The Occidental College Democrats

January 24, 2008 General Meeting Minutes

2008-01-24T21:20:00.000-08:00

January 24, 2008 General Meeting Minutes

Notes taken by Nick Velkavrh

Approximately 20 people present.

- Eboard Introductions
- Announcements
o Website ( http://asoc.oxy.edu/oxydems)
o New meeting time? Club agreed to maintain current meeting time for general meeting.
o Date-a-dem – postponed until March. More updates to come as they become available.
o Announcements for Eboard elections – Secretary and Finance Minister
§ Positions explained. Expectations explained.
§ Elections are next Thursday, January 31. All interested candidates should prepare a small speech for the club as a “campaign.”
o Upcoming events
§ Quad Primary Info Session Announced – Tuesday January 29, 2008 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
§ Super Tuesday Bengal Bus Shuttles a possibility for voting on February 5, 2008. If not, car pools are also a possibility.
§ Phone Banking for Obama from Saturday January 26, 1PM – 9PM in the Stewie Common Room. Talk to Derek Mazzeo (dmazzeo@oxy.edu).
§ Phone Banking for Hillary – Contact Audrey Kelley (akelley@oxy.edu).
§ Super Tuesday Party in the Cooler on February 5, 2008. More details to come.
§ CA Democratic Debate January 31, 2008 - Club may be in attendance – Email jlu@oxy.edu for more info.
§ Tom Brokaw at UCLA later this Spring
§ Club discussions and debates (ongoing and will be announced on a week to week basis).

Executive Board Meeting Notes for January 22, 2008

2008-01-22T23:26:00.000-08:00

Executive Board Meeting Notes for January 22, 2008

Members Present:

Sarah, Vince, Josh, Nick, and Becca. Notes taken by Nick.

- Date-a-Democrat has been postponed. New date is TBA.
- Clubs has decided to quad sit and provide information on Tuesday, January 29. Primary information for Democratic candidates will be provided to campus community. This will be discussed more at the January 24 meeting.
o Each E-board member will create an info sheet for a candidate.
o Vince and Sarah agreed to make appropriate reservations/arrangements.
- Club discussed shuttles/buses to help students get to the local polling place on 2/5 to vote in CA primary
o Vince agreed to contact the Bengal Bus regarding co-sponsoring this activity.
- The first general club meeting will be held on Thursday January 24 at 7 PM in Johnson 204.
o Elections need to be held on January 31 – open positions will be announced at this meeting.
§ New Secretary
§ New Finance Minister
o This meeting will also contain updates on the recent primaries and upcoming events involving CA’s primary and Super Tuesday.
§ The club intends to have delegate counter/posters in the Cooler – This will be made by club members after an upcoming meeting.
§ The club also is planning a Super Tuesday Party in the Cooler. More details TBA.
· Vince agreed to contact Amy Munoz to set this up.

- Josh contacted Dave Phelps regarding College Democrat attendance at the CA primary later this month. He was informed to enter a lottery to win tickets. More information TBA.
- Club agreed to hold at least one club sponsored event per month.
o Ideas: Movie screenings, debates, going to see Tom Brokaw.
o More discussion will occur at upcoming meetings.

Barack Obama is coming to LA!

2007-12-01T17:58:00.000-08:00

An Email from Obama for America:

Join Barack Obama in L.A. on Monday, December 10.

Here are the details:
Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal City Walk
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
General Admission: $50
Students: $25

For security reasons, do not bring bags.

No signs or banners permitted.

Purchase tickets now:https://donate.barackobama.com/LAGala

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Please contact oxydems@oxy.edu if you are interested in going. The club is trying to organize a car pool.

November 15, 2007 Meeting

2007-11-19T16:42:00.000-08:00

Occidental College Democrats Meeting Minutes 7/15/07 (Taken by Becca)

Attendance: Low, people are at the Debate

Feedback from last weeks meeting:
- …nada.

JJ Dinner/Debate
- Discussion of JJ Dinner, recap, updates of the blog

Debate for Meeting Post Thanksgiving
- Iraq – debate on Dems war plans if elected?
- Afghanistan-war effort, what should the US do?

Patrick’s Corner
- Fundraising: $128 Dollars – (minus) $ 80 for the donuts
- Announcement of his departure from Oxy next semester

Date-A-Dem Update
- Structure of the evening: how do we get people there?
-- Fantastiprov
-- Mustache Mike – MC
-- Food/Refreshment
- December 1st 8pm in the Cooler – CHECK UP ON THIS
- Meeting – Sunday @6 in the Library
- Talk to Sarah about the master list

Executive Board Meeting Minutes November 11, 2007

2007-11-12T14:35:00.000-08:00

Executive Board Meeting Minutes November 11, 2007 (Taken by Vince Karlen)

Becca - talk to Professor Heldman ASAP and see if she is willing to present on Thursday
Patrick - update club on our fundraising efforts/financial situation
- discuss your deal for next semester
Josh - update on our voter registration drive
- investigate opportunities to volunteer as a club for Obama

Thursday's meeting
- allow time for Secretary speeches and vote
- ask for feedback from last weeks meeting
- talking point: JJ Iowa dinner
- potential debate if Heldman falls through
- invite Eric Roddey to do counterpoint
- who wants to organize this???

Sarah and Patrick: the next Date-a-Dem Committe meeting will be on Tuesday @ 5 in the library as this seems to be the time most convenient to the majority of committee members. I will not be able to attend as I'm completely booked through Thursday evening save obscure times really early in the morning or late at night.

Letter to the Editor for November 07, 2007

2007-11-05T21:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Editor,

The country benefits when young people vote. The Occidental Campus Democrats believe unequivocally that politics matter. To this end, we are determined to engage, activate, and mobilize our classmates in the political process.

Last fall 2 million more young people turned out to vote than during the 2002 election. As a result, our new congress passed the College Cost Reduction Act. This bill reduced the cost of college by almost $5000 dollars for college students, at no additional cost to the taxpayers.

2008 is a crucial election year for young people and for all Americans. At Oxy, we intend to register 200 new voters of any political party so they too can participate in the political process- a vehicle for change. Voter registration is the first in a series of conversations we will have with our peers about politics and why it is important to us and all young people. Please join us in the quad Wednesday and Thursday as we do our part to change the country.

(We will also have free candy)

Sincerely,
The Occidental Campus Democrats

Voter Registration Drive!

2007-11-05T21:42:00.000-08:00

Voter Registration Drive!

The Occidental College Democrats are sponsoring a nonpartisan Voter Registration Drive in the Quad during lunch on Wednesday and Thursday of this week (November 7-8). Take advantage of this opportunity to get involved in the political process. Students of ALL political persuasions are encouraged to register themselves.

Adults between the ages of 18-24 historically have the lowest turnout rate among voters. Make sure your voice gets heard!

Even if you are not a resident of California you can still register to vote using Oxy as your place of residence.

Executive Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2007

2007-11-04T23:50:00.000-08:00

Executive Board Meeting Minutes November 4, 2007 - Taken By Vince Karlen

1) Discussion of the fundamental vision of our club
1. educate those around us on political matters
2. compel those around us to become actively involved in political activities
3. build an infrastructure so that the club can continue in coming years

2) To achieve this vision
1. eBoard will more proactively accept and pursue its responsibilities as
elected leaders, projects must be seen through to completion
2. within eBoard, effective delegation must consistently occur, with constant
communication and updates between members, and Co-Presidents must be
responsible for the oversight of all projects
3. set concrete deadlines for projects and events

4. the eBoard must improve transparency with its members, including
a) making transparent the minutes of eBoard meetings
b) openly inviting members to eBoard meetings should they be interested
c) revising seating arrangements at meetings to achieve more inclusiveness
d) more effectively communicate various opportunities in which members
can get involved, and rally as an organization around specific events
that a large member of the club will be involved in
e) more effectively advertise our website, which is to serve as a constant
and up-to-date source of information

3) Recent developments, namely the resignation of:
a) Amanda Navetta- Advertising/ Publicity
b) Barry Ennis- Events Committee
c) Jessica Yant – Secretary

An election for a new Secretary will take place at Thursday meeting.

4) Voter Registration Drive in the Quad!
Wednesday (11:30 to 1:30): Nick, Patrick, Becca, Josh, Vince (for the 1st half hr)
Thursday (11:30 to 1:30): Nick, Sarah, Patrick, Josh, Vince
Becca will make a quad poster as well as posters in Residence Halls.
Josh currently has 5,000ish registration forms.
Oxy for Obama will help in this drive (in a non-partisan way).
All club members are encouraged to come and help…look for our table in the quad!

5) Other
a) Nick assumes responsibility of Oxy Dems facebook account
b)Nov. 14th Up ‘til Dawn St. Jude fundraiser event

Social Justice Series Week 2 - "A Closer Look: Urban Los Angeles"

2007-11-04T23:41:00.000-08:00

Social Justice Series Week 2 - "A Closer Look: Urban Los Angeles"

The Social Justice Series is organized by the Student-Community Alliance for Social Change(SCA) with support from Mecha-Alas. Please join them in the following activities:

Tuesday, November 6 11:30-1:30: A Closer Look at Homeboy Industry and Boyle Heights
Join Homeboy Industries on a tour of the new cafe and the surrounding community, Boyle Heights. Homeboy Industries is an organization that assists at-risk and former gang involved youth to become contributing members of the community through a variety of services in response to their multiple needs. Free programs -- including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training and job placement -- enable young people to redirect their lives and provide them with hope for their futures. The trip includes samples from the amazing bakery and cafe! Please RSVP to mseigle@oxy.edu. See http://www.homeboy-industries.org/ for more info.

Thursday, November 8 8PM - 9:30PM Weingart 117: Screening of just released Father G and the Homeboys.
"Father G and the Homeboys" chronicles the lives of 4 Latino gangbangers as they redirect their lives in a war torn area of Los Angeles known as Boyle Heights, at one time, the street gang capital of the world. For over 20 years, Father Gregory Boyle and his non-profit organization "Homeboy Industries" have helped kids plan for their futures instead of their funerals."

Saturday, November 10 9AM : Sweatshop tour with the Garment Worker Center
SLAC is sponsoring a trip to the Garment Worker Center (http://www.garmentworkercenter.org/). The Garment Worker Center is an organization dedicated to organizing and empowering garment workers in Los Angeles. There will be a presentation on sweatshops in LA from the perspective of those who organize and communicate daily with garment workers in LA. Also, there will be the chance to see some LA sweatshops for yourself. Don't miss out! In order to ensure you have a spot please reply to slac@oxy.edu.

DWA and the Office of Global Affair Brown Bag Talk - "A Question of Torture"

2007-11-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

DWA and the Office of Global Affairs invite you to a Brown Bag Talk

A Question of Torture: CIA Interrogation, from the Cold War to the War on Terror

Monday, November 5th at 12:30 pm in J-200

With Prof. Alfred McCoy

This book is available for purchase in the Oxy bookstore and will be available for purchase during the talk

Oxy's Politics Department Monday Night Film Showing - "Children in America's Schools"

2007-11-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

Oxy's Politics Department Monday Night Film Showing

You are invited to the weekly Monday night film showings sponsored by
the Politics Department:

"CHILDREN IN AMERICA'S SCHOOLS"

November 5, 2007
Weingart 117
7:00 PM
_____________

"CHILDREN IN AMERICA'S SCHOOLS" is a documentary about public education in America, based on Jonathan Kozol's best-selling book, Savage Inequalities. Produced by Jeffrey Hayden with his wife, Oscar-award winner Eva Marie Saint, the documentary takes viewers on a representative tour of the nation's schools, clearly showing how funding differences create schools ranging from aging, dilapidated buildings with leaky roofs, graffiti, cockroaches, outdate textbooks, and broken windows, to glistening, modern facilities equipped with high-tech media centers, computers for every child, science labs, sports complexes and performing arts centers. The reason for the difference is money.

For more information, please contact Prof. Peter Dreier at 323.259.2913 or dreier@oxy.edu or Sylvia at 323.259.2991 or schico@oxy.edu.

Bill Clinton (confirmed) to Give Keynote Address at the Empower Change Summit on November 3, 2007

2007-11-01T19:59:00.001-07:00

An email from UCLA grad student D'Artagnan Scorza to the Occidental Community regarding the Empower Change Summit on Nov 3:

BILL CLINTON (confirmed) to Address Young Professionals, Students, Activists and Leaders At the American Democracy Institute's Empower Change Summit on November 3rd

The American Democracy Institute, KPWR-FM 105.9 "Power 106" and Going.com invite and welcome you to the Empower Change Summit on November 3rd at the UCLA Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

Registration for the event is FREE , but space is limited. Attendees must register online at www.EmpowerChange.org/Summit to reserve their seat.

Where: UCLA Royce Hall, Royce Drive & Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles 90095

When: Saturday, November 3, 2007, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

What: Empower Yourself: At the Empower Change Summit, be inspired, motivated, and educated on issues that affect your everyday life.

Empower Your Friends: Invite your friends to be informed, become active, and meet new people who share your values and are passionate about making a difference.

Empower Your Community: Walk away with concrete skills, knowledge, and opportunities to make a difference in your community.

Event Schedule:

8:00 AM Doors Open to the Registered Attendees and Media
9:00 - 11:00 AM Plenary: Dynamic & Inspirational Engagement
Emcee Wendy Carrillo, KPRW-FM 105.9 "Power 106" Knowledge is Power
11:15 AM - 1:15 PM Party in the Plaza hosted by Power 106
1:30 - 3:00 PM Empower Change Workshops
1. Using New & Emerging Media
2. Making Change Your Career
3. Relationship Building: Networking & Finding Allies
4. Ecology, Economy & Equity: Transforming Education
5. Empower Change in Your Community
6. Empowering Change Through Film
7. Voter Empowerment
8. Entrepreneurial Leadership
7:00 - 9:00 PM After Party Hosted by Going.com

Featured Panelists include: Jonathan Greenblatt, Founder of Ethos Water and Former Vice President of Starbucks Coffee Company; Isabelle Rodriguez, Director of Advance, The White House '92-95; Rafi Mushar, Founder and CEO of Stax Inc. and initiator of New York's Hybrid Taxi project; Adrian Sexton, Executive Vice President, Digital at Participant Productions; D'Artagnan Scorza, UC Student Regent-Designate; Jonah Goldman, Director of the National Campaign for Fair Elections with Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Gautam Dutta, Deputy Political Director for Political Reform at the New America Foundation; Michael Cox, Board Member of the California Student Sustainability Coalition and Organizer for Power Shift; Justin Levitt, Counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU; Ryan Friedrichs, Executive Director at Michigan Voice; and more.

Supporting Organizations include: ACLU of Southern California, Asian Pacific Americans for Progress, California Common Cause, California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, California Student Equity & Sustainability Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, KPWR-FM 105.9 "Power 106", League of Women Voters of California, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Community College District, New America Foundation, Roosevelt Institution, Transformative Action Institute, William C. Velásquez Institute and more.

Register now at www.EmpowerChange.org/Summit to get your FREE ticket to the Empower Change Summit.

If you have questions about the event, please contact Ed Yoon at eyoon@americandemocracyinstitute.org.
We look forward to seeing you there!

-- Best Regards,
D'Artagnan Scorza GSEIS, Ph.D. Student
UC Student Regent-Designate
2005A Moore Hall, Box 951521
University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles , CA 90095-1521
(310) 206-4416 (O), (310) 206-6067 (F)

October 18, 2007 Meeting

2007-10-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Meeting Notes (taken by Jessica):

Barry talked about Tahoe.. Cheaper if more people go. No more than 65$ per person. Goes down if more people come. Please sign up!!!

Date A Democrat- want to do it in November. Dec is too close to X mas break. Looking at November 16th. Barry is going to talk to the people in the cooler. Could do a joint thing with Friday at 5.

Nick made a website!!!! Check it out: http://asoc.oxy.edu/oxydems !!!

Derek is talking about Oxy for Obama; he’s the interim president Works for the Southern California Obama group. Interested? Email him at Dmazzeo@oxy.edu

Patrick- talking about Crispy Creme Doughnuts, selling them in the dorms. Finding a day that works… November 8th sounds good to everyone. Talked about how much we’d like to sell

Noel Hollowell came to talk about supporting hotel workers. They are trying to unionize and they re lacking a livable wage, respect and a profitable workforce. Trying to leave around 11:30, March around 12. The event is on facebook: check it out!
http://oxy.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15543460178 Mecha is helping her, you should too!!

Becca talked about SCHIP. House Democrats were unable to override Bush’s veto. Had a discussion about SCHIP, it was really interesting.

California Democratic Party Democratic Caucus representatives came to talk about the progressive politics taking place in US. Gave us a really fascinating history lesson. Talked about the candidates and where they get their support from.

Questions, comments, wanna profess your love? Please email us at oxydems@oxy.edu !!!!!

Welcome to our blog!

2007-10-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone

Welcome to our blog! We will be using this for news posts, political discussion, and whatever else we feel like talking about.

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The Occidental College Democrats meet every Thursday at 7 PM in Johnson 204. Feel free to come to our meetings to learn more.