Activist Council of the Columbia University College Democrats

The Activist Council of the Columbia University College Democrats is the activism-oriented arm of the Columbia University College Democrats. Formed in 2005 by President Seth Flaxman, the group is a constitutionally unique part of the organization tasked with carrying out an annual campaign trip and an annual lobby trip, as well as with conducting major public events on campus and to facilitate interaction with other progressive campus organizations.

Lead activists
Although conducted primarily as a congregation of equals, the Activist Council is led by four lead activists. Currently, they are: Sarah Leonard, Cassie Spodak, Mara Richard, and Evan Thomas.

Campaign Trips
The annual campaign trip is conducted over Election Day break each November. The trip lasts five days, encompassing the weekend and two-day holiday before Election Day.
*2004--Lorain County, Ohio. The first campaign trip was organized by Elizabeth Brown and Seth Flaxman. The group was hosted by Sherrod Brown and campaigned for John Kerry and successfully increased Democratic turnout in the county despite the statewide loss.
*2005--Fredericksburg, Virginia. The group aided successful gubernatorial race against Jerry W. Kilgore.
*2006--Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In Cleveland, the group worked for Sherrod Brown in his successful senatorial campaign against incumbent Mike DeWine and also helped other local candidates in a massive Democratic victory that saw Republicans lose an incumbent governor and all but one statewide office.

Lobby Trips
The lobby trip is conducted in the spring and is viewed as a lesser corollary to the fall campaign trip. There is no set period of time for the lobby trip, though the first two have been much shorter than the campaign trips.
*2005--Student financial aid. The first organized lobby trip was conducted in conjunction with the Columbia Office of Governmental Affairs. Students lobbied for increased financial aid from Congress.
*2006--Student financial aid. The second lobby trip was also conducted with the OGA with the same goal as the first.

External links and references
* Vielkind, Jimmy, "College Democrats Return to Ohio," Columbia Spectator, November 03, 2006.
* Activist Council
* Katz, Carly, ""Students Fight For Financial Aid," Columbia Spectator, March 29, 2007.
*Brewer, Brittany, "Enough Stalling on Iraq," Columbia Spectator, March 07, 2007.
*Constitution of the Columbia University College Democrats

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