TableofContents
Chapter1:PartyStructure
County,DistrictandStatestructures
Contactinformationforoffices
Chapter2: BiennialPrecinctCaucus/ConventionPreparation
Caucuspreparationandcalendar
Countyconvention
Chapter3:CandidatesandCampaigns
Recruitinggoodcandidates
Countiesandcampaign
Chapter4:TheCentralCommitteeMeeting
Structuringthemeeting
ParliamentaryProcedure
Chapter5:TheRoleofVolunteers
Recruitingvolunteers
Workingwithvolunteers
Chapter6:PresentingaStrongDemocraticMessage
TheMessageoftheDemocrats
Effectivetools
Chapter7:CountyPartyFundraising
Mailandpersonalsolicitations
Foodevents
Chapter8:CountyPartyBuilding
Sixstepprogramforcontact
Ideastoencourageengagementofmembers
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Chapter1:PartyStructure
TheIowaDemocraticPartyisgrassrootsorganizationatitsverybest.Beginningatthe
precinctlevel,representativesareelectedtothecounty,district,stateandnational
committeesduringtheirmeetings/conventions. Eachlevelelectsitsownleadership,
advancestheplatformissues,andworkstoelectcandidatestooffices.
The County Central Committee
Membership
TheCountyCentralCommitteeistheorganizationofrepresentativesoftheCountyDemocraticParty.It
consistsofthecountyprecinctchairsorrepresentatives,theDemocraticPartyofficers,anycommittee
chairsthatrepresentthestructureofthelocalparty,andthelocalelectedDemocraticofficials.
OrganizationandResponsibilities
AtthefirstmeetingofthecountyCentralCommitteefollowingtheBiennialOdd-YearPrecinctCaucuses,
thenewlyelectedprecinctcommitteepersonschoosetheexecutiveofficersofthecountyparty.The
IowaDemocraticPartyConstitutionprovidesthatthecountyexecutiveofficersshallincludeachair,a
vice-chair,asecretary,atreasurer,andsuchotherofficersastheCentralCommitteedeemsnecessary.
Thetermofofficeforcountypartyexecutiveofficersistwoyears.
i CountyChair
Attheheadofthecountypartyisthecountychair. ThispersonisakeyleaderforthePartyand
overseesalltheDemocraticPartyactivitieswithinthecounty.Thecountychairisthepersonmost
contactedforofficialbusinessoftheDemocraticParty,anditisthroughhim/herthatmostParty
informationischanneledanddistributed.
Theprincipaldutiesandresponsibilitiesofthecountychairincludethefollowing:
•CallingandpresidingovercountyCentralCommitteemeetings
•Assuminglegalresponsibilityforcountypartyfinancialreporting
•Organizingtheprecinctcaucusesandcountyconvention
• Seeingthatthevoteridentificationandregistrationprogramsareimplementedand
maintained
•Recruitingcandidatesforcountyleveloffices
• Providingassistanceandleadershipwithfundraisingforthecountyorganizationandthe
stateparty.
•CommunicatingwiththedistrictandstatelevelsoftheIowaDemocraticPartyaswellas
localcommunityorganizationsandagenciesthatrequestinformationfrom/aboutthe
DemocraticParty.
i ViceChair
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Thecountyvicechairassiststhechairintheadministrationofcountypartyactivities.Theprimary
requirementforavice-chairistobeready,willing,andabletoassumetheleadershipofthecounty
partyifthechairisunabletoexecutehisorherdutiesorcompletehisorhertermofoffice.Thevice-
chairofthepartysharessomeelectivepowerswiththechair.Inthesituationwhereamemberofthe
stateCentralCommitteeresigns,forexample,thecountychairsandvice-chairsarechargedbytheIowa
DemocraticPartyConstitutionwithelectingareplacement.
i Secretary
Thesecretaryofthecountypartyhandlesmuchoftheclericalworkofthecommittee,whichincludes
keepingcompleteminutesofallmeetings,preparingmeetingagendas,mailingmeetingnotices,
maintainingthelistoftheCountyCentralCommittee,maintainingafilingsystemforthecountyparty
andassistingthechairwithotherimportantduties.
i Treasurer
Asinotherorganizations,thetreasurerofthecountypartyisresponsibleformaintainingallofthe
organization'sfinancialrecordsandreportingtothecountyCentralCommitteeonthefinancialposition
ofthecountyparty.Thetreasureralsohastheveryimportantresponsibilityofpreparingrequired
reports,which must be filed via the Iowa Ethics and Disclosure Board websiteontimeontheassigned
dates.Thecontactpersonforquestionsconcerningtherequiredreportsisasfollows
StatewidePAC/CountyCentralAudit&Compliance:
JasonHacker(515)281-4411
[email protected]
Forotherquestionsaboutcompliancewithstateandfederalfinanceregulations,pleasecontactthe
ComptrollerfortheIowaDemocraticParty,MelissaWatson,[email protected]
SeeAPPENDIXAforinformationonCompliance.Boththechairandthetreasurermustbe
knowledgeableaboutcomplianceregulations.
i Other
CountyCentralCommitteesmayelectotherofficersdeemednecessarybythecommittee.Examples
includebutarenotlimitedtoFinanceChair,ElectionChair,andCommunicationsChair.
i PrecinctMember
TheCountyCentralCommitteemembersareelectedduringtheeven-yearprecinctcaucusestoservea
two-yearterm. TheConstitutionoftheIowaDemocraticPartystates: “Thenumberofprecinct
committeepersonsshallnormallybetwoforeachprecinct.CountyCentralCommitteeConstitutions
mayprovideforadditionalCentralCommitteeMembersbasedontheweightingrequiredbyArticleVIII,
Section7.”
The Congressional District Central Committee
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TheCongressionalDistrictCentralCommitteeisanimportantlinkbetweenthecountypartyandthe
stateparty.ThemainpurposeoftheCongressionalDistrictCentralCommitteeistosupportandelecta
DemocraticmemberofCongressfromthatCongressionalDistrict. Additionally,aportionoftheIowa
DelegatestoNationalConventionsiselectedeveryfouryearsduringtheDistrictConventionsasoutlined
intheDelegateSelectionPlan.
Membership
TheCongressionalDistrictCentralCommitteeconsistsofthemembersoftheStateCentralCommittee
andtheDistrictAffirmativeActionChairelectedattheCongressionalDistrictConventionandthe
numberofmembersapportionedfromthecountiesofthedistrict,oneofwhichmustbethechairofthe
countyCentralCommitteeorthechair’sdesignee. Thosemembersareapportionedinthefollowing
manner: onememberforevery5,000votescastinthecountyfortheDemocraticcandidatefor
Congressinthelasttwogeneralelections,butnocountywillhavefewerthanthreemembers. The
memberssoapportionedshallbeelectedbytheirCountyCentralCommittees.Othermembersmay
includeStateOfficersorotherStateCentralCommitteememberslivingintheDistrictasperthe
ConstitutionorBylawsoftheCongressionalDistrictCentralCommittee.
OrganizationandResponsibilities
Atitsorganizationalmeeting,heldinthequarterfollowingtheDistrictConvention,themembersofthe
CongressionalDistrictCentralCommitteeelectthefollowingofficers:achairfromamongtheeight
districtrepresentativestotheStateCentralCommittee,avice-chair,asecretary,atreasurer,andsuch
otherofficersasthecommitteedeemsnecessary. TheCongressionalDistrictCentralCommitteeis
requiredbytheIowaDemocraticPartyConstitutiontomeetatleastoncequarterly.Additionally,the
financesofthecommitteemustbereportedtotheFederalElectionCommissionandmayberequiredto
bereportedtotheIowaCampaignEthicsandDisclosureBoard.
ThemembersoftheCongressionalDistrictCentralCommitteehelpelecttheircongressionalcandidatein
severalways.First,theyprovideforumsforthecandidatetobeheardandtogainrecognitioninthe
district.TheCongressionalDistrictCentralCommitteemayalsoraisemoneyforthecandidatethrough
directmailsolicitationsandevents.Additionally,thecommitteeprovidesdistrict-widetrainingforparty
activiststohelpthecountystructurebemoreeffectiveinaidingthecandidate. DistrictCentral
Committeesarerequiredtoholdatrainingworkshopeachoddyear. StateDemocraticPartystaffcan
behelpfulinmakingtheseeventsassuccessfulaspossible.
The State Central Committee
TheStateCentralCommitteeisthegoverningbodyoftheIowaDemocraticPartywhentheState
Conventionisinadjournment.ThemainpurposeoftheStateCentralCommitteeistosupportandelect
DemocratsatalllevelsofgovernmentinIowa.WithinninetydaysfollowingtheGeneralElection,
membersoftheStateCentralCommitteeshallelectaChair,Vice-Chair,Secretary,andaTreasurerand
suchotherofficersasthecommitteedeemsnecessary.
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Membership
TheStateCentralCommitteeconsistsoftheDistrictCommitteepersonsfromeachCongressional
District,theNationalCommitteepersons,theStateChairoftheAffirmativeActionCommittee,the
PresidentoftheCollegeandYoungDemocratsofIowa,andtheBlack,Latino,PacificIslander/Asian,
Disability,Stonewall,AmericanIndian,Veterans,Labor,Progressive,Rural,Seniors,andWomen’s
caucusrepresentatives.TheofficersoftheIowaDemocraticPartydonotneedtobeamemberof
theStateCentralCommitteetobenominatedorelectedtothosepositions,butarenotvoting
membersunlessselectedfromamongthemembers.
OrganizationandResponsibilities
TheStateCentralCommitteeshallmeetandorganizenolaterthanthirtydaysfollowingtheadjournment
oftheStateConvention.TheStateCentralCommitteeshallmeetatleastonceeverythreemonthsto
reviewthebudget,hearadhocandsubcommitteereports,receiveupdatedinformationfromtheIDP
staff,andotherbusinessasdeterminedbytheChair.TheChairmaycallmeetingsorinitiatea
conferencephonecalltotheCommitteeiftheneedarises.
Democratic National Committee
TheDemocraticNationalCommittee(DNC)istheprincipalorganizationgoverningtheUnitedStates
DemocraticPartyonaday-to-daybasis.Whileitisresponsibleforoverseeingtheprocessofwritinga
platformeveryfouryears,theDNC'scentralfocusisoncampaignandpoliticalactivityinsupportof
DemocraticPartycandidates.TheDemocraticNationalHeadquartersissharedbytheDemocratic
NationalCommitteeandtheDemocraticSenatorialandCongressionalCampaignCommittees.
Contacting the State Party
IowaDemocraticPartyHeadquarters
5661FleurDrive
DesMoines,IA50321
(515)244-7292
[email protected]
CongressionalDistrictChairs
FirstCongressionalDistrict
Website:www.IDP1st.org
Co-ChairsJerryLynch&MichaelD.Blackwell
2501LynchLane,Bernard,IA52032
Phone:(563)879-3125/(563)599-6108
Email:[email protected]
POBox804,CedarFalls,IA,50613
SecondCongressionalDistrict
Website:www.IDP2nd.com
AlBohanan
223NorthDowneySt.
WestBranch,IA52358
OfficePhone:(319)351-5335
Email:[email protected]
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(319)268-1581/(319)290-2746/(319)273-2250
[email protected]
ThirdCongressionalDistrict
Website:www.IDP3.org
BillBrauch
331338thSt.
DesMoines,IA50310
Phone:(515)279-4710
Email:[email protected]
FourthCongressionalDistrict
Website:www.IDP4.org
PennyRosfjord
3240JacksonSt
SiouxCity,IA51104
CellPhone:(712)574-9827
Email:[email protected]
StateCentralCommitteeOfficers
StatePartyChair
AndyMcGuire
5661FleurDrive
DesMoines,IA5032
Phone:(515)244-7292
Email:[email protected]
1stViceChair
DannyHoman
5661FleurDrive
DesMoines,IA50321
Phone:(515)244-7292
Email:
2ndViceChair
JeanPardee
608MeadowviewDrive
Clinton,IA 52732
Phone:(563)242-8111
Email:[email protected]
3rd ViceChair
OmarPadilla
272738thSt
DesMoines,IA50310
Phone:(515)244-7292
Email:[email protected]
Treasurer
KenSagar
2000WalkerStreet#A
DesMoines,IA50317
Phone:(515)264-8616
Email:[email protected]
Secretary
DonRuby
3234NevadaStreet
SaintMarys,IA 50241
Phone:(641)297-2342
Email:[email protected]
IowaDNCMembers
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TheIowaDemocraticPartyhastwomemberselectedtorepresentIowaatthenationallevelandserve
asthestatepartycontactbetweenthestateandnationalorganizations.Thetwomemberselectedto
representIowaarelistedasfollows:
SandyOpstvedt
1309ParkView
StoryCity,IA 50248
Phone:(515)733-2604
Email:[email protected]
ScottBrennan
80438th Street
WestDesMoines50265
Phone:(515)778-5122
Email:[email protected]
Chapter2:BiennialPrecinctCaucus/ConventionPreparation
TheimportanceoftheIowaDemocraticPrecinctCaucusescannotbe
overstated.WhilemostIowansandmanyothersbeyondourborders
recognizethesignificanceofthecaucusesasthefirststepontheroadto
theWhiteHouse,thoseactiveinorganizingourpartyunderstandthatthe
caucusesprovideanopportunityeverytwoyearstorevitalizeourpartyat
thegrassrootslevel.WhetherwedoagoodjobatthisandwhetherIowa
Democratsavailthemselvesoftheopportunitiespresentedbythe
caucusesdependslargelyonourpreparationandenthusiasm.
Structure and Purpose of the Caucus
TheIowacaucusesaregenerallydefinedas"gatheringsofneighbors."Typically,thesemeetingsoccurin
schools,churches,andotherpublicplacessuchaslibraries.InadditiontoelectingDelegatesand
AlternatestotheCountyConvention,CountyConventionCommitteemembers,andCountyCentral
Committeemembers,caucus-goersbegintheprocessofwritingtheParty’splatformbyintroducing
resolutions.CaucusattendeesalsochoosetheirpresidentialpreferenceeveryfouryearsintheFirstof
theNationpresidentialselectionprocess.
CountyPartyandChairResponsibilitiesRelatedtothePresidentialCaucuses
WhileitisthechairoftheIowaDemocraticPartywhoissuesthecalltotheprecinctcaucuses,itisthe
responsibilityofthecountychairandthecountypartytodothenecessaryorganizationalworkin
preparationforthecaucusesandconventionswithinthecounty.Countypartypreparationforthe
Iowacaucusesandconventionsinvolvesthefollowingitems,mostofwhicharetheresponsibilityofthe
countychair:
•Arrangealocationforeachprecinctcaucusandthecountyconvention
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•ConductcaucuseducationprogramsinpartnershipwiththeIowaDemocratic
Partystaff
•Ensurethateachprecinctisrepresentedbyactiveprecinctcommitteepersons
ORrecruittemporarycaucuschairs
•Arrangeforcaucuspromotionandlegalpublication
•Distributecaucusmaterialsandinformationtoeachtemporarycaucuschair
• ReportresultsofelectionsatprecinctcaucusestotheIowaDemocraticParty
immediatelyfollowingthedelegateapportionment
•Referresolutionspassedatprecinctcaucusesimmediatelytothetemporary
countyplatformchair
• Arrangethemeetingforthecountyconventionplanningcommittees(Note:Itis
theresponsibilityofthecountychairtomakecertainthatallcountyconvention
committeesarefunctioningproperly.)
• ReportresultsofelectionsatcountyconventionstothechairoftheDistrict
CentralCommitteeimmediatelyfollowingadjournmentofthecounty
conventionsothatpreparationsfortheDistrictConventioncanproceed
• ReferacopyofthePost-ConventionCountyPlatformtotheChairoftheDistrict
CentralCommitteeimmediatelyfollowingadjournmentofthecounty
conventionforconsiderationbytheDistrictConventionPlatformCommittee
• ReportresultsofelectionsatcountyconventionstotheIowaDemocraticParty
immediatelyfollowingadjournmentofthecountyconvention
•Refer a copy of the Post-Convention County Platform to the Iowa Democratic
Partyimmediatelyfollowingadjournmentofthecountyconvention
• Headthecounty'sdelegationtotheDistrictandStateConventionsbycertifying
thedelegationtotheCredentialsCommitteesoftheDistrictandStateConventions
• Assistthecounty'sdelegatestotheDistrictandStateConventionsinidentifying
alternatedelegatestoattendintheirplace
• Workwiththecounty'sdelegatestotheDistrictandStateConventionstoensure
thattheappropriateconventionfeesarepaid
CaucusPreparationCalendar
ThestaffoftheIowaDemocraticPartyprovideresourcesforand/orconducttrainingsessionsforall
temporarycaucuschairsandareavailabletoassistcountychairsasneeded. Followingisasuggested
scheduleforpreparingforcaucusesinyourcounty,beginninginJunepriortothewintercaucuses.
June - August
Beginreservingcaucussites.Caucusesmustbeheldinpublicmeetingsitesorplacessuitablefor
publicmeetingswhereveritispossibletodoso.CaucussitesmustmeetfederalAmericanswith
DisabilityActaccessibilityrequirements.Ifitisnecessaryforacaucustobemovedtoanearbyprecinct
inordertoprovideasuitablepublicbuilding,thecountychairshouldmakethosearrangements.In
presidentialyears,allpubliclyfundedbuildings,whichareavailableforpublicmeetingsmustbemade
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availableatnocosttothecountyparty.Ifitisnecessarytopayafeeforafacilitynotpubliclyfunded,
thecountyCentralCommitteehastheresponsibilityofpayingthatfee. Inrecentyears,ithasbeen
highlyrecommendedthatchosencaucussiteshaveinternetaccessthatmaybeusedbythecaucus
chairstoreporttheresultsofelections.
Afacilitymustbearrangedforthecountyconvention.Asuitablefacilitymustbehandicapped
accessible,withoneroomlargeenoughtoholdalltheapportioneddelegatesplus25%(forguests,
alternatedelegateseating,etc.). Smallerroomsmustbeavailableforthefourconventioncommittees
tomeet. ItisappropriateforCountyChairstoworkwithcommitteememberswithexperienceoneach
oftheconventioncommitteestoensurethatadequatespaceisprovidedinappropriateproximitytothe
mainconventionfloorforeachconventionofthefourconventioncommittees:Arrangements,
Credentials,Platform,andRules/Nominations. Additionalspacestomeettheextraordinaryneedsof
delegatesareuseful.Suchspacescouldincludethosesuitableforchildcare,oneormorespacesfor
variouscaucusgroupstomeet,andadequatespaceforpresidentialpreferencegroupstomeetand
electtheirdelegatesmustbeprovidedforpresidentialyearcountyconventions.
June - September
BeginsearchingforTemporaryCaucusChairstoruneachindividualprecinctcaucus.These
chairsdonotneedtohavepriorexperiencerunningacaucus,althoughitisdesirable.Countyparty
leadershipisresponsibleforensuringthattrainingsareprovidedforTemporaryCaucusChairsand
Secretariesleadinguptothecaucuses.
September - December
Thisisthetimetoconductcaucuseducationprograms.Themajorobstacletocaucusturnoutis
thatsofewpeopleunderstandhowtoparticipateinthecaucusesorevenwhytheyareimportant.
CountychairsmayappointaCaucusEducatortosetupandconductcaucus/conventiontraining
programsforschools,civicgroups,laborunionlocals,partyactivists,andthecountyCentralCommittee.
Thisisalsothetimetofinalizecaucussitearrangementsandensurethatallprecinctshaveactive
representation.Besuretocommunicatewithallcountyactivistsencouragingthemtoparticipate.An
openlineofcommunicationhelpstoensurethatyourcountyholdssuccessfulprecinctcaucuses.
December - January
Inthesefinaldaysbeforethecaucuses,thecountypartyisrequiredbytheCodeofIowato
providepublicnoticeofthecaucusdate,time,andlocationwithineachprecinct.Thisinformation
mustbepublishedatleasttwice:oncenoearlierthan14daysbeforethecaucusesbutnolaterthan8
daysbeforethecaucusesandasecondtimenoearlierthan7daysbeforethecaucusesbutnolater
thanthedayofthecaucuses.Thesenoticesmustbepublishedinanewspaperthatisincirculationfor
allprecinctsinthecounty.Oftenanewspaperwillprintthisinformationatnocostoratreducedcostas
apublicnotice.Iffeesarerequired,thecountypartymustpayfortheadvertisementspace.County
partiesareencouragedtoexceedthelegalrequirementsandundertakeotherprogramstopromotethe
caucuses.Posters,directmail,andevenradioadvertisinghavebeenusedinthepasttoencourage
peopletobecomeinvolvedintheDemocraticPartybyattendingtheirprecinctcaucus
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Thelasttwoweeksbeforethecaucuses,duringwhichfinalpreparationscontinue,caucuspacketsare
distributedtothetemporarycaucuschairs,andtrainingfortemporarycaucuschairsiscompleted.
Immediatelyfollowingthecaucuses,thematerialsandlistsfromeachcaucuslocationmustbe
forwardedtotheproperplaces-theIowaDemocraticParty,thecountyparty,andthecountyauditor.
Thisinformationisvitallyimportanttotheentireconventionprocessandmustbecompiledquicklyso
thatthenewlyelectedconventioncommitteescanproperlyplanthecountyconventions.
DetailedinformationonthecaucusesisoutlinedintheDelegateSelectionPlan,theIDP
StandingRules,andthepublicationsIowaDemocraticParty2016PrecinctCaucusGuideand
IowaDemocraticParty2016CaucusChairTrainingOnePagers.Questionsabouttrainingor
publicationsshouldbedirectedtotheCaucusDirectoratIowaDemocraticPartyat515-244-
7292.)
The County Convention
Countyconventionsaregenerallyheldwithinsixweeksafterthecaucuses.Amongthepurposesofthe
conventionareelectingDistrictandStatedelegatesandalternates,electingDistrictConvention
committeemembersandalternates,electingaCountyAffirmativeActionChair,reviewingplatform
issuesandapprovingacountyplatformtobesentonthedistrict,andservingasaforumforcandidates
runningforlocal,stateandnationaloffices.
Thesuccessofaconventiondependsuponthequalityofitsleadership.ItisveryhelpfuliftheChairsof
thefourconventioncommitteesworktogetherandwiththenominatedconventionchairtoensurethat
thedetailsthateachcommitteeoverseesfitstogetherwell. WhileitistheresponsibilityoftheRules
andNominationsCommitteetonominateaqualifiedindividualforeachoftheleadershiprolesforthe
convention,includingtheTemporaryChair,conventiondelegateshavetherighttopicktheirown
leadership,acceptingorrejectingthenominationsoftheConventionRulesCommittee.Careshouldbe
takentonominateindividualswhocanchairtheconventionwithoutconflictofinterest.CountyCentral
Committeeleaderscanassistbyencouragingpotentiallygoodleaderstobecomefamiliarwiththe
detailsoftheconventionprocessandcanmakethemselvesavailablebyseekingelectiontothe
conventioncommitteeoftheirchoiceduringtheprecinctcaucuses.
ConventionOfficers
i TemporaryConventionChair
Insmallconventions,thepositionoftemporaryConventionChairmaybehonorary,andisoftenthe
countychair.ThecountypartychairisofferedthechairoftheconventionbytheRulesandNominations
Committeeandifhe/shedeclinestheposition,thecommitteenominatestheirchoiceandopensthe
conventiontofurthernominations.
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i PermanentConventionChair
AneffectiveConventionChairmovestheconventionthroughtherequiredprocessessmoothlyand
competently.Thepersonshouldbefair,confident,generallyrespected,andfamiliarwithconvention
proceduresandrules.Abasicawarenessofparliamentaryprocedureisveryuseful. AgoodRulesChair
willprovideanannotatedagendafortheuseoftheConventionChairandwillbeavailableforany
clarificationsoftherulesthattheConventionChairmaywantorneed.
Forlargeconventionsthatrunmanyhours,theRulesandNominationsCommitteeshouldnominate
eitherCo-ChairsoraChairandVice-Chairteamsothatonepersonisnotburdenedwithmaintaining
orderalldaywithoutabreak.
i Parliamentarian
TheparliamentarianservesastechnicalcounseltotheChaironparliamentaryprocedure.Normallythe
ChairappointstheParliamentarianinordertoassuretheyhaveagoodworkingrelationship.Thisperson
shouldunderstandtherulesandproceduresoftheconventionaswellasRobert’sRulesofOrder.
i Tellers
Insmallconventions,countingvotesisasimplematter.Inlargeconventions,itisimportantthatthere
beadequateplansandarrangementsforcountingvotes.Theworkoftellersisnormallycoordinated
throughtheRulesandNominationsCommitteebecausetheyhavetheresponsibilityforthevote
countingandfordevelopingthenecessarytechniquestodoitquicklyandaccurately.TheRulesand
NominationsCommitteemayfinditadvisabletoaskunseatedalternatesorothercompetentand
trustworthyDemocratstotallyvotes.VerylargeCountiesmayuseanelectronicvotingmethod,oreven
InstantRun-offVotingasameanstohandlelargeamountsofballotsquickly. Inanycase,ALL
ELECTIONSINTHEIOWADEMOCRATICPARTYREQUIREAMAJORITYOFVOTESCASTTOWIN.
i Secretary
TheSecretaryhastheresponsibilitytomakeanaccuraterecordofthedecisionsreached.Itisgenerally
impracticalinaconventiontomakeafullrecordofthecontentofthedebateeventhoughsomeofthe
majorpointsinthedebatemaybenoted.Itmaybehelpfultomakeataperecordingoftheproceedings.
TheRules/NominationCommitteecansimplifytheworkofthesecretarybyincludingintherulesa
requirementforwrittencopiesofanymotionsthataremorethanjustafewwordslong.
i Sergeants-At-Arms
Agood-humoredbutfirmsergeant-at-armsmayassisttheChairinmaintainingorderintheconvention
hall,especiallyinlargeconventions.OneormoreSergeants-at-Armsmaybenominatedbythe
Rules/NominationsCommittee.
Countiesandconventionsdiffer.Thedifferencesshouldberespectedunlesstherearetraditionsand/or
practicesthatareclearlyunconstitutionaland/orconstituteviolationsofbasicdemocraticprinciplesof
fairprocedure,honesty,openness,leadership,responsiveness,accountability,etc.Specificrequirements
ofeachconventionareincludedineithertheIowaDemocraticPartyStandingRulesortheIowa
DemocraticPartyConstitution.
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i TheCountyAffirmativeActionCommittee
ThedelegatesattheCountyConventionshouldelectaCountyAffirmativeActionChair. Twoadditional
membersshouldbeelectedbytheCountyCentralCommitteeatthemeetingfollowingtheCounty
Convention. ThesethreememberscomprisetheCountyAffirmativeActionCommittee.Ifthe
conventiondoesnotelectone,itfallstotheCentralCommitteetoelectanAffirmativeActionChair.
Membershipshouldincludepeoplefromunderrepresentedgroupssuchastheelderly,disabled,Black,
NativeAmericans,LGBT,Veterans,Latino,Asian/PacificIslander,orotheridentifiablelocalgroupsas
wellasCentralCommitteevolunteers.Duringtheconventionseason,itisthejoboftheaffirmative
actioncommitteetoincreasetheopportunityformembersofvarioustargetgroupsandoutreach
groupstoattendthecaucusesandconventionsandtoparticipatefullyandeffectivelyintheprocess.
CommitteeChairsandResponsibilities
Fourcommitteesmadeupofmembersfromallprecinctscoordinatethecountyconvention.These
committeesareArrangements,Credentials,Platform,andRulesandNominations.
Eachconventioncommitteeselectsitsownleadership.TheCountyChaircanappointtemporarychairs
knowntohaveknowledgeandskillinleadingaspecificconventioncommitteetoopenthefirstmeeting
ofthecommittee.Thesetemporarychairsshouldbeavailableforelectionbythecommitteetobethe
permanentchair.Careshouldbetaken,however,toleavethecommitteesfreetomaketheirown
selectionofleadership.
i TheArrangementsCommittee
ThearrangementsCommitteeisresponsibleforallphysicalarrangementswithintheconventionhall,
parking,andforthemailingoftheconventionmaterials,etc.TheArrangementsCommitteealsohasthe
generalresponsibilityofseeingthattheConventionpreparationsoccurinatimelymannerthatrequires
themtoseethattheothercommitteesaremeetingtheirdeadlines. Iffoodisprovideditisusuallythe
ArrangementsCommitteewhoisresponsibleforthis.
TheArrangementsCommitteeortheirdesigneeisresponsibleformailingtheConventionCall,including
thedate,time,andplaceoftheconventiontothedelegatesandalternates.Itshouldcontainthenames
ofthoseindividualsnominatedtothevariousDistrictConventionCommittees. Itmustincludethe
reportsoftheRulesandNominationsandPlatformCommittees.TheArrangementsCommitteewillalso
assistotherCommitteesupontheirrequest.
i TheCredentialsCommittee
TheCredentialsCommitteeisresponsibleforseatingtheproperdelegates. Theyoverseetheseatingof
alternatesandshouldstafftheregistrationtables.Theywillruleonanydisputeddelegateand/or
alternatesubjecttothewilloftheconventionasawhole.TheCredentialsCommitteealsopreparesthe
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envelopesforregistrationasdescribedinthefollowingsectionandprovideseachdelegatewitha
“credential”whichidentifiesthemtotheRulesCommitteeaspersonseligibletovoteduringthe
Convention.
i ThePlatformCommittee
TheIowaDemocraticPartyStandingRulesprovidespecificinstructionsregardingthelengthandformof
theplatform. CountyPlatformCommitteememberstypicallygathertheindividualplanksfromthe
precinctcaucuses,removetheduplicationsandprovideanorganizedandunderstandabledocument
withalltheplanksforconsiderationbytheconventiondelegation. Fromtimetotime,thePlatform
Committeemayrequestfromthepersonsubmittingaresolution,additionalclarifyinginformationso
theycanprovideaclearlywordedplatformplank. Often,thecountyplatformcommitteewillbreakup
intotopicgroupstoconsiderplanksthatpertaintothesametopic. Itistheresponsibilityofthe
PlatformCommitteeChairtomovetheplatformforconsiderationattheCountyConventionandmay
havesubcommitteechairspresenttheplatformpertainingtotheirsubjectortopic.
i TheRulesandNominationsCommittee
TheRulesandNominationscommitteeischargedwiththeresponsibilityofdraftingsuchrulesand
regulationsasarenecessarytoconductthebusinessoftheconvention. Theseincludebutarenot
limitedtotheadoptionoftheplatform,theadoptionorratificationofresolutions,thenominationand
electionofdelegatestothedistrictandstateconventions,thenominationandelectionofdistrict
conventioncommitteemembers,thenominationandelectionoftheCountyAffirmativeActionChair
whoalsoservesasamemberoftheDistrictAffirmativeActionCommittee,andsuchotherbusinessas
theconventionmaywishtoconsider.
TheRulesandNominationsCommitteeisalsochargedwiththeresponsibilityofadministeringthe
alignmentandrealignmentofpreferencegroupmembersattheconvention,countingallballotstaken
duringtheconventionprocess,andconductingallelectionsthattakeplace.
DelegatestotheConvention
i Registration
Theresultsfromthecaucuseswillincludeaprecinct-by-precinctlistofdelegatesandalternateselected
toCountyConvention. ThisinformationprovidesthebasisfortheworkoftheCredentialsCommittee
andmustbeforwardedtotheIowaDemocraticParty.Whenthelistofdelegatesisfinalizedusingthe
caucusmaterials,theCredentialsCommitteemeetstopreparematerialsfortheconvention.
TheCredentialsCommitteepreparesanenvelopeforeachaccrediteddelegate. Specificmethodsthat
theCredentialsCommitteemightusetoimprovetheefficiencyandaccuracyoftheirworkisincludedin
theIDPStandingRules.Nomatterwhichmethodisused,theCredentialsCommitteemustprovidethe
Rules/NominationsCommitteewithalistofdelegatenumbersandnamesthatcorrelatewiththepeople
whoareactuallyseated.Thus,ifSherryHappyisseatedintheplaceofGeorgeAbsent,thelistshould
includeSherry’snameassheistheonecastingtheballots.Fees,whichcannotbemandatory,shouldbe
collectedatthesametimethatdelegatesreceivetheircredentials.
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Allballotsmustbeidentifiedwiththenameofthevotingdelegateoraspecificassignednumbercode.
Secret ballots and proxy votingareprohibitedundertheConstitutionoftheIowaDemocraticParty.
i AlternateDelegateSeating
TheIowaDemocraticPartyStandingRulesprovidefortheseatingofalternatedelegatesatconventions.
Undertherules,inyearswhenapresidentialpreferencehasbeenchoseninamajorityoftheprecinct
caucuses,theCredentialsCommitteemustseatanalternateofthesamepreferencegroupastheabsent
delegateunlessthedelegatenamesanalternateonthealternatedesignationform. TheCredentials
Committeeshouldattempttoseatanalternatefromthesameprecinctifoneisavailable.
i YouthDelegateSeating
Youngpeoplewhoattendtheirprecinctcaucusesshouldbeinvitedtoattendthecountyconventionand
shouldbeaffordedtheopportunitytoobserveandlearnmoreabouttheprocess.Thismayinclude
assistingconventioncommitteestopreparefortheconventionorpreparingandpresentingtheirown
platformtotheCountyConventiondelegation.YouthDelegates,however,willnothavevoting
privileges.Besuretoplanspecialseatingforthesedelegates.
AttheCountyConvention,YouthDelegatesshouldbepermittedtocaucusseparatelytoelectdelegates
torepresenttheircountyatthedistrictandstateconventions.
Fractionsshouldalwaysberoundedup.TheYouthDelegatesareseparatefromthecounty'sregular
district/statedelegateallotment.Youthdelegationsshouldmakeeveryattempttobegenderbalanced
andtofollowAffirmativeActionGuidelines.YouthDelegatesarenottobeassesseddelegatefeesatany
level.
DetailedinformationonprocedureandprotocolfortheDemocraticCountyConventionsis
availableintheIDPStandingRules. QuestionsmaybedirectedtoIowaDemocraticParty
headquartersat515-244-7292.
SeetheIDPStandingRulesforinformationaboutSpecialConventions:SpecialNominating
ConventiontoFillaVacancyinaLegislative RaceandFillingaVacancyinaCounty Office Race
intheGeneralElection
PartofthebusinessoftheCountyConventionistoelectdelegatestorepresentthecountyatthe
DistrictandStateConventionsanddelegatessoelectedshouldmakeeveryefforttoattend.
EachofthefourcountyconventioncommitteeswillnominatememberstocontinueontotheDistrict
ConventioncommitteespriortotheCountyConvention.PreliminarymeetingsoftheDistrict
Arrangements,Credentials,PlatformandRules/NominationsCommitteesshouldbeannouncedat
CountyConventionsandmemberselectedattheCountyConventionshouldplantoattendandto
participatefullyintheconventionasrepresentativesoftheircounty.
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The Biennial ODD-Year Organizational Meeting of the County Central
Committee
The biennial organizational meeting shall take place in the odd numbered years at a time set by
the County Central Committee between March 1 and April 1.
Atthisorganizationalmeeting,thefollowingbusinessmustbecompletedbythecountyCentral
Committee:
•ElectaCountyPartyChair
•ElectaCountyPartyViceChair
•ElectaCountyPartyTreasurer
•ElectaCountyPartySecretary
•Electsuchadditionalofficersthatarerequiredbyyourcountypartyconstitutionorby-laws.
NOTE:Immediatelyfollowingthismeeting,pleasesendalistofofficerstotheIowaDemocraticParty
andtotheDistrictCentralCommitteeSecretary,includingthename,completehomeaddress,home
andoffice/celltelephonenumbersandemailaddress.TheIDPmayneedtoreachofficersduring
daytimehours,soifyouhaveanoffice/cellnumber,pleaseprovideit.
Individualsarenotrequiredtobeprecinctcommitteepersonstobeelectedtoanyoftheofficesdescribedabove;
however,iftheyarenotprecinctcommitteepersonsandserveasanexecutiveofficerofthecountyCentral
Committeetheymaynotvoteduringcentralcommitteemeetings.
TheChairshouldreportonvacanciesthatexistonthecountyCentralCommitteeandtakenominationstofillthese
vacancies.However,electionstofillthesepositionsmustbeheldatthenextmeeting.
Atthecompletionoftheelection,theCentralCommitteemayproceedwithpreviouslyestablishedagendaitems,
includingreportsandoldandnewbusiness.
Chapter3: CandidatesandCampaigns
IowaDemocratshavealongtraditionofrecruitingexcellentcandidatesand
conductingsuccessfulcampaigns. Thecoordinatedcampaign,whichcombines
theeffortsoflocal,stateandnationalexpertise,reliesheavilyonthehelpof
countypartyactivists.
Recruiting and Electing Candidates for Local Offices
RecruitingDemocraticcandidatesforlocalofficessuchascitycouncil,countyboardofsupervisors,
courthouseoffices,andschoolboardsservesseveralpurposes.Whilesomelocalofficesareconsidered
tobenon-partisan,itstrengthenstheDemocraticPartytorecruitgoodcandidatesandsupportthemin
theirelection.ItgivesthecountyDemocraticorganizationanopportunitytotestitsvolunteerbaseand
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sharpenitselectionskills.Recruitinglocalcandidateswhoaresuccessfullyelectedalsocreatesa
“bench”fortheDemocraticPartytorelyuponforfuturecandidatesforhigherelectiveoffices.
RecruitingSteps
Step1–IdentifyOfficesontheBallotandElectionDates
TheCountyAuditorcanprovidethecountyorganizationwithalistofofficesonanupcoming
ballot,butthecommitteeshouldcreateacalendarofelections. Knowingthatschoolboard
electionsoccurinSeptemberinoddyearsisimportanttothetimelyrecruitmentofcandidates
forthoseoffices. Thistypeofinformationshouldbecollectedforalllocalofficesandmaybe
postedontheAuditororCountygovernmentwebsite.
Step2–IdentifyPotentialCandidates
Idealcandidatesforlocalofficesarewellrespectedintheircommunities,involvedincommunity
organizationsorcommittees,anddedicatedtomakingtheircommunitiesabetterplace.The
CountyChairmayestablishasubcommitteewithinthecountypartytofocusspecificallyon
candidaterecruitment.Membersofthiscommitteeshouldbetaskedwithbrainstormingalistof
peopleinthecommunitywhofitthisprofileandthelistshouldbereportedbacktothefull
CentralCommitteeforfurtherinput.
DiscussingpotentialcandidatescanbeaformaldiscussionandincludedintheNewBusiness
sectionofthemonthlyCentralCommitteemeetingagendaoratopicofcasualconversation
withvariousmembersofthePartyinyourcounty.
Step3–ContactPotentialCandidates
Oncealistofpotentialcandidatesisdeveloped,thenextstepistocontactpeopleonthelistand
invitethemtoameetingwithkeyDemocratsinyourcounty. Duringthismeeting,youcan
determineiftheywouldbeinterestedinrunningforalocaloffice.Thecommitteemaywantto
askacurrentlyelectedDemocratinthecountytoparticipateinthatmeetingtosharetheir
insightinconductingalocalcampaignforoffice.
Bepreparedtoanswerquestionsaboutthedutiesoftheofficeforwhichtheyarebeingasked
torun,thetimecommitmentitwilltaketocampaignfortheoffice,andthekindofsupporta
potentialcandidatecanexpecttoreceivefromthecountyparty.Behonestwithpotential
candidatesaboutwhatthecountyorganizationcanandcannotoffertheminacampaign.
County Chair Timeline for Convention and Campaign Activities
Beingacountychairisayear-roundjob. Havinggoodorganizationalandcommunicationskills,
knowledgeofcandidatesandcampaigns,andanabundanceoftimeandenergyhelp.Thefollowingisa
generalguidetowhenthevarioustasksneedtobedone.
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ElectionYear–aneven-numberedyear
January/February
Finalizecaucusarrangements
Setdateandsiteforcountyconventioncommitteemeetings
Setsiteforcountyconvention
AttendIDPcaucustraining
Hold/attendtemporarycaucuschairtrainings
HostphonebankforcaucusGOTV
Holdprecinctcaucuses
Finalizecountyconventionplans(withcommitteememberselectedfromcaucuses)
Preparecountyconventionnoticeformailingtoconventiondelegatesandalternates
Prepareannualbudget&fundraisingplan–Thisdependsonyourcounty’sfundraisingschedule
Sendoutannualfundraisingmailing–Thisdependsonyourcounty’sfundraisingschedule
Makefollow-upfundraisingcalls–Thisdependsonyourcounty’sfundraisingschedule
March
Mailcountyconventionnotice
Phonebankalldelegatesandalternatestothecountyconvention
Holdconvention
Fillprecinctcommitteevacancies
April
HoldCentralCommitteetrainingfornewmemberstodiscussgoalsandexpectations
Verifydistrictconventiondelegatesandalternates
Attenddistrictconvention
SubmitnominationsforIDPHallofFameandActivistoftheYearAwards
May
Prepareforsummerfundraiserbysendinginvitesandphonebanking
Prepareforvoterregistrationinitiativesandvotercontactprograms
Countyfairboothplan
Identifyvolunteerstoassistwithofficeresponsibilities
WorkwithCoordinatedCampaignstafftorecruitvolunteersandimplementlocaloutreach
programs
June
IDPHallofFameceremony
Stateconvention
Countyfairplans
WorkwithCoordinatedCampaigntoimplementEarlyVoteprogram
Assistwithcandidateevents
July/August
WorkwithCoordinatedCampaigntofinalize40DayGOTVprogram
Identifyballotchasevolunteers
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Planapre-electionfundraiserorcandidate“meetandgreet”
September
NotifyactivistsabouttheannualIDPDinner
NotifyactivistsofOctoberGOTVtraining
BeginidentifyingpollwatchersandElectionDayvolunteers
BeginballotcallandchaseprograminconjunctionwithCoordinatedCampaignstaff
October
AttendIDPDinner
PublicizeandattendCoordinatedCampaignGOTVtraining
Finalizepollwatcher,driversandothervolunteersforE-Day
Continueballotcallandchaseprogram
November
ELECTIONDAY
Sendthankyounotestovolunteers
Payoutstandingbills
December
Prepareoff-yearbudgetSetoff-yeargoals
Odd-YearCalendar
January
Planforcountyoff-yearmeetings
ApproveCentralCommitteegoals,budgetandfundraisingplansforoffyear
Sendoutannualfundraisingmailing
Makefollowupfundraisingphonecalls
February/March
Holdodd-yearcaucus
Fillprecinctcommitteevacancies
HoldbiennialorganizationalcountyCentralCommitteemeetingtoelectofficers
Planfundraisingevent
April
AttendIDPcountychairtraining
SubmitnominationsforHallofFameandActivistoftheYearAwards
Plananeventtotakeplacelatespring/earlysummer
May
Holdfundraisingevent
Planforcountyfairbooth
Plansummerprograms—welcomenewDems,listcleanup,etc.
June
IDPHallofFameceremony
July/August
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Holdsummerfundraiser
Completesummerprograms
AttendDistrictWorkshop
September
NotifyactivistsabouttheannualIDPDinner
Beginidentifyingcaucuslocations
Recruittemporarycaucuschairsineveryprecinct
Identifycountyconventionsite
Setcountyconventionsize
October
AttendIDPDinner
Fillprecinctcommitteevacancies
Continueidentifyingtemporarychairsandcaucuslocations
November
Finalizecaucuslocations--includinglocationnameandaddress,sitecontactInformation—and
submittoIDPHQ
FinishrecruitingtemporarychairsandsubmitcontactinfotoIDPHQ
Organizeandconductcaucuseducationprograms
PlantemporarycaucuschairtraininginconjunctionwithIDPHQ
December
AttendIDPcountychaircaucustrainingtocollectcaucusmaterials
Conducttemporarycaucuschairtrainingstodistributematerials
Doublecheckcaucussiteavailability
PlantopublishcaucuslocationinaccordancewithIowaLaw
Mailcaucusnoticestopreviousattendees
Phonebankpotentialcaucusattendeestoincreaseparticipation
FilecaucuslocationsanddelegateinformationwithCountyAuditor
CountyPartyHeadquarters
Countypartiesshouldopenofficespacesatatimethatmakessensefortheirorganizationduring
electionyears.Officesaregreatwaystoincreasevisibility—andthus,curiosity—forDemocratic
candidates.Inlargercountiesandurbanareas,countypartiesshouldstrivetomaintainanofficeyear-
round.Duringprimaries,allDemocraticcandidatesshouldbewelcomedintothespace,butclearly
emphasizetocandidatesandactiviststhattheofficeisaplaceofunityoncethecontestisdecided.
Thereareseveralfactorstokeepinmindwhenscoutingacceptableofficespace.First,alllocationsmust
followtherequirementssetforthintheAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct(ADA).Themostimportant
pointstoconsiderappearbelow:
1.Spacemustbeaccessibletoanyone.Partiesshouldworktofindgroundfloorspace
withoutstairs,curbsorraiseddoorframes.Ifthisisnotpossible,thespacemustbe
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accessiblebyramporelevator.Additionally,thedoorwidthmustbelargeenoughto
accommodatevisitorswithwalkers,wheelchairsandotheraids.
2.Restroomsmustbeinspected.FacilitiesmusthaveaccommodationsthatmeetADA
guidelinessuchasahandicappedstallwithabar,accessiblesinks,etc.
3.Checkforobstacles.Makesureallvolunteerareasareaccessibleandnotblockedby
stairs,warpedfloorsormessywiring.Additionally,takecaretotapedownlooseextensionor
otherelectricalcordsoncetheofficeisupandrunning.
FormoreinformationregardingspecificADAregulations,visithttp://www.ada.gov/stdspdf.htm.
Thefollowingpointsshouldalsobetakenintoconsiderationforthecomfortandsafetyofstaffand
volunteers:
Ampleparkingisreadilyavailable.
Areaaroundtheofficeiswelllit,asistheparkingarea.
Thenumberofrestroomsisadequateforexpectedvolunteercapacity.
Officespaceisnotlocatedinabuildingorareathatislockedafterbusinesshours(5pm).
Forbestresults,reachouttoDemocraticbusinesspeople,attorneysorrealtorsforsuggestionsand
possiblein-kinddonationsforspace. Oncetheofficeislocated,workwithcampaignstaff(when
available)tohostagrandopeningtoincreasevisibilityandrecruitvolunteers.Usethiseventtocollect
furnitureandofficesupplydonations,also.
CountyPartyVoterRegistrationProgram
i Auditor’sOfficeandRequirements
VotersmayregistertovoteattheCountyAuditor’sofficeandattheDepartmentofMotorVehicles,as
prescribedbylaw.Additionally,anyonemayprintavoterregistrationformfromtheSecretaryofState’s
websiteandmailordroptheformoffattheirauditor’soffice.
VotersmustmeetthefollowingrequirementsinthestateofIowa:
VotermustbeacitizenoftheUnitedStates
VotermustbearesidentofIowa
Votermustbeatleast171/2yearsoldtoregister(18toactuallyvote)
Votermustnothavebeenconvictedofafelony(unlessrightshavebeenrestored)
Votermustnotcurrentlybejudgedincompetenttovotebyacourtoflaw
Votermustgiveuptherighttovoteinanyotherplace–collegestudentsmaychoosehomeor
school.
Ifavoterdoesnotmeetalltheserequirements,he/shecannotregistertovote.
i OngoingRegistration
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Countypartiesshouldrunanongoingvoterregistrationprogramnotonlytoexpandthevoterrolls,but
alsotofindnewactivistsandcontinuebuildingtheparty.Itisimportantthatvoterregistration
programsberuninatargetedmannertoensurethatonlyDemocratsareregistered.Choosemobile
precincts(collegeneighborhoods,apartmentbuildings,etc.)andthoseinhighDemocratic-performing
areas.
Thereareseveralwaystomaximizevoterregistrationefforts.Countypartiescanhosttheirown
canvassesinneighborhoods.Countypartiesshouldreachouttolocalhighschoolgovernmentteachers
andcollegecampusgroupstoregisteryoungvoters.
CountyPartyEarlyVoteProgram
AbsenteeBallotRequestProgram
TheAbsenteeBallotRequestProgramshouldbestructuredasfollows:
•ThechairshouldgenerateaVAN/VoteBuilderlistofDemocratsinyourcountytocalland
encouragetovotebyabsenteeballot
•Theelectionschairshouldrecruitcallersandchasers
•Thevolunteercallerswillcall;encourageDemocratstovotebyabsenteeballotandschedule
pick-uptimesforthechaserstogetthevoter'ssignatureontherequestform.
•Thechasersbringthesignedrequestformsbacktotheofficefordataentryandsecurethe
formsuntildeliverytotheauditor'soffice
•AbsenteeballotrequestsmustbereturnedtotheAuditor’sofficewithin72hoursofsigning.
AdvantagesofEarlyVoting
ItisimportantthatcountychairsencouragetheirCentralCommitteemembersandotherDemocratsto
voteearlyeachelectioncycle.Thereareanumberofreasonsforthis,includingthefollowing:
•SaveResources—whenregularlyvotingDemocrats(suchasCentralCommitteemembers)vote
early,DemocraticcampaignscansavetimeandresourcesturningthesevotersoutonElection
Day.Thisallowscampaignstogoaftermarginalvotersratherthanconcentratingonbasevoters.
•OpenElectionDay—CountypartymembersarefreeonElectionDaytoassistwithGOTV
effortsratherthanstandinginlinewaitingtocastaballot.
•NoWeatherWorries—manyvotersareunabletoweatherastormtogettothepollson
ElectionDay,andIowaweatheriscertainlyunpredictablethattimeofyear.Encourage
supporterstobanktheirvotesaheadoftime.
•AvoidNegativeCampaigning—thelastfewweeksofanelectioncyclebecomeincreasingly
negativeintoneandcontent.Bankingvotesearlypreventsvotersfromsuccumbingtonegative
advertisingandcampaigntactics.
Remember—Iowahasa“nofault”absenteevotinglaw,meaninganyvoterwhowouldliketovoteearly
maydosoforanyreason.EarlyvotingcanbedoneattheCountyAuditor'soffice,absenteeballotby
mail,or--especiallyinlargercounties--atasatellitesite.
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Get-Out-The-Vote
GOTVisanintenseeffort,priortoandincludingElectionDay,tocontactlikelyDemocraticvotersand
remindthemtovote.Itisa4-dayplanonSaturday,Sunday,Monday,andTuesdaytocontinueto
collectabsenteeballotsthathavenotbeenturnedinand/orhelptheElectionDayvotermakeaspecific
planforwhentheywillgotothepollstovote.
Callinganddoorknockingaremajorcomponentsoftheprogram.OnElectionDay,callsbeginwitha
reminderthatitistimetovoteandthenproceedtodoor-to-doorremindersandoffersofridestothe
polls.GOTVisamajorpersuasionefforttogetallidentifiedvoterstocasttheirballots.
State Elections
WhenworkingtoelectDemocratstotheIowaHouseandIowaSenate,itisalwaysimportanttoconsult
withtheLegislativeCampaignCommitteesandLegislativeLeadership.TheIowaHouseCampaignis
referredtoasTheHouseTrumanFundandtheIowaSenateCampaignisreferredtoasTheSenate
MajorityFund.ContactInformationcanbeobtainedfromtheIowaDemocraticParty.
Chapter4:TheCentralCommitteeMeeting
Responsibilities of the Chair and Executive Committee
PlanMeetings
TohelpensureaCentralCommitteemeetingwillbeorderlyandefficient,setanagendabeforehand.It
istheChair'sduty,perhapswiththehelpoftheExecutiveCommittee(EC),toplantheagendaforeach
CentralCommitteemeeting.
Dependingonthesizeandcomplexityofacountycentralcommittee,itmaybenotonlyfeasible,but
alsoveryhelpfuliftheChairandtherestoftheExecutiveCommitteemeetpriortotheCentral
Committeemeeting.Ifitisnotfeasible,theCountyChairwillhavetodotheworkofensuringthatthe
tasksoutlinedinthepreviousmonth’smeetingwerecarriedoutand/orthatareporthasbeenprepared
bytheappropriateperson.
Duringthemeeting,theECshouldreviewtheminutesofthepreviousmeetingtoincludeany
"unfinishedbusiness"intheirworkingplan.Itshouldalsoreviewcommunicationssenttothecounty
partyandturnthemovertotheappropriatecommittee.Thecommitteechairpersoncanplantoinclude
thecommunicationinthecommitteereportorhaverecommendationsreadyforthosethatrequire
action.
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Itisimportanttoremembertherulesgoverningthemeeting.TheCountyPartyBy-Lawsmayinclude
provisionsforwhatcanandwhatcannotbetakencareofbytheExecutiveCommittee.Theattending
CentralCommitteemembersmuststillmakethefinaldecisionsonallbusinessitemsandmotions.
ThetraditionalOrderofBusinessisasfollows:
1.Callthemeetingtoorder
2.Rollcallofmembers(orsomeotherformofrecordingattendance)
3.Readingand/orapprovaloftheminutesofthepreviousmeeting
4.Reportsofofficersandcommitteechairs
5.Unfinishedoroldbusiness
6.Newbusiness
7.Adjournment
TheOrderofBusinessisjustanoutline.Eachmeetingshouldbeadjustedtomeetthecurrentneedsof
thecountyparty,ortodevelopunderstandingofthesocial,economic,orpoliticalissuesoftheday. The
agendaistheChair'sguidefortimingthevariousitemsofbusinesssothattheimportantthingsarenot
crowdedout.
ThisdoesnotmeanthattheChairshouldusetheagendaasanexcusetobearbitrary.Usingcommon
sense,theChairshouldbeabletocontrolanagendawithcourtesyandefficiency.
KnowtheRules
RulesforCentralCommitteemeetingsenabletheworkofthemeetingtobeaccomplishedeffectively
andefficientlywhileatthesametimeprotectingtherightsofallCentralCommitteemembers.When
onlytheChairknowstherules,theworkofthemeetingsuffers.Whenmostofthebodyhasaworking
knowledgeoftherules,theCentralCommitteemembers(i.e.thefloor)controlthemeeting.TheChair
simplydirectsit.
ThisdoesnotmeanthataCentralCommitteemembermustmemorizetherulesinordertoparticipate
inaCentralCommitteemeeting.Eventhebestparliamentarianhastorelyuponthegoodjudgmentand
commonsenseofthegroup.Startwiththebasicprinciplesbehindtherules.
1.Onlyonesubjectshouldcomebeforethemeetingatatime.
2.Eachproposalcomingbeforethemeetingshallbefreelydebatedwithmeaningfuldiscussion.
3.Thewillofthemajorityissought,buttheminorityhasarighttopresentacase.
4.Eachmemberhasrightsandresponsibilitiesequaltothoseofeveryothermember.
5.Thedesiresofthemembershipshouldmovealonginsuchawaythatthewelfareoftheorganization,
asawhole,isserved.
ImprovingCentralCommitteeMeetings
Officers’Responsibilities
1.Startpromptly!Establishthepracticeofstartingontime.Givenoticethatthenextmeeting
willbeginpromptlyatthespecifiedtime.Asksomeoftheofficersandmemberstomodel
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arrivingatthemeetingreadytostartattheappointedtime.Ifthishappensonceortwice,other
memberswillgettheideaandshowupontime.
2.Endontime!
3.Planthemeeting.Plantohavealivelyandinterestinghighlightasthemaineventforeach
meeting.Forexample,Democraticcandidatesforpublicofficecouldbeinvitedtoshareideas
withthemembers.AmemberoftheStateCentralCommitteecouldreportonthelastmeeting
oftheStateCentralCommitteeandanswerquestions.Anotherpossibilitymightbethe
conductingofamini-trainingworkshoponanynumberoftopics.
4.Streamlinethemeeting.Theroutinepartsofthemeetingcanbestreamlined.Reportsfrom
committeesandofficersshouldbepreparedinadvance,wellorganized,andbrief.
Correspondenceshouldbehandledefficiently.Onlyinrarecircumstancesshould"new"
correspondencebereadtothemembers.Someletterscanbehandledduringexecutive
committeemeetingsanddetailedtotheappropriatecommitteesforactionorreply.
5.Keepthemeetingmoving.IfyouaretheChairandthemembersareshyaboutsubmitting
motions,simplysay,“DoIhearamotion?"Ontheotherendofthespectrum,youmayhavea
fewpeoplewhowillwanttotalkandtalkandtalk.Learnhowtocutthemshortmonitoryour
owntalking.
6.Consultthecommitteemembers.Askthemembersforfeedbackonwhattheywantfrom
meetings.Createasenseofownershipforthememberstoinvestin.Forexample,every
committeepresentsareporttotheCentralCommitteeonitsactions.EncouragetheCentral
Committeememberstocommentandparticipateintheprocess.
Participants’Responsibilities
1.Knowtherules.
2.Debatetheissue,notthepersonwhopresentsit.
3.Askforinformationwhenindoubt.
4.Enterthedebatewhenapointshouldbemade.
5.Addressthechairandgetrecognitionbeforetalking.
6.Talkbrieflyandnottoofrequently.
7.Assumeashareoftheresponsibilityforactiondecideduponbythegroup
8.KeepinformedabouttheDemocraticParty.
ParticipationisthekeytodemocraticprocedureandagoodCentralCommitteemeeting.Thisdoesnot
mean,however,thateveryonemusthavesomethingtosayoneveryissue.Meetingsprofitfrom
listenersaswellasspeakers.Ifamemberlistens,weighsthefactsandarguments,andvotes,that
memberiscontributing.
Itisimportantthatthelistenersrealizetheyalsoarecontributingtothemeeting.TheChairshould
rememberthis,also,andshouldkeepthespeakersfromramblingandpreventafewspeakersfrom
dominatingthedebate.Ifaspeakerisgettingoffthetrack,aparticipantmayrisetoapointoforder
andtactfullycalltheChair'sattentiontothisproblem.
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Responsibilities of the Chair Conducting a Meeting
AgoodChairwillaccomplishthebusinessoftheagenda,clarifyinformationtomovethepartyforward,
andcreateanatmospherethatencouragesmemberstoparticipateconstructivelyatmeetings.The
Chairmustlearntobefair,impartial,andcourteoustoeveryonewhenchairingthemeeting.
Attimes,aChairiscalledupontointroduceanoutsidespeaker. Introducethembyname;statetheir
titleandqualifications;andincludethetopictheywilladdress.Thechairshouldletthespeakerpresent
his/herideasandnotpreemptwithalengthyintroduction.
UnanimousConsent
Agreatdealofbusinesscanbeaccomplishedbyunanimousconsentduringameeting.Thesame
proceduremaybeusedforreports.Inallinstances,thepurposeistocoverallagendaitemswith
appropriatetimeforconsideration,nottoavoiddemocraticprocedures.Whenspecialorurgentitems
ofbusinessareontheagenda,theChairmaysuggestchangesinthepre-determinedagendaoreventhe
omissionofsomeitems.Thisshouldnotbedoneasaregularprocedure,however,andshouldneverbe
donewithouttheconsentofthoseattendingthemeeting.
WhatDoestheChairHavetoKnow?
AgoodChairneedstoknowenoughabouttherulestomeettheproblemsofprocedurethatmayarise
duringtheCentralCommitteemeeting.Inaddition,theChairshouldbefamiliarwiththeConstitution
andBy-LawsoftheParty.ThisincludesnotonlytheCountyParty,butalsotheIowaDemocraticParty
andtheNationalDemocraticParty.TheChairattimesmayhavetoruleonconstitutionalquestionssoit
isimportanttoknowwhereandhowtoreferencestandingrulesatalllevels.
WhatDoestheChairDo?
ItisuptotheChairto….
1.Keep the meeting moving.TheChaircansuggestmotionstokeepthemeetingflowingand
shouldnotallowthemeetingbetiedupbythoselookingtotesttherulesofprocedureby
raisinga“PointofOrder”aftereverymotion.Listentoallthatissaidbutkeepthedebateon
subject. Thechairshouldpolitelybringspeakersbacktothesubjectofthemotionwhenthey
wanderoff,evenifitbecomesnecessarytointerruptthem.Inaddition,personalexchanges
betweenspeakersshouldbecurtailedbyremindingthespeakertoconfineremarkstothe
subjectathand.
2.Keep committee members informed of the rules for the discussion and bringing a motion
to a vote. Parliamentaryrulescanseemcomplicatedtomanycommitteemembers.When
thereisextendeddebateoramendmentsareofferedformotions,peopleoftenlosetrackof
whattheyarevotingon.Fromtimetotime,thechairshouldrepeatthequestionorissuebefore
thecommittee.TheChaircanalsohelpacommitteememberwhoishavingtroublemakinga
pointbyclarifyingamotionorindicatinghowthemembermayaccomplishtheintended
purposeundertherules
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3.Promote full discussion and informed voting. Askspeakerstolimittheirremarksandkeep
themgermanetothetopic.Pencilalist,ifnecessary,ofthosewhowanttospeakonthemotion,
andavoidtoomanyresponsestoonlyonefacetofthemotion.Recognizethefirstpersonwho
askedforthefloor,butindicatetotheotherswhowillbenext.All motions and amendments
should be read before being voted on to ensure that the members are aware of actions and
consequences of each.
4.Protect the Minority.Trytobeinapositiontoknowwhoisfororagainstcertainmotions.
Ask,ifyoudonotknow,andthengivespeakerstheflooralternately.Neverletanunpopularor
minorityviewpointbeshouteddown.Pointoutthateveryonehasarighttostatehisorher
viewsduringthedebate,andeveryonecanrecordhisorheropinionwhenitcomestothevote.
Summary of Important Basic Rules of Order
Robert’sRulesofOrderisparliamentaryprocedurethatistheacceptedguidetoconductingameeting.
ThemotionisthebasisofallactionataCentralCommitteemeeting.Adecisiontotakeactiononan
issueresultsfromamotion,thecornerstoneofallrulesoforder.Withoutamotion,noreportcanbe
dealtwith,nonewbusinesscanbeintroduced,nodiscussionclosed,andthemeetingcannotbe
adjourned.Inspiteofitsimportance,amotionisasimplething.Complicationsarisefromthewayin
whichdiscussionsarehandled,thekindofmotionoffered,andthepossibilityofamendmentsand
amendmentstoamendments.
HowMotionsAreActedUpon
i Whocanvoteonamotion?
ThisdependsontheCountyConstitutionorBylaws. Generally,thevotingmembershipincludesallthose
whowereelectedduringorsincetheevenyearprecinctcaucusestobecentralcommitteemembers.
Officers,committeechairsandmembers,andprecinctrepresentativesareonlyeligibletovoteifthey
wereelectedtothosepositionsfromamongthecentralcommitteemembers.Thismaintainsthe
relativerepresentationfortheDemocratsineachprecinct.Non-votingmembersincludethosewho…
…areelectedatlarge
…areelectedofficialslivinginthecounty(unlesstheyareelectedbytheirprecinctcaucusas
precinctcommitteepersons)
…areelected/appointedtorepresentaspecialconstituency(YoungDemocrats,etc.unlesstheyare
electedbytheirprecinctcaucusasprecinctcommitteepersons)
i HowMotionsAreBroughtBeforeaMeeting
AmemberdesiringtopresentamotionrisesorraisesahandandaddressestheChairas"Mr.Chair,"or
"MadamChair."AnyCentralCommitteemembercanriseorraiseahandtotalk,butnoonehasthe
righttotalkuntilrecognizedbytheChair,andhasbeen"grantedthefloor."OrdinarilytheChair
recognizesthefirstmembertorise,butwhentwoormoreriseatthesametime,theChairshoulduse
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goodjudgment.Whenamember“hasthefloor”,therestofthegroupshouldlistenwithrespect.The
Chairrecognizesamemberbynoddingorpointingtothememberorbycallingoutthenameofthe
personwishingtospeak.
WhenanindividualisrecognizedbytheChair,heorsherisesandoffersamotion:"MadamChair,I
movethatthePolkCountyDemocraticParty...”Heorshethenisseated.Anothermemberrisestobe
recognizedandsecondsthemotion.Thisisdonebysimplysaying:"Isecondthemotion,MadamChair."
Nomotioncanbeconsidereduntilitreceivesasecond.Presumably,anyproposalthatcannotgeta
secondisnotworthyofdiscussion.Insomeinstances,amemberdesiringtomakeamotionwillaskthe
privilegeofexplainingthepurposeofhismotionbeforemakingit.Ifthereisnoobjectionfromthe
Committee,theChairmayallowthistobedone.
Risingfromone’sseatmaynotbenecessaryinsmallercountymeetings,butallspeakersshouldindicate
inanagreeduponmanner(commonisraisingone’shand)thattheywishtospeakandthenwaituntil
recognizedbythechair.
i StatingtheQuestion
Afterthemotionhasbeenstatedandseconded,theChairshouldrepeatitloudlyandclearly,sothatall
committeememberswillknowwhatactionhasbeenproposed.Ifthemotionispoorlywordedor
confusing,theChairshouldhelprewordthemotionsothatitsmeaningwillbeclear.IftheChair
believesthemotionisoutoforder,thisshouldbepointedoutassoonasthemotionispresented.In
repeatingthemotionforthecommitteemembers,theChairmayaskthesecretarytoreaditaloud.
i DiscussingtheMotion
WhentheChairhasrestatedthemotion,orhasitread,discussionisinorder:"Amotionhasbeenmade
andsecondedthatthePolkCountyDemocraticParty...Isthereanydiscussion?"
Thepersonproposingthemotionisusuallygiventhefirstopportunitytospeakonthemotion,sinceitis
expectedthatthebestargumentstosupportthemotionwillbemadebythepersoninitiatingit.After
thisopeningstatement,committeemembersspeakfororagainstthemotionwhentheChairrecognizes
them.
ItisagoodpracticefortheChairtoalternatespeakersforandagainstamotion.Nooneshouldspeak
twiceonamotionaslongasthereareothersdesiringtospeak.Amemberwhoseldomspeaksshould
begivenpreferenceovertheonewhospeaksfrequently.
TheChairisnotallowedtotakeapositiononamotion,soiftheChairwishestospeakfororagainstthe
motion,he/shemuststepdownfromthechairandallowanotherofficertoconductthemeetinguntil
themotionisapprovedordefeated.
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TheChairshouldnotdominatethemeetingsothatthemembershesitatetostatetheiropinions.Itis
bestthattheChairspeakonlywhenthefullmeaningofthemotionhasnotbeenbroughtoutby
discussion,orwhenthematterissoveryimportanttothewell-beingofthecountypartythateveryone
shouldknowwheretheChairstands.TheChair'sremarkswillbebetterreceivedfromthefloorrather
thanfromthechair.
i UsingAmendmentsorSubstituteMotions
Ifdebatebecomesextensiveorthedebateindicatesthemotionisunclear,anamendmentisofferedor
asubstitutemotionisinorder.Eithermaybepresentedatanytimeafteramotionhasbeenseconded
andbeforeavoteistaken.
Thepersonwishingtoproposeanamendmenttoamotionmustobtainrecognitionfromthefloorinthe
samemannerasthepersonwhoproposedtheoriginalmotion.Theamendmentmustalsobeseconded
beforeitcanbeconsidered.
Theamendmentmustbestatedclearlyanddirectedtoaspecificsectionorphrasewithintheoriginal
motion.Ordinarilyamendmentsaremadetoalteramotionslightlyorclarifylanguageinthemotion.
Noamendmentmaybeofferedwhichisdirectlycontrarytothemotion.Forexample,anamendment
negatingtheactionproposedinthemotionwouldbeoutoforder.Theamendmentmustalsobeclosely
relatedtothesubjectofthemotion.
Onceanamendmenthasbeenmovedandseconded,discussionthenfollowsontheamendment.When
thequestioniscalled,thegroupmustconsenttobringthemotiontoavote. Thegroupwillthenvote
firstontheamendmentandthenonthemainmotion.
Whenthevotingbegins,theChairstatesfirst:"Allthoseinfavoroftheamendmentwhich...pleasesay
'Aye'."Iftheamendmentisdefeated,anotheramendmentisinorder.Iftheamendmentpassesthe
chairproceedstoavoteonthemotion.
Asubstitutemotioncanreplacetheoriginalmotionandincludechangesorsuggestionsbroughtoutin
discussionorofferedbyamendments.Itkeepstheactionsimpleandstraightforward.Discussionand
votingtakeplaceonthesubstitutemotion.However,ittoocanbeamendedjustasifitwereanoriginal
motion.
i UsinganAmendmenttoanAmendmentorSubstituteMotion
Justasitispossibletochangeamotion,soitisalsopossibletochangeanamendment.Acommittee
membermaynotbesatisfiedwiththeamendmentandwillattempttoimproveitbymovingan
"amendmenttotheamendment."
Itisimportanttonotethatwhiletherecanbeanamendmenttoanamendment,therecannotbetwo
separateamendmentstoamotionbeforethemeetingatthesametime.Infact,itwouldprobablyhelp
inmostsituationsifasubstitutemotionwereofferedwhenanamendmentisbeingofferedtoan
amendment.
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Anamendmenttoanamendmentismadeinthesamewayasanamendmenttoamotion.Itrequiresa
second.Afterbeingseconded,discussionmusttakeplaceontheamendmenttotheamendment.The
Chaircansometimesaskthepersonwhoproposedtheoriginalmotionandhissecondwhetherthey
wouldbewillingtoaccepttheamendmentaspartoftheoriginalmotion.Iftheyagreeandnoother
committeememberobjects,thiscanbedone,thussavingtimeandenergy.
Otherwise,theamendmenttotheamendment,theamendmentandthemotionmustbedebatedand
voteduponstepbystepinthatorder.TheChairmustcarrythrougheachstepuntilthemainmotionhas
beenvotedon.Afavorablevoteonanamendmentoranamendmenttotheamendmentdoesnotcarry
themainmotionwithit.Committeemembersmayfavoranamendmentastheleastobjectionable
choiceandstillopposetheideaembodiedinthemainmotion.
i Voting
Whenitappearsthatdiscussionisfinishedonthemotionorproposedamendments,theChairasks:"Are
youreadyforthequestion?"andifnoonedesirestospeak,thevoteistaken.TheChairmustusecare,
however,toavoidcuttingoffdebate.Asnotedearlier,anyparticipantinthemeetingmay“callthe
(previous)question”-aprocedureforclosingdebateandmovingtothevote- butthishastobe
seconded,votedonimmediately,andapprovedbya2/3majorityofthevotingmembersofthe
committee. Debateremainsopenifmembersdesiretocontinue.
WhenthemembershipisreadytovotetheChair,orsecretary,readsthemotionagain.Forasimple
voicevote,theChairthensays:"Allthoseinfavorofthismotionsay'aye'...thoseopposed,'no.'Ifthe
responseisfavorable,theChairthensays:"Theayeshaveitanditissoordered."TheChairshould
alwaysbesuretocallforthe"nays"aswellasthe"ayes"evenifthereseemstobeaunanimousvotein
favor.
i ShowofHands
WhenthereisanydoubtonthepartoftheChairorthecommitteemembersabouttheoutcomeofthe
voicevote,thechairshouldaskforavotebyshowofhandsorastandinapproval.Infact,itisstrongly
recommendedthatashowofhandsbeusedasthecommonmeasure,sincethiswillgiveaclear-cut
divisionofthecommitteemembersonallissues.
Acommitteemembermaycallforavotebyashowofhandsbysimplycallingouttheword"division"
fromhisorherseat.TheChairmustgrantthisrequestatalltimes.Ifthegroupislarge,theChairmay
appoint,orhaveavailable,acommitteeoftellerswhowillcounthandsfororagainstthemotion.
Otherwise,theSecretaryandtheChairdothecounting.Theactualcountshouldbemadeunlessthe
resultissoobviousastobewithoutquestion.
i VotingbyBallot
NosecretballotsshallbeusedbyelectedrepresentativesatanyconventionorCentralCommittee
meeting.Ballotsmustcontainsignaturesofpersoncastingballot.Ballotscastmustbestoredbythe
countypartyforaperiodofnolessthanoneyear.
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RelatedProcedures
i PointofInformation
Whenacommitteememberfeelsthatmoreinformationisneededaboutthemeaningofamotionorits
effectonthecountyparty,thecommitteemembermaydirectaninquirytotheChairbysimplysaying:
"PointofInformation."
TheChairshouldrecognizethequestionereventhoughanotherpersononthefloorisinterrupted.
Thereisalwaysthepossibilitythatcommitteememberswillaskfrivolousquestionsorquestionsthat
conveyopinions.TheChairmustbeonguardagainstabusesofthissort.
Sometimesthequestionerdesiresinformationfromanothercommitteemember.Whenthishappens,
theChairshouldaskthepersonholdingthefloorwhetherthatpersonwillyieldforthatpurpose.The
speakercannotbeforcedtoyield.Moreover,evenifthespeakeryields,thequestionermustaddress
thepointofinformationthroughtheChairandtheanswermustbemadetotheChair.Committee
membersshouldnotaddressoneanotherduringthemeeting.
i ParliamentaryInquiry
Whenthespecificinformationthatacommitteememberisseekinghasreferencetoparliamentary
rules,thisisa"parliamentaryinquiry."
Acommitteemembermaywanttoknowifacertainmotionisinorder.TheChair'sanswertosucha
questionisnotadecisionthatcanbeappealed.OnlyadecisionthattheChairmakesafterthemotion
hasbeenbroughtupwouldbesubjecttoappeal.
i QuestionofPrivilege
AquestionofprivilegemaybeusedbyacommitteemembertocalltheattentionoftheChairto
somethingthataffectsthewell-beingofthecommitteemembersinthemeeting.Thequestionermay
asktohavethewindowsraisedorlowered.Thespeakermaybeaskedtospeaklouder.Questionsof
privilegearedecidedbytheChair,subjecttoappeal.
Ifthequestionconcernsthewelfareofonepersoninthegroup,itisaquestionofpersonalprivilege.
Thesespecialprivilegesarerightsofallcommitteemembersbuttheyshouldnotbeusedasapretextto
disruptameeting.Again,commonsenseanddecencymustrule.
Theformforsuchamotionis"Mr.Chair,Irisetoaquestionofprivilege."TheChairsays:"Stateyour
question.""Maywepleaseopenthewindowtoclearthesmoke?"TheChairmayanswer:"Your
privilegeisgranted..."
Ifitistoproposeamotionthatcannotwait,theformis"Mr.Chair,asaquestionofprivilege,Imove
thatallnon-votingcommitteemembersbeaskedtoleavetheroomwhilewe..."TheChairmaygrant
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theprivilege.Themotionproposedisthenhandledlikeanyordinarymotionbeforepickingupwhere
themeetingwasinterrupted.
i ToObjecttotheConsiderationofaQuestion
Whenamotionismadewhichwillleadtodiscussionofamatterthatwillcausehardfeelingsorfriction,
acommitteemembermayriseimmediatelytopreventdiscussion.Anycommitteemembermayriseand
say,"Mr.Chair,Iobjecttoconsiderationofthisquestion."TheChairwillreply:"Therehasbeenan
objectiontotheconsiderationofthisquestion.Thoseinfavorofconsideringthequestion,say,'Aye.'
Thoseopposed,'No."
Thereisnodiscussion.Itisputtoavoteimmediately.Iftwo-thirdsofthecommitteemembersvote
againstconsideringthequestionthenitcannotbebroughtupagainduringthatmeeting.Themotion
shouldbeusedonlyinexceptionalcases.
i WithdrawingaMotion
ThemakerofamotionmaydecidetowithdrawthemotionandaskspermissionoftheChairto
withdrawthemotion.TheChairputsthequestionbeforethecommitteemembers:"Ifthereisno
objection,themotionwillbewithdrawn."Ifthereisanobjection,thequestionofwithdrawalmustbe
puttoavote.Itrequiresnosecond. Itcannotbedebated.Itthentakesasimplemajoritytobe
withdrawn.
i TablingaMotion
Amotiontotablepostponesordelaysactionbyabody.Acommitteemayseemunabletoreacha
conclusion,orperhapsitappearsmorestudyshouldbegiventoamotionbeforedebatecontinues.In
suchcases,acommitteemembermovesto"TabletheMotion."Suchamotioncannotbedebatedand
requiresonlyamajorityvote.
Themakerofthemotiontotablecannotdosowhilespeakingonamotionbeingdiscussedorifhe/she
haspreviouslyspokenonthemotionandthereareotherswhostilldesiretospeak.
Whenamotiontotableisseconded,theChairmustimmediatelyputthequestionoftablingtoavote.
Amotiontotablecannothaveatimelimit.Amotiontotableuntilthenextmeetingisamotionto
postpone.Amotiontopostponeisadebatablemotion.
Despitethefactthatmostofthetimeamotiontotableismadewiththeintenttokillamotionwithout
hearingfulldebate,amotionthathasbeentabledcanbe"removedfromthetable."Thisactionto
restorediscussioncanberequestedassoonassomeotherbusinesshasbeentransacted,ornotlater
thanthesecondmeeting.
Thus,acommitteemembermayrisetoberecognizedandmovethatthematterbe"removedfromthe
table."Again,thematterisdecidedwithoutdebateandbymajorityvote.
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Killinganactionbya"MotiontoTable"canbeoverdone.Majorityruleshouldbeabletoclosedebatein
theregularmannerandthendefeatthemotion.
i LimitorExtendDebate
TheCommitteemaylimitdebatebysettingatimelimitforeachspeakeronthesamemotion,bysetting
atimeforcallingthequestiontoavote,byprescribingthenumberofspeechesproandcon,orby
allottingaspecificamountoftimeforeachsideofaquestion.
Motionstolimitdiscussionaremadeintheusualmannerandrequireasecond.Theycanbeamendedif
thepurposeofamotiontolimitdiscussionistoestablishgeneralruleslimitingtalkingonallquestions
beforethecommittee.Suchamotionisdebatable.Iftheyapplyonlytoamotionbeingdiscussedonthe
floor,theyarenotdebatable.Rulesofparliamentarylawprescribeatwo-thirdsmajoritytodecideupon
thelimitation.
Itiscommonproceduretolimitthelengthoftimethatanyonespeakermaytalkandtorulethatnoone
mayspeaktwiceonthesamemotionifanotherpersoniswaitingtospeak.
Ifitisfeltthatdiscussionshouldbeextendedafterithasbeenlimited,amotiontoextenddebateisin
order.Thismotionmusthaveasecond.Itisnotdebatableand,again,amajorityvoteforadecisionis
commonlyaccepted.
i ModifyingtheApprovedAgendaduringtheMeeting
Occasionallysomethingariseswhichrequiresachangeintheorderofbusinessduringthemeeting.
Theremaybeadeadlineonanimportantquestion.Theremaybeaquestionthatrequiresmoretimefor
debate,oravisitingspeakermaywanttocomeandgoasearlyaspossible.Fortheseorotheroccasions,
theChaircanrequestamotionto"AmendtheAgenda."
Thismotioncanbeofferedbyacommitteememberrisingandsaying:"Mr.Chair,since...Imovethat
weamendtheagendaandconsiderthequestionof...nowratherthanwaitfornewbusiness."This
motionrequiresasecond.Itcannotbedebated.Itneedsatwo-thirdsvotetopass.
i PointofOrder
EventhebestChairmaymissaviolationofrulesormakearulingthatisfelttobewrong.Acommittee
membermaycallfora"PointofOrder"ifsituationslikethesedevelop:
1.Whendiscussionseemstobewanderingawayfromthepointofthemotionorits
amendments,acommitteemembermayrisetoapointofordertoforcetheChairtobringthe
discussionbacktothesubject.
2.Whentheby-lawsoftheCountyParty,theStateParty,ortheNationalPartyarebeing
broken,acommitteemembermayrisetocalltheChair'sattentiontothisviolation.
3.WhentheChairpermitsacommitteemembertodiscussa"privileged"motion,thediscussion
shouldbehaltedsincesuchamotionisundebatable.
32
ThecommitteememberwishingtocalltheChair'sattentiontoanoversightormisrulesimplystands
andcallsout:"Mr.Chair,Irisetoapointoforder."Thecommitteemembermaydothiseventhough
anotherpersonwhohasthefloorisbeinginterrupted.TheChairmustrecognizethisrequest.".
,
whatisyourpointoforder?"
Thecommitteememberstateshis/her"pointoforder"andtheChairthenrulesonit.TheChairmaysay
thatthispointoforderiswelltaken;orthatitisnotwelltaken.
Naturally,therearepersonswhomakenuisancesofthemselvesbycallingfor"pointoforder."Inthe
caseofminorinfractionsoftherules,itwouldseembesttolettheChaircarryonwithoutinterruptions
fromthefloor.Apointofordershouldnotbeusedas:anexcusetoslowdownameeting,aconvenient
waytointerruptaspeaker,anexcusetomakeaspeech,anexcusetocriticizetheChair.
i EndoftheMeeting
Amotiontoadjournisrequiredtoendameeting.Itisparticularly"inorder"whenthereisnofurther
businesstocomebeforethemeeting.TheChaircanindicatewhenitisbesttoentertainsuchamotion.
However,themotiontoadjournthemeetingcanbemadeatanytimeexceptduringavoteorwhen
someonehasthefloor.ThepersonthatstatesthemotionmustfirstberecognizedbytheChair.The
motiontoadjournrequiresasecondanditisnotdebatable.Ittakesonlyamajoritytocarry.
Whenthemotionismadebeforethe"planned"endofthemeeting,theChairshouldpointoutthat
thereareitemslefttobeaddressedontheagenda.Themotioncanbewithdrawn.
Ifthemotiontoadjournsucceeds,anyquestionstoppedbysuchactionmaybebroughtupatthenext
meetingasoldbusiness.Ifthemotionfailed,anothermotiontoadjournisnotinorderuntilthe
committeehasacteduponsomeothermotionorreport.
Additionalparliamentaryprocedurescanbefoundinbooks,pamphletsandontheinternet. Itwould
beusefulforeachcountycentralcommitteetohavethelatesteditionforuseofthechairorother
membersofthecommittee. TheGuidetoCountyConventionsusuallyincludesaconciseversionof
motionsandresponses.
Chapter5: WorkingwithVolunteers
Volunteersarethebackboneofanycampaignorpartyactivity.Inorderto
havethemostproductivevolunteerrecruitmentandschedulingoperation
possible,anorganizationshouldmaintainandcontinuouslybuildalistof
activists. Buildingavolunteerlistrequirespersistence.Volunteerwork
shouldbeinterestingenoughtoenticethevolunteertoreturn,socialenough
33
togeneratenewfriendships,andpurposefulenoughtoaccomplishthetasks
thatneedattention.
Recruiting Volunteers
Acountypartywillbeabletoreachonlysomanypeoplebyitselfwhenbuildingalistandrecruiting
volunteers.Belowisalistofotherplacesapartymayrecruitvolunteers:
Friends/RelativesofCountyActivists
BusinessandSocialAcquaintances
LaborUnionMembership
AttendeesatCampaignFunctions
CollegeandUniversitystaffandstudents
Highschoolstudents
Retirees
OnlineGroups
ThefirstpriorityistofilltheseatsontheCountyCentralCommittee. Thereareusuallytwopeopleper
precinctunlesstheCountyDemocraticPartyCentralCommitteehasaConstitutionorBylawsdocument
withadefinedprocessforproportionallydistributingthecommitteemembershipaccordingto(and
allowedby)theIDPConstitution. Inanycase,noprecinctshouldhavefewerthantwomembers.
ThosetwomembersareoftenconsideredtobethePrecinctCaptainorCaucusChair(twotermsforthe
samething)andSecretaryduringtheprecinctcaucuses.Eveniftheydonotruntobeelectedtothose
rolesduringtheirprecinctcaucus, theirroleontheCountyCentralCommitteeshouldincludehelping
theCountyChairtodeterminethebestplacetoholdthecaucusintheirprecinct…andtorecruit
someonetorunthecaucusiftheyarenotplanningtodoitthemselves.
CentralCommitteeMembersareelectedtothoserolesattheprecinctcaucuses. Caucuschairsare
electedasoneofthefirstthingsontheagendaandCentralCommitteemembersareelectedlaterinthe
agenda. Thereisnoreasonthoserolescouldnotbefilledbythesamepeople.
CentralCommitteemembersrepresenttheirprecinctsonthecommitteeandhavearesponsibilityto
encouragevolunteerstobecomeactiveintheDemocraticParty,whetherforanevent,arallyfora
cause,oracampaign.Whenvolunteersaregatheringtoplananevent,everyoneshouldbeencouraged
tobringoneortwofriends.Aftertheevent,itishelpfuliftheytalktothenewpeoplewhoattendedto
seeiftheywouldliketovolunteeragaininthefutureandgetcontactinformationtosharewiththe
Committee.
Thereisalwayssomethingtodoanditishelpfultodevelopalistofactivevolunteersandwhattheylike
todo.Keepyourvolunteersactiveandengagedandaskwhentheycancometovolunteeragain.
34
Youmayfindthatsomepeoplearenotonlyverygoodatagiventask,theyenjoythattask.Theseare
thepeoplethatyouwanttoplaceinpositionsofauthorityforthosetasks.
Highschoolstudentsareofteninterestedinpoliticalactivity,particularlyinpresidentialyears. They
shouldbeencouragedtoformtheirowngroupandconnectwiththelocalparty.Somehighschoolsocial
studiescurricularequirestudentstologservicehoursasaclassorserviceactivity.Visitwithhighschool
teacherstodetermineifthisisthecase. Thestudentsappreciatehavingwell-definedtasksthatare
valued. ThisisthefutureofthePartyandthesestudentsmaywellbealegislativecandidateinthe
future. Helpthemtofeedtheirinterestinissuesandlearnhowthepoliticalprocessworks. Givethem
anopportunitytoexperienceseveraldifferenttypesofvolunteerwork.
ManyofthecollegesinIowahavechaptersofDemocratswhoareeagertogivetimetocampaignsin
particular. Theyareagreatsourceofhelpforcanvassingandbringtheirspiritandenergytomany
undertakings.MakecontactwithyourCampusDemocratsChairandinvitethemtoeventsandmeetings
astheyoccur.IfyourlocalcollegedoesnothaveaCampusDemocratsOrganization,butthereis
interestpleasecontactthePresidentoftheCollegeandYoungDemocratsofIowa,AustinWadleat
(786)[email protected].
Retiredpersonssometimeshavemorefreetimetohelpwithactivitiesduringtheday.Retireesare
valuableworkersandtheirorganizationalskills,communityknowledge,andvariedexperiencesadd
depthtothecoreofvolunteers. LocalUnionorganizationsoftenkeepadatabaseoftheirretired
members.
Working with Volunteers
VolunteersarethekeytosuccessintheDemocraticParty.
Duringanelectioncycle,theneedforvolunteerhelpbecomesmoreurgent,andvolunteersneedtobe
motivatedtobecomeinvolvedwithacampaignorcause.Belowareideastohelpretainvolunteers.
• Bringapositiveattitudetoallvolunteeractivities. Makethetaskfunwhenyoucan.Havea
planandimplementit.
•Alwaysasksomeonetovolunteerforaspecifictask.
•Recruitatleasttwicethenumberofvolunteersneededtoaccountforvolunteerflakerate.
•Peoplearemorewillingtovolunteerwhentheyfeelneededandrespected.
•Vieweveryvolunteerasapotentialvolunteerrecruiter.
•Makeremindercallsthedaybeforevolunteersarescheduledforanevent.
• Alwaysbepreparedforvolunteers,whethertheyhavebeenscheduledornot. Nevertella
willingvolunteerthereisnoworktobedone.
•Createateamatmosphere.
•Besuretoremembertothankeveryvolunteerforhisorherefforts. Usetheirnames.
•Alwaysaskeachvolunteertocommittoafutureshiftwhentheycompletetheday’sactivity.
35
•Bepreparedtotrainyourvolunteerseachtimetheybeginatask…DOthetrainingifyou
sensetheyneedit.
• Leadbyexample.Peoplearemuchmoreinclinedtovolunteerwhentheyseeleadershipis
willingtocompletethetasks,too.
i VolunteerCoordinator
Avolunteercoordinatorshouldbeacountychair’sfirstandmostseriouslyconsideredappointment.A
volunteercoordinatorneedstobeorganized,reliableandextremelypersonable.
i VolunteerActivities
Someexamplesoftasksthatvolunteerscanhelpthecommitteemembersdo:
Canvassing
PhoneBankingforCandidates
RecruitingadditionalVolunteers
DistributingYardSigns
StaffingtheOffice
PreparingMailings
CollectingVote-By-MailRequestsfromDemocraticsupporters
Chasingballotsduringthe40DayGet-Out-The-Voteperiod
Get-Out-The-VoteactivitiesbeforeElectionDay
Organizingacrowdforanappearancebyacandidate
Organizingafundraiserforacandidateorthelocalparty
CountyFairBoothandFestivalstaffingandorganization,andparades
Thevolunteercoordinatorshouldkeepacalendarofeventsasup-to-dateaspossible.Thereshould
alwaysbeanactivityontapforthoseinterestedinvolunteering.
VolunteerRetention
Itisimportanttorememberthatvolunteersareunpaidandaregivinguptheirfreetimetoassistthe
effortsoftheDemocraticParty.Volunteersshouldalwaysbetreatedwithrespectandgratitude.In
additiontomakingsurethatyourecognizetheirefforts,besuretoinvitecandidatesandelected
officialsintotheofficetospeaktothevolunteers.
FEEDthem. Makesurethatthereisalwayssomethingtoeatanddrinkaroundtheoffice.
Chapter6:GettingOutaStrongDemocraticMessage
ThoughtheDemocraticPartycastsawidenet,thebasicmessageofthe
modernDemocratfocusesonfreedomandequality.ThePartymessage
advocatessocialandeconomicjustice,environmentalprotectionand
36
sustainabilityoftheplanet,civilrights,education,healthcare,andprotection
fromharm.
TheDemocrats’Message
WhenDemocratstalkaboutourissueswithvoters,ourcandidateswin. TheCountyPartyorganization
iscentraltobringingthePartymessagetovotersandshouldcoordinatethatmessagingwiththeIowa
DemocraticPartyCommunicationsDepartment.AfirststepistomakesurethatallCountyCentral
CommitteemembersarereceivingtheemailnewslettersfromtheIDP. ContacttheIowaDemocratic
Partyat(515)[email protected].
TheIowaDemocraticPartyreliesonlocaleyesandearstokeepallDemocratsinformedoftheIowa
Republicans’activitiesandstatements.Equallyimportantistheneedforcountypartyactiviststospeak
upfortheirDemocraticelectedofficialsandcandidatesinavarietyofvenuesandthroughavarietyof
media.
StrategiesandTools
Person-to-Person
ThisisthemosteffectivewaytospreadtheDemocrat’smessage.
Letters-to-the-Editor
LetterstotheEditor(LTEs)arevitalforcommunicatingmessagestoabroadaudience.Theopinionpage
isthemostwidelyreadpageofanewspaper.Thisisagreatwayforcountyactiviststotaketheleadon
issues.
BuildalistofLTEvolunteers. TheIDPemailsprovidemessagepointsandup-to-dateinformationon
currentissuesthatcanbeusedasthebasisforeffectiveletters.
Thelettersshouldbewrittenandsubmittedwithsufficienttimeallottedfortimelypublication. Other
tipsaboutletterwritingincludethefollowing:
•Bebrief!Mostpapershavealengthrequirement.
•Avoidpoliticalorpolicyjargon.Writeletterstoasbroadanaudienceaspossible.
•Stay on message,butavoidpre-writtenletters.
LocalMediaRelationships
Itisimportanttodevelopapositiverelationshipwithlocalmediainyourcounty.Whenworkingwith
mediainyourarearememberthatreportersareneitherfriendsnorenemies.
PressReleases
37
Pressreleasesareanotherfreewaytoadvertiseeventsand/orinformvotersofupcomingcountyparty
events.Pressreleasesmaybesenttoalllocalnewspublications.Seetheexamplebelow.
NewsRelease
ForImmediateRelease Contact:(insertname)
(Date) Phone:555-555-5555
ChairwomanMcGuireCampaignsforJohnSmith
IowaDemocraticPartyChairwomanDr.AndyMcGuirecampaignedthisweekin
for
StateSenateCandidateJohnSmith(D-Oskaloosa).SmithisacandidateinSenateDistrict40.Duringthe
campaignstop,McGuireandSmithspokewithlocalresidentsaboutseveralissues,includingeducation,
healthcareandqualityjobcreation.“JohnSmithisalreadydoingagreatjoblisteningtolocalresidents,”
McGuiresaid.“He’sworkinghardtobecomeyournewsenator.”
TrackingRepublicans
TheIowaDemocraticPartymayrequestassistanceintrackingRepublicancandidatesandelected
officialsateventsinyourcounty. Ifyouarecontacted,pleaseattendtheeventsandprovideanaccount
asrequested.
ElectronicMedia
CountypartiescantakeadvantageofseveralfreeandcosteffectiveInternettoolstopublicizeevents,
promotecandidatesandpushDemocratictalkingpoints.
• CountyPartyE-Newsletter—allowsthelocalpartytobuildanemaillistanddistributenews
itemsandnoticesfreeofcharge
•CountyPartyWebsite—servesasalandingpageforthelatestnewsandevents
•Facebook–Countypartiesshouldsetupapagefortheircountyorganizations.
•Twitter–canbeusedtohighlightnewsworthyitemsandevents.
Eachcountypartyshouldalsocreatealistservwithemailaddressesofallthosewhowouldliketo
receiveupdatesfromtheorganization.Inordertocreatethemosteffectivelistpossible,groupsshould
onlyuseemailaddressesofthosepeoplewhohavespecificallyrequestedtoreceiveemailfromthe
organization.
Chapter7:CountyPartyFundraising
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Fundraisingisagroupactivityandinvolvespartymemberswhodonatetheir
time,talent,andtreasuretofurtherthegoalsoftheDemocraticParty.
Fundraisinginacountyisprimarilyforthepurposeofpartyoperation,i.e.expensessuchas
rent,postageandutilitiesthatareincurredbythecounty. However,manycountiesalsoraise
fundsforcandidatesforcountyandstateoffices.
Build a Basic Budget
TheFinanceCommitteeoftheCentralCommitteecanbeginasimplebudgetingprocessbylisting
expensesandincome.IfthecountydoesnothavearegularFinanceCommittee,useacommittee
approachledbythecountychairorTreasurer.
Startwithalistofpaymentsmadeforthelasttwotofouryears. Notethereasonforthepaymentand
theamountandthedate. Averagingthesecostsacrosstheyearswillprovideaguideforfuture
expenses. ConsideradditionalexpensesrelatedtonewgoalsoftheCountyPartythatarenotincluded
inthehistoricalfigures.
Expensesmightincluderentalofbuildingsorspaces,publicity,mailings,foodforfundraisersor
meetings,utilitiesforcountypartyphonelineandotherofficeexpenses.
Next,listdonations. Notewhenthedonationswerereceivedandwhateventpromptedthem.Income
sourcesincludeanymajorannualfundraisersandothereventssuchasrummagesales,collections
duringmeetings,ormailcampaigns.
Iftheaverageexpensesexceedtheaveragedonations,theorganizationwillneedtofindwaystoreduce
theexpensesorincreasedonations.
WhentheFinanceCommitteehasagreedonabudgetplan,presentittothewholeCentralCommittee
forfurtherideasandmodifications. TheentireCentralCommitteeshouldvoteonthebudget.
Strategies for Fundraising
x
PersonalSolicitationandMailSolicitation
PersonalSolicitation
- Solicitationforcontributionsonaone-to-onebasisbythechairorbymembersofthefinance
committee.
- Oftenthebestwaytoraisethemostmoney.
- Askforaspecificamount
- Graciouslyacceptwhattheyagreetodonate
- Bespecificabouthowthemoneywillbeused
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DirectMailSolicitation
- Directmailsolicitationscanbeeffectiveinfundingthecountyparty,butrequirepersonal
follow-up.
- Ifyoudonothavealistoflikelydonors,onemaybedevelopedfrominformationinVoteBuilder.
- AskforassistancefromtheIowaDemocraticPartyFinanceDirector,ErikaBartlett,at(515)244-
[email protected].
- Callthelistyoumail.
- Personalizetheletter. Handwriteasmallnote.
- Iftheletterisgoingtoarepeatdonor,leadwiththankingthemagainfortheirprevious
donation.
- Enclosuresmightinclude:
o Areplyenvelope
o Areplycard–goodforcapturinganemailaddress
o Noticeofanupcomingevent
Reminders
•Usecountypartyletterheadwithmatchingenvelopesthathavebeenprintedataunionshopand
displaytheunionbug.Ifyoudonothaveprintedletterheadsforyourcounty,designyourownbut
includeadisclaimerstatingthattheletterwasprintedin-house.
•Alwaysfollowamailingwithphonecalls.Allletterrecipientsshouldbecalledwithinaweekafter
theyreceivetheletter.Thiscanincreasetheresponserateby10%to20%.
•Somethingtoconsider.Amailinglistshouldnotbestatic. Useeveryopportunitytoaddtothelistfor
futurefundraisingcampaigns.
Finance Club Memberships
FinanceclubmembershipsforthelocalpartyareeffectiveinraisingfundsfortheCountyParty. This
slightlyspecializedmailcampaignoftenincludesticketstoanannualeventforadonationthatishigher
thantheticketprice. Feesvary,butmostareinthe$50-$500range.
Events
-Maybeticketedoropen
- Majorconsiderations: Date,time,place,decorations,entertainment,refreshments,
speakers,targetedaudience,advertisement,hosts/sponsors,costofeventvs.ticket
price
-Alwayshaveasign-inorregistrationtabletocollectphoneandemailinformationandto
havealistofattendeesforfutureuse.
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Additional notes
1.Plantoinvitetwiceasmanypeopleasyouwouldliketoattendtheevent.
Sendwritteninvitations
Follow-upbyphone
Forlargerevents,youmaywanttosenda"SavetheDate"noticetoyourkeyactivistsandelected
officialsinadvanceoftheinvitation.EmailworkswellforSavetheDatenotices.
2.Publicizetheevent
Sendpressreleasestolocalmedia.Makesuretheannouncementincludesthedate,timeand
locationoftheevent,yourcountypartyname,thetypeofevent,theticketpriceandany
plannedentertainmentorguestspeakers.
Invitelocalmediatoattendtheevent.Whenyousettheeventdate,checkwiththeCentral
Committee,thecourthouse,congressionalcandidates,andthelocalnewspapertomakesure
youarenotconflictingwithanyotherfundraisersorevents.Remembertonotifyallelected
officialsandguestspeakersthatpresshasbeeninvitedtoattend.
Makeannouncementsoftheevent.Announcetheeventatunionhalls,atcommunityfunctions,
etc.
OtherEvents
•TriviaGames
Triviagamesarebecomingincreasinglypopularasfundraisers.Chargeanominalfeeforatableor
chargeindividually(Suggestedfeeis$10).Askparticipantstogatheratableof6-8playersand
encouragepeopletoregisterevenascouples.Theycanjoininwithanotherteam.Generally,people
bringfoodfortheirowntable,butthecountyorganizationmaywanttoprovidebeveragesandsetouta
“tip”jarorpassthehattohelpdefraythebeverageandanyothercosts.
ThepersonwhoiswillingtoserveasQuizmastercandownloadtriviaquestionsfrommanysourceson
theInternet.Sevenroundsof10questionsusuallyareenoughforanevening.Inadditiontothe
Quizmaster,arecorderandsomeonetohelpcollectanswersheetswillbeneeded.
•BakeSales
Bakesalescanbegoodfund-raisersifyouhaveenoughpeopledonatingitems,apersoninchargewhois
willingtocoordinatetheevent,andaprimelocationtosetupthesalesite.Findingakeysalesiteis
crucialtothesuccessofthistypeoffundraiser.Somegoodlocationstoconsiderarethelocal
supermarket,themallorshoppingcenter,theTownSquareoranyschoolsportingorsocialevent.Food
lawsarebecomingstricter,fewerpeoplehavetimetoprepareuniquebakedgoods,anditisdifficultto
findalocation;thustheseeventsarenotascommonastheyoncewere.
•Receptions/Rallies
Theprimarygoalwhenholdingareception/rallyistoattractalargecrowd.Besurethepurposeofthe
reception/rally,fundraising for the county party,isunderstood.Trytokeepthecostoftheeventlow,
around$10perperson,andconsideraspecialrateforseniorsandstudentswhoareoflegalage.Keep
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theoverheadlowbysettingupacashbarorprovidingfreebeer(donatedbeerwouldbebest)and
limitingfoodtolightsnacks(chips,popcorn,pretzels,etc.).Selectalocalfavoriteofficialortryto
scheduleastatewideelectedofficialastheguestspeakerandincludemusicalentertainment.Passthe
hatforadditionaldonationsaftertheprogram.
•Auctions
Auctionsaregoodmoneymakersifyouusedonateditemsandareabletogetagoodauctioneer.Many
communitieshavelocalauctioneersthatprovideagreatdealofentertainment.Dependingonhowwell
theeventismarketed,communitymembersotherthanpartyregularsmayattend.Auctionstakealotof
timetoorganizeandmightworkbestwhentheyarepartofanotherplannedevent.
•Rummage/GarageSales
Rummage/garagesalescanbecomeanannualeventthatraisesmoneyforthepartywithlittleoutside
investment.AppointacommitteeofinterestedpeopletocallthroughalistofDemocratsandalistof
friendsortheCentralCommittee(independentsandfriendlyRepublicans).Askeachpersontocollectas
manyitemsforthegaragesaleaspossibleandsetadatewhentheitemswillbepickedup.This
committeeshouldalsobeinchargeoffindingalocation,organizingtheitempick-upday,publicizingthe
event,markingthecollecteditemsandcarryingoutthesaleonthedayoftheevent.Anyleftoveritems
shouldeitherbestoredforanothersaleorgiventoanorganizationliketheD.A.V.
•InKindGifts
Alwaysbeonthelookoutforpeopleandorganizationsthatcandonateservices,equipment,facilities,
andspecialtalents.PleaseensureproperreportingwiththeIowaEthicsandCampaignDisclosureBoard
forallInKinddonations.
Thank You Letters
AnyonewhodonatesanythingtotheParty,hostsanevent,orvolunteersshouldreceiveathankyou
withinaweekaftertheyhavemadethecontribution.Iftimepermits,itisnicetosendpersonalized
lettersorpostcards,signedbythecountychair.
Chapter8:CountyPartyBuilding
BuildingtheDemocraticPartyisthepoint.Everyactionwetakeshouldbe
focusedonpromotingDemocraticprinciplesacrossthestateofIowaand
electingqualifiedanddedicatedcandidatesatalllevelsofgovernment.
PrecinctTeamBuilding
ThesmallestgeographicsubdivisioninIowa'spoliticalstructureistheprecinct.Thekeytothe
DemocraticParty'ssuccessinIowaistheabilitytoorganizeatthegrassrootslevel.Organization
atthegrassrootslevelbeginsinIowawhenthousandsofpeopleattendtheirprecinctcaucuses
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eachyear. Thepeoplewhoattendtheirprecinctcaucusarethemostlikelypeopletocallonfor
assistanceinpromotingDemocraticprinciplesandworkingtoelectqualifiedanddedicated
candidatesbeginningwiththeirrepresentativesontheCountyCentralCommitteeand
continuingthroughlocal,stateandnationalcampaignstothePresidentialNomineeoftheParty.
PrecinctCaptainorCentralCommitteeMemberarebothtitlesthatCOULDdescribethepersonwhois
electedduringanevenyearprecinctcaucustorepresentthatprecinctontheCountyCentral
Committee.Twopeopleareusuallyelectedfromeachprecinct(otherpeoplemightbeelectedbasedon
aweightedandproportionalmethodoutlinedintheIowaDemocraticParty’sConstitution)torepresent
thatprecinctonthecentralcommitteeandoftenserveasthetemporarycaucuschairandsecretaryfor
thenextcaucus.
KeepingalistofthepeoplewhoattendedthelastcaucusisagoodwaytobuildthePartyfromthe
groundup. PrecinctCommitteepeopleshouldkeepintouchwiththosecaucusattendeesand
determinewhichofthemwouldliketobecontactedwheneventsoccurinthecountyorwouldliketo
volunteerinthefuturetoelectDemocratsinlocal,state,andnationalelections.
Goodprecinctvolunteershelporganizeandfillupevents,doquicktasksoncall,anddothegrassroots
workforelections.
IfyourCountyCentralCommitteeismissingrepresentativesfromsomeprecincts,youshouldworkto
findvolunteerstofillthoseseatsbeforeworkingtofurtherorganizethoseprecincts. Youcangetalist
ofactiveDemocratsinanygivenprecinctfromVoteBuilder.Callthroughthelistandinvitepeopletoa
meetingoftheCentralCommitteeortoasmallgatheringwheretheycanlearnmoreabouttheroleand
thetimecommitmentandduties.TheCentralCommitteewillneedtoformallyelectanynewmembers.
ThiscanbedoneatanyCentralCommitteemeetingbutyouneedtoprovidenoticethattherewillbean
electionatthenextmeeting,usuallyatleast7daysinadvance,thoughyourcountycommittee’s
constitutionorbylawsshouldlisttherequirednoticeforyourcounty.
Thejobresponsibilitiesofaprecinctcaptainincludethefollowing:
x representtheDemocratsoftheirprecinctonthecountyCentralCommittee
x attendmeetingsofthecountyCentralCommittee
x attendotherfunctions,events,andmeetingsoftheDemocraticcountyparty
x maintainregularcontactwithDemocratsintheirprecincts
x helpthecountypartyconductprecinctcaucusesandcountyconventions
x assistthecountypartywithfundraisingefforts
x registernewDemocraticvoters
x assistthecountypartyinrecruitingvolunteersandnewcountypartyactivists
x participateintheIowaDemocraticParty'sVoteByMailProgram
x participateintheIowaDemocraticParty'sGet-Out-The-VoteProgramandotherelectionyear
activities
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x
x
x
x
x
x
neversupportacandidatewhoisrunningagainsttheDemocraticnomineeinapartisanelection
whileservingasaprecinctcommitteeperson
knowthegeographicboundariesanddemographicsoftheirprecincts
assistALLDemocraticcandidates(Pleasenotethatinaprimaryelection,assistancemustbe
providedtoallDemocraticcandidatesonanequalbasis)
representtheirPrecinctatspecialnominatingconventionsforballotvacanciesorspecial
electionballots
electcountyCentralCommitteeofficersandfillcountyCentralCommitteevacancies
performothertasksthatwillassistintheelectionofallDemocraticcandidates
Each County Central Committee has access to VoteBuilder. Keeping your list of potential
volunteers and donors in VoteBuilder rather than on pieces of paper or in some other program
on someone’s computer ensures that that information will still be available to the County Party
even if someone moves or is otherwise no longer able to participate with the Party. Naming a
Data Captain to do the data entry is a good idea. Have your data captain recordallinformationin
VoteBuilder. ForanoverviewofVoteBuilder,trainings,forgottenpasswords,pleasecontactIDPIT/Data
[email protected]
IfyouhavemaintainedyourlistofvolunteersinVoteBuilder,itiseasytodocallingforanevent
ortoprintlabelorevenpersonalizedletterstoyourdefinedlist. Itisalsoeasiertodetermine
whennewDemocraticvotersregisterinyourcounty. Invitingthosenewregistrantstoevents
helpstogrowtheDemocraticPartyinyourcounty.
Fortheinitialcallingactivity,itissometimesbeneficialtohaveascripttoensurethatyougiveallthe
necessaryinformation. Attheveryleast,haveachecklistinfrontofyouwhenyoucall.
Belowisanexampleofacallingscript.
Hi,isnameofpersonhome.ThisisBradwiththeDonkeyCountyDemocratsandIwanttothankyoufor
volunteeringduringthispastelectioncycle.Iwouldalsoliketoseeifyouwouldbeinterestedin
stayinginvolvedwiththeDonkeyCountyDemocrats. Wehaveanumberofjobsthatneedtobedone.
Areyouavailabletohelpwithanyofthese?
AttendingaCentralCommitteemeeting
Writingletterstotheeditor
Participatinginacommunityserviceactivity
Joininganoutreachcommittee
Updatingthevoterdatabasesystem(VoteBuilder)
Dependingontheanswer,givetheappropriateinformationsuchastimeandlocationoftheevent.
If,hesitantorrespondsas“I’mtooburnedoutfromthelastelection”
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Reply:“WejustwanttomakesuretokeepupdatedonwhattheDonkeyCountyDemocraticPartyis
doingtoinformvotersabouttheDemocraticmessageandtogetreadyforthenextelectioncycle.Ifyou
haveanyquestionspleasecall“countychairphonenumber”
BesuretorecordtheactivitythatthevolunteerwouldliketoparticipateinVoteBuilder.
OtherPartyBuildingActivities:
- ConductaPlatformIssueForum-Theobjectiveistoreachvoterswhosupportoneormoreof
thekeyplatformissuesoftheDemocraticPartyandencouragethemtobecomeactiveto
supportthatissue.
- Countypartycommunityserviceday-Thepurposeisforthelocalpartytogetinvolvedinthe
communitytoraisepublicawarenessofyourcountypartyandtopromoteDemocraticvalues.
Ideasforthisinclude:
o Blooddrive
o Candrive
o Adoptahighway
o Booksforat-riskkids
o Parkcleanup
o Foodbanks
- VoterRegistrationdrives-Inhightransientareasandcountiesthathavecollegecampuses,
registeringnewresidentsincreasesourvoteroutreach.Youshouldentereachnewregistrant
fortheDemocraticPartythatyousignupintoVoteBuilderandthengivethemavolunteer
recruitmentcall.
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