NEC 2025 (Nominations & Elections Committee)
The 2025 DACN Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) Officers are Patrick Cranley, Terry Lee Watkins Jr., and Liz Blackbourn.
60-Day Announcements:
Member-At-Large Designations, NEC Officers
Email to Members
WeChat Posts
45-Day Announcements:
NEC Officers, Election Date, Nominations Collection Form, and Email
Email to Members
WeChat Posts
Social Media Posts
It is time to elect the 2025-2027 Leadership Board of Democrats Abroad China!
DACN Positions
We, the 2025 DACN Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC), are pleased to be calling for nominations of candidates for Democrats Abroad China Leadership Board positions:
Executive Committee: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer, IT Officer
Officers: GOTV Coordinator, Events Coordinator (Member-At-Large), Onboarding Coordinator (Member-At-Large), General Member-At-Large, General Member-At-Large
Term: Two (2) years
Notes: DACN has three (3) DPCA Voting Representatives. According to DACN Bylaws, the three (3) DPCA Voting Representatives are the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. If one of these positions is vacant or gender parity cannot be reached, the DPCA Voting Representative will follow the order of positions as elected. This means the position will be open to the Executive Committee, starting with the Treasurer.
Bylaws: Democrats Abroad China Bylaws and Rules outline the roles for each Leadership Board position and guide the DACN election process. Members are invited to view DACN Bylaws, Meeting Minutes, and more on the DACN Wiki.
Election Schedule
April 25 – Call for nominations, endorsements, and candidate statements begins.
May 25 – Call for nominations, endorsements, and candidate statements ends.
June 1 - Statements published.
All eligible candidates and candidate statements will be posted to the DACN website. On a rolling basis, the NEC will verify that all candidates are DACN members eligible to run for office. Final edits will be made to the candidate announcement page on DACN’s website. The candidate announcement page will be made as soon as nominations come in, and this page will be edited and updated by an NEC Officer/Site Administrator no later than June 1.
June 4 – Member IDs sent.
All DACN members will be sent their unique Democrats Abroad voting ID via email, with other relevant AGM and election announcements. Alternately, you can log in to Democratsabroad.org and find your DA member name and ID number there. To access your ballot on Election Day and vote, all members must enter their name as listed with DA and their DA member ID number.
June 14 – Election.
The DACN Election will be held during Democrats Abroad China’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Ballots will be distributed, collected, and counted. Results will be announced during the meeting. Results will be sent to the Regional Vice Chair and International Secretary. Results and certified Meeting Minutes will be emailed and published on the DACN website and Wiki.
June 21 – Rain delay.
Democrats Abroad China’s AGM Part II (as-needed date to complete any unfinished DACN AGM business).
Rules
Announcements:
Announcements will be published using Democrats Abroad China’s official platforms, which include DACN’s website and Wiki pages. There may also be membership emails. Social media platforms may include the DACN Announcements group on WeChat, and official DACN Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.
Note that any/all candidate information will only be posted on the Website and WeChat with the express permission.
Official Democrats Abroad and DACN platforms may not be used for campaigning.
Nominations and Voting:
E-mail and Google Forms will be the official platforms used to receive nominations.
To ensure your ballot is counted on Election Day, members must enter their name as listed with Democrats Abroad and their Democrats Abroad member ID number. Every member will receive an email ten (10) days before the election. Alternately, you can log in to Democratsabroad.org and find your DA member name and ID number there.
E-mail and Google Forms will be the official platforms for ballots. Ballots will be distributed during the election. NEC Officers will be available to troubleshoot live during the AGM via the Zoom chat box and WeChat.
Eligibility Requirements:
The eligibility requirements for DACN Leadership Board Members are as follows:
Be a citizen of the United States.
Be a member of Democrats Abroad residing within mainland China.
Adhere to the principles of the Democratic Party of the United States.
Campaigning:
Once events are finalized, the NEC will post a list of all candidates on the DACN website “News” page. Any NEC-approved events will be posted as well.
FAQs
I see my name on the candidate list. How can I confirm or withdraw my nomination?
We will email all nominees, and you can respond to that email saying “yes, I accept” or “no, I decline”.
Is there anything else candidates need to do before the election?
Candidates can email a statement of 500 words or less, but it is not required. Endorsements are not mandatory.
Verified DACN members may submit an endorsement of under 300 words.
How will the election speeches be handled at the AGM? How much time do candidates have, and who will get to speak first?
We will call on candidates in alphabetical order. Each candidate will receive 2 minutes.
Will there be a special Zoom session before the election for candidates to give their speeches?
No.
Is there early voting?
No. There will be no early voting as nominations may be taken from the floor. Anyone who wishes to vote MUST be present at the meeting.
How will voting on the election day be handled?
All DACN members will be emailed their Democrats Abroad ID 10 days before the election with a short explanation on how to vote on the day of the election.
Will there be any live events in any of our constituent cities?
None are scheduled.
Will members nominated from the floor be given a prescribed and limited amount of time to make a statement?
Yes, each nominee will receive 2 minutes.
Will there be an opportunity at the meeting for members to ask questions of all candidates, or will that all happen at prior scheduled forums only with candidates who filed?
We will allow 2 minutes for speeches and 2 minutes for questions on the actual day of the election.
Questions for candidates nominated before the AGM can be sent to the NEC via NEC-China@DemocratsAbroad.org.
10) What is the deadline to accept/decline the nomination?
Nominations can be accepted/declined until the election.
11) Where are these candidate statements supposed to be uploaded to?
Statements will be uploaded to the Democrats Abroad China website and/or Wiki.
12) Can I campaign in official Democrats Abroad China WeChat groups?
No, candidates cannot campaign inside official DACN WeChat groups.
NEC Officer Information
Election announcements regarding Bylaws, Member-At-Large positions, and members of Democrats Abroad China’s Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC) were announced on the DACN website and DACN Wiki. The NEC oversees the election of the 2025 DA China Leadership Board. DACN’s 2025 NEC Officers are Patrick Cranley, Terry Watkins Jr., and Liz Blackbourn. The International Secretary, AP Regional Vice Chair, and the International Helpdesk will assist the NEC as needed.
The NEC can be reached via email: NEC-China@DemocratsAbroad.org.
We need you in this fight. Run for something!
Patrick Cranley, Terry Watkins Jr, Liz Blackbourn
The 2025 DACN Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC)
RSVP to DACN's AGM and Election on June 14th
30-Day Announcements:
Social media, email
15-Day Announcements:
Email to nominees
Congratulations! You’ve been nominated (either by yourself or by a fellow member) to be considered for the 2025–2027 leadership team of Democrats Abroad China. Whether you’re feeling excited, surprised, or just a little curious, we want to say: thank you. You’re already a vital part of our community, and your nomination reflects the trust and hope others place in your leadership. What’s next? Please reply to accept or decline your nomination. Candidate names will not be made public until we hear from you. If you accept but choose not to submit a candidate statement, we won’t post one. We encourage you to RSVP for our annual meeting and election on June 14, whether or not you plan to run. This meeting is your chance to meet other members, hear from candidates, and vote on our leadership for the next two years.
Leadership Board Positions All position roles and responsibilities are outlined in DACN Bylaws. Learn about present and past Leadership Board members.
Even if you decide not to run, please still attend and invite 5 friends. This is a pivotal moment for Democrats Abroad China and for the DNC. We all have a role to play in shaping American history. Let’s show up for each other and invest a bit more of our time in the organization that gives hope and connection to Americans across the world.
Next Steps:
We look forward to hearing from you soon and hope to see you (and your friends!) on June 14.
The Democrats Abroad China Nominations and Elections Committee Patrick Cranley, Terry L. Watkins Jr., Liz Blackbourn
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10-Day & 5-Day Announcements
Candidate list updates.
Second email sent to nominees. Social media and WeChat messages.
1:1 NEC to nominee correspondence and emails.
48-Hour Announcements:
Email sent out to RSVPs. Content mirrors: DACN Annual General Meeting 2025
Election Day Announcements:
Email sent out to entire membership
Email sent to RSVPs 1+ hour in advance
Candidates for office are listed in the order they accepted the nomination.
Name | Contact Info | Statement/Photo |
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Dustin Doyle | (removed 6/30) | Nominated for: Chair, generally
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Virginia “Ginny” Hunt |
| Nominated for: Vice Chair, GOTV Coordinator, Events Coordinator (designated) Member-At-Large
My name is Ginny Hunt. I have had the privilege of serving as the Get Out The Vote (GOTV) Coordinator for DACN and as an active member of our team since 2023. I am honored to be nominated for the position of Vice Chair for the 2025–2027 DACN Leadership Board. Over the past years, I’ve worked closely with our dedicated team to help mobilize voters, more recently during the presidential primaries and election. Together, we encouraged voter participation and helped U.S. citizens abroad feel empowered and better informed about their voting rights. Through this work, I’ve gained valuable insights into the importance of effective delegation, shared leadership, and clear communication. I better understand how crucial it is to provide U.S. citizens abroad with accessible, accurate voting information and to create a welcoming space where voters can ask questions and find support. If elected as Vice Chair, I will support our Chair in leading and coordinating initiatives, ensuring team alignment around our core mission to support our voting efforts. I will support the Chair in representing DACN in necessary regional and global meetings. I understand the sensitive nature of operating in China and will continue to advocate for culturally respectful strategies and tactful communication while upholding our commitment to civic engagement. I look forward to collaborating as a reliable partner with our Chair and leadership team. I remain committed to continuing to help organize outreach and build momentum within our DACN community. Therefore, whether or not I am elected as Vice Chair, I will stay dedicated to supporting our mission and encouraging U.S. citizens abroad to make their voting voices count. Thank you for your consideration. |
Robert “Bob” Pachen |
| Nominated for: Communications |
Adam Bucky |
| Nominated for: Secretary
Some of you already know me; I’ve been a member of DACN since the country committee was established, and I’ve served in various capacities on the board for the last few years. I’ve been active in the Democratic Party due to my longtime commitment to progressive ideals of economic equity, social inclusion and political equality. This is where I normally would expound on those ideals; but as Americans we now face a more urgent threat, as American democracy stands on the precipice of an authoritarian decline. Our current president is betraying all our ideals, undermining our constitution, dismantling our democracy and selling out the republic that the Founders wrought. Now, then, all Americans of good conscience must stand up to be counted, in whatever way they can; that is why I am honored to accept the nomination for re-election to the board of Democrats Abroad in China.
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Scholastica Tanyi-Agyeman | (removed 6/30) | Nominated for: General At-Large As an educator, mentor, and lifelong learner, I’ve spent over a decade helping people connect with big ideas in accessible, meaningful ways. My career has spanned local classrooms and international communities, with a focus on equity, inclusion, and helping people see what’s possible—even when the systems around them feel overwhelming. I also hold a Master’s in Political Science from East China Normal University, where I deepened my understanding of global systems and civic structures across cultures. And yet—despite that academic background—I still sometimes find politics confusing, distant, or hard to engage with. That’s exactly why I’m running for this position. I represent a growing group of voters who want to participate, want to care, and want to show up, but who are often juggling competing priorities or feel unsure where to start. I’ve recently completed DA’s voter training, and I see this Member at Large role as an opportunity to grow alongside others—to demystify the process, ask good questions, and help make civic participation feel less like an exclusive club and more like a shared responsibility. While I haven’t been deeply involved in DA initiatives yet, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves. If elected, I’d love to work on member onboarding, clearer communication tools, and strategies for engaging the “quietly curious”—people who would vote if the system didn’t feel so overwhelming. My background in education and cross-cultural work gives me the tools to translate big, abstract systems into approachable steps. We don’t all have to be political experts. But we do all deserve to feel like we have a voice—and I’m committed to helping more people find theirs. |
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Patricial “Tricia” Williams | (removed 6/30) | Nominated for: Vice Chair, Treasurer |
Michael Harvey |
| Nominated generally to serve on the Board |
Geneva Jones |
| Nominated for: Vice Chair, GOTV Coordinator, Events Coordinator (designated) Member-At-Large 
I am proud to announce my candidacy for Vice Chairwoman of the Democrats Abroad China chapter. I’ve been living in Guangzhou for the past two years and will be relocating to Shanghai this summer. Before coming to China, I was an active member of Democrats Abroad UAE, where I served as Vice Chair for two years and supported a variety of voter outreach and engagement efforts. I strongly support the mission of Democrats Abroad to help Americans living overseas register to vote and make their voices heard in every election. With the 2026 midterms ahead, it is more important than ever to maintain a vibrant and connected DA chapter in China. If elected, I will work closely with the Chair and fellow members to keep our chapter active, inclusive, and effective. This includes hosting monthly meet-ups over coffee or cocktails, expanding voter registration outreach through local networks, and building strong communication channels to keep members informed and energized. I also believe in welcoming new members with warmth and helping each person find their place within the organization. Outside of DA, I am a preschool teacher with a previous career in finance—I bring both warmth and business-minded organization to the table. I believe in the power of community, structure, and democratic engagement, and I am excited to help lead DA China into its next chapter. I hope to earn your support and look forward to the work ahead—together.
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Lynne Terzis |
| Nominated for: Communications Officer, GOTV Coordinator (designated) Member-At-Large  Having a lifelong interest in politics and social and economic fairness, I want to help build a resilient, inclusive community that works to strengthen freedom and liberal democracy.
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June 14th Results
Tabulators: Patrick Cranley, Terry Watkins Jr., Liz Blackbourn
June 30th Final Announcements:
Email sent out to the entire membership
Email sent to the International Secretary and RVC
Signal post
Wiki update
Eblast:
Dear {{recipient.full_name_or_friend}},
It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your Chair these past four years. Across terms, our cities, caucuses, and committees participated in over 100 in-person and virtual events. We celebrated Juneteenth. We held book clubs, trivia nights, Tacobout It Tuesdays, and Solidarity Sundays. There was something for everyone, and every event pointed back to voting.
Here’s what we accomplished together from 2023 to 2025:
✅ Volunteer-Powered GOTV
Reached over 10,000 Americans in our primary and secondary WeChat groups.
Chatted 3,000+ voters around ballot drop day in 2024 alone.
Called and texted every single member at least 3 times. Didn’t get a message? Log in and update your contact settings, or reply to this email to connect with us on WeChat.
Launched state-specific voter chats, expanded volunteer groups, and got voters to the U.S. consulates before critical deadlines.
Built voter macros tailored to China’s needs, making them quick, clear, and locally relevant.
✅ Major Accomplishments
Trained and supported super volunteers who ran registration tables, led chats, and covered GOTV events in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.
Built a goal structure to ensure every major city has a minimum number of active volunteers during election crunch times.
Doubled 2023 donations with one 2024 Shanghai fundraiser.
Held 3 live Democratic Presidential Primaries in Beijing and Shanghai, with one ballot assistance event in Guangzhou. This is one of the most incredible democratic feats in the modern history of America. Thank you to all who participated in these historic events!
✅ Strategic Tools
Used WeChat as our main communications tool, since email reach is 20-30% and phone calls seem to now be blocked.
Continued CallHub training even though calls don’t connect locally, helping support global DA efforts.
Worked with the Data Director to reconcile voter registration data.
Identified the need for better message relays from Mobilize, Slack, and Mighty Networks to WeChat groups.
Better employed DACN’s TeamUp calendar (VPN-free!), by adding event graphics and more.
Created a DACN Signal group for all members looking to engage on a different platform.
Created a new format to crush it on Instagram. Haven’t followed yet? Check us out.
The Challenge:
We’re proud of what we’ve done, but we’re nowhere near done yet. The hard truth is these victories were made possible by the commitment of just a few, and the road ahead is steep. The same small group of volunteers completed all of the work from 2021 to today. If we want to win in 2025 and beyond, we need you to participate now. Without you, we won’t reach enough voters and will lose even more ground.
Email us to get plugged in, or forward this to someone you think should be part of this movement. Don’t be complacent, don’t be shy. This is the moment to raise your hand.
Next, please join me in welcoming and supporting our new leaders!!!
Democrats Abroad China (DACN) 2025-27 Leadership Board:
🔹 Chair: Dustin Doyle
🔹 Vice Chair: Virginia (Ginny) Hunt
🔹 Secretary: Adam Bucky
🔹 Treasurer: Patricia (Tricia) Williams
🔹 Communications Coordinator: Robert (Bob) Paschen
🔹 IT Coordinator: Lynn Terzis
🔹 GOTV Coordinator: Geneva Jones
🔹 Events Coordinator: Madeline (Viv) Loh
🔹 Onboarding Coordinator: Scholastica Njilefac Tanyi-Agyeman
🔹 Member-At-Large: MF (Mary Frances) Cappiello
In 2025, we’re up against:
❗️An election year where overseas votes could decide democratic victories - or fail to show and deepen the MAGA crisis.
❗️A growing disinformation threat targeting U.S. voters abroad.
❗️A push to suppress absentee ballots through “residency” and return requirements.
❗️Project 2025 agenda enforcement.
‼️ Burnout. A core team can only do so much without more hands on deck.
We know what needs to be done:
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: hindsight is 2024.
We cannot accomplish any of our goals without YOU. If we’re going to defend democracy from Shanghai to Sheboygan, we need more members stepping up today, not six months from now. The stakes are too high, and the opposition is too organized.
✅ Recruit and register new voters in every province.
✅ Expand outreach to students.
✅ Ramp up strategic communications and WeChat engagement.
✅ Install 5-10 members on each committee to properly support our new Board.
✅ Launch voter assistance events in every city between August 15 and October 31.
Fill a Vacancy
Member-At-Large: vacant Leadership Board position.
Communications Deputy Officers: 3 non-voting Board positions.
Counsel: 1-2 individuals with a legal background advising on aspects of our work.
City Leaders: Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, and Qingdao.
Voter Assistants: 30 more volunteers are required; please train today.
Resist
Today marks a turning point. It’s the final day of Pride Month and a day when the U.S. Senate is poised to drag our country a century backward.
In 2025, we must fight harder than ever. In the past week, I’ve called Senator Ron Johnson six times. I urge you to call your Senators today and demand they vote NO on H.R. 1, a bill that would gut progress and deepen inequality. Our members are also stepping up to defend LGBTQ+ rights. Add your name to our petition. Next, help us stop the SAVE Act. This bill would force Americans voting under UOCAVA, including our troops and those of us living abroad, to re-register in person every year. That’s not just impractical, it’s disenfranchisement by design.
Thank you
From all of us on the outgoing Leadership Board, thank you. It has been wonderful to serve alongside such dedicated, passionate volunteers. Your commitment has built something powerful. While our official roles are shifting, we’re not going anywhere. The battle for democracy is far from over. Join us and stand shoulder to shoulder with new leadership, backing them every step of the way. This fight is ours, together. Join us.
Liz Blackbourn
Chair Emerita, Democrats Abroad China
🔹 2023-25 Leadership Board: Liz Blackbourn, Terry Watkins Jr., Adam Bucky, Tricia Williams, Dustin Doyle, Ginny Hunt, Pam Forbes, Kevin Xin, Alex Vanderpol, Bob Paschen, Lynn Terzis
🔹 2025 Rules & Bylaws Committee: Adam Bucky, Dustin Doyle, Liz Blackbourn
🔹 2025 Nominations & Elections Committee: Patrick Cranley, Terry Watkins Jr., Liz Blackbourn
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