We recently corresponded with Knox County Democratic Party Chair Sylvia Woods, who filled us in on what's going on with the local party.

The Board of Governors meets regularly on the third Thursday of each month. There is a meeting tonight, and Sylvia said that Obama volunteers have been invited to visit and learn about the local party structure.

The local Board of Governors is made up of seven officers, plus one man and one woman from each of the 9 Commission Districts, plus a representative from the Women's Group and the Young Democrats, and the past chair.

The full Executive Committee meets quarterly. The Executive Committee is made up of the Board of Governors plus a representative from each Knox Co. voting ward/precinct. Sylvia said that some of the ward/precinct positions are not currently filled.

The Tennessee Democratic Party will meet in January to elect officers, including a new chair. Sylvia supports Chip Forrester for chair, more on that in a minute.

The next county party organizational meetings will be held at the end of March or first weekend in April. All 95 counties in Tennessee will elect new leadership at that time.

Next up for the Knox Co. Democratic Party are the 2009 City of Knoxville elections. Sylvia says "we have to be ready," and notes that Democrats do better in City elections than County but "we have to get better."

For City Council, Sylvia says "there are several people who have been scouting out prospects on their own. We will get together soon to look over the field, recruit, train, and raise money. We will prepare a short term and long term plan. We also need to make some adjustments in our bylaws or standing rules so that we will be more helpful."

Regarding the new TNDP chair, Sylvia says that she supports Chip Forrester because he "wants to work with and listen to the Executive Committee." Sylvia said "I have been on the Board about 20 years and the only chair that consulted with us is Doug Horne. Chip has been treasurer and at one time he was the Executive Director. He knows the job." Sylvia said she had also mentioned to Chip that the TNDP needs to reach out to bloggers and that he is receptive to the idea. Sylvia says this is a new era and that "we need to be up to date on communicating."