Application extended to March 5th!

Want to learn to be a stronger organizer and leader within DSA? The DSA-LA Organizing Institute is here to help!  If you’re passionate about making the world a better place, you’re ready to learn how to organize successfully. 

DSA-LA invites members to apply to the Organizing Institute, a training series to develop members into leaders through skills training and support.  Applications are now open and will close on Saturday, March 5th! Members are encouraged to apply here. 

You can also nominate a fellow DSA member who you think would be particularly suited for this opportunity. Click here for the nomination form.

What is the DSA-LA Organizing Institute?

The DSA-LA Organizing Institute is a free training series to develop members into leaders, with an active drive to prioritize the leadership of members of color. The goal of the Organizing Institute is to build up a group of DSA-LA organizers who have the skills and institutional support needed to carry out successful projects/campaigns and to develop DSA as a multi-racial socialist organization. 

What sort of information and skills will I learn in the Organizing Institute?

The Institute focuses on practical organizer skills building, leadership development, providing opportunities for involvement in DSA, and creating a sense of community between organizers and with DSA. Training topics include: 

  • Building a Mass Organization
  • Building Capacity and Developing Leadership Skills
  • Structured Organizing Conversations
  • Strategic Campaigns & Building Coalitions
  • Navigating Conflict
  • Administrative Skills.

When is the Organizing Institute happening? Where will it be held?

Training sessions will be held every other Saturday from 11:00am – 2:00pm from April 9th to June 18th (April 9th, April 23rd, May 7th, May 21st, June 4th, and June 18th). There will also be a session on a date to be determined (likely in July)  where participants will have the opportunity to evaluate the program. (If you are planning to apply, please put these dates in your calendar!)

All training sessions will be held online. Additionally, we will be holding several optional in-person social events so that members can get to know each other.

Do I need to attend all sessions?

We expect participants to attend all training sessions. Let us know at [email protected] if you have any concerns. You can also let us know in the application if you have any accessibility needs or need material assistance from DSA-LA in order to participate.

Who gets to attend the Organizing Institute?

The Organizing Institute is open to a limited number of DSA-LA members, to ensure a collaborative learning experience. Any member interested in attending must apply to participate! You can check if you are a DSA-LA member by clicking here.

At least half of selected participants will be members of color, with preference for applicants from underrepresented backgrounds//identities and members actively participating in external priority campaigns (such as Green New Deal for Public Schools, Child Care for All, or DSA-LA for Hugo).

In general, we are looking for members who have: 

  • a commitment to using their skills to do mass socialist organizing
  • a willingness to engage in hands-on, exercise-based learning
  • leadership experience in the community, workplace or in DSA
  • a vision for the future of DSA-LA 
  • empathy — this is our first year running this and we will hit some bumps along the way!

How can I apply? 

If you are interested, apply! The application is open from Monday, February 14th to Saturday, March 5th at midnight. You can click here for the application form, which should take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Do you know someone who you think would really benefit from the Organizing Institute? Please reach out to them and encourage them to apply! You can also complete a nomination form to let us know of any members who you think would be especially suited for this program.

Members that have been selected to participate in the Organizing Institute will be informed within 2-3 weeks of registration closing.

I can’t participate in the Organizing Institute… What other DSA trainings can I attend?

  • DSA-LA 101
  • DSA National Trainings
  • Other trainings will be made available to all members

Keep an eye on the DSA-LA calendar and other DSA communications to learn more about other trainings as they are made available.

Why is the Organizing Institute being held?

The Organizing Institute is being held to ensure that DSA-LA members who are actively involved in external campaigns have the skills necessary to effectively organize and build DSA as a multi-racial socialist organization. The Organizing Institute is particularly interested in ensuring that members of color and members from underrepresented communities have access to these opportunities to build power.

Any additional questions? Please reach out to [email protected]