2008 Texas State Democratic Convention
Thursday-Saturday, June
5-7, 2008
On
the weekend of June 5-7 at the Texas State Democratic Convention, Democrats from all over the state came out in full force
and the Harris County Young Democrats were well represented. We want to congratulate HCYD member (and current
Austin resident) Amber Goodwin who was elected as Treasurer of the Texas Democratic Party. Two of our members will be delegates representing the state of Texas (out of 228 Texas delegates) at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Former HCYD Treasurer/PAC Chair Shondra Wygal was selected to be a Party Leader & Elected Official delegate
in her capacity as President of the Texas Young Democrats. HCYD member Victor Castillo won a contested election in Senate District 13 to become a national delegate. Also,
Houston City Council Member Sue Lovell, who is a strong supporter of our organization, was re-elected to the Democratic National Committee, sweeping away her opponent with 74 percent of the vote. Relive the excitement of the convention on YouTube. (photos)
Memorial Day Observance 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
On Sunday, May 25th,
we joined the Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, and CodePINK for a Memorial
Day Weekend Observance to honor both military & civilian casualties from the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Volunteers
placed 4,500+ flags at Hermann Park along Fannin St. near the Sam Houston statue. (photos)
2008 Mothers for Clean Air Earth Day 5K
Saturday, April 19, 2008
HCYD formed a team at the largest Earth Day event in Houston! The Mothers for Clean Air Earth Day 5K was held on Saturday, April 19th at MacGregor Park. HCYD members participating in the 5K included Carlos
Ayala, Kris Banks, Erica Contreras, Nora Perez, Roaxana Prunty and Meghan Smith. (photos)
2008 Texas Young Democrats Convention
Friday-Sunday, April 11-13, 2008
We had a wonderful time at the Texas Young Democrats Annual Convention as convention delegates elected several of our members to TYD Executive Committee and Caucus positions. HCYD
would like to congratulate the following HCYD members for being elected to TYD positions: Shondra Wygal - TYD President,
Erica Contreras - TYD VP of Finance, Kris Banks - TYD Secretary, Meghan Smith - Region 10 Judicial Director, Conrad Camit
- Region 10 Regional Director, Women's Caucus Chair - Roaxana Prunty and Labor Caucus Secretary - Matt Jenkins. (photos)
HCYD 2008 Spring Fundraiser
Saturday, March
29, 2008
The
2008 HCYD Spring Fundraiser was held on Saturday, March 29th at Azteca's Bar & Grill after the Senate District Conventions. Special guest speakers included City Councilmembers Melissa Noriega and Wanda Adams. (photos)
HCYD White Donkey Holiday Party
Friday, December 14, 2007
HCYD pulled another succcessful and entertaining White Donkey holiday party on Friday, December
14th. We collected dozens of donated toys & gifts from our members which went to support the Red Ribbon Toy Drive. (photos)
Wanda Adams GOTV Blockwalk
Saturday, October 11, 2007
HCYD
helped to get out the vote on Saturday, November 3rd for our endorsed City Council candidate Wanda Adams for District D! We met at the Wanda Adams Campaign Headquarters and blockwalked in the Sunnyside neighborhood. Thanks
to the HCYD members who participated in the blockwalk including Jerry Greenspan, Nora Perez, Shonda Wygal, Eric
Zuniga and Conrad Camit. (photos)
HCYD Candidate Forum
Friday, August
17, 2007
Thanks
to everyone who participated and helped out at this year's HCYD Candidate Forum last Friday night at the Home Plate
Bar & Grill! This informal setting allows us to really pick the brains of those running for office. We had a
great turnout of elected officals and candidates at the event and we hope everyone who attended had a great time. (photos)
2007 Houston Pride Parade
Saturday, June 23,
2007
We
had a great showing a this year's Houston Pride Parade as we marched alongside the ROADWomen, Houston Stonewall Young
Democrats and the Harris County Democratic Party to show support for GLBT rights and causes. Thanks to everyone who
helped with decorations and planning for the event!
Melissa Noriega GOTV Blockwalk - Run-Off Election Day
Saturday, June 16, 2007
First of
all, we want to congratulate Melissa Noriega on her City Council election victory on Saturday, June 16th and thank all of
our members who worked on the campaign and got out the vote for this very important election, especially Joshua Evans, Carlos
Ayala, Max Fisher, Max Cardenas and Conrad Camit, who came out for the GOTV event. It was a hard fought win and we look forward
to many more opportunities to make a difference for the upcoming election cycle! (photos)
Melissa Noriega GOTV
Blockwalk #2
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Thanks
to everyone who came out to the GOTV blockwalk for Melissa Noriega on Saturday, June 2nd, including Carlos Ayala, Max Cardenas,
Carlos Doroteo, Victor Castillo, Max Fisher and Conrad Camit. The city council run-off election is expected to
have a low turnout so every little bit helps!
Melissa Noriega GOTV Blockwalk - Election Day
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Thanks to everyone who came out to the GOTV blockwalk on Saturday
as your hard work helped Melissa Noriega garner 47% of the vote! This was more than twice the amount of votes that Melissa's
run-off opponent received. HCYD will be organizing upcoming GOTV events for the upcoming run-off election, which is
set for Saturday, June 16th. Please visit Melissa's campaign website for more information about volunteer opportunities.
2007 Mothers for Clean Air Earth Day 5K
Saturday, April 21, 2007
We want to thank everyone who
took part in the Mothers for Clean Air Earth Day 5K event in the wee hours this past Saturday. HCYD members who participated
or volunteered in the 5K event include Nora Perez, Carlos Ayala, Meghan Smith, Jerry Greenspan, Rachel Consorte & Conrad
Camit. (photos)
2007 Texas Young Democrats Convention
Friday-Sunday, April 13-15, 2007
First
of all, HCYD would like to proudly announce that our own Treasurer and PAC Chair Shondra Wygal was elected Texas Young Democrats
President this past weekend! We want to congratulate everyone who attended for a successful 2007 TYD Convention.
The following HCYD members were elected to TYD positions: President-Shondra E. Wygal, Vice President Of Finance-Bill Kelly,
Treasurer-Erica Contreras, Regional Director-Guthrie Graves Fitzsimmons, Judicial Director-Jessica Cartwright, Labor Caucus
Chair-Amber Goodwin, Minority Caucus Chair-KaRhonda Porter, Stonewall Caucus Chair-Kris Banks, Veterans Caucus Chair-Josh
Beers, Women's Caucus Chair-Erica Contreras.
2007 HCYD Blue Party
Saturday, February 24, 2007
We
would like to sincerely thank all the sponsors of the 2007 HCYD Blue Party and we more than exceeded our fundraising
goals!. We would like to thank the Cotton Exchange Bar & Lounge and DJ Sun for helping make this event a success.
In all, we raised in excess of $2,000 at the party, which will fund the Blue Project initiatives. We would also like
to thank the HCYD members who helped out with the event.
Hubert Vo GOTV Blockwalk
Sunday, November 5, 2006
HCYD
successfully completed its first double-blockwalk! Special thanks to the following HCYD volunteers who joined us on Sunday,
November 5 for our fifthGOTV blockwalk for Rep. Hubert Vo: Greg Audel, Carlos Ayala, Rick Brennan, Max Cardenas, Eddie Chism,
Rachel Consorte, Pearson Grimes, Nora Perez, Kate Rybka, Don Seributra, and Shondra Wygal! Additionally, thanks to Matt Jenkins
for volunteering from home.
Together we donated approximately 33 hours!
Ellen Cohen GOTV Blockwalk
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Special thanks to the following
HCYD volunteers who joined us on Saturday, November 4 for our fourth GOTV blockwalk for candidate Ellen Cohen: Greg Audel,
Kris Banks, Rick Brennan, Conrad Camit, Rachel Consorte, Rick Guerrero, Matt Jenkins, Nicole Napier, Kate Rybka, and Shondra
Wygal! During this blockwalk, we focused on Montrose. Additionally, thanks to Carlos Ayala and Nora Perez for volunteering
with Hubert Vo.
Together we donated approximately 30 hours!
Phone Bank at Ellen Cohen Campaign Invasion
Tuesday,
October 24, 2006
Special thanks to the following HCYD volunteers who
joined us on Tuesday, October 24 for our second Campaign Invasion for State Rep. candidate Ellen Cohen: Rick Brennan, Conrad
Camit, Max Cardenas, Jessica Cartwright, Eddie Chism, Rachel Consorte, Rachel Dragony, Matt Jenkins, Nora Perez, Alex Ragsdale,
Kate Rybka, Don Seributra, Travis Sheive, and Shondra Wygal! Also, special thanks to Bill Kelly (HCYD member) for coordinating
the phone bank. Together we donated more than 26 hours to the Cohen Campaign.
Kristi Thibaut GOTV Blockwalk
Saturday, October 22, 2006
Special thanks to the following HCYD volunteers who joined us on Saturday, October 22 for
our third GOTV blockwalk for candidate Kristi Thibaut: Carlos Ayala, Rick Brennan, Conrad Camit, Max Cardenas, Jessica Cartwright,
Jim Dallas, Nora Perez, Kate Rybka, Travis Sheive, and Shondra Wygal! During this blockwalk, we focused on precinct 487.
Together we donated approximately 30 hours to the Kristi Thibaut, David Van Os, Herb Richie,
Chuck Silverman, Jim Sharp, Bill Connolly, and James G. Pierre campaigns!
Scott Hochberg Voter Registration Drive & Blockwalk
Saturday, October 07,
2006
Special thanks to the following HCYD volunteers who joined
us on Saturday, October 07 for our second GOTV blockwalk and voter registration drive for Rep. Scott Hochberg: Carlos Ayala,
Rick Brennan, Conrad Camit, Eddie Chism, Rachel Consorte, Julian Martinez, Nora Perez, Kate Rybka, and Shondra Wygal! We also
want to thank Bill Crosier for joining us on our walk.
Together we donated
more than 27 hours to the Scott Hochberg, Jim Henley, David Van Os, Herb Richie, Chuck Silverman and Goodwill Pierre campaigns!
Hubert Vo Campaign Invasion
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Special
thanks to the following HCYD volunteers who joined us on Tuesday, September 26 for our first Campaign Invasion for State Rep.
Hubert Vo: Rick Brennan, Conrad Camit, Max Cardenas, Eddie Chism, Rachel Dragony, Jonathan Fong, Matt Jenkins, Kate Rybka,
Don Seributra, Travis Sheive, and Meghan Smith! Also, special thanks to Nikka Laundu (HCYD's intern) for coordinating
the phone bank. Together we donated more than 24 hours to the Vo Campaign.
Mark McDavid GOTV Blockwalk
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Special thanks to the following HCYD volunteers who joined us on Sunday, September 24 for
our first GOTV blockwalk for Mark McDavid: Max Cardenas, Eddie Chism, Rachel Dragony, Amber Goodwin, Nora Perez, Don Seributra,
Kate Rybka, Travis Sheive, Caryn Small, and Shondra Wygal!
Together we
donated more than 20 hours to the McDavid and Henley campaigns, walking precincts 407 and 689! Additionally, we took part
in a Nicaraguan documentary being put together on GOTV efforts in Houston by the State Department.
Janitors for Justice Contract Convention for the American Dream
Saturday, September 23, 2006
We
are also proud to have participated in the Justice for Janitors Contract Convention for the American Dream on Saturday, September
23. Special thanks to HCYD member, Amber Goodwin for inviting us to participate.
HCYD Candidate Social
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Thank
you to everyone who attended the HCYD Candidate Social on August 17 at Home Plate Bar & Grill. This meet-and-greet provided
us with an opportunity to speak directly with many of the candidates who will take our state and country back this November.
Special thanks to all participating campaigns and candidates in attendance, including but not limited to: Gary Binderim, Ellen
Cohen, Bill Connolly, Jim Henley, Scott Hochberg, Leora Kahn, Randall Kallinen, Chad Khan, Borris Miles, Herb Ritchie, Chuck
Silverman and Jim Sharp, as well as many campaign representatives.
YDA Quarterly Meeting
Friday-Sunday, August 18-20, 2006
HCYD's
VP of Events (also TYD Regional Director) and Treasurer (also TYD Executive VP) attended the Young Democrats of America quarterly
meeting and youth training program where they learned about chapter building and peer-to-peer campaigns. This meeting was
held in Chicago in conjunction with the Democratic National Committee meeting.
