LD17 Bylaws - Important Information
OK. I know. Bylaws are a dull topic and really get into the weeds of how an organization works. They’re basically the rule book we must use to get stuff done.
The LD17 bylaws require the chair to trigger a review of the bylaws every two years and revise them as needed. This review should produce recommendations that improve Board and Committee operations and reduce operational risks. The goal is to create the best organizational structure possible to help get Democratic candidates elected.
During this year’s review, the Board has recommended changes in three different areas.
1. The first would add a requirement that the treasurer, once elected, be subject to a background check.
2. Like the provision for removing officers of the Committee, the second revision would add a procedure to remove precinct committee persons for specific actions that are contrary to the interests of the committee, and the county and State Democratic Party.
3. The third would move the Data Team Lead from an elected board position. Instead, there would be as many as three Data Leads whose work would be coordinated by the Operations Committee and Ops Team Chair.
We’ll be asking the PCs of LD17 to vote on these changes in the fall at a general meeting.
Why these changes?
1. Treasurer accountability: LD17’s fundraising success means more money is moving through our accounts. A background check helps ensure that the person entrusted with managing those funds is reliable, qualified, and worthy of the Committee’s confidence.
2. PC Removal: This change creates a fair, defined process for addressing serious PC conduct concerns. While no one expects an LD17 PC to endorse a Republican candidate, similar situations have occurred in other LDs and county parties. The proposed process would ensure that the PC receives a fair hearing, that the Committee has a clear method for voting, and that any removal request is referred to the county party chair for final action.
3. Data Team structure: LD17’s size and complexity create operational demands that require a data team with broader capacity and advanced skills. Supporting multiple complex projects such as managing and updating the hard-to-reach voter data, training volunteers, cutting turfs and developing audience segmentation for digital media outreach is too much for one person alone. Due to the nature of these projects, we appointed two additional skilled VAN administrators this year.
The state party, which owns VAN, also allows legislative district committees to have up to three VAN leads, and those leads are not required to live within the LD.
Because all three data staff cannot serve as voting Board members, this change removes the Data Team Lead as an elected Board position while keeping the team’s work coordinated through the Operations Committee and Ops Team Chair.
Bottom line: Bylaws are the tools that help us get work done. A strong organizational structure gives LD17 the best chance to support our candidates effectively. These changes will help next year’s organization operate more smoothly, efficiently, and successfully.
For the link to the entire bylaws document with the changes indicated, please click here.