Why Resolutions
Resolutions express our values and commitments to a democratic society with justice and equality. They educate party members and others on vital issues and galvanize efforts to implement legislative and citizen initiatives. Our resolutions identify problems or issues occurring at the local, county, state or national level that we wish to have addressed.
Writing Resolutions
A well written resolution should provide a logical foundation of facts and reasons for recommendations that follow. This foundation should be couched in a series of “Whereas” clauses. Do not include footnotes for the “Whereas” clauses. If it is necessary to document a “Whereas” clause, incorporate a brief citation in the clause itself. Say what the problem/issue is and why you think it should be addressed.
The first recommendation should begin with the words “Therefore be it resolved.” If there are additional recommendations, they should begin with the words “And be it further resolved.” The recommendation should say what should be done and who should do it.
Strive to write a brief and incisive resolution. Lengthy resolutions tend to have less impact. Aim for a typewritten resolution of no more than half a page and certainly no longer than a page in length.
Process
Write your resolution for presentation and approval at your precinct meeting. The precinct may approve the resolution unchanged or revise the resolution at the meeting. Alternatively, the precinct may approve the resolution in principal and delegate a committee to revise the resolution after the meeting. Resolutions may also evolve from discussion at the precinct meeting. They can be “cleaned up” after being passed and then sent to the Resolutions Committee.
Resolutions Committee
The precinct chair, or a precinct member delegated by the chair, should submit approved resolutions before Saturday, March 12 to Hank Elkins, the Resolutions Committee, via email at HankElkins@mindspring.com, with the word “Resolution” as the first word in the subject line. The Committee will then organize and consolidate Resolutions, where possible. With your Resolutions, include the name of the precinct and the name, email address, and telephone number of the person to contact if the Resolutions Committee has any questions.
On Wednesday, March 30 an all-precinct meeting will consider resolutions at 7:00 pm in Room D at Southern Human Services, 2551 Homestead Rd., Chapel Hill. Individuals may present additional resolutions for consideration (bring 30 copies of each to the meeting). This group advises the Resolutions Committee on the resolutions to present at the County Convention.
The County Convention is Saturday, April 9. Each Resolution can be considered individually at the request of any delegate; otherwise they are voted on in a bloc. Individuals may present resolutions from the floor of the Convention, but a two-thirds vote for approval will be required at that time.
