Abroad
Image Added
Winter DNC Meeting Recap
Dear DNC Member, It was wonderful to see so many of you in Washington, D.C. for our winter DNC meeting this past week. I left feeling energized about the work that we are doing as a party to organize, mobilize and win. Thank you for all that you are doing to ensure our success in 2018 and beyond.
As we do after all of our DNC meetings, we’ve prepared a short report for you on our busy week where we came together for a General Sessions, an Executive Committee Meeting, four Standing Committee meetings, and a cumulative 19 Caucus and Council meetings!
As always, we are looking for your feedback on the meeting as we continually strive to improve them for members.
Here are some updates about things that happened during the 2018 winter meeting:
General Sessions
During Saturday’s General Session, we heard welcome remarks from the Mayor of Washington, D.C. Muriel Bowser and from candidates who personify the DNC’s “School Board to the Oval Office” strategy to ensure we are focused on elected Democrats at every level. Those officials shared their story of how they won their race and the impact of their party in their victory. Speakers included Iowa City Councilwoman Mazahir Salih, Austin City Councilor Gregorio Casar, Hamilton County Court Clerk Aftab Pureval and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.
In addition to hearing from these speakers, we watched several inspiring videos created by the DNC. Those videos included a look at recent victories in Oklahoma, to a 2017 look back & 2018 look ahead and a We are Democrats video.
Finally, National Finance Chair Henry Munoz, Treasurer Bill Derrough and Assistant Treasurer Lorna Johnson shared an update on the Party’s finances.
The DNC also considered several reports from our Standing Committees at the Saturday session. Those reports included:
Resolutions Committee Report
The Resolutions Committee considered a number of resolutions submitted by members, which were a combination of messaging and commemorative resolutions.
Among the Resolutions adopted by the DNC were resolutions calling to end gun violence and hold our elected officials accountable, celebrating the Democratic Party’s 2017 electoral successes, upholding and honoring the role immigration has played in America, and more. In addition, we passed a number of commemorative resolutions honoring individuals such as Paul Booth, James Brady, Janice Enright, Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker, Mayor Edwin M. Lee and more.
Rules & Bylaws Committee Report
Rules & Bylaws Committee Co-Chairs Jim Roosevelt and Lorraine Miller reported out on the hours of work that the RBC has done to review the Unity Reform Commission report and begin to make recommendations. The RBC met for nearly eight hours during the DNC meeting, as well met for two days in January and two days in February. The RBC adopted a report that was presented to the full membership on initial recommendations and principles as it relates to the Unity Reform Commission which was approved by the full body on Saturday.
The RBC will now begin working on developing out the actual Call to the Convention and Delegate Selection Rules that will be presented at our summer meeting. As a reminder, these documents as well as any required amendments to the DNC’s Charter and Bylaws will be provided to Members at least 30 days in advance of our summer meeting.
In addition, the Co-Chairs presented three Charter amendments on various topics, including adding the Secretary and ASDC Chair to the RBC, providing the Native American Caucus with all the rights provided to other Caucuses, and amending the sections on disability to remove reference to physical disabilities and instead reference all disabilities. The three amendments to the Charter were approved unanimously by the full body.
Executive Committee Meeting
On Thursday morning, the DNC Executive Committee met and heard more about the #IWillVote campaign and discussed efforts that state and local parties and groups could do to promote the campaign. The Executive Committee also heard remarks from D.C. City Councilwoman and DNC Member Anita Bonds, who provided welcome remarks and Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs about the work he was able to win able to win his race at such a young age and what he is doing as Mayor to address the issues in his city. doing in his city and how he was able to win his race at such a young age.
Caucus and Council Meetings
Throughout the DNC meeting, each of our regional caucuses, as well as our constituency caucuses and councils held meetings to discuss their electoral plans for 2018 and beyond. Each session focused on the specific needs of their region or constituency and provided a roadmap for working towards victory.
Several elections took place to fill vacancies in specific caucuses and councils. In the Eastern Region, Tonio Burgos from New Jersey was elected to the vacant Executive Committee Representative position and Joseph Paolino from Rhode Island was elected Treasurer. In the Western Regional Caucus, Marcus Stevenson, Ed Wesley and Ellie Perez were elected as At-Large representatives and in the Ethnic Council Jim Zogby was reelected as Co-Chair and Ali Chalupa was elected as the other Co-Chair.
I was inspired by our Winter Meeting and the opportunities that Democrats have to build on our electoral victories. I am truly looking forward to working with each and every one of you in the weeks, months, and years ahead, as we work to modernize, organize and win.
Have a wonderful week, and I look forward to speaking with you soon. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Yours,
Jason
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Jason Rae
Secretary
Democratic National Committee
