The term, "official call," refers to the document the State Central Committee approves to "call" for a State Convention, to occur on a specified date, every two years. It also "calls" on members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party to assemble in a caucus held in every precinct. These caucuses represent the first step in constituting a State Convention because they elect delegates who then vote on their organizing unit's representatives at that convention (the delegates and alternates). 

The authority of the Official Call has grown, not only to define the fundamental parameters of all caucuses and conventions leading up to the State Convention, but to govern all party meetings that occur within the biennium. It largely takes existing rules and principals found in the State DFL Constitution and Bylaws and shows how they apply to different types of conventions and other meetings. The Call provides local party volunteers with step-by-step instructions on preparing for, conducting, and reporting the results of each caucus and convention.

The Constitution and Bylaws also delegate authority to the Official Call to define specific procedures for:

• Explaining the DFL's Affirmative Action, Outreach, and Inclusion policy,

• Upgrading Alternates,

• Achieving Equal Division by Gender Identity in elections,

• Conducting elections with Proportional Representation,

• Conducting elections with Ranked Choice Voting, and

• Bringing and resolving Challenges.

The Call also includes many important forms DFLers use to participate in the party's process and report violations of rules.

The Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules Committee (CBRC) is responsible for drafting and proposing the DFL Official Call. Because each State Convention is a separate meeting, each Official Call is a new document, not an amendment of a standing document. The Call must be drafted, proposed, and approved de novo every two years. The CBRC co-chairs prepare a working draft, and members propose changes to that draft at committee meetings early in the biennium. Changes can also come from state party leadership, other state party standing committees, local units, community outreach organizations, and non-members. The committee reviews and discusses and votes on these proposed changes.

The CBRC formally reports its final version of the proposed Call to the State Central Committee (SCC), typically at its meeting in the summer of odd-numbered years. The SCC may then make other changes to the Call before approving the final version, thus issuing the Call to Convention. The SCC has the authority to make further changes to the Call, if needed, after it's adopted.