If you are interested in starting a Young Democrats chapter and joining the California Young Democrats, you’ve come to the right place! Follow the guide and sample documents below to officially become a part of CYD. If you have any questions, please contact VP of Membership, Igor Tregub at Itregub@youngdems.org.
Chapter Chartering
All interested chapters must charter by no later 15 Days prior to the next Board Meeting.
All documents must be submitted electronically to chartering@youngdems.org.
.
Important Dates (Executive Board Meetings)
.
Convention: April 12-14
Summer Executive Board Meeting: July 19-21
CHARTERING GUIDE AND FORMS
2013 CYD CHARTERING GUIDE
Sample Membership List
Sample Chapter Officer List
Sample Chapter Building Form
Sample Bylaws: County Chapter, College Chapter and High School Chapter
CHARTERING PAYMENT
Pay by Check: Send a check addressed to “California Young Democrats” with the Chapter Name in the memo to 455 Capitol Mall, Suite 500, Sacramento, CA 95814. Must be postmarked no later than 15 Days prior to the next Board Meeting.
Pay Online: Make a donation for the correct amount at http://www.actblue.com/page/cayoungdems and send an email to chartering@youngdems.org with the name of the chapter, the person whose name was on the credit card, the amount paid and date paid. Online payments must be made 15 Days prior to the next Board Meeting.
To Charter (or re-charter) a Caucus:
Are you a group of Young Dems with similar interests or background that wants to become an official caucus within the California Young Democrats? We currently have several active caucuses in CYD. Our Veterans, Environmental, Latino, LGBTQ, Asian/Pacific-Islander and Black Caucuses all provide a space for different groups within the Young Democratic family to gather together, advocate and work hard for our causes. Our caucuses go through a chartering process every 2 years, and it only takes THREE easy steps to charter a caucus!:
.
1. Head to youngdems.org/about-2/cyd-
.
2. Pay a $20 chartering fee online (actblue.com/page/cayoungdems) or mail a check to 455 Capitol Mall, Suite 500, Sacramento, CA 95814 POSTMARKED
30 Days prior to the next Board Meeting.
.
3. Email your completed caucus membership list, bylaws and 10 letters of support to caucus@youngdems.org by 7 Days Prior to the next Board Meeting.
Chapter Benefits
By chartering with the California Young Democrats, your chapter gains official status within the California Democratic Party and the Young Democrats of America, and has access to all CYD resources and opportunities.
Professional Staff
Our CYD Managing Director is available to assist all local chapters and can connect them with many resources. Our professional staff and statewide executive board can help with programming and outreach on the ground across the state and connect you and your club to statewide and local elected officials and other progressive grass-roots organizations.
Organizational Influence
The CYD Executive Board meets four times a year around the state to vote on potential endorsements, approve new chapter charters, and changes to our bylaws. After chartering with CYD, your Chapter will help influence the direction of our statewide organization by having a vote on our Executive Board and the opportunity to be involved in our various organizational committees. Your chapter’s leader can appoint chapter representatives to the various CYD committees such as the Rules committee, Resolutions committee, Finance committee, and the Credentials and Awards committees during conventions.
Chapter Manual/Toolkit
Available in paper format or electronically, CYD’s Chapter Manuel/Toolkit provides in-depth explanations on how to build your chapter’s membership, fundraising base, put on a press-conference or engage your elected officials on the legislation that matters most to you!
Organizational and Professional Development
Throughout the year, CYD’s trainings cover a multitude of areas that are specialized to young activists, including fundraising, campaign organizing, media and communications strategy, as well as trainings for running for public office or becoming a party delegate to state and national conventions.
Access to Online Membership Database: DEMopolis
DEMopolis greatly improves communication between local chapters and state and national headquarters. All of our Chapters can utilize CYD’s online system which helps chapters track membership lists, create groups, send mass emails, have an online sign-up page for events, and many other features to help your chapter grow and prosper.
Fundraising Assistance
CYD will work with you to plan and organize that big fundraiser you’ve always wanted to do or the one you need to get your new chapter up and running on its own. Our staff and officers will work with you directly or partner you with an established local chapter to co-sponsor the event. CYD offers bi-annual online fundraising trainings with professional fundraisers to offer advice and answer your questions.
Annual Statewide Convention
CYD holds its annual statewide convention in conjunction with the California Democratic Party (CDP) each year to bring Young Democrats from throughout the state together to participate in various Party activities, showcase the year’s accomplishments and elect officers for the coming year. CYD Convention attendees have access to the CDP Convention floor to witness amazing speeches by our Statewide and Congressional Democrats, as well as view the Party’s endorsements and proceedings.
Biennial Tahoe Retreat
CYD takes advantage of the “off- season” and prepares our members for the next election cycle by hosting one of the biggest, most exciting chapter and leadership development trainings in one of the most beautiful regions of our state. Our Lake Tahoe Retreat is a weekend of workshops put on by political and government professionals in every possible area of political activism you can imagine — lobbying, fundraising, running for office, you name it! There’s something for every chapter and young activist!
Election Season Resources
All CYD Chapters are eligible for the California Democratic Party’s voter registration bounty program, which provides $3-4 for every voter registration card submitted. CYD provides our Chapters with union-printed, professionally designed “pledge-to-vote cards” which are used to collect information from young voters who have already registered to vote. CYD’s text message program reminds young voters to vote on election and provides chartered chapters with access to the voter file, a database of registered voters across the state. CYD’s chapters are also the first to hear about opportunities for local campaign invasions, organizational partnerships, and targeted actions to turn out young voters.
