Annual Meeting – election of New PDS Officers

Why should you come to the Annual Meeting on Tuesday April 24? Two words: John Walsh! That’s right I am pleased and excited to announce that John Walsh, Campaign Manager of the Deval Patrick for Governor Campaign is coming to be our Key Note Speaker. You won’t want to miss this!

Phil Johnston stepped down from his position as the Chair of the State Party last month and on Saturday April 14, Mr. Walsh was unanimously elected as the new Chair of the State Democratic Party.

Yes, that is right. Not only is the visionary campaign architect for our current governor coming to a PDS meeting, but also the brand new Chair of the State Democratic Party. I’d say PDS has come a long way in proving itself to the establishment as a group that isn’t going away and we have more than earned the “Democrat” in our organization’s title.

Not only am I excited that he is coming……HE is Excited to Be Coming to meet with US! Let’s have a big crowd there for him. I am leaving lots of time open for you to ask him questions and tell him what you think the Democratic Party should do going forward.

We do have some other business to attend to at our meeting also. Namely the Election of Officers for our Steering Committee. All seats are open. We have some current Steering Committee members running for re-election and some who are not. I encourage you to get involved in shaping our future by running for any and every seat. Don’t hesitate because you are new or because you thing you haven’t been involved enough already. New voices are wha t keep us fresh and energized.

What do these positions entail? Below are some of the typical things they do. But you don’t have do to it all alone, other Steering Committee members will help you and you can convene a committee of other PDS members to help you facilitate any task. The Chair of PDS must be registered to vote as a Democrat in Somerville. Other Steering Committee members are expected to be registered to vote as a Democrat in Somerville with the exception of those who are ineligible to vote by virtue of Citizenship . Non Citizens who are residents of Somerville are eligible for all positions with the exception of Chair.

1) Chair

The Chair facilitates meetings, is the official spokesperson for the organization and represents PDS at community events. The Chair writes exciting letters to the membership like the one you are reading now :-) about upcoming meetings, events and issues of interest. The chair with the help of the Steering Committee sets the agenda for meetings.

2) Vice Chair

The Vice Chair works closely with the Chair and performs the duties of the Chair when the Chair is unable to. The Vice Chair is explicitly assigned the role of staying on top of committee work providing a more coordinated approach to committee work.

3) Secretary

The Secretary maintains accurate records of General and Steering Committee Meetings and for the organization

4) Treasurer

The Treasurer maintains accurate financial records for the organization including bank accounts, collecting and recording dues and paying any expenses.

5) Affirmative Action Coordinator

The Affirmative Action officer works to broaden and diversify the membership of PDS by engaging with and actively recruiting persons from the City’s distinct racial, ethnic and linguistic communities; and explores and promotes opportunities for PDS to support the efforts of diverse neighborhoods and organizations representing the diverse segments of the Somerville community in addressing their needs and advancing their respective agendas, so long as such support is consistent with the mission and platform of PDS.

6) Issues Co-Chairs (2)

The Issues Co-Chairs keeps the membership informed on current issues and political activity by email to the list and presentations at meetings. They engage the general public with letters to the editor and public issue forums.

7) Membership Co-Chairs (2)

The Membership Co-Chairs work to outreach to the community to recruit new members and actively involve new members in PDS activities and events. They maintain the membership of the listserv, member database and welcome new members to PDS

8) Endorsements Co-Chairs (2)

The Endorsement Co-Chairs work on the process of considering and making candidate endorsements. They determine the endorsement method, prepare and coordinate any endorsement questionnaires or events and once a candidate is endorsed keep the membership informed about campaign events and volunteer opportunities and encourage and organize membership participation.

For more details on The Steering Committee, Memberships and the Organization see our by-laws.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProgressiveDemocratsOfSomerville/files/Bylaws%20and%20Platform/

By Public Transportation take #88 and #90 buses from Davis Sq. on Highland Ave to Lowell St.