Today we bring you a special Bulletin, as Philly DSA prepares for our biennial Local Convention, scheduled for June 26-27.
This message contains a lot of information about our upcoming convention; Philly DSA members may want to save it for future reference!
Today we bring you a special Bulletin, as Philly DSA prepares for our biennial Local Convention, scheduled for June 26-27. Per our bylaws, the Convention is the highest decision-making body of the chapter. We will convene to vote for Steering Committee members and chapter priorities, as well as to deliberate general business as we do at our quarterly General Meetings.
This convention will be virtual and will take place on Zoom, in various sessions of between two and four hours both Saturday and Sunday. The committees involved in planning the Convention have been working hard to organize an engaging program that will feature work from across the chapter and promote comradeship among members. We hope that all members will prioritize attending on both days. However, voting will take place on the second day only (Sunday, June 27).
Given the significance of the Local Convention in determining the work of the chapter for the next two years, there will be a higher standard of eligibility for voting. Absentee voting for Steering Committee members will be allowed for eligible members.
In order to be eligible to cast a vote for the Philly DSA platform, members must meet the following conditions:
In order to be eligible to cast a vote for the Steering Committee (comprising Officers, At-Large Members, and Permanent Committee Chairs) at the 2021 Philly DSA Convention, members must meet the following conditions:
Since the nominating of candidates for the Steering Committee will take place before the convention, and since there will be limited speeches among candidates during the convention, the requirement for being present does not apply. Absentee voting will be permitted via an electronic ballot, which will be sent to eligible credentialed members forty-eight (48) hours prior to the beginning of business on the second day of the convention.
In order to cast a vote on regular business raised during the 2021 Philly DSA convention, members must meet the following conditions:
Convention registration will take place starting in June, and members will be encouraged to register as soon as possible to avoid technical problems and to address eligibility questions.
Nominations for Steering Committee and Plank submissions have already opened. Please use the respective forms to submit entries. Furthermore, all Steering Committee nominees will have the option to submit supplementary campaign materials in addition to their candidate statements. These materials will be distributed to the membership prior to the Convention.
The following are important dates regarding the Convention including upcoming deadlines.
May 28 Deadline to propose bylaws amendments to be deliberated on in the General Business portion of the Convention. Email phillydsa[at]gmail[dot]com with “bylaws amendment” in the subject line.
May 30 Deadline to submit resolutions to be deliberated on in the General Business portion of the Convention. Email phillydsa[at]gmail[dot]com with “resolution” in the subject line.
June 1 Platform plank submissions due.
[tentative] June 1 Credentialing open. Details to come.
June 5 Convention Agenda published
June 9 Resolution submissions finalized
June 11 Resolutions published, amendment period open. Email amendments to [email protected] with “resolution amendment” in the subject line.
June 16 Steering Committee Nominations closed, supplementary campaign materials for distribution due.
June 18 Deadline to submit amendments to resolutions
June 20 Final packet published (version 1): includes nominated candidates and plank submission
June 22 Candidate forum to take place virtually
June 25 Deadline to request an absentee ballot. Absentee voting begins (12pm)
June 26-27 Convention
June 26 Credentialing ends
June 27 Absentee voting closes (12pm)
Finally, the Convention Planning Committee is seeking a member who can commit to designing the 2021 Convention Packet. If you would like to help, please email phillydsa[at]gmail[dot]com.
Announcement: National Convention Delegate Elections
As part of the DSA National Convention this year, which will take place online from August 1 to 8, Philly DSA will elect and send 27 delegates from our chapter who will vote on various proposals for the national organization and elect a new National Political Committee. The delegate election will use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) method, where you rank your preferred candidates first and then cast the vote. An OpaVote link and candidate statements will be sent on the morning of Saturday, June 5 and the election will be open until 11:59 pm, Saturday, June 12. You are eligible to vote if you are a member of Philly DSA in good standing. If you’re able to vote in the chapter General Meetings, then you’re able to vote in this election.
If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Green Schools and Good Jobs: Ideas for Pennsylvania's Future with Rep. Fiedler Wednesday, Jun 2 | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | Virtual
Training: Strategic Campaign Planning Thursday, Jun 3 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Virtual
Housing Committee Meeting Thursday, Jun 3 | 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Virtual
Green New Deal Commission Meeting Monday, Jun 7 | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | Virtual
Our City Our Schools Committee Meeting Saturday, Jun 12 | 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm | Virtual
Racial Justice Committee Meeting Monday, Jun 14 | 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Virtual
BuxMont DSA May Socialist SocialFriday, May 28 | 7pm | Virtual
Buxmont DSA New Members MeetingTuesday, June 8 | 7pm | Virtual
Delco DSA Reading GroupThursday, June 10 | 8pm – 9:30pm | Virtual
Delco DSA May Branch MeetingWednesday, June 16 | 7pm – 8:30pm | Virtual
Support 👏 Philly 👏 DSA 👏!Local Dues - support our campaign work and cover everyday operating costs like meeting space // Contribute to Philly DSA PAC - help fund our independent electoral campaigns // Accommodations, Accessibility, Childcare - let us know what you need to stay involved // Moved away from Philly? - update your address on the DSA national database.
Harassment and Grievance ProcessIn accordance with Article XIII of our Bylaws, a commission has been formed to receive, process, and review grievances for disciplinary action. To read more about the process or to file a grievance you can do so here.
Stay safe,
Philly DSA Bulletin Team
Inquiries | Website
PAID FOR BY PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA (WWW.PHILLYDSA.ORG.) NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE.
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