Regularly scheduled and organized meetings are imperative to encouraging participation in a Young Democrat chapter. The frequency and type of meetings can vary, but it is important to hold meetings consistently; this allows members who may miss a meeting to know when the next will occur, and it will help members to plan to attend future meetings. 

Choose an Appropriate Location and Time
You’ll want to be as inclusive as possible when planning meeting details, especially with regard to your meeting location; that’s why it is important to choose a venue that fully complies with the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Additionally, county groups will want to find a central location with good parking and/or accessible public transportation.  Keep in mind that the meeting location should be appealing to young people, as well as to the kinds of speakers you’d like to have address your group. 

When you choose a time to meet, look over your local party’s club meeting calendar and try to pick an evening that won’t conflict with other clubs.  We recommend meeting on a weeknight.  If you designate the second Tuesday, for example, your membership and party leaders will always know when you are meeting.  You may want to consider starting at 6:30 or 7:00pm so that your members and guest speakers will have enough time to get there after work.

The following are some suggestions for meeting locations:

• Local Democrat Headquarters

• Public Library

• School or local college classroom

• Office of local Democratic activist

• Restaurants or bars that serve reasonably priced food and drinks with a private room – we’ve found that busy young people appreciate an opportunity to grab dinner while attending a meeting