A Ukraine chapter of Democrats Abroad was organized in Kyiv on October 5 by a group of 25 U.S. citizens. Democrats Abroad is the U.S. political party's international branch, helping expatriate Democrats stay politically active in their party.
The group elected interim officers and adopted bylaws. The officers, who will serve until the group holds its first annual meeting early next year, include: Geoffrey Berlin, Chair; Sue Folger, Vice-Chair; Susan Waage, Secretary; and David Anderson, Treasurer-Counsel. In addition, Jim Davis and Scott Lewis are at-large members of the executive committee.
Other charter members of Democrats Abroad Ukraine include Yuli Tartakovsky, Bob Ortega, Tim O'Connor, Kellie Klein, Wendy Lu McGill, Christopher McGill, Shane Ahn, Delilah Raybee, Maggie Koriol, Will McCabe, Michael Haines, John Reuter, David Hamilton, Dalyn Ortega, Jove Oliver, John Somers, Eric D. Boyle, David Dettman and Ian Marquardt.
Berlin said that the group's membership is diverse, including businessmen, Peace Corps volunteers and NGO employees, among others. Some are recent arrivals in Ukraine, while others have been here for more than a decade.
He said that the group would be actively soliciting additional members from among the approximately 1,200 U.S. citizens living in Ukraine.
"Our members are on the front line, fighting to make the world a better place," he said.
Democrats Abroad is open to voting-age Americans living outside the United States. The Ukraine chapter joins groups active in 37 other countries around the world. Information on the local chapter is available at www.democratsabroad.org.ua .
CAPTION: Chris McGill displays a sheaf of absentee ballots as Geoffrey Berlin (left) speaks during a screening of the U.S. presidential debate at Golden Gate Pub on October 10. During the month prior to the election, Democrats Abroad Ukraine sponsored free screenings of the debates, as well as showings of Fahrenheit 9/11 and Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry.
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