Overview of Young Democrats of Georgia (YDG) Who are these crazy youngins?

1. Empowering the young voters of Georgia to affect positive Democratic change in their communities, their state, their world, with one simple action, one solidified voice…their vote. Overview of Young Democrats of Georgia (YDG)Who are these crazy youngins?

2. Contents • DNC & DPG • YDA & YDG • YDG & our Chapters • Our Mission • Our Programs • What is a Youth Voter Movement

3. The Big Picture • Democratic National Committee (DNC) – • Highest governing body of the Democratic Party • Elects its chair after presidential primary every 4 years, National Committee votes on officers • National staff run by DNC Executive Director • Democratic Party of Georgia (DPG) – • State governing body of the Democratic Party • Elects its officers every 4 years after gubernatorial elections (mid-term national), state committee votes on officers • State staff run by DPG Executive Director

4. The Big Picture (2) • Young Democrats of America (YDA) • Youth arm of the DNC, national governing body of the Young Democrats • Elects its officers at national convention every two years, states vote together • National staff run by YDA Executive Director • Young Democrats of Georgia (YDG) – • State governing body for the Young Democrats • Elects it officers at state convention every year (president every 2 years), chapters vote together • State staff run by YDG Executive Director

5. YDG Setup • Elected Officers • President • Executive Vice-President • Vice President of Finance • Vice President of Membership • Secretary • Treasurer • National Committee Man • National Committee Woman • Caucus Chairs

6. The Caucuses • What the Caucuses Are: Guaranteed representation on YDG Executive Committee to groups that are historically under-represented • What the Caucuses Do: Provide feedback to YDG Exec, Vote, Provide educational opportunities for YDG membership to issues and topics relevant for their caucus • Who the Caucuses Are • High School (leadership is open) • College Democrats of Georgia (Griffin Wasdin from Georgia tech, Ashley Beebe from UGA) • Women (Melissa Thompson) • Minority (Luisa Cardona) • Stonewall Caucus (Skyler Akins)

7. YDG & Our Chapters • Types of Chapters • County Chapters (i.e. DeKalb Young Democrats, Young Democrats of Taylor County) • College/University Chapters (i.e. Young Democrats of Spelman, Kennesaw State University Young Democrats) • High School Chapters (i.e. Druid Hills Young Democrats, Young Democrats of Tucker High)

8. YDG’s Mission & Goals • Mission: • Creating a block of Youth Voters (14-40) • Working to elect Democrats at all levels of government • Engage Young People in the political process / activism • Goals: • Engaging 30,000 Youth Voters by end of 2010, 10,000 in 2008 • 50 chartered chapters by 2008 state convention (36+, April 2008)

9. YDG Committees • *Each chapter has a seat on each committee, president appoints committee chair, committee elects other officers as needed • Campaigns Committee • Selects Targeted Elections for YDG • Analyzes Election Data • Interacts with Campaigns for YDG / Publicizes Internships, Campaign Opportunities Membership Committee • Develops Resource Material for Chapters • Helps Chapters with Startup/Member Retention/Chapter Programs Finance Committee • Develops Finance Plan for YDG • Works with ED & President on donor programs

10. YDG Committees (2) By-Laws Committee • Recommends Changes to By-Laws • Helps YDG Committees/Officers with structural changes Platform Committee • Sets date & runs platform convention for developing / modifying platform for YDG • Sets platform at State Convention Convention Committees (temp or one-meeting) • Awards • Convention Oversight • Rules

11. YDG Programs • Peer-to-Peer (P2P) – Young People talking to other Young People about voting Democratic • Campaigns – Engaging Young People in targeted campaigns via P2P programs • Issues & Activism – Using issues to engage young people in political process • Pledge to Vote Democratic • Innovative Ideas & Local Programs Leadership Development – growing the next generation of Democratic Leaders • YDG & Committee Structures • Leadership Retreats (3xYr) • Convention • Campaigns & Activism

12. What is Young Voter Movement? YDG leaders and super activists step up an run for public office Get voter more involved with the political process (campaign volunteer and YDG member) Get voter to participate in Primary and mid-term elections Register voter – turn them out to vote

13. How We Change the World • The “Friend” Principle • Each YDG Member connects with 10 other young people • Each YDG Chapter engages in local activities • Each YDG Chapter works with other Chapters on Regional Events • YDG offers resources to get the work done and bring in new chapters • In less than 20 Years, YDs and our Friends will be running the state, the country

14. Parting Facts • Millennial Generation (born after 1977) is the largest block of young people to ever move through the electorate of our country • In 2004 we were the only age block to vote for Kerry by majority • In 2006 we were the only age block to vote for Mark Taylor for Governor by majority • In 2006 there were more young people voting (29 & under) than seniors (over 65) and we voted handedly for the Democratic candidates • We are the most global generation, we can connect the dots • We are the most generous generation, we volunteer in record numbers • When engaged in political process by our peers, we will overwhelmingly choose Democrats • We will turn our campus, our state, our country BLUE