Help Democrats Abroad Vancouver (DAV) get out the vote this year – join our Board! We have a few vacancies to fill for a one-year period (2024-2025), and you could be just what the DAV Chapter needs to reach as many voters as possible in this important election year. We are looking for folks interested in running for General Secretary, Community Outreach Secretary, Policy Secretary, Communications Secretary, and Member-at-Large. More details on the nomination process and role descriptions are below.

Nomination Process: You can self-nominate or nominate someone else, with their permission. Nominations should be sent to [email protected]. Please include no more than 500 words stating the nominee's qualifications, experience, and reason for seeking the office. In addition, the letter must include a confirmation from the nominee that they are: (1) a bona fide US citizen residing in Canada; (2) a member of Democrats Abroad and of the DA-Van chapter; and (3) that they will adhere to the principles of the Democratic Party of the United States and Democrats Abroad.

Term: Starting May 26, 2024, ending approximately April 2025, covering the next Presidential election, always an exciting time to be involved.

Eligibility: All currently registered members of  Democrats Abroad Canada who are members of the Vancouver Chapter are eligible unless prohibited (i.e., term limits, other previously stated restrictions) per the Democrats Abroad Canada bylaws. Nominees must be willing to stand for office. 

Nomination Deadline:  April 22, 2024, 11:59 pm. After nominations are closed, we’ll provide ballots and information on voting.

Board Meetings: Meetings occur monthly and can be attended either in person (when feasible) or remotely.

Positions: The following positions are up for election:

General Secretary

The General Secretary shall record and file minutes of all meetings and shall keep all such files and administrative records of the organization. Minutes of all meetings shall be sent to the Executive Committee once forwarded to the Chair and / or Vice Chair (in instances of absence by the Chair). At the next regular meeting of the Executive Committee, Executive members will accept the Minutes either as presented or amended, subject to quorum requirements.

Community Outreach Secretary

The Development and Community Outreach Secretary plans and hosts the three DA-Van standing social events - Thanksgiving (fall), AGM (winter) and Fourth of July (summer), and any other social events of DA-Van. The Development and Community Outreach Secretary also develops relationships in the wider community beyond Democrats Abroad Vancouver, such as developing service projects in the local community. The Development and Community Outreach Secretary may form and head a committee of members interested in volunteering for social and outreach events pertaining to Democrats Abroad.

Policy Secretary

The Policy Secretary advises the general membership, through the Executive Committee, on US policy matters from our unique perspective as Americans abroad. The Policy Secretary also recommends opportunities for general membership to participate in U.S. policy-related discussions and activities. The Policy Secretary may form and head a committee of members interested in volunteering for policy pertaining to Democrats Abroad.

Communications Secretary

The Communications Secretary holds full responsibility for strategy and execution of all media contact, plus advertising, and reporting through its Committee Chair to the Executive Committee, who must ratify any strategies executed. The Communications Secretary may form and head a committee of members interested in volunteering for communications pertaining to Democrats Abroad.

Member-at-Large (2 positions)

Members-at-Large bring special gifts and talents to the chapter. Members-at-Large should attend all Board meetings and stay informed through general emails from Democrats Abroad. Members-at-Large will work to engage members and volunteers by organizing events, such as tax seminars, debate watches, voting centers, phone banking events, pub nights, round tables, movie nights, and speaker nights. Members-at-Large should include a diversity of individuals with various skill sets, such as database and technology proficiency, writing articles for the website, and writing or sending emails.

Nominations and Elections Committee Equity Statement

Democrats Abroad Vancouver's Nominations and Elections Committee will actively work to recognize, develop and promote initiatives that build equity, diversity, and inclusion in the election process, including, but not limited to, removing barriers of race, sex, gender, age, physical disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity, and socioeconomic status. These efforts will prioritize actions to ensure that all members are treated in a fair and ethical manner and are supported in their paths to success. For more information, please contact the committee at [email protected]. 

“Democrats are the party of inclusion. We know that diversity is not our problem—it is our promise. As Democrats, we respect differences of perspective and belief, and pledge to work together to move this country forward, even when we disagree ... we do not merely seek common ground—we strive to reach higher ground.”  - DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM