 The MIADC Spring 2009 Newsletter is available for download in the "News" section of the website.  Dear Members,  As I step into the position of chair of this relatively young but growing organization, I would like to thank our outgoing Chair Ramesh Verma for his hard work and dedication in making MIADC one of the most active caucuses in the Michigan Democratic Party. Ramesh, I am thrilled to report was elected to the post of treasurer of the Michigan Democratic Party this year. Please take a moment to scan our website for members who were elected to other positions in the party as well as our accomplishments in the 2007/2008 election cycle and proposed goals for the 2009/2010 election cycle.The 2008 Obama/Biden presidential campaign not only captured the interest of our community but helped us get more actively engaged on the campaign trail. Watching Barack Obama being sworn in as President of this great country was an extremely proud and emotional moment for all democrats. What a hard fought victory it was! Now that the presidential election is over, the challenge for MIADC and its board is to tap into the momentum unleashed by the campaign and get our fellow Indian Americans to understand the importance of being part of our organization. Our group is the only Indian American Democratic Caucus in the Michigan Democratic Party. We need to get our community engaged in the upcoming election in 2010 when the entire Michigan state legislature is up for re-election. This also includes the race for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and judicial, city and county races. Our board for the 2009/2010 election cycle is well equipped to handle the challenges. Each member brings to the board, skills that our organization needs; knowledge of issues, marketing, fundraising, campaigning, technical skills and experience. The new team is committed to not only electing democrats to office but also increasing membership, raising awareness about issues like access to health care, immigration, civil rights and domestic violence to name a few and working with our lawmakers to seek solutions through the political and legislative process. Our success in accomplishing common goals, however, is ultimately dependent on the commitment of members like you. Now, more than ever, we need to ask our democratic lawmakers, who we put in office, to address the concerns listed above. As some wise person said “the squeaky wheel gets the oil.” Finally, let us never forget that MIADC was also formed to lay the foundation for Indian American democrats to run for office and WIN!! I thank you all for electing me to the position of chair and look forward to working with you and for you in the coming years. Yours Sincerely, Jayashree Kommareddi MIADC Chairperson  |