TSDC: Four Years in Review (2008-2012)

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Parent Category: Conferences

Category: 2012 State Convention & Caucus

Created on Friday, 01 June 2012 04:01

Last Updated on Saturday, 16 February 2013 07:13

Published on Friday, 01 June 2012 04:01

TEXAS STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS 

FOUR YEARS IN REVIEW (2008-2012)

How Far We Have Traveled and How Many More Miles We Have To Go

 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

•  Established active website for the Caucus at www.texasstonewalldemocrats.org and an Act Blue account (Linda Allen)

• Developed active Facebook page for the Caucus that is now approaching 300 members  (Tony McMullin: www.facebook/groups/texasstonewall)

• Established a Twitter account for the Caucus  (Linda Allen)

• Obtained statewide access to the Texas VAN from the Texas Democratic Party as an in-kind donation valued at $20,000  (Dan Graney/Tony McMullin)

• Obtained VAN access for local Stonewall Democrats affiliates of the Caucus  (Tony McMullin)

• Held regular quarterly Executive Board meetings in person and by conference call with a quorum at each and every meeting

• Adopted Policies on Caucus Audit and Financial Procedures, Quarterly Club Dues Payments, New Club Affiliate Requirements and Awards Selection Process

• Welcomed four new local Stonewall affiliates:  Stonewall Democrats of the Rio Grande Valley, El Paso Stonewall Young Democrats, Stonewall Democrats of El Paso and Galveston Stonewall Democrats

• Adopted annual budgets the past four fiscal years

• Raised more revenue than anticipated and spent less than budgeted the past four years

• Contributed thousands of dollars in PAC campaign contributions to candidates in targeted state legislative and State Board of Education races in Texas in 2008 and 2010

• The Caucus and its local affiliates contributed thousands of dollars and phone banking hours to help elect Annise Parker the first openly lesbian mayor of Houston in 2009.

• Held two statewide conferences in odd-numbered years in Austin on the weekend prior to Equality Texas Lobby Day with inspirational speakers, workshops, networking and awards presentations

• Created three awards to recognize an outstanding LGBT or allied leader, a local chapter and an elected public or party official at statewide conferences and at State Democratic Conventions

• Celebrated the 10^th anniversary of the Caucus at the State Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi in 2010 with a reception and presentation of Founder's Awards

• Both Dan and Erin represented the Caucus by regularly attending State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) meetings in person or by proxy in Austin the past four years

• As members of the Legislative Committee of the SDEC, both Dan and Erin successfully advocated for inclusion of LGBT-related bills to be included in the Texas Democratic Party's “Top Ten” legislative priorities

• Advocated to the SDEC for inclusion of a Marriage Equality referendum on the 2012 Democratic Primary ballot (the measure failed)

• In collaboration with straight allies on the SDEC, advocated for passage of resolutions at 2012 county and senatorial district conventions to include planks in the State Party platform on progressive issues, including marriage equality

• Erin was appointed member of the 2012 Platform Advisory Committee to help shape the 2012 Texas Democratic Party Platform, including a plank on marriage equality

• Began building coalitions with other Caucuses and progressive members of the SDEC

• Dan visited every local Texas Stonewall Democrats affiliate at least once the past four years and Dan and Erin traveled to Wichita Falls to meet with LGBT and other Democratic leaders in an effort to establish a chapter there

• Erin, Olga Hernandez and Rich Bailey all served as Texas Stonewall representatives on one or more National Stonewall Democrats Boards during the past four years

 

WHAT IS LEFT TO DE DONE

• Establishment of a statewide membership database for the Caucus

• Only one chapter has accessed the Texas VAN for local get out the vote and voter registration efforts

• Lost three local Stonewall affiliates in Collin County, Stonewall Democrats of El Paso and Williamson County

• Establishing a sustaining fundraising mechanism for the Caucus

• Ensuring all TSDC Committees are “working” committees

• Fostering new leadership within the TSDC, especially with women, people of color and transgender persons

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