Steering Committee Meeting: March 17, 2019

East Bay DSA Steering Committee Meeting, March 17, 2019, 3–6 p.m.

Introductions and Opening Statements

The meeting was called to order at 3:10 p.m. and was chaired by Zach M. and Abigail G.-G. The recording secretary, Mark G., took notes. Also present at the meeting were Keith B. B., Jeremy G., Megan S., Hasan A., Aaron H., Sean M., and Nestor C.

Committee chairs Jack M., Joey K., Andrew R., Robbie N., Ashley P., Will S., Allie L., Matt S., Hannah K., and Sandy B. were also present.

Committee Reports

Zach M. invited committee representatives to deliver oral reports.

• OEA Solidarity Committee report delivered by Hannah K.
• Finance report delivered by Sean M.
• Recording secretary’s report delivered by Mark G.
• Operations Committee report delivered by Andrew R.
• General Meetings Committee report delivered by Joey K.
• Racial Solidarity Committee report delivered by Nestor C.
• Medicare for All Campaign Committee report delivered by Matt S.
• Labor Committee report delivered by Ashley P.
• Political Education Committee report delivered by Robbie N. on behalf of the committee chairs
• Social Housing Campaign Committee report delivered by Will S.
• Electoral Campaigns Committee report delivered by Sandy B.

Approval of Consent Calendar

The consent calendar was ADOPTED by general consent and included the following resolutions.

[SC.2019.22] Proposal to Continue Funding for East Bay DSA Night School 

Submitted by Dan D. and Nick F.

Whereas, a democratic socialist organization that doesn’t have a rich and accessible internal educational life will not develop a core membership who can be public tribunes for socialism.

Whereas, a focus on the political education of DSA members is a priority of the national organization and major plank of the chapter’s Priorities Resolution. 

Whereas, the Night School has been consistently attended by greater than 50 members per class with overwhelmingly positive feedback. Furthermore member donations have consistently covered approximately half of the cost of each class.

Whereas, the Political Education Committee is meeting next week to plan the curriculum for the Winter 2019 edition of the Night School.

Therefore be it resolved the Local Council approve funding for the Night School for the next 6 months (April to September 2019). This would be for a total of 12 classes to be tentatively held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays evenings of each month at the East Bay Community Space. The space costs $215 per night for a total of $2,580.

[SC.2019.23] Resolution to Fund BCC YDSA

Submitted by Megan S.

WHEREAS East Bay DSA members, Seth Byrd and Dina Asfaha founded a BCC YDSA chapter in the spring of 2019, that now holds weekly meetings.

WHEREAS the 2018 East Bay DSA priorities resolution states, “Focus our organizing on campaigns to build class consciousness and solidarity across the diverse Bay Area working class. This includes helping organize YDSA branches at local community colleges, where students come from a diversity of working-class backgrounds.”

WHEREAS community college students include a broad, diverse cross-section of the East Bay working class, and have directly experienced neoliberal attempts to cut and privatize their colleges.

WHEREAS campus organizing will an important part of 2020 organizing.

THEREFORE be it resolved East Bay DSA will fund BCC YDSA for up to $1000 during the 2019 Spring Semester.

[SC.2019.24] Resolution for General Meeting Funding for April 2019

Submitted by Joey K., Andy C., and the Meetings Committee

Whereas the chapter voted to schedule monthly General Monthly Meetings beginning in September 2018,

Therefore be it resolved that the Chapter fund the April 2019 General Meeting, including booking at the Omni Commons, food, printing and other materials, for April 2019, at a total cost of $350.

[SC.2019.25] Proposal to Replace Membership Engagement Committee Co-chair

Submitted by Seth B. and Hannah E.

Whereas, Seth B. is stepping down from the co-chair role of the Membership Engagement Committee for personal reasons.

Whereas, the Membership Engagement Committee unanimously voted to appoint Jess W. as the new co-chair, alongside Hannah E.

Whereas, Jess W. has taken a leading role in many committee projects chief among them the Mobilizers program.

Therefore be it resolved, that the Steering Committee approve Jess W. as Membership Engagement Committee new co-chair replacing Seth B.

[SC.2019.26] Resolution to Sponsor the 2019 Bay Area Labor Notes Troublemakers’ School

Submitted by Robbie N. and Ashley P., co-chairs of the Labor Committee

Whereas, East Bay DSA and Bay Area Labor Notes have developed a strong relationship, through our hosting of a fundraiser for the 2018 Labor Notes national conference, as well as the continued presence of EBDSA members in Bay Area Labor Notes

Whereas, connecting with and helping to build left-wing and democratic formations within the labor movement is an organizational priority

Whereas, organizers for the 2019 Bay Area LN Troublemakers’ School - a day-long conference filled with practical workshops on organizing as well as political panels and discussions - have invited our chapter as well as other DSA chapters from around the Bay to be co-sponsors.

Whereas, a sponsorship of $500 will get our name on the list of sponsors, as well as covering the registration fees for up to 10 EBDSA members who want to go but couldn’t otherwise afford the registration

Therefore be it resolved, that EBDSA allocates $500 to be an official co-sponsor of the 2019 Bay Area Labor Notes Troublemakers’ School.

[SC.2019.27] Resolution to Fund 2020 Committee Class Struggle Campaigns Event

Submitted by Jack M., Matt S., and Sandy B.

WHEREAS East Bay DSA has been a pioneer in running socialist class struggle electoral campaigns, especially in our campaign for Jovanka Beckles for Assembly in 2018;

WHEREAS massive excitement is building for Bernie Sanders’s 2020 campaign for president since he announced his campaign in February 2019;

WHEREAS Chicago DSA just had a massive electoral win in February 2019, securing a win for one city alderman and a runoff election for four others, and East Bay DSA members have much to learn from what made their socialist campaigns for aldermen so successful;

THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that the 2020 Committee will organize and host a public-facing event on Bernie 2020 and Class Struggle Campaigns;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the East Bay DSA Steering Committee will allocate $500 to the 2020 Committee to fund the event. The funds shall go toward reserving space and contributing to travel costs for comrades in Chicago to speak on the panel.

New Business

[SC.2019.28] Resolution to Send an East Bay DSA Representative to the Refund Oakland Coalition

Submitted and motivated by Will S.

Whereas, East Bay DSA has a growing presence in Oakland politics since our work on the Jovanka Beckles, Proposition 10, and OEA strike campaigns;

Whereas, every year a coalition of Oakland progressive groups and unions gather to discuss and advocate around the Oakland city council budget;

Whereas, many of the progressive groups that we have been in coalition with before (such as ACCE and Causa Justa Just Cause) have representatives on the coalition;

Whereas, both Local 21 and SEIU 1021 have representatives on the coalition;

Whereas, ACCE has specifically reached out to EBDSA to have a representative on the coalition;

Whereas, the discussions had at these meetings could be valuable chances to build connections with current and future coalition partners, help us share our socialist vision of housing, labor, healthcare and more with those organizations, and gather information and have discussions about Oakland electoral fights in 2020;

Therefore be it resolved that the Steering Committee will appoint Jamie G as a representative to join the Refund Oakland Coalition through the budget fight (ending June 30th), to represent EBDSA on the coalition and share what they’ve learned and discussed with the Steering Committee.

After amendment, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.

[SC.2019.29] Resolution to support the Hayward Collective Rent Control Proposal

Submitted and motivated by Allie L. and Will S.

Whereas fighting for universal rent control is the first step to disrupt speculative real estate, decommodify housing, and build social housing,

Whereas as named in the East Bay DSA Priorities Resolution, we shall organize “for universal rent control in California,”

Whereas building a massive, diverse socialist movement all over East Bay, including Hayward, is essential to winning our demands,

Whereas Hayward City Council has proposed a set of “rent control” policies as a compromise to local organizers, called the Hayward City Council Arbitration Rent Control program, that has weaker protections for Hayward residents compared to the alternative,

Whereas the Hayward Collective, a small group of community organizers, has proposed an alternative rent control policy proposal to the City Council with stronger rent control protections, called the Hayward Collective Rent Control Proposal throughout this resolution,

Therefore it be resolved, East Bay DSA endorses the Hayward Collective Rent Control Proposal as it stands,

Therefore it be further resolved that East Bay DSA will stand in solidarity with the Hayward Collective’s campaign by mobilizing membership to target city council meetings and Housing & Homelessness Task Force meetings to speak out in favor of the Hayward Collective Rent Control Proposal, uplifting & mobilizing their organizing efforts on social media and Majority, and by helping to create online materials to support their organizing,

Therefore it be further resolved that East Bay DSA use the organizing opportunity with Hayward Collective Rent Control Proposal to organize internally to build Social Housing Committee leadership,

Therefore it be further resolved that East Bay DSA will revisit the Hayward Collective Rent Control Proposal if it becomes to a ballot measure in Hayward.

After motivation, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.

[SC.2019.30] Resolution to Approve the 2020 Committee Campaign Plan, pending General Membership Approval

Submitted and motivated by Jack M., Matt S., and Sandy B.

WHEREAS the “Resolution Calling on Bernie Sanders to Run for President in 2020” passed by the General Membership on December 9, 2018 resolved that the “East Bay DSA Steering Committee will direct a committee to develop a Bernie 2020 campaign plan to be brought before the general membership for debate and endorsement in early 2019;”

WHEREAS at its January meeting, the East Bay DSA Steering Committee created the 2020 Committee to consider electoral strategy for 2020 and develop a plan for critical campaign infrastructure including field operations, a media, fundraising and communications apparatus, and programming for organizer development;

WHEREAS the Steering Committee directed the 2020 Committee to submit a campaign plan to be voted on by the General Membership no later than the 2019 East Bay DSA Convention;

WHEREAS the campaign plan attached to this resolution submitted by the 2020 Committee represents the collective effort of representatives from the Electoral, Medicare for All, Social Housing, Green New Deal, Racial Solidarity, Labor, Communications, Operations, and Steering Committees to create a plan that will effectively engage the widest possible swath of East Bay DSA in 2020 work;

WHEREAS California’s primary date has been moved to March and our primary will be decisive in the 2020 Democratic Party nomination for president;

WHEREAS it’s urgent East Bay DSA create the structures recommended in this Campaign Plan to get campaign efforts up and running as soon as possible;

THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that the East Bay DSA Steering Committee hereby endorses of the recommendations laid out by the 2020 Committee in its Campaign Plan;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that final approval of the 2020 Committee’s Campaign Plan is subject to the a vote of the General Membership at the East Bay DSA April General Meeting.

After debate and a vote, the resolution PASSED by a vote of 9 in favor, none opposed, and 1 abstaining.

[SC.2019.31] Resolution to Endorse Guiding Principles for an Ecosocialist Green New Deal

Sponsored and motivated by Keith B. B., on submission by Ted F. (Climate & Environmental Justice Caucus)

Whereas Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez brought forward a proposal to create a select committee to develop and propose legislation for a Green New Deal, a broad movement for a Green New Deal has begun to take shape across the United States,

Whereas East Bay DSA has initiated a campaign to make PG&E a public utility and win a Green New Deal,

Whereas our PG&E/Green New Deal campaign seeks to popularize socialist demands for transforming our economy, including for public and worker control of PG&E and a Green New Deal, and ensuring access to power regardless of ability to pay; to build a coalition around these demands with unions, DSA chapters, environmental justice groups, and progressive organizations; to research strategic pressure points through which these demands could be realized by mass working-class action; and to carry out activities to achieve these goals, including propaganda, public demonstrations, and educational events,

Whereas the 770-member national Ecosocialist Working Group of DSA, after a months-long process of discussion and debate, voted to adopt a set of guiding principles for a Green New Deal (“Guiding Principles”),

Whereas the Guiding Principles set forth a vision of a transformative and radical Green New Deal that we can use in our organizing, in building alliances and coalitions with other organizations, and in campaigning for a Green New Deal that embodies democratic socialist values and is not a mere political campaign slogan,

Whereas the one of the seven Guiding Principles specifically contemplates campaigns like East Bay DSA’s campaign to make PG&E a public utility by calling for democratic control over major energy systems and resources;

Whereas the Ecosocialist Working Group has called for endorsements by local chapters, working groups, committees, and caucuses by March 31st, in order to build consensus around the need for DSA to play an active role in the campaign for a Green New Deal, and

Whereas the Guiding Principles have been adopted by numerous DSA chapters across the country;

Therefore be it resolved:

1. That East Bay DSA endorses the Guiding Principles for a Green New Deal adopted by the national DSA Ecosocialist Working Group, recognizing that many of the specific details set forth in the Principles require further discussion and development as we build a mass working-class movement for the Green New Deal;

2. That East Bay DSA will aim to advance the principles set forth in the Guiding Principles:

a) By undertaking internal education to build chapter-wide understanding of the Green New Deal and the Guiding Principles,

b) By building alliances with unions, DSA chapters, climate and environmental justice groups, and other progressive organizations to support and achieve the Guiding Principles,

c) By organizing teach-ins, forums, or other educational events to popularize East Bay DSA’s views on the Green New Deal,

d) By applying the Guiding Principles in evaluating the view of any candidates for political office proposed for endorsement by East Bay DSA.

3. That the PG&E/Green New Deal campaign, in collaboration with other East Bay DSA committees and with the participation of the Climate and Environmental Justice Caucus, will take primary responsibility within East Bay DSA for carrying out these tasks.

The following is an excerpted text of “An Ecosocialist Green New Deal: Guiding Principles” adopted by the DSA Ecosocialist Working Group on February 28, 2019.

A Green New Deal can begin the transition from exploitative capitalism to democratic ecological socialism.

We need a Green New Deal. We demand a Green New Deal, and we demand that it serve people and planet—not profit.

The radical Green New Deal we need will not be introduced in a single bill or resolution—it can only emerge from the grassroots struggles of working people and social movements. Together with our allies, we can organize a powerful multi-faceted movement to catalyze the major left turn in American politics and massive structural changes that are necessary to ensure climate justice and human survival.

Because we see the fight for the climate as a struggle against capitalism itself and the myriad forms of oppression which sustain it, we propose to organize within Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and without around the following guiding principles for a radical Green New Deal:

1.) Decarbonize the economy fully by 2030. We need to set a more ambitious timeframe than the IPCC 1.5°C pathways suggest because of the United States’ historical responsibility for carbon pollution, because highly industrialized societies have the greatest capacity to rapidly reduce emissions and afford the shift from endless fossil-fueled growth to regenerative systems, and because faster decarbonization will give us the greatest chance of avoiding more catastrophic climate tipping points. We must mobilize all carbon-intensive sectors of the economy to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions at the source, and to scale up processes that safely and naturally draw down and remove excess carbon from the atmosphere—not as market-based “offsets” for ongoing emissions, but to begin restoring a safe climate for all.

2.) Democratize control over major energy systems and resources. Nationalize fossil fuel producers to phase them out as quickly as necessary—no new fossil fuel projects can be authorized or built. Socialize fossil-dependent industries so that they can be scaled back or transformed to fossil-free processes. Establish public ownership of utilities and the electric grid, and support energy cooperatives and community solar and wind projects for democratic control of the shift to 100% renewable energy. Shift from monoculture and factory farms to diversified agroecology. Expand municipal and state public banks, finance community land trusts, and end water privatization. Reinvest in and expand national parks; vastly expand national forests, grasslands, and wildlife preserves to enable natural carbon capture; and preserve public lands for future generations. Encourage replacement of individually-owned vehicles and short-haul air travel with expanded regional and high-speed electric rail, free public transit, shared vehicles, bicycles and other non-fossil-fuel modes of transportation in ways that benefit disadvantaged communities. The future is a public good, not a private luxury.

3.) Center the working class in a just transition to an economy of societal and ecological care. Guarantee a job with union wages and benefits to everyone who wants one by creating millions of public sector jobs and funding massive direct investments to build decarbonized infrastructure in critical sectors like renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, soil and ecosystem restoration, environmental impact mitigation, and climate adaptation while also expanding support for low-carbon care sectors like healthcare, education, and domestic work. Empower workers with stronger labor protections and rights to collectively organize. Promote worker-owned and worker-controlled cooperatives and enterprises at all levels of the economy. Ensure workers’ democratic control over the use of technological innovation and automation at work. Reduce the work week and guarantee substantial, paid parental leave and vacation time for all workers.

4.) Decommodify survival by guaranteeing living wages, healthcare, childcare, housing, food, water, energy, public transit, a healthy environment, and other necessities for all. Ensure market forces do not displace frontline and working class communities from their neighborhoods by implementing universal rent control, and work cooperatively with communities in the line of climatic danger to relocate to safer grounds. Make college education free so everyone has access to learning skills that may better facilitate the rapid transition of society. Ensure land and resources are prioritized for building resilient communities and ecosystems for the many, not the few.

5.) Reinvent our communities to serve people and planet, not profit. Facilitate the creation of neighborhood transition councils as hubs of distribution, education, participatory planning, and democratic decision-making. Prioritize funding for projects that build community health and wealth, beginning with working class, racialized, and Indigenous communities that are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and collective struggles for environmental justice. Decriminalize, decarcerate, and demilitarize spaces across all areas of society. Legally and materially empower communities to meet human needs in ways that redress social and environmental injustices, including economic, racial, colonial, and gender-based oppression. Work within cities, towns, and rural communities to provide better and more sustainable lives through improved land use, sprawl repair, and support for household and neighborhood downshifting. Fund targeted cleanup efforts to address environmental injustices and meet a demand of clean air, water, and soil for all. Help communities plan resilience and prepare for climate shocks, material shortages, and other consequences of blowing past planetary boundaries.

6.) Demilitarize, decolonize, and strive for a future of international solidarity and cooperation. Enact policies and join in treaties to meet the existential threat of climate change and abandon the doomed strategy of global military domination. United States treaty commitments must account for our historical responsibility for the largest total and per capita greenhouse gas emissions, which will drive climate change for generations to come. Build consensus throughout the Global North for decarbonization targets that greatly outpace those of less industrialized countries, which have contributed the least to and will suffer the most from global warming. Welcome refugees, share life-saving technologies freely, and provide mitigation and adaptation resources requested by peoples in the Global South to whom we are materially and energetically indebted. Recognize the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples, with rights to free, prior, and informed consent before activities that will affect their territory or environment. Accept the decisions of Indigenous communities regarding the construction of future green infrastructure projects that impact their lands and the living beings they support. Remove United States military presence, influence, and occupation around the world; end military aid and arms exports; and demilitarize our borders.

7.) Redistribute resources from the worst polluters with just and progressive taxes on the rich, on big corporations, and on dirty industry, as well as by diverting funds away from policing, prisons, and our government’s bloated military budget, which have nothing to do with defense of people living within American borders and everything to do with maintaining imperial dominance over other nations and capitalist control of the world’s resources. United States monetary policy has financed endless wars and wealth extraction by elites for long enough—it’s time to use it to fund the transformation we need. 

*   *   *

These guiding principles are just a beginning, not an endpoint, for DSA’s engagement in the campaign for a Green New Deal. We agree with the call of CJA to develop a Green New Deal process that is transparent, inclusive, and democratic.

After discussion, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.

Discussion

Priorities Resolution Update

Keith B. B. gave an update regarding the priorities resolution process. A subcommittee has been convened, including Keith B. B., Hannah E., Allie H., Jack M., and Sebastian C., to draft a priorities resolution proposal. The draft will be submitted to the Steering Committee no later than five days prior to the next Steering Committee meeting in April. Once approved, anyone in the chapter will be able to submit amendments up to a wholesale replacement of the resolution. Following Keith’s introduction, there was a discussion regarding the process and any questions or recommendations.

Convention Plan

Robbie N. gave an update on convention planning. The convention will be held on Saturday, May 18, at the California Ballroom (pending final contract). There will be a nomination process for candidates, Steering Committee office hours for member questions, and a candidate forum. Absentee ballots will be available for members unable to attend. The Meetings Committee will handle day-of logistics, and support will be needed from the Communications and Ops Committees to update the convention website.

Adjourment

Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Addenda

[SC.2019.20] Proposal to Support the Hands Off Venezuela SF March & Rally on March 9th

Submitted by Sebastian C. and motivated by Abigail G.-G.

On February 21, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas it is a principal responsibility of socialists in imperialist countries to oppose their government’s aggressive actions abroad;

Whereas as socialists we understand that the weakening of the imperialist system advances class struggle everywhere;

Whereas the United States is currently encouraging and fomenting a coup d’etat in Venezuela that would replace its government with an ally of Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro;

Whereas Venezuela has been under siege by the US empire and its allies for four years, and has suffered repeated attempts by the United States to destabilize its economy and society for almost two decades;

Whereas Venezuela is being punished for standing up to American imperialist domination in Latin America;

Whereas socialists in Venezuela are calling for international solidarity;

Whereas the overthrow of the Venezuelan government by the United States and its allies is a precursor to offensives against progressive forces in Cuba and Bolivia;

Whereas a US military intervention in Venezuela—either directly or through proxies in Colombia and Brazil—would run the likelihood of throwing the country into outright civil war;

Whereas the mainstream US media is, just like in 2002-2003, working hand-in-hand with right-wing forces to justify a disastrous regime change war, rather than exploring the complexities of the political situation;

Whereas East Bay DSA has already endorsed a statement opposing US interference in Venezuela;

Whereas this event has already been endorsed by a number of socialist and progressive organizations;

Therefore be it resolved that the Steering Committee of the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America will formally endorse the Hands Off Venezuela SF March & Rally on March 9th, 2019 at the SF Civic Center, starting at noon;

Therefore be it further resolved that East Bay DSA will add its name to a list of endorsing organizations;

Therefore be it further resolved that East Bay DSA will encourage its members to attend this march by at least one of the following methods, contingent upon the organization of these by this Resolution’s motivator or supportive member within ten (10) calendar days of this Resolution’s passage: a Facebook and Twitter post, a general meeting announcement, or a notice in the EBDSA newsletter.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 7 in favor and none opposed.

[SC.2019.21] Proposal for East Bay DSA to endorse & promote The Red Menace, the National Network of Abortion Funds Bowlathon team

Submitted by Allie L., Rex L. C., Jackie A., Leslie R., and Melissa M.

On March 8, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas attacks on reproductive rights are class warfare, gaps in abortion access in California are primarily impacting working class people and reproductive freedom is a highly class stratified issue,

Whereas reproductive justice, abortion access and overturning the Hyde Amendment are key components of Medicare for All,

Whereas Medicare for All is a part of our Chapter Priorities resolution,

Whereas the National Network of Abortion Funds hosts an annual Bowlathon for local abortion funds, including online fundraising and an in-person Bowlathon event,

Whereas members of East Bay DSA have organized a team to support the local abortion fund, Access Women’s Health Justice, called the Red Menace during the local Bowlathon on April 27th 2019,

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA endorses the member-organized NNAF Bowlathon fundraising team, the Red Menace, which is fundraising for Access Women’s Health Justice, and promotes fundraising pages, encourages donations and shows off participation on chapter social media channels, newsletters, in meetings and other communication channels

Therefore be it further resolved that members may officially use East Bay DSA’s name in all promotion of the fundraising pages,

Therefore be it further resolved that members who participate in the Bowlathon use it as an opportunity to uplift DSA, provide a class analysis of reproductive rights and Medicare for All.

Therefore be it further resolved that organizers of The Red Menace will host a fundraising event to raise funds for the Bowlathon using East Bay DSA’s name and channels to promote the event.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 10 in favor and none opposed.