PURPOSE
The Polk County Democratic Party serves to elect Democrats in Polk County, the State of Iowa, the third congressional district and the nation. Our purpose also includes working to sustain and advance the principles of social justice and democracy and to uphold civil rights, civil liberties, and constitutional government.
STRUCTURE
All Democrats in Polk County are represented by the Central Committee, which is comprised of two elected precinct representatives from each of the 183 precincts in Polk County. The Central Committee elects a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer as executive officers.
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COMMITTEES
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & OUTREACH
Chair - Cyndi Chen
Responsibilities Plan and implement affirmative action and outreach programs.
COMMUNICATIONS
Chair - Mary Ann Ahrens
Responsibilities Develop newsletters, website and other communications.
ELECTION
Chair Kerry Bowen
Responsibilities Plan and implement a comprehensive voter registration and absentee ballot program, train and assist Central Committee members in precinct organizing, and assist Central Committee with candidate recruitment.
EVENTS
Chair Lee Thielmann
Responsibilities Organize and implement social and fundraising events.
FUNDRAISING
Chair Jon Murphy
Responsibilities Develop and direct fundraising plan and budgetary neeeds.
MEMBERSHIP
Chair Jim Peterson
Responsibilities Organize, develop and maintain strong participation on the Central Committee
GOTV
Chair John McCormally
Responsibilities Discuss and strategize Polk County's role in the GOTV process for 2012
PLATFORM
Chair Drew Gentsch
Responsibilities
The duties of the Platform Committees following conventions may include but are not limited to:
- Research of public statements, voting records, and performance of official duties of elected officials within their constituencies;
- Factual research and development of proposals for legislative action in keeping with the Iowa Democratic Party Platform;
- Gathering information on the developing senses of priorities of active Democrats within their constituencies and giving guidance to the Democratic Leadership and to the Democratic Legislators from within their constituencies regarding such priorities and legislative developments;
- Making preliminary preparations for the next caucus/convention process of platform development.
In these efforts, the Platform Committee shall work in close cooperation with their corresponding Central Committee and elected Democratic legislators and other public officials.
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