Tonight in Atima’s honor, and to help raise the funds she needs for a national campaign, the AYD Women’s Caucus is hosting a reception in Clarendon. Tickets for young democrats are just $25 and include open bar (champagne, beer and wine).

All funds raised will go to help Atima as she campaigns across the country sharing her values and vision with young democrats across the nation!

The reception begins at 7 p.m. and is being held at the home of County Board member Mary Hynes in Clarendon.

RSVP on Facebook for address and additional information.

Atima’s campaign will culminate at the YDA National Convention taking place in San Antonio August 9-11.

The annual convention is a great opportunity to network with peers from around the country, as well as participate in numerous training sessions. It is a proving ground for up and coming leaders within the democratic party, and a chance for our chapter to showcase our accomplishments on a national stage.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Lauren. We strongly encourage attendees to begin to make travel arrangements early. AYD will be providing subsidies for members’ room and board needs.

School Board Caucus (Thursday or Saturday)

The voting for the Arlington Democrats’ endorsement of a school board candidate will take place Thursday, May 9 and Saturday, May 11. All registered Democrats in the county are eligible to vote.

Caucus details:

Thursday May 9 at Drew Model School in Shirlington (3500 23rd St S 22206)

Voting open 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday May 11 at Washington-Lee High School in Ballston (1301 N. Stafford St 22201)

Voting open 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help staff Saturday’s voting site in Ballston, including setup and cleanup.  Volunteer roles are varied, but mostly include greeting and directing voters as they go through the voting process, and staffing the registration table.

Volunteers who can work three hour shifts (or more!) are greatly appreciated. If you are able to help out please contact Conor Marshall.

Arlington Democrats’ Second Saturday Breakfast (May 11, Shirlington)

Have breakfast with two candidates running for statewide office at May’s Second Saturday breakfast at the Busboys and Poets in Shirlington. Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, Ralph Northram and Justin Fairfax, respectively, will be on hand to meet with Arlington democrats and speak about their campaigns.

Saturday, May 11

8:30 a.m.

Busboys and Poets

4251 S. Campbell Ave

Please bring cash to help split up the bill.

AYD Career and Networking Happy Hour (May 14, Courthouse)

New to the area? Looking for a new job? Just like to network? Then come join AYD’s Career and Networking Caucus for its first happy hour of 2013. This will be a great chance to meet area young professionals, network, make new friends and maybe secure a job lead or two.

Tuesday, May 14

6 p.m.

Ireland’s Four Courts

2051 Wilson Blvd

(Right across from the Court House metro stop)

Bring friends and be sure to RSVP on Facebook.

AYD Political (& Pop Culture) Trivia (May 15, Ballston)

AYD’s May monthly meeting will test your political knowledge (with a little pop culture mixed in). Come out to Bailey’s Pub in Ballston for your chance to prove that you are the biggest political wonk in AYD. There will be prizes for the winners, along with free appetizers.

Wednesday, May 15

Bailey’s Pub and Grille (Ballston)

4238 Wilson Blvd (in the Ballston Mall)

Metro accessible via the Orange Line; parking available in the mall garage or on the street.

Invite your friends and please RSVP on Facebook.

Second Annual Members-Only BBQ  (May 18, Virginia Square)

Join President Lauren Hall for AYD’s second annual members-only BBQ near the Virginia Square metro.  AYD will provide some basic BBQ items (burgers and such), but members are asked to bring a potluck item of their choice.

We will also need some volunteers to help with set up, the grill, the check-in table, and clean up.

Please sign up if you can volunteer or would like to bring a potluck item.

The grill will be fired up at 4 p.m., and we’ll be cooking out until 6:30 p.m.

You must be an active (paid) member to attend. Please join/renew your AYD membership by Friday, May 17*. If you have questions about your membership status, please contact our membership team.

*Sign up ahead of time! Additional fees may apply for day-of sign-ups.

And don’t forget to RSVP on Facebook!

Terry McAuliffe Happy Hour with Robby Mook (May 20, Courthouse)

Top Democrat strategist and Terry McAuliffe Campaign Manager Robby Mook will be joining area democrats for a special happy hour at Guarapo on Monday, May 20. Mook is an expert when it comes to winning campaigns, and will be able to provide direct insights into the gubernatorial campaign.

Monday, May 20

Guarapo

2039 Wilson Blvd  (across from the Courthouse Wendy’s)

Metro accessible via the Orange Line. Limited street parking available.

Young Dems Summer Meeting (May 31-June 2, Charleston, WV)

Mark your calendars for the YDA Summer Meeting in nearby Charleston, WV. A great chance to show the strength of our chapter, help recruit individuals for Virginia’s critical statewide elections, improve your political acumen through networking and training opportunities, as well as show support to AYD’s own Atima Omara-Alwala in her candidacy to be YDA President.

Contact our President, Lauren if you are planning on coming or if you want more information.

Campaign Corner- Primary Edition

With the primaries just a month away, and the governor campaign heating up, candidates for statewide offices will be frequenting Arlington over the next few weeks and they need your help.

Contact our political director, Matt Brown, to learn more about all of the great volunteer opportunities happening in our area.

Remember these Dates:

May 7: Champagne Reception (Clarendon)

May 9, 11: School Board Caucus (Metro & South Arlington)

May 11: Arlington Democrats’ Second Saturday Breakfast (Shirlington)

May 14: AYD Career and Networking Happy Hour (Courthouse)

May 15: AYD Monthly Meeting (Ballston)

May 18: 8th District Convention (Springfield)

May 18: AYD President’s BBQ (members only) (Virginia Square)

May 20: Terry McAuliffe Happy Hour with Robby Mook (Courthouse)

May 31-June 2: 2013 YDA Summer Meeting (Charleston, WV)

August 9 – 11: YDA Convention (San Antonio, TX)

Even though the majority of AYD members do not currently have direct interests in the county’s school system, this is an important election that will shape how our county educates for years to come. All members are encouraged to come to tomorrow’s debate at the NRECA building to hear from the candidates, James Lander (incumbent) and Barbara Kanninen, as they share their respective visions and goals if elected.

Tomorrow Night (Wed. May 1)

7 p.m.

NRECA

4301 Wilson Blvd.

(Just a few blocks from the Ballston metro stop; free parking in the NRECA garage and on the street)

Additionally, the voting for the party’s endorsement will take place Thursday, May 9 and Saturday, May 11. All registered Democrats in the county are eligible to vote.

Volunteers are needed to help staff Saturday’s voting site in Ballston, including setup and cleanup.   Volunteer roles are varied, but mostly include greeting and directing voters as they go through the voting process, and staffing the registration table.

Caucus details:

Thursday May 9 at Drew Model School in Shirlington (3500 23rd St S 22206)

Voting open 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday May 11 at Washington-Lee High School in Ballston

Voting open 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Volunteers needed all day; shifts start at 10 a.m.

Volunteers who can work three hour shifts (or more!) are greatly appreciated. If you are able to help out please contact Conor Marshall.

Champagne Reception for YDA Presidential Candidate Atima Omara-Alwala (May 7, Arlington)

Please join AYD’s Women’s Caucus and YDA Presidential candidate Atima Omara-Alwala for a champagne reception to support her bid to bring Arlington values to the Young Democrats of America!

Atima’s campaign is well underway and needs our help and continued support. A portion of the funds raised during this reception will go to help Atima as she campaigns across the country AND will go to AYD to help fund our members who are interested in attending the YDA convention this summer in San Antonio!

Tuesday, May 7

7 p.m.

Home of County Board member Mary Hynes near Clarendon

RSVP on Facebook for address and additional information.

Arlington Democrats’ Second Saturday Breakfast (May 11, Shirlington)

Have breakfast with two candidates running for statewide office at May’s Second Saturday breakfast at the Busboys and Poets in Shirlington. Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General, Ralph Northram and Justin Fairfax, respectively, will be on hand to meet with Arlington democrats and speak about their campaigns.

Saturday, May 11

8:30 a.m.

Busboys and Poets

4251 S. Campbell Ave

Please bring cash to help split up the bill.

AYD Career and Networking Happy Hour (May 14, Courthouse)

New to the area? Looking for a new job? Just like to network? Then come join AYD”s Career and Networking Caucus for its first happy hour of 2013. This will be a great chance to meet area young professionals, network, make new friends and maybe secure a job lead or two.

Tuesday, May 14

6 p.m.

Ireland’s Four Courts

2051 Wilson Blvd

(Right across from the Court House metro stop)

Bring friends and be sure to RSVP on Facebook.

Support AYD’s VP Max Burns for 8th Congressional District Democratic Committee (May 18, Springfield)

Our VP, Max Burns, has thrown his hat into the ring and is running to represent Arlington residents as one of the 8th Congressional District Democratic Committee Members- but he needs our help!

Support his candidacy by “Liking” it on Facebook, and invite your friends to help a fellow Young Democrat build our brand across the entire 8th District.

And come out to vote for Max on Saturday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield. Be sure to arrive early, as those not in line by 10 a.m. will not be credentialed.

Support Atima Omara-Alwala for YDA President (May 31-June 2, Charleston, WV)

Mark your calendars for the YDA Summer Meeting in nearby Charleston, WV. A great chance to show the strength of our chapter, help recruit individuals for Virginia’s critical statewide elections, improve your political acumen through networking and training opportunities, as well as show support to AYD’s own Atima Omara-Alwala in her candidacy to be YDA President.

Contact our President, Lauren if you are planning on coming or if you want more information.

Democratic Primary Season

Campaigns for local and state office are heating up, with eyes towards the rapidly approaching June primaries. While AYD does not endorse candidates prior to the primaries, we do encourage our members to get involved with the campaigns. The candidates for the Lieutenant Governor nomination are Aneesh Chopra and Ralph Northram; running for the Attorney General nomination are Mark Herring and Justin Fairfax.

Primary season is a great chance for our members to strengthen their political know-how, gain some campaign experience and build relationships with candidates and campaign leaders. AYD will share upcoming events and opportunities as the candidates and campaigns submit them. Contact Matt Brown with any questions about the ongoing campaigns.

Volunteer for Terry (Now until November!)

Terry McAuliffe needs your help! If you are interested in becoming involved in the campaign for governor, this is a great opportunity to gain valuable experience and build connections. It’s easy to sign up and help:

Throughout May the campaign is holding phone banking each week, Monday through Thursday, in Arlington.  Volunteers are needed:

Volunteers are needed until 9 p.m. and are welcome for any amount of time that they can spare.

Our Political Director, Matt Brown, is recruiting AYD volunteers for the 2013 campaign. Contact him to help out.

Remember these Dates:

May 1: Arlington Democrats’ Monthly Meeting (Ballston)

May 7: Champagne Reception (Clarendon)

May 9, 11: School Board Caucus (Metro & South Arlington)

May 11: Arlington Democrats’ Second Daturday Breakfast (Shirlington)

May 14: AYD Career and Networking Happy Hour (Courthouse)

May 15: AYD Monthly Meeting (TBD)

May 18: 8th District Convention (Springfield)

May 18: AYD President’s BBQ (members only) (TBD)

May 20: Terry McAuliffe Happy Hour with Robby Mook (TBD)

May 26: AYD for Terry Canvass (Courthouse)

May 31-June 2: 2013 YDA Summer Meeting (Charleston, WV)

August 8 – 11: YDA Convention (San Antonio, TX)