Live Stream
The Re-Organizational Meeting Live Stream will be available at 10:30 AM on December 5th, 2020.
Video not showing? Click here to view directly on YouTube.
About
For Members
What is the Re-Organizational Meeting?
Every 4 years, newly-elected Democratic representatives from Hernando County’s voting precincts gather to re-organize the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) – the central governing body of the Hernando County Democratic Party. At these Re-organization Meetings, new officers are elected from among these representatives to manage and lead the DEC.
Who can attend?
Ordinarily, these meetings are open to all registered Democratic voters in good standing within Hernando County. Because we are meeting virtually – and because we are restricted by what business can be conducted – this year it works a bit differently. To keep things orderly and to simplify the voting procedures, only voting members of the DEC will be permitted to enter the Zoom meeting. Voting members are those who filed and were elected in the August 2020 primary election, as well as those who are automatic members of the DEC by virtue of an office they hold.
The public is welcome to watch via the Live Stream at the top of the page, or on our YouTube channel.
What are the offices that are up for election?
(For a fuller explanation of their respective duties, please refer to the DEC’s Bylaws, below.)
- Chair: The Chair presides at meetings of the DEC; serves as the primary public representative for the body; manages and guides committees; liaises with other county DECs; and oversees the implementation of the Party’s plans and infrastructure. Ideally, candidates should be familiar with Democratic Party practices and procedures; and have good communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair fulfills the Chair’s responsibilities when the Chair is not able to do so. The Vice-Chair does not have many specific responsibilities, and instead works with and complements the Chair to ensure the full scope of the Chair’s duties are carried out. Ideally, candidates should be similarly prepared as Chair candidates, but the most important quality is being a team player.
- Treasurer: The Treasurer manages the expenditures and revenues of the DEC; makes reports to the DEC and the relevant legal authorities as required; oversees the development and implementation of the annual budget; and maintains sufficient records as these duties require. Ideally, candidates should be highly detail-oriented, highly organized, comfortable working with numbers and spreadsheets, and a stickler for following rules (there are a lot of rules).
- Secretary: The Secretary maintains the records of DEC meetings, proceedings, and operations; vets and maintains the membership list and submits reports as required; corresponds with the DEC members on vital information; and works closely with the Chair to ensure records are kept and in compliance. Ideally, candidates should have exceptional organizational skills, and be comfortable with common office software.
- State Committeewoman & State Committeeman: The State Committee-persons (SCPs) are the DEC’s representatives to the Florida Democratic Party (FDP). They attend and participate in state Party meetings and functions; cast votes at the governing State Committee; work with the Chair to coordinate and liaise with other DECs; and liaise between the DEC and other branches of the local party. Ideally, candidates should have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and have thick skin for weathering the infamously contentious proceedings of the FDP.
What else do I need to know?
Further Reading
- HCDEC Quick Guide to Parliamentary Procedures – for those who aren’t used to or familiar with the basics of parliamentary procedures.
- The Bylaws of the Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee – the adopted rules governing the Democratic Executive Committee
- The Bylaws of the Florida Democratic Party – the state Party to which we belong
- Florida Statutes Chapter 103 – laws governing political parties
- Robert’s Rules of Order, Fourth Edition – while technically we adhere to the “most recent” edition of Robert’s Rules, this edition is free.