Kevin Bondelli

Name: Kevin Bondelli Location: Mesa, AZ

A little about me

I am currently the Southwest Region Director of the Young Democrats of America and blog for Future Majority, KevinBondelli.com, and Young Democrats of America. I represent the Western Region as an at-large member of the DNC Youth Council.

I've been involved with Young Democrats since August of 2000 at the local, state, and national level. I currently manage most of YDA's online communications.

In 2006-2007 I ran the online operations of the Arizona Democratic Party and currently freelance doing graphic design, web development, and online/youth strategy consulting.

Why I deserve a Netroots Nation Scholarship

In 2008 I attended Netroots Nation in Austin and found it to be one of the most valuable conferences I have ever attended. This year due to the limited number of campaign consulting opportunities it will be difficult to manage the expense of the conference.

I plan on writing about the conference and its panels again this year if given the opportunity.

I manage these blogs

Kevin Bondelli's Youth Vote Blog
Young Democrats of America Blog

The blogs I use most are

Tech President
e.politics

What first inspired me to get involved

I don't know how else to be. Political activism, specifically youth activism, is my passion. It also helps that I have made so many friends over the years and those people always push me.

How I've gotten others involved

I make sure they know why it is important to be active and make it as easy as possible for them to remain involved. Bringing people in and making them feel welcome and a part of something bigger goes a long way in keeping people engaged.

The blog post I am most proud of

http://futuremajority.com/node/5750

Why I think participation in the blogosphere is important

Blogging allows people to engage in discussions, share best practices, and work together to develop and promote progressive ideas.

More about my volunteer work

In 2003-2004 I was Undergraduate Student Government Vice-President of Arizona State University. During that time working with the LGBTQ coalition we were able to mobilize the student senate to pressure the administration to create a Gay and Lesbian Studies Certificate program as well as a Non-Discrimination policy for transgendered employees. After I spoke at the rally following the National Day of Silence a gay student came up to me and told me how no student body officer had ever been willing to get involved in GLBT issues, let alone speak out at a public gay rights rally. His comments meant the world to me.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan

Universal Health Care: Just what the doctor ordered.