Steering Committee Meeting: June 17, 2018

East Bay DSA Steering Committee Meeting, June 17, 2018

Introductions and Opening Statements

Zach M. is chairing the meeting, and Mark G. is taking notes. Also present for the meeting are Abigail G.-G., Jeremy G., Megan S., Aaron H., Sean M., Keith B. B., Hasan A., and Dominic D. Hannah E. attended via video call.

Also in attendance as committee chairs are Frances R., Daniel D., Valeria S., Will S., Andrew R., Graham D., Hannah K., Coleman L., Matt S., Sandy B., Robbie N., and Jamie G.

Approval of Agenda

The agenda was approved unanimously, following a revision.

Reports

Finance

The treasurer gave a report on the financial state of the chapter, highlighting the various types of financial reports that are generated and what their meanings are. There was a recommendation that the chapter should hold a big fundraiser to secure our financial position in the coming months.

Recording Secretary's Report

The recording secretary gave an update on the process for committees to submit reports and appoint committee recording secretaries and what to expect from the notetaking and approval process. There was also a breakdown delivered of the various email votes that had taken place in the month leading up to this meeting.

Communications Secretary's Report

The communications secretary highlighted the proposal to create a communications committee, and reported that a new EBDSA website has been in-development and will ultimately require approval before launch. There has also been work done to properly distribute digital credentials to chapter leadership.

Operations Committee

Andrew and Sean delivered the Operations Committee report. The committee has been focused on the formation of a structure, and work has been done to create a series of request forms related to the function of the committee. There was a request made to assign operations liaison roles from each of the committees.

General Meetings Committee

Aaron delivered the General Meetings Committee report and included information regarding the planning of the July general membership meeting. The committee will also continue to develop a framework for its function, which will be voted on by its members.

Resolutions Committee

Graham delivered the Resolutions Committee report and highlighted that the committee is still forming and that a second co-chair should be named by next month. A draft for a Robert's Rules cheat sheet is being developed to distribute to the general membership, and the deadline to submit resolutions for the July General Meeting is June 22.

Political Education Committee

Dan delivered the Political Education Committee report. The Night School has been funded and will continue, and the committee's first meeting is upcoming to define goals and structure. A survey will be going out to attendees of the Night School, and the results will be reported to the Steering Committee at the July SC meeting.

Member Engagement Committee

Coleman delivered the Member Engagement Committee report and highlighted that the committee structure is still in planning. Brief updates were delivered regarding the current active projects of the committee, which include the mobilizer program, the dues drive, the new members onboarding program, a revision of the New Member Handbook, the census, and neighborhood groups.

Medicare for All Campaign Committee

Matt delivered the Medicare for All Campaign Committee report. Committee activities were previously on hold to focus resources on the electoral blitz, and Medicare for All work will likely be conducted in conjunction with the Electoral and Housing committees in the months leading up to the November general election. The committee co-chairs will work to identify new roles within the committee and attending a national Single-Payer conference later this month.

Labor Committee

Robbie delivered the Labor Committee report and highlighted work that has been underway to establish a committee structure, a proposal for which is currently being ratified. There have been two strike mobilizations in this past month, and there will be a Labor Social and the first committee meeting in this upcoming month. Work is underway to plan a training, likely in the spring.

Social Housing Campaign Committee

Will and Valeria delivered the Social Housing Campaign Committee report. The committee has been holding regular meetings and has defined working groups within its structure. There have been regular monthly canvasses in West Oakland, collaboration with ACCE on actions in Richmond, and committee members are participating in monthly calls as part of a statewide coalition. There will be an open meeting hosted by the committee on Wednesday, June 20.

Electoral Campaigns Committee

Sandy delivered the Electoral Campaigns Committee report and highlighted the significant work that was done in mobilization for the primary election earlier this month, which Jovanka Beckles won! Discussion is underway relating to combination of efforts between the Social Housing, Medicare for All, and Electoral committees leading up to the November general election. A reminder was given that all money spent on the repeal of Costa-Hawkins campaign must be spent through the electoral EBDSA PAC.

Consent Calendar

Result: The consent calendar was unanimously approved and included the following items.

Resolution to Use Google Groups for Committee Emails

Written and motivated by Dominic D.

Whereas East Bay DSA has many public email addresses for members to reach out to us with specific needs,

Whereas our chapter's Google Apps spend is currently $65/month and many accounts have not been accessed in 3 months or more,

Whereas Google Groups can be used for receiving mail by multiple recipients and sending mail via Nation Builder at no cost to the chapter,

Whereas a Google account inbox can receive mail at up to 30 aliases,

Therefore be it resolved that the following email accounts will be replaced with a Google Group or an alias to an existing inbox:

Be it resolved that the following emails will remain unchanged and continue to have a dedicated inbox:

Motion to Formalize Administration of Google Suite and Google Drive

Written by Sean M. and Mark G., motivated by Sean M.

Whereas organizations benefit from access to the the records and documentation of prior efforts, in order to learn from and build upon past experiences

Whereas the Google Drive is our chief repository of committee documents

Whereas we need a way to transfer information through cycles of democracy and ensure that the contributions of members and elected leaders lasts beyond their tenure

Whereas the reorganization of the Google Drive to these ends requires G-Suite Administrative access

Whereas such access should be restricted to democratically elected leaders who are accountable to the membership

Whereas the management of the Google Drive supports the Recording Secretary's obligation to maintain Steering Committee and Chapter meeting minutes

Whereas the management of the Google Drive supports the Recording Secretary's responsibility for keeping records of all chapter and steering committee meetings, as mandated in the chapter's bylaws

Whereas records of Committee and Chapter work often manifest as shared Google Documents it is in the spirit of the role of Recording Secretary to support the maintenance of institutional memory

Whereas the working members of committees should be responsible for the creation of committee documents, and should have access to the chapter's Google Drive as necessary for their Committee work

Whereas the redundancy of access distributes risk and the responsibilities of the Treasurer already entail the secure management of organizational resources

Whereas G-Suite administrative privileges will grant access to any Treasury documents stored on the Google Drive and these documents should not be accessible to anyone other than signers of the Chapter's bank accounts

Therefore be it resolved that the Recording Secretary and Treasurer be the Administrators of the East Bay DSA G-Suite Account

Therefore be it resolved that the Recording Secretary shall develop a system of organization and permissions for the Google Drive that makes it a secure and effective tool for storing chapter documents and supporting committee work

Motion to Fund Cloud Service

Written by Sean M. and Dominic D., motivated by Sean M.

Whereas cloud hosting and storage services are the most secure option available for managing servers and data,

Whereas secure cloud storage provides a backup to EBDSA's CRM and can consolidate other data that are not appropriate for the CRM

Whereas the same cloud services can support the development of a customizable website for the Local independent of its CRM

Whereas the consolidation of data prevents the storage of data on member computers, thereby mitigating data abuse and loss

Whereas the analysis of data (membership, attendance, financial etc) requires well-structured data

Whereas the storage of voter registrant data in the Local's CRM outside of an election season can results in unnecessary costs

Therefore be it resolved that the Local allocate funds not to exceed $65 per month (and most likely only to amount to $20 per month) for a secure cloud storage service

Therefore be it resolved that the Data Coordinator and Communications Secretary (or whoever is the chief technical architect of the Chapter's website) shall have the authority to identify and set up this cloud service and shall be its administrators

Special Rule of Order for Consent Calendar Approval

A motion was made from the floor to adopt a special rule of order for consent calendar approval: The committee shall automatically approve items on Consent Calendar unless there is objection and a motion to move an item to new business.

Result: The resolution passes unanimously.

New Business

Resolution to Create the Communications Committee

Written and motivated by Dominic D. and Frances R.

Whereas East Bay DSA has a large public media presence across a variety of channels,

Whereas our ability to reach a broad, diverse audience with a consistent, clear and professional message will excite old and new members to participate in EBDSA events and campaigns,

Therefore be it resolved the Steering Committee establishes the Communications Committee to facilitate strong, consistent external and internal facing communications in the chapter,

Be it further resolved that the following subcommittees will be created as the committee's initial major areas of focus:

Website & Internal Communication: focused on making it easier for members to find information about the chapter and communicate with each other, starting with replacing the members-only Facebook page with a bespoke internal members forum
Editorial: continuing the high quality work of our newsletter, and expanding our chapter's voice through original content across a variety of platforms and media

Be it further resolved that members of subcommittees will frequently work embedded in other committees to support their various communication needs,

Be it further resolved that the committee will initially be chaired by:

Dominic D*
Frances R*

Be it further resolved that Wes H* will be the recording secretary of the committee

Be it further resolved that members of the subcommittee shall coordinate with the operations committee for all work that requires use of the CRM

*Full last name has been redacted from minutes to protect online privacy.

Result: The resolution passes unanimously after amendment and discussion, which included a successful motion to open the Committee of the Whole to co-chairs who are present at the meeting.

Resolution to Schedule the Next Four General Meetings

Written and motivated by Zach M.

WHEREAS Article VI, Section 2 of East Bay DSA's bylaws mandates that "regular meetings of the Chapter shall be held no fewer than four times each year, all to be scheduled by the Steering Committee within forty-five days of taking office"

WHEREAS we seek to give all members, committees and especially the General Meetings Committee as much advance notice of the schedule for these meetings as possible.

WHEREAS if unforeseen needs or conflicts arise the Steering Committee is empowered to add Special Meetings or alter this schedule as needed.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, following the already-scheduled July 14 general meeting, the next four chapter general meetings will take place:

September 9, 2018

November 17, 2018

January 13, 2019

March 9, 2019

Result: The resolution passes unanimously after amendment and discussion, which included a successful motion to open the Committee of the Whole to co-chairs who are present at the meeting.

Proposal to create a Code of Conduct drafting working group

Written by Megan S., motivated by Megan S. and Frances R.

Whereas the East Bay DSA bylaws (Section 2 Member Discipline, Suspension or Expulsion & Section 3 Code of Conduct) mandate the creation of a code of conduct to be voted on by the general membership;

Whereas it is vital that East Bay DSA sets clear and thoughtful boundaries for safe member conduct;

Whereas DSA national Resolution 62 encourages chapters to have a Code of Conduct in place;

Whereas our earliest opportunity to have a member vote on the Code of Conduct is at the next General Membership meeting in July;

Therefore be it resolved the Steering Committee creates a code of conduct drafting working group to review other chapters' and organizations' codes of conduct and write a suggested code for membership vote in July;

Be if further resolved that this working group will consist of Jamie G.*, Kara M.*, Megan S.*, Ashley P.*, and Frances R.*, and will be chaired by Frances R.* and Megan S.*

*Full last name has been redacted from minutes to protect online privacy.

Result: The proposal passes with a vote of 9 in favor and 2 against, following an amendment to the language by the motivator and discussion, which included a successful motion to open the Committee of the Whole to co-chairs who are present at the meeting.

Resolution Establishing Electoral Endorsements Subcommittee

Written and motivated by Sandy B.

Whereas the Electoral Committee, per the Resolution to Disband and Establish Committees and Adopt Committee Guidelines, is responsible for initiating and overseeing endorsement processes the chapter undertakes through the November 2018 endorsement cycle;

Whereas the 2018 electoral cycle presents strategic opportunities for our local to advance democratic socialist policies;

Whereas the 2018 East Bay DSA chapter convention approved the chapter's priorities for the year, including electoral organizing as a tactic to mobilize in favor of and win universal social programs and to build the power and militancy of the working class;

Whereas the 2018 elections present strategic opportunities to advance our work by using interventions in the electoral cycle as a tactic to supplement the local healthcare, housing, and education campaign work that is already underway;

And whereas we seek to establish an endorsement process in time for membership to debate, deliberate and vote on endorsements for the November 2018 election.

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA form an electoral endorsements subcommittee of the Electoral Committee;

That this subcommittee be empowered to evaluate the strategic potential for officially adopting or publicly advocating to our members any proposal related to electoral campaign work before the Nov 6, 2018 general election;

That proposals for electoral campaign work include nominations for support or endorsement of candidates and ballot initiatives;

That the Steering Committee be empowered to approve, reject or amend these recommendations prior to a vote by the membership of East Bay DSA at a General or Special Meeting;

That any such proposals or nominations be evaluated at least in part for the potential they might have for advancing East Bay DSA Priorities as adopted at the chapter convention of April 2018;

That the subcommittee will develop a questionnaire and base its recommendations off of the candidate or campaign's answers. These answers along with the candidates/campaigns ability to secure a member sponsor will be included in the decision whether or not to propose endorsement to membership.

That the subcommittee will submit a report reviewing the process after the Nov 6 election;

And that this report be encouraged to include any recommendations, advice or resolutions it may deem helpful for future electoral campaign work of our chapter.

Therefore be it further resolved that the Electoral Committee will submit a resolution based on this framework to the July General Membership Meeting.

Result: The resolution passes with a vote of 10 in favor and 1 abstaining, following an amendment to the language by the motivator.

Replacing an Initial Co-chair of the Meetings Committee

Written and motivated by Aaron H.

WHEREAS the Meetings Committee was formally created and approved at the 05/20/18 Steering Committee meeting;

WHEREAS the Steering Committee appointed Robbie N. and Aaron H. as initial co-chairs of the Meetings Committee;

WHEREAS due to time constraints and increased involvement in the Labor Committee, Robbie N. is no longer able to devote time to and execute the responsibilities of Meetings Committee co-chair and wishes to step down;

WHEREAS Joey K. has demonstrated commitment to membership meetings by advocating and organizing for their establishment; undertaking various positions of leadership in their planning since then; overseeing (with Aaron H.) all volunteers for the February General Meeting on bylaws and the April Convention; and producing protocols and online resources for their continuation;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Joey K. replace Robbie N. as an initial co-chair of the Meetings Committee.

Result: The resolution passes with a vote of 6 in favor and 5 abstaining, following discussion which included a successful motion to open the Committee of the Whole to co-chairs who are present at the meeting.

Motion for East Bay DSA Participation in Climate, Jobs, and Justice

Written and motivated by Keith B. B.

WHEREAS, California Governor Jerry Brown, Patricia Espinosa (Secretary of the UN framework on Climate Change), and billionaires Michael Bloomberg and Anand Mahindra are hosting a Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS) in San Francisco, September 12-14, 2018; and

WHEREAS, the GCAS plans to bring together 5,000 global political elites, capitalists, and non-governmental organization leaders for this conference, in an intended rebuke to the Trump Administration's sabotage of the inadequate 2015 Paris Agreement; and

WHEREAS, climate and environmental justice activists in California have protested Governor Brown's ongoing support of fracking and his recent achievement of a cap-and-trade policy drafted in collusion with the fossil fuel industry, which derailed a long-time campaign by Bay Area environmental groups to impose actual limits on carbon pollution from five Bay Area refineries; and

WHEREAS, ecosocialists regard Jerry Brown and Michael Bloomberg as leading apostles of capitalist market-based approaches to the planetary climate emergency, and socialist and other alternatives to green capitalist perspectives appear likely to be shut out of the official conference; and

WHEREAS, East Bay Democratic Socialists of America recognizes that capitalist power is fundamentally driving climate change, and that this current power of capitalists and fossil fuel corporations threatens our socialists vision of a habitable, just future; and

WHEREAS, East Bay DSA's Priorities Resolutions voted on by the chapter in April 2018 included a provision "On the Fight Against Capitalism's Catastrophic Climate Change" pledges "as we fight for those universal social programs |on healthcare, education and housing|, we will also include messaging that capitalism's fossil fuel production and consumption is causing the pollution that is severely impacting our health, and causing climate change's rising seas, massive fires and floods that are destroying our housing"; and

WHEREAS, various climate and environmental justice movements are planning actions around the time of the GCAS to provide opportunities for voices besides those of billionaires and politicians to be heard; and

WHEREAS, among these activities are: 1) a protest march and rally on September 8 under the auspices of Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice; 2) a Soil Not Oil conference on September 9-11; and 3) the It Takes Roots Sol2Sol Week of Action and Resistance (including education events, a coalition member assembly, and protest actions) from September 8 through September 14; and

WHEREAS, each of these actions are explicitly critical of market-based, capitalist solutions to climate change; are based in demands for more democratic control of the economy and ecological systems; and include workers and working-class organizations as a central component of their organizing coalitions; and

WHEREAS, the Climate Justice Caucus of the East Bay DSA voted democratically to engage in the above actions as a caucus;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

East Bay DSA endorses the "Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice" action, the Soil Not Oil conference, and the Sol2Sol Week of Action and Resistance; and

East Bay DSA will work along with the EBDSA Climate Justice Caucus, other DSA chapters, and socialist organizations to build a vibrant ecosocialist contingent and presence in the Rise for Climate, Jobs and Justice march and rally on September 8. This official chapter support will include: notice and calls for member participation in the march through official online channels of the chapter, and an announcement of the march at a prior general membership meeting and night school.

Result: After being motivated, this motion was deferred to be voted on by email, following changes to the language.

Close of Business

The regular meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m., at which point the Steering Committee went into closed session.

Addenda

Resolution to Endorse Red State Teacher Rebellion Event

On June 4, Zach M. called an email vote for the following resolution.

Written and motivated by Robbie N.

Whereas, we are in the midst of a historic strike wave in the education sector in the United States

Whereas, East Bay DSA has committed ourselves to supporting labor actions around the East Bay, and in particular those happening at the UC and the Oakland public schools.

Whereas, our Priorities Resolution directs us to help educate our membership on what's happening in the labor movement and how the can get involved.

Whereas, the Oakland Education Association is in the midst of contract negotiations, and may find themselves on strike in the near future

Whereas, the Oakland Education Association is hosting an event called "Red State Teacher Rebellion: What Can California Learn?" It will take place on Saturday, June 9th from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at Oakland Technical High School.

Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA endorses the event in order that we can use our official media to encourage members to attend.

Therefore be it further resolved, that the Labor Committee is empowered to contact event organizers to see whether it would be appropriate for East Bay DSA to have a table at the event.

Result: The resolution passed with a vote of 9 in favor and none opposed.

Proposal to Continue Funding for East Bay DSA Night School

On June 7, Zach M. called an email vote for the following resolution.

Written by Daniel D. and Hannah K., motivated by Daniel D.

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 Priorities Resolution adopted at the Spring Convention.

Whereas, the previous LC approved a 20 class curriculum in January but funding was only approved through May 2018 pending an interim report from the political education committee.

Whereas, the Night School has been consistently attended by 40-60 members with overwhelmingly positive feedback regarding the current venue. Furthermore member donations have consistently covered approximately half of the cost of each class.

Therefore be it resolved the Local Council approve funding to continue the Night School through August 2018. This would entail a total 6 classes at East Bay Community Space on 6/19, 7/12*, 7/17, 7/31, 8/7, 8/21 at a cost of $215 per class for a total of $1,290.

The topics for the classes are below. While the topics will not change, the specific dates for each class may be subject to change pending guest speakers schedules.

6/19: 1968 (Special Event)

7/12*: The Housing Crisis (Joint Event with EB DSA Housing Committee)

7/17: Militant Minority (Special Event)

7/31: Race and Class

8/7: Socialism and the Fight Against Racial Oppression

8/21: The 2008 Crisis

*The Housing Committee is still working on finding a venue for the 7/12 event so this date may be subject to change.

Result: The resolution passed with a vote of 8 in favor and none opposed.

Proposal to Add Jack M* as 3rd Co-Chair for the Electoral Committee

On June 20, Zach M. called an email vote for the following proposal.

Written by Sandy B. and Jamie G., motivated by Megan S.

Whereas all committees are entitled to between 2 and 4 co-chairs, as detailed in the Resolution to Disband and Establish Committees,

Whereas East Bay DSA democratically decided to put "significant resources" behind the Jovanka Beckles campaign,

Whereas two committee co-chairs is insufficient for the size of the campaign needed to elect Jovanka Beckles and repeal Costa-Hawkins,

Whereas appointed co-chairs Sandy B and Jamie G, as well as appointed recording secretary Richard M, all recommend the appointment of Jack M,

Therefore be it resolved that Jack M* be appointed a third co-chair of the electoral committee.

*Full last name has been redacted from minutes to protect online privacy.

Result: The resolution passed with a vote of 8 in favor and none opposed.

Motion to Endorse the Families Belong Together Protest

On June 20, Abigail G.-G. called a vote for the following proposal.

Written by Sandy B. and Muller G., motivated by Abigail G.-G.

Whereas Families Belong Together has organized a protest outside a detention center in Richmond used to detain immigrants, as part of a national day of action against ICE on June 30, 2018;

Whereas the conditions of detention centers are cruel, inhumane, and exemplify a world where capital is valued over human lives;

Whereas the EBDSA chapter is committed to protecting immigrant communities, having previously endorse the Bay Resistance Coalition and Oakland Sin Frontera's May Day March

Therefore be it resolved that the EBDSA Steering Committee will endorse the Families Belong Together protest;

That the membership of the EBDSA chapter will be informed of the time and place of the protest and how to participate, through social media, the newsletter, email, and the sign-up page for the protest, shown here.

Result: The proposal passed with a vote of 10 in favor and none opposed.