CD4 DFL Positions Elected at the CD4 DFL Convention
The officers and directors meet once a month. Outside of meetings, the time commitment depends on one’s self-imposed workload and efficiency.
Chair. The Chair shall:
(1) convene the unit’s convention(s), following the procedures described in the Official Call
(2) call meetings of the unit’s central committee at least semi-annually and call meetings of the unit’s executive committee at least quarterly unless the central committee meets at least this often
(3) preside at meetings of the unit’s central and executive committees
(4) attend central committee meetings for higher-level units, central and executive committee meetings for lower-level units, and central and/or executive committee meetings for units which include the unit’s Chair as a member
(5) direct the Secretary or Communications Officer to notify members of the unit’s central and executive committee meetings
(6) ensure the Treasurer files all legally required campaign finance reports in an accurate and timely manner
(7) serve as liaison with State Party staff and leadership of other units that include part or all of the unit
(8) work to recruit candidates for public and party office
(9) ensure fundraising efforts are led to cover the costs of the unit
(10) be an authorized signer on the unit bank account
(11) perform all other duties incident to the office.
Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall:
(1) preside at the unit’s central and executive committee meetings and convene the unit’s convention(s) in the absence of the unit Chair
(2) assist the unit Chair in the discharge of the unit Chair’s duties
(3) attend central committee meetings for higher-level units, central and executive committee meetings for lower-level units, and central and/or executive committee meetings for units which include the unit’s Vice Chair as a member
Outreach Officer. The Outreach Officer shall:
(1) be responsible for outreach to underrepresented groups within the unit
(2) attend meetings of outreach and inclusion committees for which the unit’s Outreach Officer is a member
(3) perform all other duties usually incident to the office.
Secretary. The Secretary shall:
(1) prepare and preserve the minutes and attendance records of all proceedings of the unit’s central and executive committees
(2) maintain the unit’s (Last amended 12 August 2023, Rev B) 9 membership roster
(3) at the direction of the Chair, notify members of the central and executive committees of the unit’s meetings
(4) perform all other duties usually incident to the office.
Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:
(1) have charge of the funds of the unit
(2) timely file all legally required campaign finance reports
(3) make no disbursement thereof without authority or ratification by the central committee, executive committee, or chair (unless otherwise limited by the unit’s constitution)
(4) fully cooperate with any audit of the unit’s finances conducted by the unit
(5) be an authorized signer on the unit bank account
(6) perform all other duties usually incident to the office.
Directors. The Directors shall perform those functions assigned to them from time to time by the unit’s executive or central committee. These functions could include, but are not limited to, leading voter contact efforts, fundraising, precinct caucus, and convention planning
State DFL Directors. The State DFL Directors will represent CD4 on the State Executive Committee and State Central Committees. The business of the State Executive Committee is as follows:
The State Executive Committee shall be responsible to the State Central Committee for the general management of the party’s business. It may also establish temporary committees. It may elect an attorney or human resources professional to the Personnel Committee pursuant Article VII, Section 6, Bylaw sub-item F. It shall establish a budget, including salaries, subject to State Central Committee approval. The State Executive Committee shall decide any appeal of a challenge decision issued by the full membership of a Standing Committee in accordance with rules for appeals adopted by the State Executive Committee. The State Executive Committee shall take any action necessary to ensure that the use of the designation “Democratic-Farmer-Labor”, or any combination thereof, be restricted to persons or organizations authorized by the State Convention, the State Central Committee, or the State Executive Committee. The State Executive Committee may call a meeting of any central committee. With the consent of the State Central Committee, the State Executive Committee may reconvene an adjourned State Convention. The time commitment is 3-4 all day meetings per year for State Central Committee, and 5-6 hourly meetings per year for State Executive Committee, usually via Zoom.
State Central Committee. The State Central Committee shall fill vacancies among state officers, statewide delegates and alternates to National Conventions, endorsed candidates for statewide office, and statewide nominees for presidential electors. It may reconvene an adjourned State Convention. It may adopt or amend the Bylaws or Rule Book to the Constitution. Time commitment is 3-4 all day meetings per year.
State Budget Committee. The State Budget Committee shall consist of one member elected by each congressional district from among its Treasurer and State Central Committee delegates and alternates. The Budget Committee shall have as a minimum objective to propose a yearly state budget to the State Central Committee and monitor that approved budget. Time commitment is one to two meetings per year.
State Outreach and Inclusion Committee. The State Outreach and Inclusion Committee generally meets bimonthly. Its responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:
1. The Committee shall be an action, review, and compliance committee in terms of affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion programs and delegate selection and in turn shall make recommendations to appropriate governing bodies.
2. The Committee shall elect a co-chair (not of the same gender identity as the State Outreach Officer) from among its members.
3. The Committee and the DFL State Outreach Officer shall be accountable to the State Executive and Central Committees.
4. The Committee shall prepare an affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion plan (said plan to include but not be limited to: recruitment and training of candidates seeking state party office and State Party Standing Committee membership from among underrepresented areas and communities); shall submit the plan for approval and implementation to the State Central Committee; and shall make timely reports to the State Convention, State Central Committee and Business Conference. It may establish a date for organizing unit and congressional district affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion plan submission. The Committee shall also provide guidance in development, implementation, and follow-up of other unit affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion plans.
5. The Committee shall coordinate with the Nominations and Search Committee with respect to recruitment, education, and promotion of the application process, the screening schedule and process, and the function of positions for which are being screened.
6. The Committee shall advise and coordinate with Party Affairs and Coordinated Campaign Committee with respect to trainings on affirmative action, outreach, and inclusion.
7. The Committee shall identify resources for accessibility for persons living with disabilities, including: Braille translation, taping, disk or other electronic formats, interpreters for people with auditory disabilities, and site accessibility requirements.
8. The Committee should be properly funded to carry out its mandate.
State Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules Committee (CBRC). The Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules Committee generally meets bimonthly and shall have as minimum objectives:
1. Perform periodic reviews of the following documents in relation to the Constitution and Bylaws of the DFL Party, with a view toward resolving any conflicts with the Constitution:
a. The National Charter of the Democratic Party.
b. The DFL Affirmative Action, Outreach, and Inclusion Plan.
c. Delegate Selection Rules for the Democratic National Convention.
d. Minnesota Election Laws.
e. Constitutions of subordinate DFL organizations, as prescribed in Article IX, Section 1.
f. Standing Rules of the DFL State Executive and Central Committee.
2. Review and draft the Official Call including temporary proposed Rules for the State Convention to be reviewed and considered by the State Preconvention Rules Committee.
3. Have authority to issue or recommend settlements and remedies of constitutional or Official Call challenges to endorsements, other disputes, and interpretations of party documents to the State Chair and/or appropriate governing bodies. The Committee may refer these matters to a rotating Review Board, drawn by lot from among their membership. All appeals to settlements and remedies issued by the full Committee and reviewed by the DFL State Chair shall be heard by the State Executive Committee.
4. Recommend refinements/changes to the Constitution and Bylaws of the DFL Party and report recommendations to the State Central Committee and/or the DFL State Convention.
5. Advise and coordinate with Party Affairs and Coordinated Campaign Committee with respect to training concerning the calls, constitutions, bylaws, and rules.
6. Schedule and conduct hearings (as appropriate) throughout the state for the purpose of receiving input on recommended changes, additions or refinements to the Constitution and Bylaws. The Committee will solicit recommendations from DFL elected officials and party officers.
7. Prepare a final report for action by the State Convention by acting as the State Preconvention Constitution and Bylaws committee.
Party Affairs and Coordinated Campaign Committee (PACCC). The Party Affairs and Coordinated Campaign Committee generally meets bimonthly and shall have as minimum objectives:
1. Work with the DFL State Chair, Party Affairs Director, and the Coordinated Campaign Director to facilitate close coordination of policies and initiatives of party activities and related campaign activities.
2. Work with DFL staff and relevant committees to conduct trainings for party organizations, leaders, and volunteers.
3. Serve as liaisons between local party units and officers, and the State DFL staff to facilitate communication between DFL staff and party officers.
4. Be responsible for working with the State Chair to encourage the Coordinated Campaign and local party units to exchange the necessary support to be successful in achieving their respective goals, and for advocating that the Coordinated Campaign and local party officers understand and respect each other’s goals.
5. Review the biennial reports of the Community Outreach Organizations and make recommendations for each (continuing with Community Outreach Organization status, awarding Community Caucus status for the next biennium, or proposing dissolution of inactive Community Outreach Organizations).
State Nominations and Search Committee. The Nominations and Search Committee shall meet as needed. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
1. Prepare an application process and screen all candidates seeking election to positions elected at the State DFL Convention (except candidates seeking election to participate in the Democratic National Convention), and any positions elected by the State Central Committee. Additionally, it shall screen candidates to fill any vacancies that occur for those same positions during the biennium.
2. Coordinate with the Outreach and Inclusion Committee with respect to recruitment, education, and promotion of the application process, the screening schedule, and the functions of any position for which they are screening. Said education shall include best practices for being successful and effective in whatever position is/positions are being filled. Affirmative Action, Outreach, and Inclusion should be a special consideration in these elections. (Last amended 12 August 2023, Rev B) 24
3. Develop and promote best practices for nominations committees at all levels of the DFL Party with regards to recruitment and screening.
4. The Committee shall be accountable to the State Convention, as well as the State Central and State Executive Committees.
5. The Committee should be properly funded to carry out its mandate.
Presidential Elector and Alternate. The convention shall elect one Presidential Elector and one alternate Presidential Elector, not of the same gender identity, for the congressional district. All congressional district convention delegates and upgraded alternates are eligible to vote in the election of Presidential Elector and alternate Presidential Elector.
Eligibility. Candidates for Presidential Elector and alternate Presidential Elector must live in the congressional district and be at least 18 years old and eligible to vote by November 5, 2024.
Pledge. Presidential Elector and alternate Presidential Elector candidates must certify in writing that they will vote for the election of the Democratic Presidential and Vice Presidential nominees. Elector and alternate elector candidates must pledge: “If selected for the position of elector, I agree to serve and to mark my ballots for president and vice president for the nominees for those offices of the party that nominated me.”
State Convention Committee Members. The convention will elect two persons, not of the same gender identity, to serve as members and two persons, not of the same gender identity, to serve as alternates on the Credentials and Rules committees of the state convention.
NOTE: The congressional district central committee will elect these members before May 18 if the convention will not meet prior to that date. State convention committee members and alternates must be either delegates or alternates to the state convention. The congressional district chair must give each state convention committee member and alternate a signed statement of election to take to the initial committee meeting. That statement can be in the form of a single, signed list. State convention committee members must be prepared to work at least on May 18 – 19 in order to prepare their reports. Each committee will decide how much additional time it needs to complete committee work.