2024 DSA-LA CONVENTION PROPOSAL TIMELINE AND GUIDELINES

We’re fast approaching that time of year again to come together and democratically decide the priorities and direction of our chapter! Our 2024 local convention will be taking place on Saturday, April 20. RSVP here.

CALL FOR LOCAL CONVENTION PROPOSALS

Updated 15 March 2024

At each convention, members submit priority resolutions which help direct the work of our chapter. Priority resolutions are time-bound, large-scale chapterwide campaigns that require major chapter resources. The most effective priority resolutions have clearly outlined plans with actionable items that can engage members. Up to but no more than 3 priority resolutions may be approved. When submitting your proposal, please keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Is it a winnable demand?
• Is the demand widely and deeply felt among working class Angelenos?
• Does it build power?
• Does it create more socialists?
• Does it develop the organizing skills of our members and create new leaders?

In addition to priority resolutions, members may also submit amendments to our Bylaws and/or amendments to our Mission Statement and Organizational Priorities. All require a ⅔ supermajority to pass.

Thanks to feedback from members, we want to provide more clarity and information about proposals to amend the chapter bylaws. DSA-LA is currently going through the process of separate incorporation, which will soon be completed as we wait for our paperwork to be finalized with the California Secretary of State. Fingers crossed it will be done by convention. While the process is nearing completion, we are currently operating under our non-separately incorporated chapter bylaws. Once the separate incorporation process is complete our new bylaws as a separately incorporated chapter immediately go into effect. DSA-LA members approved the new bylaws for separate incorporation in December of 2023. 

For members putting forward proposals to amend the chapter bylaws at the 2024 chapter convention, your proposals should be amendments to the new bylaws that go into effect upon separate incorporation. You can review those bylaws here. 

Understanding that this information was not readily available and clear to members, we are extending the deadline for submission of Bylaws Amendments proposals and Priority Campaign resolutions to Wednesday, March 20th at 6:00 p.m. 

Below is the updated timeline for convention:

• March 20, 2024: Submission period closes at 6:00 p.m. All submissions will be shared with the membership for review.
• March 27, 2024: Deadline for amendments to Priority Campaign resolutions and Bylaws Amendments proposals to be accepted by authors
• March 29, 2024: Final version of resolutions and proposals to be debated will be published and shared with membership.
• April 20, 2024: Convention

Priority Campaign resolutions and Bylaws Amendments proposals must be co-signed by 25 members in good standing. You must share a Word doc or Google doc of your resolution and a list of the cosigners, including their name, phone number, and email address associated with their DSA membership, with the Steering Committee ([email protected]) by March 20th at 6:00 p.m.

Proposals for amendments to the DSA-LA Bylaws, Mission Statement and Organizational Priorities (Updated 15 March 2024):

Per our current bylaws, proposed amendments must be made by written resolution and accompanied by 25 signatures of members in good standing. Submissions must be submitted to the Steering Committee via email ([email protected]) by March 20, 2024 at 6:00pm include the following:

• Article # and title of bylaws provision you wish to amend or add
• Lead contact
• Full names, emails, and phone numbers of 25 members in good standing who cosign the proposed amendment (can include lead contact)
• Proposed in-line edits or additional text of the proposed amendment or organizational priority
• Motivation for the amendment, should not exceed 500 words

Proposals for Priority Resolutions:

Each proposed resolution must be submitted to the Steering Committee via email ([email protected]) by March 20, 2024 at 6:00pm and must be accompanied by signatures of 25 members in good standing. Submissions must include the following:

• Title of Priority Resolution
• Lead contact
• Full names, emails, and phone numbers of 25 members in good standing who cosign the proposed resolution (can include lead contact)
• Proposed Chapter Resolution and Justification Guidelines:
  • Component 1 (500 words max recommended): Description of the Chapter Resolution, including a detailed timeline, and Local resources required. Local resources include, but are not limited to: chapter’s monetary resources, members’ monetary resources, member mobilization and time, political capital, and production of materials.
  • Component 2 (500 words max recommended): Organizational Priorities with which this proposed resolution is aligned and motivation for the resolution.

Component 3: Identify relevant goals of applicable Committee and Working Group platforms, which this resolution supports and advances. This component should describe ways in which other working groups may be expected to support the implementation of the resolution.

Campaign Working Groups

Campaign Working Groups will be formed to guide and support the implementation of all resolutions that are passed. We recommend authors to keep this in mind and describe ways that each working group will work with existing bodies to make sure the resolution is implemented.

Each Campaign Working Group will be directed by the Steering Committee and two appointed Co-Chairs, but will have opportunities for all interested members to learn about volunteer opportunities and provide feedback.

Thank you all for reading and we can’t wait to see you at our Convention!

-DSA-LA Steering Committee

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