East Bay DSA 

Steering Committee Meeting 

August 16th 2020

2-5 pm 

Zoom link

Chaired by: Matt S., Allie L., & Will S.

Called to order at: 2:08pm by Will S.

Notes by: AJ

Present at the meeting: Annika B, Rex LC, Luci R., Katie F., Carlos O., Luke T., Lindsey M., Benny Z., Miguel B.

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Introductions / Opening Statements

Will S. opened the meeting

Approval of the Agenda

The Agenda and Consent Calendar was approved with unanimous consent.

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Will S. introduced the Consent Calendar, which was ADOPTED by general consent and included the following resolution.

Consent Calendar

Resolution to Endorse the Youth Protect the Bay “Protects Her” Student March Against Sexual Assault & for Black Lives 

Submitted by Katie F. and AJ A.

Whereas East Bay DSA is committed to organize for an end to racial capitalism, sexism, and all other interlocking oppressions, 

Whereas Youth Protect the Bay, a group of young Black and brown women in East Bay high schools, is organizing “Protects Her,” on Saturday, August 29th at 3pm, a peaceful march and rally from Oakland Tech High School to Berkeley High School to raise awareness about the sexual assault happening in Bay Area schools,

Whereas this event is focused on linking local sexual assault issues with intersectional feminism and the broader Black Lives Matter movement, 

Whereas members Katie F., and AJ A. as well as others in the chapter will be attending and supporting the student organizers in planning the event, 

Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA endorses the Youth Protect the Bay “Protects Her” Student March Against Sexual Assault and for Black Lives on August 29, 2020, 

Therefore be it further resolved, East Bay DSA will support student organizers with the following: 

• Facebook event
• Publicize the event on our events calendar & social media 
• Outreach to yDSA chapters, Sunrise, Oakland Education Association, and Berkeley Federation of Teachers
• Remote safety support 
• Art & banner
• Hand sanitizer & water
• Medics 
• Snacks and water, PPE 

Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA will connect interested members (including by posting an RSVP form on the chapter event) with members Katie F., and AJ A., as point people for East Bay DSA members to gather for the event, and coordinate with chapter leadership as needed. 

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Will S. introduced the committee reports.

Reports

1. Finance report delivered by Lindsey M

• National Dues Share quarterly disbursement increased this quarter by over $1000
• About $15,000 in the bank
• 126 Monthly dues paying members

1. Recording Secretary’s report delivered by AJ A.

• 7 resolutions passed since the last Steering Committee meeting (see Addenda at the bottom)

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New Business

Resolution to Oppose Proposition 22

Submitted by Amanda B., Catherine C., Bill B., Aaron H., Molly S., Jess B., Sam T., Susan S., Michael K., Andrea M., Shane R., Brendan K., Joe B.  

Whereas, app-based companies such as Uber, Lyft, and Postmates whose business models depend on the illegal misclassification of drivers, shoppers, and couriers claim to be new and special exceptions to workers' rights laws; and

Whereas, California has made it clear that these companies are not exempt from workers’ rights laws with the passage of Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) which classifies rideshare and app-based drivers as employees rather than independent contractors; and

Whereas, app-based companies have refused to follow AB5, continue to classify drivers as independent contractors, and deny app-based workers the rights of employees, including minimum wage, benefits like paid sick leave, and access to workers compensation, overtime pay and the right to form a union; and

Whereas, the California Attorney General, District Attorneys of San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, and the California Public Utilities Commission have filed lawsuits, injunctions, and decisions against app-based companies, all on the basis that these companies illegally misclassify app-based drivers as independent contractors; and

Whereas, Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, Instacart and Postmates have spent $110 million dollars to pass Proposition 22 in November, which would carve app-based companies out of AB5, set a minimum wage that could lose drivers hundreds of dollars per week by not counting time waiting for rides, strip drivers of rights to overtime pay, paid family leave, sick days, affordable health insurance, and forming a union, and could only be amended by a vote of a 87.5% of the state legislature; and

Whereas, across California, thousands of app-based drivers are organizing with unions including SEIU 1021, SEIU 721, the Teamsters, Transport Workers Union, and community groups to fight for their rights as employees and to defeat Proposition 22, including taking militant action at the CEO of Uber’s home; and

Whereas, defeating Proposition 22 has been deemed a priority of the California Federation of Labor which is made up of more than 1,200 unions, representing 2.1 million union members; and

Whereas the Bay Area Labor Councils, specifically the Alameda Labor Council, which represents roughly 150,000 union members, is engaging in a campaign against Proposition 22.

Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA endorses No on Proposition 22 and will campaign to defeat Proposition 22 in the November election as an electoral priority; and be it further

Resolved, that EBDSA will publicly oppose Proposition 22 through posts on social media and emails to members and the public, and will amplify driver organizing groups in the East Bay including We Drive Progress (SEIU 1021) and Rideshare Drivers United (Transport Workers Union); and be it further

Resolved, that EBDSA will include voting no on Proposition 22 in its GOTV program this fall leading up to the November election.

Mekela A.E. motivated the resolution which was followed by a question period. 

Luci- What would DSA action look like? What is expected?

Amanda- Looking for public support, assistance with phone/text bank support like with normal GOTV work, potentially supplies/mutual aid.

Aaron H. - Could easily fold into prop 15 work in the labor committee (phone/text bank operations). Alameda Labor Council bundling Yes on Prop 15, No on Prop 22.

Rex LC - What level of involvement would rideshare organizers have with DSA?

Amanda- Have drivers involved in communications campaigns to combat propaganda from rideshare companies, for instance Lyft took out an ad on their website.

Katie F. - Could get Majority involved 

Following questions there was no dissent argument so moved to a vote and was PASSED unanimously (12-0).

Resolution on Updated Special Protocols for Zoom Voting Meetings: September 2020 

Submitted by Allie L, Matt S and Will S

Whereas East Bay DSA has hosted two General Meetings, 

Whereas we have learned lessons from hosting these meetings and have gathered experience and data, 

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA adopts the updated Special Protocols and Rules below for its 2020 East Bay DSA Convention to be voted on by the general body before meetings.

1. Resolutions: Per our normal General Meeting protocols, an agenda with all relevant resolutions will be circulated to membership at least two weeks in advance of the meeting. 

1. Motivation and Q&A: Each resolution will be motivated by one of its drafters, and there will be a short time agendized for clarifying questions and answers.

1. Motions: Procedural motions will be taken through the Zoom chat box. Motions must be clearly stated in the chat box in order to be recognized by the chairs (e.g. “Motion to call the question” or “motion to amend”). Motions to amend must have typed language ready in order for the motion to come to the floor. Motions must be seconded by another member stating “second” in the chat box to move to debate.

1. Debate: Stack for debate will be taken in the chat box as well. Members should clearly state if they intend to speak for or against the motion (e.g. “Stack in favor of the motion”). Speakers will be given 90 seconds to speak on the resolution or motion on the floor.
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3. Amendments: Amendments must be submitted by the August 26th deadline at the latest to be considered for the agenda. The Convention Organizing Working Group will agendize as many amendments as feasible. In the event of too many amendments being submitted, the COWG will prioritize agendizing amendments based on political substantiveness and minimal redundancy. There will be no floor amendments (or amendments to amendments) allowed during the meeting.

1. Consent Agenda: The Convention will vote on a Consent Agenda to pass priorities proposals with strong support based on the Consent Agenda straw poll circulated to the Chapter Membership. The Consent Agenda will be passed by a simple majority. Members will not be allowed to pull items from the Consent Agenda from the floor.

1. Chat Box: During floor debate, the chat box may only be used for procedural motions and stack. The chat box may not be used for debate points, comments/questions, or other conversation during debate.

1. Voting: Members must be present in the meeting to vote, and no proxy votes will be allowed. Votes will be conducted by Zoom poll, and only members will be granted the Zoom link in order to ensure voting is restricted to members.
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3. Expulsion: If a member consistently does not follow the special protocols and/or code of conduct, harasses the Chairs or other members, or otherwise is disruptive during the meeting, they may be removed from the Zoom meeting, per the Chairs’ discretion. Members will receive at least 1 warning before being removed from the meeting.

1. Styles Committee: After the Convention, the Convention Organizing Working Group will serve as a Styles Committee to standardize language across the different proposals that passed and finalize the language of our Chapter’s 2020-2021 Priorities Resolution. The Steering Committee will vote to ratify the final language of the Priorities Resolution.

Allie L. motivated the proposal, which was followed by a question period.

Benny Z. - Do direct messages cause disruption to the scale as if it was an in person meeting?

Allie L. - It can be extremely disruptive while chairing a meeting if being messaged persistently through direct message.

Rex LC - We need to find a way to implement progressive stack to allow for other voices instead of just the first person to queue in the stack. Need to implement at the outset of meetings Community Guidelines. 

Following the question period there were arguments made for and against.

Benny Z. spoke AGAINST: We should figure out a more fluid way to have motions on the floor to encourage and facilitate debate.

Matt S. spoke FOR: Good exercise for us to revisit these guidelines every month as we are learning lessons each General Meeting we have. Having spoke with other location DSA Leaders our rules actually allow for more latitude in process of debate for voting, and for the convention members will have a week to submit amendments to priorities resolution to allow for that debate on the floor

Luke T. spoke FOR: Due to us having zoom meetings there are much more constraints in the way we conduct versus having in person meetings and that happens at the expense of democratic procedure to keep meetings fluid and productive.

Katie F, spoke AGAINST: We should allow floor amendments to let members process the debate happening. This is an accessibility issue as some members may not have the ability to go through every priority resolution (PR’s) to propose amendments . It is more work for the chairs, but we need to do the hard work to allow us to have a more robust democratic procedure.

Annika B. spoke FOR: Week long time between PR’s gives members enough time to process.

Matt S. clarified that with a ⅔ majority members can vote to suspend the rules if needed in a particular instance.

Resolution was called to question, debate was ended and was voted on:

Yes (6): Annika B., Lindsey M., Luci R., Luke T., Matt S., Allie L.

No (4): Katie F., Benny Z., Carlos O., AJ A.

Abstain (1): Rex LC

Not Present: Miguel B.

The Resolution PASSES.

Matt S. is now chairing the meeting.

Miguel B. Joined the meeting.

Resolution to Provide Mutual Aid for Power Shut Offs and Wildfire Smoke

Authored by: Nick L, Hillary C, Max M, Lucas M

Co-signers: Neha Chheda, Susan S, Jeremy Y, Michael K, 

Resolution Date: July 7, 2020 

Resolution Expiration: December 21, 2020

Whereas California wildfires and their associated haze and smell are a visceral opportunity to politicize the climate crisis for a broad cross section of working class residents in the East Bay. By protecting people’s material well-being we can demonstrate that We Keep Us Safe and agitate around decommodification of survival; 

Whereas COVID-19 has limited opportunities for in person outreach, provision of tangible, health-preserving items produced with member labor offers a way to canvass in an appealing way;

Whereas the EBDSA Green New Deal Committee (Committee) has passed the Lets Own PG&E Strategic Plan, which sets forth planning around mutual aid canvassing in case of power shut offs and Organized direct action and messaging as Committee priorities;

Whereas member care is an important growth strategy for EBDSA, and will develop trust and community within our organization;

Whereas Wildfire smoke is mostly made up of particles less than 1 micrometer. This kind of air pollution is called PM2.5 and it causes a range of poor health effects. Filti Face Mask Material has been evaluated by Michigan Mask Response and found to filter 95% of PM2.5, functioning similarly to an N95 mask if properly fashioned into a mask. 

Whereas The Common Humanity Collective has just under 70 people now working in the east bay to produce COVID masks at a cost of $0.31 per unit. They have a detailed publicly available process. We can adapt this process to make smoke masks at a cost of $0.70-1.00 per unit.

Whereas coalition partners and other bay-area DSA chapters have shown enthusiasm for providing mutual aid in response to power shut offs and wildfire smoke;

Therefore, be it resolved that the GND Committee shall create a PGE canvassing document using these DSA SF talking points, material from this EBDSA GNDC presentation, and other resources;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the GND Committee shall organize to work with The Utility Reform Network (TURN) to provide mutual aid to East Bay residents who have had their power shutoff for inability to pay. This requires the following Committee & Chapter resources:

1. $150 for 20-30 emergency kits (including mini first aid kit, candles, batteries, hand sanitizer) for people whose power has been shutoff for inability to pay;
2. Flyer design and printing in order to let people know they can contact DSA if they’ve had their power shutoff;
3. A text-message system to receive requests for help with power shutoffs;
4. A table, masks, and gloves for COVID-19-safe in-person meetings at BART-accessible outdoor locations;
5. Ongoing and regular commitment from members of the Committee to coordinate in-person meetings for getting power turned back on.

Therefore be it further resolved, that the GND Committee shall organize a wildfire smoke (particulate) mask-making operation to make masks substantially similar to the performance of N95 masks to provide to East Bay residents and new EBDSA members in particular, which will require the following Committee & Chapter resources:

1. $500 for raw materials and tools for ~350-400 masks. This includes elastic, shop towels, filter materials, heavy duty staplers and paper cutters;
2. Two tables, masks, and gloves for COVID-19-safe in-person meetings at outdoor locations;
3. Ongoing and regular commitment from members of the Committee to coordinate mask builds and/or assembly and distribution of mask kits;

Therefore be it further resolved that if excitement and engagement grows within the Committee and this becomes an ongoing project, the committee shall have the ability to fundraise through official chapter channels. The goal will be up to $5,000 and any remainder shall go to the GND Committee budget.

Max M. motivated the resolution. There were no questions so the floor was opened to debate.

Will S. spoke AGAINST: Resolution doesn’t put us into direct contact with, or empower the working class. Resolution comes from a good place but misses class lines.

Katie F. spoke FOR: Confrontation against capital comes directly from the communities getting Something like building masks helps build community which empowers the community to be in direct conflict with capital.

Luci R. spoke FOR: This is about messaging and optics. We need to be able to provide support and mutual aid when people have material needs and when we meet those needs we can build our support in communities and chapter.

Allie L. spoke FOR: Important we have ready a PG&E response especially during fire season which is an opportunity for us to provide when our engagement methods are limited due to Covid crisis.

Rex LC spoke FOR: Important to figure out how we can fold this into already existing campaigns to maximize our effectiveness. We are seeing a lot of self organizing due to minimal or inadequate response from local/state governments. DSA SF earned a ton of positive media from their same related efforts in this regard last year.

Luke T. spoke AGAINST: Important to not frame this as a recruitment campaign because in general that’s not an effective method and can be viewed as paternalistic.

The resolution was called to question ending debate, and was voted on.

Yes (7): Carlos O., Benny Z., Katie F., Rex LC, Luci R., AJ A. Allie L.

No (5): Will S., Lindsey M., Miguel B., Luke T., Annika B.

The resolution PASSES.

Resolution for a Prop 15 Statewide Day of Action

Submitted by Aaron H.

Whereas eight California DSA chapters have endorsed Proposition 15, including East Bay DSA, with several more about to endorse the measure, and the chapters are working, through their labor formations, on a joint Day of Action on September 7 to build public awareness of the need to pass the measure; and

Whereas part of the day’s activities will include human billboarding at busy intersections and banner drops on freeway overpasses; and 

Whereas common branding of the effort will require printing ten banners for use by chapters across the state; and

Whereas only a few of the chapters, including EBDSA, have substantial resources to pay for the printing at a union printshop; and 

Whereas the intent is to provide visuals for use in social media amplification of the message, as well as attracting mainstream news media attention.

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA authorizes the Labor Committee to spend up to $600 to support the printing of the banners for use during the Day of Action and for the remainder of the campaign.

Aaron H. motivated the resolution.

There were no questions, so resolution was moved to vote.

The resolution was PASSED by unanimous vote.

Cihan motivated the Green New Deal position paper.

Allie voted to move into executive session to discuss the HGO protocol.

The Vote was unanimous and the meeting moved in to executive session.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:27pm

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The meeting adjourned at: 3:27pm