Local affiliates are the first level of involvement for a member.
Each local affiliate has a generally defined area from which to draw membership. Each local affiliate elects a local board of directors and a slate of officers as they see necessary to accomplish their local objectives. Two members of the local affiliate are then selected to represent the local affiliate on the Board of Directors of the SDCA at the state level. Local affiliates also develop and pass resolutions reflecting the direction and issues that the local members wish to pursue. A slate of officers at the state level is elected from the general membership at an annual convention.