Steering Committee Meeting: December 16, 2018

East Bay DSA Steering Committee Meeting, December 16, 2018, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Introductions and Opening Statements

The meeting was called to order at 11:10 a.m. by Abigail G.-G., who chaired the meeting. The recording secretary, Mark G., was taking notes. Frances R., Zach M., Keith B. B., Megan S., Hannah E., Dominic D., Nestor C., Jeremy G., and Hasan A. were also present at the meeting. Sean M. joined by phone.

Committee chairs Dan D., Allie L., Andy C., Ashley P., Andrew R., Robbie N., Matt S., Seth B., and Miguel D. were also present.

The opening of the meeting included a welcome and presentation of the newly adopted open Steering Committee rules.

Following the opening statements, the agenda was amended to move the consent calendar and new business to come before committee reports.

Approval of Consent Calendar

The consent calendar was adopted and included the following resolutions.

Resolution for General Meeting Funding for January 2019

Submitted by Joey K., Andy C., and the Meeting Committee, motivated by Andy C.

Whereas talks are ongoing about a change of venue for our General Meetings,

Whereas we do not yet have a date for the annual Convention, and thus cannot yet reserve a venue for multiple months,

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

Proposal to Subscribe to Labor Notes

Submitted by Aaron H., Robbie N., and Ashley P., motivated by Ashley P.

Whereas, a 2018 Priority Resolution of the Chapter states the intent to “support and develop rank-and-file activists who are engaged in new organizing and internal union organizing with trainings and mentorship;”

Whereas, a 2018 Priority Resolution of the Chapter states the intent to “educate East Bay DSA members and the broader public on the labor movement: its history, its present, and the challenges and opportunities ahead;”

Whereas, Labor Notes is a media and organizing project whose aim is to strengthen the labor movement from the bottom up by teaching organizing skills, sharing organizing tactics, encouraging rank-and-file activism, reporting news of workers’ struggles, and facilitating networks of the rank-and-file in the same union and between different unions and which puts out a monthly magazine including elements of all of the above;

Whereas, the Labor Committee is helping to organize a Labor Notes Troublemakers’ School to occur in spring 2019 and a Labor Notes subscription for the Committee can be used to help promote the school as well as aid in the above stated Priority Resolutions;

Whereas, there has been a demonstrated demand for and popularity of Labor Notes magazines at the Labor Committee’s socials and events;

Whereas, Labor Notes national staff has communicated with the EBDSA Labor Committee, confirming that an order of 200 copies per month would cost $113 per month;

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA shall purchase a year’s subscription to Labor Notes’ monthly magazine of 200 copies per issue for a total of $1356.

Be it further resolved that that East Bay DSA shall purchase 200 copies of Labor Notes’ special issue magazine entitled, “Rebuilding Power in Open Shop America” for a total of $113.

Proposal to Continue Funding for East Bay DSA Night School

Submitted by Dan D. and Nick F., motivated by Dan 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 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 6 Night School classes in January, February, and March of 2019 to be held at the East Bay Community Space. This would entail a total of 6 classes at East Bay Community Space on 1/15, 1/29, 2/5, 2/19, 3/5, 3/19 at a cost of $215 per class for a total of $1,290.

Proposal to Fund Political Educational Event with PSOL Movement Politicians

Submitted and motivated by Abigail G.-G.

Whereas, building relationships with socialists outside of the United States is integral to the project of building socialism within the U.S.

Whereas, the outcome of the current political situation in Brazil involving the far-right has implications for working-class movements around the world including here in the US. 

Whereas, four female movement politicians and Brazilian comrades from PSOL —Taliria Petrone, Samia Bomfim, Fernanda Melchionna, and Jo Cavalcanti— will be visiting the Bay Area in January 2019.

Therefore be it resolved the East Bay DSA will commit to holding an educational event with the PSOL movement politicians in January, time and location to be determined.

Therefore be it further resolved the East Bay DSA will commit $500 to cover event expenses.

Resolution to Affiliate with the Healthy California Coalition

Submitted and motivated by Matt S.

Whereas, East Bay DSA’s 2018 Priorities Resolution states that our chapter’s fight for universal social program will include organizing for statewide single-payer legislation.

Whereas, East Bay DSA was a key organization in the fight for the Healthy California Act (SB-562) and contributed significantly to the Healthy California Campaign.

Whereas, the Healthy California Campaign is currently re-organizing itself as a coalition of membership organizations to lead the fight for a California single-payer system in 2019 and beyond.

Whereas, East Bay DSA should continue organizing for California single-payer and building relationships with the coalition partners in the Healthy California Campaign.

Therefore be it further resolved that East Bay DSA formally affiliate with the Healthy California Campaign as one of their initial member organizations.

Therefore be it further resolved that East Bay DSA commit to contribute $250 in dues to the Healthy California Campaign annually, as a condition of our affiliation with the Healthy California Campaign.

Therefore be it further resolved that Matt S. will serve as the initial liaison to the coalition in his capacity as the Medicare for All Committee Co-Chair.

New Business

Resolution for Form an OEA Solidarity Committee

Submitted by Robbie N. and Ashley P., motivated by Robbie N.

Whereas, the teachers’ strike wave has moved west, and teachers are gearing up for major labor struggles in Oakland as well as Los Angeles

Whereas, at the East Bay DSA October General Membership Meeting, we unanimously passed a resolution to support the Oakland Educators Association in their contract fight, including “developing strong relationships with OEA teachers and families, and to support the OEA contract fight—including any potential strike activity—with material resources, organizing assistance, and publicity as needed” and to “mobilize DSA members to support Oakland teachers.”

Whereas, we see the potential OEA strike as one of, if not the most important and militant working-class campaign happening in the East Bay over the next several months.

Whereas, we need a space where democratic socialist teachers, Labor Committee members, and other DSA members who want to get involved in supporting the teachers can coordinate and mobilize the chapter in support of Oakland teachers struggles

Therefore be it resolved, that the Steering Committee forms an OEA Solidarity Committee of the East Bay DSA

Therefore be it further resolved, that the OEA Solidarity Committee will be tasked with coordinating and mobilizing East Bay DSA support for the OEA contract campaign and any strike action. The Committee will be dissolved when this OEA contract fight is over.

Therefore be it further resolved, The Communications Committee will also produce a stand alone news publication covering this campaign, in collaboration with the OEA Solidarity Committee.

Therefore be it further resolved, that the initial Co-Chairs of the Committee will be Ari Marcantonio and Hannah Klein.

Therefore be it further resolved, that East Bay DSA will provide the Committee a budget of up to $3,500 for printing materials, renting spaces, and any other expenses that the Committee will incur in its support for the OEA contract campaign and potential strike.

Following motivation, there was a period of question and answer with the motivator.

Following debate and an amendment, the motion PASSED by a vote of 11 for and 1 abstaining

Following new business, Steering Committee members Megan S. and Jeremy G. had to leave the meeting.

Committee Reports

Following new business, Zach M. opened the committee reports.

• Finance report delivered by Sean M.
• Recording secretary's report delivered by Mark G.
• Communications Committee report delivered by Dominic D. and Frances R.
• Operations Committee report delivered by Andrew R.
• General 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 Allie L.
• Electoral Campaigns Committee report delivered by Matt S.
• Matt will follow up with the Electoral Committee co-chairs to prepare a public facing report to be published on the website

Discussion

Abigail G.-G. delivered a report regarding the negotiations with the 815 Jones street office and the future of office rentals, including where chapter equipment will be stored after the lease ends.

Rescheduling January Meeting

Several Steering Committee members will be unable to attend the January meeting as scheduled, so it was rescheduled to January 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with no objections from those Steering Committee members in attendance.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.