East Bay DSA 

March 21st, 2021

2-4 pm

Introductions/Opening Statements 

Meeting as been called to Order

Approval of Agenda

Consent Agenda

• Resolution to Appoint a CA DSA Working Group
• Resolution: EBDSA Stands with the Moe’s Bookstore Union

Consent Agenda Passed via Acclimation

Committee Reports - SKIPPED

Finance 

Recording Secretary’s Report

Discussion items

Facilitated by Allie

Local Convention Update

• 3 Priority Resolutions Passed
• April 1st - final decision
• April 4th Rollout

Branches Discussion

• By Benny Z
• The Branch structure is pitched to the Steering Committee
• Geographic branches can enhance democratic functioning of chapter
• Announced a Forum Event
• Debate whether there is an organizing problem or a structural problem

MEC / Mobilizers Update

• By Matt S
• Communications Committee Update
• Action Network Transition Update

5 min break 

New Business [30 minutes]

• Facilitated By Will

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution to Appoint a CA DSA Working Group

Submitted by Will S.

Whereas the Steering Committee passed a resolution on 3/10 to form a CA DSA Working Group to “draft rules and bylaws to govern the election of representatives to CA DSA”;

Whereas the General Membership voted on 3/12 to ratify the CA DSA bylaws and call on the NPC to recognize the organization;

Whereas an email was circulated to membership on 3/12 to solicit interest in joining said group;

Therefore be it resolved that Kaela S.H., Eric R., Fred G., Renée P., and A.J. A. will constitute the CA DSA Working Group to organize a town hall around the process and execute the duties of the Working Group in the above resolution;

Therefore be it further resolved that the Working Group will give an update on its work at the next Steering Committee meeting on 4/18.

PASSED

Resolution for EBDSA Mask Project to Partner with TANC

Submitted by Abrar A, Genean W, Joe C, Katie F, Alex H, Chris O, Mahir Y, Nick L, Mariah W, Max M, Jimmy L

Whereas, the EBDSA mask project, part of the Green New Deal Committee, has been hosting virtual mask builds since December 22, 2020, producing over 5,000 high-efficiency reusable “N85+” face masks and distributing them in-person to economically and housing insecure East Bay residents at venues such as food banks 

Whereas, virtual builds have served as an exciting point of entry to DSA for newcomers and peripheral DSA members, so far drawing over 90 different people, a number of whom have taken on organizing roles or gone on to other work in the chapter,

Whereas, politically, the EBDSA mask project aims to use mutual aid as a vehicle for radical local organizing, for building long-term power to challenge the same capitalist structures, in this case a rapacious private real estate industry, that have failed and subdued the working class amid the pandemic,

Whereas, the individuals receiving the masks simultaneously face the immediate threat of deadly infectious disease and the encroaching threats of eviction, landlord harassment, and debilitating debt payments after the eviction moratoria are suspended,

Whereas, the power relation between tenants and landlords can be rebalanced when individuals living in multi-unit apartment buildings, or paying rent to the same landlord, self-organize into tenant councils and exercise powerful, time-tested methods of disruption such as rent strikes and collective physical confrontation, obstruction, or occupation during attempted evictions,

Whereas, the Bay Area Tenants and Neighborhood Councils (TANC) has assembled a robust infrastructure for organizing tenant councils, educating people through know-your-rights trainings, nurturing leaders across its several locals (four of which are in the East Bay), and arming tenants with the tools to self-organize and threaten private capital at the point of extraction,

Whereas, TANC and EBDSA have previously pursued collaborations (e.g. the Social Housing Committee’s SHOP program) and have significant overlapping membership and shared ambitions to establish power along socialist lines among working people in the East Bay, 

Therefore be it resolved that the EBDSA mask project will partner with TANC and work directly with members from locals across the East Bay, explore strategic locations to develop relationships with precarious populations, and expand its methodology for integrating mutual aid with political organizing.

PASSED