Membership & Meetings

Our Mission.

The Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee conducts the official business of the Massachusetts Democratic Party in Ward 5, which includes Beacon Hill, Bay Village, Back Bay, Fenway, and parts of Chinatown and the South End.

We advocate for the election of Democrats at the local, state and national level. We support public policies that are important to the City of Boston, the Commonwealth, and the Nation. We help our neighbors stay informed.

Officers: Robert Binney (Chair), Hilary Bacon Gabrieli (Vice Chair), Patricia Amend (Second Vice Chair), Shari Franzetta (Secretary) and Robert Whitney (Treasurer).

Executive Committee: Robert Binney, Hilary Bacon Gabrielli, Patricia Amend, Shari Franzetta, Robert Whitney, Kenzie Bok, Gretchen Bennett, Kathy Judge, Susan Smith, City Councilor Sharon Durkan and State Rep. Jay Livingstone.

Committee Membership.

Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee members are eligible to participate in the committee’s official business, including endorsement votes of candidates for public office, and the committee’s public policy positions.

Membership is open to all registered Democrats in Boston’s Ward 5, which includes Beacon Hill, Bay Village, Back Bay, parts of Chinatown and the South End, and, Fenway.

To join us, simply attend three meetings. At the third, you can be nominated for membership. Once nominated, you will be eligible to be elected as an associate member at the next meeting.

Attendance/Voting.

To be eligible to vote as a member, you are required to attend at least five meetings, or eligible events, each year. We meet the third Tuesday of the month, usually with the exception of August and December. Eligible events are those designated by the Committee Secretary as “meeting equivalents.”

For 2023 they are:

The annual Ward 5 Caucus, where were we elect delegates to the 2023 State Democratic Convention to represent Ward 5.

The State Democratic Convention, Ward 5 elect delegates only. Delegates can attend either in person or virtually.

The Ward 5 Holiday Party in December.

Each time you attend a meeting via Zoom, please be sure to make your presence known so that the Secretary, Shari Franzetta, can keep accurate records! 

Annual Dues.

General Membership: $60
First Year Members: $25
Student Membership: $25

Dues, which are not tax-deductible, are to be paid no later than the March meeting of the Committee each year. Simply click this button.

Your contribution supports our election-related activities, which include hosting this website; renting space for monthly meetings, our caucus and annual holiday party (as needed); the creation of campaign literature; and the rental of buses for canvassing.

We will waive annual dues for cause in individual cases. Our goal is to keep our meetings accessible and open. If you need a waiver, please download, fill out and return this Boston Ward 5 Democrats Waiver Request Form.