Candidate Statement for Asian Pacific

[Irna Knapp]

To whom it may concern.

Here is my statement. Please post it to this forum. If you need a photo, I can submit.

"I started my Democrats Abroad membership when I lived in Venice, Italy for 8months in 2022. I was able to participate in online lectures. My interest with DA continued when I moved to and lived 6 months in Budapest, Hungary. I attended in-person meetings and one social event: July 4th celebration. My interest continued when I moved to and lived in Paris, France for 6 months. I was more active with DA Paris, as they had active leaders who engaged members to participate in many forums that occurred weekly. These forums varied from Walk & Talks, DA University Students, Get Out the Vote (GOTV), Voter registration, online and in-person meetings, day trip to 80th Anniversary of Normandy, lectures and more. I continued my DA interest in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in September 2024 where I currently live. DA Cambodia was active pre-election. I attended a Meet & Greet where I observed voter registration and meeting members. I helped organized Kamala Harris for President T-shirts. Since then, very little to nothing has happened. We; DAs are saddened by the results of the election. One of our leaders suggest we get together last month in February, as we were upset of what was happening with the new administration, but I was not able to attend. I have leadership and teamwork experience with non-political organizations when I lived in the USA. In the USA, I worked as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. I was also a member of the Pine Dems in Gibsonia, PA, my hometown. My leadership skills include local chapter President (6 years) and Board of Director (15+ years) of my professional organization; President (1 year) and Board of Director (20+ years) of my ethnic organization. I do not have leadership experience in Politics; however, my noted leadership experience will be useful if I am elected as Non-Country Committee Voting Representative for Asia Pacific region. I will work with other DA leaders and DA members to generate ideas on how to increase awareness of DA. I will express the importance of exercising the right to vote at all national, state and local elections while living overseas. I will give them the opportunity to get involved online or in person so their voices will be heard. I would encourage members to volunteer for DA. These can be a variety of things to engage them, something similar to what I experienced with DA Paris. My priorities as a Democratic Party Committee Abroad Voting Representative will be to learn about the expectations of the position and to receive guidance from my supervisor to do the job well. My objectives during my term are to increase awareness for US expats to join DA, so they can feel confidently represented, have access to resources and have a voice as US citizens living far from home, the USA."

Sincerely,

Irna

Irna de Leon-Knapp

1-646-653-0383 (USA)

855-85277392 (Cambodia)

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