OFFICER QUESTIONNAIRE

Caroline Emmons

Office Applying For: Secretary

Why do you wish to run for this position?

Like many of us in CCDC, I joined in early 2017 looking for a way to contribute to the defense of democracy against the threats it faced. While we have been successful in many respects in holding back those threats, they have not disappeared and, in some ways, are worse now than they were then.

My desire to serve as Secretary for CCDC in 2024/25 comes from the same motivation I had when I joined the organization in 2017:

1) to defend our democratic institutions against those seeking to undermine them and

2) to support and extend the values of the Democratic Party for a more just and equitable society through the election of Democratic candidates for office.

I also believe in the old saying that “All politics are local,” so believe that we can have the biggest impact in our own communities. I also believe that organizations operate best when there is a clear and transparent process for creating policy. I am committed to providing transparency in the creation and management of CCDC records and materials.

What are your priorities for CCDC and how would you implement them?

CCDC has grown significantly as an organization in the last few years and I would like to see us continue that growth, especially in parts of the county where we are not as active as we should be. The Secretary is responsible for maintaining a record of what we have done and where we have been, allowing us to take stock, identify areas where we can improve, and assess our strengths. I am also interested in creating operational guidelines so we can build on the accomplishments we have made, develop greater transparency in our policies, and make it easier for new members to understand how the committee operates.

Describe how you will enlist the help of the new members and at the same time

ensure the continued participation from longtime members.

Maintaining and making accessible clear records, such as meeting minutes or other documents, allows new members to become educated about the work of the committee. It makes it easier for them to see where their skills might contribute and can lead to more engagement. Longtime members also appreciate regular updates on committee activities. Regular communication about CCDC activities is a way to keep everyone involved and informed. I would look forward to working with the new Communications and Technology vice-chair to offer regular updates.

How would you make CCDC a more diverse organization?

Chesterfield is the 5th largest county in the state with an increasingly diverse population. While the growth in our membership is commendable, it is not distributed equitably across the county. I’d like to see us focus on growing CCDC in parts of the county that have more diverse populations, such as Bermuda and Dale. In my role as Secretary, I would like to use record-keeping as a way to keep us accountable. What are the demographics of our membership? How can we develop metrics to track our work and identify goals? Can we use data visualizations or other tools to inform our members and set goals by sharing information about diversity or other demographic information within our organization?

Describe the positions or involvement you have had with CCDC and/or other

Democratic Committees, and how long have you been involved.

Within a month of joining CCDC in early 2017, I became a magisterial co-chair for Dale District and served until 2019, when I went on the Chesterfield Electoral Board. I have also served two terms in the position of Historian for CCDC and have twice chaired the bylaws revision subcommittee (in 2020 and 2023). On a third occasion, in 2022, I worked with the Young Democrats to revise the bylaws for their formal inclusion as part of CCDC. Since the spring of 2023, I have kept the minutes and other organizational records (caucus rules, etc.) for the committee.

Let us know more about other talents and leadership skills or positions you

have held, which would contribute to your effective execution of the job.

I have served in a variety of roles that I think would contribute to my effectiveness in this position. A historian by training, I greatly value the importance of records and archives as a way for any organization to know itself. Members come and go, but a permanent record helps us understand where we have been, how we have grown, and what we need to do next. Properly kept committee records and documents can also assure members that rules and policies are fair and transparent. As a faculty member, I have served on and chaired multiple committees with diverse groups of individuals, and have learned how to build consensus even under sometimes stressful circumstances. I have volunteered on numerous political campaigns and engaged in the ‘boots on the ground’ activity that is at the core of CCDC’s work. In the process, I have become knowledgeable about the political culture of the county and within CCDC. In addition, I served from 2019-2022 on the Chesterfield Electoral Board and am currently a member of the Chesterfield Preservation Committee. In both roles, I have had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the county’s governance structure, its history, and current challenges the county faces, all of which would help me in the role of serving as a CCDC officer.