YDA is poised to revolutionize the way chapters operate and in turn revolutionize the way political campaigns are conducted and how they view young people. YDA would be nothing without our local chapters. We know this and intend to ensure our chapters have the resources needed to grow at the same time we grow our national organization.

YDA provides state and local chapters training and technical assistance as well as grants to conduct innovative campaigns and young candidate programs. YDA also provides staff to help build up current chapters, create new ones and bring in other grassroots organizations to partner on national programs.

Training and technical assistance continue to be part of all Partnership Programs. Three times a year YDA offers trainings at our National Conferences as well as intensive trainings every two years at our National Convention. In addition to the national trainings, we offer trainings and manuals to chapters on a local level.

Chapter Building Programs—Building Strong Chapters:

• State Executive Directors: YDA invests in full-time staff members that are paid jointly by the state chapter and YDA. The Executive Directors build chapters, train leaders, raise funds and ultimately build the permanent infrastructure on a state level.

• 2006 in 2006: By the end of 2006, YDA will have 2,006 active local chapters and caucuses that each accomplishes a minimum of 6 goals.

• DEMopolis: YDA’s new online member management tool.

• Dollars for Young Democrats (D4YD): A fundraising program for state and local chapters that builds a small donor program for long term sustainability.