General Membership Meeting: Feb. 2, 2019

East Bay DSA General Membership Meeting, February 2, 2019, 4–6 p.m.

This is a general meeting of the East Bay DSA membership. Zach M. and Abigail G.-G. chaired the meeting. The recording secretary was present and documented the minutes.

The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m.

Settle In and Welcome

Zach M. opened the meeting with a welcoming statement and an introduction of how the meeting will be run.

An announcement was made regarding quorum. If quorum is not reached by the time of the resolutions portion of the meeting, the resolutions process will be conducted as normal and any resolutions that pass will be added to a "consent calendar" of the next general meeting.

Zach M. also explained the different common motions that can be made during the meeting in accordance of Robert's Rules, by which the meeting is run.

Song: Solidarity Forever

Jeremy G. introduce the history of the song "Solidarity Forever" and led the membership in singing, along with Bonnie G. who played guitar.

Committee Reports and Announcements

Following the opening statements, Zach M. called forward committee representatives to present oral reports.

Hannah E. reported on behalf of the Membership Engagement Committee
Joey K. reported on behalf of the Meetings Committee
Sandy B. reported on behalf of the Electoral Committee
Allie L. reported on behalf of the Social Housing Committee
Shane R. reported on behalf of the Racial Solidarity Committee
Nick F. reported on behalf of the Political Education Committee
Robbie N. reported on behalf of the Labor Committee
Dominic D. reported on behalf of the Communications Committee
Sean M. delivered a report as the Treasurer
Mark G. reported on behalf of the Steering Committee
Hannah K. reported on behalf of the OEA Solidarity Committee
Matt S. reported on behalf of the Medicare for All Committee

Following the committee reports, Molly A. gave an announcement regarding Bread for Ed, a program for which our chapter is organizing and fundraising. To donate money towards feeding students during the OEA strike, please visit https://donorbox.org/breadfored.

Member Announcements

Elliot, chair of Berkeley YDSA, made an announcement regarding the upcoming YDSA conference and requested volunteers for the conference. Reach out to Berkeley YDSA if you are able to volunteer.

Carol made an announcement regarding new Medicare for All legislation and upcoming barnstorms. Only two legislators in California have not signed on to the legislation — Swalwell and Pelosi. Call (202) 858-1717 and let them know what you think about that.

Sandy B. made an announcement regarding the launch of Spring Caucus, a new nationwide caucus. If people have questions or are interested, they should reach out to Sandy and Jeremy G and take a look at www.socialistcall.com.

Rex made an announcement encouraging people to get involved in supporting the OEA strike. Due to strike support activities, the Socialist Feminist Caucus is canceling their book clubs for the month. A film screening will be held about women in the Nicaraguan revolution.

Kabir made an announcement to further promote the YDSA conference. There will be YDSA members coming from all across the country and will need housing. If you are able to host visiting members, please reach out to Elliot from Berkeley YDSA.

Bonnie G. announced that members can download songs and a Red for Ed songbook at occupella.org.

Resolutions

The following resolution was motivated by Frances R. Following motivation, Abigail G.-G. offered a reminder that the meeting was still not at quorum, and if the resolution were to pass in this meeting, it would be added to the consent calendar of the March general meeting.

[GM.2019.2] Resolution to Expand Majority’s Areas of Coverage

Submitted by Frances R., Dominic D., Annika B., Wes H., and Ian M.

Whereas, East Bay DSA’s strike-focused publication Majority has become an important tool for external organizing, offering an avenue for DSA members and OEA teachers and supporters to have political conversations during interviews

Whereas Majority offers an excellent opportunity for further internal organizing within EBDSA, giving members a chance to develop as socialist writers, thinkers, editors, and propagandists

Whereas Majority has been inspired by the success of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders in reaching millions of Americans through creation and propagation of their own independent media promoting progressive and democratic socialist demands

Whereas East Bay DSA’s communications work in service of the Jovanka Beckles campaign proved that local media is hostile to socialist politics

Whereas Majority has followed in the steps of buffywicks.money, helping EBDSA to contribute to and shape public conversation about the OEA contract fight and connect it to the larger struggle of billionaires vs. working people

Whereas accessible, well-designed, outward-facing communications like Majority are critical to popularizing socialist demands and analysis to a mass audience in the East Bay and beyond

Whereas organic leaders in the OUSD rank-and-file have been featured in Majority and have shared Majority content to their own networks, proving its viability as a path to connect with working people and labor militants outside of the chapter

Whereas Majority offers a platform EBDSA’s other democratically determined campaigns and committees should make use of to broaden our socialist news reporting and analysis to e.g. healthcare, housing, racial solidarity, labor, owning PG&E, and socialist education

Therefore be it resolved East Bay DSA will task the Editorial Subcommittee of the Communications Committee with soliciting and developing editorial content from committees and campaigns for publication in Majority

Therefore be it further resolved the Editorial Subcommittee of the Communications Committee will develop a proposal for a Majority editorial board and structure to be approved by the Steering Committee.

Therefore be it further resolved the Majority editors will be responsible for soliciting coverage of news and political developments outside the scope of EBDSA’s campaigns and committees at their discretion.

Following the motivation, a period of question and answer was opened.

After debate and a vote, the resolution PASSED by a majority vote and will be added to the consent calendar of the March General Meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.