Steering Committee Meeting April 15th, 2023

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GZ-0myWc2_SfeJxrgPmhxW44GuqMyQbYWEFIGqoV9Fw/edit

Location: EBDSA Office with Zoom Option!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83321607756?pwd=bVVweTR6bnY5dkdVQ0RMaVRlT2w1UT09

Meeting ID: 833 2160 7756

Passcode: 836147

East Bay DSA

Steering Committee Meeting Agenda

April 15th, 2023

10am-12pm

1. Settle in [5 minutes]
2. Approval of Agenda [5 minutes]
3. Executive Session (45 minutes)
4. Updates 
5. Convention (10 minutes)
6. Wood Street Encampment (5 minutes)
7. Discussion
8. CA Delegates
9. OEA Resolution 
10. New Business [45 minutes]
11. Resolution to Hire Staffer for Vacant Position
12. Resolution to Approve Food Expenditure for Convention

New Business

Resolution to Hire for Vacant Staff Position

Submitted by Shane R, Hasan A, Maddy W.

Whereas, Ella Teevan has resigned from her role effective April 8th, 2023,

Whereas, the 2022 EBDSA convention overwhelmingly voted in favor of hiring a staffer,

Whereas, at our April, 3rd meeting the SC voted to set new staff expectations for a future staff hire, 

Whereas, the chairs have distributed the position to members and interviewed prospective candidates for the position in accordance with the convention resolution,

Whereas, after interviewing three highly qualified East Bay DSA members for the position, the chairs decided to recommend both to the SC and allow them to vote on their preference, 

Therefore be it resolved, the East Bay DSA Steering committee elects to hire Nathan Adams, and will recommend his hiring to be ratified by the General Membership meeting on April 16. 

Therefore be it resolved, the chairs will negotiate a contract with Nathan Adams to be the new East Bay DSA staffer. The contract will be approved by a final vote of the SC. 

Therefore be it resolved Yari Greaney will act as a manager until the new Steering Committee makes a long term decision.

Resolution To Support The Extension Of Oakland's Eviction Moratorium Until At Least September

By Juan C (Housing & Electoral Co-chair), Ethan L (Electoral Committee), William W (Housing Committee)

Whereas socialists oppose evictions on a fundamental level, due to their encapsulation of the state's willingness to use violence against the working class in order to benefit capital. Benefiting landlords directly, but also employers by ensuring those that do not meet capitalism production quotas are subjected to such violence.

Whereas even with the eviction “moratorium” in place nearly a thousand people were evicted every year during COVID in Oakland.

Whereas evictions are regularly the first step in a cycle of being unhoused and precariously housed that continues until the victims death.

Whereas it is not only the unhoused & tenants that are put in danger by evictions, as multiple studies show evictions lead to higher crime rates & more stretched support services for those with housing too. With a sudden spike in the size of Oakland’s unhoused population will undo what little progress has been made on public safety by progressive council members (including EBDSA endorsed elected).

Whereas EBDSA endorsed elected Nikki Fortunando Bas has proposed a compromise with the landlord lobby that the eviction moratorium be rolled back in stages, finally ending on September 1st, but increasing some permanent protections for tenants in the processes.

Whereas a capitalist press will blame any increase in crime on progressive policies & council members, rather than on the policies they themselves push the council for, this will make electing socialists & passing socialist policies in both Oakland and the wider bay area harder.

Whereas landlords are organized and despite the crocodile tears from out of town landlords such as Hungry George & millionaires from Piedmont, not having an impact on the initial resolution, the appearance of a win has emboldened the capitalist class. Who are now demanding the timelines be shortened, and have support of at least 4 councilmembers.

Whereas we may not be able to achieve an extension of the moratorium past September, (ideally permanent or at the very least until the city’s unhoused emergency caused by capitalism is addressed), a short campaign is likely to have an impact on preventing the accelerated timeline being adopted and ensuring a majority on the council are not swayed by parasitical tears.

Whereas making bold demands for socialist policies publicly, holds the overton window open such that more workers can see through it, that a rapid increase in the scale of state backed violence of evictions is not natural, but an active choice made by the city to favor capital at the cost of their lives. 

Whereas the eviction moratorium has helped militant tenant unions such as our allies in TANC grow, by allowing its members to rent strike more safely, which demonstrates the power of a militant working class outside of the labor & electoral spheres.

Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA encourage its members to contact their council members, speak at city hall and events in support of the eviction moratorium on both the 11th and the 18th, but also any further events in defense of the moratorium up until September 2023.

Therefore be it resolved that in such communications it be made clear that EBDSA does not support the ending of the moratorium at all, but should it end, then a later end date, will give tenants more time to prepare & organize.