East Bay DSA 

Steering Committee Meeting Agenda

January 16, 2022

2-4 pm

Introductions/Opening Statements 

Co-chairs start the meeting a 2:10

Approval of Agenda

• Added leadership check in
• Agenda adopted via acclimation

Committee Reports

1. Recording Secretary
2. Resolution for Cali DSA elections - Passes
3. Resolution to fund General Liability Insurance
4. Resolution to Appoint Owen W P as co chair passed
5. Treasurer
6. Bank 42,700
7. Should be getting a shares from national $5000 roughly
8. Feb projected for 48,000, not including fundraising
9. Labor Comm did a fundraising 3,425 for striking engineers
10. Shirts status - cost $1660 - current revenue $1219
11. Plan to write a fundraising update later - tracking hours on toggle, will file with the chairs and chairs rec sec will sign off. 

New Business

• Facilitated by Annika B

1. East Bay DSA Resolution on Branches

East Bay DSA Resolution on Branches (Unamended)

Submitted by Branches Working Group members Zach W, Isaac H, Erica W, Richard L, Grant E, Yari G, Matthew L, and Benny Z

WHEREAS, in 2018 the membership of East Bay DSA amended the chapter’s bylaws to include Article X, which states, in part, “It is the intent of the Chapter to create categories of Branches that may enhance the democratic functioning of the Chapter.”

WHEREAS, in June 2021 the chapter Steering Committee (SC), established the Branches Working Group to “bring a set of recommendations and goals for branches to the steering committee. The SC and Branches Working Group will work together to finalize a plan for the General Membership to vote on.”

WHEREAS, the Branches Working Group has held forums, conducted a membership survey completed by more than 110 members, reported to the chapter membership and Steering Committee on the work it has done, organized socials across the territory of the chapter attended by dozens of members, and held monthly meetings open to chapter membership to engage with a wide and deep segment of the chapter on the question of whether and how to form Branches.

WHEREAS, nearly 80% of those surveyed have expressed support for forming Branches.

WHEREAS, East Bay DSA is the largest DSA chapter in the country without a Branch structure, covering a vast geographic territory and comprising more than two thousand members spread across dozens of cities and portions of four counties.

WHEREAS, the formation of Branches will encourage the development of political and leadership capacity of chapter members in different jurisdictions across our territory, create a formal structure for members in more peripheral areas to engage in local campaign work in line with the chapter platform and priorities, and increase chapter membership by expanding the visibility of East Bay DSA as an organized force of and for the multiracial working class where that working class lives and works.

WHEREAS, Branches represent a substantial change to the structure of the chapter, and beginning the process of implementing that change via resolution rather than bylaws amendments allows the chapter membership and Steering Committee more flexibility in adapting to lessons learned from this process.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that East Bay DSA authorizes the creation of Branches within the chapter, organized by geography, shared interest, or affiliation with an institution (such as one’s workplace, union, or industry). Membership in a Branch will be open to chapter members residing or working in the geographic area (in the case of a geographic branch) or who possess the shared interest or affiliation (for non-geographic branches) around which a branch is formed. 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that Branches may advance the work of East Bay DSA by conducting campaigns and other work in line with the platform and priorities of the chapter and national DSA. Branches will strive to coordinate and collaborate with chapter-wide committees and working groups in the execution of said work.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that a proposal to form a geographic branch shall include: the geographic area to be covered, which shall have at least 50 East Bay DSA members as residents; a list of at least three chapter members in good standing who intend to run for Branch Leadership Committee positions; and petition signatures from either 20% or 25 chapter members residing in the area to be covered by the branch, whichever is fewer. Two or more geographic branches shall not overlap.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that a proposal to form a non-geographic branch shall include: a description of the shared interest, membership, or affiliation (such as membership in a labor union or employment at a workplace or industry) around which the branch will be formed; a list of at least three chapter members in good standing who intend to run for Branch Leadership Committee positions; and petition signatures from 12 members who will be eligible as members and intend to actively participate in the Branch if approved. 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the chapter general membership, by a simple majority vote at a regular membership meeting, may approve a proposal to form a branch that meets the above requirements. Branches may also be merged, split, dissolved, or their officers dismissed by a majority vote of chapter members at a general membership meeting.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that a model charter for branches will be drafted by the Branches Working Group (or another group delegated by the Steering Committee) and approved by the Steering Committee or general membership and provided to newly approved branches. A Branch charter at a minimum shall set forth: the powers delegated to the branch, its defined geographic territory (or affiliation), a list of elected offices in the Branch (including at a minimum at least two co-Chairs and a Recording Secretary) and their responsibilities, and procedures for the election and removal of officers.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that Branches, once established, will approve their charters and elect the members of their Branch Leadership Committee in an election open to all chapter members covered by the interest or geographic area constituting the Branch.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that by a simple majority vote Branch membership may amend their own charter, except that only a majority vote by the Steering Committee or by the chapter membership at a general meeting may change the powers or jurisdiction of the group.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that Branches may send a member of their Branch Leadership Committee, or a delegate thereof, to be a non-voting representative at Chapter Steering Committee meetings. Non-voting representatives shall have the ability to speak at Steering Committee meetings. 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that Branches can join coalitions working on issues in the Branch territory with approval of the Steering Committee (or another body that Steering Committee delegates that authority to). 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that Branches can not make electoral endorsements. If a simple majority of Branch members express their support or opposition towards a candidate or ballot measure via a straw poll, the Branch may make a recommendation to the chapter as a whole. Such a straw poll must take place before the Chapter general membership votes on endorsement. Candidates or ballot measures that do not meet the chapter criteria for endorsement will not be eligible for a Branch recommendation.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that branches shall not have a separate legal identity from the chapter; and that neither the branch nor any officer thereof shall have the power to enter into contracts or other legal instruments, make expenditures, or assume financial obligations on behalf of the Branch or East Bay DSA.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that an exploratory committee for establishment of a branch may be commissioned by a majority vote of the Steering Committee, consisting of such members as the Steering Committee shall appoint at its discretion. The members of the exploratory committee may request, and may be provided by the Steering Committee (or group designated by the Steering Committee), with a list of members living in the proposed Branch area, and contact information for those members. 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Branches Working Group, or another group designated by the Steering Committee, will create a page on the chapter website and other educational materials laying out the process for creating a Branch once this resolution is passed.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that this resolution does not preclude the chapter membership from amending the chapter bylaws in the future to further formalize or refine the Branch structure laid out in this resolution. 

Amendments to “East Bay DSA Resolution on Branches”

Submitted by Jess B

(Added) (Removed)

...

THEREFORE, be it resolved that East Bay DSA authorizes the creation of Branches within the chapter, organized by geography, shared interest, or affiliation with an institution (such as one’s workplace, union, or industry). Membership in a Branch will be open to chapter members residing or working in the geographic area (in the case of a geographic branch) or who possess the shared interest or affiliation (for non-geographic branches) around which a branch is formed. 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that Branches may advance the work of East Bay DSA by implementing existing chapter conducting campaigns in their jurisdiction. and other work in line with the platform and priorities of the chapter and national DSA. A branch seeking to start a completely new campaign must receive approval from the Steering Committee or General Membership. Branches will strive to coordinate and collaborate with chapter-wide committees and working groups in the execution of said work.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that an initial petition to form a geographic branch shall be presented to the Steering Committee, and shall include: the geographic area to be covered, which shall have at least 50 East Bay DSA members as residents; and a list of at least three chapter members in good standing who intend to run for Branch Leadership Committee positions. Two or more geographic branches shall not overlap.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that if such an initial petition is in order, and a branch with materially similar geographic area has not previously been rejected or dissolved by the general membership, the Steering Committee shall direct the petitioners to hold two to three local events (either socials or campaign events) over the course of the next three months; the SC shall allocate a total of $300 to be used for the events; the SC shall also designate a liaison to support the petitioners. If a branch with materially similar geographic area has been previously rejected or dissolved by the general membership, the Steering Committee may, at its discretion and by a majority vote, proceed as above.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that after the three local events are held, a final petition shall be presented to the chapter’s general membership, and shall include: the initial petition and signatures from either 20% or 25 chapter members residing in the area to be covered by the branch, whichever is fewer. The chapter general membership, by a simple majority vote at a regular membership meeting, may approve a petition to form a branch that meets the above requirements. The chapter general membership may similarly, by a majority vote at a regular general membership meeting, merge, split, dissolve, or dismiss the officers of a branch.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that a proposal to form a geographic branch shall include: the geographic area to be covered, which shall have at least 50 East Bay DSA members as residents; a list of at least three chapter members in good standing who intend to run for Branch Leadership Committee positions; and petition signatures from either 20% or 25 chapter members residing in the area to be covered by the branch, whichever is fewer. Two or more geographic branches shall not overlap.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that a proposal to form a non-geographic branch shall include: a description of the shared interest, membership, or affiliation (such as membership in a labor union or employment at a workplace or industry) around which the branch will be formed; a list of at least three chapter members in good standing who intend to run for Branch Leadership Committee positions; and petition signatures from 12 members who will be eligible as members and intend to actively participate in the Branch if approved. 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that the chapter general membership, by a simple majority vote at a regular membership meeting, may approve a proposal to form a branch that meets the above requirements. Branches may also be merged, split, dissolved, or their officers dismissed by a majority vote of chapter members at a general membership meeting.

THEREFORE, be it resolved that a model charter for branches will be drafted by the Branches Working Group (or another group delegated by the Steering Committee) and approved by the Steering Committee or general membership and provided to newly approved branches. A Branch charter at a minimum shall set forth: the powers delegated to the branch, its defined geographic territory (or affiliation), a list of elected offices in the Branch (including at a minimum at least two co-Chairs and a Recording Secretary) and their responsibilities, and procedures for the election and removal of officers.

...

• Resolution motivated by Issac and Zac

• Q&A

1. Q: any particular political campaign linked in this resolution?
2. A: some concrete campaigns include local police budget campaigns, electoral work, labor struggles, strikes, dedicating space in the region. 
3. Q: anything in the resolution about communications, e.g. report backs?
4. A: There’s non-voting representation in the Steering Committee where report backs can be delivered. 
5. Q: Did you get a sense of what branches are likely ready?
6. A: Interested parties include members in East Contra Costa, West Contra Costa, Castro Valley, and Berkeley.
7. Q: How would resolving potential tension over decision making bodies between the branch and chapters look like? 
8. A: Branches are supposed to coordinate with the various committees, and leave the GM and SC to be the ultimate decision maker. Example the communications between W Contra Costa and RSC over the police budget.
9. Q: Any other differences between the brach and chapter besides the non-voting rep on the SC?
10. A. Branches are also tasked with growing membership and engagement in their local area.
11. Q: How does this change the decision making by the SC?
12. A. They can make electoral recommendations unlike the smaller committees

• Resolution Debate:

1. Against - No sense of purpose of the structure for branches. A regional working group which could operate the same way. A branch would be more restrictive with more loops to jump through. 
2. For - Sees the branch structure as a good channel for organizing the local unions, and as a counter balance to the future CA DSA structure. 
3. Against - Unamended, it not clear that the SC and GM have direct control over branch bodies, with no threat from outside influences. If it's amended, would be for it. 
4. Amendments to resolution - Motivated by Jess B [No Q&A]
5. Amendment Debate:
6. Against - Request a way to divide the question; social and requirements seem fine but we shouldn’t cut out a non-regional branch and non-over lapping, which could be limiting. 
7. For - Sees other groups already working on issues that the theoretical non-regional branches would be working on. Keep it simple. 
8. Respond - the Amendment addresses the autonomy of the branches. The restrictions are a good thing.
9. PASSED unanimously
10. Against - We risk appearing as a rubber stamp of approval. Heavy presence on the already established areas but not building membership in other regions. Recommend focusing the resolution to planned branches, such as West Contra Costa, instead of keeping it open. 
11. For/Respose - we’ve had an at large member try to for an amorphous working group in the Richmond area that went nowhere. Branches can provide a secure structure and can expect resources and support, while the chapter can help to guide the branch on campaigns. 
12. AMENDA RESOLUTION PASSES: 11 yes; 1 no; 1 absent

Discussion

Facilitated by Shane R

Leadership meeting assessment recommendations

1. In person social amongst the leadership.
2. Establish a standard for campaigns, targeted outreach. 
3. More debates. 
4. Google calendar sharing issue
5. Can have a post meeting social. 
6. Chairs don’t need to plan leadership meetings, necessarily 
7. Members would like to volunteer for a leadership social.
8. A new Meetings committee can help.

Office search update & discussion

1. Neder and Benny are still keeping their eyes out on a space. Had a spot but the ad was taken down. Shane is moved to be added

Number of alternates to elect for CA DSA

1. MOtion to have three. Seconded by Shane
2. Approved by Acclimation. 

Meeting Adjourned