VID has Committees that work to build constituencies around their issues through events, forums, and various forms of outreach. Looking to effect change? Channel your passion into action. Want to join a committee? Have an interest in starting a new committee or initiative? Let us know! Sign up here or contact us: [email protected]
FOR COMMITTEE REPORTS, CLICK HERE.
With the increasing focus of the City Council and New York State Legislature on Animal Welfare issues, our committee was formed to propose and monitor pending legislation, as well as comment on existing legislation.
The purpose of the Animal Welfare Committee is to report to the VID Membership issues and legislation affecting all animals in the City and State of New York, and not excluding the Federal Government.
Working with our elected officials it is also our purpose, with the approval of the VID Membership, to initiate legislation that we feel would improve the health and welfare of all animals.
Are you interested in joining this Committee? Have a question? Send your message HERE.
It is the job of the VID Campaign Committee to elect public and party officials who exemplify our ideals and are committed to implementing them.
Tony Hoffmann, Chair
The Campaign Committee meets regularly to plan campaigns, organize candidate forums, and run campaigns to elect our endorsed candidates.
Among the campaign activities we do are:
The campaign committee also gets involved every four years in the presidential
election. We help organize on a weekly basis sending bus loads of volunteers to
neighboring states to canvass for the Democratic nominee.
Are you interested in joining this Committee? Have a question? Send your message HERE.
VID’s Education Committee supports policies that ensure every student has equal access to a quality education.
Patricia Laraia, Chair
Are you interested in joining this Committee? Have a question? Send your message HERE.
The goal of the Environmental Committee is to propose to the Executive Committee and the membership progressive policies related to environmental issues. An environmentally clean and safe world is a human right. By supporting the club’s legislative efforts, we hope to make our actions more productive and successful.
Nat Johnson, Chair
A few of our social and legislative priorities include:
If you would like to join the VID Environment Committee or would like more information, send us an email: HERE.
Formed to support the Parkland Student Activists in February 2018, VID’s Gun Control Committee works to reduce gun violence in our city and state by mobilizing voters and working with elected officials to pass common sense gun reform.
David Siffert, Chair
Are you interested in joining this Committee? Have a question? Send your message HERE.
Every year VID honors elected officials, members and community organizers whose progressive policies and work we value and support. The gala usually takes place in September at a locally owned restaurant and is an anticipated and fabulous event! Many hands are needed to coordinate the gala so please join the team! Ideas, suggestions and help of all sorts are always welcome and needed.
The 2025 Gala will be announced soon. Visit our events page to see information & photos from the 2024 Gala.
Questions? Contact [email protected]
When it comes to housing, VID has long championed the fight to preserve, and to build new, affordable housing
Jonathan Geballe, Chair
We have formed a Housing Committee whose goal is to protect rent-stabilized and rent-controlled tenants. Please stay tuned for information regarding upcoming meetings. Among our accomplishments: Bedford tenants win ‘class-action’ status in rent-reg fight
Are you interested in joining the Housing Committee? Do you have a question? Are you an at-risk rent-regulated tenant? Send your message HERE.
The Legislative Affairs Committee leads VID’s policy on state and local legislation, especially with respect to subject matter areas not covered by other committees. The committee advocates for priority legislation each year, and drafts bills where necessary.
David Siffert, Chair
Are you interested in joining this Committee? Have a question? Send your message HERE.
The membership committee plays an important role and helps keep track of the membership database. Help make sure that members are up to date so we can have a thriving club and community of members who can participate. Club members in good standing can join the Executive Board, committees (or suggest new ones), vote in important club elections for leadership, vote to endorse candidates, vote on Resolution letters to elected officials and more. Database entry training available. Join us!
Questions? Contact [email protected]
Given the stakes of the upcoming 2024 national elections, VID should seek opportunities to influence national Democratic policies and politics.
Ed Yutkowitz, Chair
Our National Affairs Committee:
* Provide a national perspective on issues of local concerns, including the environment,
immigration, the economy, health care, and education.
* Identify emerging issues and ideas with national implications, including disinformation
and social media, the rise of autocracy, voting rights, and personal and press freedom.
* Explore how Democrats can better craft their message, use local and national
media to reinvigorate their brand and promote their policies and politics, and expand
their representation in Congress and the Senate.
* Invite experts to address a variety of subjects, such as public health, foreign policy,
transportation, economics (including employment, labor, and trade),
technology, and culture.
* Work with state and national Democratic elected officials and organizations
to influence and strengthen their policy and communications strategies.
Are you interested in joining this Committee? Have a question? Send your message HERE.
The VID Out of District Committee focuses on assisting Democratic Campaigns to win in districts out of the Village Independent Democrats immediate district.
Melissa Carty, Chair
We work to ensure that Democrats win in races at all levels from local to federal races. We leverage our expertise in phone banking, writing postcards, texting and canvassing in person where possible to assist Democratic campaigns in their election bids.
We most recently were involved in the following winning campaigns: Pat Ryan’s Congressional race in NY-18, Josh Shapiro for Governor of PA, John Fetterman for Senate in PA, Susan Wild’s Congressional Race in PA-7 and Matt Cartwright’s Congressional race in PA-8.
Are you interested in joining this Committee? Have a question? Send your message HERE.
Education, culture, and politics are deeply interconnected and influential in shaping societies. Education serves as a tool for transmitting cultural values and norms, while political systems heavily influence educational policies and practices. This relationship is dynamic, with culture influencing educational content and approaches, and politics impacting the allocation of resources and the direction of education.
Chair, John Bredin
Are you interested in joining this Committee? Have a question? Send your message HERE.