MW*YDA – Midwest Young Democrats

After quite a long time serving as Midwest Region Chair, it’s time for me to say goodbye.  I’m stepping down not because I don’t love the job, but because I will soon no longer be living in the Midwest Region.  

I am proud of the work we have done transitioning the Midwest Region over the last two years, and I am optimistic about the future of the YDs in each state of our region.  I will, hopefully, continue to serve a roll in the Young Democrats of America, and will certainly not be a stranger.  And so I say farewell to this position I have loved serving, but I can’t be too sad.  I know that our region is much stronger now, as are almost all of the state chapters, than they it was 2 years ago.  I look forward to reading on this website the great accomplishments that will continue to be achieved by the Young Dems of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Wisconsin!

-John O-R

One of the big changes agreed in Dallas was the election (or re-assignment?) of Jake Nelson, the finance chair, to also be in charge of media & such.  Jake will be undertaking the upkeep of this website, and spreading the MW*YDA name when and where needed.  

Jake hales from the illustrious state of Minnesota, and is among the longest serving active members of the Midwest Region Caucus!

A big thank you to the tremendous turnout at the YDA National Convention from the Midwest Region.  I haven’t confirmed it yet, but I think we had the largest Midwest Turnout in Dallas that we have had in at least 8 years to any National Convention.  There are several other big updates on our region… but I haven’t had a chance to post them.

Check back soon, and we’ll have some big updates.

I’m currently writing this from the YearlyKos Convention in Chicago, IL.  There is a lot of energy here, and it’s a perfect compliment to the YDA Convention just last week.

Thank you to everyone in our region for doing all you do!

-john o-r

Every seat is now taken, and the region will be rolling down to Dallas later tonight and tomorrow.

Look forward to a complete update after we return, and if you’re going to be in Dallas then we’ll see you there!

8 Days from Today, the Midwest Region, with a few extra friends from states near the Heartland, will be joining together to take a trip down to the most exciting, largest, and most important YDA Convention in recent history.

YDA has truly reached a new level since its last convention in 2005, and this year’s Convention will be a celebration of that fact. With new staff in states from Arizona to Arkansas, from Nebraska to New York, and with a budget in 2008 of over 2 million dollars, the Young Democrats of America are proving that we don’t belong at the kiddie table anymore.

Today is the deadline to pay your full $300 to ride the bus, have your Conference Registration ($80) covered by MW*YDA, and stay in the Midwest Region’s block of hotel rooms on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. You can pay by clicking here.

However, there are still a few spots left on the bus. If you would like to grab one, there is only a $20 late payment fee (imposed on us by YDA). There is still time to sign up! Sign Up Here.

Finally, if you have any questions at all about this process, getting on the bus, payment… or anything at all, my full contact information can be found on this page. Don’t hesitate to give me a call!

See you on the Bus!

-john owens-ream

July is here and you still have a short amount of time to reserve your spot on the MW*YDA bustrip!

You must pay your $50 deposit to save your spot on the bus ASAP or risk loosing your seat.

Or, you can pay your deposit by clicking here.

Or pay your full $300 now.  Either way, the full $300 is due by July 10th.

Thanks,

-john

Most final details have been ironed out, the bus trip is happening and we want you to sign up before it sells out!

Read all about it here.

Or skip ahead and pay your $50 deposit (due by July 1st!) by clicking here.

Seats on the bus are first come, first served. If you want to assure yourself a spot on the bus, you better register today!

Check back soon, as we are geering up for the 2007 Bus Trip to Dallas!

Exact details have not been quite worked out yet, but as promised there will be a bus driving straight down the middle of this country (or interstate 35 as it is known to some) and into the heart of Texas.

As they become available, details will be posted here.

The Midwest Region was proud to play host to the Young Democrats of America Spring Conference!

Mad Props go out to the Nebraska Young Democrats for making this happen & doing all the work, as well as the YDA staff.

It was a great event, with national recognition.  I heard many people say that it was, indeed, one of the best conferences in recent memory.  It was also the first time our region has hosted a conference in several years (not since Kansas City a few years ago).  AND it was the first time Omaha has hosted a conference in 25 years!

We hope it won’t be 25 more until YDA takes its conference back to Omaha, because we had a great time!

YDA has a recap page, with photos & video you can find here.

A big thank you to the 40-50 people who turned out for Yellow Dog University, and the MW*YDA Regional Conference.

We had a great day of campaign trainings, along with guest speakers, and finally getting down to business around 5:30.

Election Results:
Director: John Owens-Ream (NE)
Vice-Director: Jaime Epstein (KS)
Secretary: Dave Sund (NE)
Finance Director / Treasurer: Jake Nelson (MN)
Judicial Council: Karlee Coleman
Judicial Council Alternate: Jake Nelson

A big big thank you to everyone who showed up, and a personal thank you to those who voted for me.  Thank you for putting your trust in me to continue to do this work to build our Midwest Region.