Steering Committee Meeting: February 17, 2019
East Bay DSA Steering Committee Meeting, February 17, 2019, 3–5 p.m.
Introductions and Opening Statements
The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m. and chaired by Zach M. and Abigail G.-G. Hannah E. took notes on behalf of the recording secretary who was unable to attend. Also present at the meeting were Keith B. B., Aaron H., Frances R., Nestor C., Jeremy G., Sean M.
Committee chairs Andrew R., Ashley P., Will S., Andy C., Matt S., Dan D., and Miguel D. were also present.
Committee Reports
- Finance report delivered by Sean M.
- Recording secretary's report was not delivered.
- Communications Committee report delivered by Dominic D. and Frances R.
- Operations Committee report delivered by Andrew R.
- Meetings Committee report delivered by Andy C.
- Racial Solidarity Committee report delivered by Miguel D.
- Political Education Committee report delivered by Dan D.
- Member Engagement Committee report delivered by Hannah E.
- Medicare for All Campaign Committee report delivered by Matt S.
- Labor Committee report delivered by Ashley P.
- Social Housing Campaign Committee report delivered by Will S.
- Electoral Campaigns Committee report delivered by Matt S.
Following committee report-backs, Andy C. delivered a report-back on the Los Angeles Regional Conference. Abigail G.-G. will send out the national regional organizer’s report to the Steering Committee.
Consent Calendar
The following resolutions were adopted as part of the consent calendar.
[SC.2019.15] Proposal to Fund OEA Committee
Submitted by Sean M, Ari M, Charlie H, and Hannah K.
Whereas, the OEA Campaign Committee began with a budget of $3500
Whereas, non Bread-for-Ed activities, which have included space rental, printing, travel expenses, and food have used up nearly $3000 of the budget
Whereas, the dynamic nature of the strike requires the Campaign to adapt and act on short notice
Whereas, it will not be feasible to authorize funding during the strike in response to unexpected demands
Whereas, the success of the strike is of great importance to the people of Oakland and East Bay DSA
Whereas, the chapter treasury, excluding monies collected for Bread-for-Ed, has more than $12,000 as of 2019/02/11
Therefore be it resolved, that the Chapter allocate upwards of $3000 more to the OEA Campaign Committee
[SC.2019.16] Resolution for funding of the Child Supervision Kits for Meetings Committee
Submitted by Andy C., Bonnie L., Leslie R., Allie L., and Maura M.
Whereas EBDSA provides Child Supervision at the general meeting;
Whereas not all venues have proper supplies for Child Supervision;
Whereas Child Supervision is successful when proper supplies are provided;
Therefore be it Resolved that MeetingsCom have a Child Supervision Kit;
Therefore be it Resolved that EBDSA reimburse the Meetings Committee a one-time payment of $180 for the supplies listed below:
Tape-$5
Electric Covers-already purchased
Blanket- $15
Carriers- $30
Flooring-$30
Toys- $40
Pillows-$20
Balls-$15
Art Supplies-$20
Spray Bottle for sanitary cleaning-$5
New Business
[SC.2019.17] Child Supervision Resolution to have EBDSA Committees Offer Child Supervision at Committee Events
Submitted by Andy C., Bonnie L., Leslie R., Allie L., and Maura M., motivated by Andy C. and Maura M.
Whereas most working class people are parents or guardians of children;
Whereas child supervision gives aid to parents and guardians so that they can join the struggle of the socialist and labor movement;
Whereas establishing a relationship with parents and guardians is a long process of building trust and demonstrating that we can safely and effectively supervise their children;
Whereas this trust is necessary to increase parental/guardians participation in EBDSA;
Whereas accessibility is a chapter priority of EBDSA;
Whereas child supervision offered at General Meetings, while a step in the right direction, covers only a small fraction of the chapter’s business;
Whereas we are organizing with people in the Oakland Education Association struggle specifically because they are parents and they are crucial in supporting the local labor movement;
Whereas new members are more likely to start plugging into the chapter via committee work first before attending a General Meeting;
Whereas providing a range of leadership opportunities for members, including roles as childcare supervisors, trainers and coordinators helps us build a socialist movement reflecting a socialist feminist understanding of the value of care work;
Whereas providing age-appropriate socialist story books and activities not only trains a new generation of socialist organizers, but incentivizes parents/guardians and their children to come out to EBDSA events;
Whereas establishing a chapter norm of child supervision not only allows people with caring responsibilities to attend specific events, but also creates a sense of the chapter as welcoming and inclusive of diverse working-class family statuses;
Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA include parent information on sign-in forms for committee events, and that this information is kept track of in Nation Builder;
Therefore be it resolved that the Meetings Committee maintain child supervision kits, which contains age-appropriate socialist books, activities and general supplies;
Therefore be it resolved that Meetings Committee will provide child supervision kits and forms for EBDSA Committees to borrow when requested within adequate time;
Therefore be it resolved that the Meetings Committee set procedures so that Child Supervision will be successful and prioritize the safety, health and socialist development of children in addition to the comfort of parent and guardian members of EBDSA;
Therefore be it resolved that the Steering Committee inform all committees within one week of adopting this resolution of the change in work;
Therefore be it resolved that events that are not welcoming to children, state an age limit;
Therefore be it further resolved that committees notify their members that child supervision is available at every committee event.
Following questions and debate, a motion to TABLE the resolution was passed by a vote of 9 in favor and 1 opposed.
[SC.2019.18] Resolution to Create a Convention Planning Subcommittee
Submitted by Abigail G.-G. and Zach M., motivated by Abigail G-G.
Whereas East Bay DSA’s annual convention is the highest decision making body and is typically the largest meeting of the year, which requires extensive planning and execution.
Whereas last year’s convention had a Convention Committee that found a venue for the convention, set up a voting system, and handled all logistical components of the convention.
Whereas East Bay DSA has grown in the past year and we now have a Meetings Committee that has the capacity to support this year’s convention.
Therefore be it resolved that a Convention Planning Subcommittee of the Steering Committee (SC) be formed with the purpose of drafting a convention plan to be submitted and voted on by the SC no later than the March SC meeting.
Therefore be it further resolved that once approved by the SC, the convention plan will be carried out by the Meetings Committee.
Therefore be it further resolved that the Convention Planning Subcommittee will be comprised of Robbie N., Andy C., and Ian M. The Convention Planning Subcommittee will dissolve after the May 2019 East Bay DSA convention.
Following a period of questions and answers, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.
[SC.2019.19] Resolution to Create a Priorities Resolution Subcommittee
Submitted by Zach M. and Abigail G.-G., motivated by Zach M.
Whereas East Bay DSA’s annual convention is the highest decision making body of the chapter and the Priorities Resolution serves to outline political and organizational priorities for the next year.
Whereas the Steering Committee seeks to facilitate constructive debate and amendment around the Priorities Resolution so as to make the document as clear a representation of the chapter’s political priorities as possible.
Whereas it is unclear at this point whether multiple full, competing resolutions will be submitted at this year’s convention and convention time may best be spent debating separately submitted amendments to a single, base document submitted by the Steering Committee rather than competing resolutions.
Therefore be it resolved that the Steering Committee will vote to submit a proposed 2019 priorities resolution to the convention for debate, amendment, and adoption. This will not preclude competing priorities resolutions from individuals, caucuses, or slates from consideration at the convention should they be submitted.
Therefore be it further resolved that the drafting of a base document will be delegated to a temporary Priorities Resolution Subcommittee of the Steering Committee, which will dissolve after the May 2019 Convention.
Therefore be it further resolved that the Priorities Resolution Subcommittee will be chaired by Keith BB. and Hannah E., and that membership of the subcommittee will include Allie L. and Jack M.
Following a period of questions and answers, and amendment, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.
Discussion
Discussion regarding procedure for flood amendments at General Meetings
Zach M. facilitated a discussion regarding a proposed resolution for adopting new rules and standards regarding amendments at general meetings in order to promote clarity and avoid unnecessary disruption in debate.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
Addenda
The following resolutions were voted on by the Steering Committee via email in the interim period between regular meetings.
[SC.2019.13] Resolution to Extend Fundraising for OEA Food Distribution Efforts
Submitted by Molly A. and Matt S.
On February 13, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution.
Whereas, East Bay DSA has resolved to materially support the teachers of the Oakland Education Association (OEA) in their struggle for a fair contract.
Whereas, the Bread for Ed project has already successfully raised more than $30,000, but will may need resources beyond the original fundraising goal in order to successfully execute the project.
Therefore be it resolved, that the OEA Solidarity Committee be allowed to extend its fundraising goal to $75,000 or more in order to fund the purchase and distribution of food during the strike effort.
Therefore be it further resolved, that the funds raised through this effort will be specifically earmarked for the provision and distribution of food as part of our campaign to support the OEA in their contract struggle.
Therefore be it further resolved, that any of these funds not spent by the end of the contract campaign will be turned over from East Bay DSA to the Oakland Education Association’s strike fund.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 8 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.14] Resolution for EBDSA Contribution to “Las Sandinistas!” Documentary Film Screening
Submitted by Nestor C and Sebastian C.
On Februrary 15, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution:
Whereas the director, Jenny Murray, of the documentary film “Las Sandinistas!” will be visiting the Bay Area from February 20 to February 24;
Whereas the Research and Education Subcommittee of the Racial Solidarity Committee of East Bay DSA is expressly committed to advancing knowledge of radical movements of people of color in the United States and of radical upsurges of people in the Global South;
Whereas this documentary provides a unique opportunity to examine an important social revolution through the lens of its female protagonists;
Whereas this director’s visit provides an opportunity to screen this documentary and host a Q&A in the East Bay;
Whereas this film screening could allow East Bay DSA to reach an audience that might otherwise not attend EBDSA events;
Whereas the screening will come at no expense to the chapter;
Whereas the Institute of South Asian Studies will be used as the venue without cost to the chapter;
Whereas EBDSA and SFDSA will be responsible of covering the travel expenses of the director, at an estimated expense of no more than $300 for East Bay DSA;
Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA will formally endorse a film screening of “Las Sandinistas!” hosted by the Racial Solidarity Committee of East Bay DSA on Saturday, February 23rd.
Therefore be it further resolved that East Bay DSA will raise funds from participants at the February 23rd meeting to cover the screening cost and travel expenses for Jenny Murray.
Therefore be it further resolved that East Bay DSA will donate no more than $300 from chapter funds to provide for the screening cost and travel expenses for Jenny Murray, subtracting the aforementioned funds raised from members at the screening itself.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 9 in favor and none against.