East Bay DSA 

Steering Committee Meeting

July 19th 2020

2-5 pm 

Chaired by: Matt S. and Allie L.

Convened at: 2:10pm

Notes by: AJ A.

Present at the meeting: 

Steering Committee: Will S., Carlos O., Lindsey M., Rex LC., Luci R., Katie F., Miguel B., Luke T., Benny Z., Annika B.

Members: Jen E., Miguel D., Avir W., Nick T., Joseph F., Mimi C., Michael K., Colin M., Ethan G., Nick L., Katty SS., Max M., Aaron H., Frances R., Laurence L., Ben G., Zach G. 

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Introductions / Opening Statements

Allie L. opened the meeting

Approval of the Agenda

The Agenda was approved. 

Miguel D. moved to have Schools and Community resolution to consent calendar.

Agenda was approved.

The Consent Calendar was approved

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Allie introduced the Consent Calendar, which was ADOPTED by general consent and included the following resolutions.

Consent Calendar

CONSENT AGENDA

{SC.2020.10}Proposal to solicit and publish member position statements on upcoming General Meeting proposals

Submitted by Craig J. and Frances R., Comms committee

Whereas debate is made more difficult by the constraints of Zoom voting meetings 

Whereas writing and sharing our ideas can help us sharpen our thinking, understand one 

another’s positions, have more productive and comradely debates, and come to better strategic decisions together

Whereas in past years the chapter successfully solicited and posted member position statements

Whereas our chapter publication Majority is an outward-facing outlet, and the chapter website already hosts member-facing content

Therefore be it resolved

members of the Comms committee will solicit position statements written in favor or opposed to upcoming General Meeting proposals from EBDSA members in good standing prior to the next voting meeting

Therefore be it further resolved

We will work with MeetCom, the newsletter team, etc, to widely share a google form/ form with clear guidelines for submitting statements on upcoming proposals

Therefore be it further resolved

Members of Comms committee will read the statements to ensure they’re germane and comradely, but not edit for content or grammar

Therefore be it further resolved

The statements will be hosted on the chapter website with members’ first names and last initial included

{SC.2020.11} Resolution Creating an ATU Campaign Working Group

Submitted by Nick T. and Bonnie L.

Whereas the East Bay DSA 2019 Priorities Resolution set priorities to provide strike support and build connections with rank & file workers from the racially-diverse East Bay working class, and to agitate for a Green New Deal, and

Whereas the East Bay DSA Steering Committee adopted, on Sept. 20, 2019, a Resolution for ATU 192 Strike Support Campaign, and

Whereas many members of our chapter, including members of the Green New Deal Committee, the Labor Committee and the Racial Solidarity Committee, engaged in the ATU strike support campaign, and

Whereas that campaign succeeded in building trusting relationships between many members of our chapter and leadership and rank-and-file members of Local 192 of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) over the period from its strike authorization vote in September 2019 through its ratification of a contract with AC Transit on May 13, 2020, and

Whereas the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic crisis threw public transit into a state of crisis, with ridership across the country plummeting by 70-95%, a significant rate of Coronavirus infection and death among essential transit workers, and massive cuts in service resulting from plummeting public revenues that place the future of public transportation as an institution at grave risk, and

Whereas AC Transit’s daily ridership has fallen by about 75%, from 175,000 to about 45,000, with most of its current riders being either essential workers or transit-dependent people who ride the bus to access the services of those workers, both groups that are disproportionately people of color, and

Whereas ATU Local 192’s members, and transit workers more generally, are a strategic sector of labor that is engaging in struggles across the U.S. to protect essential workers and riders, to protect peaceful protestors from police violence, and to oppose austerity and the mass layoff of public-sector workers, and

Whereas ATU Local 192 is fighting, among other things, to preserve fare-free rear-door boarding and to provide free masks to all riders, and has asked Jovanka Beckles to challenge the AC Transit board chair in the November 2020 election, and 

Whereas ATU Local 192 and its sister Bay Area Locals are actively engaged with East Bay DSA in a campaign to protect transit workers and riders, beginning with a demand to the region’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) in April that East Bay DSA endorsed in concert with Local 192 and three other ATU Locals, as well as the Alameda Labor Council, the Oakland Education Association, and Sunrise Bay Area, and

Whereas these organizations, the Richmond Progressive Alliance, and others are working together in the Voices for Public Transportation Coalition, in which members of East Bay DSA’s Green New Deal Committee have participated since its creation in October 2019, and 

Whereas ATU Local 192, and its sister Locals throughout California, with a total of 13,000 members, is working with the Voices Coalition to launch a statewide campaign to make transit safe for workers and riders, a campaign that includes a robust internal organizing program within each ATU Local to engage the participation and leadership of its rank and file, and

Whereas ATU has invited the participation of both East Bay DSA and Sunrise Bay Area in shaping and carrying out this campaign, and members of both organizations have participated in strategy meetings over the past month, and 

Whereas the Green New Deal Committee has formed a transit working group, the leaders of which have participated in the Voices coalition and helped support its fight with ATU to protect transit workers and riders,  

Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA hereby creates an ATU Campaign Working Group within the Green New Deal Committee, which will coordinate its activities closely with the Labor Committee, the Racial Solidarity Committee, and the Jovanka Beckles for AC Transit Board campaign committee, and

Be it further resolved, the political goals of the campaign will be as follows:

i. to support ATU in its struggles to make transit safe for workers and riders, to extend fare-free transit, to restore and expand transit service levels, and to win public funding to preserve transit from austerity cuts and layoffs; 

ii. to build relationships in struggle with rank-and-file ATU workers and support them to build militant power in their union; 

iii. to build relationships in struggle with other Voices coalition groups, including Sunrise Bay Area, RPA and other labor groups; and

iv. to connect the struggles of transit workers with the struggles of other sectors of the multiracial working class, including other public-sector labor struggles, the struggles of other essential workers and the unemployed, and the mass uprising for Black lives. 

Be it further resolved, East Bay DSA initially authorizes a budget of up to $500 for this campaign.

{SC.2020.12} Resolution to endorse Schools & Communities First for NPC and DSLC consideration

Submitted by Miguel D.

Whereas the East Bay Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (EBDSA) endorsed Schools & Communities First (SCF) unanimously in January 2020; and

Whereas SCF will appear as Proposition 15 (Prop. 15) on the California General Election ballot in November.

Therefore be it resolved that the Steering Committee of EBDSA request, on behalf of the membership, that:

the DSA National Political Committee (NPC) and the Democratic Socialist Labor Commission (DSLC) endorse SCF (Yes on 15);

the NPC and DSLC support SCF (Yes on 15) through social media;

the NPC write and publish a statement supporting SCF (Yes on 15);

the DSLC help California chapters connect with and network together unions state-wide.

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Discussion

Allie L. led a Political Discussion on what does an endorsement mean and what role should East Bay DSA play in the 2020 election? 

Readings:

Why I Voted Against Endorsing Cynthia Nixon

Building Power: A Rebuttal to the Case Against Nixon/Williams

The Case for Endorsing Cynthia Nixon and Jumaane Williams

The Means Not the Ends: For Endorsement

A Materialist Look at Elections: Against Endorsement 

• Annika an endorsement means devoting significant resources and ability for us to get on the ground floor.
• Rex endorsing early is key and making sure that its not just a rubber stamp.
• Allie: What separates us from chapters like SF and NY is that we have potential to endorse in multiple cities.
• Will: Need to build an independent workers party so that we have the ability to hold accountable and build a program. Upstate/Downstate NY, demand was NoRealEstate money and any candidates that didn’t sign on faced protest from groups.
• Luci: Facing daunting task of how do we get to voters in Covid times. Gave example of Jovanka’s campaign and house parties to get contact with voters, used example of doing zoom party.
• Katie: Role is to grow the power of the working class, and the electoral arm isn’t the only avenue to grow that power.
• Carlos: Echoed Katies sentiment that capital controls the state. If we do engage in elections, local politics should be given precedence.
• Miguel B: Right now resources are shifting, money resources dry up to due to covid so we rely heavily on volunteer hours. If we cant back up an endorsement with material support, what is the point of seeking the endorsement.
• Luke: The Nixon labor platform written by NYC DSA and that was a huge boon in getting plank of right to public sector workers to strike. 

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Reports

Finance report delivered by Lindsey M

• Roughly $16,000 in the bank
• Expanded phone banking operations. 
• Most expenses have been material support for direct actions (snacks, water, etc.). 
• Balance in the bank is healthy and average, and will be in very good spot for once we get national disbursement at the end of August. 

Recording Secretary’s report delivered by AJ A

• Nine Resolutions passed by email in our first three weeks in office.
•  Working to improve minutes so it contains helpful information. 

New Business

{SC.2020.13} Resolution to Outline Data and Resource Use Between the Jovanka Beckles for AC Transit Board Campaign and East Bay DSA

Submitted by Katy S.S., Nick R., and Lindsey M.

Whereas Jovanka Beckles was endorsed by EBDSA on July 12, 2020.

Whereas Katy S.S. and Nick R. are the campaign managers for the Jovanka Beckles for AC Transit Board 2020 Campaign (“Jovanka 2020 Campaign”), and Katy S.S. is an EBDSA Electoral Committee co-chair.

Whereas Lindsey M. is in the Jovanka 2020 Campaign team as the Data co-director, and is also an Electoral Committee co-chair, EBDSA Treasurer, and in the EBDSA Operations Committee.  

Whereas both the Jovanka 2020 Campaign and the EBDSA Electoral Committee co-chairs would like EBDSA to conduct a coordinated campaign, instead of an independent expenditure campaign.  

Whereas because there is overlap between the leaders within the Jovanka 2020 Campaign and the Electoral Committee co-chairs, and this will be a coordinated campaign, it is important to outline how EBDSA’s data and chapter resources will be used by the Jovanka 2020 Campaign.

Whereas EBDSA owns certain data it gathered during the coordinated campaign it conducted for Jovanka Beckles’ race for Assembly District 15 (“EBDSA 2018 Jovanka Data”).

Whereas the EBDSA 2018 Jovanka Data is the direct result of Jovanka’s 2018 run, and EBDSA would not own this data without its work on Jovanka’s 2018 run.

Whereas Jovanka’s 2020 Campaign cannot directly use the EBDSA 2018 Jovanka Data for turnout for events, donations, and positive ID’s without receiving a donation of the data from EBDSA.

Whereas Katy S.S., Nick R., and Lindsey M., would like to conduct the Data operations of the Jovanka Campaign in a principled way which accomplishes the mutual goals of the Jovanka 2020 Campaign and EBDSA.

Therefore be it resolved EBDSA shall donate as a non-monetary contribution the EBDSA 2018 Jovanka Data (data gathered as a direct result of prior canvassing for Jovanka) to the Jovanka 2020 Campaign.

Therefore be it resolved the Electoral Committee co-chairs shall be granted NationBuilder/data access for the purpose of sending communications (i.e. emails, phone calls, texts, event posts) to the EBDSA membership and other relevant contacts with proper rationale (i.e. targeting by issue interest) on a semi-regular basis, and shall exercise appropriate discretion as to the number of such communications to the EBDSA members.

Therefore be it resolved the Electoral Committee shall use the EBDSA social media accounts to campaign for Jovanka 2020 with discretion.

Therefore be it resolved the Jovanka 2020 Campaign shall use its own Zoom account for events, and shall not solely rely upon EBDSA’s Zoom account.

Therefore be it resolved the Jovanka 2020 Campaign shall pay for and use its own phone banking and text banking service, and shall not solely rely upon EBDSA’s phonebanking infrastructure.

Therefore be it resolved the Jovanka 2020 Campaign shall keep a separate campaign account, as required by law, and shall never commingle the finances between the Jovanka 2020 Campaign and EBDSA.

Jovanka Campaign Data/Resource Use Resolution

• Katy S.S. motivated the resolution. As Electoral Co-Chair, she wants to find balance between being that and Jovanka’s campaign manager. All of the data/positive ID’sidentifications are in our hands, and we should donate in kind to the campaign this information as there's no downside for us to donate it. No commingling of finances between chapter resources and Jovanka’s campaign. No expectation of chapter donation to campaign. Really the only material need from the campaign is the use of email to boost big events.
• Rex LC- What kind of work are we doing to get data back this election cycle back to the chapter?
• Katy SS - We can do a sign in for DSA members and campaign can donate at the end of election cycle
• Luci R- Can you speak to how we are building DSA from this campaign?
• Katy SS- Jovanka is a movement candidate and what that entails is we’ve been strategizing in the campaign on how to do this. Most of staff is DSA members. Jovanka’s very well connected (mentions Carroll Fife specifically) and this is great for us to build connections. This data could be used to help support DSA in future.
• Matt S. - This resolution avoids us setting precedent that we will transfer data. That the data directly came from a previous campaign with Jovanka is why we should make this donation and note that this is specific to Jovanka’s ATU Board campaign.

{SC.2020.14} Resolution to Adjust Monthly Funding for the Classroom Justice Campaign

Submitted by Lew

Whereas, the Classroom Justice Campaign is an active campaign within East Bay DSA, meeting several times a month and with several active projects;

Whereas, the campaign has a current monthly budget of $200,

Whereas, the campaign is releasing a bi-weekly coloring book with roughly a thousand copies in print every week,

Whereas, printing costs are being met but sometimes the funds are not enough to cover other additional costs,

Therefore be it resolved that the chapter shall increase the monthly budget of the Classroom Justice Campaign of Racial Solidarity Committee to $400.

Resolution to Adjust Monthly Funding for the Classroom Justice Campaign

• Lew motivated resolution. 1000-1200 copies each month of CRJ coloring book. Sometimes monthly stipend wasn’t enough and having to pay out of pocket for supplies. With a new budget they could get to 2k copies of the CRJ coloring book.
• Lindsey M. - With increase to 2k, is there a different mode to print to absorb cost (ie Bulk order)?
• AJ- What would increased budget specifically get us? And what are long term benefits?
• Lew- Increased budget gets more coloring books to parents. Currently making 1000-1200, could double capacity. 
• Luke T spoke against the resolution- Budget increase isn’t strategic use of our resources.
• Will S. spoke against the resolution- Not sure how this is getting us to deeper conversations with parents. Would like a write up to see efficacy before further funding.
• Katie F spoke for the resolution- Thanks to CRJ and work they’ve done. One thing OEA is struggling to do is control the narrative for bargaining. These coloring books are a good way for the Crisis Action/OEA team to communicate with parents to shape the narrative against what the district is advocating.
• Rex LC spoke for - It's a good way for DSA to stay active in school struggle and continue good ties and relationships with BOP and Defund OPD.
• Luci R amendment- “Be it therefore resolved...…..EBDSA will increase funding through September, to a total of $400.00 per month.”
• Amendment passes 12-1
• Vote passes 12-0

{SC.2020.15} Day School Resolution from the Political Education Committee

Submitted by Avir W and Miguel D

Whereas, the loss of in-person meetings has reduced the amount of intra-chapter discussion; and

Whereas, a desire for deeper analysis than is presented in the Night Schools has been continually expressed both to and among the Political Education Committee; and

Whereas, there is a necessity, considering the current uprising and failure of Bernie Sanders to achieve the Democratic Party nomination, to have in-depth discussions about the chapter’s strategy; and

Whereas, the Political Education Committee has voted to begin the planning of a two day event currently being called “Day School”;

Therefore, be it resolved that the East Bay DSA will host a two-day event on August 29th and 30th, 2020 for chapter membership to engage in critical discussion about theory and strategy.

Therefore, be it further resolved that the East Bay DSA Steering Committee will promote the Day School to the membership, and instruct chapter committees to do the same, with priority given to committee members.

Therefore, be it further resolved that the Day School shall be under the purview of and planned by the Political Education Committee.

Day School Resolution from the Political Education Committee

• Miguel D motivated the resolution
• Katie F- Will there be preference given to our members of color
• Miguel D- Haven't fully fleshed out registration but yes we can.
• Luke T spoke for space to debate deeper political questions missing in the chapter and that this is a good avenue for our chapter to do this at this time.
• Katie F proposed amendment- “Move ‘Strategies of change outside of elections — We should evaluate our electoral approach” to be the first item discussed on day 1 so we can have a conversation about all the ways socialists can make change (mass mvmt, unions, etc) before we zero in on how we engage in electoral work”
• Amendment passes 9-4 (yes- Carlos, Rex, Katie, Miguel, Luci, Allie, Luke, AJ; no- Will, Luke, Annika, Lindsey)
• Miguel D notes that bc the agenda isn’t fully set that the proposed amendment will be considered and prioritized
• Resolution Passes 11-0

{SC.2020.16} West Contra Costa EBDSA Action Team Resolution

Submitted by Luci R

Whereas East Bay DSA has endorsed Team Richmond and Jovanka Beckles for Transit Authority campaigns. 

And whereas East Bay DSA is actively growing our reach outside Oakland and Berkeley.

Therefore be it resolved: EBDSA will direct a Working group of the MEC and the SC to make calls to National DSA members and all contacts the chapter has in West Contra Costa County who have not joined our local chapter, in an effort to organize a local West County DSA Action Team. This Action Team would support our electoral strategy in our endorsed races for Team Richmond and Jovanka Beckles For TA in District 1.

Be it further resolved, that Luci R will be the point person of this team, and will report to the MEC. West Contra Costa County Action team will identify leaders to create future permanent organizing structures for DSA in West Costa Contra County. 

Be it further resolved that the West Contra Costa County Action team will put on Intro to DSA events and socials for West Contra Costa County members, and do 1:1’s with West Contra Costa members

West Contra Costa EBDSA Action Team Resolution

• Luci R motivated the resolution.
• Annika B proposed amendment
• Rex LC - The Action Team should report to the steering committee. Membership task to MEC, and political question should come to Steering committee.
• Rex’s amendment passes 10-0
• Annika’s amendment passes 11-0
• Lindsey M - What is the timeline of implementation and coordinating with electoral campaigns happening now?
• Luci R - Needs 15 paper members to plug in to the campaign and she is golden. Long term goal is integration of RPA facilities for DSA use and for us to be able to have a seat at the RPA table.
• Vote passes 12-0

{SC.2020.17} Proposal on a Labor Census Implementation Plan

Submitted by Aaron H.

Whereas, the Steering Committee heard and passed the proposal, “Recommendation to the Steering Committee to Form a Labor Census Working Group,” at its May meeting and directed the Labor Census Working Group (LCWG) to submit a proposal for an implementation plan back to it once drafted; and

Whereas, the LCWG drafted a Labor Census Implementation Plan and reviewed it with the Labor Committee as a whole which voiced its approval of the Plan.

Therefore be it resolved that the Steering Committee approves the Labor Census Implementation Plan.

Proposal on a Labor Census Implementation Plan

• Aaron H motivated the resolution
• Benny Z - Is this surveying every DSA member or just members in unions?
• Aaron H- Strive to get as many members to fill this out.
• Benny Z - Consider ways to organize folks we are making these calls to
• Allie L speaking for- Additional data to consider taking as a chapter for future organizing efforts.
• Resolution passes 10-0

Convention plan and reviewing the preamble to the PR 

• Will provided an update on the convention planning process and roles needed.
• Luke T motivated the preamble as constituted 
• Katie F motivated for her proposal to cut the 3rd paragraph
• Moved to general debate “Committee of the Whole”
• Matt S- motivated for keeping as is, it is the SC’s job to provide political lens
• Allie L- The preamble should be overly broad to reflect multiple tendencies within the chapter
• Annika- Agrees with Matt, this preamble gives us a basic framework to hang other resolutions on.
• Rex- the part that could hang people up is the language re: Independent Workers party
• Vote to approve Katie’s Amendment to strike third paragraph- Tie Vote (6-6- Yes- AJ, Carlos, Katie, Benny, Allie, Rex; No- Luke, Lindsey, Luci, Miguel, Annika, Matt), Will who is chairing broke the tie in favor to NOT pass the amendment.

5 min break 

SC Expectations setting

• Discussion on community guidelines and basic expectations in engagement between members. When to use email vs chat etc.
• Intentional utilization for 1-1’s for informational purposes to not take up as much discussion during Q&A for instance of actual debate.
• If voting no its important to bring this up before ending debate and that its worth bringing up why we disagree.
• Role of elected officials, we should serve as stewards of the general membership. The question we should ask ourselves is does this forward the goals of our chapter and is this something members would want to work on?

The meeting went into executive session

Adjournment

After a motion to extend time in executive session, the meeting was adjourned at 5:27