All Member Meeting
1. Call to Order & Welcome
The Missouri Young Democrats held an All-Member Meeting on August 26, 2025, lasting approximately 60 minutes. The meeting was led by President Andrew Hartzler and included about 55 participants, such as executive committee members, chapter representatives, elected officials, candidates, and members.
2. President’s Report
Andrew reviewed the organization’s rebuilding process since June 2025. Key updates included:
Chartering with the Young Democrats of America (YDA) was completed in July.
Website development is nearly finished, but remains pending final confirmation from individual chapters before launch.
Continued outreach efforts to colleges and high schools to expand membership and establish new chapters.
3. Discussion Items
Organizational Updates
Andrew Hartzler (President) reviewed MOYD’s progress since the June kickoff. He announced that MOYD is now officially chartered with YDA, after successfully raising funds to send a representative to the July national convention in Philadelphia.
Andrew explained MOYD’s structure, noting that both the Missouri College Democrats (MOCD) and Missouri High School Democrats (MOHSD) are part of the organization while maintaining separate identities. He described the relationship as similar to Disney owning Marvel and Pixar—“separate but under the same umbrella.”
Dustin (Treasurer) reported that MOYD is fully compliant with Missouri Ethics Commission requirements and has opened official bank accounts. While operations are currently sustained through email fundraising, a comprehensive budget is being developed as the organization grows.
Dustin also highlighted MOYD’s access to VoteBuilder, the Democratic Party’s voter database platform, and emphasized how the Reach app will strengthen voter data collection and outreach efforts across Missouri.
College and High School Democrats Updates
Jaelyn reported for Missouri College Democrats, noting they are building a statewide contact spreadsheet to connect with universities as the fall semester begins. The long-term goal is to charter with College Democrats of America, which would provide funding opportunities and legitimacy for campus organizing.
Dwayne provided updates for Missouri High School Democrats, sharing that they held their first executive board meeting with newly elected officers. They updated their constitution and are focusing outreach on debate coaches, given debate students’ existing engagement with policy. Chapters are currently active in Kansas City and St. Louis, with expansion efforts underway in Columbia and Springfield.
Committee Reports
Ryan (Communications) reported increased activity on TikTok and Twitter, and noted that the team is designing logos for both Missouri High School Democrats and Missouri College Democrats. Andrew added that the website is complete but awaiting confirmation from affiliates before publishing.
Lucy (Policy & Advocacy) shared that the committee has completed a first draft of policy positions and is moving into the editing phase. She encouraged broader participation to ensure diverse perspectives before the legislature returns to session.
Dale (Political Affairs) explained that the committee divided responsibilities by region, with members focusing on candidates and campaigns in their areas. They are preparing for events including the Truman Dinner, Labor Day protests, and lobbying efforts at the Missouri Capitol. While major campaign work will begin in about two months, volunteers are needed now for canvassing and phone banking.
Elmedin (Membership & Outreach) reported that the committee created guides for establishing new chapters, including adaptable template constitutions.
Congressional District Representatives
Gavin (MO-2): Working with the state party, county committee, and House Democratic caucus.
Rogelio (MO-5): Reported selecting a location for a district town hall, pending budget approval.
Heather (MO-6): Engaging contacts at Truman State University (Kirksville) and reaching out to Maryville.
Austin (MO-7): Coordinating events in Springfield and Joplin, and speaking at local county Democratic meetings.
Béla (MO-8): Connecting with Randy McCalley, a former congressional candidate, and planning meetups in Houston to discuss county offices.
Gerrymandering Discussion
Rep. Anthony Ealy provided insights on legal strategies to challenge proposed gerrymandering efforts, emphasizing that while public protests are useful, legal challenges will be most effective. He noted that Missouri House Democrats have consulted with law firms and are preparing for potential court actions if the governor calls a special session.
Austin (MO-7) added that 38 Republicans voted against the 7–1 map in 2021, and urged members to call these representatives to apply public pressure. He suggested flooding their voicemail boxes to highlight the consequences of shifting positions.
Elected Officials and Candidates
Rep. Anthony Ealy expressed appreciation for the reactivation of MOYD and encouraged members to amplify messaging about legislative issues in Jefferson City. He emphasized that constituent pressure through emails and phone calls can sometimes influence Republican representatives.
Josh Smead and Matthew Levine, both candidates for Missouri’s 6th Congressional District, introduced themselves. They stressed the importance of young people engaging in Democratic politics and offered to partner with MOYD for future volunteer opportunities.
4. Action Items
Join the Reach app campaign using the provided link (all members).
Contact Congressional District Representatives to get involved in local events (members).
Submit applications for open leadership positions by September 2 (interested members).
Create content for social media platforms, especially TikTok and Twitter (communications volunteers).
Follow up with St. Louis Young Democrats about affiliation status (Andrew).
5. Announcements
Upcoming Events
September 1: Labor Day rallies in Kansas City and St. Louis
September 10: Gerrymandering rally at the State Capitol
August 27: Clay County Town Hall at 6:30 PM with Democratic representatives
September 13: Night in Clay County fundraiser (10 free tickets available for young Democrats)
October 18: Eleanor Roosevelt Dinner in Joplin
September 20: Truman Dinner in St. Louis, followed by Young Dems After Dark at Oyster Bar
Open Leadership Positions
Vice President (vacant following resignation)
Congressional District Representative for District 1 (St. Louis area)
Congressional District Representative for District 4 (Cass County to Columbia)
Fundraising Committee Chair
Interested members should email eboard@moyoungdemocrats.org by September 2.
6. Next Meeting & Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 PM. Based on positive feedback from attendees, monthly all-member meetings will continue, likely keeping the Tuesday evening timeframe. The exact date for the next meeting will be announced via email.
Executive Committee meetings will continue to be held weekly while the organization remains in its building phase. Contact information for all Executive Committee members is available on the organization’s website under the Team section, and members are encouraged to connect via Slack with any questions.
