The Committees of the DCDP provide recommendations regarding formal policies, programs and procedures to the Advisory Council for the activities of the Party, and monitor implementation of these adopted recommendations. The Executive Committee and Chair may also create ad hoc committees as needed to provide recommendations regarding policies not within the purview of a standing committee. An example of an ad hoc committee would be the Rules Committee formed in 2009 to review DCDP party rules and make recommendations to help streamline the organization. The chair of each standing committee must be a Precinct Chair, and is responsible for reporting to the Advisory Council that committee's recommendations or findings. The members of each committee are accepted by the committee chair as Democrats having knowledge or expertise related to the specific committee and a commitment to the principles of the Democratic Party.
The Party Operations committee makes recommendations regarding day-to-day operations of the Party and oversees implementation of adopted policies, programs, and procedures of the Party. Such recommendations may include office procedures, personnel procedures and policies governing hiring, evaluation, compensation, and firing, procurement and vendor selection, staff selection and training, administrative reporting. The committee also provides advice and counsel to the chief administrative officers of the DCDP.
If you have spent time working with the Dallas County Democratic Party or attended an Executive Meeting, you probably have heard the term “SDEC” being mentioned. SDEC stands for State Democratic Executive Committee; it is a special body created by the Texas Democratic State Party and is separate from the Dallas County Democratic Party. The State Democratic Executive Committee's mission is to: "Carry on the activities of the Party between State Conventions in compliance with the law and with the directives of the Convention." Read more »
The Strategic Planning committee makes recommendations regarding the overall strategic direction of the party with a particular emphasis on determining the party’s overall objectives and their priority. Both near-term (one or two forthcoming election cycles) and long-term (two or more election cycles) are considered. Read more »
The Precinct Matters committee makes recommendations regarding the duties, recruitment, and training of precinct chairs. The committee implements efforts to recruit, train, energize and retain precinct chairs, and take the lead in implementing the coordinated campaign plan on the precinct level.
The Information Technology (IT) committee makes recommendations regarding technology selection and application for Party operations and campaign support operations. The committee also educates and advises the Chair and other committees with respect to possible technological tools, uses, and solutions. The IT committee is responsible for maintaining and improving the Party website, providing training on the TexasVAN (Voter Activation Network) application, and maintaining the computers and network in the DCDP offices.
The Fundraising committee makes recommendations regarding fundraising policies, procedures, and programs, including developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet the budgetary needs of the Party. This committee may also take a leadership role in the implementation of those fundraising activities. Fundraising is divided into two groups: fundraising for special events; and ongoing fundraising which would include the sustaining membership periodic get-togethers, such as the Burger Bash.
The Party Treasurer, who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Party Chair, chairs the Financial Affairs Committee. The primary function of this committee is to review all information that will be included in the Treasurer's report at the next Executive Committee meeting for accuracy and transparency concurrent with a discussion of Party operations since the last meeting. A committee appointed by the Treasurer will conduct a biennial internal audit of the Party as of the end of each even-numbered year. This audit will include, but not be limited to, poli
The Communications committee recommends policies, procedures, and programs for the internal and external communications of the Party. The committee exercises oversight and assists in the implementation of efforts to effectively communicate the party’s message to precinct chairs, volunteers, identified Democrats and to the Dallas County community.
