Harvard College Democrats » News & Events

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President and Lindsay Garber ’11, Vice President presented three proposed constitutional to rename and redefine the outdated Political Chair and install in its place a Service Chair.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

Valerie Martin at the General Meeting!

Meaghan Riether — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:07:23 +0000

When: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 . 8PM

Where: Adams Upper Common Room*

What: Come to the meeting for a discussion of DemsCorps – our new service component, unveiled at the Spring Kickoff meeting last week – and a conversation with Valerie Martin, campaign manager for Representative Paul Hodes (D – NH) about gearing up and getting our feet on the ground for the 2010 midterm election cycle.

*Enter Adams House through the gate at 26 Plympton St. Turn left and go up the stairs to find the UCR.

New Year’s Resolution: Join the Dems!

Jason Berkenfeld — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:21:04 +0000

Dems’ Spring Kickoff

Tuesday, Feb 2nd – 8pm

It’s a new year, new decade and a perfect time to join the Harvard Dems! The Dems are looking forward this year to preparing for the 2010 midterm elections, renewing an organizational commitment to service, and continuing their sometimes witty, sometimes snarky, and undeniably progressive commentary on all things political. Whether you’re new to the Dems, a long-lost member, or a closet liberal, there’s a place for you in the Harvard College Democrats!

Visit the Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=257999417122.

Martha Coakley Needs Your Help!

Jason Berkenfeld — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:49:14 +0000

Anyone interested in calling voters from the comfort of their home on behalf of the Coakley campaign should contact Jason (jqberken@fas.harvard.edu) ASAP. This race is tightening up, so any time you can give would be greatly appreciated! The election is Jan 19th.

The Harvard Dems Announce Their 2009-2010 Executive Board

Jason Berkenfeld — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:13:04 +0000

For immediate release: November 18, 2009

The Harvard College Democrats are delighted to
announce their 2009-2010 executive board:

Jason Q. Berkenfeld ‘11, President. Jason is a History and Science contentrator in
Quincy House from Dix Hills, New York. “The passion and enthusiasm of this new
Board is extraordinary,” he said. “With the help of our members, I have no doubt that
we will be able to renew our commitment to a progressive agenda and strengthen the
progressive community on this campus.”

Lindsay M. Garber ‘11, Vice President. Lindsay is a Government concentrator in
Quincy House form Madison, Wisconsin.

Evelyn R. Wenger ‘11, Campaigns Director. Evelyn is a Government concentrator in
Cabot House from Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.

Lange P. Luntao ‘12, Communications Director. Lange is a Social Studies
concentrator in Kirkland House from Stockton, California.

Jonathan L. Newmark ‘12, Events Director. Jonathan is a Government concentrator
in Quincy House from Laurel Hollow, New York.

Alexa K. Zahl ‘13, Legislative Director. Alexa is a prospective Classics concentrator in
Pennypacker from New York, New York.

Daniel F. Selgrade ‘12, Membership Director. Daniel is a Molecular and Cellular
Biology concentrator in Quincy House from Belmont, Massachusetts.

Ryan A. Hanley ‘12, Political Director. Ryan is a History and Literature concentrator
in Mather House from Davidsonville, Maryland.

Meaghan M. Riether ‘12, Secretary. Meaghan is a Women, Gender, and Sexuality
concentrator in Winthrop House from Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

Katie R. Zavadski ‘13, Treasurer. Katie is a prospective Government and Women,
Gender, and Sexuality Concentrator in Hurlbut from Brooklyn, New York.

Outgoing president Eva Z. Lam ‘10 expressed her optimism about the incoming
executive board. “I’m really excited about this year’s board,” she said. “I think they’ll do
an incredible job of organizing students for the 2010 midterms and beyond.”

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.

BATTLE OF THE ALUMNI

Jason Berkenfeld — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:55:06 +0000

Come meet TWO candidates for Ted Kennedy’s MA Senate seat! Alan Khazei (HLS ‘87) and Steve Pagliuca (HBS ‘82) will be participating in an EPIC event TODAY (Thursday, November 12th) at 5pm in Austin Hall over at the Law School. Seriously, you don’t want to miss this.

Find out more about Mr. Khazei at alanforsenate.com

Find out more about Mr. Pagliuca at stevepagliuca.com

Dems Endorse Bowman-Hysen for UC

Eva Lam — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:41:14 +0000

HARVARD COLLEGE DEMOCRATS | Press Release | November 11, 2009

The Harvard College Democrats enthusiastically endorsed the ticket of Johnny Bowman and Eric Hysen for UC President and Vice President at a special meeting last night. The Dems are the first student group to endorse a candidate in this year’s elections.

A town hall-style meeting was held at 8 PM in Adams House Upper Common Room. Candidates George Hayward, Felix Zhang, Johnny Bowman, and Eric Hysen presented their ideas to an audience that included roughly forty voting and non-voting members. The forum was open to the public; ballots were only issued to dues-paid members.

The format of the meeting consisted of two-minute introductory statements by both tickets, one-minute answers to questions from President Eva Lam ‘10, and one-minute answers to questions from members present during the meeting.

After the debate, the candidates left the room while members deliberated briefly before voting by secret ballot to endorse the Bowman-Hysen ticket.

Said Lam, “We were impressed by all of the candidates’ experience and their visions for Harvard’s future. However, we are especially excited to work with Johnny and Eric because of their experience in advocating for change at Harvard, particularly with respect to the impact of budget cuts on student life.”

Many members also noted that both Bowman and Hysen share a commitment to progressive ideals. Hysen was a field organizer with the Obama campaign in Virginia, and Bowman has been especially active in fighting for workers’ rights at and beyond Harvard.

The Dems hope to make tangible contributions to the UC campaign in the next week of the campaign, and look forward to working with Bowman and Hysen in the coming year.

Voting is open to Harvard undergraduates between noon on Monday, November 16, and Thursday, November 19, at http://uc.fas.harvard.edu. To find out more, visit www.bowmanhysen.com. To get involved, email Ashley Fabrizio (amfabriz@fas.harvard.edu) and Tiffany Fereydouni (tfereyd@fas.harvard.edu).

GENERAL MEETING: Election Results Watch Party!

Danielle Gram — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:05:19 +0000

When: Tuesday, November 3, 2009. 4-7 PM phonebank, 7 PM Election Results Watch Party
Where: Phonebank in Adams Coolidge Room, H-Entryway; Watch Party in Mather Big TV Room
What: After doing some Get Out The Vote phonebanking (4-7PM in Adams H-entryway Coolidge Room), come eat pizza and watch the election results come in!

2009 Board Elections

Eva Lam — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:51:10 +0000

View candidate statements and other information concerning the election of the 2009-10 Executive Board of the Harvard College Democrats here. Elections will be held on Tuesday, November 17, at 8 PM in Emerson Hall 305. To confirm your eligibility to vote, or with other questions about the election, contact Vice-President Christian Garland or President Eva Lam.