Democrats Abroad Switzerland (DACH) will elect a new Executive Committee at our Annual General Meeting on March 25.
This is a call for candidates to stand for office and run the nominations/election process. We seek members motivated to help Democrats win races at all levels of our political process for the 2018 U.S. Midterm Congressional Elections. There will be political activities, fundraisers, Get-Out-The-Vote campaigns around Switzerland, discussions and watch parties, and more! Now is the time to heed the call for candidates and get involved.
“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something.”
– President Barack Obama
Please consider running for an office. Joining the leadership of DACH is a great opportunity to build up experience, broaden your network, have fun and meet great people. There will be plenty of opportunity and demand for Democratic activism to counter the policy being put in place by the new Republican administration and to promote the Democratic message.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (ExCom) is the leadership of DACH, elected for a two-year term and is made up of eleven officers, of which nine are elected and two sit ex-officio. Officers are members who volunteer their time and skills to represent and organize Democrats across Switzerland.
Officers will be elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Basel on Saturday, March 25, 2017.
Officers
- Chair
- Vice-Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Counsel
- Member-At-Large, Membership Development
- Member-At-Large, Fundraising
- Member-At-Large, Events and Volunteers
- Member-At-Large, Press and Media
Elections
All registered members of Democrats Abroad living in Switzerland are eligible and encouraged to run for a position AND to vote at the Annual General Meeting. You can nominate any member of Democrats Abroad Switzerland, including yourself.
How It Works: Nominations Timeline
Feb 17 — Send Statement of Intent to Nominations Committee
Include nominee's name, address, telephone number, email address, and a brief statement of intent (under 500 words) to Committee Chair Anne-Shelton Aaron.
Feb 28 — Announce Candidates to Members
We will distribute information about the candidates, their statements, voting procedures, meeting agenda and venue to all members by email.
Mar 25 — Vote in the Election
Elections will be held during the 2017 Annual General Meeting. Save the date!
Job Description & Duties
☆ Chair ☆
Chief executive officer of DA Switzerland – as such, Chair must
- Organize and conduct meetings of the Executive Committee and the membership, and set the agenda of such meetings
- Establish all committees necessary for the proper functioning of the organization
- Represent DACH in interviews with the press
- Represent DACH at meetings of the DPCA (DA International) in person or online, in accordance with the DPCA Charter, and report to the DACH ExCom on DPCA activities, issues, votes, etc.
- Choose a fair and impartial head of the “Nominations and Elections Committee” to run DACH elections in odd numbered years
☆ Vice-Chair ☆
- Must be opposite gender to Chair (as per DACH and DPCA by-laws)
- Assist Chair in all DACH ExCom activities
- Substitute for Chair when needed
- Attend all DACH ExCom, and regular international, meetings in person or online
- Co-represent DACH at meetings of the DPCA (Dems Abroad International) in person or online, in accordance with the DPCA Charter
- Take on other responsibilities as agreed upon with the ExCom
☆ Secretary ☆
- Take minutes of all meetings and after approval of the Chair distribute to the ExCom in a timely fashion
- Distribute meeting agendas to the ExCom
- Maintain all files and administrative records of the organization (Google Docs)
- Maintain a current list of members of the organization
☆ Treasurer ☆
- Manage the finances of DA Switzerland and its Chapters
- Maintain clear and accurate financial records and make financial reports as required on a timely basis
- Ensure all financial matters conform to local rules and regulations as well as those of the Federal Election Commission and campaign finance laws of the United States
☆ Counsel ☆
- Preferably a qualified lawyer
- Consult with the Executive Committee and/or its officers on legal and procedural questions relating to Democrats Abroad Switzerland and its activities
☆ Chair of Zurich Chapter ☆ (ex officio, elected at Zurich Chapter meeting)
- Lead and mobilize members to join his or her team
- Appoint Chapter positions such as vice-chair, secretary, media contact, event organizer, GOTV coordinator, Young Dems chair, or any other position deemed necessary
- Direct the activities of DACH in the German-speaking part of Switzerland
- Be a dedicated team player who will work with the DACH Executive Committee
☆ Immediate-past Chair ☆ (ex officio)
- Advise and assist DACH Executive Committee in its activities
DACH Members-At-Large
The ExCom has designated specific duties to these 4 seats. Candidates for these positions must be willing to fill the specific duties. The main function of each designated-duty Member-At-Large position is to coordinate efforts on the national level in this general area. For some specific projects, such as fundraising events, the Member-At-Large coordinator may create work groups under his/her leadership.
☆ Member-At-Large, Membership Development ☆
- Develop and implement strategies to recruit new members, to reach goal of a 10% membership growth in 2017
☆ Member-At-Large, Fundraising ☆
- Develop and implement campaigns and events to meet revenue goals as stated in the DACH field plans for 2017 and 2018.
☆ Member-At-Large, Events & Volunteers ☆
- Develop and implement DACH program of events
- Keep an up-to-date list of volunteers, recruit them for events as needed
☆ Member-At-Large, Press and Media ☆
- Maintain up-to-date press list
- Draft press releases
- Maintain press and media relations
Beyond the nine Executive Committee positions above, the ExCom seeks people to take on the following non-elected positions:
☆ Young Democrats Coordinator (18-35) ☆
Organize and implement events, maintain communication
☆ LGBT Caucus Coordinator ☆
Create and maintain caucus, coordinate with same in other countries
☆ Women's Caucus Coordinator ☆
Create and maintain caucus, coordinate with same in other countries
For more information on these offices and positions, contact Anne-Shelton Aaron.
Nominations Committee
You are invited to reach out to these committee members to enquire further about the roles described above or ask general questions.
- Anne-Shelton Aaron (Chair), Chair of DACH (2013-2017)
- Peter Butterfield, Vice-Chair of DACH (2013-2017)
- Maya Samara, Past Chair of DACH (2009-2013)