Steering Committee Meeting: May 19, 2019
East Bay DSA Steering Committee Meeting, May 19, 2019, 3–6 p.m.
Introductions and Opening Statements
The meeting was called to order at 3 p.m. and was chaired by Abigail G.-G. Sean M. took notes on behalf of the recording secretary who was unable to attend. Also present at the meeting were Frances R., Zach M., Aaron H., Hasan C., Keith B. B., and Megan S.
Incoming elected Steering Committee members Matt S., Allie L., Marissa S., and Maura M. were also in attendance, along with committee chairs Andrew R., Joey K., Miguel D., and Charlie H.
Committee Reports
- Finance report delivered by Sean M.
- Communications committee report delivered by Frances R.
- Operations Committee report delivered by Andrew R.
- General Meetings Committee report delivered by Joey K.
- Racial Solidarity Committee report delivered by Miguel D.
- Political Education Committee report delivered by Zach M on behalf of the committee
- Member Engagement Committee delivered by Andrew R.
- Medicare for All Campaign Committee report delivered by Matt S.
- Labor Committee report delivered by Shane R.
- Social Housing Campaign Committee report delivered by Allie L.
- Electoral Campaigns Committee report delivered by Matt S.
- Public Education Committee report delivered by Charlie H.
Consent Calendar
The consent calendar was ADOPTED by general consent and included the following resolutions.
[SC.2019.48] Resolution for General Meeting Funding for June 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 June 2019 General Meeting, including booking at the Omni Commons, food, printing and other materials at a total cost of $350.
New Business
[SC.2019.49] Proposal to Support a Chevron Refinery Environmental Hike
Submitted by Katie F., Chris A., Rex L. C., Keith B. B., and Racial Solidarity Committee External Working Group; motivated by Keith B. B.
Whereas the chapter’s priorities include a) mobilizing working people against environmental destruction, b) engaging and supporting member involvement in Richmond, c) deepening coalitions with community organizations, and d) political education
Whereas the Chevron refinery in Richmond has perpetuated urban environmental racism by simultaneously a) exposing the city’s majority-minority residents to dangerous levels of air pollution and periodic explosions, fires, and flares, and b) fighting to keep its corporate taxes low by maintaining political control over the city
Whereas expanding the points of entry to the PG&E/Green New Deal campaign will increase opportunities for recruitment and leadership development
Whereas East Bay DSA and Jovanka Beckles developed a strong relationship through the chapter’s endorsement and canvassing efforts in 2018,
Whereas the chapter wishes to strengthen its relationship with the Richmond Progressives Alliance (RPA) ,
Therefore be it resolved that the PGE/Green New Deal Coalition Action Working Group shall organize a walking tour of the Chevron refinery, led by Jovanka Beckles and another member of RPA, and, if the RPA so chooses, co-sponsored by the RPA in the summer of 2019.
Therefore be it resolved that this tour will a) explain the dynamics between the community and Chevron from a socialist perspective, b) highlight the broader historical pattern of state-sponsored racism and capitalism (justified by “economic neutrality”) placing environmental hazards in marginalized communities, and c) educate attendees on the importance of a Green New Deal along the DSA Guiding Principles, and its relevance to Richmond and the East Bay.
Therefore be it further resolved that the motivators and project team will center outreach and participation efforts in predominantly working-class Richmond/East Bay communities, particularly seeking to involve longtime residents of color,
Therefore be it further resolved that East Bay DSA will encourage its members to attend this event through Facebook events, Facebook and Twitter posts, general meeting announcements, or a notice in the EBDSA newsletter.
Therefore be it further resolved that the motivators and project team will create outreach materials including, but not limited to, explanatory text for the event invite, email blasts, posters, and flyers.
Therefore be it further resolved that the East Bay DSA Steering Committee will allocate $200 to the PG&E/GND campaign to fund the event. The funds will go toward posters and flyers for the Richmond community, snacks, and other incidental materials for the event.
Following motivation, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote of 8 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.50] Resolution to Make the June General Meeting a Special Meeting
Submitted and motivated by Abigail G.-G.
Whereas East Bay DSA (EBDSA) currently has a Regular Voting Meeting scheduled for June 16, 2019.
Whereas DSA is holding its National Convention on August 1- 4 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Whereas EBDSA was designated 38 convention delegates or votes at the National Convention, but many more comrades will probably want to run as delegates leading to contested delegate elections.
Whereas there is a lot of interest in the National Convention but very little information currently available to members.
Therefore be it resolved that the June 16, 2019 East Bay DSA membership meeting will be designated as a Special Meeting instead of a Regular Meeting.
Therefore be it further resolved that no matters other than the delegate election or NPC endorsements to the DSA National Convention may be brought to a floor vote at the June 16, 2019 Special Meeting.
Therefore be it further resolved that current NPC member Jeremy G. will give a presentation on the National Convention including structure of the convention, role of chapter delegates, and resolutions up for debate.
Following motivation, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote of 8 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.51] Resolution to Agendize NPC Nomination and Endorsement of Megan S. at June Special Meeting
Submitted by Jeremy G. and Frances R; motivated by Frances R.
WHEREAS the DSA National Convention is August 2-5th and will include elections for the 2019-2021 National Political Committee (NPC).
WHEREAS National Political Committee (NPC) nomination rules passed at the January 2019 NPC meeting state that all NPC candidates must be nominated by a chapter or national committee and nominations are due June 16th.
WHEREAS East Bay DSA will be holding its delegate elections for the National Convention at a special meeting on June 16th.
WHEREAS Megan S. has been a committed organizer and leader in East Bay DSA, contributing greatly to the growth and political accomplishments of our chapter, serving on the steering committee, Medicare for All committee, Social Housing committee, and Jovanka Beckles campaign coordinating committee.
WHEREAS Megan S. has also been a leader in the national DSA Medicare for All campaign over the last two years, and now helps lead the National DSA Bernie Campaign Committee.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the EBDSA Steering committee will add a resolution nominating and endorsing East Bay DSA member Megan S. for NPC to the June 16th Special Meeting agenda.
Following motivation, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote of 8 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.52] Resolution to Establish an Editorial Board for Majority
Submitted and motivated by Frances R.
WHEREAS our chapter publication Majority has relaunched to cover all the chapter's work
WHEREAS all of our communications work, including social media, newsletter, special projects, design, and website, could be strengthened by opportunities to strategize together, to develop a more coherent vision for chapter communications, and to engage in long-term planning
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Steering Committee will appoint the following editorial board for Majority, to be composed of leaders from all of our communications projects and to be chaired by Majority editors Frances R. and Nick F.:
- Annika B., design
- Rex C., social media
- Allie L., social media
- Andrew R., newsletter
- Shane R., Majority
- Max L., engineering
- Katie F., Majority
- Wes H., Majority/tech/special projects
Following motivation, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote of 8 in favor and none against.
Discussion
Steering Committee Transition
Frances R. introduced a discussion on the purpose of the Steering Committee. The discussion was focused on the function of the Steering Committee and the expectations vs. experiences of the outgoing SC members. There was interest amongst the group in having more long-term political discussions within the Steering Committee moving forward, focusing on how to build up the organization and how to foster alignment with the priorities resolution. The discussion included a conversation about the format of Steering Committee meetings.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.
Addenda
[SC.2019.45] Resolution to Endorse New School Venture Fund “Unwelcoming Rally”
Submitted by Charlie H., Tyler D., and Emma G., the Public Education Committee co-chairs
On April 25, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution.
WHEREAS, The New Schools Venture Fund is a charter school slush fund financed by the Walton Family Foundation (Walmart), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Microsoft), the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (Facebook), and other billionaires committed to privatizing education.
WHEREAS, The New Schools Venture Fund will hold a summit at the Oakland Marriott May 8-9, 2019.
WHEREAS, Confronting billionaires, corporations, and other forces of privatization is a key tactic in galvanizing the working class in the fight to expand fully-funded public education for all.
WHEREAS, Opposition to school privatization is a democratically endorsed priority of East Bay DSA.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That East Bay DSA endorses The Unwelcoming Rally to be held outside the Oakland Marriott on May 8.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Public Education Committee will turn out East Bay DSA members and supporters to The Unwelcoming Rally, and coordinate activities adjacent to the rally, such as flyering.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 7 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.46] Resolution to Endorse Talk with Bhaskar Sunkara on The Socialist Manifesto
Submitted by Jeremy G, Hannah E, and Nick F.
On April 30, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution.
WHEREAS, Jacobin editor Bhaskar Sunkara will be discussing his new book, The Socialist Manifesto, with “Against the Grain” radio host Sasha Lilley at First Church Berkeley on Monday, May 13;
WHEREAS, Sunkara is one of the most influential thinkers on the US left today, and his book makes a significant contribution to the public discourse around socialism;
WHEREAS, co-sponsoring the event (along with KPFA Radio and Jacobin) will give East Bay DSA the opportunity to table at the event, recruit new members, and raise awareness about our Bernie 2020 campaign;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that EBDSA endorse the event and promote it through official chapter communication channels;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the EBDSA Political Education and Member Engagement Committees solicit member volunteers to table at the event and gather contact information from potential new members.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 7 in favor and 1 against.
[SC.2019.47] Resolution to Purchase Copies of Bhaskar Sunkara’s The Socialist Manifesto
Submitted by Jeremy G. and Nick F.
On May 6, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution.
WHEREAS, Jacobin editor Bhaskar Sunkara just released a new book, The Socialist Manifesto, a one-of-a-kind introduction to the history and theory of socialism written in easy, fun language for a mass audience;
WHEREAS, Sunkara is one of the most influential thinkers on the US left today, and his book makes a significant contribution to the public discourse around socialism;
WHEREAS, East Bay DSA can acquire copies of The Socialist Manifesto from the publisher at half price ($14);
WHEREAS, making copies of the book easily available at events furthers the chapter’s goal of advancing members’ political education;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that EBDSA fund allocate $300 for the purchase of the book.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that committees be encouraged to provide copies of the book at public-facing events for a suggested donation of $10-30.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 7 in favor and 1 against.