Democratic Community coalition

WHAT IT IS

The Democratic Community Coalition is an open, invitation-based network that connects the people and organizations working to strengthen our community across St. Tammany Parish. It is convened by the St. Tammany Democratic Parish Executive Committee (DPEC), but it operates informally. It is not a chartered club or an affiliated organization, and it requires no dues, no application fee, and no formal membership to take part. It is not a campaign, and it does not endorse or work to elect candidates.

WHY IT EXISTS

For too long, St. Tammany has lacked the connective tissue a strong community needs. The people and groups doing good work here have too often operated in isolation. The Coalition exists to change that: to connect Democrats and allies with one another, and to build the lasting community infrastructure our parish has never had. It gives us a standing place to share information, surface the priorities that matter to our neighbors, learn from one another, and build durable relationships. This is about connection and coordination, not campaigning. The Coalition does not exist to elect candidates. It exists to make our community stronger and better connected, year in and year out.

WHO IT'S FOR

The Coalition is intentionally broad. We welcome:

• Local Democratic clubs and organizations

• Informal groups active in community and civic work, even without a formal structure

• Moderators of key local Facebook and online organizing groups

• Representatives of community constituencies, including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and more

If you are working to make St. Tammany a better place and you want to be part of a more connected community, there is a seat for you at the table.

WHAT PARTICIPATION INVOLVES

Taking part means a voice in a parish-wide conversation, shared information across groups, and the chance to coordinate on community priorities, events, and outreach.

It does not mean dues, applications, or obligations. The Coalition is advisory and collaborative. It holds no formal authority, takes no binding votes, endorses no candidates, and grants no special privileges. The DPEC remains the official governing body for the Democratic Party in St. Tammany Parish.

HOW IT WORKS

The Coalition meets quarterly by Zoom, so it is easy to join from anywhere in the parish, with the option to gather more often when there is a lot happening. Meetings are convened by the DPEC and focus on sharing updates, surfacing community priorities, and coordinating our efforts.

NONPROFITS & 501(c)(3) ORGANIZATIONS

We want charitable and nonprofit organizations to feel welcome, and we want to protect them. Nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) organizations, have their own rules about political activity, so participation works a little differently for them:

• A nonprofit takes part through an individual representative, acting in their personal capacity, rather than as the organization itself.

• We do not list 501(c)(3) organizations on our participating-groups list.

• Participation is limited to nonpartisan community input and coordination. The Coalition never asks any participant to endorse or support candidates.

Each nonprofit's board should decide what is right for that organization. If you have questions about the right level of involvement, reach out and we will work it out with you.

HOW TO REQUEST INCLUSION

Want your group or organization included? Fill out our short request form and we will follow up. Participation is by invitation and reviewed by the DPEC, but we welcome and encourage anyone doing the work to reach out.

PARTICIPATING GROUPS

We are building the Coalition now. Participating groups will be listed here soon. Check back, or request to be part of it.

Participation reflects a commitment to community coordination and does not constitute a political endorsement by any participating organization. 501(c)(3) organizations are not listed here; their representatives take part as individuals.