Replace the preamble with an earlier, more accurate mission statement (or strike it)

[Amy Madden]

Apologies for catching up late; I've been slowly recovering from the flu.

Though I had brought this up last year, I haven't yet brought it up to the newer RBC. If it's not too late, I’d like to propose that we either delete the current bylaws “Preamble” entirely, or revert to the short version of (what I understood was) the previous mission statement, which I believe more accurately reflects our mission. The statement that used to be on the website was one of the reasons I personally was drawn to the 43rd. It was worded:

“We’re a grassroots, volunteer-based organization in Seattle committed to increasing political participation and civic engagement through:

Registering and educating voters and citizens

Effecting change through grassroots organizing

Get Out the Vote (GOTV) organizing

Hosting public forums and panel discussions

Holding precinct and legislative district caucuses [note: this would need to be stricken to help our bylaws be more future-proof]

Supporting leaders who share our values”

There was also a shorter version of what I believed to be the 43rd mission statement that used to appear in 43rd graphics:  “Committed to increasing political participation and civic engagement, educating voters, and advancing Democratic values.”

I propose that we replace the current Preamble with “The 43rd District Democrats are committed to increasing political participation and civic engagement, educating voters, and advancing Democratic values.”
If folks aren’t on board with this, I propose we just strike this section.

Amy Madden

Washington State Democratic Central Committee Member, 43rd LD
Western WA Vice Chair, Economic Justice Caucus of the WA State Democrats

At-Large Board Member, Environment and Climate Caucus of the WA State Democrats

(206) 633-4617 ⚬ wsdc...@43rddems.org

[Aidan Carroll]

I'd like to second this one.

-------------------------------------------

   Aidan Carroll (he/him/his pronouns)

University of Washington 2019 (Seattle, Duwamish Land)

    Major: Community, Environment, Planning

Administrative Assistant, Urban Native Education Alliance

206.816.9544

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[James Williams]

I also think we should replace the current preamble with the previous mission statement.

James

[Annabelle Backman]

Amy, could you explain your rationale for making this change? Not that I'm against it, but I expect that we'll be asked about it given that the current preamble refers to "the Democratic Party" whereas the proposed text refers to "Democratic values," particularly given the debate over the endorsements eligibility change.

I do like the idea of a snappier statement that can fit onto graphics and elsewhere.

–

Annabelle Backman

Vice Chair for Technology | Washington State 43rd District Democrats

https://www.43rddemocrats.org/

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[Amy Madden]

Annabelle, I'll work on writing out as thoughtful a statement as I can about my support for this change. I have seen a lot of bylaws for local party orgs (LPOs) across the state, and I think this proposed change would bring our bylaws into more alignment with other LPOs out there. Some LPOs have no preamble at all in their bylaws. The KCD's proposed preamble is also moving in the direction of being more about what they stand for and what work they're doing rather than who they're aligned with (bold added is mine):

"We, the Democrats of Martin Luther King County, Washington, are committed to the principles of the Democratic Party and the United States of America. We hereby adopt these Bylaws to make our county organization truly representative and open to everyone who supports these principles. We pledge to work together to support public officials, candidates, issues and policies that protect individuals' rights, civil liberties, our environment, and social and economic justice for all. We encourage participation by the citizens of King County in all levels of their government. We seek their support by providing information regarding the ideals, goals, and operations of the King County Democratic Party and its endorsed candidates and issues.

--Amy