March 2026
This Guide provides an overview of the structure and purpose of the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee (DTC) and expectations for new and existing members.
Mission Statement
- Get Democrats elected and appointed to state, local, and federal offices and commissions
- Influence town priorities, policy and regulations
- Expand the base of registered Greenwich Democrats and increase voter participation
- Inform residents about policies and issues.
Membership
There are two types of DTC members:
- Voting Members: There are 100 voting members of the DTC representing all 12 voting districts. Only voting members can vote on DTC actions like endorsing candidates and approving budgets.
- Associate Members: The DTC may elect an unlimited number of associate members. While associate members may not vote on DTC matters, but they otherwise have all rights that DTC members enjoy, including the rights to participate in DTC meetings, hold DTC offices, and serve on DTC committees. To be elected as an associate member, it is simple: someone nominates you at a DTC meeting.
Member Expectations: Participation by all members is essential to the DTC’s success.
Following are the expectations for all members. Associate members are encouraged to participate fully.
- Attend monthly DTC meetings as frequently as possible;
- Serve as a contributing member on a DTC committee;
- Volunteer support for Democratic campaigns (e.g.: knock doors, make calls, poll stand);
- Financially support the DTC and our candidates;
- Promote the Democratic Party throughout the Greenwich community (e.g. neighborhood associations, volunteer groups, social groups);
- Identify prospective candidates who embody Democratic values.
Membership Elections: The DTC’s 100 voting members are allocated among the Town’s
twelve voting districts in proportion to the number of Democrats registered in each district. Voting members are elected by registered Democrats every two years at district caucuses. The caucuses are held in January in even-numbered years, after the municipal election. Terms begin in March. If there is a vacancy in any district, voting members from that district may elect any registered Democrat from that district to fill the vacancy.
Funding: The DTC is funded entirely with contributions, most of which come from members. Contributions are largely spent on supporting our endorsed candidates’ campaigns; getting out the vote; and ongoing expenses for communications (e.g. website hosting), fundraising (e.g. credit card processing), and outreach (e.g. postcards to new voters).
Members are expected to make an annual donation as generously as possible, up to the
maximum contribution allowed by law of $2,000 per person per calendar year.
We recognize that not many are in the position to contribute that much, but we rely on people donating to the best of their ability.
Governance
Governing Laws and Rules: The DTC is governed by its bylaws and operating rules, the rules of the Connecticut Democratic Party, and Connecticut General Statutes, including election and campaign finance laws.
DTC Officers: The DTC has four officers — a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary are elected by the voting members for two-year terms at the start of the term (March of even-numbered years). Pursuant to state law, the Treasurer is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Chair, without a definite term.
District Leaders: Each of the town’s 12 voting districts has a District Leader, elected by voting members in their respective districts. District Leaders work with their members to engage with voters in their districts and organize district level campaign efforts, like door knocking during campaigns. They also serve on the District Leader and Nominating Committees where they represent their districts’ Democrats and act as a conduit for information between the party leadership and members.
Committees: Much of the work of the DTC is done by Committees. Committees are open to all DTC members, including associate members. Two exceptions are the District Leaders Committee and the Planning Committee.
- District Leaders Committee: The District Leaders Committee is comprised of the DTC officers, the twelve District Leaders, two representatives to the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee, and certain elected officials. This committee has the authority to take actions pursuant to DTC bylaws. It also serves as the Nominating Committee, which is charged with recommending candidates to the full DTC for nomination to public office.
- Planning Committee: The Planning Committee comprises the DTC officers and the chairs of the DTC’s standing committees. Its role is to plan the DTC’s annual activities and to coordinate and oversee the implementation of those plans.
- Other Committees: The DTC has nine standing committees established under the bylaws: Rules, Data, Finance, Policy, Communications, Candidate Search/Recruiting, Fundraising, Outreach and Membership, and Elections. There is also an Events Committee. The DTC Operating Rules provides a description of the role of each committee. All members are expected to serve on a committee, including associate members who can serve as committee officers.
Operations
Meetings: DTC meetings are held every month except August and December, typically at 7:30 pm on the third Wednesday of the month in the Town Hall Meeting Room. On occasion, the location is changed or meeting dates moved due to conflicts or to comply with state mandates. An agenda is typically circulated a few days before the meeting and remote access is offered by Zoom. DTC meetings are open to the public and the press, which members should be mindful of. Pursuant to State Party Rules, a quorum is 40% of the voting membership, excluding vacancies. If there is no quorum, the meeting will proceed, but any items requiring a vote are postponed for a future meeting. Parliamentary procedure is governed by Robert’s Rules of Order.
Meeting Agendas: Meetings begin with party business, such as approval of meeting minutes, motions to approve new members or associate members, a Chair’s report, and a Treasurer’s report. Most also include committee reports and reports of Democratic elected officials. During election cycles meetings might focus on campaigns and throughout the year, there may be activities mandated by the state election calendar, such as nominating delegates to conventions or candidates for office. The DTC also invites speakers to present to the DTC, including state and federal elected officials, authors, leaders of organizations aligned with Democrats, and others.
Candidate Endorsements
The DTC voting members endorse all candidates for municipal elections which includes First Selectperson, Selectperson, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Board of Estimate & Taxation, Board of Education, Democratic Registrar of Voters, Board of Assessment Appeals, and Constables. The DTC also endorses state representatives for the 150th and 151st Assembly Districts. In municipal elections, non-endorsed Democrats can petition onto the ballot or force a primary, depending on the race.
In races for offices that are elected by towns in addition to Greenwich, the DTC elects delegates to represent Greenwich at party conventions. This includes the 149th State Representative District, which includes parts of Stamford, the 36th State Senatorial District, which covers parts of Stamford and New Canaan, and the races for Governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. 4th Congressional District. Delegates are allocated to the towns in proportion to the number of eligible Democratic voters in those districts.
In other words, for single-town elections, the DTC endorses candidates; for multi-town elections, the DTC elects delegates who, in conjunction with delegates from other towns and cities, endorse candidates. Convention delegates do not need to be DTC members, but do need to be registered Democratic voters in town. An endorsed candidate becomes the nominee of the Democratic Party unless they are primaried and the challenger wins.