Amendments & Chapter Resolutions: Timeline and Guidelines for Submission

The DSA-LA Bylaws establish an Annual Convention as the highest legislative body of the Local. This year’s convention is scheduled for September 12, 2020. Pending an unforeseen circumstance, it will be held online. Given the already corrosive effects of social distancing, this decision is regrettable, but it may be our only option and it is certainly the best choice for the safety and wellbeing of our members and comrades at this time. Between now and the convention, steering will work hard to make the online convention experience as accessible and productive as possible. Despite our challenges, this year’s Annual Convention will be an opportunity for the Local to come together to reflect on the past year’s work, collectively refine our governing documents, and set priorities for the coming year. 

As a Local, we aim to exist along organizational lines developed and led by members—not an order imposed on members from above. Our governing processes reflect this deep commitment to democratic participation at all levels, and to this end, the Steering Committee is opening a call for Proposed Amendments to our Local Bylaws and Organizational Priorities and Chapter Resolutions in advance of our upcoming Annual Convention. 

Timeline and submission guidelines are outlined in detail below. 

Timeline for Submission of Proposed Amendments and Chapter Resolutions 

This timeline complies with the requirements for amendments outlined in Article XIV of the DSA-LA Bylaws.

  • May 22nd: Call opens for Proposed Amendments to Local BylawsOrganizational Priorities, and Chapter Resolutions
  • August 12th: Call for member submissions closes (2 months in advance of the Annual Convention, per Article XIV) at midnight
  • August 19th: The Steering Committee makes Proposed amendments and Chapter Resolutions available for members to review
  • September 12th: Annual Convention: Proposed Amendments and Chapter Resolutions are debated and voted on according to Robert’s Rules of Order Simplified (+ other exciting programing!)

Guidelines for Submissions

Amendments to the DSA-LA Bylaws & Organizational Priorities 

Per Article XIV and Article VI(Section 1), proposed amendments to the DSA-LA Bylaws and Organizational Priorities must be made by written resolution, and endorsed by 25 members in good standing. 

Each proposed amendment must be submitted to the Steering Committee by email at [email protected] by midnight on August 12, 2020 and include the following components to be considered for review by the chapter:

  • Article # and title of bylaws provision you wish to amend or add
  • Lead contact
  • Names, emails, and phone numbers of 25 members in good standing who endorse the proposed amendment (can include lead contact)
  • Proposed in-line edits or additional text of the proposed amendment or organizational priority 
  • For bylaws amendments, the Organizational Priorities with which this proposed amendment is aligned, and the motivation for the amendment (Maximum 500 words) 

*For reference, member feedback on potential amendments to the bylaws (shared during the bylaws review process last fall) can be found here

Proposals for Chapter Resolutions

Chapter Resolutions are time-bound, large-scale structural and/or campaign-based efforts that require major Local resources. Like proposed amendments to the Bylaws and the Organizational Priorities, Chapter Resolutions must be made by written resolution, endorsed by 25 members in good standing. Unlike amendments to the Bylaws, Chapter Resolutions do not become enshrined in our governing documents, and are undertaken over the course of the subsequent year. Only three Chapter Resolutions will be approved at the Annual Convention.

Each proposed Chapter Resolution must be submitted to the Steering Committee by email at steeringcommittee(at)dsa-la.org by midnight on August 12, 2020 and include the following components to be considered for review by the chapter:

  • Title of Chapter Resolution 
  • Lead contact:
  • Names, emails, and phone numbers of 25 members in good standing who endorse the proposed resolution (can include lead contact)
  • Proposed Chapter Resolution and Justification:
    • Component 1 (500 words max): 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): Organizational Priorities with which this proposed resolution is aligned and motivation for the resolution.
    • Component 3: Across all applicable Committee and Working Group platforms, identify relevant goals which this resolution supports and advances.