User:Sdybiec/Upper Arlington Progressive Action

Upper Arlington Progressive Action (UAPA) is a grassroots political action committee based in Upper Arlington, a conservative suburb of Columbus, Ohio. UAPA supports Democratic and progressive candidates and causes, and is entirely funded by donations from supporters. UAPA is run and governed solely by volunteers.

Upper Arlington Progressive Action gives Democratic and progressive voters an identity, voice and vehicle for action. UAPA members advocate for effective and efficient government that truly serves the needs of its people.

History

In 2004, UAPA (as UA for Kerry) gained state, national and international attention. We played a vital role in awakening and energizing Democrats and progressive people in our city, traditionally considered a conservative Republican stronghold. Our efforts produced measurable results on Election Day 2004, and again in the 2006 campaign for governor, state legislature and U.S. Senate!

UAPA is the next generation in the evolution of the organization originally known as UA for Kerry.

Founded by six women in May of 2004, UA for Kerry worked tirelessly toward the defeat of George Bush. A rally held in mid-June, 2004, drew over 500 individuals who listened to speeches, collected literature and donated thousands of dollars to the fledging effort. Clearly the group was fulfilling an unmet need in the traditionally Republican and conservative community.

Over the next six months the organization grew to number over 1,500 people receiving the email newsletter and roughly 40 individuals taking on leadership roles and positions of responsibility. We received local, national and even international media coverage.

Founding Mothers

Despite Kerry’s loss on Election Day, without a doubt UA for Kerry made a measurable impact in our community. In 2004, almost 1,500 more people voted in the presidential race than in 2000. Yet Bush received no more votes in UA in 2004 than he did in 2000 -- in fact, he received fewer. Kerry received 34% more votes in UA than Gore did in 2000. And Kerry won six UA precincts -- up from none in 2000.

Moreover, UA for Kerry provided a safe and welcoming forum for Democratic, progressive and Republican voters who disagree with the current administration. Our Sunday evening speaker series was testament to this as attendance was consistently over 100. The ubiquitous UA for Kerry sign served as not only a unifying image for the membership but also as a thorn in the side of the some people in the community who sought to silence our voices with lawsuits and negative media.

Today, UAPA continues on in the spirit of the original organization by supporting many of the very same issues that were championed by John Kerry, as well as other issues and candidates relating to our local community.

Mission

The mission of Upper Arlington Progressive Action is to:

• Build community among progressives, Democrats and other like-minded voters;
• Educate ourselves and the greater community on candidates and issues; and
• Support the election of progressive and Democratic candidates to local, state and federal offices, and in nonpartisan elections in which no endorsed Democratic candidate is on the ballot, to support other UAPA approved progressive candidates.

Our values

• We support civil and equal rights for all Americans, regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic background or religious tradition.
• We believe our physical environment must be protected, nurtured and valued more than the profit it can generate since it’s the ultimate infrastructure that supports human life.
• We support healthcare reform so that all Americans can enjoy the highest level of care possible at affordable prices.
• We support public programs, policies and laws that help sustain the working poor and their children, as well as the elderly living on fixed incomes and the mentally and physically disabled.
• We believe that all children deserve a quality education.
• We think major corporations and their top executives should be held responsible for their actions and regulated to ensure their power doesn’t supersede the authority of our government.
• We believe in the separation of church and state, as determined by the framers of the Constitution, and believe that moral issues should not be legislated but decided by the individual and the higher power of their own choosing.
• We support good jobs that provide wages to sustain families; safe and clean working environments; and oppose attempts by the current administration to privatize Social Security.
• We actively support election reform so that elections on all levels of government are fair, paper-trail verifiable, and truly representative of the public’s voice.
• We believe in the return of the Fairness Doctrine, and support the dismantling of the large media conglomerates which limit free speech and control the type and amount of information released to the public.
• We envision a world in which every American feels safe, cared for and free to speak their mind and live as they choose without threat.

Our strategies for achieving our mission include:

• Building our organization by reaching out to every progressive, Democratic and disenchanted voter in our city.
• Developing a sense of community, mutual sharing and solidarity among our ranks.
• Communicating the progressive and Democratic visions, and how these relate to our culture’s values, traditions and ideals.
• Educating ourselves and the community on issues, and to highlight the progressive and Democratic viewpoint.
• Building links and maintaining communication with other Democratic and progressive organizations on the local, state and national level.
• Encouraging the participation of our members in the political process, and to support their political activism with training and education.
• Utilizing our grassroots network to support the election of candidates who are closely aligned with our values and vision.

Leadership Team

Officers

• President Jody Scarbrough president@uaprogressiveaction.com
• Vice-President Melissa Hedden vicepresident@uaprogressiveaction.com
• Treasurer Jim Fronk treasurer@uaprogressiveaction.com
• Secretary Jan Davis secretary@uaprogressiveaction.com

Committee Chairs

• Precinct Program Jan Davis preceinctprogram@uaprogressiveaction.com
• Events & Education Diane Reichwein events@uaprogressiveaction.com
• Communications Gemma McLuckie communications@uaprogressiveaction.com
• Development Melissa Hedden development@uaprogressiveaction.com
• Webmaster & Newsletter Editor Scott Dybiec webmaster@uaprogressiveaction.com