The Sister Resolution: Restoring Trust & Financial Accountability
By: Hannah Wroblewski, Mike Lee, & Chloe Fowler of Nebraska
YDA is strongest when national leadership and state chapters operate in partnership, transparency, and good faith. When a state chapter agrees to host a national meeting, it takes on significant organizational and financial responsibilities in order to serve the broader membership.
The Sister Resolution exists to reaffirm a basic expectation that national officers uphold their fiduciary duties and be transparent about how organizational funds are managed.
This resolution is about getting answers to where the registration money went, by asking the Treasurer to provide a written accounting report of the Omaha meeting.
To be clear, the Sister Resolution is NOT a call for impeachment or a trial for the Treasurer, but a resolution simply asking where is the money, and to reaffirm a commitment of YDA’s fiduciary responsibility!
Together with the SHINE Resolution, this effort reflects a commitment to ensuring that YDA continues to operate with the transparency and partnership our members and chartered units expect.
Financial Transparency
✳︎
Accountability
✳︎
Financial Transparency ✳︎ Accountability ✳︎
Background
Total Expected Revenue:
$4,917.50
During planning for the Winter Meeting, it was understood that registration fees collected by the national organization would offset the costs of hosting the event.
Following the meeting, questions arose when certain meeting-related expenses remained the responsibility of Nebraska despite registration revenue exceeding projections.
In response, Nebraska requested clarification on how registration funds were allocated. This request was asked through a legal letter and was denied due to a budget not existing. Leaving Nebraska Young Democrats with no other option but to introduce the Sister Resolution, to have a clear accounting of meeting finances and to reinforce expectations of transparency.
Winter Meeting Finance Report
Treasurer Report Registration Fees:
$7,800
Outlying Bill Amount:
$5,596.72
Exceeded Amount Earned:
$2,882.50
By the Numbers
Relying on reporting from ProPublica, we have pulled and briefly analyzed the fiscal contribution from YDA to assist with Quarterly Meetings. National Convention funding was omitted for specificity and due to the considerably larger contributions for the 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023 National Conventions.
ProPublica data can be accessed here.
Endorse the SHINE Resoution
We would love your support! Please fill out this form to endorse the SHINE resolution, and add your name to the endorsement page.