Steering Committee Minutes: December 14, 2019
East Bay DSA, Steering Committee Meeting, December 14, 2019, 2pm-5pm
Introductions / Opening Statements
The meeting was called to order at 2:10pm by Abigail G-G, who chaired the meeting along with Keith BB. The Recording Secretary was taking notes. Also present at the meeting were Annika B, Sean M, Rex LC, Marissa S, Shane R, Allie L, Matt S, Will S, and Maura M who joined by phone.
Committee chairs Nick F, Frances R, Hasan A, Ashley P, and Andrew R were also in attendance.
Following opening statements, the agenda was amended and approved by general consent.
Consent Calendar
The consent calendar was ADOPTED by general consent and included the following resolutions:
[SC.2019.127] Resolution to make Ashley P. the new Co-Chair of the Racial Solidarity Committee
Submitted by WY Li.
Whereas Miguel D.'s term as co-chair of the Racial Solidarity Committee has ended and,
Whereas Ashley P. was voted to become the new co-chair in a committee election,
Therefore be it resolved that Ashley P. become Co-Chair of the Racial Solidarity Committee and Miguel D. no longer be co-chair.
Committee Reports
Committee Reports delivered by:
- Finance Report delivered by Sean M
- Recording Secretary’s Report delivered by Mark G
- Communications Secretary’s Report delivered by Rex LC and Frances R
- General Meetings Committee delivered by Maura M
- Racial Solidarity Committee delivered by Hasan A
- Political Education Committee delivered by Nick F
- Member Engagement Committee delivered by Andrew R
- Labor Committee delivered by Shane R
- Social Housing Campaign Committee delivered by Mark G on behalf of the committee
- 2020 Committee delivered by Will S
Following committee reports, there was a brief break.
New Business
The following resolution was motivated by Sean M.
[SC.2019.128] Motion to Fundraise and Reimburse East Bay YDSA Members’ Winter Conference Costs
Submitted by Sean M and Ari M.
Whereas The national YDSA Winter Conference will be held from February 14-16 in Chicago. The conference will be an incredible opportunity for young democratic socialists to meet their comrades from around the country, grow politically, and develop as organizers.
Whereas at least 6 and likely more local YDSA leaders would like to attend the conference.
Whereas no local YDSA members who are interested in attending are able to pay in full for their registration, travel, and incidental costs.
Whereas East Bay DSA is committed to supporting YDSA chapters locally.
Whereas the YDSA coordinator is working with a group of local YDSA members to plan a fundraiser to cover the cost of attendance for as many YDSA members locally as possible.
Therefore be it resolved that the Chapter authorize support for this fundraising drive of up to $5,000 to cover the registration, travel, and incidental costs associated with the 2020 YDSA Winter Conference.
Therefore be it further resolved that the Chapter authorize the Treasurer to use the funds raised and/or existing EBDSA funds to reimburse local YDSA members for the costs they incur and make purchases on behalf of YDSA members.
Therefore be it further resolved that excess funds be considered part of the EBDSA general fund.
The resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote in favor.
The following resolution was motivated by Nick F.
[SC.2019.129] Resolution to Make January 2020 GM a Voting Meeting
Submitted by Nick F, Endorsements Committee Chair.
Whereas East Bay DSA is not currently scheduled to have a voting General Membership Meeting in January;
Whereas the Endorsements Committee is currently producing a report on a potential endorsement of a candidate for a 2020 Oakland City Council race;
Whereas the candidate has made clear that they will not ultimately pursue a run without an EBDSA endorsement;
Whereas a January endorsement would allow the candidate to fully launch their campaign earlier, and alongside our large and energetic Bernie 2020 campaign;
Whereas holding a voting meeting in January would allow the Endorsements Committee to present their recommendation on the candidate at the meeting, and allow EBDSA members to debate and vote on an endorsement;
Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA change the non-voting All Member Meeting, currently scheduled for January 12, 2020, to a voting General Membership Meeting.
Therefore be it resolved that the deadline for submitting resolutions for the January voting meeting will be extended to December 29th.
After debate and amendment the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote in favor.
The Agenda was amended to move Office discussion to come before the Resolution to Endorse a Campaign Against School Closures and For Fully Funded Public Education.
Discussion of East Bay DSA Office Space
Abigail G-G introduced a discussion regarding progress on the rental of an office space for EBDSA. The landlords of the space under consideration have agreed to all the requests that the chapter made. There would be a 1 year lease of $1,500, with the additional cost for electrical and wifi utilities. If the lease is signed, the move in date could be as early as Dec 28th. Allie L and Sean M will lead a group to develop a proposal for rules and principles for the use of the office. A plan will be brought to the January SC meeting.
A vote was taken to approve rental of the office space. The vote PASSED by a unanimous vote.
Discussion of attendance at Voting General Meetings
Abigail GG introduced a discussion about declining membership at the past couple of General Membership Voting Meetings. Maura M will bring a request to the Meetings Committee to propose potential solutions, including phone banking.
Discussion about Red Rabbits group
There is an expectation that there will be a resolution brought to the Steering Committee about this project no later than the January meeting.
Following discussion, the Steering Committee entered executive session to discuss the following resolution:
[SC.2019.130] Resolution to Endorse a Campaign Against School Closures and For Fully Funded Public Education
Submitted by Shane R., Hillary C., Isaac H., Katie F., and Lawrence L.
Whereas East Bay DSA’s historic role in supporting the 2019 Oakland Education Association (OEA) strike helped to raise the expectations of thousands of teachers, parents, and students for a quality public education system serving all people regardless of residence or race,
Whereas the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) board, which has been bought by billionaires intent on dismantling and privatizing public education, is planning to close 24 public schools in predominantly black and brown neighborhoods within the next 5 years so that more charter schools can be opened,
Whereas charter schools do not serve students better than public schools, drain $57 million a year from OUSD public schools but are not democratically accountable, discriminate against special education students, often have harsh disciplinary codes, and perpetuate racial and class segregation in the school district,
Whereas four school board seats are up for re-election in November 2020, giving the community a chance to elect board members who will defend public education and vote against closures,
Whereas the Schools and Communities First Act, which would significantly increase state funding for education by taxing commercial property owners, is on the ballot in November 2020,
Whereas numerous other working class organizations including, but not limited to, Oakland Not for Sale (ONFS), OEA, Action 2020, Oakland Public Education Network (OPEN), and Black Organizing Project (BOP), are engaged in the fight for fully-funded, safe, quality public schools,
Whereas DSA can support and connect these groups around a plan to stop school closures that includes building a mass base of teachers and parents, along with backing the Schools and Communities First ballot initiative,
Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA will endorse a campaign Against School Closures and for Fully Funded Public Education within the Racial Solidarity Committee,
Therefore be it further resolved that the Racial Solidarity Committee will develop a platform for fully funded public schools, to offer a transformative vision for an education system free from austerity, racism, and police — one that can also speak to the needs and interests of families enrolled in charter schools — to be approved by the Steering Committee or General Membership,
Therefore be it further resolved that the campaign will pursue organizing strategies including: political education, labor action, direct action, and electoral mobilization,
Therefore be it further resolved that the Racial Solidarity Committee will seek strategic coalition partners such as other DSA Chapters, OEA and other labor groups, and that we will partner with organizations against school closures and privatization, pending approval of the Steering committee.
Following discussion and amendment, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10pm.
Addenda
[SC.2019.125] Resolution for Co-Sponsorship of December 7th Without Apology book launch panel with Jenny Brown event in Oakland and Howard Zinn Book Fair panel on December 8th
Submitted by Allie L.
On November 27, Abigail G-G called an email vote for the following resolution.
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, East Bay DSA is committed to fighting for Medicare for All with the full expansion of reproductive health care, including access to abortion,
Whereas, Jenny Brown is hosting a book launch in Oakland and will be in conversation with Meagan Day representing Jacobin and Allie L on December 7th, organized by Verso Books.
Whereas, Allie Lahey, East Bay DSA chapter leader is moderating a panel at the Howard Zinn Book Fair with Jenny Brown on December 8th titled “Abortion is our Right to Strike: The U.S. birth strike against the patriarchy and an app supporting global access to safe abortion information,”
Whereas, the organizers and an author of these events have requested East Bay DSA co-sponsorship to provide publicity for the events,
Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA will publicly co-sponsor the December 7th and 8th events with announcements about these events in our newsletter, meetings, social media, and events calendar.
Therefore be it further resolved, that Allie L may represent East Bay DSA’s viewpoints on reproductive health and Medicare for All as outlined within the priorities resolution.
The resolution PASSED by a vote of 9 in favor and none against.
[SC.2019.126] Resolution to endorse a flyer & event for the Dec 5 showing of Knock Down the House, hosted by GO Public Schools
at New Parkway theater
Submitted by Katie F, Dan E, Shula B, Hillary C, Lawrence L, and Jamie G.
On December 4, an email vote was called for the following resolution.
Whereas, GO Public schools, one of the primary drivers of charter schools and school privatization, is hosting a showing of Knock Down the House (KDTH) at the New Parkway on December 5th featuring some of DSA’s most prominent members,
Whereas, GO Public schools has been funding School Board candidates that support "The Blueprint Plan,” which restructures the district through school closures and mergers,
Whereas, Oakland is at risk of 24 public schools closing in the next five years and more charters opening (which perpetuate segregation and create non-union jobs) due to this plan,
Whereas, Rachel Lears, the director of KDTH, has written a letter protesting the showing of her film by GO Public schools (linked below), and Saru Jayaraman of Oakland Not For Sale (ONFS) plans to read the letter out loud in the theater before the movie begins,
Whereas, every political candidate featured in KDTH has endorsed Bernie Sanders for president and his Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public Education,
Whereas, rank-and-file teachers and members of the community are currently organizing districts against the school board in relation to the 2020 elections and to prevent the ongoing closure of Oakland schools,
Whereas, members of ONFS and other community members plan to flyer outside the theater before the film is shown,
Therefore be it resolved that members of EBDSA will participate in flyering before the film using the text in the attached flyer.
Be it further resolved that the outreach to those attending this event is meant to garner the enthusiasm sparked by watching KDTH and channel it into organizing for fully-funded public schools. We hope to help parents who have placed their children in charter schools understand the larger dynamics at play in public education, including the district’s systematic disinvestment in neighborhood schools, and present a vision of fully-funded public schools that serve all students.
After amendment, the resolution PASSED by a vote of 9 in favor and none against.