Policy & Advocacy Committee
Chairs: John Wagner & Amy Schwartz
To inquire about joining a working group, email Amy or John. You can also check out our calendar.
The Working Groups are the advocacy engines for FFDC. Guided by the Policy & Advocacy Committee, members create Working Groups to organize their policy passions on the issues confronting us at the neighborhood, city, state and federal levels, and advocate for legislation and other government actions. Working Groups design and engage all FFDC in advocacy efforts, including social media outreach, presentations at public hearings and holding education events. We propose resolutions calling for advocacy by members, and educate one another on the resolutions we adopt. Our current active Working Groups are as follows:
• Aid in Dying Working Group
Chair: John Wagner
We advocate for end-of-life legislation and policy reform. We held an educational forum on the need for a “Medical Aid in Dying” Act in New York where the reservations and incorporated safeguards were discussed. Subsequently, we adopted a resolution supporting Medical Aid in Dying. Our objectives include keeping club members educated and engaged in advocacy for passage of the Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.2694/S.03947) or its successors; and collaborating with with other advocacy groups, most notably Compassion & Choice, in promoting passage of the bill
• Climate & Environment Working Group
Co-Chairs: Jane Lindberg & Amy Schwartz
We resolve to identify and support policies, and legislation on the City, State, and Federal levels which yield improvements in environmental health and mitigate the impact of climate change in our community. These include more publicly accessible green spaces, continued and equitable tree planting, effective residential recycling and composting, and full implementation of the Climate Modernization Act and other actions to address the climate change crisis. Our strategies include education, advocacy, and collaborative actions with like-minded organizations.
Chair: Debra Freeman
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: opposing budget cuts and sustaining education programs funded with expiring federal COVID-relief funds; 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.
Chair: Amy Schwartz
We advocate for policies, budgets and legislation that ensures quality and equitable health care for all residents of New York City. Our objectives include securing access to fair and affordable health care and insurance in every New York community; combatting cuts to and seek reforms of state and federally funded health programs; fighting for reproductive rights and access to abortion services for all, including supporting abortion providers; and advocating for the passage of the NY Health Act. We join the Senior Working Group to advocate against federal cuts to Medicaid and other health programs, and collaborated with the FFDC NYS ERA Working Group to support constitutional protections for abortion rights. We partner with like-minded organizations, conduct club education programs and organize advocacy activities, such as meetings with legislators and outreach campaigns.
Co-Chairs: Rich O'Malley and Ben Akselrod
We see the housing working group as a crucial voice for our community. We seek to discuss housing holistically, with an eye toward advocating for what we as an organization are the best steps forward to help solve our current dual housing and affordability crises. We will do that by inviting both elected leaders and issue advocates and experts to speak with us. And we aim to bring our most agreed upon policies forward -- the ones we believe it will be important for Four Freedoms to be on the record in support of or opposed to -- to the entire club for endorsement in the form of resolutions.
• Impact of Technology
Chair: Blair Dayton
The Impact of Technology Working Group is concerned with the rapidly advancing technology without education and engagement, that’s increasingly leaving communities at a disadvantage and government representatives less effective at protecting them. Our objectives include advocating for legislation regarding technology that maintains or improves quality of life for members of the community; Educating members on various technologies and relevant legislation; and supporting other FFDC working groups with relevant information on technology and technology policies that may impact their work.
The RDP Working Group is committed to lead in reforming the Democratic Party specifically at the county level, but also to support efforts to do so at the State Committee level. Our objectives include: collaborating with other Manhattan Democratic Clubs in order to fund, create and promote a county-wide, standardized, searchable network of websites for the use of all clubs in Manhattan. We seek to Initiate and collaborate with other clubs and District Leaders, in conjunction with our own District Leaders, to improve the transparency, operating efficiency and democracy of the County Committee through changes in rules and procedures governing the County Committee. We aim to support the efforts of our State Committee members in reforming the State Committee.
Co-Chairs: Sam Weinberger and Jill Eisner
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.
Co-Chairs: Marlene Schneider and Ariana Elezaj
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.
• Taxes Working Group
Chair: John Wagner
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, as an efficient way to improve quality of life.
Co-Chairs: Jordan Stein and Mikayla Vaughn
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!
Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Committee
Chairs: 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
Chair: Kim Moscaritolo
Events Committee
Chairs: Matt Lombardi & Blair Dayton
Digital Media Committee
Chair: Blair Dayton
This committee works in conjunction with the Digital Media Secretary. Our work encompasses maintaining our website and accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Threads; 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.