General Meeting Packet

September General Meeting Agenda

Sept 14, 2019 | 12:30-4:00 PM | First Unitarian Church | 2125 Chestnut St.

1:00 PM: Call to Order

1:00-1:15 PM: Guest Speaker

Marty Harrison rank-and-file nurse on the closure of Hahnemann

1:15-2:00 PM: Committee Reports

Treasurer's Report
Steering Committee Report
Bernie Sanders Campaign Report

2:00-2:10 PM: Recess

2:10-2:40 PM: Candidate Interviews

Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke to answer questions from the membership.

2:40-3:00 PM: Standing Rules Discussion

3:00-3:30 PM: Bylaws and Resolutions

Introduction to Rules by the Chair

Bylaws Amendment for Article XII, Section 2 Bylaws Amendment 2019:09:01
To Establish A Temporary Green New Deal Strategy Committee Resolution 2019:09:01
Endorse Kendra Brooks for City Council At-Large Resolution 2019:09:02
Endorse Nicolas O’Rourke for City Council At-Large Resolution 2019:09:03

3:30-3:45 PM: Announcements

Report from National Convention
Fundraising for Bernie Campaign

4:00 PM: Adjourn

Resolutions and Bylaws Amendments

Bylaws Amendment 2019:09:01 to Article XII, Section 2

Authors: Eamon Caddigan, Sam Chenkin

Endorsements: Eamon Caddigan, Sam Chenkin, Adam Schlesinger, Ronald Joseph, Austin Binns, Jesse G Kudler, Anlin Wang, Jason Oscar, Dave Backer, Mitchell Broesder, Khalil Manns, Sophie Song, Samuel Schwartz, Henry Steinberg, Sarah Jones, Mark Blaho, Andrew Moskowitz, Garett Miller, Conor Geiger, Michele Rossi, Dan Kauder, William Markham, Mitch Chanin, Matt Chewning, Roncy, Daniel Parker, Shelly Ronen, Maxime Delafosse-Brown, Jason Linderman, Tarig Robinson, Bianca Adams, Sus Volz

Resolved that the following text be added to the end of Article XII, Section 2:

Consolidated and updated Standing Rules, Policies and Procedures of the Local will be maintained by the Communications Committee and made available to the membership through the organization's website. Additions and changes will be annotated with dates and links to any Originating materials.

Resolution 2019.06.00: Establish A Temporary Green New Deal Strategy Committee

Authors: Matt L, Jason L, Alex N, Mary M, David M
Co-Sponsors: David S, Ben S, Bill S, Pearl M, Eric M, Melissa N

Whereas, our current rate of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an existential threat to humanity; and

Whereas, GHG emission rates must go negative this century to guarantee a liveable climate; and

Whereas, the transition to a zero-emissions economy, let alone a negative-emissions economy, is progressing at an inadequate pace because of the political clout of fossil fuel incumbents; and

Whereas, the monumental task of transitioning to a negative-emissions economy now requires a massive green jobs program that could employ millions of Americans; and

Whereas, the untapped power of organized labor is needed to win such a program; and

Whereas, a green jobs program that ensured a tighter labor market and transferred massive amounts of wealth from capitalists to workers would strengthen organized labor;

Therefore be it resolved, that Philadelphia DSA create a temporary committee to write a strategy document to guide campaign work around a local Green New Deal policy that prioritizes green jobs and working in coalition with organized labor; and

Be it further resolved, that the committee shall submit the strategy document for approval by Philly DSA’s general membership by the last General Meeting of 2019; and

Be it further resolved, that the strategy document’s recommendations emphasize how Green New Deal campaign work can be undertaken by the chapter’s existing committees; and

Be it further resolved, that the committee’s strategy document outline canvassing, legislative pressure, policy advocacy and other tactics for Philly DSA to utilize in advancing the Green New Deal in the Philadelphia area; and

Be it finally resolved, that the committee consist of Matt L (Chair), Jason L, David M, and Mary M, plus up to three additional members to be appointed by the co-Chairs of the chapter, in consultation with the chair of the committee, before the first meeting.

Resolution 2019:09:01: Endorse Kendra Brooks for City Council At-Large

Authors: Ron Joseph, Austin Binns, Anlin Wang

Cosponsors: Michele Rossi, Seth Kulick

Whereas, the 2019 National DSA Convention voted to prioritize Democratic Socialist electoral efforts and prioritize class struggle elections that build working class power;

Whereas, the 2019 electoral cycle presents strategic opportunities for our Local to advance Democratic Socialist politics and program at the municipal level;

Whereas, the 2019 municipal elections present strategic opportunities to advance the democratic socialist agenda, in particular the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, fully-funded public education, an end to the tax abatement, and a Green New Deal for Philadelphia;

Whereas, this election presents an historic opportunity to defeat incumbent Republicans in Philadelphia City Council who currently hold the at-large seats dedicated to minority parties;

Whereas, a victory by Kendra Brooks on the Working Families Party ballot line can help develop an independent working class political alternative to the Republican and Democratic party machines in Philadelphia;

Whereas, Kendra Brooks has a demonstrated record of activism in support of the values embodied by Philly DSA; and,

Whereas, Kendra Brooks’ answers to Philly DSA’s endorsement questionnaire demonstrate a commitment to advancing a legislative agenda in line with Philly DSA’s values;

Therefore be it resolved, that Philly DSA will endorse Kendra Brooks for the At-Large seats in the Philadelphia City Council;

Be it further resolved, that Philly DSA will support Kendra Brooks’ campaign through regular canvassing, phone and text banking, and media outreach.

Resolution 2019:09:02: Endorse Nicolas O’Rourke for City Council At-Large

Authors: Ron Joseph, Austin Binns, Anlin Wang

Cosponsors: Michele Rossi, Seth Kulick

Whereas, the 2019 National DSA Convention voted to prioritize Democratic Socialist electoral efforts and prioritize class struggle elections that build working class power;

Whereas, the 2019 electoral cycle presents strategic opportunities for our Local to advance Democratic Socialist politics and program at the municipal level;

Whereas, this election presents an historic opportunity to defeat incumbent Republicans in Philadelphia City Council who currently hold the at-large seats dedicated to minority parties;

Whereas, a victory by Nicolas O’Rourke on the Working Families Party ballot line can help develop an independent working class political alternative to the Republican and Democratic party machines in Philadelphia;

Whereas, Nicolas O’Rourke has a demonstrated record of activism in support of the values embodied by Philly DSA; and,

Whereas, Nicolas O’Rourke’s answers to Philly DSA’s endorsement questionnaire demonstrate a commitment to advancing a legislative agenda in line with Philly DSA’s values;

Therefore be it resolved, that Philly DSA will endorse Nicolas O’Rourke for the At-Large seat in the Philadelphia City Council;

Be it further resolved, that Philly DSA will support Nicolas O’Rourke’s campaign through regular canvassing, phone and text banking, and media outreach.

Appendix I: Standing Rules Philly DSA

General Meetings

Resolution and Amendment Submission

All resolutions up for debate at a general meeting must be submitted to the resolutions commission of the steering committee at least [3] weeks prior to the meeting. The resolutions commission will make sure that the resolution is in order with Roberts Rules, the Philly DSA Bylaws, and the Philly DSA Standing Rules.
All amendments to resolutions must be submitted to the resolutions commission of the steering committee at least [1] week prior to the meeting. The resolutions commission will make sure that the resolution is in order with Roberts Rules, the Philly DSA Bylaws, and the Philly DSA Standing Rules.

Motivation and Debate

During debate members are asked to be respectful and comradely towards each other. Please confine comments to the merits of the matter being discussed.
The chair will introduce resolutions to be debated as laid out by the order of the agenda with full title and number so that members may follow along in the packet. The chair will introduce a new resolution as a main motion and introduce an author of the resolution to talk about its content. The author will then have 3 minutes of speaking time. After this the body will move into debating the resolution.
All speakers whether in debate or from the floor should state their name.
In the event that there is an amendment to the resolution, immediately after the main resolution is introduced, the chair will call up an author of the amendment to speak about its content. The author will have 2 minutes to introduce their amendment. The body will then move directly into debating the amendment. After a vote is taken on the amendment, the body will move directly into debating the main motion.
Any motion that requires debate will be allowed to have 2 speakers for and against. After 2 speakers for each side, the chair will ask for points or motions, at which time members can motion to extend speakers for and against (by a definite number of speakers, eg 1 more speaker for and against), can call the question, etc.
If the meeting is approaching the scheduled adjournment time, the chair will ask the membership if it would like to refer agenda items to the steering committee for a vote.

Order of the Agenda

The order of items on the new business agenda will be determined by the following:
1. Resolutions relating to the political priorities determined by Philly DSA’s latest local convention
2. Resolutions relating to external campaign work
3. Resolutions establishing new bodies of the local
4. Resolutions relating to administrative matters of the local
5. Any other resolutions

Sub-Bodies of the Local - Committees, Commissions, Auxiliary Bodies

Committee Online Voting Policy

Online voting should be avoided and used only for noncontroversial matters that require a rapid response. When a decision is raised in committee for a vote online, members have at least 24 hours to respond. If during that time two or more members of the committee request via email to hold off on the vote pending further deliberation and/or online discussion, the online vote is null and void, even if a majority of the committee has already voted.

Committee Membership

Committees must have at least 3 members and can have no more than 12 official members, with the exception of the steering committee whose membership is laid out in the bylaws of the chapter and selected at biannual local conventions.
Chairs of committees may set standards for membership on the committee, including but not limited to - committee meeting attendance, attendance at events organized by the committee, and continued active participation in the committee. These standards must be made clear and be easily accessible for committee members to review. If a member of a committee violates one of these standards, the chair of the committee must contact the chair of the chapter and notify them of member removal.
Chairs may (as laid out in the bylaws and standing rules) appoint additional or replacement members to their committee on a rolling basis, provided the committee never exceeds the maximum number of official members.
Committees may create additional internal positions, including but not limited to a vice-chair or secretary, as suits their organizational needs.

Committee Reporting Requirements

Meetings of temporary committees are public and should be advertised in the bulletin and on the Philly DSA website
Meeting minutes of temporary committees should be submitted to the secretary of the chapter no later than 2 months after regular meetings
Temporary committees must submit quarterly written reports to the secretary of the chapter

Committee Budgets

Each year and/or within three months of the committee’s establishment, the committee chair will meet with the chapter treasurer to discuss their anticipated budgetary needs. The treasurer will then deliberate with the steering committee, which will vote to determine the committee’s annual budget.

Temporary Committees

The scope of temporary committees may be one of the following
1. Organizing a campaign or tactic
2. Carrying out a specific task within the local not yet delegated to another body, committee, or commission
3. Studying a specific political question
4. Issuing recommendations pertinent to a current or potential task in the local
Upon proposal, temporary committee resolutions should specify who will chair the committee and how many members can sit on the committee at any point. The rest of the committee members will be appointed by the chair and vice chair of the chapter, in consultation with the chair of the temporary committee.
The committee chair will be responsible for ensuring that the committee:
1. Follows the chapters internal reporting standards
2. Effectively carries out its activities
3. Remains within the mandate given to it by the membership

Non-Deliberative and Auxiliary Groups

Meetings of non-deliberative and auxiliary groups will be advertised if they obtain approval from the steering committee
Any events organized by non-deliberative and auxiliary groups must obtain approval either from the general membership (at a general meeting) or the steering committee in order to officially be considered a Philly DSA event, entitled to using the chapter name, getting online advertising from the chapter, and getting support from chapter committees
Non-deliberative and auxiliary groups cannot have social media accounts (facebook, twitter, instagram, etc) representing themselves as official bodies of Philly DSA unless they seek and obtain approval from the steering committee

Steering Committee

Ad Hoc Action Approval

Requests to endorse/advertise/co-sponsor/participate in other group’s actions or events should be sent to the chair and vice chair at [email protected]
Chairs should present requests to the steering committee no later than the following regular steering committee meeting. If the request must be responded to before the next regular meeting, the steering committee should make a decision via email or virtual call.
Requests about ad hoc actions should be evaluated based on:
1. The criteria laid out in resolution 11:18:05
2. The priorities established at our local convention
3. Philly DSA’s active campaign work
4. Whether or not any official coalition partners are involved

Steering Committee Communications Policy

Any requests to the chairs or steering committee of Philly DSA must be sent to the official chapter gmail [email protected]. A response to the email will be issued within 72 hours.
Requests for agenda items: A member can request to add an item to the steering committee agenda. Such requests must be sent no less than 72 hours ahead of the steering committee meeting or they are not guaranteed consideration. A member of the steering committee must then request that the item be added to the agenda.
Requests to endorse, co-sponsor, promote an outside event must be sent at least a week in advance. Requests sent in less than a week in advance may still be considered but the steering committee may not have enough time to discuss and make a decision. Upon approving Philly DSA’s participation in an outside event, the steering committee will appoint one of its members to serve as a point person to help coordinate any outreach as well as other event needs. They may also choose to appoint additional people to help from the chapter writ large.

Campaigns

The chair of the local may appoint a coordinating committee of up to three (3) members for any platform priority

September 2019 General Meeting Packet