News

Let’s get together to kick start a Democrats Abroad Sweden group in the Umeå region.

Inaugural meeting for Democrats Abroad Sweden Umeå Region

Who’s invited:
Americans who are members of or sympathetic to the Democratic Party and the success of President Obama’s ambitious political and social agenda.

Despite his super busy schedule the meeting will be hosted by Erik Brockwell who has volunteered to get the group going. Yea Erik! Please let him know if you will attend or if you cannot attend ASAP via email: etbrockwell@googlemail.com.

When:
20 February 2010 @ 2pm

Where:
Costas, Kungsgatan 48, 903 26, Umeå

Why:
• Mid-term elections are here! Help ensure that every American in your area that would like to vote for the Democratic Party knows that they are eligible.
• Learn how to register people online.
• Volunteer for a leadership role in the Democrats Abroad Sweden Umeå Region Chapter (Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Events Chair)
• Plan to attend the 1st Annual Democrats Abroad Sweden Jefferson Davis dinner:
http://www.democratsabroad.se/2010/first-annual-jefferson-jackson-day-dinner/
• Socialize with fellow Americans.

Have a great time while doing important work with Democrats Abroad Sweden.

Here´s a brief, but important assignment as volunteer for Red Cross. The company “Visit Skärgården” and Red Cross cooperates to get young refugees to have social activities in the Stockholm archipelago during …summer. To make it possible there will be charityauctions at the Stockholm International Boat Show in Älvsjö at 6th,. 7th and 13th of March. We now need volunteers who can market the auction inside the trade fair area. That so we get more visistors so we can get more money for the activities. Last year we got 63 000 SEK.

http://www.alltforsjon.se

You can of course take the chance to get some feelings of a summer when looking at boats etc afterwards and before.

We need four volunteers at each of this time:

Saturday 6 march kl. 13.15 – 14.30
Sunday 7 march kl.13.15 – 14.30
Saturday 13 march kl 13.15 – 14.30

Please contact Mr Fredrik Gladh, fredrik.gladh@redcross.se

DAS-Gothenburg presents MIDTERM MOTIVATION

Come join us at our usual haunt, Pizza Hut on Kungsgatan Across from Domkyrkan

Tuesday, February 23, 6:00 PM

For the Annual Meeting and Election Information

Guest of Honor is Peter Dahlen, our own Chairman of Democrats Abroad Sweden (the whole shebang!). He has worked closely with Vice President Joe Biden. He will be talking about how we, as Democrats Abroad, can assist in spreading the word, supporting our candidates and reinforcing our strength as overseas voters. As Peter said in a recent newsletter, “It is an election year, which means it is time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on getting out the vote for the 2010 midterm elections.”

We need to focus on voter registration. With this in mind, we will have computer access to voter websites so you can get all your questions answered and even register online.
In addition, we will have an informative presentation by our own Outreach Coordinator and Blog Master, Benjamin Gerber, regarding key issues and races in the upcoming midterm elections.

Remember folks: This is an important time for us as Democrats. We need to show our support for the President we helped to elect.
Come join us for Sangria, pizza and inspiration.

Hello Everyone!

I think it’s about time for us all to get together again!

Critics have been harsh saying the victory in Massachusetts touched off a domino effect of political setbacks ….and the elephant in the room is the fate of the health care agenda. Many Americans are looking for someone to blame for The White Houses short comings but I don’t want our group to spend time looking for someone to blame, Our president needs our support more than ever and we can not forget what state America was in when he took over! It takes more than one year to see the change that Obama has promised we knew it wouldn’t be easy! To make the changes that America needs we need the excitement and enthusiasm that was seen during 2008! So….

On Wednesday Feburary 17th, I would like to encourage all of our memember to join us for our social meet up at Southern Kitchen Café. You can start arriving at 17:30 but we will be there until 20:00 so stop by any time. Even if it is just for a few minutes it is a great opportunity to meet with fellow Americans and discuss the events that have been going on since we last met. Also, on the agenda will be discussing some fundraising events for our group as well as beginning to organizing voter registration for the midterm elections. There is a lot going on so I really hope to see you all there. This is not an RSVP event, however if you can send me over an email letting me know if you plan on making it I can let the nice guys over at Southern Kitchen Café know how many to expect!

Yes we can!!

Where: Southern Kitchen Café
When: 17:30-20:00
Address: Östra Förstadsgatan 24 Malmö
http://www.democratsabroad.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=68264&qid=7882777

Chantra Trithara
Chair

Appetizer:
Toast Skagen(a mixture of shrimp on toast) served with lemon, Whitefish roe, and a selection of salad.
Main course:
Tenderloin of pork served with roasted root vegetables, warm tomato salad, and pepper gravy.
Coffee will be served. Drinks are not included.

Date: Saturday, 27 February 2010
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Slottshotellet, Kalmar
Price: 295 SEK
RSVP: Please RSVP to DeeDee Gierow, chair DAS Kalmar Öland at deedee.gierow@yahoo.se. Seating is limit to 50 people. So, first come first served. Please make payment to the following account and mark the payment “JJ Dinner”:

Nordea personkonto:
Letha D. Gierow
3022-01-17403

Welcome!

* an alternative menu can be arranged for guests with specific needs.

Those of us who live abroad follow the events in America closely. The recent Supreme Court decision (Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-205.pdf) regarding campaign finance law struck a chord with me. It felt like it was a further sell out of democracy. It’s critical for all of us who believe in bringing about “real change in America” to become active. Democrats Abroad Sweden is setting up a grass roots support group to support the goals of President Obama.

We have tools available to us on the internet (for example take a look at the Organizing for America blog recently set up for this purpose –http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/sarahhollister , through phone banks, calling our Senators and Representatives and the White House, writing letters and informing others about ways to become involved.

If you are interested in grass roots organizing here in Sweden, please join us at Tully’s Cafe (Götgatan 42) on Wednesday, February 17 at 6:00 pm.

Kalyani Etheart, Joanne Rowley and I painted a room in the Bostället på Högbergsgatan last week. We donated our time as part of the ‘Days of Service’ honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose birthday is celebrated the 3rd week of January in the US.

When the call for volunteers went out from DASweden for a ‘Day of Service’ honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I thought, ‘What better 60th Birthday gift can I give to my adopted city than a couple of mornings painting a
room in the Stadsmission Bostället, brightening up the lives of the formerly homeless residents?’ Kalyani, Joanne and I stretched our muscles and braved the ever present threat of spotted skin and clothes as we rolled over the Grey and Yellow walls of the TV room with brighter off-white. Residents were scheduled to apply the third coat when we discovered that the two coats didn’t quite mask the stronger underlying colors. There just may be another room waiting for you!

Other volunteer projects were discussed including one that would pair native English speakers with children from immigrant families who want to improve their verbal and written English skills. This is tremendously important to 7th-9th graders who need to do well in English to enter a gymnasium (High School), especially those which emphasize English.

Bruce Morris

Hey Skåne members!

Well tonight is the big night, Obama’s State of The Union Address! Critics have been harsh saying the victory in Massachusetts touched off a domino effect of political setbacks ….and the elephant in the room is the fate of the health care agenda. Many Americans are looking for someone to blame for The White Houses short comings but I don’t want our group to spend time looking for someone to blame, Our president needs our support more than ever and we can not forget what state America was in when he took over! It takes more than one year to see the change that Obama has promised we knew it wouldn’t be easy!

The State of the Union Address will give Obama the floor to restate the goals of his administration and a chance to get the American people back on track . To make the changes that America needs we need the excitement and enthusiasm that was seen during 2008! So….

On Wednesday Feburary 17th, I would like to encourage all of our memember to join us for our social meet up at Southern Kitchen Café. You can start arriving at 17:30 but we will be there until 20:00 so stop by any time. Even if it is just for a few minutes it is a great opportunity to meet with fellow Americans and discuss the events that have been going on since we last met. Also, on the agenda will be discussing some fundraising events for our group as well as beginning to organizing voter registration for the midterm elections. There is a lot going on so I really hope to see you all there. This is not an RSVP event, however if you can send me over an email letting me know if you plan on making it I can let the nice guys over at Southern Kitchen Café know how many to expect!

Where: Southern Kitchen Café

When: 17:30-20:00

Address: Östra Förstadsgatan 24 Malmö

Emergency Collection for the People in Haiti

Dear DASweden member,

Here is an opportunity for you to help the people of Haiti, sent to our Outreach Chair, Adrianne George, from Viken Wetlesen from the Swedish Red Cross:

“On Saturday, January 16th, we will have an emergency collection for the people in Haiti. We will meet at Hornsgatan 56, Stockholm (Café Blooms) at 11 am. Everybody will get a collection box and then we will collect money for Haiti for two hours. We should be done around 1-2 pm.
Please send this message to everybody you know in Stockholm. The more people we can gather here – the more we can help there.

Thank you for your support.

Best regards,

Viken Wetlesen
Swedish Red Cross”

And here is a letter from President Obama urging us to help the victims of this catastrophe:

“On Tuesday, a catastrophic earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the death toll — already in the thousands — is climbing fast.

This is the worst earthquake to hit the area in more than 200 years. Entire communities have been ripped apart and as many as 3 million people have been directly affected, including tens of thousands of American citizens who are in Haiti.

Our neighbors in Haiti are racing to confront the enormous devastation — and the OFA community can help.

Footage is pouring in of homes collapsing, Haitians carrying injured family members, and hospitals being overrun in what was already the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

I have directed my administration to respond with a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives. Personnel from the United States and our partners in the international community are on the ground in damaged areas right now, working side by side with the Haitian people. They’re providing much-needed food, water, and sanitation supplies, saving lives and helping local communities start to rebuild.

Despite the fact that we are experiencing tough times here at home, I encourage those who can to reach out and help. It’s in times like these that we must show the kind of compassion and humanity that has defined the best of our national character for generations.”

I hope to see you tomorrow, January 16, 2010, 11 am, at Hornsgatan 56, Stockholm (Café Blooms).

Best wishes,
Sandy Mansson

Voter Registration Kick-off and Mingle on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at Scandic Anglais Upstairs Bar, 6-9 pm

Democrats Abroad Sweden will be having it’s Voter Registration Kickoff and Mingle on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 6-9 pm, at the Scandic Anglais Upstairs Bar, Humlegårdsgatan 23, Stockholm. There is no cover charge or pre-signups for the event. Just drop in after work, register to vote with the help of our Voter Registration Committee, and mingle with your friends.

Our first Voter Registration Assistance Session at Tully’s will be on Saturday, January 30, 2010, 11 am to 1 pm, Götgatan 42, Stockholm, T-Medborgarplatsen.

At that time we will also be collecting items for care packages for our Wounded Warriors at Landstuhl Hospital, as well as for the Swedish Battalion in Afghanistan. Please bring such things as warm t-shirts and sweatshirts, socks, hygiene articles, books, magazines, games, and candy. You can also mail packages to Landstuhl Hospital: Rafael Hernandez, 10th Mountain Wounded Warriors, Haupstrasse 120, 66882 Heytschenhausen, Germany. Packes or letters to the Swedish Battalion may be sent to Mats Blom, SC ATS HKV, 107 85 Stockholm.

We will also have another Service Project in honor of Martin Luther King Day on January 20-21, 2010, at Bostället, Högbergsgatan 51, Stockholm, in an arrangement with Stadsmissionen.

We still need volunteers to help renovate a room on the 6th floor. If you would like to help out, please contact our Outreach Chair on dashalland@gmail.com. Lunch will be provided for volunteers.

You can also go online to register to vote in the 2010 mid-term elections at www.votefromabroad.org . Get your state-specific information at www.fvap.gov .

Those who are registered in Illinois and Texas have early primaries in on February 2, 2010 respective March 2, 2010. Florida also has a Special Primary on February 2, 2010.

Here is the Democrats Abroad Sweden Voter Registration Plan for 2010:

January 30, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm, Götgatan 42, T-Medborgarplatsen

February 27, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

March 27, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

April 24, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

May 29, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

June 19, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

June 28-July 7 Overseas Citizen Voter Week ( House Party, TBA )

July 4, 2010 DASweden 4th of July Picnic

July 31, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

August 28, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

September 4, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

September 4, 2010 Phone-banking at English School North, 3-6 pm

September 5, 2010 Phone-banking at English School North, 3-6 pm

September 11, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

September 18, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

September 25, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

October 2, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

October 9, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

October 14, 2010 FWAB Evening at English School North, 6-9 pm

October 16, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

October 23, 2010 Voter Registration at Tully’s, 11 am -1 pm

November 2, 2010 Mid-term Elections

There will be Voter Registration at all Democrats Abroad events, starting in January, 2010.