DA Australia AGM

Democrats Abroad Australia (DAA) will hold its annual general meeting (AGM), including the election of national country committee officers, on Saturday, 6 April 2019 in Sydney. The AGM will be held at Oz Harvest HQ in Sydney from 10:00am - 12:00pm AEDT.

All DAA members are welcome to attend either in person or by remote videoconference access through Webex. All DAA members are eligible to vote in the election, either in person, by proxy vote or remote ballot. The AGM must have the participation of at least 20 members to meet quorum. Further details about the AGM, how to RSVP and vote to be announced shortly.

DA Australia Nominations now open for National Leadership Roles

Nominations for DAA ExCom officers and voting representatives now open until Sunday, 10 March 2019. The following DAA ExCom positions are open: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Counsel, as well as Voting Representatives.

Every position is for a two-year term. They must be members of Democrats Abroad Australia at the time of the election and for the duration of their two-year term. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be of the opposite gender. ExCom Officers must meet at least quarterly each year (in person or remotely). Roles and responsibilities for each officer are listed below.

Nominations Process 

*****UPDATE - Nominations extended till Saturday, 16 March*****

Members may self-nominate for any of the roles. Candidate statements are due in writing by 11:59pm AEDT, Sunday 10 March to the Chair of the Nominations Committee, Karen Banes, at [email protected]. The candidate statement should be 1 page maximum, highlighting the candidate’s background, relevant skills and experience, motivation and objectives in seeking office, noting any existing involvement with Democrats Abroad or the Democratic Party. It's helpful to know the amount of time you have to devote to DA Australia. The candidate statements will be shared with DAA members prior to the election. Candidates are also encouraged to submit a one-minute video of their candidacy in addition to a written statement.

Those interested to run for office are highly encouraged to contact the Nominations Committee to have a complete understanding of the roles, responsibilities and time commitments. The Nominations Committee are as follows and none of them are seeking elected positions:

· Karen Banes, Committee Chair, [email protected]; 0481 708 580 (Canberra-based)

· Ritu Clementi, DAA Vice-Chair and Teller of Elections, [email protected]; 0499 954 157 (Canberra-based)

· Heather Gustin, [email protected]; 0466 726 218 (Perth-based)

Executive Committee and Voting Representative Roles and Responsibilities

Chair

The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of the organization, shall call and preside at all meetings of members and of the ExCom, and shall have responsibility for all activities approved by the organization. The Chair shall sit ex-officio on all committees of the organization including any Standing Committees, with full voting privileges. The Chair shall be a member of the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) and attend meetings of the DPCA.

The Chair must attend either in person or via Webex and vote in the biannual International AGM of Democrats Abroad. The next DA International AGM will be held in Washington DC 17-19 May 2019. (The Chair may delegate proxy vote if unable to participate).

The Chair is expected to attend (in person or via Webex) and vote in the Asia-Pacific regional caucus and the DA Convention in the year of a US general election. (Proxy voting not allowed).

The Chair is encouraged to attend the monthly DA Asia-Pacific regional phone meeting. The Chair often serves as spokesperson for DA Australia but these responsibilities can be shared or assigned to other members in Democrats Abroad.

The Chair must not be of the same gender as the Vice-Chair.

Vice-Chair

In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall call and preside at meetings of members and of the ExCom. The Vice-Chair shall have such other duties as the Chair shall define. The Vice-Chair shall become Country Chair in case of a vacancy in the office of Country Chair until the next AGM at which Officer Elections are held. The Vice-Chair shall be a member of the DPCA and attend meetings of the DPCA.

The Vice-Chair must attend either in person or via Webex and vote in the biannual International AGM of Democrats Abroad. The next DA International AGM will be held in Washington DC 17-19 May 2019. (The Vice-Chair may delegate proxy votes if unable to participate).

The Vice-Chair is expected to attend (in person or via Webex) and vote in the Asia-Pacific regional caucus and the DA Convention in the year of a US general election. (Proxy voting not allowed).

The Vice-Chair is encouraged to share responsibility of participating in the monthly DA Asia-Pacific phone meeting.

The Vice-Chair must not be of the same gender as the Chair.

Secretary

The Secretary shall maintain the member database, minutes of all meetings and all files and administrative records of the organization. The Chair may appoint member Database Manager(s) to fulfil the obligations imposed by the DPCA for the maintenance of the current list of members. The Secretary shall maintain an active correspondence with the Local Chapter contacts. At meetings requiring a quorum the Secretary shall confirm a quorum of members is in attendance in person or by proxy per the current member database. In the Secretary’s absence the Chair shall appoint an ExCom member to serve in the capacity of the Secretary.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall manage the finances of the organization, maintain its financial reports to members and prepare such financial reports and submissions as may be required by law (including without limitation the laws and regulations of the United States and several States applicable to political parties and contributions to them). The Treasurer shall prepare and present to the AGM of DA Australia a Statement of Income and Expenses based on a fiscal year ending 31 March and a Balance Sheet as of 31 March. The Treasurer shall maintain a full understanding of the laws and regulations of Australia and ensure that financial reports, returns and other submissions required of the organization under the laws and regulations/regulatory bodies of Australia are tendered in full and on time. In association with the Counsel, the Treasurer shall maintain a robust understanding of the regulations of the Federal Election Commission and, to the best of his/her ability, ensure the organization and Local Chapters are operating in compliance with them. The Treasurer shall have signature power over all bank or other financial accounts held in the name of DA Australia. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall receive copies or updates of DA Australia financial accounts upon request.

The Treasurer shall maintain an active correspondence with the Local Chapter contacts.

Counsel

The Counsel shall be available for consultation by the Committee or its officers on legal and procedural questions relating to DA Australia and its activities. In association with the Treasurer, the Counsel shall maintain a robust understanding of the regulations of the Federal Election Commission and ensure, to the best of his/her ability, ensure the organization and Local Chapters are operating in compliance with them, liaising with the International Counsel of Democrats Abroad as necessary. The Counsel shall act as parliamentarian at all meetings of DA Australia, unless absent or excused there from.

Voting Representatives (4)

Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) Voting Representatives shall represent the views of DA Australia at the international meetings of the DPCA. The number of voting members is based on country membership and is determined by the DPCA. The Country Chair and Vice-Chair are Voting Representatives by virtue of their offices, while additional Voting Representatives are to be elected by the DA Australia membership.

Alternate Voting Representatives (2)

In cases when elected Voting Representatives cannot attend international meetings of the DPCA, alternates shall stand in their place and represent the views of DA Australia.