DFL Senate District 42 Leadership and Functions
Participation in Senate District 42 leadership and functions is vital to the core reasons for party organization: recruitment of and support for quality candidates for public office, campaign fundraising, information dissemination and get-out-the-vote activities. It is at this level that the greatest amount of people-to-people contact is made, often along with precinct leaders, in advance of each election.
DFL Senate District 42 is governed by its Central and Executive Committees. The Central Committee is made up of Senate District 42 officers, directors and precinct chairs and associate chairs. Also included are any officers from Congressional District 3 or the state level of the party who live within the senate district. The Executive Committee, which meets when needed between Central Committee meetings, includes just officers, directors and Congressional District 3 or state officers living in the senate district. Officers and directors and elected for two-year terms at Senate District 42 conventions.
The officers and committees are instrumental to the success of senate district activities. So, too, are party activists who attend caucuses, become convention delegates, and assist with get-out-the vote activities. Committees are open to anyone interested in participating — it is not necessary to be elected at a caucus or convention before joining a committee.
In addition to specific duties listed below, officers and committee chairs are called upon to help with many aspects of party building and candidate support at all levels.
Officers
Among the duties of the senate district chair are to:
- preside over meetings of the senate district central and executive committees
- represent the senate district on the State DFL Central Committee and the Congressional District 3 Central Committee
- call, organize and convene the senate district convention
- oversee organization of precinct caucuses
The senate district associate chair assists the chair as necessary and represents the senate district on the state and congressional district central committees in addition to working on specific projects.
The senate district secretary records and keeps records of meetings and activities; sends out meeting notices, minutes, and agendas; maintains a list of all members; and sends information to state headquarters for publication on the state DFL website.
The senate district treasurer is by state law the legal representative of the unit and is responsible for keeping accurate records of contributions and expenditures and of submitting those records in the format required by the Minnesota Public Disclosure Law. The treasurer also takes leadership in fundraising activities.
The senate district affirmative action officer is responsible for implementing a plan to reach out to minorities and members of underrepresented segments of society, to encourage them to participate in the DFL Party, and to educate them on how they can effectively participate. The affirmative action officer assumes leadership of the Affirmative Action and Outreach Committee if one exists to assist in accomplishing affirmative action objectives.
Committees
Affirmative Action and Outreach – The Affirmative Action and Outreach Committee assists the affirmative action officer in accomplishing affirmative action objectives.
Candidate Support and Development – The Candidate Support and Development Committee helps in candidate recruitment, development, and support for races within the senate district.
Communications and Technology – The Communications and Technology Committee disseminates the message and activities of the DFL Party to internal and external audiences within the senate district through multiple media appropriate to specific situations. The goal of the committee is to help craft consistent messages to be used in all activities of the senate district and to assist in attracting new people to participate in building the party’s presence in the senate district.
Events – The Events Committee plans and carries out events that raise party visibility in communities within the senate district. Some of these events may be planned in coordination with the Fundraising Committee.
Fundraising – The Fundraising Committee carries out plans to raise sufficient funds to support candidates and improve visibility in the senate district.
Precinct Organization – The Precinct Organization Committee works with precinct chairs and associate chairs to activate communication within neighborhoods about events and candidates. It also helps with recruitment and support of senate district officers.
Strategic Planning and Research – The Strategic Planning and Research Committee develops, monitors, and periodically revises the senate district’s strategic plan; advises the central and executive committees on adherence to the plan ; and conducts research in support of the various committees as needed.
Party Activists
In addition to officers and committee members, DFL activists who attend caucuses, become delegates to the senate district convention, or help with such things as lit drops, phone banks, and lawn sign placement are invaluable in contributing to DFL success at the polls. For more information on how you can become an active DFLer go here.