Progressive Candidates Win YD of Arkansas Presidency, Sec/Treas, and Committeeman

[jsamuel]

The Arkansas Progress Team began organizing three months ago to bring new leadership, ideas, and membership to the Arkansas Young Democrats by focusing on progressive offline and online grassroots organizing. Their three main goals are to increase membership (check this one already), increase fund raising, and increase awareness on the issues important to Young Democrats. On Saturday, April 18th, over 200 Young Democrats turned out to vote at the State Capitol Building and delivered the Arkansas Progress Team a victory.




Left to Right: Eric Bell (Sec/Treas), Jonathan Spinks (Committeeman), and Chris Burks (President)


The plans call for a return to basics by organizing membership, fund raising, and supporting ideas called the three M's (Members, Money, Message). A few highlights of the new policy details:

Policy: Focus on Poverty

1. Task officers to advance anti-poverty efforts.

Connections: Establish Liaison to National Progressive Leadership Organizations

1. Appoint Governmental Relations Director to reach out to National Organizations

Policy: Access to Education Campaign

1. Partner with Student Governments for coordinated efforts.

Lobbying: Sustained Legislative Lobbying

1. Appoint Lobbyist and Legislative Affairs Director.



2. Lobby State Legislature on issues that matter.

The elections took place during the Young Democrats of Arkansas State Convention which consisted of training sessions and administrative meetings. The vote was held in the Arkansas State Capitol Building in Little Rock, Arkansas. The attendees were so numerous, they practically overflowed out of the room during the election due in part to the Arkansas Progress Team's successful campaign. The current Vice President of the Young Democrats of America was in attendance and stated that this was the biggest turnout he had ever seen for any statewide conference.

That's right, little Arkansas has a big heart. This is also evidenced by the State Chapter of the Year awarded to the YD of Arkansas in 2007. This awards ceremony took place at the National Convention in Dallas where Arkansas had the highest representation besides Texas. In fact, the results in Arkansas are so astounding that Gary Moody, the executive director of the Young Democrats of Arkansas, will soon become the executive director of the Young Democrats of America.


Arkansas wins State Chapter of the Year Award in Dallas Texas in 2007. I am behind the teleprompter on the left, Chris Burks is in the back, and Gary Moody is in the front in the white suit kneeling next to Jonathan Spinks.




Chris Burks won the election for YD of Arkansas President.

Burks leads the Arkansas Progress team and will work hard to provide more members, message, and money to the Arkansas YDs, who will help build the Arkansas of our Grandparents’ dreams. An Arkansas that we will achieve. An Arkansas where we love all of our neighbors as ourselves and care for the least amongst us.

A little more about Chris:

Burks grew up in Little Rock and comes from a family with deep roots in the Arkansas hills. Burks’ passion is politics and, ever since he re-started his high school YD chapter, he has been committed to making a difference by bringing people together through public and community service.

Since graduating from Little Rock Central, Burks went on to serve in many state and national political positions as a part of a commitment to making sure no one has to struggle the way all too many young Arkansans do every day.

Work experience

• Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families


• John Edwards for President Political Division


• Mike Beebe for Governor/2006 Coordinated Campaign headquarters


• AFL-CIO Union Summer


• The Rose Law Firm


• LT Care Ministries

Eric Bell will be the Secretary/Treasurer of YD Arkansas.

Eric is committed to making Arkansas a better place. He chose to stay in Arkansas for law school in order to remain close to the state he loves. As a law student Eric received a Pearson Fellowship based on strong morals and ethics. Further, Eric has a strong professional resume, which includes clerking for the Fuqua Campbell Law Firm in Little Rock and externing for a United States District Judge for the Western District of Arkansas. During the summer of 2009, Eric will clerk for the Rose Law Firm and the Wright Lindsey & Jennings Law Firm.

Eric has a long history of giving back to the organizations of which he is a part. As an undergraduate he served on the Student Alumni Board and a host of other organizations. In 2007, Eric co-chaired and organized the largest student fundraiser at the University of Arkansas, the Ducks Unlimited Banquet. In 2007 the DU Banquet attracted over 800 students and the fundraising efforts exceeded $30,000.

Jonathan Spinks will take over the job of National Committeeman.

Jonathan Spinks is from Conway and currently serves as the legislative aide to Representative Linda Tyler. In the past year, Jonathan has worked with both the Joe White for Senate Campaign as well as the Linda Tyler for State Representative campaign. He has also been active in the leadership of the UCA Young Democrats by serving as a Vice President.

Jonathan has been in the middle of many important political races in Conway. Since critical races will continue to be contested in almost every election year in Central Arkansas, we deserve to see an experienced candidate from this part of the state serve on the Statewide Leadership Team.

Congratulations are also in order for Amanda Richardson who will become the Vice President and Jamie Oliver who will become the National Committeewoman. Special recognition should also be paid to Robbie Jones, Amanda Boulden, and Adam Fogleman who are hard working Young Democrats that waged hard fought campaigns. With these Young Democrats at the helm, the Young Democrats of Arkansas can look forward to working together to bring progress to Arkansas.

After the election, many left Little Rock to head to Mena, Arkansas to help the cleanup of a recent devastating tornado. The Red Cross has been helping in Mena and depends on donations. Donations can also be made by phone (1-800-REDCROSS).

[jsamuel]

1. Suggestions are welcome

[jsamuel]

2. kick

[FLAprogressive]

3. now all that you guys have to get done is replacing homophobic scumbags Marion Berry and Mike Ross

with decent Dems.

[jsamuel]

4. How are things in FL?

I grew up in Florida and can't stand that the state is still run by Republicans. The state house and senate need some more Democrats. Maybe the fair redistricting push will help.