting. For more information e-mail Roberta Brooks.

YOUNG DEMOCRAT OF THE WEEK:

This week’s award goes to…ROBERTA BROOKS of Bristol, Connecticut. Thanks for your helping in building the Bristol Chapter! Keep it up.

NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN & COMMITTEEWOMAN ELECTIONS:

Two Connecticut Young Democrats positions are currently available. Position will be from July through January 2004. Vote to take place at July 21st General Meeting. Nominations from the floor of the meeting will also be accepted if seconded. Elections will be conducted again after the interim period. National Committeeman & National Committeewoman position description available by downloading the bylaws at yd.dems.info

If interested in running please contact Mindi Haddad; Vice President of Organization and Development at mdh2003@msn.com

III. CT YOUNG DEMOCRATS LOCAL CHAPTERS:

BRISTOL CHAPTER:

For more detailed info contact: Roberta Brooks at roberta@ctconnect.com or 860-543-1607

NEW HAVEN CHAPTER:

For more info visit: http://ydnh.dems.info/

WHERE IS MY LOCAL CHAPTER?

Currently, the Connecticut Young Democrats have local chapters in:
Bridgeport, Bristol, New Haven, Waterbury, Valley Shore, Naugatuck Valley, and the NEWLY RE-ESTABLISHED HARTFORD Chapter. John Rossi of Hartford was recently elected as President. Congrats, John!!

LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED BUT DON’T HAVE A LOCAL CHAPTER?

Connecticut Young Democrats meetings, events & fundraisers are open to all! The CT YD State Caucus is formed with an Executive Board of Officers and 2 representatives from each chartered chapter. You may join any chapter, as well as attend other meetings and events around the state. However, official membership is only allowed in ONE chapter.

Please contact Mindi Haddad; CT YD Vice President of Organization & Development at mdh2003@msn.com if you are interested in organizing a local chapter.

IV. YOUNG DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA:

NATIONAL CONVENTION: BUFFALO-NIAGRA 2003
August 13- 17, 2003

The Connecticut Young Democrats will be heading up to the Empire State for this year’s National Convention. Registration cost for the entire trip is only $35. www.yda.org
New members are encouraged to attend!

Currently, plans include two group trips: One group heading up on Wednesday and another group going just for the weekend. Events include: Campaign & Advocacy Training, Platform meetings, Elections of YDA positions, Concerts, Dinner Banquets with Special Guest Speakers, Seminars, a chance to meet and network with other Young Democrats from around the country and much more…

If interested in attending, please contact CT YD Convention Organizer Dann Dunn & VP Bristol Young Democrats at dann.dunn@comcast.net by July 20

V. “YOUNG DEMS ON THE MOVE”
STATE & LOCAL YD CANDIDATE NEWS:

Are you a Young Democrat running for Office? Be sure and let us know!!

The 2003 election cycle brings opportunities across the state for Young Democrats. If you are a Young Democrat (a registered democrat under the age of 36) and are running for elected office, the CT Young Democrats would like to be of assistance. The CT Young Democrats may:

1. Provide campaign volunteers,
2. Publicize events & fundraisers in our monthly newsletters,
3. Offer campaign trainings & workshops,
4. List campaign contact information on the CT YD web page,
5. Provide endorsements *, and
6. Make financial contributions.

Please email Kelly Libby: CT YD Vice President of Political Affairs, with any information regarding your campaign & candidacy at KellyLibby1@hotmail.com

Local, State, & National campaign information is updated weekly.
Please check our web site for more information as well as contact info & a calendar of events at http://yd.dems.info/youngdems.html & http://yd.dems.info/whitehouse.html

VI. OTHER HAPPENINGS, INFORMATION & FYI’S:

CAMPAIGN TRAINING:
Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee is hosting a campaign training.

Saturday, August 9, 2003
8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m
State Capital
Room 310
300 Capital Avenue, Hartford, CT
$20 Registration Fee
This training is with Professional Campaign trainer, Murray Fishel of “Grassroots Political Campaigns”. Open to all Democratic candidates, elected officials, town committee members & campaign staff.
For detailed information contact Adam Wood at awood@ctdems.org or call 860-296-1775
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

The Connecticut Young Democrats are looking for financial sponsors:
* To help send our members to the National Convention this August
* To air our 30 minute monthly cable access program highlighting Young Democrats on cable TV
* To promote the CT YD mission around the state

Could you, your company, your town committee and/or organization make a donation? Your generous donation will be advertised, as well!

If interested, please contact Adam Wood; CT YD Vice President of Finance at awood@ctdems.org or mail your check/donation to:

Connecticut Young Democrats
C/o Sponsorship Opportunity
380 Franklin Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

Paid for by Connecticut Young Democrats, Brian Bailey; Treasurer

* Per our Constitution and by-laws, the Connecticut Young Democrats nor local chapters ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENDORSE CANDIDATES INVOLVED IN A PRIMARY! Please be aware: Posting of campaign information is not an official endorsement of a candidate and/or campaign. It is simply a tool to keep our members informed of happenings around the state.