Democratic Delegate Chairman Duties
Democratic delegates convene every four years to cast their votes at the Democratic National Convention for the party's presidential and vice presidential nominees. In between elections, delegates also help advance Democratic candidates in state and local elections, and promote Democratic platforms. Each state's Democratic delegation elects a chairman or chairwoman to handle various duties before and during state or national Democratic conventions.
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Administrative Duties
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Many of the delegation chairman's responsibilities involve administrative tasks, including organizing programs and agendas for committee meetings and presiding over those meetings, which typically happen at least once a month. Delegation chairs also cosign checks drawn on the organization's accounts. They vote on actions brought before the delegation's executive board. They may also be responsible for appointing a delegation member to maintain a voter-registration database.
Public Duties
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The delegation chairman will usually serve as spokesman for the Democratic Party in his county. He'll also serve as an automatic delegate to the party's state central committee and its Congressional district committee, both of which can be visible positions in the community. Delegation chairs are active in publicly promoting the philosophies of the Democratic Party and in seeking Democratic candidates to run for local office. They're expected to support elected Democratic officials at the local, state and national levels, and provide opportunities for all registered Democrats to be active in the party's political affairs.
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Executive Duties
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Delegation chairs will appoint replacements for officers who are absent during delegation meetings, and appoint longer-term replacements for officers who vacate the rest of their terms. They must also create standing committees and special committees, and appoint committee chairs. They'll call special meetings to address new concerns and issues as they emerge, and must notify the entire delegation and committee membership by mail within a specific period before a special meeting. The chair will also serve as a member of all standing committees.
How to Become a Delegation Chairman
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The delegation chairmanship is an elected position. People interested in becoming delegation chairs must campaign for the position among the delegates who vote on the chairman's position, outlining why they're the best choice to handle the administrative and public duties involved in leading a delegation. Delegates generally vote for a chairman three to four months before a major convention. The chairman's term lasts two years.
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References
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