The Democrats Abroad South Africa (DASA) Executive Committee (Exco) is comprised of the positions outlined below. Candidates will be elected for 2-year terms as outlined in the DASA Bylaws. Democrats Abroad is a volunteer-led organization and seeks interest from US Citizens living in South Africa who are committed to developing the organization’s capacity, reach and impact.

DASA is an official Country Committee of the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA), commonly referred to as Democrats Abroad Global. Democrats Abroad is the official arm of the Democratic Party representing Americans living outside of the United States.

• Chair / DPCA Voting Representative
• Vice Chair / DPCA Voting Representative
• Secretary
• Counsel
• Treasurer
• 2 x Members at Large
• To be confirmed after 1 Feb – any additional DPCA Voting Representatives

The Executive Committee currently meets once a month, but Exco members are encouraged to actively participate in DASA events and activities throughout the year. An outline of the roles and responsibilities of each position are noted below, all Exco Members are encouraged to contribute to the various aspects of fulfilling DASA’s responsibilities and aspirations, including but not limited to:

• Communications (Newsletter, social media, media, webpage, WhatsApp group)
• Keeping up to date with global and EMEA regional Democrats Abroad internal communications and meetings
• Involvement with DA Caucuses and Task Teams
• Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Voter Mobilization
• Events and Fundraising
• Member outreach/engagement
• Developing organizational capacity

DASA’s activities and responsibilities are closely linked to those of our regional and global structures. There is constant change and growth taking place at the global level. It is important to note that DASA is still in its early stages of organizational development and growth as a reconstituted country committee. DASA needs high levels of commitment and flexibility from its leadership and seeks nominations from members who exhibit leadership, initiative and are team players.

The overarching goal of Democrats Abroad is to mobilize US Citizens living abroad to vote in upcoming elections. As noted in the roles and responsibilities outlined below, DASA seeks people with wide-ranging organizational skills and levels of interest. Key to this is compliance – including managing Federal Elections Commission (FEC) regulations and Democrats Abroad Global processes, as well as pursuing the increasing opportunities made possible using technology to reach and mobilize overseas American voters.

The Democrats Abroad Charter requires that DPCA Voting Representative positions, including the Chair and Vice Chair positions, be held by people of different genders. It is also extremely important to DASA to have a leadership team that reflects the diversity of our membership.
 

Chair

“The Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of the organization_, shall call and preside over all meetings of members and of the Executive Committee, and shall have responsibility for all activities approved by the organization. The Chairperson shall sit ex-officio on all committees of the organization including Standing and Ad-hoc Committees, with full voting privileges.”

The Chair provides overall leadership to DASA and serves as the primary liaison with Democrats Abroad at global and regional levels. The responsibilities of the Chair include, but are not limited to:

• Leading the overall strategic direction, development and management of the Country Committee.
• Providing leadership to the Exco and ensuring connection between local, regional and global levels.
• Appointing committees or individuals to assist in implementing the business of the organization.
• The Chair serves as a DPCA Voting Representative and is expected to prepare for, attend and vote at EMEA Regional (monthly) and DPCA meetings (approx. 2 weekends per year or as required).
• The position of Chair is extremely time consuming and requires great commitment, geopolitical sensitivity, volunteer management, networking and organizational aptitude, and both leadership and strategic planning skills.

Estimated commitment time: 10-15 hours per week (significantly more at times)

Vice Chair

“In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall call and preside at meetings of members and of the Executive Committee. The Vice-Chair shall have such other duties as the Chairperson shall define from time-to-time.”

This is a great opportunity for someone who would like to expand their network and liaise with DA leaders on the continent and globally. DASA is looking for someone who will enjoy a mix of leadership and administrative responsibilities:

• Provide leadership support to both the Chair and Exco members.  
• Organize and Coordinate Exco meetings with Chair and Secretary.
• Attend local and global events especially in the Chair’s absence.
• Assist with a range of administrative functions including NationBuilder, Fundraising, PR/Comms and Special Events & Projects
• Represent DASA at Democrats Abroad Africa Committee (DAAC), Regional EMEA and other global structures as well as attending relevant meetings and events (primarily online, 3-5 per month)
• The Vice Chair serves as a DPCA Voting Representative and is expected to prepare for, attend and vote at EMEA Regional (monthly) and DPCA meetings (approx. 2 weekends per year or as required).

Estimated commitment time: 5-10 hours per week (more at times)

Secretary

“The Secretary shall maintain a current list of members of the organization (containing sensitive personal information such as name, mail and email addresses, other contact details including State & Local voting districts and such other information as the DPCA may deem necessary from time to time), be the keeper of ExCom’s monthly meeting minutes, and all the archives and administrative records of the organization. All such records shall be open for inspection by members.”

It is essential that the Secretary have strong organizational skills and be willing to help develop DASA’s organizational tools and structures. The Secretary should be comfortable with electronic communication tools, including learning the use of new tools used within Democrats Abroad. Experience with or comfort in learning to use NationBuilder, CRM software used by Democrats Abroad, is preferred.

• Assist with setting up Exco meetings and agendas
• Compliance and reporting as required by Democrats Abroad including but not limited to:
  • Minutes of Exco meetings (monthly)
  • Submit AGM minutes within 15 days of meeting (once a year)
  • Certification of membership (annually)
• Provide organizational support to the team
• Help maintain DASA resources such as our calendar, webpage, newsletter, membership database and other communication resources (includes the use of NationBuilder)
• Identify and share information from Democrats Abroad Global as required
• Support the administrative and compliance related needs regarding onboarding of new Exco members.

Estimated commitment time: 5-10 hours per week

Treasurer

“The Treasurer shall manage the finances of the organization, maintain, and present financial reports and make and maintain such financial reports as may be required by law, including without limitation the laws and regulations of the United States and the several States applicable to political parties and contributions to them. All such records shall be open for inspection by members. The Treasurer shall consult with the International Treasurer of Democrats Abroad from time to time on matters concerning the maintenance of financial records and financial reporting (notably to the United States Federal Election Commission).”

In recent years, Democrats Abroad Global has embarked on a process of restructuring their financial management and fundraising processes, including reporting. It is essential that the Treasurer is willing to liaise with the International Treasurer and global structures and learn/use new systems as they adapt and maintain compliance with the FEC. Funds raised locally now run directly through the Global website and are managed through Global’s bank accounts. DASA does not have a bank account in South Africa. This is still a relatively new system, and further changes may take place, but it eases the management burden on the Exco Members and Treasurer.

• Budgeting and costing
• Oversee fundraising (*preferred but not required)
• Responsibility for FEC compliance
• Compliance with Democrats Abroad Global requirements which may be determined from time to time.

 Estimated commitment time: 5-10 hours per month

Counsel

“The Counsel shall be available for consultation on legal and procedural questions relating to DASA and its activities, and the interpretation of and compliance with the Bylaws of DASA, and the Charter and Bylaws of Democrats Abroad.”

The Counsel may be asked to advise on a range of issues that arise through Democrats Abroad Global’s continuous growth and professionalization processes. While there has not been a significant need for legal advice in recent years, such advice may be needed if changes arise. Counsel is expected to contribute to and provide input on the financial and fundraising aspects of DASA’s work as FEC compliance is a priority and change is ongoing.

Estimated commitment time: 5-10 hours per month

Members at Large (2)

Members at Large support all aspects of DASA’s work and are encouraged to lead areas of specific interest and organizational need such as Communications, Membership Development and Engagement, Voter Mobilization, NationBuilder, Caucus and Task Team focus areas, fundraising, events, and advocacy.

Estimated commitment time: 10-15 hours per month

Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) Voting Representatives

The members of DASA are represented in the DPCA by the Chair and Vice Chair of DASA and such Voting Representatives as may be authorized by the DPCA Charter. DPCA votes are allocated to DASA from time to time in accordance with the terms of the DPCA Charter, and such votes may be cast by the Chair, the Vice Chair, and the Voting Representatives (or by their valid proxies).

Voting Representatives may also be, but need not be, elected members of the DASA Executive Committee. Voting Representatives are expected to attend meetings of the DASA Executive Committee at which issues relevant to DPCA are on the agenda. They are expected to attend all DPCA meetings at which they are entitled to vote, either electronically (using methods approved by the DPCA) or in person; if they are unable to attend, they are expected to arrange effective proxies as allowed by the rules of the DPCA.

Estimated commitment time: 5-10 hours per month. DPCA Voting Representatives are required to attend and vote in meetings (online or in person) called by the DPCA which generally includes 2 weekend meetings per year.

DPCA Statement on Gender Balance:

Gender balance rules of the Democratic Party and DPCA apply to the Chair, Vice-Chair, as well as DPCA Voting and Non-Voting Representative(s).

Persons whose gender is non-binary may be elected as Chair, Vice-Chair, and/or DPCA Voting or Non-Voting Representative(s) in any number up to the total number of those positions.

For all of these positions – Chair, Vice Chair, and DPCA Voting and Non-Voting Representatives (collectively, the “DPCA Voting Delegation”) – the number of persons with a binary gender shall be balanced between males and females, with the sole exception being when the total number of members of the DPCA Voting Delegation is an odd number due to (i) the size of the DPCA Voting Delegation and/or (ii) the election of one or more persons of a non-binary gender. In either case, the difference between the total number of males and females in the DPCA Voting Delegation shall be one.