Role of the Democratic Town Committee Member

Duties of the Hamden Democratic Town Committee member

The Hamden Democratic Town Committee (HDTC) adopted its rules on December 15, 1997. Article II, Section 8, describes the duties of a Town Committee member. They are:

Attend all meetings of the Democratic Town Committee and of their District Committees, except for valid reasons given beforehand to a member of the executive board;

Contribute to the fund-raising efforts of the Democratic Town Committee and their District Committee. Each Town Committee member is expected to participate in fund-raising for the Town Committee.

Actively encourage registration of new voters and enrollment of unaffiliated voters in the Democratic Party.

Participate actively in the affairs of the Democratic Party by, among other duties, electing candidates, serving on committees and supporting projects.

While those are the rules, the responsibilities of a member of the Democratic Town Committee are far more important:

The 63 members of the HDTC are responsible for leading Hamden’s Democrats, who now number over 12,000. They are elected at caucuses held in January of even-numbered years. Every registered Democrat is welcome to attend the caucuses, which are held in each of Hamden’s nine election districts. Each district elects seven HDTC members, who take office in the following March.

The HDTC members elect the officers of the Town Committee; they choose candidates for state and municipal offices; they elect delegates to state conventions; and they influence legislation on all levels of government – local, state and national.

The 63 members of the HDTC should represent the highest ideals and purposes of the Democratic Party. They are active members of the Hamden community, in every neighborhood and venue. They play an active role in all aspects of Hamden’s life – government, social, sports and education.