1 A Resolution Concerning the Establishing of the Diversity Leadership Councils

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4 1. WHEREAS, America's diversity is one of the country's greatest strengths and is
5 reflected in the values and policies of Democrats across the country; and,
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7 2. WHEREAS, the Democratic Party is the party of diversity, inclusion and
8 empowerment and is a place where Americans of all communities and identities
9 can come together and find shared goals and commons cause; and,
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11 3. WHEREAS, the Maryland Democratic Party recognized the importance of
12 organizing and energizing all communities throughout the state in the support of
13 Democratic leaders, candidates and policies; and,
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15 4. WHEREAS, the Maryland Democratic Party established Leadership Councils in
16 2009 to undertake outreach to traditionally Democratic constituency groups with
17 the dual purpose of reactivating volunteers and activists who had participated in
18 previous election cycles and energizing new persons who would supplement the
19 Party's efforts to reach and turnout Democratic voters; and,
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21 5. WHEREAS, that in 2010 these Leadership Councils recruited hundreds of
22 members, organized a dozen events and fundraisers, filled more than one
23 thousand volunteer shifts, and injected a new dynamism into the Party's activities;
24 and,
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26 6. WHEREAS, the Maryland Democratic Party is serious about maintaining and
27 continuing to build a constituency-based grassroots network of activists who will
28 serve as the backbone of the Party; and,

30 7. WHEREAS, constituency-based outreach and organizing should be seen as an

31 integral part of the Party's mission; and,

33 8. WHEREAS, institutionalizing the Diversity Leadership Councils in the By-laws

34 of the Maryland Democratic Party provides an avenue to permanently establish
35 the existing program and ensure its relevancy in planning and decision-making;
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37 9. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Article V of the Maryland Democratic
38 Party By-Laws be amended to read:
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40 3. Other Members - The Chair may appoint, with the consent of the
41 Executive Committee, up to four (4) persons, each of whom reside in
42 different political subdivisions, to serve as representatives of Statewide
43 Democratic constituencies or organizations. To encourage full
44 participation African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific
45 Islanders, Hispanics, the LGBT community, organized labor, women
46 and youth shall be entitled to representation. Constituencies or
 1 organizations not specifically mentioned in this section shall not be
2 precluded from representation. One of these seats shall be reserved for a
3 representative of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus.  These persons
4 shall serve a term of two years from the time they are appointed and
5 confirmed.  In addition, the Young Democrats of Maryland and United
6 Democratic Women of Maryland shall each be entitled to a representative
7 on the Executive Committee
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9 10. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Article VI of the Maryland Democratic Party
10 By-Laws be amended to read:
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12 ARTICLE VI DIVERSITY LEADERSHIP COUNCILS
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14 The Maryland Democratic Party shall have a network of Diversity
15 Leadership Councils for the purpose of conducting constituency-outreach,
16 fostering Democratic activism and involvement, and community
17 organizing and empowerment. The Leadership Councils shall serve as
18 official representatives of constituencies in Maryland to the Democratic
19 State Central Committee, and will work together with other established
20 organizations.
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22 1. Establishment – The Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party shall
23 establish each Council as indicated by their presence in the Democratic
24 electorate and participation in party affairs
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26 2. Membership - Any person who qualifies for Party membership under
27 Article II, or wishes to support the Party's principles and ideals shall fully
28 participate in the activities of any Council.
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30 3. Officers - The Chair(s) of each Council shall be appointed by the Chair
31 of the Party and serve a two-year term. Other officers shall be selected in
32 accordance with the Charter of the Diversity Leadership Councils.
33 Vacancies in any office shall be filled within thirty days.
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35 4. Representation - The Chair of the Party will appoint a member from
36 each active Council to serve on the Executive Committee under terms of
37 Article V, Section 3 after the recommendation of the Council membership.
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39 5. Governing Document – The Executive Committee shall establish and
40 adopt a Charter of the Diversity Leadership Councils. No provision in the
41 Charter shall violate the Constitution or By-Laws of the Maryland
42 Democratic Party.
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44 11. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all other articles in the By-laws will shift and
45 be renumbered; and,
 1 12. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Maryland Democratic Party will remain
2 committed to ensuring full participation from and inclusion of all communities;
3 and,
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5 13. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Maryland Democratic Party shall remain
6 actively engaged on the continued expansion and growth of all Diversity
7 Leadership Councils; and,
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9 14. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Diversity Leadership Councils shall keep
10 Democratic State Central Committee of Maryland regularly informed of their
11 activities.
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13 Sponsor:
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15 Committee: Rules
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17 Vote: In Favor _____ Opposed _____ Abstentions _____
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19 Therefore, the bill: PASSES FAILS
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22 Chair: ___________________________
23 Susan W. Turnbull
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