Volunteer for a Leadership Position in SD51 DFL!
The 2024 SD51 DFL Nominations committee is again seeking volunteers to serve in leadership in the unit. To be considered for a position, you must complete two screening tasks:
Fill out our 2024 Screening Form. This should take about 10 minutes.
Schedule an interview with the Nominations Committee. This is a 20-minute slot where the committee will ask any questions about your application, and allow you to ask questions about the positions / organization.
In 2024, there are open positions for Vice Chair, Outreach Officer, and Directors - however, the committee is eager to have multiple candidates for each position.
Chair: As the foremost leader of the senate district party unit, the Chair is pivotal in steering the local direction of the DFL. This individual acts as the primary convener of meetings and is endowed with significant responsibilities that shape the unit's strategic and operational efforts. The Chair is the public face of the local DFL, embodying the party's values and initiatives within the community. They are tasked with organizing caucuses and conventions during even years, crucial events for party organization and strategy.
Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair plays a vital support role within the party unit, stepping in to lead in the absence or vacancy of the Chair. This position is essential for ensuring continuity in leadership and operations. The Vice-Chair works closely with the Chair, providing assistance and support during key party activities, such as caucuses and conventions, thereby helping to maintain the unit's momentum and focus.
Secretary: The Secretary is the cornerstone of the unit's administrative functions, responsible for meticulously recording minutes, managing correspondence, and maintaining accurate attendance records. This role is critical for ensuring that the unit's operations are transparent, organized, and documented, facilitating effective communication within the party and with external stakeholders.
Treasurer: The Treasurer oversees the financial health of the unit, managing its funds, and ensuring compliance with campaign finance regulations. This role is akin to that of a chief financial officer, requiring a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of financial management within a political context. The Treasurer also plays a key role in fundraising efforts, contributing to the sustainability and growth of the unit.
Outreach and Inclusion Officer: This officer is dedicated to advancing the unit's diversity and inclusion objectives, ensuring that the party's activities and membership reflect the broad spectrum of the community it serves. By serving on the unit's outreach committee, this officer helps to forge connections with diverse groups and individuals, enriching the party's perspectives and effectiveness.
Technology Officer: This position coordinates all of the information technology solutions used by the unit, including the website, any social media accounts, mailing lists, and other communication technologies (like Zoom). They are responsible for ensuring that the unit and its endorsed candidates safely and effectively use the technology resources provided by the DFL.
Directors: Directors are integral to the governance structure, participating in monthly central committee meetings of Senate District 51 (SD51). They hold the privilege to vote on official matters, contributing to the decision-making process that guides the unit's direction. Directors often engage with one or more SD committees, playing active roles in specific areas of party work.
Delegates to the State Central Committee (SCC): These individuals represent the local unit at the state level, participating in meetings of the State Central Committee, the DFL's highest governing body between State Conventions. Delegates are involved in critical decision-making regarding the party's operations, direction, budget, and leadership elections, contributing to the broader strategic objectives of the DFL.
Alternates to the State Central Committee: Alternates ensure that the local unit maintains its full representation at the SCC in the event that a delegate is unable to attend. This role is vital for upholding the unit's influence and participation in state-level decisions, safeguarding the local interests and perspectives within the broader party governance structure.
The chair role is a large commitment: expect to spend 10 or more hours per week in this position. Other executive officers can expect to spend 1-2 hours per week, sometimes less. Directors are expected to attend every monthly central committee meeting, and otherwise be involved in at least one unit committee (which may also meet monthly).
State central committee delegates are simply the unit’s representation at the state central committee meeting. They meet 3-4 times a year. More information is available at dfl.org/scc.
The nominations committee will review all applications, prepare a slate of recommended candidates, and submit this to the SD51 DFL convention on April 13. This slate is submitted for an up-or-down vote, but it is possible to run for a position at the convention “from the floor”. Any positions left open after convention will be discussed (and potentially filled) at SD51 DFL Central Committee meetings.