Western Montana DSA Chapter Nuts and Bolts
MEETINGS:
Western Montana DSA chapter meets in its entirety twice monthly. Anyone is welcome to attend. You do not need to be a DSA member to do so.
WEBSITE: https://westernmtdsa.org
HOW TO CONTACT US:
Western Montana DSA chapter meets in its entirety twice monthly. Anyone is welcome to attend. You do not need to be a DSA member to do so.
- BUSINESS MEETING:
First Saturday of the month from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. For reports from Working Groups and action items for ongoing and upcoming campaigns and events. Location (subject to change): Zoom and Missoula Public Library – Blackfoot Boardroom - DISCUSSION GROUP - Third Thursday of the month from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
Lively conversations about relevant topics. Location (subject to change): Zoom
WEBSITE: https://westernmtdsa.org
HOW TO CONTACT US:
western_montana_dsa_welcome_packet.pdf |
HOW TO JOIN DSA AND NATIONAL DSA INFO: National DSA website: www.dsausa.org
To join go to https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership2020.
CAN YOU VOTE AT MEETINGS? You must be a dues paying member with dues current in order to vote. If you are just joining, or renewing your membership, you can pay your dues at the general meeting itself.
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE: Remember DSA is not a political party. There are over 200 chapters in the United States. We are a “Big tent” organization which means we welcome a variety of anti-capitalist ideologies and we have no “party line” that chapter members must follow.
The annual General Membership Meeting is the highest legislative body of the Chapter. The monthly Regular Business Meetings are the operating legislative body of the Chapter. The Executive (or Steering) Committee is the regular executive body of Western MT DSA, and thus subordinate to its Legislative bodies, the General and Regular Meetings. The Steering Committee consists of the elected leadership of the Co-chairs, Treasurer, Secretary and the Communications Director (Coordinator).”
National Staff – responsible for mostly administrative matters.
National Political Committee (NPC) – made of 16 people elected every two years at the National Convention. Tasked with specific campaign/action priorities.
Local Chapters – responsible for creating own structure, by-laws and action campaigns. Chapters send delegates to the bi-annual National Convention.
Western Montana DSA Chapter is a 501(c)(4), a non-profit, social welfare organization. Contributions to the chapter are NOT tax-deductible, however, we can participate in political activities as long as we do not spend more than 40% of our time and money on political activities.
HARASSMENT & GRIEVANCE OFFICER
DSA is committed to creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive to members of all genders, races, and classes. In accordance with guidelines from national DSA, our chapter has a Harassment and Grievance Officer (HGO). If you are experiencing a conflict with a fellow chapter member, or harassment by a fellow chapter member, please contact the HGO. The HGO can tell you how to file a formal grievance if you are experiencing harassment, and/or can work with you to resolve a conflict that is happening. Once you contact the HGO, they will work with you to determine next steps, depending on the situation.
To join go to https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership2020.
- You choose your membership dues level.
- Please choose to pay monthly because 30% of monthly dues payments return to our chapter. Since we do not charge any local dues, this is the chapter’s only source of income. (If you pay annually, the local chapter does not receive any of your dues.)
- You are assigned to a chapter dependent upon the zip code you provide. Western Montana Chapter covers most zip codes in Missoula, Mineral, Lake, Ravalli, and Sanders counties (too many to list). Ask at westernmtdsa@gmail.com to make sure your zip code is in our chapter area.
CAN YOU VOTE AT MEETINGS? You must be a dues paying member with dues current in order to vote. If you are just joining, or renewing your membership, you can pay your dues at the general meeting itself.
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE: Remember DSA is not a political party. There are over 200 chapters in the United States. We are a “Big tent” organization which means we welcome a variety of anti-capitalist ideologies and we have no “party line” that chapter members must follow.
The annual General Membership Meeting is the highest legislative body of the Chapter. The monthly Regular Business Meetings are the operating legislative body of the Chapter. The Executive (or Steering) Committee is the regular executive body of Western MT DSA, and thus subordinate to its Legislative bodies, the General and Regular Meetings. The Steering Committee consists of the elected leadership of the Co-chairs, Treasurer, Secretary and the Communications Director (Coordinator).”
National Staff – responsible for mostly administrative matters.
National Political Committee (NPC) – made of 16 people elected every two years at the National Convention. Tasked with specific campaign/action priorities.
Local Chapters – responsible for creating own structure, by-laws and action campaigns. Chapters send delegates to the bi-annual National Convention.
Western Montana DSA Chapter is a 501(c)(4), a non-profit, social welfare organization. Contributions to the chapter are NOT tax-deductible, however, we can participate in political activities as long as we do not spend more than 40% of our time and money on political activities.
HARASSMENT & GRIEVANCE OFFICER
DSA is committed to creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive to members of all genders, races, and classes. In accordance with guidelines from national DSA, our chapter has a Harassment and Grievance Officer (HGO). If you are experiencing a conflict with a fellow chapter member, or harassment by a fellow chapter member, please contact the HGO. The HGO can tell you how to file a formal grievance if you are experiencing harassment, and/or can work with you to resolve a conflict that is happening. Once you contact the HGO, they will work with you to determine next steps, depending on the situation.
- DSA's Member Code of Conduct
- DSA's Harassment Policy
- E-Mail , Western Montana DSA Harassment & Grievance Officer