The Florida Democratic Party will hold its first meeting with its fresh set of new leadership this weekend in St. Petersburg.
The Democratic County Chairs Association will meet for a weekend retreat jam-packed full of events and informational sessions, covering everything from party communications to voter registration.
According to the meeting's schedule, the majority of the action will take place Saturday at the Hilton Carillon Park hotel in St. Petersburg.
The DCCA will also use the weekend retreat to determine which Democratic executive committees will receive grants from the party.
FDP chair Stephen Bittel announced in January the party would hand out grants to focus on local issues and organizations in hopes of bringing home wins in 2018.
"Our goal is to ensure that Democratic organizations across the state have the freedom to implement new and creative ideas for organizing their communities and then receive the resources to implement those strategies," Bittel said.
Bittel, who took the reins of the FDP in January, faces insurmountable amounts of pressure to help lead the party to victory after a humiliating series of defeats last November.
Reflecting back on previous election cycles, many critics have said the FDP hasn't been doing enough to mobilize voters all year.
The work to win, Bittel explained, should happen at all times, not just during campaign season.
"The new Florida Democratic Party must organize year-round regardless of election cycle, and the Janet Reno Challenge Grant will help kick-start our grassroots mobilization and put us on a path to victory in 2018," he said.
Thirty organizations will receive awards on Saturday -- 20 awards of $2,500 each and another 10 awards of $5,000 will be awarded at the meeting.
The meeting will be held Friday through Sunday.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
