The Young Democrats Working for America have launched a new Facebook page for the coalition.

Become a fan of the page to show your support for the team and to see travel recaps, announcements, and more.

Check out ydaworks.com as well, the website for the coalition.

If you want to learn more about the YDA Works team, take a look at the slate announcement email from YDA Presidential candidate Crystal Strait:

My name is Crystal Strait and I am leading the YDA Works team as a candidate for President of the Young Democrats of America (YDA).

Please Join the YDA Works Team TODAY!

During my career in politics, as I was serving as a Political Director for the California Democratic Party, as a Communications Director in the state legislature, as a State and local Young Democrat President, and as your female representative to the Democratic National Committee, I have learned that political power is divined only from the strength of your team. I’m writing today to introduce you to (and brag a little bit about) the impressive team that I am running with.

You may already know the YDA Works team. For months now, our team has been traveling around the country sharing our action plan to get YDA working again. While we have made over 50 trips to 27 states to share our vision, we aren’t done yet.

Over the next few weeks, you will be hearing more about our action plan over email, online, by phone, and at the YDA meeting in Houston. Soon, we will be having a series of public town hall style conversations to highlight our action plan to get YDA working again once elected, all while generating much needed discussion and input from the power base of our organizations – local leaders like you.

Today, I want to take this time to introduce to you the YDA Works team in the off chance you haven’t met them before or aren’t familiar with their accomplishments.

The YDA Works Team of Candidates

Rod Snyder is our candidate for Executive Vice President. Rod is an innovative leader from West Virginia with experience as a dynamic YDA Region Director and state chapter president. Most recently Rod was the Campaign Manager for the youngest female member of the West Virginia Legislature. Additionally, Rod has extensive public policy experience, specifically on agricultural and rural issues. He was an active member of the Obama campaign’s Agricultural and Rural Policy Advisory committee.

Isaac Robinson from Michigan is our candidate for Vice President. His experience as a Caucus Chair of the pioneering YDA Labor Caucus makes him a formidable advocate for caucuses in YDA. Whether it is standing up for workers rights at our hotel, or leading the charge for our national efforts advocating for EFCA, Isaac brings labor issues front and center. Additionally, Isaac serves as the political director of the Detroit Teamsters, giving him unique insights and relationships within the labor movement and Michigan politics.

Renee Hartley from Texas is our candidate for Vice President. As President of the Dallas County Young Democrats, the largest local chapter in the country, Renee has a deep understanding of both the challenges facing local chapters and effective strategies for building membership and chapter infrastructure. Whether it is planning a week long of trainings for the YDA Convention in Dallas or being a trainer herself for the Human Rights Campaign, Renee never sits on the sidelines. That is unless, she is watching her son play football or watching her daughter cheer. Renee represents a constituency that has been sorely overlooked as we try to expand YDA: young families.

Colmon Elridge from Kentucky is our candidate for Vice President. Colmon was instrumental in helping rebuild the Kentucky Young Democrats into an energetic and active organization. As a surrogate for Governor and then Senator Barack Obama Colmon has used his experience as a former CDA national leader, and currently as a local chapter president to bring issues affecting young people to the forefront. As Executive Assistant and now Director of the White House Faith Based Initiatives for Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, Colmon is experienced in and passionate about direct issue advocacy.

Emily Robinson from Illinois is our candidate for Secretary. Emily has worked at every level of YDA – local, state and national – to make the organization stronger and more responsive, most recently helping to orchestrate the Chicago convention bid and initial planning all while attending law school full-time. A detail-oriented master of multitasking, Emily wants to explore the different and new uses of technology to expand communications capacity for YDA.

Mark Newman from North Carolina is our candidate for Treasurer. Mark is the Chair of the YDA Finance Committee and has expanded YDA’s sustaining giving program – Tomorrow Club. Professionally, Mark has worked in political fundraising, in development at Georgetown University, and is currently the Assistant Director of Development for the School of International Service at American University. Mark has a broad range of fundraising and financial management experience that will enhance our team.

I am proud to lead a slate that is accomplished both within YDA and in the broader political community. As you will realize while getting to know our team, we want to move YDA beyond the rhetoric and focus on results. What YDA Works promises, we will produce. Our team matches excellent political and professional skills with a passion for growing and building YDA into a sustainable leader in youth politics and the Democratic Party.

Throughout my professional career I have been blessed with an ability to put together teams of people who can achieve the tasks set before them. I think you will agree this is an impressive group of leaders that combine rich YDA experience with a practical background that will enable them to serve you and lead as YDA Board Members. This team is the most impressive complete slate of candidates seeking YDA office since I have been a member, and with your support we are going to get YDA working again.

From my time as a local chapter president, state chapter president, and national officer, I have ideas on how we can get YDA working again and I know you do, too.

I look forward to talking with you so we can share our ideas and plan how we move YDA forward, together.

The time for words and finger pointing has passed. Let’s make each of us an example for Young Democrats across America and get to work.

Democratically yours,

Crystal Strait
Candidate for YDA President,
YDA Works

Become a fan of YDA Works on Facebook