Our Vision
An open, inclusive organization of informed and motivated Democrats that works together to share ideas, win elections, and affect our community through the adoption of policies that reflect our principles and values.
Our Mission
- To serve as a forum for developing and distributing Democratic ideas and policies among a dedicated and activist membership.
- To build grassroots support for Democratic candidates and public officials who hold Democratic values and positions.
- To positively impact our community through programs and projects that inform and educate about Democratic issues and the political process.
- To support and influence the work of our local, state, and national Democratic party organizations, and to supplement that work when necessary.
Our Goals
The Metro Democratic Club will work to:- Develop programs and projects that inform and educate members and the general public about Democratic values, issues and policies and help members evaluate their options for participation in a democratic society.
- Develop grassroots projects to mobilize voters in support of Democratic candidates and issues.
- Develop and maintain resources to further the goals of the organization, working through structured committees that report to the Board.
Club Organization
Executive Board
- Made up of elected officers, elected board members, and committee chairs
-- Officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant at Arms
-- Seven board member elected by the club
--Committee chairs chosen by the committees and approved by the rest of the board - Provides oversight, direction, coordination, and continuity for the club
- Directs the work of, and receives reports from, the club committees
Program Committee
- Determine topics for programs in consultation with the board and other committees
- Find appropriate speakers/presenters
- Prepare publicity before and after an event
- Determine format for presentation
- Manage logistics for meetings
- Introduce speakers/presenters at meetings
- Establish evaluation methods to get feedback from the membership and the board
Communication and Education Committee
- Prepare communication vehicles about Metro Dems that can be sent to members and prospective members
- Prepare an audit of current and prospective communication tools
- Consult on training methods for events
- Train members to be effective volunteers in campaigns of their choice
- Develop and deliver training on political topics as approved by the board
- Develop and deliver training as needed by other committees or as directed by the board
Activism and Events Committee
- Assess needs for activism and events outside of the monthly program, and discover or develop activities and events to meet those needs
- Determine whether events sponsored by other groups are appropriate for our participation
- Coordinate events for member participation (e.g., rallies, demonstrations) and issue a call for participation
- Encourage members to participate in canvassing and get-out-the-vote activities sponsored by the LJC Democratic Party
- Develop and implement a volunteer recruitment process for increasing volunteerism and activism within the club, including a volunteer database for use within the club
Technology Committee
- Maintain databases of membership and volunteers
- Develop and maintain a web site dedicated to club activities
- Obtain and maintain adequate technology to support all other committees in achieving their goals
- Assess status of current technology, and recommend new technologies for use by the club
- Assist other committees in using technology to achieve their goals
- Support and implement the communication vehicles of the club as needed
Goals and Tactics
Develop programs and projects that inform and educate members and the general public about Democratic values, issues and policies and help members evaluate their options for participation in a democratic society.- Prepare a tentative three-month program “lookahead” for distribution at each meeting.
- Include meeting topic polls as part of the meeting evaluation forms, and possibly as part of the web site.
- Add a communications component to the Education and Training Committee.
- Offer “Politics 101” to outside groups, such as high school students, college students and young adults.
- Partner with other groups (e.g., Change for Kentucky) to develop and offer a campaign school for potential candidates that would cover the topics of media and public relations, fund raising, election laws, campaign staffing, etc.
- Seek community resources to expand training opportunities for the membership.
- Develop a strategic communications plan for Metro Dems that ensures the Club’s messages are consistent and that they reflect the input of the Board and other committees.
- Recommend vehicles to reach targeted internal and external audiences such as brochures, web sites, newsletters, blogs, and other materials that deliver the Metro Dems message (e.g., yard signs, bumper stickers).
- Assess the effectiveness of the web site as a tool for communicating with volunteers and members.
- Determine activities that the club can sponsor, and prepare and execute plans for such activities.
- Evaluate activities sponsored by others for support by the club.
- Hand out at the end of each meeting a list of Metro Dems-approved grassroots events.
- Maintain an online calendar of activities and events.
- Coordinate letter-writing projects to advocate for our positions on issues in newspapers and other media.
- Create a budget for the next fiscal year for adoption by the Board each year in February, with input from the Board and committee chairpersons for funds needed.
- Present monthly written financial reports to the Board.
- Maintain a separate PAC account for fund raising (e.g., “Trivia Night”), and present monthly financial reports on its status.
- Hold regular PAC meetings to review requests for PAC funds.
- Maintain a database of members for communications and volunteer recruitment.