A Message from NYSYR Chairman Christopher Dziedzic

Battle stations, everyone! The first scene in the long contest with the Democrats in 2008 has been chosen.

It was the 48th Senatorial District in Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties.

Our candidate in that special election on February 26th was a strong one. Will Barclay is a long time friend of the Young Republicans and has a solid Republican voting record in the Assembly.

Last year, our state organization awarded Assemblyman Will Barclay the 2007 Wheeler Milmoe Award at our annual Teddy Roosevelt Dinner, naming him the Young Republican choice as Assemblyman of the Year.

It is because we are so excited about this campaign that we organized a targeted campaign weekend in Oswego, New York on Saturday, February 9th and 10th. We continue to find ways to put our resources behind this effort, and we have planned to spend NYSYR funds to feed and put up at local motels those Young Republicans who make the trip from around the state.

Regardless of what shadows are seen by any groundhog, I see many of my fellow YRs pitching in to help Will Barclay if he chooses to run again in November. In any case, whoever the Republican is, the NYSYR will work to bring eventual victory for the GOP so we can maintain a Republican majority in the State Senate and a two-party system in New York State. It’s a vision of success.

Christopher Dziedzic is the Chair of the NYSYR. Send wedding, birthday party and bar mitzvah invitations to chairman@nysyr.us.

An Interview with Steve Neuhaus

by Chris Dziedzic, Chairman

One of the things the Young Republicans aspire to is a networking community--not just among a small circle of friends, but a vast social network across the state and across time. To build those networks, I will be sharing some interviews I have held with previous state chairs of our organization. This first one is with Steven Neuhaus, who served two terms as Chair from 1997 to 2001.

CD: How did you first become involved in the Young Republicans?
SN: I became involved right after Bush lost to Clinton in 1992. I ran into an elderly couple that I used to work for in my teens. We started talking politics, and I expressed my disappointment in the GOP’s loss. They mentioned that I should join the YR's. I joined the Orange County YRs a month later and took over as chair within a year. The rest is history.

CD: When did you first become involved in the NYSYR?
SN: After taking over as Chair, I decided to bring the organization into the fold with the State YR's. We did that, and soon thereafter, we got involved in the YRNF as well. Both the YRNF and the NYSYR offered great opportunities to my members.

CD: How did your involvement in the Young Republicans escalate into serving as State Chairman?
SN: By working with other YR's around the state, we decided that change was needed. We fielded a ticket made up of YR's from around the state and despite being long shots, we won.

CD: What was the biggest challenge to overcome as NYSYR Chair?
SN: Bringing the whole state together after the race. Some of our ticket wanted to write off the losing side. Thankfully we didn't do that and for the most part, everyone had a seat at the table. We were all Republicans and didn't need to fight amongst ourselves. That's what the Democrats are for.

CD: What accomplishment as NYSYR Chair are you most proud of?
SN: I think that bringing all parts of the state together was the biggest accomplishment. By doing that we were able to cultivate the talent that the YR's attracted. Look at some of the key YR's from my administration today. Holly Tanner from Columbia County is the County Clerk, Matt Sciarrino is a Judge in New York City, Dan Birmingham is the Putnam County Legislative Chairman, Karl Brabenec is a newly elected Deerpark Councilman, Brandon Neilson is newly re-elected Blooming Grove Councilman, and I was just elected Chester Town Supervisor by a 2-1 margin. There are more out there as well. Most of the YR's I know from my time as Chair are currently GOP Committee members throughout the state. Our involvement in the YR's had everything to do with all of our successes in politics.

CD: What have you been doing both professionally and politically since your term as State Chair?
SN: During and immediately after my time in the YR's, I worked in the City Management Field. Since then, I was twice elected as Chester Town Councilman, and last month I was elected by the highest margin of any other candidate as Chester Town Supervisor. I also serve as my town GOP Chairman and sit on the OC GOP Executive Committee. In addition to my elected service, I currently serve as the HV Director to the NYS Assembly Minority Leader, James Tedisco. I also served 4 years in the Army and was just commissioned as an Officer in the US Navy Reserves.

CD: What parting advice would you like memorialized for future YR leaders over the next five, ten and twenty years?
SN: I would have to emphasize that we are all Republicans. Internal squabbles do and will happen. The quicker we can hash them out, the quicker we can get back to doing what we are supposed to do. . . getting Republicans elected. It's easier said than done, but it’s the only way for the Republican Party to be successful. “A house divided cannot stand” is as true as it gets.

A Message from NYSYR Chairman, Christopher Dziedzic

We have been fond of saying for the last four years that the New York State Young Republicans and its efforts are only as strong as our constituent parts, namely the individual county chapters. Because that is certainly true, I am thrilled by the growth we have already seen, with FIVE newly credentialed county chapters in 2007 (Chemung, Ontario, Queens, Warren and Washington). I’m looking forward to continuing that growth throughout 2008. Among other things it means:

• Maintaining a commitment to travel around the state to meet with the officers of current Young Republicans county chapters and with the leaders of prospective Young Republican groups. In this age of modern media, cell phones and e-mail allow for convenient and cheap communication across the state. However, nothing can replace the proverbial road trip in establishing a good rapport with fellow YRs and showing them a commitment that the state organization exists for their benefit, and not the other way around.
• Continuing the $1,000 grant program by the State Chairman to county chapters to reimburse them for outlays towards membership recruitment activities. Over the past two years, the Young Republican clubs in Kings, Onondaga, Steuben, and Westchester counties have availed themselves of this opportunity to fund targeted mailings and hold membership recruitment events. Since our state organization is financially strong, our best use of funds is to reinvest them into our member clubs to make them stronger. We will be developing an action plan for those county chapters who are interested in utilizing this resource.
• Advertising county YR chapter events through our State YR venues to maximize outreach. The NYSYR has a variety of outlets in which we can advertise county chapter meetings and activities. We have our website, www.NYSYR.us, our listserv, NYSYR@yahoogroups.com, our blog, NYSYR.blogspot.com, and, of course, our newsletter, the GOPyr. A proven method of outreach to potential new members is posting information about upcoming county club events in these forums. Our current state officers will assist our county organizations with how best to employ these outlets to their advantage.

Christopher Dziedzic is the Chair of the NYSYR. Send your criticisms and witticisms to chairman@nysyr.us.

October What's My Caption Results

The results of the October 2007 GOPyr
Caption Contest are tied!

Here are the two winning entries:

“Well, you have neither a social security number nor a pulse, but I'm sure Governor Spitzer will issue you a driver's license anyway.” – Chris Dziedzic

“NYSYR Chris Dziedzic examines the new five-foot tall action figure of Jonathan Judge in pirate garb outside of the new Lego store in Binghamton. The pirate garb figure is the latest in a series of hot-selling, giant-sized action figures of New York State Young Republicans. The first figure, of Chairman Dziedzic in construction garb, flew off the shelves. In a related story, producers of “Bob the Builder” are now suing Dziedzic, saying that the Dziedzic action figure too closely resembles its trademarked character.” – Tim Kolpien

Thanks to all for playing and look out for the next Caption Contest coming soon!

On the Road with the Chairman

This fall, the NYSYR was as busy as ever with a variety of targeted campaign efforts all across the state. I traveled around the state to participate the New York State Young Republicans targeted campaign efforts on various fall weekends. And who said this was an off-year election?

Stop #1: Corning, NY
On Friday, September 14th, there was a fundraiser at the Radisson for Young Republican Tom Reed, the mayoral candidate for Corning. The next day, 25 to 30 YRs spent a couple of hours in the afternoon doing a targeted literature drop in the 2nd and 6th Wards in Corning for fellow YR and newly-elected Mayor of Corning, Tom Reed. We also carried literature for Mike Morrongiello in the 2nd Ward and George Spisak in the 6th Ward for their City Council campaigns.

Stop #2: Saratoga Springs, NY
On Saturday, October 13th, the Young Republicans helped support Saratoga YR Matt Veitch, candidate for Supervisor, and Skip Scirocco, candidate for Commissioner of Public Works in the City of Saratoga Springs. YRs from five different county chapters (Albany, Broome, Saratoga, Warren and Washington) participated. Later the Saratoga Springs GOP provided the volunteers with lunch at the campaign headquarters.

Stop #3: Troy, NY
On Sunday, October 14th, the YRs walked the 5th and 6th Council Districts in the City of Troy in support of candidates Carlyn Collier and Bob Krogh, Troy Mayor Harry Tuntunjian, and District Attorney candidate Greg Cholakis. Nearly forty volunteers walked the streets for the slate, including YRs from Albany, Broome, and Rensselaer. Afterwards, the campaign treated the volunteers to lunch at the Red Front Restaurant in Troy. I just wished we were given a chance to try the famous COB pizza (cheese on bottom).

Stop #4: Yonkers, NY
On Saturday, October 20th, I traveled out to Westchester County, and got to enjoy the beautiful leaves in full autumnal color along Route 17 through the Catskills. Previously, NYGOP had informed us that the Yonkers mayoral race was a targeted effort this fall. YRs from Broome, Manhatan and Westchester distributed literature door-to-door in the City of Yonkers in support of Mayor Phil Amicone and a slate of three City Council candidates.

A Message from NYSYR Chairman Christopher Dziedzic

Over the last couple of months, I have written at length about the plans of the new administration of the NYSYR that took office in May after our Biennial Convention. In our campaign platform we recognized that, "The continued success of the NYSYR, and in fact the entire Republican party, is based upon victory in three ongoing battles. We must be able to contribute significantly to the battle of numbers, the battle of wallets, and the battle of ideas.”

I have taken some time to discuss the battle of numbers and the battle of wallets in the last two editions of the GOPyr. This month I want to talk about the battle of ideas and the role of the NYSYR in it.

I think as activists and candidates, we have come across those in our own party who are not as well equipped as they should be for leadership. We have also come across as candidates who may not be as informed as they should be to be effective campaigners or office holders. We all want successful election results after a couple of heart wrenching campaign cycles in New York State. One of the best ways to ensure those victories in the fall of 2007, the fall of 2008 and beyond, is by ensuring our candidates, and the campaign staffers who work with them are the best trained and the best informed. Do they know the right message on the issues? Do they know how to target the right voters who will turn out to vote? Do they know the right sources for fundraising?

One of the steps the NYSYR is taking to further our efforts in the battle of ideas is by organizing and hosting a leadership conference for early 2008. We are excited to be working to bring a series of highly qualified and motivating speakers into New York, to train not only the Young Republicans, but any of our friends and colleagues. By imparting key knowledge and a blueprint for success, the NYSYR plans to be on the forefront of the Republican groundswell of success over the next couple of years. I hope you will join us in that effort!

Christopher Dziedzic is the Chair of the NYSYR. Send your questions, comments, and attempted explanations for the Scott Kazmir – Victor Zambrano trade to chairman@nysyr.us.

A Message from NYSYR Chairman Christopher Dziedzic

Last month, I started to expand on some of the main goals the current Executive Board has for the NYSYR. Earlier this year, I wrote that, "The continued success of the NYSYR, and in fact the entire Republican party, is based upon victory in three ongoing battles. We must be able to contribute significantly to the battle of numbers, the battle of wallets, and the battle of ideas.”

It is nice rhetoric, but how do Young Republicans put it into practice? How does the NYSYR contribute significantly to Republican efforts in the "battle of wallets?" We do it with the financial support of our Republican candidates.

During the 2006 election cycle, I am proud that our organization was able to hold successful fundraising events for our statewide Republican candidates that generated roughly $8,000 for gubernatorial candidate John Faso and approximately $6,000 for comptroller candidate, Chris Callaghan.

We also made significant donations to a variety of fellow Young Republicans who ran for office themselves. Congressional candidates Richard Hoffman and Italo Zanzi, State Senate candidates Flip Pidot and Viviana Hernandez, State Assembly candidates Yvette Bennett, Bill Faulk, Robert Heim, Patricia Laudano, Marcus Molinaro, Dan Panico, Chemung County Legislature candidate Chris Friend, and, in my own Town of Wappinger, Council candidate William Beale all received support in their bids—many of them successful.

However, as a wise man once said, any fool can spend money; it takes someone with smarts to raise money. As Young Republicans, we need to give a great deal of credit to former NYSYR Chair Jason Weingartner (2003-2007) who helped change the culture of the organization to one that aggressively fundraises. Jason instituted a pair of annual events to serve as fundraisers for our state federation. The Annual Holiday Dinner in Manhattan each December and the Annual Day at the Races in Saratoga Springs each August have successfully established revenue streams to give the NYSYR the solid financial foundation to take part in “the battle of wallets.” I have sought to build upon that developing a third annual fundraising event, an Annual Golf Outing, that we held in late May.

I’m enthusiastic about our financial strength and would encourage all of our county chapters to look at various fundraising options to establish themselves as local powerhouses, just as the NYSYR is now a statewide powerhouse.

Christopher Dziedzic is the Chair of the NYSYR. Send your questions, comments, suggestions and great chili recipes to chairman@nysyr.us.

On the Road with the Chairman

Since the last issue of the GOPyr newsletter, Chairman Chris Dziedzic has been busy in his travels around the state on behalf of the New York State Young Republicans.

Stop #1: Albany, NY

Chris traveled to Albany to attend the Capitol District Young Republican’s July monthly meeting, on Wednesday, July 25th. It was held at Legends on Lark Street in Albany at 7:00 PM. R.A. De Prima, a Republican county legislative candidate for one of the districts within the city of Albany, was the guest speaker.

Stop #2: Amsterdam, NY

That weekend, Chris was up in Amsterdam, New York along with many other YRs for one of he targeted campaign efforts – this one in Assembly District 105, to help George Amedore to win a special election. While in that part of the state Chris has a chance to meet with the head of the newly organizing Montgomery County Young Republicans. Chris had a chance to sit down with Karl Baia at the Crystal Restaurant in Amsterdam on the afternoon of Saturday, July 28th. It was a productive meeting, and the Montgomery County YRs are looking to join our larger statewide network.

Stop #3: Saratoga, NY

The next big event was the 6th Annual Day at the Races on Saturday, August 4th. While Chris did not make a big profit from his bets at the track, everyone in attendance profited from hearing Chris Callaghan’s beautiful new song about Eliot Spitzer and Troopergate, which you can watch here: www.nysyr.us/gallery.htm.

Stop #4: Lake Como, NJ

On Saturday, August 11th, Chris and National Committeeman Ed Torres traveled down to Lake Como, NJ (formerly known as South Belmar), to attend the annual New Jersey Young Republican Federation Summer Splash. The YRs from New York and New Jersey have a long history of supporting and attending one another’s events and activities, and the current NYSYR administration strives to maintain those ties.

Stop #5: Endicott, NY

Chairman Dziedzic, Corresponding Secretary Bryon McKim, Executive Director Rick Cordaro and Parliamentarian Ed Lass attended Senator Tom Libous’s Annual Steak Roast and Thursday, August 16th in Endicott, New York. It was a great time at one of the largest Republican fundraisers in the state, with an annual attendance of three to four thousand people.

A Message from NYSYR Chairman Christopher Dziedzic

I am very excited to see the return of the GOPYR newsletter. This was a labor of love for Brian Graybow for a couple of years. With his recent elevation to NYSYR Chief of Staff, I am grateful that Jonathan Judge has volunteered to step in with his experience and creative ideas as the new Editor-in-Chief.

When Jonathan asked me to pen a few words for this issue, I thought this would be an appropriate time to expand on some of the main goals the current Executive Board has for the NYSYR. Early in 2007, when I announced my candidacy for State Chair, I spoke of how, "The continued success of the NYSYR, and in fact the entire Republican party, is based upon victory in three ongoing battles. We must be able to contribute significantly to the battle of numbers, the battle of wallets, and the battle of ideas.”

But what does that actually mean? How does the NYSYR contribute significantly to Republican efforts in the "battle of numbers?" The first, and most obvious, way our organization contributes is by getting bodies out on the streets in targeted election efforts.

Looking at 2007 alone, we can be proud of our additions to the special election efforts in Senate District 7 in Nassau County, Assembly Districts 61 and 62 in Richmond County and, most recently, Assembly District 105 in Montgomery and Schenectady Counties. For the fall, we plan to build on these efforts with similar targeted campaign weekends throughout September and October. We know, in hotly contested local races, that the energy and enthusiasm of a block of Young Republican volunteers can infect a campaign down the home stretch.

The “battle of numbers”is not only about providing volunteers. It is also about ensuring we have strong, viable candidates for all levels of office on our party line. Young Republicans are now at the forefront. Whether as candidates for United States Congress, New York State Assembly, county or municipal office, Young Republicans are stepping forward. As is often said, we are not the future of the party, we are the present of the party. And our continuing contributions on multiple levels in the “battle of numbers” is evidence of that.

Christopher Dziedzic is the Chair of the NYSYR. When all of his political work is done, he falls to sleep dreaming of a rotation of Drabek, Deshaies, and Tewksbury pitching the Yanks to a couple of pennants in the late 1980s.