I.  CDA Efforts to Help Victims of Katrina

II. State Federation and Chapter Updates (Mass Dems Conference, Ohio State Fed Board)

III. Campaign Invasion: Corzine for Governor for NYC Students!

IV. Anti-Defamation Trip to Israel

V. Yes We Can: Training and Job Placement Program organized by Sen. Obama

VI. American Majority Partnership Training

VII. Leslie Byrne for Lt. Governor of Virginia Internship Opportunities

VIII. Model US House of Representatives Conference

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I. CDA Efforts to Help Victims of Katrina

Over the past two months, our nation has stood strong in the face of the the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.  CDA continues to urge our members to do whatever you can on your campus to help out the relief efforts.  Here is a list of charities you can work with to help Katrina victims.

The American Red Cross - www.RedCross.org

AmeriCares - www.americares.org

America's Second Harvest - www.secondharvest.org

ASPCA - www.aspca.org

Catholic Charities USA - www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

Direct Relief International - www.directrelief.org

Feed The Children - www.feedthechildren.org

Habitat for Humanity - www.habitat.org

Humane Society of the United States - www.hsus.org

Noah's Wish - www.noahswish.org

North Shore Animal League America - www.nsalamerica.org

The Salvation Army - www.salvationarmyusa.org

United Jewish Communities - www.ujc.org

United Methodist Committee on Relief - www.methodistrelief.org

United Way - national.unitedway.org

And please utilize campus sites like http://www.nicholls.edu/katrina/donations.html to help victims in specific communities.

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II. State Federation and Local Updates

Massachusetts: UMass Amherst Democrats is holding a Public Policy Conference at UMass on November 12-13. Congressman Barney Frank will be giving the keynote address.

The Public Policy Conference will include expert panelists discussing the issues of the state economy, options for improving healthcare, public education, contentious environmental issues in Massachusetts, options for better and more accountable state government, and the policy and politics of social issues like comprehensive sexual education and gay marriage. 

All conference programming is geared toward getting college activists the information they need to be more effective activists. Democrats living in other states, as well as out-of-state Massachusetts students are encouraged to attend and take in the conference as an interesting and important case study of politics at the state and local level.

More information, such as a full list of panelists and conference agenda, and Online Conference Registration is available at our website, www.UMassDems.org.

Ohio: Congratulations to the new State Fed Board of Ohio!  On Sunday Oct 2nd, the Ohio College Democrats elected its first permanent e-board (last years' officers were on an interim basis). I was elected Chairman by unanimous consent and our new set of officers are:

            Chair:                                        Chad McVeigh           (Ohio State University)

            Vice Chair:                               Mark Gaffney              (Ohio University)

            Treasurer:                                Melanie Stickle           (OSU Newark)

            Membership Director:            Amanda Mathews      (Ohio Wesleyan University)

            Secretary:                                Gary M. Charvat          (Miami University)

            Communications Director:    Simeon Talley             (Bluffton College)

Maine: Congratulations to Main State Fed for a successful convention at Bates, where over 900 people attended to hear Governor Baldacci and AL Franken.  Then at Bowdoin the convention swelled 1700 people.  The two fundraisers netted over $23,000.

The Governor of Maine even Proclaimed Maine College Democrats Day!

University of Hawaii Hilo: University of Hawaii in Hilo is starting up a brand new College Dems chapter.  The chapter will be led

by John Riser, incoming community college freshman and a U.S. Army vet from Iraq on the GI bill. Their Web site is: http://hawaiicollegedems.blogspot.com.

Carnegie Mellon University (Pennsylvania): On September 24, the CMU College Democrats, in conjunction with voice majors from CMU's College of Fine Arts, held a "Cabaret for Katrina." Over 100 people donated $5 each to hear 16 different Broadway, jazz, and spiritual selections, and $867.25 was raised to help with Katrina relief efforts.

Cornell University (New York): On September 30, the Cornell Democrats held a Katrina Relief Charity Date Auction.  Profits were $1,698.  There was a line outside the place; hundreds of people came.

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III. Campaign Invasion: Corzine for Governor for NYC Students!

Jon Corzine needs our help in his race for the New Jersey Governor's Mansion. On Saturday, October 22nd, we'll be able to answer his call and spend the day canvassing in North Jersey. Transportation from Port Authority in New York City will be provided by the Corzine Campaign. The campaign will return us to Port Authority later that afternoon.

WHAT: Spend a Saturday Campaigning for Jon Corzine in North Jersey

WHEN: Saturday, October 22nd. Vans will meet at Port Authority at 9 AM and return later that afternoon. The campaign will provide lunch.

RSVP: By emailing your name and phone number to  njinvasion@collegedemsny.com. RSVP as soon as possible, because right now the campaign has only offered a limited number of vans.

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IV. Anti-Defamation League Trip to Israel

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) invites you to apply for participation in our all-expense paid Current and Future Leaders Study Mission to Israel, January 3- January 10, 2006. The mission is open to campus student political leaders and politically active students at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Two Members of Congress or senior members of their staff, one Democrat and one Republican, are expected to join with the 12-15 Mission participants. 

With the successful Israeli disengagement from Gaza and with new opportunities in play,  this winter promises to be a particularly important time to be in Israel. The current events of the Middle East, coupled with Israel's ancient and modern history, has made the Jewish State a focal point of interest throughout the world.   Study Mission participants will meet with decision-makers on all sides of the Israeli political spectrum, government and military officials, Palestinian representatives, Israeli and American journalists, politically active students, and  Israelis. You will also have the opportunity to tour the country, visit its historic and religious sites, meet its people, and learn about its history, contemporary achievements and current issues.

To apply for this unique opportunity, complete the Application Form and include two letters of reference, which can come from faculty, college administrators, local politicians, or another party you deem appropriate.  To receive an application, please contact me, Gary Levin, Director, Campus Initiatives, at 714-979-4733 or glevin@adl.org.  

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V. Yes We Can

Yes We Can is a training and job placement program, organized by Senator Barack Obama’s Hopefund PAC, with a goal of expanding opportunities for African Americans and Latinos in political campaigns around the country.  This program is designed to recruit and train young people who have the desire to work on campaigns but have limited political experience.  Senator Obama’s priority is to identify and create a class of talented campaign staffers who gradually build experience in all areas of a campaign, and who will continue to work in politics over an extended period of time. 

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VI. American Majority Partnership Training

American Majority Partnership is holding a weekend training session at the DNC the weekend of Oct 15 & 16.  The cost is $15 per student.  Please register online by Thursday October 13, 2005 at http://www.democrats.org/trainings/aapicampaign

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VII. Leslie Byrne for Lt. Governor of Virginia Internship

Leslie Byrne is a progressive Democrat, who was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress from Virginia.  She also served as a state delegate, state senator and as the nation’s Consumer Advocate under President Clinton.  She is currently running for Lt. Governor of Virginia against Bill Bolling, a conservative state senator.  We are an active, statewide campaign with plenty of opportunities for interns to take on substantive roles.  Our office is located near Tyson’s Corner Mall and the Beltway in McLean, Virginia.  

If you are interested please call our office at 703-573-0790 or email at LBforLG@hotmail.com

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VIII. Model US House of Representatives Conference

The United States Model House of Representatives will bring one Student Representative from each of the 435 Congressional Districts to Washington, DC for a five-day simulation of the House of Representatives.  These Student Representatives will write the bills that will be introduced during the simulation in Washington, DC.  This prestigious event will be held at the Capitol Complex, in the actual Committee Rooms, and numerous other events will be hosted throughout Washington, DC. The United States Model House of Representatives Program is scheduled for April 17-21, 2006. The deadline for completed applications is November 18, 2005.  A rigorous competition is expected and applying as early as possible is encouraged. 

Apply at http://www.aysf.org/ModelHouseofRepresentatives/portal.html

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Wayne Ting

National Communications Director

College Democrats of America

www.CollegeDems.com