Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DP/SFV)
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| Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley | |
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| Chair | Agi Kessler |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Location | San Fernando Valley, California |
| Website | http://www.dpsfv.com |
The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DP/SFV) is the coordinating body for a coalition of twenty-five Democratic Clubs. They are located in the seven California Assembly Districts which are wholly or partially in the San Fernando Valley.
Members of DP/SFV are mostly members of the affiliated clubs. DP/SFV is chartered by the Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee. The organization is run by its Executive Board through monthly meetings. The executive board consists of officers and members elected at a biennial convention in odd-numbered years, plus one representative from each affiliated club and several Democratic Party officials as ex-officio members.
The purpose and goal of DP/SFV, listed on their website is as follows: "Is shall be the purpose of this organization in all of its endeavors to coordinate Democratic Party activity in the San Fernando Valley; to motivate party members; to develop leadership; to increase party responsibility; to contribute to the growth and influence of Democratic Clubs and the Democratic Party; to maintain and promote harmony within party ranks; to maintain a Democratic visibility in the San Fernando Valley and contiguous areas; and to encourage greater participation in the political process by all Demcrats and to motivate non-Demcrats to join our party. We must strengthen this grass-roots coalition of progressive Democrats to support and conduct an effective, independent campaign for the Presidency and for Congress."
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[edit] History
In 1976 a group of active Democrats in the San Fernando Valley formed a group called Democratic Clubs of the San Fernando Valley. Members of this group included Ted Gutman, Wayne Fisher, and Helen Greenberg. Wayne Fisher and Helen Greenberg served as chairs of this organization. The purpose was to provide a coordinating organization for grass-roots Democrats with the combined strength to open and run campaign headquarters.
A few years later, on October 14, 1978, members of Democratic Clubs and other Democrats met under an oak tree in front of the home of Dodo Meyer, a Deputy to Mayor Tom Bradley. This group formed the United Democratic Steering Committee (UDSC). Democratic Clubs was folded into the UDSC. At the time, Helen Greenberg was Chair of Democratic Clubs. The UDSC elected Frankye Schneider as its chair. Subsequent elections were held early in odd-numbered years. Some time during this period, the name was changed to Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley. The reason for the choice of the new name was to emphasize the role of UDSC or DP/SFV as the principal umbrella and coordinating group for Democratic clubs in the San Fernando Valley. It was expected that similar organizations would come into existence to coordinate Democratic activities in other parts of Los Angeles County.
[edit] Current DP/SFV Clubs
As of 2006, there are 25 Democratic Clubs that are members of DP/SFV. Affiliated clubs cover the San Fernando Valley and stretch from Palmdale/Lancaster to Malibu to West Hollywood to Glendale. Below is the current list:
- Antelope Valley Democratic Club
- Beverly Glen Democratic Club
- Democratic Alliance for Action
- Democratic Club of the High Desert
- Democratic Club of Santa Clarita
- Democratic Women of the San Fernando Valley
- Democrats for Change
- Democrats for Israel- Los Angeles
- Democrats for Neighborhood Action
- Glendale Young Democrats
- Los Angeles County Young Democrats
- MalibuDemocratic Club
- North Valley Democratic Club
- Pacific Palisades Democratic Club
- Progressive Democratic Alliance
- San Fernando Valley Young Democrats
- Sherman Oaks Democratic Club
- Stonewall Democratic Club
- Stonewall Young Democrats
- Topanga Democratic Club
- Valley Democrats United
- Valley Grassroots for Democracy
- Valley West Democratic Club
- Verdugo Hills Democratic Club
- West Hollywood Democratic Club
[edit] Executive Board
The DP/SFV Executive Board consists of 5 elected officers, 3 elected representatives from each of the 7 Assembly Districts covered by DP/SFV, 15 elected members-at-large, representatives of the affiliated clubs and Democratic Party ex-officio members.
Elected Board Officers for 2007-2009:
- Agi Kessler: Chair
- Ilene Haber: 1st Vice Chair
- Bruce McFarland: 2nd Vice Chair
- Damian Caroll: Recording Secretary
- Miguel Santiago: Corresponding Secretary
