Did you miss our GM? | Bulletin

This past Sunday, our membership convened virtually for our September General Meeting. With your help and patience, we were able to test out a new voting system used first used at the National Convention. To the more than 160 members who took on the challenge and learned the new system: thank you! 

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This past Sunday, our membership convened virtually for our September General Meeting. With your help and patience, we were able to test out a new voting system used first used at the National Convention. To the more than 160 members who took on the challenge and learned the new system: thank you! 

Before jumping into new business, we heard a report-back on the August National Convention from Francisco, who shared highlights from guest speakers to the election of a new National Political Committee. (For more, register for the full report-back this Sunday.) We also took a moment to support the Green New Deal for Public Schools campaign as Nafis led us in a phone zap to our representatives. After a quick Robert’s Rules training, our permanent committee chairs reported on their activity since the last GM. View the Treasurer/Secretary reports and our GM presentation.

Two exciting new resolutions passed after much debate: R1, Building Rank and File Support for a GND through Popular Education, and R2, Create a “We Own Philadelphia Gas Works” Campaign to demand that the publicly owned entity be accountable to the people and our future. Keep an eye out for ways to get involved with these projects. Several other resolutions were referred to the Steering Committee due to time restraints.

This was the first General Meeting led by the 2021-2023 Steering Committee, and we’d love your feedback. Please direct thoughts, suggestions, and concerns to our #general channel in Slack. You can also view the General Meeting minutes if you missed us. 

We hope to see you at our next General Meeting on December 11 at noon! Don’t forget to RSVP early to stay in the loop.


On the calendar
Unless otherwise specified, all events are held via Zoom. 

Defund the Police Campaign Meeting, October 1 at 6pm
Join this monthly meeting to discuss an upcoming Red Rabbits Training, an upcoming referendum on policing, and more. RSVP

Worker Cooperatives: Worker Power and Autonomy, October 1 at 7pm
The Political Education Committee will explore the basic ideas and theory behind worker co-ops in this discussion with Dr. Shahram Azhar, Assistant Professor of Economics at Bucknell University. RSVP


Education Justice Committee Re-launch Meeting, October 3 at 3pm
Join to hear what the Our City Our Schools Coalition has planned around the fight for safe school facilities, discuss our plans for this next year of organizing, and find out how you can get involved! RSVP

National Convention Report-back, October 3 at 4pm
Join our 2021 NatCon delegation for a report on how DSA’s highest deliberative body made political decisions for the organization back in August. RSVP

Night School: What is Capitalism?, October 6 at 7pm
We all know what we're up against: capitalism! But what exactly is capitalism? Is it a thing, a system, or something else? Join the discussion. RSVP

Structured Organizing Conversations Training, October 7 at 6pm
The Member Engagement Committee will train you on how to have organizing conversations essential to labor, housing, and deep-organizing work. RSVP

Housing Committee: What is Tenant Organizing?, October 7 at 8pm
Join a special meeting to discuss the skills and theory involved in organizing to win better housing conditions with your neighbors. We'll also talk about our ongoing Stomp Out Slumlords campaign and how you can get involved. RSVP

Fall (of Capitalism) Fest, October 9 at 3pm
Celebrate fall with Philly DSA at this family-friendly outdoor event! Events will include pumpkin painting and carving, face-painting, food, and games. RSVP

Green New Deal Commission Open Strategy Session, October 10 at 1pm at Lemon Hill Pavilion in Fairmount Park
Contribute to the strategy of how Philly DSA conducts GND relevant campaigns, with an optional shared meal and social event after. RSVP


Steering Committee Meeting, October 12 at 7pm
Join to hear the Steering Committee discuss issues related to the internal structures, campaigns, and procedures of our chapter. RSVP

Electoral Committee Open Meeting, October 13 at 6pm
Join for updates on questionnaires and endorsements, canvassing, and plans for the 2022 elections. RSVP

Political Education: Liberation Theology, October 13 at 7pm
Liberation theology changed the politics of Latin America by merging Christian faith with socialist understanding of the world. Join us to learn this history with the host of the Liberation Theology podcast, Fr. David Inczauskis, SJ. RSVP

New Member Meeting, October 14 at 6:30pm
An introduction to Philly DSA for new members and people thinking about joining. Learn about the local and the many ways you can get involved! RSVP

Racial Justice Committee Meeting, October 20 at 6pm
Join the work to promote multi-racial solidarity and build an anti-racist foundation in Philadelphia! RSVP

View the full calendar


Updates from the branches

Delco DSA
Reading Group, October 14 at 7pm
Read and discuss an essay published in Racecraft: The Soul of Inequality in American Life. RSVP
View all events

BuxMont DSA
Political Education, October 4 at 7pm
Hear about ongoing projects, organizational structure, and the many ways that you can contribute to building a democratic socialist future in BuxMont and beyond. RSVP

Bucks Tenant Solidarity Meeting, October 6 at 6pm
Join a coalition group made up of Lower Bucks for Change, Bucks County Socialists, and BuxMont DSA organizing to form a tenants union. RSVP
View all events


This week in unions

  • Members of the National Domestic Workers Alliance in Philly are calling on City Council to recognize October 13 as Dorothy Bolden Day. Bolden, a Black house cleaner and civil rights activist, founded the National Domestic Workers Union, which boasted 10,000 members at its height. Sign their petition here.
  • Public school teachers and staff are struggling deeply this year, due to the pandemic and COVID protocols, staff shortages, transportation issues, and more. We send them our love and solidarity, and will continue to organize and fight with them as they take action for better working conditions.
  • Philly airport workers won a raise to $15.60 per hour and a wage supplement toward healthcare costs and paid sick leave. Read more here.
  • IATSE locals in California are taking a strike authorization vote in the first few days of October. If you watch movies or television, you can thank IATSE crews for making it happen!
  • A feel-good story: a beloved DelCo letter carrier is retiring and was celebrated by hundreds of families on his route. USPS workers are the lifeblood of our communities and their jobs and the service must be protected and expanded!

To get involved: If you’re interested in supporting workers who want to organize, organizing your workplace, supporting workers and unions taking collective action, or in building relationships with rank & file union members and leaders, email [email protected]


On the bulletin

  • #NoCutsChallenge: Demand that the Green New Deal for Public Schools and the PRO Act are included in the reconciliation package by participating in this social media challenge today: post a selfie in a red shirt and hold scissors, using the hashtag #NoCutsChallenge. View sample posts.
  • Housing Survey: Please fill out the Housing Committee’s survey to map shared landlords and property management companies. Responses will help future tenant organizing efforts.
  • Join us on Slack: If you’re a Philly DSA member and you’d like to join our Slack workspace, please email [email protected]
  • Access our Google Calendar: This public calendar is updated regularly with our chapter’s events.
  • Harassment and Grievance Process: In 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.
  • Support Philly DSA! 

What we’re reading

  • The Inside Story of How Berlin Took On Corporate Landlords and Won | Vice
  • The Road to Climate Action Might Run Through Labor Law Reform | Jacobin 

In solidarity,

Philly DSA
http://www.phillydsa.org/

Join Philly DSA

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