Bylaws of the Buffalo Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America
[Adopted February 9, 2016; last amended March 29th, 2022]
ARTICLE I. Name.
The name of the Chapter shall be the Buffalo Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, a not-for-profit corporation.
ARTICLE II. Purpose.
The Buffalo 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 popular control of resources and production, 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 freedom of speech and the freedom to organize 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 Buffalo Chapter DSA will be those individuals whose dues to national DSA are paid in full, who reside and/or work in the Western New York area, broadly defined as Erie and Niagara counties, but allowing for exceptions if interested parties live in a local that allows for their participation in the chapter. It will be the responsibility of members to approve policies and guidelines for the operation of the 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. Removal of Members
If a full member 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 the 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 Chapter Grievance officers, which shall set the date of a 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 Chapter meeting. An expelled full member may appeal to the National Political Committee of DSA.
Section 3. Dues.
The Chapter may establish a pledge system of voluntary donations for its members.
Section 4.
Any member running for a leadership position in the chapter must disclose their employment as a law enforcement officer, manager in their workplace, or otherwise Human Resources personnel given their explicit role as the disciplinary wings of capital in broader society and the workplace. Members running for a leadership position in the chapter must also disclose if they are landlords; herein defined as those who derive a majority of their income from charging residential rents for housing they own but do not personally dwell in.
ARTICLE IV. Chapter Meetings.
Section 1. Local Convention
The Chapter will hold an Annual Meeting, and all members of the Chapter will receive three weeks’ written or electronic mail notice and an agenda of the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will elect Chapter officers, will adopt an annual budget, and may elect National delegates. In general, it is the highest legislative body of the Chapter.
Section 2. General Body Meetings
The Chapter will hold General Body Meetings bi-monthly (six annually), the time and place of which shall be set in a schedule published and distributed by the Chapter Steering Committee. The General Body Meetings will set Chapter policy and work priorities, and will include political education sessions. The Steering Committee will set the agenda for General Body Meetings.
The Chapter Steering Committee will set the agenda for General Body Meetings. In general, the General Body Meetings are the operating legislative body of the Chapter.
Resolutions operate as written main motions per Robert’s Rules of Order that may be brought to a General Body Meeting for deliberation, amendment, and approval by the general membership. A resolution consists of a rationale section describing the nature of the motion followed by a resolved section that details the concrete actions to be voted upon. To bring a resolution forward to a General Body Meeting a resolution requires five co-sponsors of chapter members in good standing, and must be submitted to the Steering Committee no later than two weeks in advance of a General Body Meeting. The Steering Committee and resolution author(s) are responsible for communicating the proposed resolution to chapter membership at least 2 weeks in advance of a General Body Meeting. Any amendments to the resolution may be made via writing and sent to membership no later than 1 week ahead of a General Body Meeting. A resolution requires a simple majority vote among general membership via electronic ballot for approval – unless the resolution goes against a previous order of business, in which case a 2/3rds majority is required to overturn a previous vote. Any resolution that contradicts these chapter bylaws, or violates a member’s democratic rights cannot be considered per Robert’s Rules of Order
Section 3. Emergency Meetings.
The Chapter Steering Committee may call an Emergency Meeting of the Chapter on five days’ notice when an urgent and important matter requires deliberation.
Section 4. Quorum.
A quorum of five percent of the Chapter members in good standing or 80% of the average attendance of the last three General Body Meetings, whichever is higher, is required for General Body or Emergency Meetings to transact business. A quorum of 5% of the Chapter members in good standing is required for an Annual Meeting to transact business.
In between General Body Meetings, electronic voting may be held by the membership in order to conduct the business of the Chapter. The Steering Committee is in charge of ensuring the voting process is conducted in a democratic way. Quorum of 10% of Chapter members in good standing is required to ratify an electronic vote of the chapter.
Section 5. Electronic Business
Under certain circumstances it is acceptable for the Chapter to conduct business electronically. Meetings for Chapter business shall include the option for videoconference or any other type of communications channel that is accessible to all Chapter membership, and are not exempt from proper notice according to the by-laws.
Between meetings, Chapter officers may bring motions and transact regular business in a manner to be guided by the Chapter’s Communication Channels Code of Conduct.
ARTICLE V. Chapter Officers: Powers and Duties.
Section 1. Officers and Terms
The officers of the Chapter will be the two Co-Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, and three At-Large Members. The Steering Committee is required to have an odd number. The term of office shall be for one year beginning on June 1, except for officers elected according to the Vacancies provision in these by-laws (Article V, Sec. 2). The chapter must select officers that represent the racial and gender diversity of our membership, and are committed to creating a numerical balance in the representation.
It is the duty of the exiting officers to give the newly elected officers all relevant information and materials necessary to conduct the business of the chapter officership.
Section 2. Vacancies.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of one of the Chairs, the Co-Chair may assume that office as sole Chair if the vacancy arises fewer than four months before the conclusion of the officer’s term; if the vacancy arises more than four months before the conclusion of the officer’s term, a regular election will be held pursuant to Article XI to fill the vacancy. If the vacancy arises fewer than four months before the conclusion of the officer’s term, the sole Chair may call for a special election pursuant to Article XI rather than assume the office.
In the event of a vacancy in any other Chapter office, a regular election will be held pursuant to Article XI to fill the vacancy, unless the vacancy arises fewer than four months before the conclusion of the officers’ term, in which case the chapter will hold a special election pursuant to Article XI to fill the vacant position for the remainder of the term.
Section 3. Co- Chairs.
a) The Co-Chairs will be the chief executive officers of the Chapter. They will preside over Chapter and Steering Committee meetings or will appoint a substitute to assume the powers and duties of the presiding officer as specified in Robert’s Rules of Order. The Co-Chairs will be the official public spokespersons for the Chapter and will initiate such actions and policies as the Chapter’s general welfare may demand. In the event that one Chair is unable to perform their duties for a single event or a longer period of time, the Co- Chair will serve as replacement until another Chair is elected.
b) The Co-Chairs will also be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the Chapter’s branches and committees.
c) The Co- Chairs will report to General Body Meetings on the business of the Steering Committee Meetings, at which time a copy of the minutes of those meetings will be available for inspection.
Section 4. Secretary.
a) The Secretary will be responsible for answering all correspondence and queries of the Chapter, and for maintaining an up-to-date membership list of the Chapter. The secretary will facilitate the membership committee. DSA National requires that membership data of DSA members only be requested by elected leadership members of each chapter. The Secretary, along with the Co-Chairs, will ensure effective communication with the national DSA. They will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Chair, if the Vice Chair is not able to do so.
b) The Secretary will be responsible also for the taking and making available to members of minutes of all Chapter and Steering Committee Meetings, and shall have custody of these minutes, and the resolutions, reports and other official records of the Chapter. Chapter General Meeting minutes shall be posted in a public folder on the chapter’s website to allow discussion of deliberations outside of the chapter. The Secretary shall transfer official records in good condition to her/his successor. Official records shall include meeting minutes and member lists. The Secretary reserves the authority to delegate these tasks to other chapter members in good standing.
Section 5. Treasurer.
The Treasurer will be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Chapter. All funds collected by the Chapter will be turned over to the Treasurer, who shall deposit them in a bank account under the name of the 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 Chapter budget, and deliver the Chapter financial report to the General Meeting of the Chapter, as well as periodic progress reports to the chapter membership.
Section 6. At-Large Members
The At-Large Members are authorized to vote at the Steering Committee meeting as a member of said committee.
Section 7. Additional Duties.
The Chapter Steering Committee may assign additional temporary duties to an officer of the 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 Chapter Steering Committee will be composed of the elected officers of the Chapter as defined in Article V, Sec. 1.
Section 2. Duties.
a) The Steering Committee administers the affairs of the Chapter and oversees the implementation of the decisions of the General Body Meetings; it may also propose policy to the General Body Meetings. It shall have the power to receive reports of any Committee or Branch, and advise thereon, to call emergency meetings of the Chapter, and to act on any matter that requires immediate and urgent action. The Steering Committee is the regular executive body of the Chapter, and thus subordinate to chapter membership.
b) The Chapter Steering Committee will be responsible for coordinating chapter activity between chapter meetings, working cooperatively with the chapter membership.
Section 3. Meetings.
The meetings of the Steering Committee will be held at the call of the Co-Chairs at such intervals as may be determined by a prior Steering Committee Meeting or by consultation with a simple majority of members of the Steering Committee. All members of the Steering Committee must (ordinarily) be given four days oral or written notice of regular Steering Committee Meetings; a 24-hour notice may be given under special emergency circumstances.
Section 4. Quorum.
A quorum of four members of the Steering Committee is required for the transaction of Steering Committee business. There will be a good faith effort made to get all votes whenever possible.
ARTICLE VII. Branches.
Section 1. Definition.
A branch is a subgroup of the 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, socialist feminist), or area of political work (e.g., peace action, environmental movement).
Section 2. Youth Sections.
Branches established on college campuses and consisting of students will be called Chapter Youth Sections. Youth Sections must have at least five full members in good standing with national DSA.
ARTICLE VIII. Committees.
Section 1. Committee Requirements
A Standing Committee or Ad Hoc Committee requires at minimum a chair and secretary, which are to be elected by simple majority vote among the membership of said committee.
A committee chair’s duty is to facilitate meetings, set the meeting agenda in collaboration with membership, and ensure quorum is met for transacting business. Committee chairs are also responsible for reporting committee activities to general membership at General Body Meetings. A committee secretary’s duty is to take meeting minutes and report them to membership, to keep and amend an active roster of a committee’s membership, and communicate with membership the dates of meetings to increase participation.
Membership of any Standing Committee or Ad Hoc Committee is to be composed of any chapter member in good standing who attends at least one committee meeting.
Quorum is defined as half the weighted-average of the last two meetings’ attendances.
Section 2. Committee Types
Standing Committees shall be defined as the priority committees of the chapter, ratified at the annual convention by simple majority vote of the general membership. Standing Committees will fill the broadest categories of relevant political issues, and shall not violate the Chapter’s prohibited activity under Article X. A Standing Committee will exist for one year following ratification, and will require re-ratification upon the next following annual convention.
Ad Hoc Committees are committees with a limited time frame approved by membership between annual conventions to fill roles and tasks as needed that are not covered by the chapter’s Standing Committees. Ad Hoc Committees may be approved by simple majority vote at a general body meeting. Per Robert’s Rules of Order, the Steering Committee may also appoint ad hoc committees for tasks limited to Steering Committee duties outlined in Article VI, Sec. 2.
Section 3. Standing Committee Proposal Process
During the Buffalo chapter’s annual convention, proposed Standing Committees require a Mission Statement with 5 co-sponsors from among Buffalo chapter members in good standing who intend to comprise the initial membership of the committee. The Mission Statement will outline the overall purpose, strategy, tactics, estimated budget, proposed leadership structure and nominations for roles. This document will serve as a guiding document, as well as a resolution to the general membership to be voted on and ratified via simple majority vote. The General Body being the highest legislative body may amend the proposed Mission Statement at convention. Changes to the Mission Statement or elected leadership in-between annual conventions require a simple majority vote among committee membership, ratified by the general body..
The Chapter can appoint Ad Hoc Committees, which will exist for a limited and explicit duration. Ad Hoc Committees may be established by a vote of chapter members in good standing at a General Body Meeting of the Chapter, or via electronic voting in between General Body Meetings.
Section 4. Duties.
Chairs of all Standing Committees will keep the Steering Committee and the General Body Meetings of the Chapter informed on the activities of the committee and be invited to all Steering Committee meetings. It is the responsibility of Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees to report to their respective committees.
Should a Standing Committee fail to meet quorum and seek to act on something outside of their Mission Statement’s strategies and/or tactics, a Standing Committee may hold an e-ballot vote among all committee members via simple majority vote for approval, ratified by the general body.
ARTICLE IX. Delegates to National, Regional, and State Bodies.
Section 1. Convention.
Chapter delegates and alternates to the National Convention will be elected by full members of the Chapter of DSA. Elections for the National Convention delegation shall be held on the schedule announced by the national organization. Elections for delegates will be held via single transferable vote ranked-choice voting, and the sole criteria for selecting delegates to the national DSA convention will be the quantity of votes cast for each individual candidate in the ranked choice election.
ARTICLE X. Prohibited Activity
The Buffalo 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 Chapter engage in any activity prohibited by resolutions adopted by DSA’s National Convention or DSA’s National Political Committee.
ARTICLE XI. 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 General Body Meeting. It shall solicit and receive nominations for the positions to be elected.
Section 2. Nominations Process.
Nominations for 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 members of the chapter in good standing in advance of the General Meeting. Buffalo DSA delegate and chapter leadership elections will be held via single transferable vote ranked-choice voting. In all Buffalo DSA delegate and chapter leadership elections, the caucus affiliation of candidates will be included on the ballot next to their supplied name.
Section 3. Uncontested Positions.
If a position is uncontested, the nominee will be declared elected by acclamation.
Section 4. Recalls
A vote of no-faith may be proposed by any member in good standing, at any time, for any officer of the steering committee, or any committee co-chair. Once the motion is seconded, a 2/3 majority of those present shall deem said officer or co-chair removed from office.
If an officer or co-chair is removed from their position via the vote, a special election shall be called to be held as early as possible, but no later than the next general meeting.
Section 5. Special Elections
Should an office be vacated before the end of its term, chapter membership will be promptly notified by electronic mail detailing the process by which the vacancy will be filled. As described in these by-laws, a special election may be called to expeditiously fill a vacancy. At the general body meeting following the announcement of a vacancy, the presiding officer will open the floor for a nominations period. Members may motion to nominate any member in good standing to the office. The member must be present and accept the nomination. Members who have accepted a nomination will be given no more than 2 minutes to express their fitness for the office followed by no more than 3 minutes of questions from the membership. After all nominees have had their opportunity to speak and a question & answer period from the membership, a ballot may be sent to the membership to elect a nominee for the office via single transferable ranked choice voting.
ARTICLE XII. Amendments.
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be made by written resolution, endorsed by ten members of the Buffalo Chapter of DSA, and submitted to the Steering Committee a month in advance of a General Body Meeting. The Steering Committee is required to provide Chapter membership with written notice of any proposed bylaw amendments no later than two weeks prior to a General Body Meeting. After consideration by the general body, bylaw amendments must receive a 2/3rds majority vote via electronic ballot to the entire membership for official adoption, with quorum as stipulated in Article IV, Sec. 4
ARTICLE XIII. Rules of the Chapter.
Section 1. Rules.
The Rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this Chapter in cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws. Consensus decision-making is desirable where feasible, but meetings must submit to Robert’s Rules of Order upon the request of a member.
Section 2. Action Out of Order.
Any action taken by an officer or member of the Chapter in contravention of these Bylaws is null and void.
Section 3. Public Bylaws
These bylaws shall be made public on the chapter’s web page.