Updated October 2021
Article 1. Name
The name of the Local shall be the Greater Baltimore Democratic Socialists of America, herein referred to as “the Local.”
Article 2. Purpose
Section 1.
The Greater Baltimore Local of the Democratic Socialists of America seeks to eliminate capitalism, a system that thrives on inequality and stark segregation, in favor of economic democracy and the promotion of human dignity. We advocate a socialist economy, in which the means and resources of production are reclaimed by the people and democratically controlled.
Section 2.
The Local prioritizes life over profit. Our priority is to empower the working class and communities of color in the region, encouraging a sense of efficacy and ownership of local communities.
Section 3.
We seek to build solidarity with other leftist allies in the region, engaging in effective grassroots organizing and educating the public on the tenets of our vision of democratic socialism.
Section 4.
Our vision of democratic socialism is based on the principle of equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, economic planning, and popular control of capital.
Section 5.
We also acknowledge the unique obstacles at the intersection of race, gender, sexuality, and class, and we condemn systemic, institutional discrimination and violence.
Article 3. Membership.
Section 1.
All members in good standing with the national Democratic Socialists of America who reside in the greater Baltimore area, as defined by the territory specified in the charter granted by the national DSA, shall be members of the Local.
Section 2.
All members in good standing as defined in the previous section shall have a vote on the election of Local delegates to national DSA bodies, and of Local officers.
Section 3.
All members may stand for Local office.
Article 3. Meetings.
Section 1. General Assemblies.
Subsection a.
The Local shall hold a minimum of one General Assembly annually, and all members of the Local shall receive three weeks written or electronic notice and an agenda of the General Assembly.
Subsection b.
The General Assembly shall elect Local officers.
Subsection c.
When possible, the General Assembly shall elect Local Delegates to DSA bodies.
Subsection d.
The General Assembly may adopt an annual budget for the Local.
Subsection e.
The General Assembly is the highest legislative body of the Local.
Section 2. Regular Meetings
Subsection a.
The Local shall hold regular meetings at least four times annually, with fourteen days’ written or electronic notice to all members, or on a regular schedule established with the same notice.
Subsection b.
The regular meetings will set Local policy and work priorities.
Subsection c.
Regular meetings may feature educational programming. To respect members’ and guests’ time, when regular meetings feature programming for the public (e.g., guest speakers, panels), other Local business should be kept to a minimum (e.g., the approval of minutes, previous notice of business when required by the Local’s parliamentary authority).
Subsection d.
The Steering Committee shall set the agenda for regular meetings.
Subsection e.
In general, regular meetings are the operating legislative body of the Local.
Subsection f. Emergency Meetings.
The Steering Committee may call emergency meetings with five days’ notice to all members.
Subsection g. Quorum.
Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum required to conduct Local business.
Article 5. Officers.
Section 1.
The officers of the Local shall be as follows: the Secretary, Treasurer, two Harassment and Grievance Officers (HGOs), Public Communications Officer, Tech Officer, two Outreach and Engagement Officers, Emergency Workplace Organizing Officer, Librarian, Historian, and the Events and Logistics Officer. Officers shall perform the duties specified in these Bylaws and in the Local’s parliamentary authority.
Section 3. Secretary.
Subsection a.
The Secretary shall be responsible for answering all correspondence and queries of the Local, maintaining its membership list, and administering effective communication between Local officers and the national DSA.
Subsection b.
The Secretary shall record minutes of all general meetings and Steering Committee meetings, and shall have custody of these minutes, resolutions, reports and other official records of the Local. They shall transfer official records in good condition to their successor. Subsection 3c – Official records shall include meeting minutes and member lists.
Subsection c.
The Secretary shall draft agendas for all general and Steering Committee meetings.
Section 4. Treasurer.
Subsection a.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Local. All funds collected by the Local will be turned over to the Treasurer.
Subsection b.
In coordination with the Secretary, the Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are paid up-to-date.
Subsection c.
The Treasurer shall prepare an annual budget for the Local.
Subsection d.
The Treasurer shall deliver a report regarding the finances of the Local to the General Assembly, as well as periodic reports as requested at regular or Steering Committee meetings.
Section 5. Harassment and Grievance Officers (HGOs).
Subsection a.
Two HGOs shall be responsible for managing the harassment procedure established by the national DSA.
Subsection b.
The HGOs must maintain an email address for the reporting of harassment and other grievances and shall follow the procedures enumerated in the national Harassment Policy and the Local’s Grievance Procedure, if any.
Section 6. Events and Logistics Officer
Subsection a.
The Events and Logistics Officer shall coordinate space procurement and event scheduling.
Subsection b.
The Events and Logistics Officer shall book and coordinate with venues for all chapter-wide meetings, including physical security.
Subsection c.
The Events and Logistics Officer shall manage non-tech related logistics and event support.
Subsection d.
The Events and Logistics Officer, in coordination with the rest of the Steering Committee, shall maintain a list of best practices for in person safety.
Section 7. Public Communications Officer
The Public Communications Officer shall be responsible for managing and assisting with graphic design, photos and videos, social media, and press releases.
Section 8. Tech Officer
The Tech Officer shall be responsible for managing and assisting with online safety, database management, hybrid event, A/V, and tech related logistics, as well as Discord moderation.
Section 9. Outreach Officers
Subsection a.
The chapter shall have two Outreach Officers.
Subsection b.
The Outreach Officers shall be responsible for facilitating New Member Orientations, creating surveys and polls for active members, coordinating phone banking and text banking drives, and assisting working groups to drive member attendance to events.
Section 10. Emergency Workplace Organizing Officer
The Emergency Workplace Organizing Officer leads the Emergency Workplace Organizing Committee and is tasked with facilitating the functional group responsible for providing support and education for workplace organizing in Baltimore.
Section 11. Librarian
The Librarian is responsible for coordinating reading groups and training seminars, political discussions, and multi-media events, maintaining and preserving chapter literature and educational materials, and guiding chapter member’s political education through curated reading guides, newsletters, pamphlets, and other media.
Section 12. Historian
Subsection a.
The Historian is responsible for archiving photos, pamphlets, merchandise, public messages, and meeting minutes for historic preservation.
Subsection b.
The Historian is responsible for archiving previously used materials.
Subsection c.
The Historian shall curate historical literature and materials for chapter member’s historical evaluation.
Subsection d.
The Historian shall preserve and educate the membership about our chapter’s unique history
Article 6. Nominations and Elections of Officers, Steering Committee Members, and Delegates.
Section 1. Nomination and Elections of Officers and Steering Committee Members.
Subsection a.
Any member of The Local in good standing may nominate any other member of The Local in good standing, including themselves, at a regular meeting prior to the General Assembly, or by written or electronic notice to the Secretary no fewer than fourteen days before the General Assembly.
Subsection b.
Nominees must formally accept the nomination and provide a brief candidate statement to the Secretary no fewer than 7 days before the General Assembly to be distributed to The Local electronically.
Subsection c.
Officers and Steering Committee Membersserve terms no longer than one year or until their successors are elected, and their term of office shall begin at the close of the General Assembly at which they are elected.
Subsection d.
No member shall be eligible to serve for more than four consecutive terms in the same office.
Subsection e.
No member shall hold more than one officer or Steering Committeeposition at the same time.
Subsection f.
Officers and Steering Committee membersmay be removed from office at the pleasure of the membership as provided in the Local’s parliamentary authority.
Section 2. Nomination and Election of Local Delegates to DSA Bodies.
Subsection a.
Local delegates and alternates to the National Convention are elected by members of the Local.
Subsection b.
Elections for the National Convention delegation are held on the schedule announced by the national DSA.
Subsection c.
When possible, Delegates and Officers should be nominated and elected at the same time, at the General Assembly. When this is not possible, a Nominating Committee of four members may be formed at a regular meeting, and elections for Delegates held at the next regular meeting.
Section 3.
Officers, Steering Committee Members, and Delegates shall be elected by ballot using Scottish Single Transferable Vote. If an Officer or Delegate position is uncontested, the nominee is declared elected by acclamation.