Steering Committee Minutes: August 18, 2019
East Bay DSA, Steering Committee Meeting, August 18, 2019, 1–4 p.m.
Introduction and Opening Statements
The meeting was called to order at 1:12 p.m. with opening statements and was chaired by Keith B. B. Hannah E. was taking notes on behalf of the recording secretary who was unable to attend. Also present at the meeting were Abigail G.-G., Allie L., Marissa S., Rex L. C., Shane R., Sean M., Matt S., and Maura M.
Committee chairs Charlie H., Sebastián C., Hasan A., WY L., Joey K., Andrew R., James D., Ian M., and Jess W. were also in attendance.
Following opening statements, the agenda was approved.
Political Discussion and Campaign Debrief
Keith B. B. led a discussion regarding the DSA National Convention. The conversation included discussion of the credentials challenge and decision making within the SC that builds trust. There was also discussion regarding the experience of the convention as a whole, including learning about democratic process, camaraderie amongst the delegation, connections built with other chapters. Points were raised that there was little discussion of what is happening in politics right now, and that Internationalism is currently a blind spot for the organization.
Following the political discussion, members delivered committee reports.
Committee Reports
- Finance report delivered by Sean M.
- Communications Committee report delivered by Rex L. C.
- Operations Committee report delivered by Andrew R.
- General Meetings Committee report delivered by Joey K.
- Racial Solidarity Committee report delivered by WY L.
- Political Education Committee report delivered by Sebastián C.
- Member Engagement Committee report delivered by Jess W.
- Medicare for All Committee report delivered by Matt S.
- Labor Committee report delivered by Shane R.
- Social Housing Committee report delivered by Allie L.
- 2020 Committee report delivered by Matt S.
- Public Education Committee report delivered by Charlie H.
New Business
[SC.2019.81] Resolution to Appoint a New Operations Co-Chair
Submitted by Andrew R. and Sean M., motivated by Andrew R.
Whereas on April 15, 2018, the East Bay DSA Steering Committee established the Operations Committee and appointed Andrew R. as Communications Coordinator of the Operations Committee as well as co-chair,
Whereas Andrew R. has elected to vacate the positions of Operations Committee Co-chair and Operations Committee Communications Coordinator,
Whereas the Communications Coordinator was tasked with scheduling and coordinating the sending of chapter and committee emails, developing subscription options, and cutting lists for phone banks,
Whereas Ian M. has worked closely with Andrew to carry out the tasks defined by the Steering Committee for the Communications Coordinator role,
Whereas the Operations Committee voted to nominate Ian M. for the role of Operations Committee co-chair,
Therefore be it resolved that the East Bay DSA Steering Committee remove Andrew R. and appoint Ian M. to the position of Operations Committee Co-chair and Communications Coordinator effective immediately.
Following motivation, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.
[SC.2019.82] Resolution to Appoint a New Membership Engagement Committee Co-Chair
Submitted by Jess W and Hannah E., motivated by Hannah E.
Whereas, Hannah E. is stepping down as co-chair of the Membership Engagement Committee (MEC) and Jess W. is the only remaining co-chair;
Whereas, Andrew R. has demonstrated leadership and commitment to the MEC’s work and East Bay DSA more generally;
Whereas, Andrew R. was voted in as Co-Chair through a MEC email vote on July 17th;
Therefore be it resolved, that the East Bay DSA Steering Committee appoint Andrew R. as a Co-Chair of the Membership Engagement Committee effective immediately.
Following motivation, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.
[SC.2019.83] Resolution to Endorse Timothy “T-Bone” Faust’s Summer 2019 Book Tour
Submitted by Riley B. and Matt S., motivated by Matt S.
Whereas, Timothy “T-Bone” Faust, activist, organizer, writer, has started his 2019 Summer Book tour titled “Hellbent for Healthcare” for his new book “Healthcare Justice NOW, Single Payer and what comes next”
Whereas, Tim regularly visits the Bay Area to speak about single payer healthcare and Medicare for All, and Tim has been a crucial ally to DSA and the fight for Medicare for All
Whereas, East Bay DSA’s 2019 Priorities encompasses that of the National DSA and a major campaign to win Medicare for All.
Therefore be it resolved, that the East Bay DSA Steering Committee will endorse a discussion event on “Health Justice NOW” organized by Riley B. and Tim Faust, on September 24th at East Bay Booksellers at 7:30pm.
Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA Steering Committee and social media team will promote the event on social media and in the EBDSA newsletter.
Following motivation, the resolution PASSED by a vote of 9 in favor and 1 against.
[SC.2019.84] Resolution to Order “Business” Cards for Organizer Use
Submitted by Rex L. C. and Eric V., motivated by Rex L. C.
The following resolution was motivated by Rex LC.
Whereas organizers in East Bay DSA have encountered people interested or potentially interested in our chapter and our work, but in a passing or sensitive moment when a conversation was not possible, let alone the traditional Approach, Agitate, Ask model;
Whereas with the 2020 election cycle underway, more and more chapter outreach events and other, external political organizing stages being created, and greater visibility of our members wearing chapter or issue-related paraphernalia, or otherwise presenting or engaging themselves as someone informed of the various issues, these passing moments will likely occur with more frequency;
Whereas some working-class people are hesitant about giving their identifying information out but will take something that allows them to engage on their own time and in their own comfort;
Whereas palm cards and our other literature are not convenient to carry on one’s person except in specific organizing situations;
Whereas a business card would still allow an organizer to share their personal contact information, for purposes of a 1:1 follow-up, and their knowledge, efforts, and our chapter may be seen as more legitimate upon providing such a card;
Therefore be it resolved that the chapter’s design team create a template for a generic, one-sided Organizer business card, without any individual’s name, but with our necessary chapter and digital media and contact information;
Be it further resolved that the chapter will order an initial run of these cards, e.g. 1000, up to the amount of $125, to distribute amongst committee members and at the merch table during general meetings;
Be it further resolved that the chapter revisit the idea and/or card inventory in 3 month’s time (after distribution to the identified initial group of organizers), to discuss a success rate and potential reorder.
Following debate and amendment, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.
[SC.2019.85] Resolution to Support Just Cause Protections in El Cerrito
Submitted by Allie L. and Will S., motivated by Allie L.
Whereas East Bay DSA has prioritized according to the Priorities Resolution to fight for local “rent control campaigns, statewide bills for strong rent control and tenant protections, strategic direct actions, and electoral efforts to create taxes on speculators and the wealthy, in order to disrupt speculation, spread socialist housing ideas, and seize power from landlords and capitalists”
Whereas El Cerrito City Council passed an ordinance to put just cause eviction protections in place, and as a result, the California Apartment Association lead a $30,000 signature-gathering initiative to block the new law,
Whereas El Cerrito City Council has voted 4-1 to repeal the just cause ordinance under the pressure of corporate landlord influences,
Whereas in the El Cerrito City Council is hosting a meeting on August 20 to discuss an ordinance placing a 10 percent annual cap on rent increases and other tenant protections,
Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA will turn out leaders and Social Housing Committee members to speak out at the El Cerrito City Council meeting on August 20 in favor of rent control, tenant protections and against the influence of corporate landlords
Following motivation, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.
Discussion
Office Rental Space
Submitted by Abigail G. G., Rex L. C., and Sean M.
Abigail G. G., led a discussion about the progress towards renting an office space for the chapter. There are two leads being investigated. The location of potential spaces should be evaluated based on the fact that the office would be used to launch campaigns, and that spaces are currently the chapter’s largest expenditure. The conversation included discussion of how much money would be needed to sustain the space and how we might raise it.
Leadership Retreat
Submitted by Hannah E.
Hannah E. led a discussion regarding an upcoming retreat for East Bay DSA leadership. It was decided that the retreat will take place on September 15 from 1–6 p.m., following a truncated Steering Committee meeting. The retreat will include political education, discussion of deep organizing and leadership development, and anti-oppression training.
East Bay DSA and YDSA liaison (Abigail G-G)
Submitted by Abigail G. G.
Keith B. B. led a discussion regarding the selection of a liaison between East Bay DSA and YDSA. The conversation included discussion of roles and responsibilities for a YDSA liaison and the nomination process. The Steering Committee will submit nominations for candidates via email.
Chapter Representation by Non-Elected Members
Submitted by Keith B. B. and Abigail G. G.
Abigail G-G led a discussion regarding chapter representation. While members may always speak as members of EBDSA, they may not speak as officially representing the chapter or on behalf of the membership as a whole. Steering Committee members should work to clarify this and share this policy with committee members etc.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m.
Addenda
[SC.2019.80] Resolution to Sponsor Internationalism Discussion with Aaron Pedrosa
Submitted by Matt S.
On Aug 6, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution.
WHEREAS, East Bay DSA delegates made connections with Aaron Pedrosa of the left-wing Filipino party Sanlakas at the 2019 DSA National Convention in Atlanta.
WHEREAS, Pedrosa regularly visits the Bay Area to speak to the Filipino community and could become an important long-term interlocutor, collaborator, and ally to our chapter.
WHEREAS, East Bay DSA’s 2019 Priorities Resolution states that we will “learn from and seek connections for solidarity with democratic socialist, climate justice, and workers’ movements around the world, particularly those in countries harmed by American imperialism.”
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the East Bay DSA Steering Committee will sponsor a discussion event on internationalism with Aaron Pedrosa on Friday, August 9, organized by Matt S.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the event will be allotted up to $100 for space rental, food, and other incidentals.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 8 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.86] Resolution to Endorse the Friday, August 23rd Palantir Action in Palo Alto
Submitted by Diana M., WY L. , and Rex L. C.
On Aug 22, Abigail G.-G. called an email vote for the following resolution.
Whereas on Wednesday, August 20th, Palantir renewed its ICE (Immigrations Customs Enforcement) Case Management contract until 2022.
Whereas this contract allows ICE, the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), and other government agencies to track individuals’ every move including immigrants at risk of deportation.
Whereas the East Bay Democratic Socialists of America (EBDSA) endorsed the Open Borders resolution which stated that we identify and are apart of campaigns that target corporations profiting from imprisonment, deportation, and surveillance of immigrant communities.
Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA endorse the action called by the Coalition to Close the Concentration Camps - Bay Area, which includes DSA San Francisco and Silicon Valley DSA, to protest the renewal of Palantir’s contract with ICE on Friday, August 23rd at 4pm at the Palantir offices in Palo Alto.
Be it further resolved, we also mobilize EBDSA members to this action by notifying them by social media and/or email.
Be it further resolved, the EBDSA Racial Solidarity Committee will coordinate carpools to the action if needed.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 10 in favor and none against.