In addition, the club offers real-world political experience through summer internships and jobs ranging from working in senators' offices to interning for the Democratic National Committee to working with Common Cause, a nonpartisan citizens' organization which investigates government corruption. This year, opportunities will also be available with presidential campaigns.
Members of the club see these internships not only as valuable experiences but also as a springboard into the world of politics.
"An internship is most helpful in making connections with people in government and politics who can be a
future source of information about job openings," said Elizabeth Howe '00, the club's former internships director.
For many members emeriti, the club has served as a launching pad to a career in politics and related fields.
Alums include U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer '71, Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne '73, and Democratic pollster and consultant Doug Schoen '74.
But for every member who has gone on to shine in high-profile politics, there are many who have put their experiences to use in other walks of life.
"These experiences are excellent preparation not only for leadership in any field, but more importantly, for a life of active and involved citizenship," said Joe N. Sanberg '00, last year's club president.
"It's not necessarily a career path," Stad said. "For some, it is a passion or interest. For others, it is much more of a hobby."
Todd E. Plants '01, for one, an active member of the Undergraduate Council and council presidential candidate in the last election, has still managed to participate regularly in the College Democrats.
Plants, who comes from a family of Democrats, knew he wanted to get involved in political service of some kind when he came to Harvard. The club offered him an opportunity to participate without curbing his other interests.
The informal nature of the group is unlike most college groups that "expect you to be really hard-core about their club," Plants says.
Another highly appealing feature for Plants was the opportunity to interact with students sharing similar political views.
"The club is a chance for unabashed liberals who enjoy politics to get together," he said.
Campaigns director John Bingaman agrees, saying that getting together with other Democrats is one of the chief benefits the club offers.
"We're a very diverse group, we have a lot of fun together," says Bingaman. "We share a commitment to helping others and fighting for the future of this country. I've made some of my best friends here at Harvard through the group."