A place for young progressives
Know anyone looking to organize this fall?
Jul 23rd
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| Friend –
I’m the national training director at Obama for America. My job is to develop the programs and resources our staff and volunteers use to teach others how to grow this campaign in their communities. I’m writing because you or someone you know might want to be among a group of people who will play the leading role in our grassroots strategy this fall. They’re called our fall fellows. By now you’ve probably heard of our summer organizers program, through which more than 1,500 full-time volunteer organizers have stepped up as the next generation of leaders in this movement. These folks have been the focus and the heart of our movement all summer, and though each and every one of them will remain a part of this organization, their time as Summer Organizers ends next month. The job of fall fellows is to pick their work up and carry it forward into the months to come. Our fall fellows are going to engage new volunteers on front porches and over the phones. They’ll register new voters and develop relationships with other organizers and supporters on campuses and in communities. The people selected will be on the front lines of the most important work we do as a campaign: bringing people together at the local level. Apply to be a fall fellow right now — or pass this message along to someone else you think would be great: http://my.barackobama.com/Fall-Fellows Organizing is tough work. I started out as an organizing intern in Iowa in 2007, and I can tell you firsthand that the hours can be long, often extending late into the evening and over the weekend. But this will be one of the most rewarding and inspiring things you’ll ever do. It’s through organizing that I’ve met some of my closest friends and learned the skills I use in my job every day. So even if you’re not in a position to join us part- or full-time in the months to come, I really hope you’ll forward this message to someone you know who might be. This kind of organizing isn’t just how we plan to win this election. It’s a reflection of the kind of politics that we believe in — the kind the President himself practiced as a young organizer working with communities devastated by factory closings in Chicago. No experience is required — you might be a veteran organizer or a first-time volunteer. And if you happen to be a college student, you can work with your school to earn credit through this program. Bottom line: No matter how old you are or where you come from, it’s not too often you get a chance to do something like this. Apply now to be one of our fall fellows — or share this message with someone you think might be interested: http://my.barackobama.com/Fall-Fellows Thanks, and good luck, Sara Sara El-Amine |
Jul 13th
Don’t forget, we’re transitioning our Facebook group – if you haven’t friended or (refriended) us yet, click here. Thanks for being a part of our community!
News from the White House
Jul 12th
Wanted to share with you that we’ve launched a White House website specifically for Young Americans. The URL, fittingly, is whitehouse.gov/youngamericans.
After taking a lot of the suggestions you’ve offered, we’ve designed this to pool many of the President and Administration’s remarks, videos, and blog posts that have specific relevance to Young Americans, to make it easier for you to access specific quotes and positions. Recent posts that we’ve pooled include statements and video on Pell and Educational Access, LGBT issues, DADT, Sudan/Darfur, Youth Employment, and International Youth Issues. We’ll be updating it as new content is available so please use it as a resource moving forward.
Youth Updates
Independence of the Republic of South Sudan
Young people have been advocating for peace in Darfur and Sudan for more than a decade. A very historic weekend for all. Take a look below:
- Statements from President Obama and Secretary Clinton on the independence of the Republic of South Sudan
- A fact sheet on U.S. support to peace and security in South Sudan
- Remarks by Ambassador Susan Rice at a Ceremony Marking the Independence of the Republic of South Sudan
- White House Blog (with video) on “South Sudan’s Moment of Promise”
Twitter Town Hall
July 6, 2011
President Obama participated in the first ever Twitter Town Hall at the White House, answering questions from Americans across the country submitted on Twitter using the #AskObama hashtag. The President kicked off the event with a tweet asking the American public for their ideas on reducing the deficit. The President took questions from Americans all across the country on a range of different topics and issues.
The Employment Situation in June
June 8, 2011
Today’s employment report shows that private sector payrolls increased by 57,000 in June and the unemployment rate ticked up to 9.2 percent. While the private sector has added 2.2 million jobs over the past 16 months, this month’s report reflects the recent slowdown of economic growth due to headwinds faced in the first half of this year. The monthly employment and unemployment numbers are volatile and employment estimates are subject to substantial revision. Therefore, as the Administration always stresses, it is important not to read too much into any one monthly report.
The Departments of Justice and Education Resolve Gender-Based Harassment Case
July 1, 2011
The Departments of Justice and Education announced an important settlement with a California school district, resolving an investigation under federal civil rights law into the harassment of a gay middle school student based on his nonconformity with gender stereotypes.
Council on Veterans Employment Meets to Discuss the Way Forward
July 1, 2011
This week President Obama’s Council on Veterans Employment met at the White House to review their results in increasing the number of Veterans hired in the Federal Government. The Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, and other Agency Heads in attendance discussed creative ways to further increase Veterans employment in both the public and private sectors.
Lastly, check out West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week President Obama celebrated Independence Day with military families on the South Lawn and continued to work with leaders from both houses of Congress to find a balanced approach to reducing our long-term deficit. The Office of Public Engagement had several events that were also featured, including the National Youth Call that the President joined, as well as the Rural Champions of Change event that the President dropped by.
BGSU senior Democrats’ nominee for city council
Jul 8th
BOWLING GREEN — A Bowling Green State University student has been selected by local Democrats to run for the First Ward city council seat, now that Democratic nominee Danielle McConnell has resigned from the race. Daniel Gordon, a Bowling Green native, is a senior at BGSU majoring in political science and philosophy. His father, Jeff Gordon, previously served as a Second Ward councilman.
Mr. Gordon will face Republican incumbent Mark Hollenbaugh in the November election.