Bylaws

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of the Local Chapter shall be the  Lower Hudson Local Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, a not-for-profit corporation.

ARTICLE II. Purpose

The Lower Hudson Local Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America seeks to facilitate the transition to a truly democratic and socialist society, one in which the means/resources of production are democratically and socially controlled.

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

DSA envisions a humane social order based on democratic control of resources, production, and the workplace, economic planning, equitable distribution, gender and racial 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.

ARTICLE III. Membership

Section 1.  Membership

Members of the Lower Hudson Local Chapter of DSA will be those individuals whose dues to national DSA are paid in full, who reside and/or work in the counties of Westchester, Rockland, or Putnam. It will be the responsibility of members to approve policies and guidelines for the operation of the Local Chapter chapter, to elect delegates to the national convention, to vote on matters related to national policy, and to make recommendations on issues and other matters to the National Political Committee of DSA.  

Section 2.  Dues.

The Local Chapter may establish a Local Chapter pledge system of voluntary donations for its members.

ARTICLE IV. Local Chapter Meetings

Section 1.  General Meeting.

The Local Chapter will hold a minimum of one General Meeting annually, and all members of the Local Chapter will receive three weeks written (or electronic mail) notice and an agenda of the General Meeting.  The General Meeting will elect Local Chapter officers and may adopt an annual budget.  In general, it is the highest legislative body of the Local Chapter.

Section 2.  Regular Meetings.

The Local Chapter will hold Regular Meetings at least four times annually, the time and place of which shall be set in a schedule published and distributed by the Local Chapter Steering Committee.  The Regular Meetings will set Local Chapter policy and work priorities, and will include political education sessions.

The Local Chapter Steering Committee will set the agenda for Regular Meetings.  In general, the Regular Meeting is the operating legislative body of the Local Chapter.

Section 3.  Emergency Meetings.

The Local Chapter Steering Committee may call an Emergency Meeting of the Local Chapter on five days notice when an urgent and important matter requires deliberation.

Section 4.  Quorum.

A quorum of 10 percent of the members (but not fewer than six persons) is required for General, Regular, or Emergency Meetings to transact business.  

ARTICLE V.  Local Chapter Officers:  Powers and Duties

Section 1.  Officers and Terms

The Local Chapter Steering Committee will be composed of the seven members who will take turns chairing meetings (1 Treasurer, 1 Secretary, 5 at-large). Steering committee members may take on specific roles and responsibilities with majority approval of the rest of the Steering Committee (e.g. Newsletter editor, etc,). The term of office will be one year, and shall run from October 1 to September 30 or until their successors are elected.

At least four of the committee members must be composed of persons who identify as persons of color, women, or gender nonconforming.   

Section 2.  Vacancies.

In the event of a vacancy the Local Chapter Steering Committee will appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.

Section 3.  Secretary.  

a)  The Secretary will 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.  The Secretary will ensure effective communication with the national DSA.  

Section 4.  Treasurer.

The Treasurer will be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Local Chapter.  All funds collected by the Local Chapter will be turned over to the Treasurer, who shall deposit them in an account under the name of the Local Chapter.  In cooperation with the Secretary, the Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are paid up-to-date.  The Treasurer will prepare the annual Local Chapter budget, and deliver the Local Chapter financial report to the General Meeting of the Local Chapter, as well as periodic progress reports as requested by the Steering Committee of the Local Chapter.

Section 6.  Additional Duties.

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. 

ARTICLE VI.  Steering Committee.

Section 1.  Composition.

The Local Chapter Steering  Committee will be composed of  the seven Steering Committee members, including one responsible for duties of the Secretary and  one responsible for the duties of Treasurer, and the chair(s) of any Local Chapter Branches.

Section 2.  Duties.

a)  The Steering Committee administers the affairs of the Local Chapter and oversees the implementation of the decisions of the General and Regular Meetings; it may also propose policy to the General and Regular Meetings.  It  will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the Local Chapter’s branches and committees. It shall have the power to receive reports of any Committee or Branch, and advise thereon, to call emergency 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 General and Regular Meetings. 

b) Steering Committee members will take turns presiding over Local Chapter meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order.  

c)  The Local Chapter Steering Committee will be responsible for establishing program activities for the Local Chapter, for proposing guidelines and policies that will subsequently be voted on by full members of DSA, and for acting on the organization’s behalf between Local Chapter meetings.

d) The Steering Committee will report on the business of the Steering Committee Meetings at Local Chapter Regular Meetings, at which time a copy of the minutes of those meetings will be available for inspection.

Section 3.  Meetings.

The Steering Committee shall meet at least once every three months on a schedule to be determined by the members of the committee

Section  4.  Quorum.

A quorum of four members of the Steering Committee is required for the transaction of Steering Committee business.

ARTICLE VII.  Harassment Grievance Officer(s)

In accordance with DSA’s National Harassment Policy, Lower Hudson DSA will elect two Harassment Grievance Officers (HGOs).

Section 1. Responsibilities

  • Receive, acknowledge receipt of, and archive accuser reports; 

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

  • Conduct any necessary investigation of the claim; and 

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

  • If necessary, HGO(s) may recommend that parties do not contact each other for the duration of the investigative process.

  • 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

Section 2. Terms

Harassment Grievance Officers will serve one year terms that shall run from October 1 to September 30 or until their successors are elected.

ARTICLE VIII.  Branches

Section 1.  Definition.

A branch is a subgroup of the Local Chapter consisting of at least five full members in good standing with national DSA.  Branches may be defined by geography, work site, constituency (e.g., labor, minority, feminist), or area of political work (e.g., peace action, environmental movement).  The chairs of branches will hold membership on the Local Chapter Steering Committee.

ARTICLE IX.  Committees

Section 1.  Duration.

The Local Chapter will have Ad Hoc Committees, which will exist for a limited and explicit duration.  Ad Hoc Committees may be established by a vote of full members at a Regular Meeting of the Local Chapter.

Section 2.  Duties.

Chairs of Ad Hoc Committees will keep the Steering Committee and the Regular Meetings of the Local Chapter informed on the activities of the committee.

ARTICLE X.  Delegates to National, Regional, and State Bodies.

Section 1.  Convention.

Local Chapter delegates and alternates to the National Convention will be elected by full members of the Local Chapter Chapter of DSA.  Elections for the National Convention delegation shall be held on the schedule announced by the national organization.

ARTICLE XI.  Prohibited Activity

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

ARTICLE XII.  Nominations and Recalls.

Section 1.  Nominations Committee.

A three-person Nominations Committee shall be established at least one month prior to every election by vote of a Regular Meeting.  It shall solicit and receive nominations for the positions to be elected.

Section 2.  Nominations Process.

Nominations for Local Chapter officers and delegates to the National Convention shall be opened 10 days before and closed at the Annual Meeting.  The call for nominations shall be announced to full members of DSA in advance of the General Meeting.  

Section 3.  Uncontested Positions.

If a position is uncontested, the nominee will be declared elected by acclamation.

ARTICLE XIII.  Amendments.

Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five  members of the Local Chapter chapter of DSA, and submitted to the Steering Committee a month in advance of a General or Regular Meeting. The Steering Committee is required to provide the Local Chapter membership with two weeks’ written notice of the proposed amendments. The amendment must be approved by a majority vote of two consecutive (Regular or General) Local Chapter meetings.

ARTICLE XIV.  Rules of the Local Chapter.

Section 1.  Action Out of Order.

Any action taken by an officer or member of the Local Chapter in contravention of these Bylaws is null and void.

Section 2.  Removal of Members

If a full member is found to be in substantial disagreement with the principles or policies of national DSA and the Lower Hudson Local Chapter, or if they are found to be consistently engaging in undemocratic, disruptive behavior, he Local Chapter Chapter may vote to expel them from DSA.  In order for such a finding to be made, another DSA member must formally proffer written charges against the member in question to the Local Chapter Steering Committee, which shall 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 weeks before that meeting takes place.  Expulsion of a member or affiliate member requires a two-thirds vote of the Local Chapter meeting.  An expelled full member may appeal to the National Political Committee of DSA.