Athens Area DSA Bylaws

Section 1. Name. 

The name of the Local Chapter will be the Athens Area GA Local Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America, hereinafter referred to as Athens Area DSA. Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is a not-for-profit corporation.

Section 2. Territory. 

The Local Chapter shall conduct activities in Athens, GA and surrounding counties within the territory defined by the charter granted by the national Democratic Socialists of America to the Athens Area DSA. 

The Athens Area Local Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America seeks to facilitate the transition to a truly democratic and socialist society, one in which the means and resources of production are democratically and socially controlled. The Local Chapter is organized primarily to promote social welfare. 

DSA rejects an economic order based solely on private profit, alienated labor, gross inequalities of wealth and power, discrimination based on race, gender or sexual orientation, and brutality and violence in defense of the status quo. 

DSA envisions a humane social order based on popular control of resources, production, and economic planning; economic and environmental sustainability; equitable distribution; gender, racial, and ethnic equality; and non-oppressive relationships. 

Our conception of socialism is a profoundly democratic one. It is rooted in the belief that human beings should be free to develop to their fullest potential, that public policies should be determined not by wealth but by popular participation, and that individual liberties should be carefully safeguarded. It is committed to a freedom of speech that does not recoil from dissent, to a freedom to organize independent trade unions, women’s groups, political parties, and other formations—recognizing these as essential bulwarks against the dangers of an intrusive state. It is committed to a freedom of religion that acknowledges the rights of those for whom spiritual concerns are central. 

We are socialists because we are developing a concrete strategy for achieving that vision. In the present, we are building a visible socialist presence within the broad democratic Left. In the long run, we hope to build a majority movement capable of making democratic socialism a reality in the United States. Our strategy acknowledges the class structure of the U.S. society. This class structure means that there is a basic conflict of interest between those sectors with enormous economic power and the vast majority of the population.

Section 1. Definition. 

Membership of the Local Chapter shall be defined as being a member in good standing of National DSA and residing in the territory described by the charter granted by National DSA. Individuals may not be members of the Local Chapter without being members of National DSA. 

Section 2. Authority. 

Members shall be responsible for proposing and deliberating questions of Local Chapter business at Local Chapter Meetings, electing Local Chapter officers, electing delegates to the National Convention, and volunteering for Local Chapter activities and duties. 

Section 3. Resignation. 

A member may resign from the Local Chapter to become an at-large member of DSA by written notice to the Local Chapter Secretary and National DSA. A member may resign from DSA by notifying the national office of DSA. 

Section 4. Removal of Members. 

If a member in good standing is found to be in substantial disagreement with the principles or policies of National DSA, or if they are found to be consistently engaging in undemocratic, disruptive behavior, or if they are found to be under the discipline of any democratic centralist organization, the Local Chapter may vote to expel them from the Local Chapter of DSA. In order for such a finding to be made, another DSA member shall formally submit written charges against the member in question to the Local Chapter Steering Committee, which will set the date of a Local Chapter meeting for deliberations on the charges. The member in question must receive a copy of the written charges and notice of the meeting a minimum of two (2) weeks before that meeting takes place. Expulsion of a member requires a two-thirds vote of the Local Chapter meeting. An expelled member in good standing must appeal first to the National Political Committee of DSA. Decisions on expulsion by either the Local or National Organization may be appealed to the National Convention. 

Section 5. Voluntary Donations. 

As mandated by the National Constitution and Bylaws, the Local Chapter may establish a Local Chapter pledge system of voluntary donations for its members. The payment of a Local Chapter donation shall not be a requirement for voting or for holding Local Chapter office. 

Section 6. Data Security. 

The Steering Committee shall create and maintain policy and procedures to secure all member data, including but not limited to contact and billing information.

Section 1. Definition. 

Local Chapter Conventions, General Meetings, and Special Meetings shall represent the general will of the membership and shall have the highest authority of decision-making power over all matters within the Local Chapter. 

Section 2. Local Chapter Convention. 

The Local Chapter shall hold a Local Chapter Convention each calendar year to accept reports, consider questions of Local Chapter business, and elect Local Chapter Officers and may adopt an annual budget. 

The Steering Committee shall electronically or physically send written notice of the convention to all members no less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the convention. The Steering Committee shall publish the agenda to the membership no less than ten (10) days prior to the convention. 

If the Local Chapter Convention elects to consider special standing rules, the question of their adoption will be the first order of business and upon adoption will apply to that convention only. 

The Local Chapter Convention may coincide with a General Meeting. 

Section 3. General Meetings. 

The Local Chapter shall hold a minimum of four (4) General Meetings each calendar year to address any Local Chapter business within the guidelines set by the Local Chapter Convention. 

The Steering Committee shall publish the time and place to the membership no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting. The Steering Committee shall set and publish the agenda to the membership no less than five (5) days prior to the meeting. 

Section 4. Special Meetings. 

The Local Chapter Steering Committee may call a Special Meeting of the Local Chapter on five (5) days’ notice when an urgent and important matter requires deliberation. 

Section 5. Rules. 

The Local Chapter may elect to adopt standing rules, which shall not be inconsistent with these bylaws, to administer the process and procedures of Local Chapter Meetings. 

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all Local Chapter Meetings to which they apply. If Robert’s rules are inconsistent with these bylaws or standing rules, then these bylaws or standing rules will apply. 

Any action taken by a Local Chapter Meeting in contravention of these bylaws is null and void. 

Section 6. Quorum. 

A quorum of ten (10) percent of the members (but not fewer than six (6) persons) is required for Local Convention, General, or Special Meetings to transact business.

Section 1. Officers and Terms. 

The officers of the Local Chapter shall be the two Co-Chairs, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Membership Coordinator, and the Harassment Grievance Officer(s). The term of office shall be one year or until their successors are elected. The officers shall not all be cisgender men. No member shall hold more than one office at any given time.

Section 2. Elections. 

Elections for officers shall be held at the Local Chapter Convention unless otherwise stated in these bylaws. The Steering Committee shall open nominations no less than forty-five (45) days prior to the election and call for nominations to the membership. Nominations must be submitted to the Steering Committee at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of the local Chapter Convention as defined in Article IV Section 2. Uncontested elections may be decided by acclamation without objection, otherwise elections will be determined by instant-runoff voting. Elections shall be governed by any rules and procedures under Article IV Section 5.

Section 3. Co-Chairs. 

The Co-Chairs shall be the Chief Executive Officers of the Local Chapter. They shall preside over Local Chapter and Steering Committee Meetings or shall appoint a substitute to assume the powers and duties of the presiding officer as specified in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.

The Co-Chairs shall be the official public spokespersons for the Local Chapter and shall initiate such actions and policies as the Local Chapter’s general welfare may demand. The Co-Chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the Local Chapter’s Branches, Committees, and other formations. The Co-Chairs shall report to Local Chapter Meetings on the business of the Steering Committee. 

Section 4. Secretary. 

The Secretary shall be responsible for answering all correspondence and queries of the Local Chapter and for maintaining an up-to-date membership list of the Local Chapter. They shall ensure effective communication with National DSA. They shall temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Co-Chair, if neither Co-Chair is able to do so. 

The Secretary shall be responsible for the taking of minutes of all Local Chapter and Steering Committee Meetings and shall have custody of these minutes, and the resolutions, reports, and other official records of the Local Chapter. Minutes will include attendance of officers. 

The Secretary shall transfer official records, such as meeting minutes and membership lists, in good condition to their successor. The Secretary is responsible for storing and ensuring members’ access to the latest versions of these bylaws, meeting minutes, agendas, resolutions, standing rules, and all other materials in the interest of the membership. 

If the establishment of a Communications Committee is deemed necessary, then the Secretary shall also serve as the Chair of said committee.

Section 5. Treasurer. 

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Local Chapter. All funds collected by the Local Chapter shall be turned over to the Treasurer, who will hold these funds in a secure place until it is possible to deposit the funds in a credit union or bank account under the name of the Local Chapter. The Treasurer shall prepare budgets and financial reports for consideration at Local Chapter Meetings and as requested by the Steering Committee, and ensure the Local Chapter’s regulatory compliance. In cooperation with the Membership Coordinator, the Treasurer shall be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are current. 

The Treasurer shall create and document policies and procedures for carrying out their duties and for maintaining healthy Local Chapter finances. The Treasurer shall transfer to their successor the documented policies and procedures, financial records and reports, and access to financial accounts securely. 

If the establishment of a Budget and Finance Committee is deemed necessary, then the Treasurer shall also serve as the Chair of said committee.

Section 6. Membership Coordinator. 

The Membership Coordinator shall be responsible for the overall health and growth of the Local Chapter membership by coordinating the outreach, recruitment, and engagement activities of the Local Chapter. The Membership Coordinator shall oversee initiatives concerning membership growth, retention, engagement, participation, and leadership development. 

The Membership Coordinator shall organize their activities to be inclusive, culturally competent, and non-oppressive to marginalized groups. Special attention shall be devoted to the recruitment of members from marginalized groups. 

If the establishment of a Membership Outreach Committee is deemed necessary, then the Membership Coordinator shall also serve as the Chair of said committee.

Section 7. Harassment Grievance Officer(s)

In addition to the Officers listed above, the chapter shall elect one (1) Harassment Grievance Officer (“HGO”), and one (1) additional HGO if the Local Chapter has over one-hundred (100) members in good standing. HGOs are considered Local Chapter Officers, but are not members of the Steering Committee and do not have the decision-making powers that members of the Steering Committee have. The duties and responsibilities of the HGO(s) are delineated in Article XII Section 1.

Section 8. Additional Duties and Actions Out of Order. 

The Local Chapter Steering Committee may assign additional temporary duties to an officer of the Local Chapter, so long as such assignments do not conflict with the designation of responsibilities outlined in these Bylaws. Any action taken by an officer in contravention of these bylaws is null and void.

Section 9. Resignation. 

Any officer of the Local Chapter may electronically or physically submit their resignation to either the Steering Committee or Local Chapter Meeting. Upon resignation, the Steering Committee shall fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term either by scheduling an election no less than thirty (30) days away from a Local General Meeting or by appointment via simple majority vote of the Steering Committee. 

Section 10. Suspension. 

Any officer of the Local Chapter may be temporarily suspended for thirty (30) days at a Local Chapter Meeting as defined in Article IV. Any member may motion to recall and shall state with particularity the acts of malfeasance, nonfeasance, gross negligence, or undemocratic or uncomradely behavior comprising the grounds for removal and must be seconded. The Local Chapter Meeting may adopt such a motion by a two-thirds vote. 

Section 11. Recall. 

Any officer of the Local Chapter may be recalled for malfeasance or failure to fulfill their duties or obligations as an officer. 

a. Recall by Vote of the Membership. 

In order to recall or remove an officer, a member in good standing must formally refer a request to the Steering Committee to remove said officer, which will set a date of a Local Chapter Meeting for deliberations on the accused officer’s removal. The officer in question must receive written documentation of the specific reasons for the removal request and notice of the meeting a minimum of two (2) weeks before the meeting takes place. The accused officer will be given a chance to speak in their own defense at this meeting. Removal of an officer requires a two-thirds vote of the Local Chapter Meeting. 

b. Recall by Vote of the Steering Committee. 

An officer may be recalled by vote of the Steering Committee only under narrow circumstances for failure to do their duty. If an officer misses three consecutive Steering Committee meetings without excuse and fails to respond to attempts by Steering Committee members to communicate, that officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee. This action must be reported at the next Local Chapter Meeting, at which time members in good standing may overturn the vote. 

Section 1. Composition. 

The Steering Committee shall be composed of the officers of the Local Chapter, excluding the HGO(s).

Section 2. Duties. 

The Steering Committee administers the affairs of the Local Chapter and oversees the implementation of the decisions of Local Chapter Meetings; it may also propose policy to Local Chapter Meetings. It shall have the power to receive reports of any Branch, Committee, or formally created Working Group, and advise thereon, to call Special Meetings of the Local Chapter, and to act on any matter that requires immediate and urgent action. The Steering Committee is the regular executive body of the Local Chapter, and thus subordinate to its Legislative bodies, the Local Chapter Convention and General Meetings. 

The Steering Committee shall be responsible for establishing program activities for the Local Chapter, for proposing guidelines and policies that shall subsequently be voted on by members in good standing, and for acting on the organization’s behalf between Local Chapter meetings. 

The Steering Committee is responsible for ensuring that the following responsibilities are assigned to Steering Committee members or other individuals: communications, internal and external; development of any standing rules; and preparation of an annual report to be presented to the membership at the beginning of the new fiscal year or at the Local Chapter Convention. 

Section 3. Meetings. 

The meetings of the Steering Committee shall be held at the call of one (1) of the Co-Chairs at such regular intervals as may be determined by a prior Steering Committee Meeting or by consultation with any three (3) members of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee must meet at least four times per year. All members of the Steering Committee must be given three (3) days oral, written, or electronic notice of Steering Committee Meetings unless all members of the Steering Committee accept shorter notice. The Steering Committee shall give notice of its meeting schedule to Local Chapter members. Meeting minutes shall be recorded and accessible to the membership. 

Steering Committee Meetings may be held electronically by any means acceptable to all the members of the Steering Committee. 

Any member in good standing of the Local Chapter may observe Steering Committee Meetings. The Steering Committee shall allow for a question and answer period and a comment period if capacity permits. 

The Steering Committee may go into executive session by simple majority vote in order to discuss any sensitive matters. 

Section 4. Quorum. 

A quorum of a simple majority, including at least three (3) of the five (5) officers, is required for the transaction of Steering Committee business. 

Section 5. Rules. 

The Steering Committee may elect to adopt standing rules to administer the process and procedures of Steering Committee Meetings that are not inconsistent with these bylaws. 

Any action taken by the Steering Committee in contravention of these bylaws is null and void. 

Section 6. Voting. 

The Steering Committee may make decisions on business by vote of a simple majority of the committee at a Steering Committee Meeting or through other means unanimously approved by all Steering Committee members at a Steering Committee Meeting. Any vote that occurs between Steering Committee Meetings shall be reported at the next meeting. 

Section 7. Board of Directors. 

For the purposes of meeting the requirements of local and state incorporation laws, the Local Chapter shall have a “Board of Directors” consisting of members of the Steering Committee assigned for the purpose as logical and required by law. 

Section 1. Definition. 

A Branch is a subgroup chartered by the Local Chapter consisting of at least five (5) members in good standing for the purpose of expanding the reach and accessibility of the Local Chapter. Branches shall be defined by geography, identity, language, belonging to a particular institution, or sharing a common interest. 

Section 2. Creation. 

A charter application must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members in good standing of the Local Chapter who would be members of the Branch, and submitted according to the same procedure as defined in Article XIV of these bylaws. 

A charter application must define the purpose of the Branch, the nature of its leadership, the scope and nature of its membership, and how the Branch makes decisions. Membership by geography shall not overlap with another Branch defined by geography. The Local Chapter Meeting may approve a charter application under this article by a simple majority vote. 

A charter application may include an amendment to these bylaws for the purpose of Branch representation on the Steering Committee. The Local Chapter Meeting may approve this proposed amendment by a two-thirds majority vote. 

Section 3. Dissolution. 

A motion to dissolve a Branch must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members in good standing of the Local Chapter, and submitted according to the same procedure as defined in Article XIV of these bylaws. The Local Chapter Meeting may dissolve a Branch under this article by a simple majority vote. 

A motion to dissolve a Branch may include an amendment to these bylaws for the purpose of removing Branch representation on the Steering Committee. The Local Chapter Meeting may approve a motion to dissolve a Branch with a bylaws amendment under this article by a two-thirds majority vote. 

Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) chapters within the geographic area defined by a DSA Local Chapter may affiliate as a branch of that Local Chapter, in which case the local YDSA chapter may send a representative to the Local Chapter Steering Committee. 

Section 1. Definition. 

Secondary chapter formations (Committees, Working Groups, Caucuses and other formations) may exist within the Local Chapter when deemed necessary to support the the work and administration of the Local Chapter, or when they otherwise offer a beneficial purpose.

Section 2. Creation. 

The motion to establish a secondary chapter formation must define the purpose of the formation, the nature of its leadership, the nature of its membership, how the formation makes decisions, a deadline for either its dissolution or renewal, and any Local Chapter resources it may need. The formation may be subject to additional rules of the Local Chapter. 

Section 3. Dissolution. 

The recognition or establishment of such formations may be revoked by simple majority vote of a Local Chapter Meeting. Secondary chapter formations created by the Steering Committee may be dissolved by a simple majority vote of the Steering Committee.

Section 1. Definition. 

Other formations may exist within the Local Chapter when they do not need to represent the will of the membership, but otherwise offer a beneficial purpose. Such formations shall have no authority on behalf of the Local Chapter beyond the authority provided to Local Chapter members individually. Such formations may be subject to additional rules of the Local Chapter. 

Section 2. Formal Creation. 

Such formations may be recognized or established by decision of the Steering Committee or Local Chapter Meeting for the purpose of utilizing Local Chapter resources not otherwise offered to Local Chapter members, including funds and communication resources. 

Section 3. Formal Dissolution. 

The recognition or establishment of such formations may be revoked by simple majority vote of the Steering Committee or Local Chapter Meeting at any time.

Section 1. Eligibility to Vote on Delegates. 

Members in good standing of the Local Chapter shall elect Local Chapter delegates and alternates to the National Convention, as well as to any regional or state organizations. 

Section 2. Schedule of Elections to National, Regional, or State Organizations. 

Elections for the National Convention delegation will be held on the schedule announced by National DSA. Elections to regional or state organizations will be held on the schedule announced by those organizations. 

Section 3. Method of Voting. 

Following Article V, Section 5 of National DSA’s Constitution, delegates to the National Convention must be elected by secret ballot. And, “No election for delegates to the National Convention shall be held more than four months, or less than forty-five days, prior to the opening of the National Convention. No election for delegates shall be conducted before the apportionment of delegates.” 

Following Article VI, Section 3, of National DSA’s Bylaws, Local Chapters “may determine their own method of election of delegates to the Convention except that a petition from 10% of a Local Chapter’s membership or a motion supported by 15% of those present and voting at the Local meeting which determines the method of election will require the use of the Hare system in that Local’s election of delegates to the National Convention.” 

Section 1: Harassment Grievance Officers

Harassment Grievance Officers have the following duties:
1. Receive, acknowledge receipt of, and archive accuser reports;

2. Contact the accused to notify them of the accusations, request their written response, and archive any written response;

3. Conduct any necessary investigation of the claim; and

4. Present their findings to the Steering Committee with a written report and, if appropriate, a recommendation for disciplinary action.

5. Recommend, where appropriate, that parties do not contact each other for the duration of the investigative process.

6. Compile a yearly report that details:

• How many reports were made.

• How many were taken to the disciplinary process.

• How many disciplinary actions were taken.

• Any recommended changes for making the reporting system more effective

• This report will not include personally identifying information of any parties in any dispute. The local HGOs will send the yearly report to the national HGO(s) no later than January 1 of the following year.

7. Respect and maintain the confidentiality of any party that requests it, for any matter or information for which they request it. This shall not be construed to prevent the publication of the name of an accused member in the ordinary course of the grievance process, once a formal written grievance has been filed.

Section 2: Grievances Against HGO

In the event that a member wishes to report the conduct of a serving HGO, they may report such behavior to the other Local HGO or the National HGO, at their discretion. The accused HGO may neither participate nor access information related to the grievance filed against them, except as provided by this Article for the accused party of any investigation.

Section 3: Remedies and Disciplinary Action

In order to enforce this Article, the Steering Committee is empowered to take the following actions against a member who has been found in violation of this Article:

1. Removal from DSA, which shall require a two-thirds majority vote;

2. Prohibiting involvement with a specific committee;

3. Suspension from DSA, or from specific committee meetings or other organizational events;

4. A formal discussion between the accused and the Steering Committee to develop a plan to change the harassing behavior(s); and,

5. Any and all other relief deemed necessary and just.

In considering the appropriate form of relief, the Coordinating Committee shall consider:

1. The request of the accuser;

2. The severity of the offense;

3. The response of the accused;

4. The relevant behavioral histories of the accused; and,

5. Any other facts they deem relevant and reliable.

Any affected party may appeal the form of relief determined by the Steering Committee within thirty days of receiving notice of the determination. Such appeal must be in writing to the National HGO, specifically averring one of the following grounds for appeal:

1. The behavior at issue was interpreted using an incorrect standard;

2. Procedural errors, misconduct, or conflicts of interest affected the fairness of the outcome; or

3. The remedy or penalty determined by the Steering Committee was grossly disproportionate to the violation committed.

Athens Area Local Chapter will not engage in activity prohibited by the IRS guidelines established for 501(c)(4) organizations or similar rules established by the state of Georgia. Nor will the Local Chapter engage in any activity prohibited by resolutions adopted by DSA’s National Convention or DSA’s National Political Committee. 

Proposed amendments to these bylaws must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members in good standing of the Local Chapter, and submitted to the Steering Committee at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a Local Chapter Meeting as defined in Article IV. The Steering Committee is required to provide the Local Chapter membership with at least ten (10) days physical or electronic notice of the proposed amendments. The Local Chapter Meeting may adopt amendments to these bylaws proposed under this article by two-thirds vote. 

No amendment to these Bylaws may be in conflict with the national DSA Constitution and Bylaws. The Local Chapter will provide the amended Bylaws to the DSA national office. 

Proposed resolutions, that do not require amendment of these bylaws, but otherwise direct the activities of the local chapter, must be made by written resolution, endorsed by three (3) members in good standing of the Local Chapter, and submitted to the Steering Committee at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a Local Chapter Meeting as defined in Article IV. The Steering Committee is required to provide the Local Chapter membership with at least ten (10) days physical or electronic notice of the proposed resolutions. The Local Chapter Meeting may adopt resolutions proposed under this article by majority vote.

No resolutions may be in conflict with the national DSA Constitution and Bylaws or these bylaws.

A proposal to dissolve the Local Chapter must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members in good standing of the Local Chapter, and submitted to the Steering Committee at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a Local Chapter Meeting as defined in Article IV. The Steering Committee is required to provide the Local Chapter membership with at least ten (10) days physical or electronic notice of this resolution. The Local Chapter Meeting may adopt a resolution to dissolve the Local Chapter under this article by a two-thirds vote. 

Upon dissolution of the Local Chapter, any residual assets shall become property of the national organization of Democratic Socialists of America.