Patty Payne said it’s an honor no other Democrat in Franklin County or northeast Georgia has ever received.

Next month, the longtime Democrat and Lavonia resident will be going to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Payne is one of just five Georgia Democrats going to the Convention Aug. 25-27, and she’s currently trying to raise money to help pay for the trip.

“It’s going to cost a minimum of $3,500, but it’s important I go,” she said.

Payne has been active in the Franklin County Democratic Party for five years and is a past party chair.

“I wanted to help get the Franklin Democratic Party off the ground and up and going again so I got involved,” she said. “I never expected to be asked to go to the convention.”

Franklin County Democratic Party Chairman Tom MacDonald said it could help recognition of the activity of the northeast Georgia Democratic Party.

“We’re very pleased and proud. It’s quite an honor, especially to be chosen to be on the Credentials Committee. We applaud Patty for putting herself out there to be chosen. Committee members have to be elected at some level, so we’re very happy. We hope it will bring attention to the fact that the Democratic Party is active in this part of the state,” he said.

In a formal letter from the Georgia Democratic Party dated July 18, Payne was asked to serve on the Credentials Committee.

“I was nominated by the Hilary Clinton campaign, and later the Obama and Clinton delegates voted me in,” Payne explained. “I’m not an actual pledge delegate. I’m going to be on the Credentials Committee, which is a really high honor. I’m excited and a bit nervous, but it’s a great honor.”

While not a voting delegate, Payne said the Credentials Committee plays an important role during the convention. One of three standing committees during the convention, the Credentials Committee determines and resolves outstanding questions concerning the seating of delegates and alternates to the convention. They also have jurisdiction over any unresolved challenges to the party’s rules and bylaws.

Payne will be one of 186 Credential Committee members and will be rubbing shoulders with some Democrats in high places, such as former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman, who is one of the co-leaders of the committee.

“I’ll be busy in committee meetings voting on issues such as the Michigan and Florida delegate situation and seating the delegates. We’ll also be resolving any outstanding issues concerning the seating of delegates and alternates to determine who should be recognized to vote,” Payne said.

The theme of this year’s Democratic Convention is “Go Green.” All delegates and committee members are being asked to spend one day doing community service in Denver on Delegate Service Day, Aug. 27.

Payne hopes to use her talents as a professional counselor and local farmer in some capacity that day.

“I’m not sure what I’ll be doing yet, but I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

As the first Democrat from Northeast Georgia to go to a national convention, Payne hopes to be a catalyst for change.

“I want to concentrate on unity, not just for the Democrat Party but for everyone,” she said. “This is a moment in history I think many people would like to be a part of."