REDDING DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE OPERATING RULES
Adopted, Redding DTC, November 17, 2022
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 1 of the Redding Democratic Town Committee Bylaws, the Redding Democratic Town Committee adopts the following Operating Rules to facilitate the effective operation of the Town Committee. Nothing incorporated in these Operating Rules is intended to nor shall serve to conflict with or supplant the authority, responsibilities, policy setting role, or any other of the normal functions or operations of the Town Committee.
I. Committees
A. Standing Committees
The following Standing Committees (“Committee/s”) will be formed to provide working groups to spearhead and carry out vital functions and initiatives of the DTC: Executive, Finance, Nominating, Elections, Communications, Outreach and Development, and Programs.
B. Ad Hoc or Special Committees
The DTC Chair may establish and fill ad hoc or special committees, as needed.
C. Membership of the Committees
The Chair of the DTC will appoint as chair of the Committees a full DTC Member. Except as prescribed below, the DTC chair will appoint the members of the Committees from among the full and Associate membership of the DTC. The DTC chair will fill any vacancies that occur on the Committees. Membership on all of the Committees shall expire at the end of the term of the Town Committee. No committee will have more than 10 members, including the chair of the Committee. Committees may establish subcommittees as needed, with the consent of the DTC Chair. The DTC chair is a voting member of the executive and nominating committees and an ex-officio, nonvoting member of all other DTC committees.
D. Duties of the Committees
1. Executive:
a. consists of the elected officers of the town committee and chaired by the DTC chair
(all voting);
b. advise the DTC chair as needed;
c. assist the DTC chair in the preparation of the agenda for town committee meetings;
d. regularly review and recommend changes to these operating rules to the DTC.
2. Finance:
a. consists of the Treasurer and Deputy Treasurer (appointed by the DTC chair), one representative each from the Communications and Outreach/Development committees, and one other Full or Associate member;
b. assure and assist in the preparation of a line item budget for all DTC related activities, that shall be presented and approved at a DTC meeting; monitor and report on expense versus budget at DTC meetings;
c. prepare an annual report of expenditures for the prior calendar year, to be presented to the DTC each January at their meeting, in conjunction with the SEEC filing;
d. oversee DTC and campaign-related fundraising and expenditures (at events or otherwise);
e. the Deputy Treasurer will assist the Treasurer in ensuring that the Town Committee complies with all applicable campaign finance laws and/or regulations.
3. Nominating:
a. consists of the elective officers of the DTC; additional Full DTC Members (up to the total allowed) are appointed by the DTC chair and shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. Nominating Committee members shall recuse themselves from all Nominating Committee deliberations, interviews, discussions, and votes regarding positions for which they are candidates.
b. will be guided by the democratic principles of inclusion, diversity, participation and fair and open communications for the well-being of all Redding residents as they recruit, screen, and recommend to the DTC qualified individuals,
- to be placed in nomination for elective office; to fill vacancies on boards and commissions and will confer with sitting Democrats on the relevant board or commission as practicable;
-to be placed in nomination for the Town Committee;
- to fill vacancies on the Town Committee;
- to serve as officers.
c. notify the DTC of vacancies, as appropriate
d. set guidelines for expressions of interest in vacancies and conduct interviews, as appropriate
e. develop criteria that will guide deliberations and decisions regarding whom to nominate or recommend for elected or appointed positions and share such criteria with the Town Committee in advance of recruiting and evaluating the candidates;
g. ask candidates for the DTC, who are not selected after interviewing, if they wish to have their names shared with the DTC members; after interviews and potential drop-outs occur, candidates for elected, municipal elections will have their names shared with the DTC, in order that the members can provide input back to Nominating Committee members
4. Elections:
a. consists of members appointed by the DTC chair
b. study and recommend effective means by which Democratic candidates can be elected;
c. recommend effective campaign communications, methodologies, strategies, and promotional materials to use for electing Democratic officeholders;
d. provide assistance and mentoring for candidates by offering education and advice relating to candidate policy positions, public speaking and debate coaching, campaign event scheduling, coaching on fundraising tactics and community education as to ballot forms;
e. coordinate the writing and submission of letters and posts in support of candidates;
f. develop and implement mechanisms for increasing democratic voter registration and turnout;
g. make recommendations to the DTC regarding endorsements of candidates for non-municipal public office for which the DTC does not have an official nominating role;
i. coordinate election-related events and election day activities
j. manage voter databases such as CT VAN
5. Communications:
a. consists of members appointed by the DTC chair
b. develop and implement effective communications within and outside the DTC;
c. develop and implement ways to spread the DTC’s message to; Democrats and others outside the DTC, including through the DTC’s website, newsletter, print media, and social media.
d. support campaigns with advertising and electronic and other media.
e. manage press coverage, including press releases, articles, and op ed.
f. subcommittees (membership determined by communications committee chair):
- social media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- newsletter (develop format, then gather info and format)
- website
6. Outreach and Development:
a. consists of members appointed by the DTC chair
b. recommend and implement activities to increase the visibility and influence of the DTC and the Democratic Party and help the Town Committee achieve its goals; for example, holding 4 workshops for all registered Democrats to learn about town government, the positions available, and the process the DTC and party go through in selecting and electing candidates
c. recommend and implement fundraising events and activities;
d. manage and grow DTC contact database; e. recommend and implement DTC signature events, including Century Club;
7. Programs:
a. consists of members appointed by the DTC chair
b. recommend and implement discussion panels and programs, both for the DTC and the general public
c. invite special guests to DTC meetings;
d. develop and implement special topic discussions at DTC meetings;
II. Amending These Operating Rules
Operating Rules require a vote of the majority of Town Committee members present and voting at a meeting called for that purpose. Pursuant to the Redding Democratic Town Committee Bylaws, amendments to Operating Rules, once adopted, may be made by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Members of the Town Committee present and voting at a meeting called for that purpose.
III. Effective Date of these Operating Rules
The above revised and amended Operating Rules governing the Redding Democratic Town Committee were approved and became effective at a duly noticed meeting of the Redding Democratic Town Committee on November 17, 2022.