Announcement :CA For Democracy Steering Committee Elections

[Capn Sunshine]

California for Democracy will soon be holding elections for its Steering Committee, and we encourage you to participate. The process starts this month and ends in April. We will be electing all 9 members of the Steering Committee, so now is a great time to contribute your leadership to this vital organization.

Members of affiliated groups are all eligible to vote. To check if you are eligible or to join and immediately become eligible go to www.californiafordemocracy.com. The link to join is at the top of the website. The timeline below provides details.

The California for Democracy Steering Committee is responsible for setting the direction of the organization, coordinating communication among the affiliated member groups, organizing statewide events, and developing tools and services to empower and enable our member groups. The Steering Committee meets regularly on conference calls, and also conducts conference calls with liaisons from the affiliated groups. Members of the Steering Committee also participate in various subcommittees, such as Technology, Membership, Communication, Finances, Elections, etc. to keep the trains running on time. Members are also required to travel to in-person meetings at least oncer per year. Additional information on member’s duties and responsibilities are described in the by-laws, which are available on line at: http://www.californiafordemocracy.com/files/OrgStructure.pdf.

Please direct general inquires to: [e-mail]

Candidate Statements: Please include name, email, phone and affiliated group name and a statement of candidacy not to exceed 500 words. Please submit to: [e-mail]

IMPORTANT TIME LINE, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Saturday, March 18th - Announce the timeline for the elections

Saturday, March 18th , Declarations of candidacy open

Week of April 2nd – Announcement of elections and call for new CFD members at DFA-link meetings (the gatherings formerly known as Meetups)

Monday April 10th – Last day to declare your candidacy

Weds. April 12 – Last day to register as a member of CFD to be eligible to vote

Friday, April 14th – Voting Begins

Sunday, April 23rd – Voting Ends (10 days after voting begins)

Monday April 24th – Results of elections posted on CFD site and distributed via email

Weds April 26th – New Steering Committee members take office


We look forward to your participation!

California for Democracy Elections Committee
Carolyn Curtis, Mike Hickerson, Charlie Imes, Agi Kessler

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CALIFORNIA FOR DEMOCRACY MISSION STATEMENT

California for Democracy is an umbrella organization of local, regional, and affinity groups and individuals who are aligned with the broad purposes of Democracy for America. Our mission is to coordinate the interests and best practices of local member groups; motivate and inspire civic engagement; develop and provide shared tools to empower our membership; endorse and support progressive candidates and causes; recruit and train leaders & candidates; collaborate with other like minded organizations; and transform and revitalize Democratic party politics.


2005/2006 ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Campaigned for Howard Dean to become chair of the DNC

Joined forces with the Alliance for a Better California starting June 2005;

Aggressively sought volunteers to defeat Republican ballot propositions in Nov 2005

Partnered with Planned Parenthood to defeat Prop 73

Set up phone/email system for rapid response in summer 2005 to counteract

Republican signature gatherers for ballot propositions

Furnished statewide programs for meetup, including conference calls:
- Mainstreet Moms Operation Blue's Leave My Child Alone campaign
- Phil Giarrizo (Alliance) and Phil Angelides on defeating Arnold in Nov 2005
- Senator Debra Bowen on fair and secure elections

Set up statewide house parties for mid-October, for final push for special election

Ran statewide workshop/summit with Jim Dean, Zoe Lofgren, others, in San Jose, August 2005

Cosponsored several DFA/Latinos for Democracy trainings in the state

Authored and sent to member groups a resolution on the Iraq war

Pushed member clubs to join the state party, winter 2004-2005 (30% turnover in the state party in 2005)

Pushed member Democratic club members to join their local county Democratic central committees

We continue to:

Work with Democracy for America (national organization) to recommend candidates for the DFA-List (examples: Jerry McNerney, Debra Bowen, Donna Frye) and in other capacities

Maintain our informative website: events, advocacy items, links to member groups etc.

Send email alerts on important political activities and events across California

Partnered with Take Back Red California

Partnered with Mainstreet Moms Operation Blue