Liz for AP

From Shanghai, With Love

The heart of my work, and what serves me well in my capacity as a volunteer for Democrats Abroad (DA) and Vote From Abroad (VFA), is my ability to find creative solutions to unique problems and communicate them effectively.

When I stumbled into Democrats Abroad, I was delighted to find there were so many Americans who cared enough about these injustices to actively work on them from China, the Asia Pacific, and across the globe.

Each of you, through your actions, donations and votes, has become a true hometown hero. 

I myself am proud to serve as Co-Chair of the Wisconsin State Team of Democrats Abroad (Wisconsinites Abroad). My nickname is Lizconsin, as I tend to wear my Sconnie pride on my sleeve, and it is a very rare conversation that does not find its way to my home state. Being part of Wisconsinites Abroad has been extremely rewarding. Not only has it enabled me to become more informed as a voter, it has provided me with the platform to engage with local, state and federal politicians on policy. 

Directly connecting with voters during elections is what this is all about. Working closely with Vote From Abroad and AP volunteers in 2022, I hosted Voter Assistance Zoom calls and aided voters from many states, including Georgia. Here at DACN, we have organized in 6 major regions and reach out to members from everywhere in between on a platform called WeChat. Creating state teams and a voter assistance room on the app drove our engagement up, and we were able answer ballot return and voter protection questions via WeChat in real time. Result: a blue ’22! 

2023 local and state elections saw the highest turnout in a Wisconsin Supreme Court election ever – and we ensured that happened with phone calls, events, and social media efforts. On behalf of the entire Wisconsin state team, I would like to thank the members of AP who rose to the challenge of knocking out MAGA candidates by attending our events and calling voters. You helped deliver Judge Janet an 11 point victory!!! 

Our Wisconsin team is not slowing down. We are gearing up to change the “intend to return” policy, using what we have been learning from the successes of the New Jersey State Team. If you have advice, or would like to join, send me a message! Good, bad and ugly legislative efforts are underway in your states. I encourage you to reach out if there are actions we can help you take. Together we will organize and make it happen.

What we do is meaningful. What we do is impactful. What I aim to do is provide us a footing to do more.  

Resilient

That is the word I would use to describe the leaders, volunteers, and members of Democrats Abroad in Asia Pacific (AP).

The late night meetings. The long-distance relationships. The dreaded lock-downs.

Though the last few years brought unprecedented challenges, you persevered. We persevered. We lifted each other up and came together to get the job done. I am inspired by all you contributed and all we accomplished! 

Asia Pacific is a special region

We are spread out over vast areas of land and sea, cover more time zones than any other region, and have many island nations. We have countries with challenging local policies. All of which makes connectivity a particular challenge.

Our Country Committees (CC) and Non-Country Committees (NCC) have incredible success stories to share, stories of overcoming these organizing challenges to find volunteers throughout our region and deliver ballots to boxes across the USA. We have the power to push progressive change!

Here in AP we know each other best. Let’s keep lifting each other up, building solutions that fit our needs in our region. Let’s realize the enormous potential that we have in so many countries, some with established CCs and many yet to come!

I serve as the Progressive Caucus Regional Director to advance our shared objectives. I pledge to support volunteers, to develop our leaders, to nurture our CCs and build our capabilities across the Asia Pacific region.

Deliverables

I commit to boosting our community by improving connectivity, training and support before 2024.

Improving our connectivity means expanding internal and external communications. It means getting us all on the same page so we are all pulling together to achieve our mission. It means telling our stories so we can be inspired by the incredible work that is already going on. It means setting up a buddy system so you have somewhere to turn when you are facing challenges in your country. It means that you know where to find answers to your questions, and that you are not in this all on your own.

I am committed to furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion. I recognize and appreciate our region’s commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment, and recognize the need to increase our messaging so that it reaches and encourages Americans of all races, classes, genders, sexuality, ability, religious and other group identities to join our AP teams.

I am so excited we have the opportunity to make things easier, better and fun!

DA runs on 100% volunteer energy. It is truly amazing to see a volunteer organization function at such a high level. Being a volunteer also has its limits: in time, resources, and so many other things. 

We must improve the working experience of our volunteers and leaders. To do so, I commit to several initiatives. I will maintain information to bring volunteers and leaders up to speed quickly. Providing training led by people in our region, at local-friendly times is imperative. Identifying regional centers of expertise to help CCs that do not have local expertise or people is integral to our success. Finally, I will devote myself to building up capabilities in our region to serve our region.

Main takeaway: I am here to support the region. If an established CC is facing challenges, I am here. If a CC has some good news to share, I am here. If a core of volunteers wants to start up a caucus in a new country, I am definitely here!

We have the ability to create a Democrats Abroad of our greatest imagination: one capable of assisting every American with the information and tools needed to vote and advocate for change successfully. 

Thank you for your guidance, support and encouragement. You have inspired me to serve, and I humbly ask for your support promoting progressive goals.

There is no other group than those here in Asia Pacific, both seasoned and first time volunteers, who I would rather work with and advocate for.

Let’s get to work!