Twin Ports Democratic Socialists of America
Bylaws
Adopted November 20, 2016
Revised January 26, 2020
Revised January 24, 2021
Revised March 12, 2023
Revised February 9, 2025
ARTICLE I. Name
The name of the Local shall be the Twin Ports Democratic Socialists of America, a not-for-profit corporation, hereinafter referred to as Twin Ports DSA.
ARTICLE II. Purpose
The purpose of the chapter shall be to organize the activities of the members of the Democratic Socialists of America. Its activities shall include education and advocacy. We share a vision of a humane social order based on control of resources by the people, economic planning, equitable distribution of economic resources, ecological sustainability, feminism, racial equality and non-oppressive relationships. In pursuing these goals, we recognize that no one individual or organization has all the answers to the challenges faced by our community and our world. We approach our work with an open mind and a willingness to reconsider our conclusions in the face of new information and insights, while maintaining our commitment to our fundamental values.
ARTICLE III. Membership
Section 1. Membership
Members of the chapter will be those individuals whose dues to national DSA are paid in full, who reside and/or work in Duluth (MN), Superior (WI), and the greater Twin Ports region. It will be the responsibility of members to approve policies and guidelines for the operation of the local 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 s/he is found to be consistently engaging in undemocratic, disruptive behavior, the Local may vote to expel her/him from DSA. In order for such a finding to be made, another DSA member must formally present written charges against the member in question to the Local Steering Committee, which shall set the date of a Local 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 meeting. An expelled full member may appeal to the National Political Committee of DSA.
Section 3. Dues
The Local chapter may establish a Local pledge system of voluntary donations for its members.
ARTICLE IV. Local Meetings
Section 1. Annual Meeting
The Local will hold an Annual Meeting in January of each year, and all members of the Local will receive three weeks written (or electronic mail) notice and an agenda of the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will elect Local officers and may adopt an annual budget. In general, it is the highest legislative body of the Local.
Section 2. Monthly Meetings
The Local will hold Monthly Meetings, the time and place of which shall be set in a schedule published and distributed by the Local Steering Committee. The Regular Meetings will set Local policy and work priorities, and will include political education sessions. The Local Steering Committee will set the agenda for Monthly Meetings. In general, the Monthly Meeting is the operating legislative body of the Local. The Annual Meeting will serve as the Monthly Meeting for the month of January.
Section 3. Emergency Meetings
The Local Steering Committee may call an Emergency Meeting of the Local on five days notice when an urgent and important matter requires deliberation.
Section 4. Quorum
A quorum of 10 percent of the members is required for Annual, Monthly, or Emergency Meetings to transact business.
ARTICLE V. Powers and Duties of Local Officers
Section 1. Officers and Terms
The officers of the Local will be two Co-Chairs, Communications Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, and three At-Large Steering Committee Members. The term of office will be one year, and shall run from February 1 to January 31 or until their successors are elected. Eligibility for office shall be open to any member of the Local in good standing. To the greatest extent possible, members shall be selected to represent the diversity of populations in the Twin Ports Area. The Local shall seek gender balance on the Steering Committee. Co-Chairs should be of different genders.
Section 2. Vacancies
In the event of a vacancy in the office of Chair, the Communications Secretary will assume that office. In the event of a vacancy in any other Local office, the Monthly Meeting will appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term.
Section 3. Co-chairs
Co-chairs shall be elected for a two year term, offset to provide continuity of leadership (one co-chair during the initial year shall serve a one year term). The primary function of the co-chairs is to ensure the ongoing health, stability, and basic functioning of the chapter. Co-chairs will be chapter spokespersons, in addition to any other spokespersons the chapter designates. Co-chairs are responsible for keeping track of chapter property, and making sure that people know where to find it. Co-chairs secure space for and ensure access for each monthly membership meeting. Co-chairs work throughout the year on building chapter strength by keeping track of active members, and helping the membership secretary onboard new members. Co-chairs hold meetings with individual members throughout the year to check in, help keep members involved, build new leadership, and delegate authority. Co-chairs also check in with leaders of working groups and other chapter officers to make sure their needs are met. Co-chairs ensure that general meeting goals and tasks are addressed. Co-chairs keep the chapter website and social media sites current or delegate these tasks to chapter members. At least one of the co-chairs shall have access to the chapter bank account, and will be issued a debit card and checkbook.
The co-chairs will divide their various duties fairly, and work together as needed. Co-chairs will work with the steering committee to set the agenda for each meeting. Co-chairs will alternate the running of membership meetings unless the steering committee or membership body designates someone else as meeting moderator. Disagreements between co-chairs can be moderated by the steering committee.
Section 4. Communications Secretary
a) The Communications Secretary will be responsible for answering all correspondence and queries of the Local. S/he/they will ensure effective communication with the national DSA.
b) The Communications Secretary will be responsible for taking and disseminating minutes (or delegating that task) of all local and steering committee meetings, and shall have custody of these minutes, and the resolutions, reports and other official records of the Local. S/he/they will transfer official records in good condition to her/his/their successor. Official records shall include meeting minutes and member lists. The Communications Secretary will operate email accounts, membership and follower databases, and Action Network accounts for communicating with membership. She/he/they will maintain a secure database of the chapter’s on-line passwords for all chapter business. They will compose email newsletters, unless otherwise delegated.The communication secretary sends timely notices of general meetings and steering meetings, including zoom links as needed.
Section 5. Membership Secretary
a) The Membership Secretary will be responsible for maintaining and securing the master membership list, keeping track of the weekly list updates that national sends to our dsa.duluth@gmail.org inbox. This person will also chair the onboarding committee, and help welcome and incorporate new members in a timely manner. The membership secretary will provide copies of the list to the steering committee or working groups for organizing purposes, following DSA recommended security procedures. The membership secretary will keep track of member dues, and notify members when it is time to renew.
Section 6. Treasurer
a) The Treasurer will be responsible for the funds, financial accounts and records of the chapter. All funds collected by the chapter will be turned over to, and managed by, the Treasurer.
b) In cooperation with the Secretary, the Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are paid.
c) The Treasurer will provide a verbal treasury update at each Monthly Meeting, as well as yearly financial reports in writing at the Annual Meeting and at any time when requested by the Steering Committee. The Treasurer may prepare an annual chapter budget.
d)The Treasurer will administer the Solidarity Fund [Article XVI], chair a standing committee to oversee its operations [Article VIII, Section 3], and report on the status of the Fund at each monthly meeting.
Section 7. Spokespersons
The chapter Co-Chairs shall serve as chapter spokespersons. In addition, the membership can appoint spokespersons as needed. No other individuals shall be authorized to speak on behalf of the chapter. Spokespersons appointed by the chapter shall serve either for a fixed period or at the pleasure of membership.
ARTICLE VI. Steering Committee
Section 1. Composition
The Local Steering Committee will be composed of two Co-Chairs Chair, Communications Secretary Membership Secretary, and Treasurer of the local, plus three at-large members.
Section 2. Duties
a) The Steering Committee shall exercise a general oversight function of the Local. It shall set the agenda for the monthly and annual meetings, choose a facilitator for each monthly and annual meeting from among the Steering Committee members, and authorize Twin Ports DSA appearances at fairs, festivals, and other similar public events.
b) The Steering Committee shall not have the power to endorse or sponsor public events, unless the steering committee considers the event urgent (see article VI, section 2, e). The membership can overrule an endorsement at the monthly meeting with a simple majority vote.
c) The Steering Committee may be delegated additional authority and responsibilities by the Monthly Meeting.
d) The Steering Committee shall be authorized to make expenditures of up to $200.00 from chapter funds, with the exception of the Solidarity Fund. Expenditures in excess of $200.00 must be approved by the membership via majority vote at a Monthly Meeting. The Steering Committee shall not have the authority to make purchases, withdrawals, or transfers out of the Solidarity Fund. Money earmarked for the Solidarity Fund shall be governed instead by the Solidarity Fund Control Plan [Article XVI], and overseen by Solidarity Fund Committee [Article VIII, Section 3]. Payments from the Solidarity Fund are exempt from membership approval and the spending limitations imposed upon the Steering Committee.
e) In situations that require urgent action, the Steering Committee may act on behalf of the organization.
f) The Steering Committee shall complete an audit of the organization’s finances annually. The findings of the audit shall be reported to the Annual Meeting.
Section 3. Meetings
The Steering Committee shall meet at least once per month on a schedule to be determined by the members of the committee
Section 4. Quorum
Four members of the Steering Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5. Sub-Committees
The Steering Committee may appoint sub-committees from time to time for limited purposes as specified by the Steering Committee.
Section 6. Accountability
a) The Steering Committee shall report its actions each month to the Monthly Meeting. The Monthly Meeting may veto the decisions of the Steering Committee by two-thirds vote.
b) Members of the Steering Committee may be removed for cause by a majority vote at a Monthly Meeting. All members, including the Steering Committee member proposed for removal, must be notified at least one week before the meeting where the issue of removal will be raised. For purposes of this section, 20% of the Local’s membership, but not less than twenty members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 12. Vacancies
The Steering Committee can determine that a seat has been vacated by a member of the Steering Committee who has failed to be present at three or more consecutive Steering Committee meetings, and has not made contact with any other regularly attending Steering Committee member to offer an excused absence. The Steering Committee can also determine a seat to be vacated by any member who fails to be present at all Steering Committee meetings for a period of six months or longer.
ARTICLE VII. Branches
Section 1. Definition
A branch is a subgroup of the Local consisting of at least three 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).
Section 2. Recognition and Dissolution
A Branch may be chartered by the Monthly Meeting upon petition of at least three members residing within a defined territory, belonging to a particular institution, or sharing a common interest. A Branch may be dissolved by the Monthly Meeting if it has not met for at least six months or if it has been promoting policies contrary to those of the chapter or national Democratic Socialists of America. The representative(s) from said Branch must be informed that dissolution is on the agenda when notified of the meeting. The decision to dissolve a Branch may be appealed to the next Monthly Meeting, during which time said Branch may be continued or re-established. Upon dissolution, all property and records of a Branch will be surrendered to the Twin Ports Steering Committee.
Section 3. Youth Sections.
Branches established on college campuses and consisting of students will be called Local Youth Sections. Youth Sections must have at least three full members in good standing with national DSA.
ARTICLE VIII Committees
Section 1. Composition and Duration
The Local may have Ad Hoc Committees, Campaign Committees and Working Groups. Working groups are standing committees that operate at the will of the chapter in specific areas of member interest (like labor, Palestine, and ecosocialism). Campaign committees exist for the duration of the campaign, but can be renewed as needed by the chapter. Ad-hoc committees are also temporary, created to address a specific need of the chapter. All committees may be established or retired with a vote by members at the monthly meeting.
Section 2. Duties
Chairs of Ad Hoc Committees, campaign committees, and working groups will keep the Steering Committee and the Monthly Meetings of the Local informed on the activities of the committee.
Section 3. Solidarity Fund Committee
The chapter shall have a standing committee of three members in good standing, including the Treasurer, to oversee the Solidarity Fund. The committee will be chaired by the Treasurer, and the remaining membership will be at-will. This committee will assure that the Treasurer administers the Solidarity Fund openly and honestly, according to the Solidarity Fund Control Plan [Article XVI]. If members of the Solidarity Fund Committee observe that the Treasurer is conducting the business of the Solidarity Fund in an irregular or dishonest way, they are expected to immediately report their observations to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is responsible for a swift investigation, corrective action, and report to the membership in the event that chapter accounts have been misused.
ARTICLE IX. Delegates to National, Regional, and State Bodies
Section 1. Convention
Local delegates and alternates to the National Convention will be elected by full members of the chapter at a Monthly Meeting. Elections for the National Convention delegation shall be held on the schedule announced by the national organization.
ARTICLE X. Prohibited Activity
Twin Ports DSA shall not engage in activity prohibited by the IRS guidelines established for 501(c)(4) organizations or similar rules established by the state of Minnesota. Nor shall the local engage in any activity prohibited by resolutions adopted by DSA’s National Convention or DSA’s National Political Committee.
ARTICLE XI. Nominations and Election Processes of Twin Ports DSA Officers
Section 1. Nominations
Nominations and self -nominations for officer positions shall take place prior to the vote at the meeting at which the election is to take place.
Section 2. Election Process
a) Contested elections shall be decided by plurality vote.
b) If a position is uncontested, the nominee will be declared elected by a majority vote of members present.
ARTICLE XII. Endorsements.
Section 1. Electoral Committee
a) An Electoral Committee shall be maintained to prepare for possible political endorsements. At least 3, but no more than 7 dues paid members shall be elected each year at the January General Membership meeting. A Quorum will be at least three members The Electoral Committee shall be free to acquire more committee members from the general membership to maintain a functional committee or gather more expertise.
b) Committee Officers shall be at least a Chair and Secretary. One or the other will be responsible for keeping the general membership informed of its activities.
c) The Electoral Committee shall draft a written candidate questionnaire specifically for each office sought. In any questionnaire, the first question shall always be, “What does Democratic Socialism mean to you?” The second question will be, “Do you identify as a Democratic Socialist?” The Electoral Committee shall also assume duties assigned to it by the General Membership at a regular meeting.
d) At its discretion, the Electoral Committee may begin drafting a candidate questionnaire for any office within the jurisdiction of the Twin Ports DSA that is up for election during the calendar year. The Committee may not share the draft questionnaire publicly nor with any declared or (to its knowledge) potential candidate for the office in question unless Twin Ports DSA has adopted a motion to pursue an endorsement process in that race.
e) The Electoral Committee shall also assume duties assigned to it by the General Membership at a regular meeting.
f) There shall be no recommendation of endorsement for any public candidate from the Electoral Committee to the general membership.
Section 2. Candidate Requirements
a) To receive the endorsement of the chapter, a public candidate must undergo a screening process. The candidate shall return the completed written DSA Questionnaire no later than 1 week before their screening date.
b) To receive the chapter endorsement, candidates for municipal, county, or state legislative office must commit, should they be elected, to participate in at least one accountability session per year. The accountability session may take place either at a Monthly Meeting or at other times and places by mutual agreement of the office holder and the membership.
c) By the time of the candidate’s screening, the candidate shall have announced their candidacy publicly, either through mainstream media or campaign Facebook page.
d) Endorsements will be made on the basis of the candidate's commitment to the mission of the chapter.
Section 3. Endorsement and Screening Process.
a) A motion to endorse for a specific public office may be made by any paid dues member when the office sought falls within or partially within the geographic area covered by Twin Ports DSA and shall not be considered earlier than the January membership meeting of the year the Election is held.
b) The screening of candidates for a specific office will take place at a General Membership Meeting, but no earlier than the next monthly meeting after the motion to do so was passed. All candidates for that office shall be invited and questionnaires sent to those who express interest. Candidates shall be screened one at a time.
c) Members’ dues status will be checked prior to screening. Digital or printed copies of the candidates completed questionnaires shall be available to members. Any dues paid member present at the screening may ask one question and one follow-up question of the candidate.
d) After candidates have been screened, but prior to a vote on endorsement, a motion to postpone endorsement is in order. The threshold for postponement is a simple majority. Additional candidates may be screened after a successful motion to postpone endorsement but prior to a vote on endorsement.
e) The endorsement will be granted by a two-thirds majority vote of the chapter members present and voting.
f) A vote for no endorsement is allowed and considered in the percentage. Abstentions are also allowed and will not count toward the number of members voting. A member seeking the chapter’s endorsement is required to abstain from voting on their own endorsement.
g) In screenings where one candidate is considered, there will only be one ballot. With more than one candidate, when one candidate does not meet the endorsement threshold (two-thirds), the lowest percentage candidate will be dropped from consideration and another ballot taken. This will continue until there is only one candidate.
h) In the event that the health or safety of the membership and candidates would be put at risk by a physical screening meeting, a screening process via electronic means, may be allowed. Should this decision fall upon the steering committee to make, the Electoral Committee shall be consulted for process.
i) Should the endorsed candidate for office drop out or be eliminated, or should a candidate who screened for endorsement and received at least one vote drop out or be eliminated from a race in which no endorsement was made, a motion to endorse for that office is in order at the next monthly meeting and a vote on endorsement may follow immediately afterward.
j) Should new information about a TP DSA endorsed candidate come to light, the membership may rescind endorsement by a two-thirds majority. A member’s motion to begin rescindment, passed by 51% of the general membership, will be followed by a vote to rescind at the next monthly meeting.
k) The endorsement of a candidate for public office ends when the endorsed candidate exits the race or when the election is finalized.
Section 4 National Endorsements
Endorsements by the chapter for federal office are provisional and will be automatically rescinded if the candidate fails to seek or receive the endorsement of the national organization.
Section 5 Campaign Support
The chapter will actively support the campaign of any candidate that it endorses. The chapter will only endorse candidates that it is prepared to actively support. The chapter will commit itself to providing ongoing support to any endorsed candidate who is elected to office.
Section 6 Chapter Funds
As a 501(c)(4) tax exempt organization, the chapter may not contribute funds to any candidate or candidate committee. The chapter may expend funds on behalf of an endorsed candidate, provided it does so independently of the candidate or of any political party. The chapter may only spend funds on behalf of a candidate that has received the organization’s endorsement.
Section 7 Priorities
As a 501(c)(4) organization, the primary activities of the chapter shall remain education and advocacy. Support for candidates for public office shall remain a secondary activity.
ARTICLE XIII. Amendments
Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five members of the Local chapter of DSA, and submitted to the Steering Committee a month in advance of a Monthly Meeting. The Steering Committee is required to provide the organization’s membership with two weeks’ written notice of the proposed amendments. The amendment must be approved by a majority vote of two consecutive (Annual or Monthly) Local meetings.
ARTICLE XIV. Rules of the Local
Section 1. Rules
Consensus decision-making is desirable where feasible, but meetings must submit to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised upon the request of a member or at the discretion of the meeting facilitator, unless such rules are inconsistent with these Bylaws.
Section 2. Action Out of Order
Any action taken by an officer or member of the Local in contravention of these Bylaws is null and void.
Section 3. Dissolution
The chapter may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is required to provide the organization’s membership with two weeks’ written notice that a proposal to dissolve the organization is scheduled for a vote. Upon dissolution of the organization, any residual assets shall be become the property of the national Democratic Socialists of America.
Article XVI. Solidarity Fund
The chapter's Solidarity Fund shall be conducted according to a documented Control Plan. This Control Plan, and any subsequent amendments to the Control Plan, must be approved by a majority vote of the membership at a regular chapter meeting before taking effect. The Control Plan document shall be a public document, available for review by any person at any time, and provided to all people requesting money from the Solidarity Fund. The Solidarity Fund shall be overseen by a standing committee [Article VIII, Section 2]. The Solidarity Fund's administration shall be subject to the annual treasury audit by the membership stipulated [Article VI, Section 2, Clause F].