Harvard College Democrats » News & Events

Welcome Class of 2014!

Jason Berkenfeld — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:33:34 +0000

To the Class of 2014: Welcome to Harvard! The Harvard College Democrats have some awesome events planned for you in the coming week to kick off the new semester in style. Here’s the run down:

Wednesday, September 1st from 4pm to 7pm – Be sure to check out the Harvard College Democrats’ table at the Student Activities Fair in the Quad! You’ll be wasting your time at any other table

Saturday, September 4th from 1pm to 2pm - Come to the Dems’ Get Involved Weekend event in Sever 213. We will do an overview of the organization and discuss ways for you to get involved. Food will be provided, so don’t miss out!

Tuesday, September 7th at 8pm – Come meet past, present and potential members of the Harvard Dems as we kick off the election season with our 2010 Campaign Kick Off in Emerson 105. We will have two very special video messages from two very special Democrats, so you definitely want to be there.

Sunday, September 12th (time TBD) – Join the Dems on our first canvassing trip of the semester as we head up to New Hampshire to knock on doors for Democratic candidates. Our canvassing trips are legendary on this campus, so hop on the cool train while you still can!

Any questions, comments or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact Jason at president@harvarddems.com

Calling all Dems Alumni!

Lange Luntao — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:20:37 +0000

Are you a recently-graduated Harvard Dem? Or maybe not so recently-graduated, but still have fond memories of the Dems? We want to hear from you! In an effort to make our organization more relevant for our alumni, the Dems are reaching out to alumni young and not-so-young, near and far, with our new Alumni Newsletter. This summer’s edition can be found here (Dems Alumni Newsletter Summer 2010) and we invite all of you to download it, peruse what’s been going on in the last year, and forward the newsletter to a friend!

If you’d like to sign up for the newsletter directly, please fill out this form:

The Harvard Dems’ Second Annual Spring Scavenger Hunt!

Jon Newmark — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:00:28 +0000

The Second Annual Spring Scavenger Hunt
Enter the Harvard Dems’ nonpartisan, nonpolitical, campus wide scavenger hunt!

When? This SATURDAY, May 1st, 10am-5pm

Where? Register at Quincy JCR from 10-11:30am

Why? Your pride is on the line. Prove you’re the best.

Registration fee is $10 for teams of up to five.

Please sign up before Saturday. 200 clues. 7 hours. Winner takes all.

Be liberal: Buy a care package for a student in need

Katie Zavadski — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:04:15 +0000

Loading…

THE DEMS WIN!

Jason Berkenfeld — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:06:01 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 16, 2010

This evening, for the first time in 5 years, the Harvard College Democrats defeated the Harvard Republican Club in our annual Bipartisan Paintball Brawl! In an epic 7-game series, the Dems came out on top with a score of 4 to 3. This historic victory was a team effort, with every member demonstrating the highest standards of athletic ability. Indeed, the solidarity and camaraderie of the Dems’ team was inspiring. We left our hearts on the playing field, and we have the bruises and battle wounds to prove it.

For everyone who says Democrats can’t handle guns, this victory is for you.

For everyone who thinks Democrats are weak and fragile, this victory is for you.

And for everyone who predicted another Republican victory in the Bipartisan Paintball Brawl, this victory is for you especially.

On this rainy evening in April, there is a single refrain emanating from the lips of Harvard’s largest partisan organization: yes we did. Yes we did.

“This is only a sign of things to come,” said Jason Q. Berkenfeld, President of the Harvard College Democrats. “The odds were against us tonight, but we pulled out the victory nonetheless. Without a doubt, that will be the case in November as well. You can bet on it.”

###

Eat at UNO’s. Help the Dems.

Katie Zavadski — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:25:59 +0000

Tired of that D-Hall food? Here’s your chance to eat out AND help the Dems at the same time!

On Thursday April 8th and Thursday April 15th, eating at UNO’s Harvard Square and giving them the attached flier as you pay will result in 10% of your total check being donated to the Harvard College Democrats. (Just make sure you print the ticket for the correct day!) Help us pay for our 2010 campaign activities!

Unos4.15.10 Unos4.8.10

Dems celebrate the passage of historic health care reform in the House

Lange Luntao — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:30:58 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 22, 2010

After an almost half-century long effort to reform our nation’s health care system, the Harvard College Democrats are happy to celebrate yesterday’s historic vote in the House of Representatives. In passing H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the United States Congress took a vital step forward in ensuring quality, secure, and affordable health care for all Americans. We congratulate President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for finally addressing what Senator Edward Kennedy called the “great unfinished business of our society.” Additionally, the Dems thank our Congressman Mike Capuano for supporting these crucial changes, and we are proud that such a vocal advocate of progressive values represents the interests of our community.

Among its far-reaching effects, the legislation approved last night will eventually expand health insurance coverage to over 95% of Americans. In its common-sense provisions that protect from unfair and costly insurance practices, the bill expands access for millions to life-saving medicine. The Dems are happy to support a bill that embodies our belief that health care is a human right, not a luxury. While the bill is far from perfect, the Dems believe that it is an ideal first step in addressing one of our nation’s monumental issues.

“We could not be more excited about last night’s victory,” said Dems President Jason Q. Berkenfeld ’11. “This is the change we were fighting for in 2008, and it’s great to see months of activism finally pay off. Justice has come for millions of Americans who have been exploited by a broken system.”

As active advocates of a more fair and equitable health care system, our members worked tirelessly during the 2008 campaign to support Democratic candidates who would work to enact badly-needed health care reform. Last fall, the Dems renewed their commitment to change by organizing college students in a campaign dubbed, “Reform Can’t Wait.”

The Dems are overjoyed at having been part of this monumental movement to make life better for millions of Americans, and we look forward to continuing our efforts on behalf of the progressive agenda. “Now we move on to the next big issue of our time, whether it’s education, financial reform, climate change or immigration,” said Berkenfeld. “We as an organization won’t stop fighting for what is right.”

The Harvard College Democrats are the largest partisan political organization at Harvard University. With over three hundred active members who participate in regular campaign and community service events, the Harvard College Democrats are a powerful and expanding group of undergraduates. For more, visit www.harvarddems.com.

CONTACT |

Lange Luntao, Communications Director · communications@harvarddems.com · 209.298.1026

This press release is also visible at http://drop.io/harvarddems/asset/health-care-press-release-pdf

A Note to Congressman Capuano

Jason Berkenfeld — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:15:06 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 20, 2010

After months of activism in support of heath care reform, the Harvard College Democrats eagerly anticipate tomorrow’s vote on what we see as the cause of our generation. For over a year, we have devoted hours of our time to help bring coverage to the uninsured and fairness to those abused by a broken system. Yet victory tomorrow is important for reasons far beyond our personal efforts. On a campus that revered Senator Kennedy, there is only one outcome that will do justice to his legacy and to the progressive values we hold dear.

We know that this bill is not perfect, but we refuse to allow a few imperfections to jeopardize the overwhelming benefits that this bill would secure. Because change is so desperately needed, the Harvard College Democrats are willing to overlook a few minor flaws in order to achieve reform that is long overdue. We call on Congressman Capuano to do the same.

For over a decade, Congressman Capuano has fought for a progressive agenda in the House of Representatives and has championed those issues we care about most as young Democrats. He has rarely let us down, and our sincere hope is that tomorrow won’t be any different. In order to protect the principles that define who we are and what we believe in as an organization, we ask Congressman Capuano to vote “Yes” during tomorrow’s vote. All eyes on Harvard’s campus will be watching.

Contact:

Jason Berkenfeld

President – Harvard College Democrats

jqberken@fas.harvard.edu

(516) 263-5244

The Second Annual Progressive Soiree

Jon Newmark — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:44:42 +0000

When: Thursday, March 4th, 7-9PM

Where: Kirkland JCR

What: Join us to celebrate the progressive community on campus with food, drink, and general merriment. There’ll be plenty of liberal- ism and (non-tariffed) tea to go around, so come to meet and mingle with like-minded Harvard students!

Dems establish new Service Chair to coordinate community engagement

Lange Luntao — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:22:15 +0000

The Dems approved a series of constitutional amendments at their general meeting last night, all intended to change the structure of the organization and reinforce a commitment to public service. Approving the creation of a new Service Chair, Dems members overwhelmingly voted to install a new Executive Board member to lead a committee in organizing regular community service projects for members. This committee will spearhead the new DemsCorps initiative, providing a variety of public service opportunities that pertain to the progressive agenda. Additionally, the Service Chair and ServCom will build connections between the Dems and other campus organizations through coordinated service efforts.

The general meeting was held at 8:15 pm on Tuesday, February 16 in the Adams House Lower Common Room. Jason Berkenfeld ’11, President and Lindsay Garber ’11, Vice President presented three proposed constitutional to rename and redefine the outdated Political Chair and install in its place a Service Chair. After member discussion and the introduction of a supplemental amendment by former Treasurer Eric Hysen ’11, the three amendments were put up for a vote among the dues-paid members in attendance.

The members in attendance unanimously voted to approve the constitutional amendments and form ServCom. The amended organization constitution will soon be accessible on the Dems website, www.harvarddems.com. “Tonight the Harvard College Democrats have reaffirmed our commitment to public service,” said Berkenfeld. “We look forward to engaging with the Boston and Cambridge communities and continuing our fight for a progressive agenda.”

The Dems Executive Board have already begun distributing applications for the new position of Service Chair, and they expect to appoint their inaugural Service Chair soon. For information on the application, please contact Vice President Lindsay Garber at lgarber@fas.harvard.edu.

The Harvard College Democrats are the largest partisan political organization at Harvard University. Looking to the year ahead, the College Democrats are excited to focus their efforts on political advocacy, cultivate a progressive campus community, and renew their commitment to service. For more, visit www.harvarddems.com or contact Lange Luntao at lluntao@fas.harvard.edu.

Press release accessible at http://drop.io/harvarddems/asset/press-release-servcom-pdf