Progressive Democrats of NC and Progressive Democrats of America form Sisterhood

Dear Progressive Democrats,

Probably never in our lifetime has so much been at stake.

Never before has a strong and united progressive voice and progressive action been more important in politics.

Accordingly, the Progressive Democrats of North Carolina (PDNC) and the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) have decided to forge links of sisterhood.

What does that mean?

PDNC has a registered state PAC but not a federal PAC. Therefore it cannot spend money on federal elections. PDA is a federal PAC, but not a NC state PAC. Essentially, the two organizations have complementary jurisdictions. The members of both organizations believe government should create policies based on our progressive values, which serve the best interests of people--not corporate interests. To achieve this result, we seek to elect a progressive majority at all levels of government.

Accordingly, PDNC and PDA have agreed to urge our members and friends to join both organizations and to form joint chapters wherever possible–keeping our separate organizational identity, but cooperating every way we can to build the progressive movement within the Democratic Party.

This election is absolutely critical. But, it is just part of the work ahead of us. We need to advance progressive values and issues, help unite the diversity of progressive groups and people, and build winning campaigns that matter.

Please build the Progressive Democrats sisterhood (and brotherhood) today by:
1) Joining and supporting the Progressive Democrats of America–see http://pdamerica.org/
2) Joining and supporting the Progressive Democrats of North Carolina–see http://www.progressivedemocratsnc.org/blog/
3) Find your Progressive Democratic friends and form a joint chapter.

Together we Can!

LETTER OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN PDNC AND PDA:
.
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF NORTH CAROLINA
The Progressive Democrats of North Carolina is organized as a Not-for-Profit organization under IRS Code Section 501(c) (4).

The PDNC pledges to:

• Forge a strong Democratic Party In North Carolina with grassroots-based campaign strategies and technologies;
• Work for a more democratic, transparent, and open political process within the Democratic Party.
• Hold the Democratic Party’s leadership, candidates and elected officials to a greater degree of accountability;
• Recruit, support, and elect Democratic candidates at all levels of public and party offices, who support social , economic and environmental justice;
• Work for social, economic, and environmental justice together with national and state progressive action groups;
• Inspire, involve, and empower progressive North Carolinians to participate in the electoral process;
• Advocate and promote progressive policies for the health, education, and well-being of the residents of North Carolina.
CURRENT LIMITATIONS
May endorse but not spend any money on candidates for federal races.

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA
Progressive Democrats of America is organized as a Federal Political Action Committee (PAC).

The PDA works to:
• Transform the Democratic Party and our country;
• Build a Party and government controlled by citizens, not corporate elites – with policies that serve the broad public interests, not just corporate interests;
• Be a grass roots PAC operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice. PDA believes its inside/outside strategy is guided by the belief that a lasting majority will require a revitalized Democratic Party built on firm progressive principles.
• To rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up–from every Congressional District to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington, working arm in arm with the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
CURRENT LIMITATIONS
Unable to directly speak to and directly support statewide and local candidates. Limited to national races for Congressional races and the Presidency.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS LETTER OF AGREEMENT
…is to strengthen the ability of the Members and Chapters of PDNC and PDA in North Carolina in their efforts to attain their mutually shared goals for the rebuilding and strengthening of the Democratic Party. The following action steps will enable both groups to interactively communicate, thereby strengthening both groups and facilitating the efforts of both.

Action Steps Required

It is with this intent in mind that the following steps are taken within each organization:

1. North Carolina members of both PDNC and PDA are urged to visit and use the websites of both PDNC www.pdncpac.com and PDA www.pda.com .
2. Members of both PDNC and PDA are urged to join and hold memberships in both organizations.
3. Links from both websites will be posted on each other’s websites.
PDNC and PDA can, and should, tell each other’s members who they have endorsed, as long as they strictly abide by the relevant laws.
4. Each individual organization may call the other a ‘sister organization’ as long as it is fully understood by the members of both that we are not formally affiliated.
This Letter of Agreement shall be kept on file as a clear and brief statement by the PDNC and PDA and shall be available to the membership.

For the Progressive Democrats of
North Carolina

Pete MacDowell, President

October 7th, 2008

For the Progressive Democrats of
America

Tim Carpenter, National Director

October 7th, 2008