Albemarle County Democrats (Virginia)

Albemarle Democrats Biannual Reorganization

What is the reorganization?

Every two years, local Democratic parties reorganize the local committee by electing new members and leadership. It is a two-step process at a single meeting to be held virtually via Zoom on Monday, December 13, at 6:00 PM.

All Albemarle County Democrats who are registered to vote in the County are invited to become members of the Albemarle Democratic Committee by filling out this [insert link] candidate form before 6:00 PM on Monday, December 13, 2021.  No fee is required to join.

At the Zoom meeting, attendees will:

1. Break into magisterial district caucuses (6 districts in Albemarle) through Zoom break-out rooms and elect district chairs or co-chairs. Precinct captains can be identified here or at a later date. The district chairs become members of the Albemarle Democratic Steering Committee. 
2. After the district caucuses, all attendees join in a mass meeting. All those who have previously submitted a candidate form are then elected to the Albemarle Democratic Committee.
3. All the newly-elected Democratic Committee members then vote on the primary officers – chair, vice chair, secretary, treasurer, counsel. Other officers may be elected at this time or appointed in the future.

You can view the official call to virtual caucus.  The temporary rules for the meeting are now available.

Wait, I’m confused. Who is what?

• Albemarle Democratic Committee – the official Democratic Party organization in Albemarle County. It is made up of members elected to it at the reorganization meeting. The maximum number allowed under current bylaws is 100 members per magisterial district. It typically only meets as a full mass meeting once every two years. 
• Albemarle Democratic Steering Committee – the leadership of the Albemarle Democratic Committee – made up of a chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer, district chairs and other officers elected or appointed. The steering committee meets monthly (historically 3rd Monday of month at 5:30 PM at Jefferson Madison Regional Library downtown and virtually in recent months) and is open to all who wish to attend and work to get Democrats elected in Albemarle.

I want to get involved, how do I do that?

Say so. Come to the reorganization meeting (virtual meeting via Zoom on December 13th at 6:00 PM). Declare your candidacy with this form. Email chair@albemarledems.org with questions.  Join the Committee by filling out this candidacy from.  If you are interested in a position on the Steering Committee (see below), indicate the position you are interested in on your candidacy form and let the current chair know  at chair@albemarledems.org.

How long is the reorganization meeting?

The virtual doors (Zoom room) open at 5:45 PM and officially close at 6:00 PM when the meeting starts. Our hope is to finish by 7:30 PM. 

What if I can’t make meeting, but want to be involved?

You can still be elected to the committee, but must fill out this declaration of candidacy by 6:00 PM on December 13.

If you’re not interested in being on the committee, but wish to help, you can let us know your interests with this form.

What is the role of the nominating committee?

The current steering committee appoints a nominating committee to ensure that all positions are filled. All are welcome to seek leadership positions. Ideally, individuals would express their interest and communicate with a member of the nominating committee. Occasionally there are 2 or more individuals interested in the same role. The nominating committee’s job is not to select the individual, but see if we can find a way for everyone to contribute in line with their interests and skills. If that can’t be achieved before the reorganization meeting, that is why we hold it – to elect the next leaders.

What are the responsibilities of the various steering committee positions?

Chair – the leader of the Albemarle County Democratic Party, Committee and Steering Committee. Responsible for calling and running meetings, organizing nomination processes, and leading the committee’s efforts to elect Democrats. 

Vice Chair – serves as acting chair when the chair is unavailable or if the chair were to resign. Assists chair in responsibilities as assigned.

Secretary – maintains official records of meetings (minutes) and other duties as assigned.

Treasurer – maintains financial records of the Albemarle County Democratic Committee, ensuring that contributions and expenditures are processed in a timely fashion and that the committee follows all procedures and meets filing requirements for political committees as set forth by the Virginia Department of Elections.

Counsel/Voter Protection Coordinator – The attorney for the Democratic Committee. Takes a lead role in monitoring election processes for the local party to ensure voting laws are followed.

District Chairs or Co-Chairs – The lead organizers for the party in each magisterial district. They recruit precinct captains and volunteers to organize canvasses, phone banks, meet & greets and Election Day operations to advance the work of electing Democrats in Albemarle. 

Albemarle Democratic Committee Member – Anyone who attends the reorganization meeting and commits to supporting Democratic candidates in next two years. Their primary responsibility is helping advance efforts to elect Democrats in Albemarle.

Other roles not required to be elected at reorganization, but that often are:

Vice Chair, Organization – This role helps to support the organizing work of district chairs.

Vice Chair, Outreach – Assists in outreach to various constituencies of the Democratic Party

Vice Chair, Communications – Leads communication team to support the web site, email newsletter, social media and other communications efforts of the committee.

Vice Chair, Finance – Leads fundraising efforts for committee including the dues campaign, and the fundraising components of our major events.

Vice Chair, Early Voting – Coordinates the 45 day early voting period, including managing volunteers and presence at early voting sites. 

Vice Chair, Events – Leads events team to support planning and execution for committee events including Democratic Breakfasts (3rd Saturday of every month, alternating months with the Charlottesville Democrats). and Annual BBQ

Vice Chair, Data – Is the data manager for the committee, including being the local admin for VoteBuilder, and helps manage other data processes to incldue committee lists are maintained.

Parliamentarian – Ensure meetings are conducted in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Newsletter editor – Manages committee email newsletter

Website manager – Manages committee website content

Precinct Captains – Primarily responsible for organizing volunteers for Election Day at their polling places. Also assists District Chairs in other organizing activities: canvassing, phone banking, etc.

Other roles:

Highway Cleanup Chair – Leads twice annual highway cleanup efforts along Ivy Road

Butler Scholarship Committee/Chair – Organizes efforts to award the committee’s scholarship to high school students each year

Data Captains – Assist in ensuring our data is captured and that we are fully utilizing the various tools and systems available to use – VoteBuilder, etc.

Plenty of others: whether assisting with our events (annual BBQ, spring fundraiser, Democratic breakfasts), keeping track of our supplies/equipment in storage, coordinating sign locations/distribution or countless others that appear, we’re always looking for individuals willing to help.

View and download official documents:

• Call to reorganization
• 2022 Declaration of Candidacy to be on the Albemarle Democratic Committee (required registration to participate in the caucus)
• Temporary Rules for Reorganization Caucus