YDA Summary & Call to Action

Attending the Young Democrats of America conference was certainly a learning experience. I'm grateful to have met so many smart, interesting, and truly passionate people, including the incredible New York delegation, a diverse group with a bright future.

My pride in being affiliated with the Democratic party is also reinforced. I simply cannot understand why any thinking, feeling person would not want to be affiliated with the party that believes everyone has a right to getting help when they're sick, positive global relations, long-term view on taking care of our earth, that people of all backgrounds and circumstances deserve choices, and above all, that everyone is equal and deserves to be treated as such.

[I'll link to the YDA statement of values as soon as I can find it online]

But my primary complaint with the conference, and concern with the organization and its future, is this: so much time was spent and so much energy was focused on elections, titles, rules, beaurocracy, and comparatively little on action, strategy, training, and recruitment. It's both lucky and comfortable to be the party in power, but we're not going to stay here for long if all the incredible youth energy in this country is plundered on old-school processes and stroking egos by awarding titles. Just because something is the tradition doesn't make it the best way to do something. A four-hour voting session for national officers could have been much better spent voting online and then staging a rally for marriage equality or phone/email campaign in support of Obama's health care plan. What's more, I heard this exact sentiment from everyone else except those running for or holding office. The YDA is going to lose active members if it doesn't conduct itself as a youth organization of the 21st century.

I'm excited about the newly elected officers, including President Crystal Strait, EVP Rod Snyder, VP Coleman Elridge, VP Isaac Robinson, VP Renee Hartley, Secretary Emily Robinson, and Treasurer Mark Newman; they all seem to have a track record of action and those I talked to were very smart and poised. I hope they will turn some of that incredible energy and intelligence outward and work to not be swallowed by the organizational bubble, that their dedication will be to leadership, not titles; action, not activity; service, not self-service.

Here's to a strong party, promising leadership, and the passion of youth in America.