MYD Officer Application

To be voted on at the January MYD General Meeting

Submitted applications (not including contact information) will be
available on gomyd.com for the membership to view no later than one
week prior to the election.
Applicants must be a 2015 dues paying member
Please submit to president@gomyd.com no later than two weeks prior to the
January MYD General Meeting

Name:
Kate Siskel
Position Running For: Vice President
E-Mail:
kate.siskel@gmail.com
Occupation: Marketing & Communications Manager, Alliance for a Healthier
Generation (www.healthiergeneration.org)
Twitter: @katesiskel
MYD events attended in 2014:
General Meetings
Executive Board Meetings
Environmental Committee Meetings
Engendering Progress
YGID
Internship Event
Trivia Night
Peoples Climate March
Food Chains Film Screening
Injustice Its Not Just Us (planning & event)
Please answer the following questions.
1) What is your vision for the Manhattan Young Democrats for 2015? Give some
concrete examples of initiatives you would like to undertake before the end of the
year.
My vision for MYD in 2015 is to increase the value of the organization to
our membership and increase the value of the organization to our mission.
Value to Membership
In order to increase the value of joining and participating in MYD to our
members, I would like to find out more about our members, i.e. what their
priorities and interests are, what motivates them, why they joined MYD,

what they hope to achieve. With this information, I would like to develop a
member recruitment, engagement, and retention strategy that is rooted
in data and strategy. Ideas I have include more regular film screenings, an
MYD book club, more service opportunities, and creating a clear avenue
for members to initiate and manage MYD opportunities and events with
the goal of providing more to our members beyond our couple of
signature events and monthly meetings. I would also like to do more to
promote our Facebook page as a forum/hub for conversation that allows
members to connect organically.
Value to Mission
In order to educate and activate young progressives, I would like to
continue and increase the number of educational opportunities we provide
to our members (i.e. Injustice, Its Not Just Us). I would like to hold
quarterly education-focused events around our key policy focus for 2015. I
think streamlining our priorities and political agenda for 2015 will help
align the organization and create more integrated opportunities for
member involvement so that any issues committees or activities support
and are tied to larger MYD goals.
2) Why do you think youre a good fit? Please list relevant experiences you would
draw from and strengths you could bring to the position you are running for.
As a marketing and communications professional, I have the skills to
recruit, engage influence, and motivate others. Ive applied these skills to
the Environmental Issues Committee, which has had a relatively active
and consistent membership. Ive also applied these skills to my role as a
board member through larger conversations about the MYD brand. My
experience and skills will help me lead with strategy and follow with
tactics to disseminate the 2015 vision as set by the officers and the board
and increase value to MYD members.
3) Serving on the executive board of MYD is a significant time commitment. How
committed will you be as a member -- how would you be able to fit your leadership
responsibilities within your current schedule? Please list your commitments outside
of your employment (i.e. leadership positions in other clubs).
I served on the 2014 Board as a committee chair, demonstrating my ability
to make time for MYD. My consistent record of attending and planning
MYD events in addition to board meetings reflects my ability to honor the
commitment.
In addition to MYD, I volunteer with the Alumni Schools Committee for
Yale University.
4) What 3 (three) issues would you consider most important to New York?
Specifically to young New Yorkers, in 2015, I believe three important issues are:

1. Social Justice - Criminal Justice/Police Reform

2. Economic Justice - Income Inequality/Affordable Housing
3. Environmental Justice Climate Change
5) What do you see as the biggest challenge to engaging young voters? In broad
terms, how can we make changes to correct it?
I think the biggest challenge for young voters is apathy that they can get
involved and that if they do, it will make a difference. I think weve seen a
lot more activism among young people, who are willing to march or
protest as evidenced by major NYC events including the peoples climate
march and millions march but the challenge is getting those people who
march to take the next step and get more involved in our political system.
I think MYD can serve as a repository for young, passionate people who
have been unsure of how or unconvinced why they should be more
politically active and can help those who are motivated get to the next
level by continuing to emphasize the political nature of MYD and focusing
on legislation.
6) (Optional) Is there anything else you think MYDs membership and leadership
should know about you before reviewing you application?
Im honored to be considered for the role and, if elected, will do
everything in power to fulfill the mission of MYD.