In This Issue  

 Young Democratic Socialists Update: September 16, 2008

2008 Summer Retreat
 
 
 
 


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
2008 Summer Retreat
Fun, games, and socialism
 
Attendance and political results of the 2008 Socialist Summer Retreat reflected much of the successful work done by the Young Democratic Socialists and its activists over the past two years.  The retreat, which ran from Aug. 8 -10 in upstate Wurtsboro, N.Y., drew  45 youth and students from as far away as Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. Delegations of five or more came from William Paterson University (New Jersey), College of Wooster (Ohio), and Brown University (Rhode Island).
 
The conference offered both time for play and for intellectual development. In between pick-up sports, swimming and bonfires, YDS members participated in political workshops and plenaries, elected our Coordinating Committee and adopted this year’s Activist Agenda, our national priorities. Check out new Coordinating Committee members here.  The new Activist Agenda focuses on solidarity with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and youth support for the Democratic Socialists of America’s Renegotiate NAFTA petition. The Activist Agenda also includes a plank pledging the group to work on creating a world where quality education is available for all.
 
Click here for full conference report and pictures. 
 
Looking for a Good Woman
Open Spot for a Woman on the Coordinating Committee
 
The Coordinating Committee (CC), whose current members can be seen here, is the volunteer leadership of YDS.  This body comprises the two co-chairs, The Activist editor, the corresponding secretary, the national organizing committee facilitator, the coalitions coordinator, anti-racist coordinator, and feminist issues coordinator along with six at-large positions.  The CC works closely Erik Rosenberg, the YDS national organizer to create campaign materials, develop strategy for YDS on the local and national levels, formulate conference programming, and much more.
 
The YDS constitution requires that the CC be at least 50 per cent women.  Currently, we are one woman shy of that mark so we’re conducting a search for a new female CC member to take a position at large.  Please email yds@dsausa.org for an application.
 
You do not even need to be a member in good standing of YDS to apply, though you will have to pay your dues if you are selected.  We are open to applications from people with various levels of expertise or experience in activism, social justice or socialism; though a commitment to building democratic socialism is a must.   If you have any questions about the application, please email yds@dsausa.org. 

Latest from The Activist
Interesting articles from the YDS online magazine
 
Our blog, The Activist, is a great source for democratic socialist and progressive political perspectives from inside and outside YDS.  This forum allows readers and writers to respond to one another, and The Activist is always looking for new writers and articles.  If you are interested in writing for the The Activist, please email The Activist Editor, Bhaskar Sunkara at admin@theactivist.org.  For now, check out these pertinent pieces.
 
“Community Organizers Fight Back” – The attacks and dismissive remarks against community organizers at the GOP convention were disgusting.  Community organizers are organizing a response to the idea that “they have no responsibilities” and that their profession “isn’t even a job.” Check out the new pro-community organizing website here.
  
“Why The Left Should Be Careful In Dealing With Bristol Palin’s Pregnancy” – Adrian Bleifuss Prados argues that not making a political issue of Gov. Sarah Palin’s daughter is not only moral, but also feminist.  
 
“Students of the World Unite” – YDS member Nate Nelson writes “Now more than ever before, we need an organized student movement united around the principle that students and faculty must cooperate to seize control of the means of education and drive corporate America and the military-industrial complex out of our lecture halls and administrative buildings. Now more than ever, we need a new generation of student leaders who can shake off the malaise and defeatism and get us organized. We need marches, strikes, sit-ins, and complete university shut-downs. We need to bring the corporate university system to a grinding halt and demand its complete, non-negotiable reform on our own terms.” Read the full article here.

YDS Winter Conference in New York City
Save the date: February 27th through March 1st 
 
The annual YDS national conference is coming up this February 27th to March 1st.  Past speakers have included Noam Chomsky, Barbara Ehrenreich, Bill Fletcher, Gayatri Spivak, Frances Fox Piven, Manning Marable and Stephen Eric Bronner.  Each year, hundreds come from across the country to participate in this activist gathering.  Please remind your YDS chapters, progressive clubs, and friends about the conference.  For more information, contact YDS national organizer Erik Rosenberg at erik@dsausa.org

 
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