If you'd like to run for the Executive Committee of Democrats Abroad Netherlands here are some handy overviews of what each positions entails.
Chair
Democrats Abroad Netherlands’ bylaws state: The Chair shall be the chief executive officer of DANL; shall call and preside at all meetings of the membership and of the Executive Committee; and shall have overall responsibility for all activities approved and conducted by DANL. The Chair shall be an ex-officio member of all committees, with full voting privileges thereon.
Purpose: To provide overall direction for the activities of Democrats Abroad Netherlands (DANL).
Accountabilities: Overall responsibility to help formulate DANL’s goals and strategic direction and ensure it achieves these. The Chair is expected (but not required) to attend Democrats Abroad International’s annual regional and global meetings and reports to the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Regional Chair and the International Chair.
Dimensions: Represent DANL, communicate its goals, and maintain and foster good relations with the DANL membership, Democrats Abroad International, the American expat community at large, the local and international media, the Dutch political and social community. Promote and expand local activities.
Estimated time required:
In general: about 5 hours per week
Presidential election year: 10-20 hours per week
Financial commitment: All travel and many incidental expenses are out of pocket.
Recommended experience and qualifications: Experience with organizational leadership, good representation and communications skills, management ability and the ability to create synergy within diverse groups and interests.
Key competences: Articulate, public speaking, visionary, leadership, inclusive, positive, flexible, team player, good social skills
Vice Chair
Democrats Abroad Netherlands’ bylaws state: In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall call and preside at general membership meetings and meetings of the Executive Committee; and may attend and vote at meetings of committees in the Chair’s absence. The Vice-Chair shall further have such other duties as the Chair shall define and delegate. Additional requirement: The Vice-Chair must be the opposite sex of the Chairperson.
Purpose: To assist the Chair in identifying, promoting and supporting the goals of Democrats Abroad Netherlands (DANL).
Accountabilities: To stand in for the Chair as and when needed. To organize and attend DANL and third party events.
Dimensions: Represent DANL, communicate its goals, and maintain and foster good relations with the DANL membership, Democrats Abroad International, the American expat community at large, the local and international media, the Dutch political and social community. Promote and expand local activities.
Estimated time required:
In general: 5-10 hours per week
Presidential election year: 10-15 hours per week
Financial commitment: All travel and many incidental expenses are out of pocket.
Special challenges: The vice-chair is also expected (but not required) to attend Democrats Abroad International’s annual regional and/or global meetings, at personal expense.
Recommended experience and qualifications: Past and/or current membership in voluntary and/or community organizations. Ability to take initiative as well as follow the Chair’s lead.
Key competences: Articulate, public speaking, visionary, leadership, inclusive, positive, flexible, team player, good social skills
Recommendation: A willingness to speak to the media, the ability to lead and inspire others.
Secretary
Democrats Abroad Netherlands' bylaws state: The Secretary shall maintain a current list of the members of Democrats Abroad Netherlands which shall include a member's name, mail and e-mail addresses, telephone number(s), U.S. voting district/State and other such information as the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA) requires. The Secretary shall take minutes of all membership and Executive Committee meetings and maintain all files and administrative records of DANL.
Purpose: To maintain a current, valid and complete list of DANL members. To maintain the records of DANL, including minutes of all meetings, files and administrative records.
Accountabilities: Responsible for processing membership requests and verifying the accuracy of DANL membership records; maintenance of all other official records of DANL
Dimensions: Receive, respond to, and/or distribute queries from DANL applicants and members by email/phone/post. The DANL Secretary is also expected to attend DANL events and to represent DANL at third party events such as voter registration drives, fairs, receptions and other means of promoting the organization and its goals.
Time requirement: In general: 1-5 hours per week; 5-10 hours per week during election years.
Recommended experience and qualifications: Working knowledge of (or willingness to learn) web-based databases and CRM (customer relation management) software.
Key competencies: Excellent organizational skills, detail-oriented, computer-literate, team player, flexible.
Treasurer
Democrats Abroad Netherlands’ bylaws state: The Treasurer shall manage the finances of DANL; prepare periodic financial reports to the membership; and prepare and maintain such financial reports as may be required by law, including without limitation any laws and regulations of the United States and the several States applicable to political parties and contributions to them.
Purpose: To maintain the financial records of Democrats Abroad Netherlands (DANL), and ensure that all appropriate donation records are kept in accordance with the campaign finance rules that pertain to DANL.
Accountabilities: Maintain bank and other accounts, ensure that all finance records on file are kept in such a manner that they are easily retrievable and reviewable. Prepare reports for each Executive Committee meeting (for examination by the Executive Committee) and at the Annual General Meetings (for examination by the membership), in which all information on income and expenses must be reported.
Dimensions: The Treasurer is expected to attend DANL events and to represent DANL at third party events such as voter registration drives, fairs, receptions and other means of promoting the organization and its goals. Promote and expand local activities.
Estimated time required:
In general: 1 – 8 hours per week
Presidential election year (and when receivables/payables traffic is higher): more than 8 hours per week
Financial commitment: All travel and many incidental expenses are out of pocket.
Recommended experience and qualifications: Knowledge of the Dutch banking system and online payment systems (such as PayPal), knowledge of campaign finance regulations
Key competences: Organizational and financial skills, team player, good social skills
Counsel
Democrats Abroad Netherlands’ bylaws state: The Counsel shall advise the Executive Committee and its individual officers on legal and procedural questions relating to Democrats Abroad Netherlands and its activities. The Counsel shall consult with the International Counsel from time to time on emergent matters, when needed or requested by the Chair or the Executive Committee
Purpose: Advise on legal issues, e.g. compliance with U.S. Federal Election Law, campaign finance law, etc.
Accountabilities: Any and all legal correspondence, claims, or charges. Legal advice to protect and support the goals of Democrats Abroad Netherlands (DANL)
Dimensions: Primary interaction is within the Executive Committee and with any official institution focused on legal issues or tasks. The Counsel is also expected to attend DANL events and to represent DANL at third party events such as voter registration drives, fairs, receptions and other means of promoting the organization and its goals. Promote and expand local activities.
Time Requirements:
In general: 1-5 hours per week
Presidential election year: 5-10 hours per week
Special challenges: Some of the most challenging legal questions arise because the chapter operates outside the United States, and election law places strict limits on dealings with non-U.S. citizens and corporations, particularly with respect to accepting donations.
Financial commitment: All travel and incidental expenses are out of pocket
Recommended experience and qualifications: Legal expertise or training
Key competences: Thorough, responsible, team player
Members-at-Large (x2)
Democrats Abroad Netherlands’ bylaws state: Two Members-at-Large [will be] elected from among the eligible members of the organization.
Purpose: To act as a sounding board and give input at executive committee (excom) meetings. Support the goals of Democrats Abroad Netherlands (DANL)
Accountabilities: Any tasks mutually agreed upon within the Executive Committee (excom).
Dimensions: Interact with the other board members within the excom as well as foster and maintain good relations within the DANL and American expat community. Promote and expand local activities.
Time Requirements:
In general: 1 or more hours per week
Presidential election year: 5-15 hours per week
Financial commitment: All travel and many incidental expenses are out of pocket.
Special challenge: As this position is not defined, members-at-large should be self-motivating and flexible, and be able to recognize, create and execute supportive tasks and roles within DANL.
Key competences: Team-player, open-minded, responsible, good personality
DPCA Voting Representatives (x4)
Democrats Abroad Netherlands’ bylaws state: If the size of DANL membership warrants under the DPCA Bylaws, one or more Voting Representatives shall be elected by the DANL membership in order to enable DANL to cast all its votes as a Country Committee under the DPCA in matters pertaining to the DPCA on a one-person-one-vote basis. Gender balance rules shall apply when electing more than one Voting Representative. A Voting Representative has the right to attend and vote at all DPCA meetings in which the DANL Chair and/or Vice-Chair may attend, in accordance to the DPCA Bylaws.
Purpose: To cast formal votes on behalf of Democrats Abroad Netherlands at meetings of our international governing body, the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA). Based on the size of our membership in the Netherlands, DANL is allocated 6 votes in global meetings. The Chair and Vice-Chair (ex officio) may each cast one vote. The remaining 4 votes are cast, one per person, by our 4 DPCA voting representatives.
Accountabilities: To follow and stay informed of the activities of DANL and the DPCA throughout the year and attend global meetings (virtually or in-person). DPCA meetings take place twice a year. Extraordinary DPCA meetings are also possible.
Dimensions: Represent DANL and maintain and foster good relations with the DANL and DPCA memberships.
Estimated time required:
In general: 1 hour per week
Presidential election year: 1-2 hours per week
Financial commitment: Any travel expenses for in-person participation in DPCA meetings are out of pocket. (In-person participation is not required.)
Recommended experience and qualifications: Past and/or current membership in voluntary and/or community organizations. Understanding of Democrats Abroad’s mission and operations.
Key competences: Inclusive, positive, flexible, team player, good social skills
Recommendation: Active participation in the organization of Democrats Abroad Netherlands local activities is key in order to understand our needs and positions on issues arising in global meetings.
We're pleased to announce the formation of a Nominations & Election Committee comprised of Karen Kao, Stirland Martin and Claire Taylor. They will issue a formal call for nominations shortly. In the meantime, you can learn about the roles and responsibilities of our Democrats Abroad officers here.