How To Write A Resolution

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A resolution addresses a current specific problem or opportunity. It should include a call for specific action aimed at identifiable public officials.

The resolution’s message should be consistent with the organization’s platform, or at least not inconsistent with it. Implementing or applying the platform is fine, but remember that a resolution must amount to more than a statement of a platform provision.

  • Be selective, factual–and clear. Keep the one-page limit in mind, and include only on-point facts that will lead your audience to your desired conclusion.
  • Do not include purported factual assertions that seem exaggerated or are readily questionable; these will suggest that your conclusions may be unsoundly based and thereby give the decision-makers an excuse to ignore your call for action.
  • Fact-check all assertions in your “Whereas” clauses. Be clear throughout and avoid ambiguity; use correct punctuation and overt or implicit sub-paragraphing [e.g., (a), (b), etc.]

Sample Resolution

The accompanying sample resolution, “Constitutional Rights for People, not Corporations”, is presented here are an example of good form:

  • It has a short, directly pointed title.
  • It relies solely on undisputed facts.
  • It demonstrates its consistency with the operative platform (county Democratic organization)
  • It calls for specific action and accountability.
  • It is easy to propagate: By using “we” in its text and being set up to specify the adopting body (and date) separately, at the bottom, its content may more readily be picked up and used by other Democratic bodies (with appropriate adjustments for platform references, if needed).(Note: Do not be deterred by the unavailability of a specific platform reference.

Style Notes:

  • Resolutions should be submitted in MS Word .doc (not .docx) format.
  • Do not use line numbers.
  • “Whereas” and “Therefore be it resolved” should be in caps/lower case (not all caps).
  • “Whereas” and “Therefore be it resolved”should be in boldface with no trailing comma.
  • In the case of multiple “Whereas” clauses, end all but the last with “; and”
  • Indent sub-paragraphs

Sample Resolution

Constitutional Rights for People, not Corporations

WHEREAS the U.S. Constitution, as amended, prescribes rights and freedoms accorded to people but makes no mention of corporations; and
WHEREAS corporations are neither born nor naturalized in the United States and therefore are not entitled to the privileges or immunities accorded to U.S. citizens, and in many cases are owned in whole or in part by foreign interests that are not entitled to influence U.S. elections; and
WHEREAS a divided U. S. Supreme Court has, over the last three decades, misguidedly ruled that money is a form of speech, thus extending First Amendment protections to wealthy entities‟ efforts to evade and override election-campaign reforms; and
WHEREAS the corporate usurpation of free speech rights culminated recently in the Supreme Court‟s Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission decision, overturning longstanding precedents prohibiting corporations from spending their general treasury funds in elections and unleashing a torrent of corporate money into our political process, presenting a grave threat to our democracy and potentially to our national security; and
WHEREAS the current King County Democratic Platform, adopted April 10, 2010, declares that
“[c]orporations, as artificial entities, are not entitled to the Constitutional rights of people;” and that the “Constitution must be amended to establish that corporations shall not be considered as persons‟ for purposes of political activity, and to reverse the pernicious notion that money equals speech;”


THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we call on all our representatives in the U.S. Congress to
sponsor and secure passage of, and send to the states for ratification, a Constitutional
amendment to establish (1) that a corporation shall not be considered a person eligible for
rights accorded to human beings under the Constitution, as amended, and (2) that the use of
money to influence elections or the acts of public officials shall not be considered a protected
form of speech; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that our Senators and Congressmembers be queried as to their actions
and intended actions in furtherance of the above.
Adopted ____ by ____________________
Submitted by James Madison, (206) xxx-xxxx, [email protected]
Passed by 53rd District Democrats, mm/dd/2011