Steering Committee Minutes: October 20, 2019

East Bay DSA, Steering Committee Meeting, October 20, 2019, 2pm-5pm

Introductions and approval of agenda

The meeting was called to order at 2:10pm with opening statements and was chaired by Keith BB and Abigail G-G. The recording secretary was taking notes. Also present at the meeting were Shane R, Annika B, Hannah E, Maura M, Marissa S, Allie L, Matt S, Rex LC, and Sean M who joined by phone. 

Committee chairs Issac H, Frances R, WY L, Dan D, James D, and Jeremy G were also in attendance. 

Following amendment, the agenda was approved.

Reports

1. Finance report delivered by Sean M
2. Recording secretary report delivered by Mark G
3. Communications Committee report delivered by Frances R and Rex LC
4. Operations Committee report delivered by Sean M
5. General Meetings Committee report delivered by Maura M
6. Racial Solidarity Committee report delivered by WY L 
7. Political Education Committee delivered by Dan D
8. Member Engagement Committee delivered by Mark G
9. Medicare for All Campaign Committee report delivered by James D
10. Labor Committee report delivered by Shane R
11. Social Housing Campaign Committee report delivered by Issac
12. Public Education Committee report delivered by Keith BB

Proposed discussion item for next months agenda: Digital communications strategy and how we make use of websites, digital campaigns, and rapid response infrastructure in general. 

Consent Calendar

Following committee reports, Keith BB introduced the consent calendar. The consent calendar was ADOPTED by general consent.

[SC.2019.112] Resolution to Endorse and Promote 11/2 NNU March and Rally for Medicare for All

Submitted by James D.

Whereas HR1384, The Medicare For All Act of 2019, meets DSA’s five principles for M4A.

Whereas single payer legislation is at a critical moment, with the majority of House Democrats now signed on to HR1384.

Whereas Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not signed on to this bill, has been openly critical of single-payer legislation, and continues to receive money from health care and pharmaceutical companies.

Whereas National Nurses United has organized a Medicare For All march and rally to take place November 2, 2-4pm, at UN Plaza to demand that Speaker Pelosi sign on to HR1384.

Whereas this event has the capability to agitate, generate media coverage, and expand the fight for single payer locally.

Whereas NNU has asked EBDSA to promote this event, and EBDSA has a good working relationship with NNU, who have canvassed with EBDSA in the past, and have expressed willingness to canvass in the future for M4A.

Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA will endorse and promote the NNU Medicare for All march and rally.

Therefore be it resolved that endorsement and promotion entails:

1. Advertisement of event through EBDSA social media channels, which M4A co-chairs will assist with should the social media team be at capacity.
2. A calendar event entry for the EBDSA site, with copy to be submitted by the M4A co-chairs.
3. Encouragement of EBDSA members to attend through official channels, such as the M4A committee mailing list and newsletter.

Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA members will be encouraged to have 1-on-1 conversations with rally attendees, and invite them to upcoming EBDSA events and canvasses if they are East Bay residents.

[SC.2019.113] Resolution for General Meeting Funding for October 2019

Submitted by Andy C, Maura M, and the Meetings Committee.

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

Therefore be it resolved that the Chapter fund the October 2019 General Meeting, including booking at the Oakland Peace Center, food, printing and other materials at a total cost of $400.

Attachments area

[SC.2019.114] Resolution for the Approval of the Meetings Committee Election Results for Co-Chairs and Recording Secretary

Submitted by Andy C.

WHEREAS the Meetings Committee, in accordance with its rules, had elections for Committee co-chairs and recording secretary at its August 20, 2019 meeting;

WHEREAS the Meetings Committee in its rules has stated that terms for co-chair and recording secretary positions will be of a twelve month duration;

WHEREAS Committee members, Andres C., Maura M. and Karina S., ran for the co-chair positions while Committee member, Joey K., ran for the recording secretary position;

WHEREAS the Meetings Committee voted for Andres C. and Maura M. as Committee co-chairs and Joey K. as Committee recording secretary;

BE IT RESOLVED that Andres C. and Maura M. be Meetings Committee co-chairs and Joey K. be Meetings Committee recording secretary all for a term of twelve months starting from the time of the ratification of this resolution.

[SC.2019.115] Resolution for Co-Sponsorship of Brown, Burlison, & Federici Socialist Feminist Panel

Submitted by Keith BB and Abigail G-G.

Whereas, East Bay DSA's 2019 priorities resolution committed our chapter to political education about the role of gender and sexual oppression in capitalism, along with agitation and organizing that build a mass movement opposed to all forms of oppression,

Whereas, a panel on Monday, December 9, 2019 at Moe's Books in Berkeley--the day after the annual Howard Zinn Book Fair--will feature socialist feminist writers and activists Silvia Federici, Jenny Brown, and Dani Burlison, organized by PM Press,

Whereas, the organizers and an author of this panel have requested East Bay DSA co-sponsorship to provide publicity for the event,

Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA will publicly co-sponsor the December 9th panel with Brown, Burlison, and Federici, with announcements about this event in our newsletter, meetings, social media, and events calendar.

[SC.2019.116] Resolution to make Kelsey W the new Co-Chair of the Social Housing Committee

Submitted by Allie L.

Whereas Allie L. has stepped down from her role as co-chair of the Social Housing Committee and,

Whereas Kelsey W. was voted unanimously to become the new co-chair in a committee election,

Therefore be it resolved that Kelsey W. become Co-Chair of the Social Housing Committee and Allie L. no longer be co-chair.

New Business 

Abigail G-G introduced New Business. 

[SC.2019.117] Resolution: Berkeley Social Housing City Campaign

Submitted by Allie L.

Allie L motivated the following resolution.

Whereas in 2019 the DSA convention approved resolution #40 on social housing, calling for the DSA to dedicate resources to “promoting the decommodification of housing through expanding publicly-owned housing, social housing funds, and social housing supply and in addition, the convention approved resolution #64, calling for chapters to pursue this goal: “Federal, state and local governments should spend public funds directly on creating millions of publicly- and socially-owned housing developments that are permanently affordable, democratically controlled, and available to residents of all incomes.”

Whereas that EBDSA has issued this resolution calling for social housing. Specifically the resolution states that “Our transformative goal must be to take housing off the speculative market altogether; to bring land and housing under complete democratic control.” 

Whereas members of the Berkeley City Council (including the Mayor) have drafted a framework for the city’s approach to “affordable housing.” In the framework, the goal of reaching 30% permanently affordable units to match the social housing mix of progressive European cities such as Amsterdam and Vienna is set (the goal was originally 50% but was revised). 

Whereas the framework discusses the failures of the private market for housing and discusses various ways that the city might go about increasing the number of permanently affordable housing units. 

Whereas Berkeley has leadership inclined to move the city towards the vision laid out in the EBDSA’s statement as well as in resolution #40. 

Whereas this campaign could be used as a model for other cities such as Oakland.

Whereas people’s Policy Project has published a white paper on social housing outlining a new approach cities can take to increase the supply of social housing. This approach falls within the vision outlined in the statement made by the EBDSA.

Therefore let it be resolved that members of the EBDSA Social Housing Committee will meet with or send letters to the Mayor of Berkeley, as well as other City Council members, to push for the ratification of the framework in line with East Bay DSA’s social housing vision. 

Be it further resolved that this includes pushing for the 4 social housing principles: democratic control, permanent affordability, high quality and universal as discussed in this letter. In addition the organizers will push for a feasibility study for using revenue bonds to produce social housing and for the support of permanently affordable units. 

Be it further resolved that members of the EBDSA Social Housing Committee and members will also attend City Council meetings and City Commission meetings to speak in favor of the above mentioned goals through the end of 2019, in which the campaign will be revisited. East Bay DSA will advertise the meetings through social media accounts and email. 

Be it further resolved we will also use this campaign to build EBDSA’s organizing capabilities though leadership development of Social Housing Committee members. 

Following motivation, there was a period of questions and answers.

The resolution PASSED by general consent.

[SC.2019.118] Communications Committee Structure

Submitted by the Communication Committee.

The following resolution was motivated by Rex LC.

The Communications Committee broadcasts socialist politics to the masses and creates and maintains tools for members to easily find information about the chapter and communicate with one another.

The Committee is comprised of multiple Working Groups such as but not limited to:

• Majority
• Design
• Tech
• Social Media
• Newsletter 
• Translation

These Working Groups are responsible for implementing the necessary design, writing and programming tasks to maintain successful communication campaigns and channels for the chapter. Such working groups may expand or contract as needed to fulfil the needs of our chapter as determined by its Editorial Board. 

The Editorial Board:

• Is a decision making body comprised of up to 3 elected members of each working group, elected on a yearly basis. 

• Guides and leads the implementation of East Bay DSA’s major communication campaigns and social media operations, in accordance with the priorities resolution.

• Gives editorial advice and guides the messaging of the communication working groups in collaboration with the relevant committees and/or the steering committee.

• Creates task forces and working groups to guide particular areas of DSA’s communications work. 

• Develops resources including style guides, templates and trainings for other committees to create effective communications consistent with the chapter’s voice. 

• Conducts meetings monthly.

• The Communications Secretary and to up to 3 co-chairs elected by the Editorial Board are tasked with assembling the body, and reporting to the Steering Committee.

Interim Editorial Board structure:

• For an interim period lasting until April 2020, the Editorial Board will consist of the members already appointed by the Steering Committee.

• The Communications Secretary shall be appointed co-chair, alongside the current appointed co-chairs (Frances Reade and Nick French).

• During the interim period, the Working Groups will be expected to formalize membership criteria and committee rules. The Editorial Board co-chairs will guide and assist Working Groups in doing so.

• At the end of the interim period, elections for a new Editorial Board will be held. Each Working Group will be expected to elect up to 3 members to serve on the Editorial Board, in accordance with the structure outlined above.

Co-chair elections will be held after election of the new Editorial Board.  

The resolution was tabled for future discussion.

[SC.2019.119] New M4A Shirt Order

Submitted by Eric V.

Abigail GG presented the “therefore be it resolved” for the following resolution.

Whereas, East Bay DSA's T-shirts have been an important element of fundraising and publicity for our chapter and its campaigns;

Whereas, our original Medicare for All shirt has sold out of all sizes, is the most well-known campaign, particularly for new and incoming members, and will feature heavily in our 2020 Campaign efforts including canvassing, especially the next Bernie door-to-door, Medicare for All focused canvass on October 27th, which is less than two weeks away;

Whereas, Alliance Graphics is a union-run East Bay print shop using union-made apparel;

Whereas, this nearly same resolution / budgetary allocation was initially passed in June of this year for restocking purposes, but the original shirt designs were never reordered, due in part to the Bernie campaign launching and a reconsideration of designs;

Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA allocate up to $600 for an order of 35 of the original Medicare for All shirts (10 S, 10 M, 10 L, 5XL), to be printed by Alliance Graphics on union-made apparel for an October 25th pick-up.

Following debate and amendment, the resolution FAILED by a vote of 1 in favor, 8 against, and 2 abstaining.

[SC.2019.120] Resolution to Support 2019 Hong Kong Protests

Submitted by WY L.

The following resolution was motivated by WY L.

Whereas the Hong Kong protests are entering their 4th consecutive month of struggle, ignited by the opposition to the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill, known as the China Extradition Bill,

Whereas DSA national has published a statement of support for the protests against the extradition bill in Hong Kong,

Whereas the 2019 Hong Kong protests have continued the struggle for self-determination, greater freedom, and democracy, inspired by the 2014 Umbrella Revolution, which the DSA has previously supported,

Whereas the 2019 protests have surpassed the 2014 Umbrella Revolution in duration,

Whereas the protests have developed into a broadly-based movement of millions of Hong Kong citizens concerned with eroding civil liberties and autonomy,

Whereas the protests have faced excessive use of force by Hong Kong police against protesters which has resulted in serious injuries of the protesters, arrests of more than 2,400 protesters, as well as the police's complicity in ignoring indiscriminate violence against protesters and bystanders by counter demonstrators,

Whereas the Hong Kong protesters have called for general strikes--answered by 350,000 employees city-wide on August 5--as well as ongoing school boycotts and work stoppages at strategic economic centers, such as the airport and public transit,

Whereas socialists in Hong Kong are calling for international solidarity,

Whereas the EBDSA maintains a commitment to internationalism and recognition of the rights of all people to be free from imperialism, colonialism, and state repression,

Whereas the EBDSA is committed to learn from and seek connections for solidarity with workers’ movements around the world, 

Whereas the EBDSA should share agitational or educational material (such as articles) with a left perspective on the situation through our social media channels,

Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA support the 2019 Hong Kong protests, including but not limited to developing and issuing a statement of solidarity, reaching out to local groups involved in solidarity organizing, and sharing materials on social media,

Be it further resolved that EBDSA endorse a Hong Kong solidarity forum that is already being planned by an EBDSA member for the 2019 Howard Zinn Book Fair on Sunday, December 8th that will feature--via telecast--a long time Hong Kong socialist who has been active on the ground,

Be it further resolved that East Bay DSA will add its name to a list of endorsing organizations and encourage its members to attend this forum.

After debate and amendment, the resolution PASSED by a vote of 10 in favor and 2 against.

Matt S and Jeremy G presented a report on behalf of the 2020 Committee. Following presentation of the report, there was a period of questions and answers for the committee representatives. 

[SC.2019.121] Resolution For November 2020 Committee Funding

Submitted by Matt S, Will S, and Jeremy G.

The following resolution was motivated by Matt S.

WHEREAS East Bay DSA’s Steering Committee has approved $9200 in total expenditures for the 2020 Committee since June 2019;

WHEREAS the 2020 Committee has spent approximately $9786.42 to date, including several substantial orders of t-shirts and literature this past month (including 10,000 of the Bernie palmcard), putting the Committee over budget $586.42.

WHEREAS the 2020 Committee has spent on average ~$2000 per month so far since its first expenditures were approved in May, and the Committee anticipates that it will need to make at least one more substantial order of literature before the end of November as campaign operations continue to grow.

THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that the Steering Committee approves an additional $5000 of funding for the 2020 Committee expenditures through the end of November.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the unaccounted for expenses totalling $586.42 will be deducted from that allocation, leaving the 2020 Committee with a current operating budget of $4,413.58.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 11 in favor and 1 abstaining.

Discussion 

FUN DSA 

Abigail GG introduced a discussion about FUN DSA, a group claiming to be a DSA Chapter in Fremont, Union City and Newark — areas that fall within EBDSA’s territory. Communications have been sent to the group operating as FUN DSA and the issue was escalated to the national organization.

Adjournment 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:05pm

Addenda

[SC.2019.107] Resolution for Allie and Isaac to represent East Bay DSA panel at the California Renter Power Assembly

Submitted by Allie L.

On October 2, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas East Bay DSA’s adopted “We Demand Social Housing for All” statement declares, “Based on our strengths and political commitments, DSA chapters statewide can and should play a leading role in education, propaganda, and mass organizing efforts for this nascent social housing coalition in California. DSA should also take an active and constructive internal role within the coalition, firmly standing for our four essential points in the definition of social housing: democratic control, universality, true affordability, and high quality,” 

Whereas the California Renter Power Assembly is happening in Los Angeles from October 11-13 with hundreds of tenant and housing organizations and organizers attending, 

Whereas Will S’s proposal, “East Bay DSA: Off the Market: Social Housing for California” was accepted and the conference asked to share workshop time with the San Francisco Berniecrats and their presentation, “SF Berniecrats: Public Housing for All and Empowering Tenants,”  

Therefore it be resolved that Isaac H and Allie L represent East Bay DSA and present the chapter’s framework for social housing and share experiences of using social housing as a vision for organizing during the combined presentation, 

Therefore it be further resolved that Isaac and Allie will network with tenants and organizations at the conference throughout the weekend for the purposes of potential coalition building and sharing ideas. 

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

[SC.2019.108] Resolution to Reimburse Delegate Election Count Expenses

Submitted by Sean M.

On October 2, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas the 2019 East Bay DSA delegate election count spanned several days and required the provision of food and drink for more than a dozen volunteers. 

Whereas Zach M ordered dinner and fronted printing costs and other expenses for the delegate election and has provided those receipts to the Treasurer.

Therefore be it resolved that the chapter will allocate $326.26 to reimburse Zach M for these expenses. 

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 8 in favor and none against.

[SC.2019.109] Resolution to endorse National Weekend of Action for Immigrant Rights on October 12-14th. 

Submitted by Rex LC and Dan E.

On October 5, Keith BB called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas, the ongoing use of concentration camps is one of the greatest threats to human rights in the United States and around the world;

Whereas, the daily attacks on immigrants would not be possible without technological software and tools that provide case management, database storage and integration software provided by Bay Area tech firms.

Whereas, many of the corporations profiting from immigrant criminalization and surveillance such as Peter Thiel’s Palantir, Jeff Bezos’s Amazon, Marc Benieoff's Salesforce and Google have headquarters in the broader Bay Area. The aforementioned companies provide the backbone and infrastructure for the detention and deportation system and provide vital support to its daily operation;

Whereas, the 2019 DSA National Convention passed Resolution 73: Support for Open Borders on the consent calendar, and the general membership of EBDSA passed the Resolution to Endorse Open Borders [GM.2019.8] calling for:

• the uninhibited transnational free movement of people,
• the demilitarization of the US-Mexico Border,
• the abolition of ICE and CBP without replacement, 
• the decriminalization of immigration, 
• full amnesty for asylum seekers and,
• a pathway to citizenship for all non-citizen residents.

Whereas, DSA’s National Immigrant’s Rights Working Group along with Mijente, Coalition to Close the Concentration Camps, and Red Nation are calling for Nationwide actions on the weekend of October 12-14th and Culminating with a National Day of Action on October 14th, Indigenous Peoples Day; 

Whereas Immigrant Rights organizers, led by a wide coalition of community, labor and faith groups, are calling for a mass action on Indigenous Peoples Day, October 14th to disrupt and call attention to the tech companies that actively profit off of the unlawful and inhumane detention and deportation of migrants in our community and at the southern border;

Whereas, local immigrant organizations have requested our support for a separate rally in Berkeley following the SF action on October 14th to demand that Congress defend the right to stay for millions of immigrants -including comrades- under the DACA, TPS and DED programs. 

Whereas, the National Immigrants Rights Working Group of DSA is in coalition with organizers of this event and local coalition partners asking for assistance in planning, logistics support, fundraising, and generating turnout of community, labor and faith groups;

Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA will endorse the National Call to Action on October 12th-14th , the Tour of Shame, and the Rally to Defend DACA, TPS and DED. 

Therefore be it further resolved, that East Bay DSA support and endorse the demands put forth by the October 14th coalition, with the demands as follows:

SF CORPORATIONS:

• Stop profiteering off of racist detentions and deportations.
• Terminate all contracts with ICE and CBP.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

• Divest from corporations that do business with ICE and CBP.
• Governor Newsom, pass AB32 to end contracts with private prisons.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

• Stop the racist detentions and deportations.
• Stop the inhumane forced separations and reunite all children and families.

Therefore be it further resolved, East Bay DSA - led by the efforts of the Open Borders Campaign and Racial Solidarity Committee - will support the National Call to Action on October 14th, Indigenous Peoples Day, including, but not limited to:

• Phone banking our membership to generate turnout to the 10/14 march and “Tour of Shame” in San Francisco and the DACA, TPS, DED mobilization in Berkeley;
• Sharing support for the Day of Action in EBDSA social media channels; 
• Participating in planning meetings and calls with coalition partners, including: Coalition to Close the Concentration Camps, Red Nation, other DSA chapters, community groups and other Organizations on planning and logistics support roles on 10/14 and actions surrounding the Day of Action, including but not limited to marshaling, creating art, and conducting outreach to affinity groups, unions, and other organizational contacts.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 11 in favor and none against.

[SC.2019.110] Resolution to Appoint Will S. to the East Bay DSA Steering Committee 

Submitted by Abigail G-G.

On October 6, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas, East Bay DSA currently has a vacant at-large seat on the Steering Committee that Jack M. vacated in September 2019 as a result of his relocation.  

Whereas, the East Bay DSA Steering Committee has historically appointed members to vacant at-large seats per Robert’s Rules §47. 

Whereas, the East Bay DSA Steering Committee opted instead to have open nominations and hold a special election at the October General Meeting, but only Will S. received the required 10 nominations.  

Whereas, Will S. has been an active leader in our chapter as co-chair of the Housing Committee and leader on the campaign for rent control in Hayward.

Whereas, Will S. is now a leader on East Bay DSA’s campaign for Bernie Sanders and is personally responsible for three of the most important aspects of the campaign––regional organizing, liasing with the national DSA for Bernie campaign, and supporting campaign organizing through YDSA chapters and organizing committees in East Bay.

Therefore be it resolved, Will S. will be appointed by the Steering Committee to the vacant at-large seat of the East Bay DSA Steering Committee, effective October 6, 2019. 

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

[SC.2019.111] Resolution in Support of Chicago Strikes

Submitted by Matt S, Will S.

On October 12, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.

WHEREAS Chicago was the origin of the teacher strike wave, beginning in 2012, against billionaires and their charter school privatization agenda;

WHEREAS CTU and SEIU Local 73 will be going on strike for more support staff and smaller class sizes;

WHEREAS their demands including affordable housing for teachers and unhoused students, going beyond the workplace and bargaining for the common good;

WHEREAS the administration of Mayor Lightfoot is refusing to cooperate with the striking union members and has clearly aligned with the school privatizers;

WHEREAS East Bay DSA played a pivotal role in the OEA by helping organize Bread 4 Ed, a collection that provided food for the students and educators who were not in school, and Chicago DSA and their coalition partners have begun a similar project;

WHEREAS support and aid from the community and from abroad was pivotal in the success of the OEA strike, and similar support will be needed for the Chicago strike to be safe and successful;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that East Bay DSA formally endorses and stands in solidarity with the strike actions of CTU, SEIU Local 73, Chicago DSA, and their coalition partners, and will release a public statement to this effect and promote their struggle via communications;

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that East Bay DSA will contact the list of donors to Bread 4 Ed from the OEA strike and will encourage them to donate to Chicago’s Bread 4 Ed, and authorizes our chapter communication channels to promote the fundraiser and provide information about the strike.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 11 in favor and none against.