Kate’s Convention Guide

CONVENTION AGENDA  (TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE!!!)

FRIDAY

5:00 PM Registration & exhibits open

7:00 PM Call to Order

Secretary Galvin’s presentation

Attorney General Coakley’s presentation

Tribute to Auditor Joe DeNucci

SATURDAY

08:00 AM Registration & exhibits open

10:00 AM Convention called to order – opening ceremonies

11:00 AM Attendance Roll Call

11:30 AM Deval Patrick/Tim Murray presentation

Steve Grossman presentation, Steve Murphy presentiation

Suxanne Bump presentation, Guy GLodis presentation, Mike Lake presenttion

1:35 PM Balloting begins for Treasurer and Auditor

Speaker DeLeo’s presentation

2:15 PM Tribute to Senator Kennedy

Senate President Murray’s presentation

Results of balloting announced

If necessary, voting for a second ballot commences

Charter amendments

Call for motion to adjourn

A FEW THOUGHTS

The Convention is always a lot of fun!  It is a great way to spend time in the company of other Democrats.  It is a great way to meet other Democrats from your community, your senate district and across the state.  A few general pieces of advice:

– Bring a lot of patience and your sense of humor!

– Just because an event says breakfast, it doesn’t mean that you can sit down and order eggs over easy.  If you want a big breakfast, eat before you leave home or buy breakfast.

– Even though the Convention doesn’t begin until 10:00 AM, there will be exhibits and other activities pre-convention.

– The state has 40 senate districts.  Delegates sit within their senate districts.  Be sure that you know the name of your senate district.  It is printed on your credentials.

– The speeches and ceremonies are all important, but do expect that there may be some chit-chat during some of the program.  You’ll get used to it.

FRIDAY EVENING

On Friday evening there will be a number of parties both before and after the formal session of the convention.   Check in opens at 5:00 PM and the convention will be gaveled open at 7:00 PM.  The formal session is expected to end by 9:00 PM.

CHECK IN PROCEDURE AND 11 AM ROLL CALL

When you enter the DCU Center you will need to show your credentials and a photo ID.  Once you are in the hall, you will need to go to the seating area for your senate district and check in with the Democratic Party representative, called a teller.  Delegates who have not checked in or do not respond to the 11:00 AM Roll Call will be permanently replaced by alternates.  Delegate replacement occurs only when elected alternates are available and have checked in by the 11 AM roll call deadline.

BALLOTING The votes for contested offices are done within the senate district, by a voice vote on a roll call vote.  All the senate districts will have a teller, usually a DSC member, who will call the name of the delegate and ask for the delegateâ’s vote.  The delegate will respond with the names of the candidates for each contested office.  The teller will repeat back the name of the voter and the persons vote.  For example, the teller will state, Joe Smith votes for Mike Jones and Ann Johnson.  The teller will mark the vote in a ballot book.  The official tally will be that marked by the teller in the ballot book.  Campaigns are allowed to observe how the teller is marking the book.  Kate’s editorial comment: this can get quite intersting as at least five pople crowd around the teller!  It’s not unlike a rugby scrum!

CHARTER AMENDMENTS

There are three charter amendments that will come before the convention.  In the, people mentioned that they would like to know the reasons that amendments were proposed.  I have included the proposed Charter Amendments with information from the proponent of the three amendments.

1)  “Preamble” Amend the fifth sentence by replacing “or” with a comma between “religion” and “sexual orientation,” and after sexual orientation add, “or gender identity or expression.”

New language to read:

The Democratic Party demands responsibility and accountability from candidates and officials using its name. It shall be a party within which all social, economic, ethnic and geographic groups can gather to clarify issues, affect public policies and implement systems of equal opportunity regardless of race, national origin, creed, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

2) Under Article Three, Section II” – Number of State Committee Members

Add “h. one male and one female who are bisexual Democrats.”

Add “i. one male-identified and one female-identified who are transgender Democrats.”

3) Under Article Seven, Section I – Support of Affirmative Action Programs

Add after “gay men” and before “workers”: “bisexuals, transgender.”

New language to read:

The Democratic Party of Massachusetts, to encourage full participation by all segments of the population, shall conduct affirmative action and outreach programs in behalf of target groups: Blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, Native Americans and Cape Verdeans; and outreach programs on behalf of persons with disabilities, lesbians, gay men, bixexuals, transgender, workers, youth, low and moderate income people and senior citizens. Affirmative action procedures shall be shall be followed in constituting all bodies of the Democratic party.

Information from the proponent:  We believe that these changes reflect the inclusiveness of our state party by recognizing the presence and contributions of bisexual people and transgender people within our ranks.

RESOLUTIONS

The Chairperson may entertain a motion to suspend the Rules, in order to allow a matter submitted in writing by at least 50 Delegates by Noon of the second day of the Convention to the Sergeant-at-Arms, to refer an item to the Democratic State Committee or to adopt a resolution relative to a sense of the Convention.  A motion to suspend the rules shall be decided without debate and shall require a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all Delegates voting, a quorum being present..  Matters allowed to be submitted as provided, by signature of delegates, will not be printed by the Democratic State Committee. However, the proposer of same shall be responsible for printing at his/.her expense sufficient copies for each delegate. The printed petitions shall be presented to the Sergeant-at-Arms by 8:00 PM o the first day of the Convention.

NOTE: This is not a substitute for the complete rules.  Please refer to www.massdems.org and the 2010 Delegate Guide for the complete rules

WHAT TO WEAR

Dress is generally casual.  Because of the number of people present it can get quite warm. It can also be quite cool, depending on the AC.  Dressing in layers is helpful. There will be a lot of walking so comfortable shoes are a big plus.  

SECURITY

The DCU Center has enacted security measures for your protection. Like other public venues, the center prohibits entrance to the building with any bag larger than a tote bag (i.e. no backpacks,duffle bags). All bags will be subject to a security search. The Massachusetts Democratic Party is working with DCU Center security personnel to ensure that security measures do not impede a swift and efficient registration process. Please note that each time you leave the DCU Center you will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to re-enter.

SHUTTLE BUSES

Buses will transport delegates between hotels and the DCU Center, and between Union Station and the DCU Center.  On Friday shuttles will run from 4:45 PM until Midnight; on Saturday shuttles will run from 7:45 AM to 10:00 AM and at closing gavel for 1 hour.  Shuttles are being provided by the Worcester Regional Transit Authority. They will be blue busses with red & white striping.

EXHIBITS

Organizations from a
cross the state, Committees of the Democratic Party and so many others will have information displayed at the Exhibition Hall. Throughout the convention, we encourage you to visit as many exhibiters as your schedule will permit. A walk through the Exhibit Hall will provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the work of a variety of organizations which affect the lives of people in Massachusetts, get involved with an issue by signing up to volunteer and to purchase political memorabilia.

WELCOME EVENT DETAILS

Friday

Convention Welcome Party sponsored by Senator John Kerry, Governor Deval Patrick, Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Congressman Jim McGovern and the Worcester Area Host Committee. Festivities begin when the gavel goes down! The party will be held under the tent on Commercial Street and feature music from Wilbur & the Dukes. Light refreshments and cash bar.

3-7pm Massachusetts AFL-CIO Join the MA Labor Movement and other Democrats to hear from elected officials. Leo’s Ristorante 11 Brackett St Worcester.

Join Candidate for Auditor Guy Glodis at Viva Bene Restaurant, 144 Commercial Street, directly across from the DCU. Post Convention till closing! Kick off the Denocratic State Convention with a celebration for Equality!

MassEquality and the Human Rights Campaign are hosting “The Do Ask, Do Tell Party” at 86 Winter American Bistro located at 65 Water Street. Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar. 7 – 10 pm.

Celebrate with Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Attorney General Martha Coakley and Auditor Joe DeNucci at the City Park Grill, 50 Front Street. Food and music starting at 8:30 pm.

Join the the Worcester County Young Dems and the Young Dems of Massachusetts at The Fifth Amendment, 90 Commercial St at 7:00. Contact Pat Brennan at patbrennan13502@yahoo.com. Suggested donation of $5.

Saturday

8:00 AM: Mike Lake will be hosting a breakfast for delegates and volunteers before roll call is taken on Saturday morning. The event is at the Irish Times, 244 Main St, just a block away from the DCU Center. Stop by to meet Mike get some free food before an exciting day on the convention floor! Web site http://www.electmikelake.com/

Congressman Ed Markey, Dean of the Massachusetts Delegation cordially invites you to join him for a 2010 Welcome Breakfast At the Massachusetts Democratic Convention, Grand Ballroom of the DCU Center in Worcester. For questions or to RSVP please contact Kate Bazinsky at katebazinsky@edmarkey.org

At the conclusion of Saturday’s Convention session join Senator John Kerry, Governor Deval Patrick, Lt. Governor Tim Murray, Congressman Jim McGovern and the Worcester Area Host Committee at the Irish Times, 244 Main Street.