July 12th, 2020 6-8p: General Meeting Minutes
The meeting was called to order at 1:10pm via ZOOM. The meeting was chaired by Matt S. and Allie L. The Recording Secretary was present, however Vice Chair Will S. took notes.
Settle In and Welcome
Allie L. opened the meeting with welcoming statements and thanked members and viewers for patience as we test out our new digital frontier.
Committee Report Backs
- Katy SS gave the Electoral Committee report back
- Frances R gave the Communications Committee report back.
- Eric R/ gave the Green New Deal Committee report back.
- Yi W/ gave the Labor Committee report back.
- Sam C gave the Membership Engagement Committee report back.
- Avir A reported for Politcal Education committee.
- Gaston L gave the Racial Solidarity Committee report back.
- Eric gave the Social Housing Committee report back.
Member Announcements
- Katie F delivered an announcement on Berkeley High students organizing a march and sit-in at BPD demanding the Berkeley City Council defund the Police by 50% on Monday, July 13th.
- Matthew L delivered an announcement about the EBDSA sponsored Berkeley Rent Board Convention and also Berkeley council is voting to Tuesday July 14th to defund the police, eviction moratorium and rent control expansion.
- Michael K delivered and announcement about the Transit Subcommittee of GND supporting ATU 192, a petition related to the pandemic to keep drivers and riders safe directed at Metro Transportation Commission, and to provide PPE and hazard pay, tinyurl/ridesafe
- Alexis V delivered an announcement on his campaign for AD20 and circulating petition to gather 25 member signatures.
- Eric V: Since Bernie is out state-based M4A is the best way forward, commission convened by the governor to discuss stuff, DSA is part of Healthy CA to pressure for state-wide single payer
- Valerie M delivered an announcement on an action July 13th at the ICE office in SF 9am, simultaneous action across the country lead by UAW locals to protest ICE
- Alfred T delivered an announcement on Prop 21- purpose is to expand rent control and institute vacancy control
Priorities Resolution Process
Digital Convention process and timeline motivated and described by Will S. The Steering Committee endorsed resolution {SC.2020.09} is provided below in the addenda.
East Bay DSA Campaign Updates
Kara M updated the membership on the Defund OPD Now campaign. Campaign is doing ongoing phone banks and has a flyering event for Saturday July 18th.
Molly S updated membership on the Our Communities, Our Health Campaign. Mon Jul 13 East Bay DSA is hosting a town hall from 5-6:30p. Additionally, Monday July 20th there will be a rally at Highland hospital.
Vote on Membership approving the Resolution to use special ZOOM rules
The Steering Committee endorsed resolution pertaining to the special zoom rules can be found on our July 6th Steering Committee minutes under {SC.2020.02}.
Motion PASSES
Resolution to Endorse Jovanka Beckles for AC Transit Board
Submitted by the Endorsements Subcommittee
Whereas Jovanka Beckles is a candidate running for AC Transit Board in Ward 1;
Whereas Beckles entered the race at the request of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 192, whom East Bay DSA has passed a resolution to support in their contract campaign;
Whereas Ward 1 is within the jurisdiction of East Bay DSA;
Whereas Beckles is an open democratic socialist and member of East Bay DSA;
Whereas Beckles received the endorsement of East Bay DSA in her 2018 race for State Assembly District 15;
Whereas the Endorsements Subcommittee has issued a report recommending that East Bay DSA endorse Beckles;
Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA endorses the Jovanka Beckles for AC Transit Board;
Be it further resolved, the Electoral Committee will be tasked with supporting the campaign.
Motivated by Jamie G.
Motion to close debate PASSES
Motion PASSES
Resolution to Endorse the “Team Richmond” Slate for Richmond City Council
Submitted by the Endorsements Subcommittee
Whereas, Claudia Jimenez, Melvin Willis, and Galye McLaughlin are Richmond Progressive Alliance-endorsed candidates running for Richmond City Council District 6, 1, and 5 respectively;
Whereas, Jimenez, Willis, and McLaughlin are running as a Richmond Progressive Alliance slate;
Whereas, Richmond is within the jurisdiction of East Bay DSA;
Whereas, all three candidates openly identify as democratic socialists;
Whereas, McLaughlin has received the past endorsement of East Bay DSA in the 2018 Lt. Governor race;
Whereas, the Endorsements Subcommittee has issued a report recommending that East Bay DSA endorse Jimenez, Willis, and McLaughlin;
Therefore be it resolved, that East Bay DSA endorses the RPA “Team Richmond” slate for Richmond City Council;
Be it further resolved, the Electoral Committee will be tasked with supporting their campaign.
Motivated by Steph H.
Motion to call to question PASSES
Motion PASSES
Resolution to Endorse Nestor Castillo for Hayward City Council
Submitted by the Endorsements Subcommittee
Whereas Nestor Castillo is a candidate running for an at-large seat on the Hayward City Council;
Whereas Castillo is a member of East Bay DSA and former elected member of the chapter’s Steering Committee;
Whereas Hayward is within the jurisdiction of East Bay DSA;
Whereas the Endorsements Subcommittee has issued a report that does not make a recommendation either way on whether East Bay DSA should endorse Castillo;
{amendment}
Whereas Nestor Castillo and the Challenger Slate members (Elisha Crader and Lacei Amodei) have formed an official slate as the Hayward Progressives.
Whereas these three candidates have a strong history of fighting for housing justice in Hayward.
Whereas these three candidates have a strong history of involvement in membership based organizations, both grassroots community organizations and their unions.
Whereas the candidates have spoken to being organizers first and politicians second.
Whereas these three candidates are running class struggle campaigns against corporate landlords and developers.
Whereas this slate has a chance to create a progressive/socialist majority in the Hayward city council.
Whereas East Bay DSA in its Priorities Resolution has resolved to “develop the organization's membership and activities in more heavily working-class regions of the East Bay,” of which Hayward is a clear example.
Whereas Team Richmond is also running as a 3 member slate to create a progressive majority in Richmond and being considered for a single endorsement.
Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA consider endorsing Nestor, Elisha, and Lacei for City Council in Hayward as the Hayward Progressives Slate.
Therefore be it further resolved that Nestor still have 2 minutes to speak and Lacei and Elisha still have 2 minutes to speak on their platform as they were expecting to speak separately.
Be it further resolved that the Electoral Committee will be tasked with campaign support.
Motion to Reconsider Questioning of the Chair PASSED
Motion to Amend PASSED
Motion to Amend PASSED (post amendment)
Motion to Extend Time FAILED
Motion to Extend Time FAILED
Motion to Table until August General Meeting PASSED
Motion to Adjourn PASSED
Resolution to Endorse the Challenger Slate for Hayward City Council
Submitted by the Endorsements Subcommittee
Whereas Elisha Crader and Lacei Amodei are candidates running for at-large seats on the Hayward City Council;
Whereas Crader and Amodei are running together as the Challenger Slate;
Whereas Hayward is within the jurisdiction of East Bay DSA;
Whereas the Endorsements Subcommittee has issued a report that does not make a recommendation either way on whether East Bay DSA should endorse Crader and Amodei;
Therefore be it resolved that East Bay DSA endorses the Challenger Slate for Hayward City Council;
Be it further resolved that the Electoral Committee will be tasked with campaign support.
This resolution was not voted on during this meeting and was tabled to our August Voting General Meeting along with the amended resolution to endorse Nestor Castillo.
Addenda
{SC.2020.7} Resolution to Endorse the Berkeley HS "March to Camp Out" action
Submitted by AJ A.
Co-Sponsored by Katie F. and Michael T.
Whereas East Bay DSA is committed to organize against police brutality and systemic racism,
Whereas Berkeley High students are organizing a peaceful rally and march on July 13th, starting at 1pm at Bushrod Park and marching to Berkeley Police Station,
Whereas Berkeley City Council will be voting on Tuesday, July 14th on whether to cut the Berkeley City Police Department budget by 50% and remove police from Berkeley Unified School District (Item 18b),
Whereas the march aims to put pressure on the Berkeley City Council to sway them to vote to defund the Berkeley Police Department,
Whereas East Bay DSA member AJ A will be attending and supporting the student organizers in planning the event,
Therefore be it resolved, East Bay DSA endorses the March to Camp Out action on July 13th, 2020,
Therefore be it also resolved, East Bay DSA will support student organizers with the following:
- Promotion (social media, Facebook event)
- Police Liaison
- Logistics support (through remote scanners and an on-the-ground Signal chat)
- Recruit medics
- Hand sanitizer
- Water
- Masks
- Snacks
Therefore be it also resolved, East Bay DSA will budget $50 for masks, water, snacks, and hand sanitizer. AJ A will purchase these items and be reimbursed afterwards. Any unused supplies will be stored at the East Bay DSA office and used for future actions.
Therefore be it also resolved, East Bay DSA will connect interested members (including by posting an RSVP form on the chapter event) with East Bay DSA member AJ A., and coordinate with chapter leadership as needed.
The resolution PASSED with 12 yes votes.
{SC.2020.8} Resolution to Endorse Community Response to OUSD Reopening Plan
By Lew L
Whereas, EBDSA has passed a resolution to fight against racist austerity in schools, fight budget cuts, and stop school closures,
Whereas, Oakland teachers, students, parents and workers are concerned about education during the COVID crisis,
Whereas, OUSD’s board is releasing their plan for education in the fall,
Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA will endorse and coordinate with SEIU, OEA, OPEN, ONFS, other interested organizations, and/or members of said organizations in an action on July 10th 4pm - 6pm at 1000 Broadway, Oakland,
Therefore be it resolved that EBDSA will work with above mentioned organizations and/or members of said organization in a town hall on how education should be conducted during the COVID-19 crisis.
The resolution PASSED with 9 yes votes.
{SC.2020.9} Resolution to Adopt the Proposal for East Bay DSA’s 2020 Local Convention
drafted by Miguel B., Matt S. Allie L., Luke T. and Will S.
Whereas East Bay DSA has yet to have a local convention which sets priorities for the chapter in the coming year;
Therefore be it resolved that the following document is adopted as East Bay DSA’s 2020 Local Convention plan;
Therefore be it further resolved that the Convention Organizing Working Group is tasked with carrying out said plan and organizing the convention.
East Bay DSA 2020 Convention Proposal
drafted by Miguel B., Matt S. Allie L., Luke T. and Will S.
This document is the first draft of a convention proposal created by the Convention Organizing Working Group.
Framing
This year’s East Bay DSA local convention is going to have two major differences from previous years. The first is that COVID prevents us from meeting in person, taking away part of the social aspect of the convention but also a huge amount of logistical planning (though not necessarily digital logistics). The second is that we have already had our Steering Committee election, meaning a major attendance draw will be gone but the agenda is much more open.
Because we don’t have elections or physical logistics to organize, this frees us up to have a much more programmatic agenda, one centered around political education and debate. We are living in a radically different world than last year. Covid-19 and the Black Lives Matter uprisings, which have surpassed the Civil Rights movement, have fundamentally shaken every aspect of our lives. As socialists, it is our duty to assess how our work must change to reflect the new world we have been catapulted into. Since the California primary, the chapter has been fragmented with lots of small projects being taken up in silos and, except for arguably Defund OPD, we have not determined a campaign for our chapter to really pool its resources. It’s our hope that the format we’re proposing will allow broad member participation in determining the direction and larger campaigns of the chapter while also bringing more contested items to the forefront for debate. We hope for an attendance of at least 300 people.
Priorities Resolution
The basic format of the priorities resolution would be this: over a month-long span, members draft short priority proposals around a single issue and/or campaign, gather signatures from membership in support, and bring them to the convention floor for debate. Members are encouraged to collaborate using existing chapter infrastructure or forming new groups. Authors of proposals will have an opportunity to consolidate or amend proposals before the convention if authors wish to. The membership will have the opportunity to submit amendments before the convention to be considered on the floor and to also motion to amend from the floor. After debate, proposals which have majority support will become our priorities resolution.
The nature of these priority proposals is somewhat flexible; we will produce a sample proposal (likely modelled like a resolution) to try and emphasize having concrete, winnable campaigns but the goal is to foster debate, whether the debate is symbolic or material. The only really concrete thing is that it needs to be no more than 300 words and at least 25 members need to sign on to it for it to be considered.
Once we have all of the priority proposals turned in, we will send them out along with a poll for membership to agendize them. Similar to how the consent calendar was formed at the 2019 National Convention, we’ll poll the membership both on which proposals we support and which proposals we want to bring to the floor. Anything with overwhelming support will go on the consent calendar at the convention, along with a political preamble for the Priorities Resolution written by the SC. The Convention Organizing Working Group will use this data to construct a consent calendar and agendize proposals to come to floor debate. The rules can be suspended by a 2/3rds vote to change the agenda at the convention. The Convention Organizing Working Group will use the consent agenda to ensure that no more than 6 proposals and their relevant amendments come to the floor, with the goal of agendizing substantial debate time for each.
Once we have heard and debated all of the proposals, we will vote them each up or down and those that were adopted, in addition to the consent calendar and the political preamble, will be our new priorities resolution.
Here is the proposed timeline for the entire process:
- Second week of July Announce convention process
- Second/Third week of August Proposals due
- Third week of August Send out membership poll and agendas, request written amendments.
- Tuesday, September 1st Post agenda with resolutions and amendments.
- Sunday, September 14th 1-4pm Convention
Convention Program
The Convention Organizing Working Group will determine the program of the convention with two or more hours for debate. With SC input, the Convention Organizing Working Group will invite guest speakers who are nationally and locally known and have backgrounds organizing in a variety of struggles. The guest speakers are intended to bring some star power to generate enthusiasm and turnout and to be helpful framing for the debates we’ll be having later.
Promotion
The convention would require a pretty intense campaign to drive turnout. Beyond announcing the process at the next General Meeting, we would want to have clear social media around it and promote the rules to submit and sign priorities proposals. It would also be nice to order some merchandise specific to the convention, such as new shirts or buttons.
Detailed Timeline
Sunday, July 12: Chapter GM / Announce Convention Process
Sunday, July 19: SC Meeting / Ratify PR Preamble
Monday, July 20: Email with Convention process, Preamble, resolution guidelines
Sunday, August 9: Chapter GM / Review Convention Process
Sunday, August 16: Deadline for Priority Resolution Submission
Wednesday, August 19: Consent Calendar Poll Releases / Call for Amendments
Week of August 19th-26th: Possible PR drafter forum?
Wednesday, August 26: Consent Calendar Poll Closes / Deadline for Amendments
Sunday, August 30: Full Convention Agenda with Resolutions and Amendments Released
Sunday, September 13: Local Convention
The resolution PASSED with 10 yes votes.