Steering Committee Minutes: November 17, 2019
East Bay DSA, Steering Committee Meeting, November 17, 2019, 2pm-5pm
Introduction and approval of the agenda
The meeting was called to order at 2:10pm with opening statements and was chaired by Abigail G-G and Keith BB. The recording secretary was taking notes. Also present at the meeting were Hannah E, Sean M, Annika B, Maura M, Marissa S, Will S, and Rex LC.
Committee chairs Andrew R and Kelsey W were also in attendance.
Following opening statements, the agenda was approved.
Committee Reports
- Finance report was delivered by Sean M
- Recording Secretary’s Report was delivered by Mark G
- Communications Committee was delivered by Rex LC and Annika B
- Operations Committee was delivered by Sean M
- General Meetings Committee was delivered Maura M
- Racial Solidarity Committee report was delivered by Mark G on behalf of the committee
- Political Education Committee report delivered by Keith BB on behalf of the committee
- Member Engagement Committee report delivered by Andrew R
- Labor Committee report delivered by Keith BB on behalf of the committee
- Social Housing Committee report delivered by Kelsey W
- 2020 Committee report delivered by Will S
Consent Calendar
The consent calendar was ADOPTED by general consent and included the following resolution:
[SC.2019.125] Resolution for East Bay DSA to Co-Sponsor the March for Housing Now on 11/23
Submitted by Isaac H and Kelsey W.
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 Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) will be hosting a March for Housing Now at Mosswood Park in Oakland, on November 23rd, 2019,
Whereas the march will likely be attended by hundreds of East Bay residents who are increasingly militant against the rising cost of housing and the lack of support for unhoused people in our communities,
Whereas the march will be supported by some of the most prominent housing and tenant groups in the Bay Area, including ACCE, which lends its offices to the chapter’s Social Housing Committee each month at no charge,
Whereas the march will target the recently developed market-rate and “affordable” housing at Macarthur Commons, highlighting the abundance of vacant units and the failure of the housing market to provide for the working class,
Therefore it be resolved that East Bay DSA co-sponsor the March for Housing Now, and allow the co-sponsorship to be broadcast on official materials and media,
Therefore it be further resolved that the Social Housing Committee will support turnout and social media for the event and affiliated preparations, and produce propaganda highlighting our chapter’s demands for social housing.
New Business
[SC.2019.126] Resolution For December Bernie T-Shirt Order Funding
Submitted by Matt S, Will S, and Jeremy G.
WHEREAS East Bay DSA’s Steering Committee has approved $14,200 in total expenditures for the 2020 Committee since June 2019;
WHEREAS Democratic Socialists for Bernie t-shirts are selling like hotcakes and we are essentially out of stock;
WHEREAS Alliance Graphics is a union-run East Bay print shop using union-made apparel and printed our initial run of these shirts for $14.55 each;
WHEREAS the t-shirts sell at $20-30 at our events;
THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, that East Bay DSA allocate up to $1200 for a resupply order of 75 total DSA for Bernie shirts, comprising of 14 Small, 16 Medium, 10 Large, 10 XL, 5 2XL, 5 3XL, to be printed by Alliance Graphics on union-made apparel.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 9 in favor and 1 abstaining.
Discussion
Deep Organizing
Keith BB opened a discussion regarding deep organizing tactics within the chapter.
The chapter chairs have been meeting with the leadership of each committee to see what is working, what’s not working, and how they are doing organizing within their committees. With many new members entering the organization, organizing bottlenecks can occur. There is an opportunity to have more political conversations and shared readings etc.
The discussion included conversation of MEC developing more training opportunities to develop members into organizers, building political education into all meetings and events, and committing to doing more 1:1s with newer members.
Will S and Rex LC will initiate and share a document for committee leaders to add good readings to share for 1:1s.
OEA and Public Education
Hannah E led a discussion regarding OEA and how DSA can build upon that relationship, along with the growing energy around Public Education in the East Bay. There are many groups organizing in the East Bay around education and we should be thinking about how best to engage with them.
The discussion included thoughts on how to relate to the union and other community groups that DSA members may be a part of, determining chapter goals, and how to maintain communication between internal committees and chapter leadership on this topic.
Ongoing discussion is required, and a virtual chat has been created for the SC to continue deliberating on the subject.
GND/PG&E
Keith BB led a discussion about the Green New Deal and Let’s Own PG&E campaign. There have been several proposals, and Keith BB put forward a recommendation to restructure the campaign as a working group of the Steering Committee, with appointed leaders who can carry that work forward.
The clearest goals for the campaign seem to be cohering a group of interested organizers to research where there is opportunity and mass energy around a Green New Deal, and to host educational events for those interested.
Currently, people who have signed up as interested in the campaign have been directed to educational events, such as the GM about a Green New Deal.
Red Rabbits
Maura M presented on the current state of the Red Rabbits program. The program initially started with trainings being developed on information security. The Meetings Committee is thinking about it as a safety team moving forward.
There is ongoing discussion regarding what the group is, what being a member of it would mean, and how people can become a member of the group.
Discussion included the opportunity to provide security at meetings, with a group of designated members who are trained and available to de-escalate situations that require it.
A resolution is being drafted regarding the group that will be shared with the SC soon.
DSA End of Year Party
Rex LC introduced the idea of having an end of year party to celebrate with members and coalition partners who have been involved in the work over the past year. There has been talk of a fundraising party around the end of the year in the 2020 committee. Discussion will continue about opportunities to combine the ideas of a coalition friendly party and a fundraiser.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:10pm.
Addenda
[SC.2019.121] Resolution to fund the printing of another batch of New Member Handbooks
Submitted by Andrew R
On October 30, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.
Whereas the Member Engagement Committee is tasked with targeted outreach for new members, including printing and distribution of New Member Handbooks
Whereas we have exhausted our previous supply of New Member Handbooks,
Whereas many new members are coming into East Bay DSA through our campaign to elect Bernie Sanders, and more will no doubt join as the campaign heats up
Therefore be it resolved that the East Bay DSA steering committee fund from the chapter treasury the printing of 350 new member handbooks at a cost of $1.40 per handbook for a total cost of $490
The resolution PASSED with a vote of 8 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.122] Resolution for General Meeting Funding for November - December 2019 and January 2020
Submitted by Andy C, Maura M, and the Meetings Committee.
On November 7, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.
Whereas the chapter voted to schedule monthly General Meetings beginning in September 2018
Therefore be it resolved that the Chapter fund the November 2019, December 2019 and January 2020 General Meetings, including booking at the Omni Commons, food, printing and other materials at a total cost of $900.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 8 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.123] Resolution to Endorse NUHW Strike
Submitted by Mary Virgina W.
On November 8, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.
Whereas, DSA as a national organization and as a chapter in East Bay aims to rebuild a democratic, socilaist, labor movement that fights for working class demands and control of society.
Whereas, NUHW represents nearly 4,000 psychologists, social workers, therapists, and addiction medicine specialists who have decided to hold a 5-day strike the week of November 11. And their employees are urging Kaiser to improve care for Kaiser mental health patients.
Whereas, after more than 18 months of bargaining, Kaiser has failed to address the issues raised by NUHW members: patients aren’t able to access timely follow-up appointments, and NUHW represented psychologist, social workers, therapists, and addiction medicine specialists are still overworked and, these clinicians cannot adequately care for their patients, and patients are being pushed into group therapy or out of the Kaiser system altogether.
Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA will endorse the proposed 5 day strike and corresponding rallies by NUHW. And furthermore, Easy Bay DSA will commit to boosting NUHW social media/propaganda and encourage members to attend their rallies and picket lines.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 11 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.124] Resolution to Endorse Ocasio-Cortez "Public Housing Green New Deal" Bill
Submitted by Keith BB.
On November 8, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.
Whereas East Bay DSA's 2019 Priorities Resolution committed to the fight for social housing and a Green New Deal,
Whereas DSA member and Congressional representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has drafted a "Public Housing Green New Deal" bill, which would lift federal limits on new public housing, support public housing resident power, and fund major programs for clean energy and building repair for public housing,
Whereas Ocasio-Cortez is seeking organizational co-sponsors, and her office has reached out to leaders of the DSA Ecosocialist Working Group seeking DSA chapter endorsements,
Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA endorses the Ocasio-Cortez "Public Housing Green New Deal" bill, may be listed as a public co-sponsor by her congressional office, and will promote the bill through social media and political education efforts.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 11 in favor and none against.