Americans for Democratic Action
Southern California Chapter
History and Mission Statement
About ADA
Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) is an independent liberal political organization, founded in 1947 and dedicated to promoting individual liberty and economic justice. Our founders included Eleanor Roosevelt (website: www.ervk.org), labor leader Walter Reuther (www.reuther.wayne.edu/), economist John Kenneth Galbraith, historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., theologian Ronald Niebuhr, and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey. ADA currently has 30,000 members. It operates out of Washington, DC and has some twenty chapters across the country.
The mission of ADA is to pledge itself to education, organization and political action, in accordance with Constitutional democratic principles, on the local, state and national levels. ADA is neither a political party nor a part of any political party; we welcome as members all who subscribe to progressive principles. Working together as an organization, in coalition with civil rights, civil liberties, labor unions and other social and economic organizations who share our goals, we believe that we can move forward social progress and economic justice, toward civil rights at home and human rights abroad and for the promotion of the general welfare in a world at peace.
ADA has established itself as the nation's preeminant liberal organization by virtue of the positions and actions taken. Examples include:
ADA led the fight for a strong civil rights plank in the 1948 Democratic Party platform.
Strong opponents of the Vietnam War and apartheid in South African. We supported the impeachment of Richard Nixon.
Strong supporter of increases in the minimum wage, workers' rights, women's issues.
Conducts and publishes the annual Liberal Quotient which ranks members of Congress on a full spectrum of domestic and international policy issues.
Fighting for issues of social and economic justice.
Universal health care coverage.
A livable wage for working families.
No privatization of public services like Social Security, Medicare and national parks.
Prevention of mega-corporate mergers and the downsizing of the U. S. work force.
Fair foreign trade agreements that contain labor and environmental safeguards.
A commitment to public education and a better future of our children and grandchildren.
Protecting and promoting human and civil rights.
Support for Affirmative Action and an appreciation of our diversity.
Full protection for a woman's right to choose.
Drug education and rehabilitation over incarceration.
An end to a foreign policy based on military arms sales.
Electing progressive candidates to public office.
Support for public funding of elections and meaningful campaign finance reform.
Demand for a government that works for all the people, not just the privileged 20%.
ABOUT SCADA
The Southern California Chapter of ADA (SCADA) is the largest and most active chapter. It encompasses the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Tulare, Mono, Inyo and Imperial. We have more than 1,600 active members, small donors and supporters. Our annual budget is in excess of $125,000 and is derived primarily from two sources - membership dues and our annual Eleanor Roosevelt Awards Dinner. There are four main membership categories - Regular ($55.00), Dual (2 persons) ($80.00), Limited Income (self defined) ($30.00) and Student ($20.00). We also have Patron ($100.00) and Sustaining (min. $25.00/quarter). The main activities consist of participating in marches and rallies for liberal causes; interviewing, endorsing and contributing to progressive candidates for public office; holding educational forums on topical issues and hosting politically-relevant theater events. SCADA maintains an office in the Peace Center (8124 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles) which is four blocks west of Farmer's Market @ Fairfax.. Our phone number is 323-651-4440. Our fax is 323-651-1163. Our e-mail is socalada@earthlink.net. The president of SCADA is Lydia Brazon.
ABOUT THE SCADA BOARD
The board may consist of up to 60 members, who are elected annually to two-year staggered terms (30 elected each year). The election takes place at the annual membership meeting which is usually held at the end of February. We try to have the board reflect the diversity of our membership ethnically, geographically and chronologically. Board members are required to be current members of ADA for at least 30 days prior to election.
OFFICERS
The officers of the organization include a president, several vice presidents, secretary and treasurer. The officers are elected by the board members at the first board meeting following the annual membership meeting.
STANDING COMMITTEES
There are six standing committees of the board. They are Membership, Fund Raising, Outreach, Issues, Endorsement and Communications. In addition, there are ad-hoc committees and task forces. Board members are expected to actively serve on committees.
Board of
Directors
SCADA Foundation
Past Events
Congressional
Voting Records
LINKS