The First Week…A Busy Start.

First, I want to thank you and tell you what an honor and a privilege it is to be the State Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. I am grateful for the outpouring of support and best wishes as we begin working together to make our Party an even stronger voice for those who are counting on us the most -- the good people of North Carolina who are looking to Democrats to make their lives better.

This last week, I held a conference call with our new team of officers. They are ready to get to work on a host of issues from promoting upcoming precinct meetings to working with our party auxiliary groups. In the coming weeks, we plan to travel to every region of the state to meet with local party leaders to identify specific ways that the state party can help local parties grow and succeed.

I also had the opportunity to meet with the current NCDP staff to impress upon them the need to have a “customer service” attitude toward our local parties and to do everything possible to make upcoming precinct meetings successful. I am looking forward to working with this team of talented and dedicated individuals to better serve you.

The first order of administrative business is to hire a new Executive Director. I will be conducting a national search for the best qualified applicants. In the coming weeks, I will be reviewing applications, consulting with NCDP officers, local party leaders, and others, before making a final recommendation to the State Executive Council. We are also accepting applications for communications and regional organizing positions. I want to reiterate my commitment to hiring a staff that is diverse in every respect. If you know qualified people who may be interested, please have them go to www.ncdp.org/jobs to apply. The deadline for applications is February 28, 2009.

On Thursday, Leigh and I attended the public memorial service for Jim Long. Commissioner Long was a devoted public servant and a great Democrat. Every North Carolinian reaped the benefit of his tireless work and consumer advocacy. No future Democratic Party event will be the same without Jim’s humor and good nature. He was one of a kind in the very best sense. Please remember Peg and all of the Long family as they continue to deal with their very personal loss.

On Friday night, for my first official “road trip” as Chair, Leigh, Mary Victoria, and I were delighted to travel to Elizabethtown to attend the 7th Congressional District Leadership Dinner. Nearly 100 local party leaders from all over the district (as well as other leaders including 3rd Vice Chair Tony McEwen, 3rd CD Chair Chris Hardee, and 11th CD Chair Luke Hyde) were on hand to celebrate a great 2008 and to plan for – and raise money for -- their District Convention later this year. The food, fellowship, and planning should be a model for other district and local parties!

A special note about precinct meetings: We all know that these are the first precinct organizing meetings held since the presidential election, which saw thousands of new activists and volunteers become involved for the first time. Many were not involved, or were just getting involved, last spring and may not know the details of how to get involved in the party at the local level. I want to encourage each of you to do everything that you can to communicate information about precinct meetings to these folks…and any others who may be looking to get involved in the Democratic Party. Please utilize your blogs, e-mail lists, precinct walking lists, or whatever other resources you may have to get the word out about these important meetings…the foundation of our future successes.

Friends, I am so excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. I want you to be involved. I need you to be involved. Please feel free to call (919.821.2777 x106) or e-mail me at DYoung@ncdp.org to let me know how I can be of assistance.

David Young