Steering Committee Minutes: January 19, 2020

East Bay DSA, Steering Committee Meeting, January 19, 2020, 2pm-5pm

Introduction and approval of the agenda

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

Committee chairs Kelsey W, Andrew R, Jess W, and Hasan A were also in attendance.

Following opening statements, the agenda was approved.

Consent Calendar

The consent calendar was ADOPTED by general Consent and included the following resolutions:

[SC.2020.2] Proposal for Labor Reading Group Funding for Red State Revolt

Submitted by Aaron H and Shane R.

Whereas, a primary area of organizing for the Chapter’s priority work in labor is to “educate East Bay DSA members and the broader public on the labor movement;”

Whereas, a primary area of organizing for the Chapter’s priority work in labor is to “support and develop meaningful relationships with workplace leaders and rank-and-file activists both inside and outside of East Bay DSA;”

Whereas, the Labor Committee voted at its January 7th, 2020 meeting to put on its next Labor Reading Group in which Red State Revolt by Eric Blanc would be read;

Whereas, through the Labor Reading Group, the Labor Committee has the opportunity to form new connections and expand its network of workers and unionists;

Whereas, through the Labor Reading Group, the Labor Committee can continue to educate East Bay DSA members on the importance of the labor movement; therefore be it

Therefore be it resolved, that the Steering Committee allocate $500 to the Labor Committee to purchase (30) thirty copies of Red State Revolt by Eric Blanc to be distributed for a suggested donation to participants of the Labor Reading Group and for any necessary promotional literature as deemed such by the co-chairs of the Labor Committee.

[SC.2020.3] Recommendation to Support the 2020 Bay Area Labor Notes Conference Scholarship Fundraiser and the 2020 Labor Notes Conference

Submitted by Aaron H and Shane R.

Whereas, the biennial Labor Notes Conference brings together over 3,000 union members, officials, and worker activists from across North America for over 150 interactive workshops, meetings, and trainings on skills essential for workplace organizing such as grievance handling, 1-on-1 organizing, bargaining, and building contract campaigns;

Whereas, the Labor Notes Conference will take place this year in Chicago from April 17th through April 19th;

Whereas, some organizations and workers do not have the resources to send people to the conference on their own;

Whereas, Labor Notes has set up a scholarship fund to assist with this;

Whereas, many union activists, staffers, officials, and retirees from a wide range of unions in the Bay Area are organizing to throw a fundraiser on February 22nd, 2020, for this scholarship fund at Omni Commons, 4799 Shattuck Ave, Oakland, CA so that as many people from as many different unions and labor organizations can attend;

Whereas, any organization committing to donating a minimum of $250 to the scholarship fund will be listed on all promotional material in the Bay Area;

Whereas, EDSA donated to the 2018 Bay Area scholarship fund;

Whereas, the Labor Committee voted to support the 2020 Bay Area Labor Notes Conference Scholarship Fundraiser and the 2020 Labor Notes Conference, and promote both to Committee members and affiliates at its January 7th, 2020 meeting;

Therefore, the Labor Committee recommends that adoption of the following resolutions by the Steering Committee:

Be it resolved, that the ECDSA endorse the 2020 Bay Area Labor Notes Conference Scholarship Fundraiser and shall donate a minimum of $250 dollars to the Labor Notes scholarship fund and assist, as it has capacity and as may be requested by the Labor Committee or its official representatives, with promotion of both the Scholarship Fundraiser as well as the Conference itself; and, be it further

Resolved, that EBDSA invite its members to attend, celebrate, and party at the 2020 Bay Area Labor Notes Conference Scholarship Fundraiser on February 22nd, 7pm at the Omni Commons located at 4799 Shattuck Ave, Oakland, CA.

[SC.2020.4] Resolution to Support Class Struggle Austin DSA Candidate, Heidi Sloan

Submitted by Abigail G-G and Keith BB.

Whereas, Austin DSA candidate Heidi Sloan is running a truly ground-breaking class-struggle campaign for US Congress in Texas 25th Congressional District, and is in a competitive primary that takes place on March 3rd.

Whereas, in Austin DSA Heidi led the pressure campaign to get Representative Lloyd Doggett to endorse Medicare For All, was a major leader in the decriminalization of homelessness in Austin, the passage of a citywide affordable housing bond, and Austin’s paid sick days ordinance and she was endorsed by DSA nationally last month.

Whereas, Heidi’s platform includes decriminalizing sex work, a national labor union strike fund, abolishing ICE, nation-wide rent control, a Medicare For All that includes coverage for gender-affirming treatment, free childcare for all, just to name a few.

Whereas, with these policy positions, her campaign is raising the expectations of working-class and marginalized Texans.

Whereas, raising money is particularly challenging for socialist candidates, because they don’t accept money from billionaires or corporations and most typical Democratic establishment donor types won’t donate to socialists.

Therefore be it resolved, that the East Bay DSA send an email to our membership asking them to contribute to Heidi’s campaign, using this sample template.

Therefore be it further resolved, that East Bay DSA encourage members to donate to Heidi’s campaign on our chapter social media and invite members to follow Heidi’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages and sign up for Heidi’s email list.

[SC.2020.5] Resolution to Host Joint Bernie Canvasses and Events with Coalition Partners

Submitted by Will S.

Whereas the Bernie 2020 campaign has galvanized massives sections of the US left, including many leftist organizations and unions such as NNU and UTLA;

Whereas East Bay DSA's 2020 Campaign plan states coalition building as one of our goals, more specifically to " allow us a space to build lasting relationships with rank-and-file union members and diverse working people seeking political ideas and long-term organization";

Whereas several groups have already reached out to the 2020 Committee about hosting joint canvasses;

Therefore be it resolved that the 2020 Committee will reach out to and attempt to host joint canvasses and events with our existing coalition partners (namely CNA, BTU, ACCE, RPA, Sunrise, ATU, OEA and others).

[SC.2020.6] Resolution to Fund Winter 2020 Session of Socialist Night School

Submitted by Nick F on behalf of the Political Education Committee.

Whereas political education is a priority of East Bay DSA, as expressed in the Priorities Resolution adopted by our membership at our 2019 Chapter Convention;

Whereas the Socialist Night School program has been an important entry point for new DSA members and a means for already active members to further their political education;

Whereas the Political Education Committee has planned and begun hosting Winter 2020 Session of Socialist Night School;

Whereas East Bay Community Space is willing to let us continue hosting the Socialist Night School in their space at our regular time on the first and third Tuesday of each month, for a fee of $225 per event and a rolling security deposit of $150 per event;

Therefore be it resolved that Nick F. be reimbursed in the amount of $1650, to cover the cost of renting East Bay Community Space for six sessions of Socialist Night School in January, February, and March 2020

Therefore be it further resolved that, in the event that the Political Education Committee cancels a Night School or decides to hold the event elsewhere, Nick F. shall return any unused funds to East Bay DSA.

[SC.2020.7] Resolution to Appoint New Co-Chairs of Political Education Committee

Submitted by Nick F on behalf of the Political Education Committee.

Whereas the Political Education Committee (“the Committee”) recently lost both of its co-chairs;

Whereas the Committee voted unanimously at its meeting on Jan. 4, 2020 to elect Meagan D., Avir W., and Nick F. to serve as co-chairs of the Committee;

Whereas Nick F., who recently held the co-chair role for a one-year term, plans to step down at the end of February 2020 after on-boarding Meagan D. and Avir W. into the role;

Whereas Meagan D. and Avir W. have both been active and committed members of the Committee and have played an instrumental role in planning past Socialist Night Schools;

Therefore be it resolved that Nick F., Meagan D., and Avir W. be appointed co-chairs of the Committee;

Therefore be it further resolved that Nick F.’s term as co-chair shall expire on Feb. 29, 2020.

[SC.2020.8] Resolution to Make Molly A. 2020 Committee Co-chair

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

Whereas Matt S. and Jeremy G. are stepping away from their roles as co-chairs of the 2020 committee;

Whereas Molly A. has been crucial to the committee, co-leading the big canvassing team and planning large parts of our Get Out the Vote strategy;

Whereas the 2020 Committee has voted to make Molly A. co-chair as Matt S. and Jeremy G. step down;

Therefore be it resolved that Molly A. and Will S. are the co-chairs of the 2020 committee.

**[SC.2020.9] Resolution for Majority to host an event with author Dan Denvir in April**

Submitted by Frances R, Nick F, and Allie L from EBDSA Comms Committee.

Whereas we would like our chapter publication Majority to have a larger profile in the East Bay

Whereas socialist journalist Dan Denvir will be touring with his new book All-American Nativism this spring

Whereas Denvir has 23,000 Twitter followers and a popular socialist podcast, the Dig

Whereas Denvir’s forthcoming Verso book, All-American Nativism argues,

“issues as diverse as austerity economics, free trade, mass incarceration, the drug war, the contours of the post 9/11 security state, and, yes, Donald Trump and the Alt-Right movement are united by the ideology of nativism, which binds together assorted anxieties and concerns into a ruthless political project.

All-American Nativism provides a powerful and impressively researched account of the long but often forgotten history that gave us Donald Trump.”

Whereas exploring the deeper political history of American xenophobia, which Trump is a symptom, is a critical task for socialists and progressives

Therefore be it resolved, Majority will host a book talk with Denvir on April 29, location tbd.

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
Operations Committee was delivered by Sean M
General Meetings Committee was delivered Maura M
Member Engagement Committee report delivered by Andrew R
Labor Committee report delivered by Shane R
Social Housing Committee report delivered by Kelsey W
2020 Committee report delivered by Will S
Political Education Committee report delivered by Meagan D
Chairs update was delivered by Keith BB regarding the format and future of committee reports
Racial Solidarity Committee report was delivered by Shane R
Office report delivered by Allie L

Hannah E recused herself from the 2020 Committee report.

Following the Committee Reports, there was a quick break before moving to New Business.

New Business

Maura M motivated the following resolution.

[SC.2020.10] Resolution to Form the East Bay DSA Red Rabbits Safety Team as a Working Group of the Meetings Committee

Submitted by Nadia R, Hillary C, Brian A, and Lawrence L.

Whereas, the Meetings Committee has been exploring what safety and infosecurity means for our EBDSA and has put on some trainings around such topics since August 2019

Whereas, the National DSA pass Resolution #80 at their National Convention and EBDSA will participate in that work

Whereas, there has been a request from Chapter for Meeting Marshals in the past.

Whereas, DSA’s successes in building power have come at a cost - we have become a target for right-wing, white supremacist, capatilist agitators, and misogynist violence. Members of EBDSA have been doxxed, harassed, attacked and disrupted by hostile actors.

Whereas, conducting demonstrations comes with risks as well. Law enforcement and non-state right-wing groups consistently attempt to disrupt our efforts to mobilize. At actions when our coalitions are not united, strategic and disciplined, our actions suffer.

Whereas, in response to these threats, Meetings Committee has begun to think about marshalling and infosec, with the support of national trainings. Many of these teams go by the name of “Red Rabbits” teams.

Whereas, there is a National DSA is attempting to formalize, a consistent, large-scale or structured security program for all of DSA.

Therefore be it resolved, that the Red Rabbits be comprised of 2 Co-leads, 2 Ops-Leads, 1 National Red Rabbits Liaison. These leaders shall be approved by the East Bay DSA Steering Committee.

Therefore be it further resolved, that the EBDSA Red Rabbits have leadership requirements that at a minimum, half of the seats be occupied by non-cis white male-identifying individuals.

Therefore be it further resolved, that the Steering Committee will asses the approval of Red Rabbits members based on:

are they a DSA member and for how long
their roles within the chapter
associations with other organizations, are these currently or in the past
2 references from members in good standing
have they volunteered with Meetings Committee for at least 2 months in a row
are there or have there ever been grievances filed against such member.

Therefore be it further resolved, that members are allowed Interim Membership and that Membership be closed and reviewed democratically by the Red Rabbits and EBDSA Steering Committee. The East Bay Red Rabbits aspire to a higher standard of behavior than general membership and as such intend to develop a more rigorous code of conduct with the help of Steering Committee.

Therefore be it further resolved, that the East Bay DSA create a Red Rabbits Team that will offer training to our members in marshalling, meeting security, and infosecurity. The Red Rabbits will create best practices in coordination with National Red Rabbits to be available to members.

Therefore be it further resolved, that the working group take on the task of safety in general meetings. The Red Rabbits can provide help at other events by request of other committees and the Steering Committee and will only intervene at the request of the appropriate chair. The roles include door greeters, ushers, de-escalators and emergency callers.

Therefore be it further resolved, that members can be censured, suspended, or expelled from the committee if they are found to be in violation of the EBDSA code of conduct or in accordance with the formal chapter grievance process.

Therefore be it further resolved, that the Steering Committee and the East Bay DSA Red Rabbits will review the activity of this group in 6 months time from the adoption of this resolution.

The resolution was amended and TABLED, with the intent of referring it to a group of SC members and drafters to improve the proposal.

Sean M motivated the following resolution.

[SC.2020.11] Elections Rules Recommendations

Submitted by Sean M, Mark G, and Maura M.

Whereas elections benefit from voting methods that are easily understood by members, easy to implement, and produce results that people can have confidence in, and meet democratic objectives.

Whereas the structure and composition of East Bay DSA may change over time and we should be able to develop elections rules that support our organization as it evolves.

Whereas the Steering Committee created a working group in June 2019 to address issues that arose in the 2019 National Convention Delegates election and to inform the selection of voting methods for future chapter elections.

Therefore be it resolved the Working Group’s recommendations are adopted by the Steering Committee to inform future elections.

The resolution was TABLED to allow time for the Steering Committee to provide commentary by Friday January 24 and then vote by email.

The following resolution was motivated by Shane R.

[SC.2020.12] Recommendation to Issue a Statement of Support for the UCSC Graduate Student Worker Wildcat Grading Strike

Submitted by Aaron H and Shane R on behalf of the Labor Committee.

Whereas, as of December 18, 2019, University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) graduate student workers began withholding final grades for the fall quarter from the University until their demands for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) are met;

Whereas, they are demanding an additional $1,412 a month for all UCSC graduate student workers regardless of employment or citizenship status to address their rent burden;

Whereas, the Labor Committee heard from UAW 2865 members on the issue and deliberated upon it at its January 7, 2020 meeting, including, from University of California Berkeley (UCB), 4 current members (including 3 elected officers), and 2 former members against a statement of support, and, from UCSC, 1 current member in favor of a statement of support;

Whereas, the Labor Committee voted 5-4 in favor of recommending that the Steering Committee issue a statement of support for the action;

Therefore be it resolved, that the Labor Committee recommends that adoption of the following resolution by the Steering Committee:

Therefore be it further resolved, that the EBDSA Steering Committee issue a statement of support for the UCSC graduate student worker wildcat grading strike.

Following debate, the resolution FAILED by a vote of 4 in favor, 8 against, and 1 abstaining.

Following this resolution Hannah E had to leave the meeting.

Marissa S motivated the following resolution.

[SC.2020.13] Resolution to Endorse Mosser Tenant Union Campaign

Submitted by Marissa S, Isaac H, and Susan S.

Whereas East Bay DSA's 2019 Priorities Resolution committed to the goal of building a mass movement of working-class tenants, homeowners, and houseless people to fight the California real estate lobby and corporate landlords,

Whereas the Priorities Resolution further states that the Social Housing Committee may “work on strategic near-term housing campaigns in coalition with working-class organizations” that include “strategic direct actions,”

Whereas the Mosser Company is a billion dollar corporate landlord that owns over 3,000 units of housing and operates over 80 LLCs with a speculative business model based on buying up buildings in rapidly gentrifying communities in SF, LA, and Oakland, exploiting loopholes in existing rent control to raise rents to displace long-term working class tenants, and then flipping the units for full market rate or as AirBnBs,

Whereas the Mosser Company has systematically filed petitions to raise the rent more than the annual CPI (Consumer Price Index, currently at 3.5%) on 17 of the 20 buildings it bought in Oakland in 2017. Mosser’s goal is to raise rents by as much as 10% on over 580 tenants this year, with additional increases in the future. This would hit seniors, people with disabilities, and black and brown working families particularly hard and could cause many to be forced out of the Bay Area or onto the streets,

Whereas ACCE, East Bay DSA’s long-time ally in the fight for housing for all, is taking leadership on an exciting campaign to start a Mosser tenant’s union to fight back against the rent increases and draw wider media attention and awareness to the need for stronger tenant protections and rent control regulations in Oakland,

Whereas the East Bay DSA’s Social Housing Committee voted in support of sending a resolution for endorsement of this campaign to the Steering Committee for approval,

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA’s Social Housing Committee will work in coalition with ACCE to support the Mosser Tenant’s Union campaign by providing support with canvassing, phone banking, and other tenant outreach activities to help grow the union and build tenant leadership,

Be it further resolved that East Bay DSA will help publicize campaign events and direct actions through its mailing list, newsletter, social media accounts and website and encourage members to participate in protests against Mosser and to attend upcoming rent board hearings in solidarity with working tenants,

Be it further resolved that East Bay DSA will participate in and support campaign direct actions such as protests, phone actions, and letter writing activities.

During a period of questions and answers, time was extended. Following questions and answers, the resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote in favor.

Maura M had to leave the meeting following the vote on the previous resolution.

Colin M motivated the following resolution.

[SC.2020.14] Resolution to Create an East Bay DSA Green New Deal Committee

Submitted By Keith BB and Nick L.

Whereas the December 2018 East Bay General Membership Meeting approved the Resolution for an EBDSA Campaign for Public Power and a Green New Deal,

Whereas the resolution called on the campaign organizers to develop a proposed ongoing structure for the campaign, and submit it to the Steering Committee for discussion and approval,

Whereas this campaign to date has organized multiple public actions, conducted original research, and launched the LetsOwnPGE.org website, with participation from over two dozen East Bay DSA members,

Whereas by vote by acclamation of members present at the 1/9 GND Committee Formation meeting, Eric R, Colin M, and Benny Z were proposed as the initial co-chairs, and Nick L the initial recording secretary, of the Green New Deal Committee,

Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA will form a Green New Deal Committee with the appended rules, to replace the prior campaign structure.

Therefore be it further resolved, that Eric R, Colin M, and Benny Z will be the initial co-chairs, and Nick L the initial recording secretary, of the Green New Deal Committee.

During a period of question and answer, the meeting time was extended. The resolution PASSED by a unanimous vote.

Will S motivated the following resolution.

[SC.2020.15] 2020 Committee January Funding Resolution

By Will S and Molly A.

Whereas the 2020 Committee is actively campaigning for Bernie Sanders to win the California Democratic primary and the campaign has grown massively in size and regularly has over 100 unique volunteers and attendees;

Whereas the campaign has large financial needs, predominantly for literature and propaganda accounting for roughly 80% of its costs, and the coming weeks will require a new order of shirts, multiple new literature orders, a Bernie is for Lovers Valentines fundraiser, and funding for a Bernie Art Build;

Whereas the 2020 Committee has spent approximately $15000 to date and raised over $7400 so far leaving less than $700 in allocated funding left;

Whereas the 2020 Committee has used the $5000 budgeted from the November SC meeting;

Therefore be it resolved that the Steering Committee approves an additional $7000 of funding for the 2020 Committee expenditures through March 3rd.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 9 in favor and 1 abstaining.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 pm.

Addenda

[SC.2019.131] Resolution to Endorse Mom’s 4 Housing

Submitted by Maura M and Marissa S. Co-sponsored by Housing Co-Chair Kelsey W, Regina C, Allie L.

On December 15, Abigail GG called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas East Bay DSA's 2019 Priorities Resolution committed to the fight for social housing and to support houseless leaders

Whereas Moms 4 Housing is a group of black moms who make explicit enemies of the real estate speculators and big banks.

Whereas Moms 4 Housing also takes power in their position as mothers and as workers, centering the unpaid care work that they do, and their working class power, in the fight against the capitalist state.

Whereas housing occupations can be a successful tactic, as seen in Brazil, to immediately fight and protest housing insecurities

Whereas there are four empty houses for every homeless person in Oakland and 70% of unhoused residents are African American, although they make up 30% of the overall population, due to the targeted racist and classist displacement of long time black community members by capital

Whereas Moms 4 Housing has been occupying a house at 2928 Magnolia St. since November 18th, 2019 that had been vacant for more than two years, and they have been served with an eviction notice for December 17th, 2019

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA’s Social Housing Committee will support the Moms 4 Housing campaign starting by asking its members to support a direct action of eviction defense at 2928 Magnolia St. on the morning of December 17th at 6am

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA promote Moms 4 Housing solidarity efforts on our social media and on the website

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA ask our members to call Wedgewood, the corporation that has been keeping #MomsHouse vacant. Wedgewood HQ - CEO Greg Geiser (310) 640-3070, extension 2916 and demand that they negotiate with the Moms

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

[SC.2019.132] Resolution to fund General Liability Insurance for 2020

Submitted by Sean M.

On December 27, Keith BB called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas the 3832 Market Street office lease requires that East Bay DSA carry general liability insurance.

Whereas general liability insurance will protect East Bay DSA against damage to the office and injury to occupants.

Whereas the Treasurer has received general liability quotations from an insurance broker named CalNonprofits, following research on relevant options.

Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA allocate up to $1200 in 2020 for office insurance premiums and associated fees.

Therefore be it further resolved that East Bay DSA authorize the Treasurer to purchase said insurance on behalf of the organization.

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

[SC.2020.1] Resolution for East Bay DSA Mobilization for the January 25 No War on Iran Rally

Submitted by Keith BB.

On January 16, Keith BB called an email vote for the following resolution.

Whereas East Bay DSA's 2019-2020 Priorities Resolution for Agitational Campaigns called on the chapter to "consider joining coalition campaigns that advance socialist internationalism and climate justice and push back on new imperialist aggressions abroad."

Whereas on January 3, the DSA National Political Committee released a statement denouncing the latest act of US imperial aggression towards Iran and urgently calling for mobilizations against the war.

Whereas a new anti-war campaign in the US is in early stages, and socialists have a valuable role to play in helping cohere a broad movement with internationalist, anti-capitalist values.

Therefore be it resolved East Bay DSA endorses the January 25 No War with Iran rally in San Francisco that has been called by the Arab Resource Organizing Center, in coalition with other Bay Area international solidarity groups, as part of a national day of action.

Be it further resolved East Bay DSA will hold a mobilizing meeting, prior to the rally, in order to provide a space for political education, outreach efforts to other organizations and members, and prepare materials for the rally.

Be it further resolved East Bay DSA will budget up to $400 for venue rental and materials for the mobilizing meeting and rally contingent.

Be it further resolved East Bay DSA will reach out to the leadership of SF DSA and Silicon Valley DSA to coordinate efforts to plan for and attend the January 25 rally.

Be it further resolved East Bay DSA, hopefully in collaboration with SF and Silicon Valley DSA, will organize a DSA contingent on the day of the January 25 rally.

Be it further resolved that East Bay DSA co-chair Keith BB will take point responsibility to support members Casey B, Zach B, Alex S, and Emma WB as a team to carry out coordination and organizing for this meeting and rally contingent.

The resolution PASSED by a vote of 9 in favor and none against.