Aloha, As 2020 comes to a close, there are so many things to reflect upon as we aspire for a better 2021. I am truly grateful for the support we continue to receive from individuals and leaders like you and humbled that you are part of our Young Democrats of Hawai‘i (YDHI) family.
Even in a year like 2020, I want to celebrate, together with you, just a few of this year’s milestones:
We welcomed a new Board of Directors this summer, launched a new website, and collectively drafted and adopted a biennial plan that focuses on 1) increasing the political strength of young people in Hawai‘i, 2) advocating for the highest degree of social justice and equal opportunity for the people of Hawai‘i, and 3) stimulating an active interest among Young Democrats in political and governmental affairs.
YDHI members actively campaigned for President-Elect Joe Biden, Vice President- Elect Kamala Harris, and Georgia Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, placing hundreds of calls into Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.
We successfully hosted our first YDHI Kick-Off meeting featuring key state and county elected officials and Run for Something co-founder Amanda Litman.
Looking to 2021, we will continue to fight for young communities across the state and advocate for policies to keep our families safe: more culturally-appropriate community resources, access to quality healthcare and COVID-19 vaccinations, and assistance with housing and economic opportunity. Based on feedback from young democrats across the state, our team created three active committees:
The Outreach & Social Committee will forge a community that is both rewarding and fun. This committee will strengthen what it means to be a YDHI member through digital events and, eventually, in-person meetups.
The Legislative Committee is dedicated to establishing and maintaining YDHI’s reputation at all levels of local and state government. Activities of this committee include but are not limited to: advocating for priority legislation, tracking and researching legislation, corresponding and communicating with elected officials, drafting testimony on behalf of YDHI, and helping to produce informational and educational events for members.
The Community Impact Committee is dedicated to acting upon our core values through inclusive community service. Activities of this committee include but are not limited to: volunteering with organizations serving various communities across the state, hosting voter registration drives, participating in local events for outreach, and partnering with respective YDHI committees to assist in outreach efforts to Democrats in the community.
I invite you to serve and join us in any of these efforts to help shape the legacy of YDHI. You can reply to this email and indicate which committee(s) you are interested in joining. If you have any ideas or thoughts that you believe will enhance your experience as a member of YDHI, please let me know. We are always looking for ways to best engage members like you. On behalf of our board, thank you, and may the new year be filled with peace, prosperity, and good health.
With Aloha,
Trish La Chica President, Young Democrats of Hawai‘i