HAYS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY COMMITTEES AND SUBCOMMITTEES

 

ELIGIBILITY TO SERVE ON HCDP COMMITTEES:

·       All Democrats who reside and vote in Hays County are eligible to serve on committees. Those who are not members of the HCEC should contact the County Chair and indicate their willingness to serve.

·       Candidates or elected officials may serve on committees, but will be put on “vacation” when they’re actively running for office, until after the Primary, or, if there is no other candidate, after the filing date has passed, to avoid the appearance of any conflict of interest. “Running” shall be defined as having declared they are running, appointing a treasurer, or officially to run.

·       All Committees shall have a chair, or may have co-chairs, which each committee (other than Budget, Elections, and GOVT) elects.

Budget Committee:  The purpose of the Budget committee is to suggest the annual budget, based on input from Party Committees and the HCEC, and to help the HCEC stay on budget.

·       The majority of the budget committee shall be current or previous Precinct Chairs.

·       The Budget Committee shall ask request all Committees to submit their budget requests.

·       There may be new proposals brought during the year that may require an amended budget and vote by the HCEC to approve.

·       All Committees shall submit requested budgets to this Committee no later than the October meeting.

·       The Budget Committee shall have the budget prepared to be voted by the 15th of December, so that the new budget may go into effect on January 1.

·       The Treasurer shall be the chair of the Budget Committee.

·       The Budget Committee shall publish the approved budget on the HCEC GoogleDoc, with viewing access for CEC members.

 

 Candidates’ Committee:  The purpose of this committee is to  help recruit and develop candidates for partisan elections, and coordinate with candidates during their campaigns. in conjunction with the PLCs, recruit candidates for Precinct Chair.

·       This Committee will have a listing of all offices up for election in the next 2 years; this should be available to all on the website and in files section of Facebook or other applicable social media.

·       They shall contact current Democratic office holders to ascertain if they will be running for reelection or not. If not, they will work to find candidates.

·       This Committee shall hold trainings for candidates, and/or assist candidates with finding trainings to help them run the best campaign possible.

·       The Candidate Committee shall be the HCEC’s liaison to campaigns and will be tasked with conducting coordinated outreach in conjunction with the Outreach Committee.

·       The Chair of the Candidate Committee shall be a member of the GOTV Committee.

·       Following the deadline for applications to run in the Democratic Primary, the Candidates’ Committee will convene and will vet all applications, assuring that the applicant meets the legal and TDP requirements as a candidate which are:
 (a.) qualified voters (Required by Texas Election Code §161.005 (a)(1));
(b.) voted in the most recent Democratic Primary, not including runoffs, or signed an oath of affiliation: Oath of Affiliation (See Bylaws);
 (c.)(for Precinct Chair& County Chair only)  they are not candidates for, nor holders of, an elective office of the federal, state, or county government (Required by Texas Election Code §161.005(a)(2)); and
(d.) they are residents of the precinct or county from which they seek election (Required by Texas Election Code §171.023(a) and §161.005(a)(1)).
This review of primary candidates shall be completed in no longer than one (1) week after the deadline, with a report being promptly sent to the chair and the full HCEC noting any candidates who did not meet the requirements and why they did not meet them.

·       It is the candidate’s responsibility to fulfill all the requirements to run in the Democratic Primary before they register to run.

        Sign Subcommittee: The purpose of the sign subcommittee is to assist candidates with getting their signs out and back in a timely manner.

·       This subcommittee is responsible for maintaining a listing of places with permission for Democratic candidate signs. They should confirm with the owners of the property each year that they still have permission.

·       This subcommittee is responsible for helping to put up signs for all Democratic candidates, provided the candidates provide signs, holders, and ties for them.

·       This subcommittee will also coordinate with precinct chairs to poll dress with signage from all Democratic candidates prior to a general election.

·       This subcommittee is responsible for getting signs down as soon as possible after elections, but always by 30 days afterwards.

·       In addition, it is helpful if the sign Committee can maintain a list of sign companies that are friendly to our democratic principles.

 

Communications Committee: The purpose of this committee is to develop and implement messaging strategies and disseminate news and information across a variety of media to advance the objectives of the county party.

The chair(s) of this committee will have the following responsibilities:

·       Work with County Chair to develop messaging strategies designed to maximize the visibility and perception of the Democratic brand in Hays County.

·        Establish benchmarks and oversee any subcommittee chairs to ensure the party is meeting goals.

·       Ensure that communication content synchronizes with state and national Democratic Party platform.

·       Write and send press releases to promote party activities, with approval from the County Chair.

·       Help monitor incoming HCDP emails to direct to the appropriate people.

       Digital Media Communications Subcommittee:  The purpose of subcommittee is to develop and manage content distributed via HCDP’s various communication platforms under the direction of the Committee Chair and County Chair.

·       Recruit social media manager and daily oversight of social media manager(s) and content.

·       Recruit content creators and daily oversight of content creators who post regularly to HCDP social media outlets and other online platforms.

·       Direct the dissemination of the HCDP newsletter as needed.

·       Oversee HCDP website content and design, collaborating with the

      Technology Subcommittee:  The purpose of this Subcommittee is to be responsible for developing and maintaining the backend systems essential for county party business. It will also analyze data trends generated by various Committees, including communications and outreach.

·       Recruitment and oversight of a committee of technology assistants.

·       Development and maintenance of all digital systems, including networks, emails, VAN database access, ActBlue access, video conferencing, cameras and others as may change from time to time.

·       County Party-wide systems support to accomplish party goals as prioritized by the Committee Chair and County Chair.

·       Support of other Committee chairs as necessary to accomplish specific goals.

·       Collaborate with the communications committee regarding new opportunities for technological improvements and to assure a coordinated effort. The chair or a representative from the technology committee will attend communications meetings.

·       Oversee the setup and maintenance of the county party website.

·       Recruit and oversee a committee of assistants who are available to complete ongoing projects, like setting up video conferences, and communication data analysis.

·       Manage and update event calendars and systems as needed, including but not limited to Mobilize, Google Calendar, and Facebook Events.

 

Data Committee:

The purpose of this committee is to work with the GOTV committee to provide accurate and reliable voting data for the purpose of strategies around getting out the vote.

·       Identify and capture sources of data to provide information related to voting registration, voting histories, and demographic data. This data will be stored in a secure location.

·       2. Provide data to the GOTV chair to disseminate to precinct chairs within their area that would assist with voter registration, voting updates, historical trends, and any other data that would assist with getting out the vote efforts.

·       Track and provide regular analytics and analyze each day’s voting during Early Voting. Report to County Chair, GOTV Chair, and Communication Chair to optimize ongoing communications efforts.

 

Diversity Committee: The goal of this committee is to bring diversity to all aspects of HCDP.

·       In conjunction with PLCs, recruitment of Precinct Chairs and committee members from minority communities, to reflect the diversity of Hays County.

·       Inviting diverse people to participate in HCDP who may not have been a part of the process before.

·       Advising Outreach Committee on opportunities to broaden HCDP’s work.

 

Elections Organization Committee:  The purpose of this e Elections Organization C committee (EOC) is to assist the Chair with the myriad tasks involved in holding primaries, runoff and elections.

·       The EOC shall be chaired by the Second Vice Chair, and shall consist of the County Chair and at least two members of the HCEC.

·       The EOC shall assists the County Chair in meeting the requirements of Texas Election Code Chapter 141.032, Review of Application; notice to candidate.

·       The EOC will help the County Chair review the final Primary and General Election Ballots prior to printing and will conduct the Regular Drawing required by Texas Election Code Chapter 172.082.

·       The EOC prepares for Election Days by recruiting and maintaining a list of election judges, alternate judges, poll workers and clerks for Early Voting, Primary Election Day, General Election Day and runoffs.

·       The EOC Chair shall be responsible for contacting election judges, alternate judges, poll workers, clerks and other workers needed for the election prior to Election Day to inform them of election trainings and ensure that they will fulfill duties as prescribed by the county elections administrator.

·       The EOC in conjunction with the County Chair and with the county election office will to identify polling locations for the primary election. in coordination with the county elections office.

·       Tthe EOC will identify new potential polling locations if needed and  recommend these locations to the county to expand polling sites for county wide elections.

·       The EOC in coordination with the County Chair may add an Elections Protection subcommittee when warranted.

·       The Elections Protection Subcommittee shall assure signs are posted at polling locations that identify the location as a place to vote and provide the phone number for voter protection from the Texas Democratic Party, and other measures as needed.

Field/Get Out the Vote Committee: (F/GOTV) The purpose of Field/GOTV C Committee is to develop strategies to educate, encourage, and motivate voters to vote in all elections.

·       The F/GOTV will be chaired by the First Vice Chair.

·       The Committee consists an invited representative from each Democratic Club (Nonvoting member,) the chair of the Candidates’ Committee, the Precinct Chair Leaders, and others who wish to serve.

·       From this Committee, a Volunteer Coordinator may be tasked with the responsibility of dissemination of volunteers to Precinct Chairs and club leads who participate, to serve in F/GOTV activities.

·       The Candidates Committee chair shall liaison with the F/GOTV chair to assure that block walks and phone banks by candidates are coordinated with HCDP to prevent duplicates.

·       There shall be a Voter Deputy Registrar coordinator, to get more VDR’s trained and more voters registered.

 

Financial Review Committee: The purpose of this committee is to review the finances of the HCDP annually and when otherwise needed.

·       This committee is not a standing committee, but is appointed by the County Chair at the end of the fiscal year to make the annual review of the finances of HCDP.

·       In the event of a vacancy during the term in position of Treasurer, a committee will be appointed to conduce a financial review to the date of the vacancy.

 

Fundraising Committee: The purpose of this committee is to raise funds for all needs of the HCDP.

·       This committee will plan and execute fundraising events and programs benefiting the HCDP.

·       This committee will work with the Budget Committee to schedule and budget for fundraisers.

·       This committee will maintain a list of sustaining memberships and build the sustaining membership program.

·       This committee will propose fundraising ideas to the HCEC for fundraising ideas, to be voted upon.

·       This committee is responsible for developing a list of volunteers for its events, and for planning all details.

·       This committee shall submit a report to the HCEC for all events, and a final tally of what was spent and raised from each.

·       There shall be an LBJ subcommittee which will be created to plan, budget and execute the LBJ Celebration.

 

Legislative Advocacy Committee: The purpose of this committee (LAC) is to create and distribute information and calls for advocacy on federal, state, county, and local legislation and initiatives to Hays County Democrats.

·       The Chair will task knowledgeable committee members (or other subject matter experts) to identify relevant critical short-term and long-term issues and potential actions the party and voters should undertake to address them.

·       The committee members will network with topic experts in organizations aligned with the Party’s guiding principles to coordinate issue analysis and recommended actions.

       Subcommittee: Caucuses

The purpose of the Caucus members is to serve as issue experts pertaining to legislative and policy initiatives at federal, state, county, and local level.

·       Caucuses will be comprised of at least three members to form a body. There shall be a caucus organizer.

·       A caucus will provide information to the legislative advocacy committee from an expert opinion on matters that relate to advocacy and information analysis.

·       The caucus will prioritize issues within their subject matter area that are most important to Hays County residents.

·       The caucus will also develop networks with organizations that are currently doing advocacy and research. Caucuses will maintain relationships amongst caucus members to ensure the transfer of information.

·       A coordinator of the caucus shall serve to keep the caucus members in communication with each other and shall also serve to ensure communication occurs between the caucus and the legislative advocacy committee. A caucus may divide into subgroups focused on specific areas within the broader topic.

·       Additional caucuses may be formed by the legislative advocacy committee to ensure that new and additional areas of interest are covered.

 

Outreach Committee: The purpose of this committee is to provide year-round outreach programs to various constituencies in the county. Duties of this committee include, but are not limited to the following:

·       These programs and outreach efforts will be organized for the purpose of building community relationships and developing programs that encourage Democratic values.

·       The Committee will be comprised of a group of outreach coordinators who are specific to geographical regions around the county and a chair of the committee.

·       Year-round programs will provide relationships in the county between the county party and the people of Hays County.

·       This Committee may have sub-Committees for each of the outreaches.

·       To minimize no conflicts of events, all events must be scheduled on the official HCDP calendar.

·       The Outreach Committee will coordinate efforts to engage members of our communities in the voting process with programs that fulfill the needs of these community groups. The community groups shall be diverse and represent the populations and the geography of Hays County.

·       This committee will work with First Vice Chair to coordinate Field/Get Out the Vote (F/GOTV) activities and materials., They may include voter registration events.

·       This committee will coordinate efforts to engage all members in the voting process with programs that fulfill the needs of these  community groups. The community groups shall be diverse and represent the populations and the geography of Hays County.