Together CDIN

Thank you to everyone who attended the CDIN State Convention and voted for Together CDIN! We're excited to lead College Democrats of Indiana forward!

Today’s the day, fellow Hoosiers! Vote ! 💙

Vote:
- Luke Robbins for President
- Libbi Adams for Vice President
- Kaitlyn Steinhiser for Finance Director
- Brandon Blumenherst for Political Director
- Drew Elizabeth Ficociello for Outreach Director
- Sam L Shepherd for Caucus Director
- Dominic Bordenaro for Communications Director

Policy Point: 5 – Involvement

2018 is an important year – a year in which College Democrats throughout the state of Indiana can have a lasting impact on electoral politics. In acknowledging this, we have to make sure to get involved by connecting with local county parties and candidates. Whether it is the United States Senate race or local Commissioner race, Democrats have to show up and College Democrats have to show up in order to help all Democratic candidates.

This has to be a priority on all college campuses in the state. In order to accomplish this, we have to encourage chapter leaders and members to establish ongoing relationships with county parties, candidates and campaigns, and other Democratic constituency groups. By committing to being involved and supportive of all Democratic candidates, we will ride the blue wave in 2018 and give our generation a voice in Indiana politics.

Policy Point: 4 – Unity

Being a strong, unified group of growing leaders and impactful activists has to be something we are all committed to. Working together with is the focal point of the Together CDIN ticket.

By unifying the College Democrats of Indiana (CDIN) Executive Board with local chapters, county parties, the Indiana Democratic Party, candidates and other Democratic groups, we will become an even stronger part of the Democratic Party. Showing up and working together with both members and chapter leaders is how we will give our generation a voice in the conversation and have an impact on public policy.

Together CDIN is fully committed to making sure that we are a unified group of influencers and change-makers.

Policy Point: 3 – Fundraising

In order to properly function and continue to offer programming on campus, each chapter has to have an acceptable amount of funding. Together CDIN knows that one of the most important issues to chapter leaders has concerns fundraising and financing events for peers on campus.

Fundraising can be done in a variety of creative ways. We can start by working to connect chapters with local county party leaders and candidates to establish connections. In doing this, chapters can get to know who runs the local party and who potential donors are. Moreover, it is important to recall that each chapter has its own unique characteristics; remembering this will help chapters to explore their own fundraising options, such as partnering with local businesses who are willing to give a percentage of total sales to the chapter and/or selling shirts to fundraise. This is not an exhaustive of list of ideas. Instead, this list is intended to give sample ideas and start the conversation.

🗣Let us know what you think!

Meet Sam L Shepherd, our candidate for College Democrats of Indiana Caucus Director. This is what he has to say about why he is running:

“Hi everyone! My name is Sam Shepherd and I am honored to be running for Caucus Director of College Democrats of Indiana. I will be running on the Together CDIN ticket at Wabash College this Sunday!

I am not running for this position to be in the Democratic Party. I am Running for this position to transform the Democratic Party. After the 2016 election, it is apparent that the Democratic Party has its flaws like any establishment. My job is to do my part to minimize our party’s flaws and maximize our strengths. I intend to empower progressives in colleges across the state, by establishing chapters in smaller schools and transforming our political culture to get college students out to vote. I intend to lead a coalition of college students with diverse backgrounds and demanding change in our state government- change that will remove the democratic barriers for college students. I intend to influence by growing the power of college students across the state and giving us a voice in the Democratic process. When we have a voice, we can inspire state officials to make a change in the system.

Our movement is about uniting workers on issues like healthcare and worker rights. Our movement is about uniting disaffected Americans on issues like campaign finance reform and trust in the government. Our movement is about uniting families on issues like immigration and paid family leave. Our movement is about unapologetically defending the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Our movement is about uniting young people on issues like gun safety legislation and education reform.

Like any human, I have been tested, I have been bullied or discriminated and like any human I am ready for a change. It starts here- WE need to unite workers. WE need to unite disaffected Americans. WE need to unite families. WE need to unite the LGBTQ+ community. WE need to unite young people. WE can unite our party and college students across the state.
Let’s get it done! Vote Together CDIN on April 8th!"

- Sam Shepherd, candidate for CDIN Caucus Director & current President Indiana State University Democrats

Libbi Adams, our candidate for College Democrats of Indiana Vice President, sat down to talk with The Butler Collegian about why she’s running, the challenges of running, and why she joined the Together CDIN ticket.

“If elected, I will empower the members of CDIN to use their voice, use their resources, and work together to make a real impact in the Indiana Democratic Party. I will work to fulfill the four goals outlined by Together CDIN through working closely with the State Federation Council, the individual chapters, and the other members of the executive board. I will work to promote unity in CDIN, and to empower the members to believe that they can truly make a difference because I have seen first-hand how they can, and do.”

On challenges and criticism:
“Unfortunately, criticism is always a part of decisions to pursue lofty goals like this. I have faced some criticism, but mostly from people, usually strangers, on the internet. It is very easy to say negative, disparaging things when you are safely hidden behind a keyboard. The best way that I have found to deal with critics is to ignore them and to lean on the amazing people around me who are supportive of me and my goals.

I also know what I am worth, I know what I can do, and I know that nothing they say is going to change my decision. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, because it will not change how hard I am going to work if I am lucky enough to be elected. The other people I am running with have been super helpful too, as we have all received criticism from others running — both constructive and ill-intentioned.”

Read the full story here:

Bulldog is a VP candidate for College Democrats of Indiana Libbi Adams is a junior political science and peace and conflict studies double major from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She recently announced she is running for a Vice President position for the College D…

Policy Point: 2 - Communication

If elected, Together CDIN promises to work diligently in order to improve outreach and communication between the CDIN Executive Board, chairs, and local chapters. College Democrats of Indiana includes 20+ chapters throughout the state of Indiana. As such, it is imperative for us to streamline a consistent communication strategy in order for the CDIN Executive Board to maintain strong communication with local chapters.

By talking with chapter leaders and members, we promise to find a communication strategy that works for everyone. This could include using a commutation platform, such as Facebook Workplace, Facebook Groups or Slack, in order to bring College Democrats throughout all of the CDIN chapter together in one online place. In addition, Together CDIN would like to propose a monthly federation-wide call. By instituting this option, we could solidify a means by which members and chapter leaders can all make sure they are communicating any concerns or ideas.

In addition, our Presidential Candidate, Luke Robbins, promises to respond to all emails and text messages within 24 hours. In fact, you can reach him at [email protected] and/or 317-682-7527 now if you would like to say hello or if you have any questions!

These words are always true. Thank you for the inspiration, Michelle Obama. ❤️

Endorsements are a way for chapter members to voice their opinion. Together CDIN is proud to listen to chapter members and accept their endorsements.