The Guilford Democratic Town Committee (DTC) is an elected body that
represents the Town's registered Democrats. As such, it is responsible
for identifying, endorsing, and helping to elect Democratic candidates
at the local, state, and federal levels. The DTC also actively promotes
citizen participation in the political process and provides information
to raise residents' awareness of opportunities and issues facing the
Town.
In supporting the election of Democrats to public office, the DTC identifies and recommends qualified individuals to serve on the Town's elected and volunteer boards and commissions. It works as well to promote responsive municipal and political leadership. During election cycles, the DTC publicizes its candidates' positions on critical Town issues, organizes Get Out the Vote (GOTV) activities, and encourages new voter registration. Help make Guilford better by joining the DTC. All Democrats are welcome at monthly DTC meetings. Monthly Meetings Regular meetings are held at 7:30pm on the fourth Thursday of the month from January through October. Due to holidays and election activities, the November and December meetings are combined and held on the first Thursday of December. Meetings usually take place in the Menunkatuck Room of the Community Center at 32 Church Street, but they may be at Democratic headquarters during campaign season. Special Meetings may also be called by the Chair or by a written request from a third of the members. DTC meetings keep members well informed by means of
Guilford's Local Rules State Party Rules, adopted by the Democratic State Central Committee, determine which provisions must be included in a Town Committee's Local Rules. In full compliance with those rules and relevant State statutes, the Guilford DTC Local Rules (By-Laws) have been filed with the Town, the Secretary of State, and the Democratic State Central Committee. Our By-Laws establish the organization and operation of the Town Committee. They specify the duties of DTC officers and outline procedures for
DTC Members Officers
To be composed of DTC officers and Standing Committee Chairs, the Executive Committee meets on an ongoing basis to plan and coordinate DTC operations, oversee standing committee activities, and ensure that the DTC effectively represents all registered Guilford Democrats.
DTC members from each Guilford voting district are represented by a district-specific coordinator. Initially appointed by the DTC Chair, the five coordinators will eventually be elected by DTC members from their districts. The position was developed both to ensure that members' views, concerns and suggestions are conveyed to the DTC leadership, and also to encourage greater member involvement in election campaigns and ongoing DTC activities.
Campaign Management & Election Strategy Committee, Anita Catardi, Chair The Democratic election campaign process in Guilford is managed by this committee which also organizes volunteers and runs headquarters. An Election Strategy Subcommittee develops campaign strategy, produces campaign materials, and unifies the campaigns of all Democratic candidates. Fundraising & Events Committee, Veronica Wallace, Chair In addition to managing a sustaining donor base, this committee organizes fundraising events for campaigns and ongoing operations. It also sponsors DTC events (BBQs, dances, etc.) for members, families, and friends to enhance social relationships and energize the organization. Governance & Procedures Committee, To be appointed As part of an ongoing review of our organization and procedures, this committee may recommend changes to help the DTC function even more effectively. When needed, it may suggest by-law amendments compatible with State law. The committee also audits DTC informational materials, including its website, handbook, and manuals. Membership Committee, Patty Ann Meyer, Chair This committee recruits potential members and nominates qualified applicants to the DTC. In so doing, it seeks people with a range of backgrounds, skills, interests, and residential locations to insure that the DTC is demographically diverse and represents all segments of Guilford. The committee mentors new members and potential Democratic leaders, maintains a database of DTC members' skills, and keeps the orientation handbook up to date. Nominating Committee, Barbara Hemming, Chair With input from the rest of the DTC, this committee seeks the best-qualified Guilford residents for local office. Meeting as needed, it interviews candidates by means of a process developed to insure that the DTC identifies and recommends the most fitting candidates for Town boards and commissions--elected and appointed. Since the character, qualifications, and political philosophy of those endorsed for elective office or recommended for appointment to Town bodies directly shapes what happens in Guilford, getting the best candidates for those positions is, in the final analysis, why the Democratic Town Committee exists. Policy & Issues Committee, Alex Sommers, Chair With input from Democratic Town officials and candidates as well as DTC members, this committee develops policies and positions for the Democratic election platform. Its goals are to clarify the Democratic position, motivate Guilford Democrats, and distinguish the DTC from its Republican counterpart. As a forum for Guilford Democrats, the committee may address issues being locally debated as well as broader planning issues having long-term implications for the Town. Website & Public Information Committee, Maureen Gaffney, Chair This committee maintains the DTC website and develops informational materials. It notifies Guilford Democrats of relevant Town issues and events, and clarifies both the DTC's and the Town's governmental procedures. It does so to encourage greater Democratic involvement in the political process and to expand the local Democratic base. Membership List Town Committee members are the publicly elected representatives of all enrolled Democrats in the Town of Guilford. As of October 2007, there are 68 people on the Guilford DTC. Locally registered Democrats are encouraged to contact the DTC Officers, Executive Committee members, or District Coordinators listed above, as well as any member they know with questions, comments, and recommendations.
Emeritus Members
Associate Members Membership Information The Membership Committee Consisting of members appointed by the DTC Chair, the Membership Committee recruits new members, presents qualified applicants to the DTC, and orients new members to its activities and procedures. In addition to maintaining an internal database of members' contact information and DTC-related skills, the committee also welcomes newly registered Democrats and provides them with information about the Guilford DTC. The current committee includes
Democrats who request DTC membership are given an application packet that includes Responsibilities of Membership and a Skills & Interests Survey. After returning the forms to the Membership Committee Chair, applicants are interviewed by one or more committee members. To encourage a broadly representative committee, the DTC considers potential members in terms of demographic diversity, voting district, and likely contribution of skills, interests, and experience. DTC members serve two-year terms. They are generally elected at a caucus of registered Guilford Democrats that is held in even-numbered years. Along with the terms of caucus-elected members, the terms of members elected at intervening DTC meetings end at the biannual caucus. In preparing for the caucus, all DTC members who wish to remain active are asked to sign the Responsibilities of Membership form. Existing members' level of participation is considered in establishing the slate of DTC nominees. The Membership Committee Chair informs new members when they have been elected, appoints mentors who accompany them to their first DTC meeting, and sends each an orientation packet. Responsibilities of Membership, PDF Format Skills & Interests Survey, PDF Format DTC Membership Application Packet, PDF Format 2006 Connecticut Democratic Party Rules, PDF Format NOMINATION INFORMATION The Nominating Committee Made up of DTC members appointed by the DTC Chair, the Nominating Committee meets as needed to interview candidates for Guilford's boards and commissions--elected and appointed. (See Boards & Commissions.) Currently, the Committee includes
There are two kinds of openings (seats) on appointed boards and commissions: regular and alternate. A regular member participates in discussions and votes on items that come before the board or commission. Regular members are expected to attend all regular and special meetings. An alternate may take part in the discussion but only votes in the absence of a regular member. Alternate members are expected to attend as many regular and special meetings as possible. The method for making appointments to Guilford's boards and commissions is determined by Town Charter. The Charter stipulates that no more than a bare majority of members of a board or commission may be registered members of the same political party. Boards and commissions generally have an odd number of seats, which means that one party has one member more than half the total number of officials. The remaining members are either from another party or are unaffiliated with any party. The majority party on a given board or commission typically depends on which party controls the Board of Selectmen at the time an appointment is made. Candidates for Appointed Positions Openings for appointed board and commission seats are posted under Vacant Seats as well as on the Town website. They are also listed in the local papers. Though registered Guilford voters may apply directly to the Board of Selectmen for appointment, the procedure usually begins with the DTC or its Republican counterpart. Interested Democrats or unaffiliated voters should apply to the Chair of the DTC Nominating Committee who oversees an application process developed to insure that the DTC identifies and recommends the most qualified candidates for Town boards and commissions. There are three steps to the process. In the first step, applicants for open seats submit a Board/Commission Application. They are then interviewed by the Nominating Committee and questioned about their qualifications, experience, and interests. After the interview, a vote is taken. When an applicant receives a majority of committee votes, the Chair recommends her or him to the DTC at its next meeting. In the second step, the DTC considers the applicant, provided there is a quorum. If approved by a majority vote, she or he will be recommended to the Board of Selectman for appointment. In the third step, the Board of Selectmen appoints the candidate to office when he or she gets more than half their votes. Should the candidate fail to get a majority, however, the Selectmen may appoint another candidate or table the recommendation. When the selectmen appoint a candidate to office, they notify the Town Clerk who swears in the appointee at Town Hall. The appointee then takes a seat at the next board or commission meeting. Candidates for Elected Boards Prior to Guilford's municipal caucuses held in odd-numbered years, those interested in seeking Democratic endorsement as candidates for Guilford's elected boards should formally apply to the Chair of the DTC Nominating Committee using the Board/Commission Application. For more information, see Democratic Caucuses. Candidates for the DTC Democratic Town Committee members are elected at a biannual caucus at which any Guilford Democrat may place a name in nomination for an available seat. When there is no primary, DTC members take their seats at the March meeting, at which time they also elect DTC officers. During the interim between caucuses, the names of applicants who have been interviewed by the Membership Committee may be proposed to fill empty seats. Such interim nominations take place at regular DTC meetings, provided there is a quorum and the nomination has been scheduled on the agenda. For details about becoming a DTC member, see Membership Information. Convention Delegates Convention delegates are selected at a spring caucus held in even-numbered years. The caucus chooses delegates to Connecticut Democratic conventions for state and/or federal officials. Conventions for state officials include those for Governor, State Assembly Senator, State Assembly Representatives, and constitutional officers. Conventions for federal officials include those for US Senators and US Representative. Delegates are nominated from the floor and the entire caucus selects delegates for each of the conventions. Generally, nominees need simply be registered Guilford Democrats. But since Guilford has two State Assembly districts for the House of Representatives, delegates for each representative's convention must be registered in the appropriate district to qualify. The caucus votes for each delegate and, if there are no primary challenges, caucus-chosen delegates can attend their respective conventions. Democratic Caucuses Caucuses are official meetings open to all registered Guilford Democrats--not just members of the DTC. State statute and the Democratic State Central Committee establish the timing of caucuses, which determine party endorsement of candidates for municipal office, DTC membership, and convention delegates. Guilford's three biannual Democratic caucuses are held wherever there is available space.
Term Limits Officers of the DTC are elected to two-year terms. DTC subcommittees and their chairs serve at the pleasure of the Chair, so term limits do not apply. Appointees to Guilford's boards and commissions may serve two consecutive four-year terms on the same board or commission. Members of elected boards have no term limits. Board/Commission Application, PDF Format Democratic Sites Democratic National Committee Democratic State Central Committee Connecticut Young Democrats Other Democratic Sites Parliamentary Procedure DTC meetings and caucuses, as well as Guilford's board and commission meetings, follow parliamentary procedure using Robert's Rules of Order. Meetings are presided over by a Chair and business is advanced when a member proposes (makes) a motion, which then must be seconded by another member. Once a second has been made, the Chair invites discussion. A member who has been recognized by the Chair and is speaking about the motion has the floor until his or her comments are completed at which time the Chair will recognize the next speaker, and so forth. A point of information may be raised at any time to get clarification on a process or a particular motion. It is granted automatically. A point of order, raised to question whether the process is following parliamentary procedure, is only granted at the discretion of the Chair. Following discussion, the Chair will call the question and put the motion to a vote by all members in attendance. Typically, a simple majority is sufficient to approve (carry) most motions; however, a two-thirds majority vote by those in attendance is required to amend DTC by-laws. Alternatively, once seconded, motions may be tabled for later consideration. They may also be withdrawn after some discussion or they may be amended prior to a vote. When necessary, previous votes may be negated by a motion to rescind. Basic Motion Guidelines The list below outlines the most common parliamentary motions used in Town Committee meetings. For concise PDF Guidelines, download a Chart of Parliamentary Motions.
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