Who are AYDs?
The Arlington Young Democrats are a collection of Arlington citizens, ages 18-35, committed to furthering the principles of the Democratic Party, making an impact in the Arlington community, and providing fun social opportunities for young people in Arlington. People under the age of 35 make up one third of Arlington County, two-thirds of which vote for Democrats. Our club has over 150 members and we are the largest young professional Democratic club in the state of Virginia.
People join AYD for a variety of reasons including: to get involved in politics and political campaigns; to become active in the community; and, to get involved in a social environment with other young Democratic citizens. Our members currently serve as campaign managers, campaign volunteers and community leaders. AYD members also make up at least 25% of the Arlington County Democratic Committee Steering Committee.
How does AYD work?
AYD has several components and levels of membership – the Steering Committee, Standing Committees, Special Committees, Caucuses, and General Membership.
The Steering Committee is the governing body of AYD and guides the direction of the organization with the advice of the general membership. AYD has five Standing Committees – the Resolutions Committee, the Finance Committee, the Community Service Committee, the Outreach Committee and the Political Action Committee. The AYD President also has the authority to create Special Committees when specific needs within the organization require committee support. Finally, any member of AYD can form a Caucus to forward ideas, advance an issue or propose resolutions. A minimum of five members in good standing are required to form a Caucus and the AYD Vice President oversees all Caucus activity.
What does AYD do?
In support of our mission, AYD engages in a variety of political activities, often in tandem with other official Democratic Party or Democratic-affiliated organizations. These activities include, but are not limited to, precinct and area organization, voter registration, multicultural outreach, fundraising, and issues development. During campaign season, Young Democrats put up yard signs, deliver literature to neighborhoods across Arlington, volunteer at visibility events, make get-out-the-vote phone calls, and assist candidates in Arlington for offices as diverse as county treasurer and president of the United States. Our members serve as campaign managers, campaign volunteers, and community leaders, and AYD members make up at least 3025% of the Arlington County Democratic Committee Steering Committee.
AYD and its individual members also perform a wide variety of non-partisan or non-political activities, such as community service projects. In addition, AYD sponsors happy hours, social networking events, fundraisers, summer picnics, holiday parties, member appreciation events, various field trips, and several other informal events that offer young people the opportunity to socialize and network with other like-minded individuals.
Activities
Please visit our calendar for upcoming events.
Politics and Campaigns
AYD works very closely with the Arlington County Democratic Committee (ACDC) on behalf of local, state, and national candidates. AYD members assist with strategy, logistics, grassroots organizing, fundraising, phonebanking, outreach and publicity. Because of this tradition of activism, each year AYD members typically make up a substantial portion of the ACDC leadership and always play a visible role in the Arlington Democratic Joint Campaign. Under the ACDC bylaws, the AYD President and AYD Senior Party Representative are each voting members of the ACDC Steering Committee, which sets that organization's course. In addition, AYD members have run for and served as ACDC officers in a variety of capacities. Still more AYD members serve as ACDC precinct captains. In addition, AYD has initiated several important local political projects, both on its own and under ACDC auspices, including door-to-door voter registration drives, literature drops and issue-awareness campaigns. Visit the Political Action Committee webpage to find out what you can do.
AYD also coordinates its political activities with other Democratic Party and Young Democratic organizations throughout the state of Virginia and the Washington, DC area. In this way, AYD extends its resources to help Democratic candidates in other jurisdictions.
Community Service
AYD has traditionally participated in a wide variety of highly visible community service activities. AYD has also sponsored and participated in projects at homeless shelters and soup kitchens, and has staffed several environmental cleanup projects in Arlington. A number of AYD members have also participated in County mentoring and linguistic outreach programs. Many AYD members have served on the boards of local community organizations, including Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, the Arlington Jaycees, Arlington County 4-H, League of Women Voters, Arlington Community Residence, Inc., Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, Historical Affairs and Landmarks Review Board, Fiscal Affairs Advisory Committee, Transportation Commission, Arlington Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia.
Democratic and Social Networking
AYDs coordinate many of their political and social activities with other Democratic-oriented groups in the area, such as Alexandria Young Democrats, Fairfax County Young Democrats, Virginia Young Democrats, College Democrats, and Young Democrats of America.
Where AYD Fits into the Party Establishment:
- As a member of the Arlington Young Democrats, you are an automatic member of the Virginia Young Democrats (VAYD) and Young Democrats of America (YDA).
- VAYD is the parent organization of AYD. VAYD connects all young democrats in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- YDA is the grandparent organization of AYD. YDA connects all young democrats in the country. As a member of AYD you have the opportunity to go to the YDA National Convention.
- AYD works closely with ACDC to support Democratic campaigns and initiatives in Arlington County and throughout the state of Virginia.
