Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

March 20th, 2022

2pm-4pm

Settle In

Beginning at 2pm

Approval of Agenda

• Facilitated by Annika B
• Approved agenda via acclimation

Committee Reports

1. Recording Secretary (Carlos)
2. Last Steering Committee
3.  Motion to Fundraise and Reimburse East Bay YDSA Members’ Winter Conference Costs amended; amended resolution passed via acclimation
4. Resolution for PTA T-Shirt Screen-Printing Funds Production Run #2 - passed via acclimation
5. Resolution on EBDSA Alternates for CADSA passed via acclimation
6. Resolution to Co-Sponsor and Participate in the 2022 Berkeley Rent Board Convention - passed with 10 yes, 0 no, 3 abstains

• Last General Meeting

1. Resolution to Endorse “Invest in Our Oakland Small Business Tax Fairness Act” - passed via acclimation
2. East Bay DSA Resolution on Branches” - passed via Clear Majority

• Email Votes

1. Laura C Data Access Request Resolution - passed with 7 yes, 0 no’s, and 5 abstains
2. Treasurer - (Lindsey)

• Bank balance $46000
• Expenses $2500 for shirts
• Winter con for 9 ydsa members $405

• Staffer [Lindsey]
• 164 new monthly donor - additional commitment that could raise to 193 new monthly donors
• Increase of about 700 in funds
• Q: Possible to use ‘Local dues’ or ‘monthly dues’ instead of ‘donations’?
• A: Some confusion occurred over of the terms during fundraising actions.
• Hours

1. Electoral (Neder) - Tax the Rich

• An ask from DSA leader for the public campaign that could help DSA’s status to the Left in oakland
• On April 2nd. 
• More information here

Discussion 

Facilitated by Shane R.

1. OPA & RPA: the Unions, the non-profits, and DSA 

• The perspective of joining OPA and the obstacles involved; huge opportunity to join RPA with campaign.
• Concerns: there are non-profit people in the organization

• RPA updates by Annika;
• Building a relationship with the steel workers desired
• The main question ought to be the non-profits.  

• Recommended reading for the type of mindset of working in a coalition:
• Hammer & Hoe, by Robin D. G. Kelley.
• The chapters on "United Front," "Popular Front," "Democratic Front"

1. The Office

• Headed by Benny Z, Neder and Lindsey M
• Recommended getting new members involved. 

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution to Plan for June 12th Convention

By Shane R, Annika B, Andrew R

Whereas the East Bay DSA bylaws state that “one of the regular meetings in the first six months of each calendar year shall be the Chapter's annual convention”

Whereas June 12th would be the regular date for our bi-monthly GM

Therefore be it resolved, the monthly leadership meetings will primarily be devoted to planning for convention

Therefore be it resolved, the committee leadership will be tasked with updating the 2021 convention website and 2021 convention packet

Therefore be it resolved, the committee leadership will plan a candidate forum for the Steering Committee election no later than May 31st

Facilitated By Andrew

Motivated by Shane 

Q&A highlights:

• Leadership to coordinate the arranging of the convention, instead of the Convention Committee
• Switch Leadership meeting to Convention Planning Meeting. 
• A mobilizer for Steering Committee?
• Possible; as a non-voting position or a position for Steering committee official to run for
• The threat of a new variant in the future?
• Staying alert on the subject.

Debate:

no objections

VOTE:

Passed by Acclimation

Motion to Reimburse East Bay YDSA Members’ Winter Conference Costs [Unamended]

By Ali N

Whereas the national YDSA Winter Conference in Chicago is about two weeks away.

Whereas since the passage of the Motion to Fundraise and Reimburse East Bay YDSA Members’ Winter Conference Costs, local enthusiasm has skyrocketed with 20 more Bay Area YDSA members expressing interest in attending Winter Conference. 

Whereas most Bay Area YDSA members interested in attending the Winter Conference cannot cover most of their travel costs.

Whereas flight ticket prices have shot up in the last week to almost $600 round-trip from SFO to Chicago.

Whereas due to the increase in interest and heightened flight costs, our fundraising goal state-wide has gone up to $25,000.

Whereas, nearly $5,000 has been raised so far through phone banks, social media, and general sharing of the DonorBox.

Whereas Bay Area YDSA chapters will be hosting regular phone banks throughout the week for the next two weeks in order to continue raising the necessary funds.

Whereas DSA-LA has pledged the maximum amount of money that the chapter can donate in the absence of a chapter-wide vote. 

Whereas it is very unlikely that the California YDSA fundraiser will be able to raise the $25,000 needed to reimburse CA YDSA Winter Conference attendees within the next two weeks. 

Therefore be it resolved that the chapter authorize up to $7,000 of chapter funds toward reimbursing Bay Area YDSA members who are attending Winter Conference and are unable to cover the associated costs themselves.

Facilitated by Annika B

Motivated by Andrew R. 

Resolution Debate highlights 

• The relationship between DSA and YDSA seem unclear and it seems like a lot of money. LA is double the membership but spends $2000 less.
• YDSA probably could have planned funding better. 
• Motion to extend by 30, seconded by Neder - Passed
• Motion to Amend - Jess B - move from $7000 to $3000, seconded by Max M
• Amendment debate highlights:
• We could do more then open to lowering from $7000 but we can do more than $3000 
• $3000 is a reasonable amount and if they need mor, they can write a resolution. 
• We could at least match the amount the LA DSA gave [$5000]
• We can recoup the costs
• VOTE - FAILED 6 yes 6 no 1 abstain
• Amended to $5000
• Called to Question
• VOTE - PASSED: 9 yes, 3 no, 1 abstain

AMENDED RESOLUTION VOTE - PASSED 9 yes and 3 no, 1 abstain. 

Executive Session

• Schools and Communities First

Meeting adjourned

• At 4:30