The 2009 Democrats Abroad Americas Region Annual Meeting

October 31, 2009

Overview:
La Antigua Guatemala was home for the 2009 Democrats Abroad Americas Region annual meeting over October 23 and 24. The gathering came and went very quickly, but all who attended deemed the meeting a success and the chance to visit Antigua an enchanting plus to the experience. Some of the visitors stayed on a few days for some tourism and were happy for it. The last visitor departed on October 28th.

Democrats Abroad Guatemala, Second Annual Labor Day Picnic

Democrats living in Guatemala got together on September 5, 2009, to celebrate Labor Day, and to rejoice in being Democrats when the world really needs them. The event took place at Casa Convento Concepción, on Calle La Concepción #41, La Antigua Guatemala.

Our Executive Committee had planned on about 50 people, and just over that number actually attended. The good planning meant there was enough food and drink for everyone, and ample amounts of good conversation.

Live entertainment was provided by Bill Harriss, and his musical mates from the El Sol Latino group. Lots of compliments were made about the music – it was pleasant in the background for the conversationalists and more enjoyable close up. If you didn’t get enough of their fine sounds, you can catch them in the evenings Wednesday through Saturday at La Peña del Sol Latino, on 5a Calle Poniente No.15, in Antigua.

Even Barack Obama showed up, and made time to let picnic goers have their picture taken with him.

In addition to celebrating our good fortune to be Democrats and to honor the advances made by organized labor in the United States, Democrats Abroad Guatemala also had as a goal fund raising for the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA), our international body to which we belong. The DPCA is the entity responsible for maintaining our website which keeps all of us Democrats living in over 40 countries worldwide linked together. The website, which is costly to maintain, also is the tool that facilitates our absentee ballot requests through its VoteFromAbroad.org component. Funding to maintain the website and related voter outreach activities of the DPCA, all comes from member donations. As she did in 2008, Judy Sadlier, our fund raising standing committee chair, again organized a raffle. In this year’s version, Judy featured a variety of great prizes. The lucky winners went home very happy. One winner, having bought only three tickets, won on all three! We hope she returns next year. Congratulations to all the lucky winners, and thank you everyone who participated by buying tickets for Judy’s raffle. In all, Judy took in $305.45. She will make a contribution to the DPCA for that amount.

All of us need to thank Judy, for her efforts to organize this successful part of the 2009 Labor Day picnic.

Our treasurer, Tom Totino, reported that the 2009 Labor Day picnic ended in the black. The picnic expenses for food, beverages, rental items, and hired help, totaled Q3,632.00, while total receipts from the door, photos with Barack, and from extra food and drink, was Q3700.00. We ended up Q68 to the good.

Congratulations and heart felt thanks to all who participated by attending, helping with the details of the picnic, and in supporting Democrats Abroad. As we look toward the important 2010 mid-term elections, your continued support is not only needed, but very much appreciated.

Democrats Abroad Guatemala Annual Meeting Minutes 2009

Democrats Abroad Guatemala held its 2009 Annual Meeting on March14th, at La Peña del Sol Latino, on 5th Street (#15-C) in Antigua, Guatemala. Twenty-seven members were present to help carry on business. This year's annual meeting also included elections of a new executive committee.

See full details at: www.democratsabroad.org/guatemala

Change Celebrated: The Inaugural Ball

Though they may have been many hundreds of miles from official inaugural balls in Washington, DC, for the over 200 attendees at Democrats Abroad Guatemala’s Inaugural Ball, the enthusiasm and exuberance were close in spirit and in kind. This was no ordinary inauguration, and people wanted to be with kindred spirits to celebrate the change they voted for. Change in public policy, and change in who we are and who we have become. Planners expected 100 attendees, and got twice the number. And though it called for patience while waiting for service, no one grumbled. Like those celebrants in DC, ours too, handled the crowding graciously and happily. And like their DC counterparts, what was being celebrated mattered more than food or beverage.

The inauguration of Barack Obama embodies the change Americans want in the direction of the country - less militaristic, holding to cherished national ideals, more fiscally responsible, more focused on the immediate problems of jobs, health care, education, progress on social issues, while being less ideological and more unified. The challenges will be met, President Obama said, and sacrifice from everyone will be called upon to overcome them. There has been a hunger for that kind of leadership, and people wanted to celebrate the new day and the new president.

The change in who we are and who we have become is huge. Small children growing up today will see a First Family through a new prism. Their realm of judgment will be nudged toward the content of one’s character and away from color -- without even thinking about it. That is really huge. Many older Americans, even long-time Democrats, found themselves amazed that they would live to see a black man as their party’s nominee, much less actually vote for a black man. It has happened, and it is no small thing.

So we dined, we danced, we toasted and celebrated into the night with everyone else everywhere else on this planet.