Our Next Generation

In case you don't read the Sunday Tennessean, here is an excellent letter written by Leah Flynn, a junior at Hume-Fogg Academic High School. For some us, high school wasn't all that long ago. These students are our next generation and we need to take time to listen to what they have to say. Hopefully there are many more like Flynn out there.

Tennessee Voices: Don't underestimate this generation
By LEAH FLYNN

The truth is that my generation has the highest level of volunteerism than any generation preceding it.

Despite stereotypes of apathetic teenagers, we really are concerned with the future of our community. We are worried about the health of our environment and the amount of trash that we see in the downtown area, and, in response, we volunteer our afternoons to recycle and to plant trees or other plants. We want more sidewalks and less gasoline fumes.

There has been much discussion lately concerning children's educational environment. Even if we are dressed in the nicest and most professional standard attire, we will still have to walk past the garbage and the litter on our way to school.

We are worried about the conditions of our schools. We want equity in the schools; one school should not have nice hallways, better teachers or more technology than a school in another part of town. We are not going school to simply to pass the time; we want a quality education.

We want more qualified teachers and a stronger curriculum, and if that means higher taxes to make our education a priority, we want that, too. Without a strong education, what chance do we have of being able to make an impact on the Nashville area?

The Oasis Center held its 10th annual PULSE Day last Saturday. This was a day for Nashville's youth to become more invested in their community. The theme for this year was "PULSE Day Every Day," and the 500 teenagers who participated were encouraged to become more involved in serving the community and in being active in the politics of Nashville. PULSE Day allowed the voice of Nashville's youth to be heard when it so often goes ignored.

We live here, and we want to be a part of making the decisions that will have an impact on us. Hundreds of participating youth were asked what issues concerned them. This is what they said:

• Fund schools as Nashville's first priority.
• Take steps to protect our environment.
• Put a stronger focus on graduation and the importance of college.
• Establish strong security at schools and campuses.
• Launch initiatives to clean up our city.

Feeling Good

After watching the first Democratic Presidential Debate on MSNBC, I'm left feeling a LOT better about our chances in 2008. A majority of the candidates on the stage were intelligent, clever, and look prepared to lead. Sure, there's room for improvement. And once the field gets a bit smaller, we can get a few more details and more intense questioning. But for now the future looks bright and we should all take hope in that.

Just 558 days!

Back from my trip to Atlanta

Today I am back in the DCDP headquarters working away for democrats in Nashville but this weekend I put on my Tennessee Young Democrats Prez hat and headed to Atlanta for the YDA Southeast Regional meeting.

We are the strongest region of YDA (which each state in the region will swear to if you ask us.) We met to coordinate efforts, learn what other states are doing, what works and what doesn’t, to have a general meeting and then of course to network…aka socialize.

We started off the day talking about best practices and what each state organization has been doing. We then moved into credentials (we are all looking forward to chartering before the National Convention in Dallas.) If I seem frustrated and stressed out between our Spring Convention in Omaha and our National Convention in Dallas this could be the culprit. Don’t want any penalties against our great state! We then moved into our training session with our National YDA Political Director Tony Cani. It was an always important topic. Chapter building: How to grow our chapters; the types of people that make up organizations and chapters; how to motivate; how to retain members; and then how do we become an organization that is recognized and taken seriously.

We ended the day with general session. We elected new officers for our region and the winners are:

Regional Director: Robert Hooks from Mississippi
Deputy Director: Nikema Williams from Georgia
Secretary: Benson Manica from Georgia
Treasurer: Pat Grayson from Alabama
Judicial Council Representative: Kirk Miller from Georgia
Judicial Council Rep Alternate: Seannalyn Brandmeir from Tennessee

We ended the evening with a party at Shout! in Midtown Atlanta. All and all it was a great event with a great group of dedicated young democrats.

Want to come to the next event? Register for the YDA Spring Convention in Omaha, NE May 18-20th. www.yda.org

Seanna Brandmeir
President, Tennessee Young Democrats

Also, just up on the web. www.ydasoutheast.org

At Least They Vote

Remember all the hoopla that Conservatives and the Bush Administration created over France not wanting to join the fight to free Iraq? You know, "Freedom Fries" and all that jazz. Well, France just did what America hasn't done in over 120 years: had over 80% voter turnout in a presidential election. 84.6% to be exact.

In fact, the United States of America hasn't topped over 60% since the 1960's. Since 1980, the average turnout among American voters has been 52.37% in presidential years. With over 300,000,000 people now living in the United States (OK, 280,000,000 legally), just barely over half that feels compelled to decide who runs the show. For country that is supposedly "spreading democracy" across the world, we sure are forgetful about exercising it here at home.

With the local elections of Metro Council, Vice-Mayor, and Mayor continuing to draw closer, remember that every vote counts, and every election is important. Each time you vote, you renew your faith in democracy. Our representative government may not be perfect, but it does give all people a voice. When we give up that voice, even on the local level, we lose a little piece of ourselves.

Brave American men and women don't die on the battlefields of this Earth so that we can simply complain about how we don't like our laws, our taxes, our rights or lack there of. They have died so that we could stand up, be heard, and vote for those people who would do the best job possible to make our neighborhoods, our cities, our states, and our country the best they can be.

So from now until Election Day, stop yelling your opinion and start listening to the candidates. Stop assuming they're all the same and start asking the tough questions. Get registered, get involved, and when it comes time: VOTE!

Update From the Ryman

This just sent out from the Edwards camp:

Dear Nashville,

Due to the tragic campus shootings at Virginia Tech today, in place of his original event, John Edwards will now be holding a community service to honor the victims.

Doors will still open at 3:30pm.

We would like to use this time to come together and send our thoughts and prayers to the students and families of Virginia Tech.

John and Elizabeth sent the following message earlier today:

“We are simply heartbroken by the deaths and injuries suffered atVirginia Tech. We know what an unspeakable, life-changing momentthis is for these families and how, in this moment, it is hard tofeel anything but overwhelming grief, much less the love and support around you. But the love and support is there. We pray that these families, these students, and the entire Virginia Tech community know that they are being embraced by a nation. There is a Methodist hymnthat gave us solace in such a moment as this, and we repeat its final verse here, in hopes it will help these families, as it helped us:" ‘In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;In our doubt there is believing, in our life, eternity,In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.’

“Our dearest wish is that this day could start again, with the promise of these young people alive. Knowing that cannot be, our prayer is for God’s grace and whatever measure of peace can be reached on this terrible day.”

Pancakes and Volunteering with District 34 Candidate Lisa Pote

Metro Council District 34 Candidate Lisa Pote is throwing a Volunteer Kick-off Pancake Breakfast this Saturday and the DCYDs are invited. Not just any pancakes, but official Pancake Pantry pancakes! The Pote Campaign is asking any Davidson County Young Democrats in District 34 or the surrounding areas to come out to learn more about Lisa and hopefully volunteer to help this election season.

To RSVP, e-mail the campaign at contact@votepote.com. Check below for a copy of the invitation as well as a little background on the candidate.

A Brief Biography

"At 46 years old, Lisa values the importance of making a difference. After an extensive career in business, government and serving the nonprofit community, Lisa has grown to love her community and understand the importance of having a voice for Nashville's residents. This commitment to the community has resulted in her run for the District 34 Metro Council seat.

In 1994, she and her family moved to Nashville from the Washington, DC area. While finishing graduate school, Lisa started working for Nashville Career Advancement Center (NCAC), a division of the Mayor's Office. As the lead advocate for high-risk job seekers within the workforce development system, Lisa designed and implemented employment support programs for job seekers facing barriers to employment.

Those job seekers with barriers included individuals moving off welfare, people with disabilities, the working poor and disadvantaged youth. Throughout her 9 years at NCAC, Lisa wrote, received and managed up to 6 million dollars of federal grants. She also coordinated an initiative to improve the capacity of workforce development for nonprofit agencies.

In 2005, Lisa accepted a new challenge as director of consulting for Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM). She is now responsible for "making the match" between the CNM consultant pool and nonprofit and government organizations to improve their capacity to meet and exceed performance. Services include strategic planning, board development, resource development planning, team-building, human resources and performance management. Also, she is responsible for delivering facilitation, program design and performance
improvement services to these nonprofits as appropriate.

Lisa is actively involved in her community as member of West End Synagogue, Nashville CABLE, Nashville Women's Political Caucus, League of Women Voters and serves on the Boards of Hands on Nashville and National Association of Social Workers Tennessee Chapter. Married for 22 years to Michael Pote, she and her husband have 2 children. Ben, age 20, attends Washington University in St. Louis and Max, 17, is a junior at Hillsboro High School."

At-Large Metro Council candidate Megan Barry Invites the DCYDs Out

At-Large Metro Council candidate Megan Barry is inviting the DCYDs out to an event on Wednesday. Those that can give are encouraged to do so, but donations are not required. This is a great way to get to know Megan and find out more about her candidacy.

9th Annual Heritage Day a Big Success!

Thanks to all the contributions and ticket sales, the Davidson County Young Democrats were able to raise over $4,000 at Thursday night's 9th Annual DCYD Heritage Day. Below is a list of all the doners who answered the call to support their local Young Democrats chapter. Be sure to thank them for their support as well as our honoree, Congressman Jim Cooper, for his commitment to the Davidson County Young Democrats as well as all the citizens of Tennessee's 5th District.




Congressman Jim Cooper (center) with DCYD Executive Board Members (left to right) Mary Beth Davis, Matia Powell, Priscilla Norman, Addison Pate, Seannalyn Brandmeir, and Rachel Barnhard.

2007 DCYD Heritage Day Sponsors

DCYD Partner

Ronnie Steine for At-Large Metro Council

DCYD Advocates

David Briley for Mayor

Diane Neighbors for Vice Mayor

Edward J. Gross

Howard Gentry for Mayor

Jane Eskind

DCYD Friends

Billy Fields

Byron R. Trauger

Judge Daniel B. Eisenstein

Senator Douglas Henry

Jamie Qualk

Representative Janis Sontany

Jean Carter Wilson

Karl Dean for Mayor

Kathleen Murphy

Megan Barry for At-Large Metro Council

Richard Exton for At-Large Metro Council

Ross Alderman

Will Cheek

9th Annual Heritage Day Celebration Tonight!

Please join us tonight as we honor Congressman Jim Cooper for his dedication and support of the Davidson County Young Democrats. Tickets are just $25.00 with all proceeds going to support the DCYDs. Those interested in joining can use your ticket purchase as your dues payment for the year. For more information please contact DCYD President Addison Pate at (615) 554-4349.

Neighbors invites DCYDs to Celebration At Cabana

At-Large Metro Councilwoman and Vice-Mayor Candidate Diane Neighbors has invited all of the DCYDs out to a free ... yep, you heard me, FREE event at Cabana's on Monday, April 9th. The invitation is below. When you go, be sure to thank Councilwoman Neighbors for becoming a sponsor of the 9th Annual DCYD Heritage Day!