CYD Candidate Questionnaire
Please submit your completed, typed, questionnaire in word format by email to President Jennifer Longley(president@sfyd.org) no later then 8:00 pm, Wednesday, June 17, 2009. A digital photograph is also requested. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, and please visit www.sfyd.org to familiarize yourself with the SFYD bylaws. THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK! The 2008/2009 Officers & Board of the San Francisco Young Democrats
Information: Election Day All candidates will have an opportunity to speak at the Wednesday, Jule 8th, 7:00 pm general membership meeting of the San Francisco Young Democrats (SFYD) At the SFYD membership meeting, candidates will be given between 3-5 minutes to speak and take questions. The exact speaking time will be made available after the application deadline and will depend on the number of candidates running and the position you apply for, as well as the balance of our April 8 meeting agenda.
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
1. Name as it will appear on the ballot: First Name Middle Initial or Nick Name Emily R. 2. 3. 4. 5. Last Name Salgado
Office Sought: External VP Are you the incumbent? Yes No - X Are you a Voting Member in Good Standing of SFYD? Yes - X No How many years have you been a member of SFYD or other YD Chapters? Appx. 4 years
5. Contact Information: Home Address: Campaign Phone: Campaign Email: Campaign Website:
1595 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 415-793-2588 Emily.salgado@gmail.com NA
POLITICAL BACKGROUND
Beginning with the most recent position, please list previous leadership and elected roles in the Young Democrats and other relevant Political or Leadership Organizations. Office/Role Corresponding Secretary – District 3 Democratic Club Membership Committee Chair, Middle Polk Neighborhood Association Chris Jackson for SF Community College Board SFSU College Democrats CCSF Young Democrats Elective/Appointive? Elected Appointed Dates Held February 2009-Present January 2009-Present June 2008November 2008 2005-2007 2003 Campaign Manager Leadership Role (if any) Board Member
NA
Member Founder
QUESTIONNAIRE 1) Why are you
running,
and
what
makes
you
qualified
for
this
position?
I am running for External VP of SFYD because I am committed to engaging, supporting and advocating on behalf of our shared democratic values and recognize the vital and effective role Young Democrats play in the larger political landscape. My qualifications include running a successful city-wide campaign and most recently representing Senator Leland Yee as a liaison in San Francisco. If given the opportunity to serve SFYD, I believe these positions will provide great opportunities to build on already established relations and create new ones in my efforts to engage, recruit and promote on behalf of SFYD. 2) What are the main challenges facing the California Young Democrats as an organization in the context of this position? How will you address those issues if elected? If you are the incumbent, please list at least three concrete accomplishments in the office.
3) Identify two challenges facing young people in the context of the position you seek? What specific commitment will you make to address these issues if elected? I have actively worked both organizationally and as an individual to engage young people in civic, political, and democratic processes. Apathy, it seems, perpetually remains an affliction and there are systemic reasons this is the case. If elected, I will seek out and actively pursue new ways to engage young people and turn apathy into activity with the intent of making participation a rewarding and fruitful experience. Tied to this point and something I would like to see SFYD address is the Digital Divide. We can promote SFYD and build relations electronically but I feel it imperative to remember that the Digital Divide is a very real and undemocratic phenomenon we have right here in our own backyard. If elected, I will actively seek to reach into and engage young people in underserved and underrepresented communities, whether online or in the community. I feel very strongly the democracy works best, if not neatly; the more there are at the table.
4) If elected, what ideas and commitments would you put forward to engage more of California’s, and San Francisco’s, young people in the political process? What specifically would you do? Please see answers to 1 and 3.
5) Please describe in sufficient detail at least one of your accomplishments that has improved the lives of young people. These examples should illustrate effective skills and capabilities which apply to the office you are seeking. These accomplishments may have occurred at any time in your personal, professional, or public life. Most recently, I am working on an event that will inform and educate high school seniors and college freshman on the importance of financial literacy, particularly in light of the current economic environment. The event requires heavy outreach, communication and coordination with schools, governmental bodies, non-profits and youth organizations.
EXPERIENCE Please list or describe your current and past activities in the community in which you have acquired skills relevant to the office you are seeking. Include your roles in the activities and when you were involved. Involvement consists of many areas such as family, neighborhood, community, employment, or public life. Please explain how your experiences would make you an effective advocate for young people as a CYD office holder. Community and/or Political Organizations: - Middle Polk Neighborhood Association , Membership Chair – Event coordination, Outreach, volunteerism - District 3 Democratic Club , Corresponding Secretary – Communications, Events - San Francisco Women’s Political Committee, Member - City Democratic Club, Member - San Francisco State University College Democrats, former member Professional Experience: - Field Representative, Office of Senator Leland Y. Yee, PhD - Campaign Manager, Chris Jackson for Community College Board - Public Affairs Consulting, GCA Strategies, Inc