Let’s remember how we felt on that Wednesday morning in November and take strength to bring hope to life.
We shall return . . .
Democrats Abroad Switzerland (DACH) will elect a new Executive Committee (ExCom) at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Zürich on Sunday March 30, 2025. Heed the call and get involved! We encourage all who have previous experience at any level in registering voters and assisting to volunteer. Anyone who is committed to the principles of democracy and freedom is welcome. We are a grassroots organization with a small budget and no paid staff. We have monthly meetings. If you enjoy working with other Americans across Switzerland committed to helping the Democratic Party: this is a unique chance to bring change to a world in need of hope.
Our primary focus is to use our talents, time and enthusiasm to reach out and find Americans living in Switzerland and assist them to register and then to vote in upcoming US elections. There are many opportunities for activism and to work on political issues important to our members here in Switzerland and within our international organization (DA). Democrats Abroad has regular in-person meetings in Europe, Washington DC, and other member countries that provide opportunities to train for the upcoming elections, to work together with other country committees on the DA platform, policies, and caucuses, and to hear stimulating political speakers. The ExCom guides the DA effort in Switzerland.
PLEASE CONSIDER RUNNING FOR AN OFFICE!
If you think you're interested in running for a leadership positions but would like to ask questions or hear some first-hand experience first, please consider attending our Leadership Information Session on Sunday, February 16.
Executive Committee Officers
The leadership of Democrats Abroad Switzerland consists of twelve officers, of which eight will be elected at the AGM and four sit as ex-officio (Chapter Chairs and previous DACH Chair). Officers are elected for two-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms. Officers are members like you who volunteer their time and skills to represent and organize Democrats across Switzerland. The elected positions are listed below.
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Chair (10-20 hours a month)
The Chair leads the Executive Committee for DACH and liaises with global leadership. The specific responsibilities are delineated in the bylaws. Most importantly, the Chair is responsible for developing and executing the overall goals of DACH in consultation with the other members of the ExCom and expectations from the Global organization. They run the monthly meetings and prepare the agenda, including funding proposals. The Chair represents DACH in the press and should strive to be a visual presence at major events. The Chair automatically serves as a DPCA Representative.
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Vice Chair (5-15 hours a month)
The Vice Chair fills in for the Chair whenever needed. This could include global, local, or chapter meetings. In addition, the Chair and Vice Chair will work together to divide responsibilities and develop specific projects for the term of office. The Vice Chair automatically serves as a DPCA Representative.
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Treasurer (5 hours a month)
Responsibilities include:- Manage the finances of DACH and its chapters;
- Maintain clear and accurate financial records and make financial reports on a timely basis;
- Be familiar with local financial laws regarding vereins and FEC laws regarding campaign finance. (note: we have trainings on these matters regularly);
- Provide required documents and information to elected Auditor(s) who are responsible for the ongoing audit of DACH business;
- Prepare a monthly financial report to be shared with the DACH ExCom and the international treasurer;
- Attend our ExCom Meeting one evening a month.
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Secretary (5 hours a month)
Responsibilities include:- Taking and distributing minutes at our national meetings;
- Working with the chair and digital communications lead to draft the monthly newsletter;
- Organize and maintain the documents in the Google Drive;
- Distribute documents and forms as needed to the national team;
- Create forms and tracking sheets for work with volunteers and event management;
- Maintain our membership list, including leading a yearly cleaning of the database;
- Attend our ExCom Meeting one evening a month.
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Member-at-Large, National Events and Volunteer Management Lead (5 hours a month)
Responsibilities include:- Managing the Zoom account for our regular online activities like book club;
- Planning online one-time events for our members nationally (about 5 per year);
- Lead the planning for our big in-person gathering for the year (either AGM or 4th of July Picnic);
- Working with Chapter Chairs to do outreach to new volunteers and help them get involved;
- Attend our ExCom Meeting one evening a month;
- Work with the team to create a volunteer and event tracking system and event evaluation process.
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Member-at-Large, Digital Communications Lead (7 hours a month)
Responsibilities include:- Managing content for our Facebook and Instagram accounts (produced globally);
- Creating images and language to promote our local events and campaigns;
- Create and manage graphics to use both in digital media and through our website and newsletter for consistent and effective communication;
- Post national events on our website;
- Work with the Chair and Secretary to draft the monthly national newsletter;
- Assist local chapters with their graphics and communications as needed;
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Attend our ExCom Meeting one evening a month.
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Member-at-Large, Media Relations Lead (5 hours* a month)
Responsibilities include:- Managing our press lists in both the French-speaking and German-speaking regions;
- Work with global to stay up to date on messaging and approved language;
- Connect local spokespersons with press and ensure they are current on all messaging;
- Draft press releases as needed;
- Recruit and assess additional spokespersons;
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Attend our ExCom Meeting one evening a month.
*Varies greatly depending on election timing and press interest.
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Member-at-Large, Global Relations Lead (7 hours a month)
NOTE: This person must also run for and become a DPCA Representative
Responsibilities include:- Keep up to date with information from Global DA through meetings and online communications platforms;
- Attend the Global ExCom Meeting when necessary and our local monthly ExCom Meeting;
- In coordination with the Chair, convey all relevant information to the national ExCom;
- Ensure the Swiss delegation knows about upcoming meetings and has registered attendance or filled out proxy forms;
- Fulfill the duties of a DPCA representative
Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) Voting Representative or Alternate
This is DA at the global level, which is part of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Each country committee, eg. Switzerland, sends reps to vote at DPCA global meetings. In 2025/6, we estimate that DACH will send six, of which our Chair and Vice-Chair are two. The four others are elected from among the DACH membership. You may run both for an ExCom office and to be DPCA Representative. In addition to the four DPCA Voting Representatives, we elect four DPCA Alternates. Estimates are provisional, awaiting membership verification.
The global meeting takes place once a year, the first weekend in June. It is both online and in person. The meeting is two-three full days and those days are in the time zone of the meeting. Additionally, one or two other meetings might be scheduled to deal with urgent matters. These are always on a weekend and typically occur during European friendly times. Representatives should vote in the interest of Swiss members to the best of their abilities. This could include reaching out to general members in advance of a meeting or discussing the agenda with ExCom members.
Lastly, DPCA Representatives should ideally lead the DACH chapter of a Global Caucus. The list of caucuses can be found here: DA Global Caucuses
Nominations Timeline
To run for a position, inform the Nominations Committee via email before the deadline of February 23. Include your name, address, telephone number, email address, and a brief statement of intention to run. By March 5, we will distribute candidate names, short bios, and voting procedures to all members by email.
Elections will be held during the 2025 AGM on Sunday March 30, from 1 to 4 PM, Stauffacherstrasse 60, 8004 Zürich. At the meeting, you are encouraged to nominate some of the shyer people and volunteer. Change only works if you join. Be sure to attend the meeting and vote for your new Leadership!
On February 16, 2025 | Leadership Information Session |
By February 23, 2025 | Members who wish to run for office shall inform the Chair of the NEC in writing (email) |
On March 5, 2025 | The NEC will distribute to all current members of DACH a notice regarding the election meeting. The notice will include the names of all candidates and a summary of their qualifications. |
On March 30, 2025 |
Annual General Meeting and Elections |
In addition to officers at the DACH country level, we will also have elections this Spring for officers in the Basel, Suisse Romande, and Zürich chapters during their AGMs prior to the national AGM, so you can also run for local chapter positions.