Activism & Policy Committee
To inquire about joining a working group, email Amy or John. You can also check out our calendar.
The Activism & Policy Committee engages club members in a variety of activities. We take the pulse of club membership on the issues confronting us at the neighborhood, city, state and federal levels, engage the club in the passing of resolutions on the issues of greatest concern, and advocate for legislation and other government action reflecting the resolutions we adopt. We organize our activism through Working Groups that focus on specific issues. Our current active Working Groups focus on the following issues:
• Climate & Environment Working Group
We advocate for policies and legislation that fight climate change and mitigate its dire consequences, and improve the environmental health of New York City. Our key objectives include educating advocates about composting and recycling and ways to increase publicly accessible green space for all. Co-Chairs: Jane Lindberg & Amy Schwartz
• Education Working Group
We advocate for high quality and well-funded public school education for all students in New York City. Our budgetary, policy and legislative advocacy addresses inequities and other critical issues impacting New York City public schools, and encourages community activism through educational policy forums. Current key advocacy objectives include increasing access to mental health services to address the student mental health crisis, strengthening academic support and civics education to prepare students for success and effective civic engagement, and expanding arts education to educate the whole child and meet New York State requirements.Co-Chairs: Debra Freeman & Amy Schwartz
• Gender and Equity Working Group
We address issues of inequity and discrimination facing women, girls and transgender and gender non-conforming persons (TGNC) at the City, State and Federal level. The group comes at an inflection point for the economic security, safety, health, and well-being of all women and girls, at all levels of government. Chairs: Vacant
• Health Care Working Group
We advocate for quality health care for all residents of New York City. Our objectives include ensuring access to affordable health insurance in every New York community; fighting for reproductive rights and access to abortion services for all; advocacy for the passage of the NY Health Act.Chairs: Vacant
• Housing Working Group
We work to ensure equitable access to affordable, safe and well-maintained housing for all, and advocate for reform of policies and legislation on a city and state levels.Co-Chairs: Rich O'Malley and Ben Akselrod
• Reforming the Democratic Party Working Group
We seek to reform the anti-democratic, bureaucratic, and secretive practices and structure of the Democratic Party, especially at the level of the County Committee and the State Committee, as well as the functioning of the Party at the national level.Co-Chairs: Robert Jackman, Jordan Stein and John Wagner
• Rule of Law Working Group
We monitor violations of constitutional rights by the Executive Branch and coordinate rapid responses of the club to these violations by organizing demonstrations or by writing Club approved statements and resolutions. We try to cooperate with like-minded Democratic Clubs and organizations to make our response more visible and effective.Chair: Chris Regan
• Seniors Working Group
We advocate through policy, collaboration, legislation, and political activism to enrich the lives of and empower older persons living in New York City to Age in Place. Our key objectives include increased access to affordable housing for seniors, safer streets, greater accessibility in restaurants, pharmacies, stores, etc., improved access to healthcare transportation, and food security including affordable access to healthy foods, reduction of food waste, etc.
Chairs: Marlene Schneider & Ariana Elezaj
• Taxes Working Group
We seek implementation of simpler, fairer tax plans that will raise adequate revenue for government functions and address the growing inequality of income and wealth in the US. We see this as an efficient way to improve quality of life.
Chair: John Wagner
• Transportation Working Group
We work to make our streets work. We advocate for our bus riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, and subway riders that are the beating heart of New York City. We work to make sure that our subways and buses run frequently, reliably and safely and our streets are safe for all users. Join us to make NYC a better place to live, work and travel!
Co-Chairs: Bartlet Lucas and Jordan Stein
Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Committee
Chair: Steve Benathen & Jamie Kang
The Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Committee seeks to create a more diverse and inclusive club, and to increase outreach to traditionally marginalized communities.
Member Outreach Committee
The Member Outreach Committee in Four Freedoms Democratic Club (FFDC) seeks to expand the club's outreach in order to increase membership and better engage our current members. The Committee meets periodically to discuss ongoing club initiatives and possible future events, including our neighborhood Street Fair events. If you're interested in getting involved, you should contact Kim.
Events Committee
This committee is responsible for planning and execution of the club's fundraisers and social gatherings, which draw a wonderful mix of Club members, elected officials, and the community. If you have attended the summer BBQ, the winter holiday party, Spring Soiree, or small dollar fundraiser, you've seen the events committee's work in action
Social Media Committee
Chair: Julianne Ballington
Our work in media encompasses maintaining our accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; issuing and promoting news of club activities to the press; and using any and all media to engage our elected officials, club members and potential club members.