State Chair Stedmann Hodge Jr. stated that 20 members joined at different times during a scheduled virtual meeting held on Jan. 27, 2024, and there were technical issues with the Zoom platform. The members present were able to discuss the proposed Election Cycle Calendar, which kicks off with a Prayer Breakfast on June 15 and ends on Dec. 14, 2024, with an Innovations Awards Gala.
Additionally, there is a Business After Hours scheduled on Feb. 22 as part of the St. Thomas/St. John Chamber of Commerce networking events that allow Chamber members to meet one another, introduce new and prospective members, and network and promote businesses in a relaxed social atmosphere.
The Rules of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands states in summary that the Territorial Committee cannot be notified less than 15 days prior to the scheduled date for a special meeting that requires 25 enabling signatures. With the first activity taking place on Feb. 22, 2024, an emergency meeting had to be called.
There are a few criteria that signal when an emergency meeting might be necessary, including:
- An unexpected issue occurs that couldn’t have been reasonably foreseen;
- An issue requires immediate action; and
- It’s impractical to provide advanced notice.
The decision to call the Emergency Meeting was also suggested by a few members of the Party and it was the right choice. The following highlights several activities that require Territorial and District Committee Members’ immediate action to support the Party’s 2024 Agenda and ensure the success of the activities geared to elect Democrats and support party initiatives:
Business After Hours — Thursday, February 22, 2024
Prayer Breakfast — Saturday, June 15, 2024 (St. Thomas)
Democrats Social: Meet the Candidates — Friday, June 21, 2024 (St. John)
Prayer Breakfast — Saturday, June 22, 2024 (St. Croix)
Democrats Social: Meet the Candidates Friday, June 28, 2024 (St. Croix}
Food Sale — Saturday, July 13, 2024 (Territory-Wide)
Fish Fry — Friday, July 26, 2024
Democratic Party Forum — Wednesday, August 28, 2024 (St. Croix)
Thursday, August 29, 2024 (St. John)
Food Sale — Saturday, September 14, 2024
Democratic Party Forum — Thursday, September 19, 2024 (St. Thomas)
Soup Sale — Saturday, September 28, 2024 (St. John)
Motorcade — Saturday, October 26, 2024 (Territory-Wide)
Victory Celebration — November 5, 2024 (General Election Day)
Annual Innovations Awards Gala — Saturday, December 14, 2024
Other significant achievements made on behalf of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands include:
- A proposal on Jan. 10, 2024, to host the Association of State Democratic Committees (ASDC) Winter Meeting in the U.S. Virgin Islands was submitted to Ken Martin, president, of the Association of State Democratic Committees. The Winter Meeting will be held in January/February of 2025.
- On Dec. 16, 2023, the Delegate Selection Plan was approved by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee, and all permanent members of the delegation or standing committee shall be elected on June 8, 2024.
There are planned fundraising events to support the delegates that will be traveling to the 2024 Democratic National Convention:
- On March 22, 2024, the DPVI will be hosting a Wine Tasting with Smooth Jazz at the Point Pleasant Beach Resort. This fundraiser is the first to benefit the VI Delegation to attend the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
- On June 7 – 9, 2024, the DPVI is planning to host a Casino Night, Golf Tournament and Dinner and Jazz on St. Croix.
On Aug. 19-22, 2024, the Democratic National Convention will take place in Chicago, Ill., to nominate Joe Biden, president, and Camila Harris, vice president, for re-election as president and vice president of the United States.
The Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands has a lot of work to do for the 2024 Election Cycle. Our priorities are clear, and when we are needed most, we respond to the call to serve. The members of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands will answer the call to serve on the following committees to ensure that Democrats are elected territory-wide:
- Prayer Breakfast and Democratic Social
- DPVI Candidates Forum
- Fundraising Committee
- Motorcade and Fundraising Committee
- Victory Celebration Committee
- Annual Innovations and Awards Gala
The members of the Democratic Party of the Virgin Islands are passionate about politics and what happens in the Virgin Islands communities. Some believe the Democratic Party is not doing its part and the truth of the matter is that the Democratic Party’s goal is to make the lives of all citizens better.
The matters on the proposed agenda are as follows:
- DPVI Calendar Update and Committee Appointments
- Proposed Fundraising Activities
- Delegates Selection Plan Updates, Caucus Dates and Caucus Committee Member Selection
State Chairman Hodge said, “We invite Democrats across the territory to participate. The emergency meeting will be held at 10 a.m. via Zoom at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10. It is open to the public, but only members can vote. The Zoom link is:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86350686061?pwd=Z1RtV0RFK0ttalNzRDRVZ1pNblZ3QT09
Meeting ID: 863 5068 6061 Passcode: 027428
“Thank you for your continued participation and interest in this important process. We will keep you informed of all the upcoming activities, plans and meetings,” concluded Hodge.
