Bylaws of the Mid-Missouri Local Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America

1. The Mid-Missouri Local Chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is dedicated to the overturning of the capitalist order and to the establishment of socialism. We work in opposition to the current system of private property and the exploitation of the working class, and towards a society where all wealth, industry, land, and resources are held in common and democratically controlled.

2. Our conception of socialism is rooted in human freedom, dignity, equality, and solidarity. To this end, we oppose all forms of bigotry, oppression, imperialism, and chauvinism which are characteristic of the current bourgeois regime. We seek to tear down this order, and create a just society for all peoples.

3. As socialists, our politics is fundamentally a politics of class struggle. We are workers, part of a class which makes up the vast majority of the population and are the primary human producers of goods and services in the economy. We are exploited by the capitalist class, a small group of people who collectively have claimed ownership over most of the world that we live in, including the means of production, and therefore dominate all of society. This system of ownership allows the capitalist class to appropriate the product of our labor as their property, and therefore leaves us impoverished. All of what we do is done with these facts in mind, and with the goal of overturning this class structure.

Section 1: Membership

1. Members of the Local Chapter shall be those individuals whose dues to national DSA are paid in full, and who reside and/or work in the heartland of Missouri, including the cities of Columbia, Jefferson City, and the surrounding area. Individuals may not be members of the Local Chapter without being members of national DSA.

2. Only members of the Local Chapter shall vote or hold office within the Local Chapter. Non-members may attend Local Chapter meetings and participate in Local Chapter activities which do not require a vote, but do not have a right to do so. Non-members do not count towards quorum.

Section 2: Duties

1. It shall be the responsibility of Local Chapter members to approve policies and guidelines for the operation of the Local Chapter, to vote on matters requiring the input of the full membership, 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.

2. The Local Chapter members shall be responsible for electing Local Chapter Officers, Committee Chairs, and Working Group Chairs.

Section 3: Local Dues

1. The Local Chapter may by resolution establish a pledge system of local dues for its members. Such dues shall be for financial support only and shall not confer any additional rights or privileges.

Section 4: Code of Conduct

1. In keeping with the general mission of DSA and of the Local Chapter, all members shall observe a code of conduct that is consistent with our core values of freedom, equality, dignity, and solidarity, as well as DSA’s commitment to restructuring gender and cultural relationships to be more equitable and not oppressive within the context of building a diverse working class movement. As members of DSA, we all commit to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

2. All members of the Local Chapter shall conduct themselves according to the following standards:

   • Members shall not engage in harassment on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, class, age, or profession. Members who have concerns about a member’s conduct shall report that conduct to a Comrade-at-Large.

   • Members shall respect all peoples’ rights and contribute to an organizing and working environment characterized by mutual respect, integrity, dignity, and non-discrimination, by, at a minimum: 

     1. refraining from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and language;

     2. participating in an authentic and active way;

     3. exercising consideration in language and actions;

     4. sharing analysis and opinions rather than accusations;

     5. complying with applicable Community Agreements during meetings and other events; 

     6. addressing conflicts and disagreements in a professional and respectful manner, and seeking assistance from a Comrade-at-Large or Local Chapter leader when necessary. 

   • Members shall assume good faith in one another, make an effort to understand one another, and exercise patience with differing viewpoints; debates shall be conducted with civility and respect, as comrades committed to the same struggle.

   • Members shall ensure that their relationships and behavior in the context of their role as a member of the Local Chapter are not exploitative, abusive, or corrupt in any way.

   • Members shall disclose any financial, personal, family, or close intimate relationship interest in matters of official Local Chapter business which may impact the work of the Local Chapter.

   • Members shall respect the confidentiality of sensitive information to which they gain access by virtue of membership in the Local Chapter and shall not use membership, financial, or other data to harm DSA or any DSA members.

   • Members shall not create or maintain any social media accounts in DSA’s name without the permission of the Local Chapter or an official National DSA body.

   • Members shall not give any statements or interviews to any media organizations regarding DSA or DSA’s activities without the permission of the Local Chapter leadership.

   • Members shall not attempt to silence or marginalize any fellow member and shall not try to influence others to silence or marginalize any member.

   • Members shall not use any grievance or disciplinary process – or encourage or assist anyone in using any grievance or disciplinary process – in bad faith to rid the Local Chapter of people with whom they disagree politically, and/or with whom they have been engaged in conflict.

3. The Local Chapter Comrades-at-Large and members appointed to conflict resolution Committees shall avail themselves of training and resources on conflict management, which are available from the National Harassment Grievance Officer. Prior to and when responding to Code of Conduct violations, leadership of the Local Chapter shall make accessible and available remedies outside of the formal grievance process, including but not limited to restorative justice and facilitated mediation.

Section 5: Disciplinary Procedures

1. If a Local Chapter member engages in disruptive, abusive, or undemocratic behavior during the course of a meeting, the presiding Officer of the meeting shall be authorized to expel the member in question from the meeting. A member so expelled from a meeting shall be prohibited from voting on meeting items or otherwise participating in the meeting in any way. The presiding Officer shall create and make public a report detailing the circumstances of any meeting expulsions.

2. If a member is found to be in substantial disagreement with the principles or policies of DSA, or if they are found to be consistently engaging in undemocratic or disruptive behavior, or if they are found to be in violation of the Code of Conduct as detailed in Article III, Section 4, or if they are found to be in violation of national DSA’s Harassment Policy, or if they are found to be under the discipline of any self-defined democratic centralist organization, or if they are found to have been expelled from any other chapter, committee, or working group of DSA, the Local Chapter membership may vote to suspend or expel the member from the Local Chapter.

3.  In order for such a finding to be made, at least two DSA members must formally prefer written charges against the member in question to the Local Chapter Steering Committee, which shall make arrangements for a Local Chapter Disciplinary Meeting for deliberations on the charges. 

4. The member in question shall receive a copy of the written charges and notice of the Disciplinary Meeting a minimum of two weeks before that meeting takes place.

5. Suspension of a member shall require a two-thirds vote of the Local Chapter Disciplinary Meeting, the duration of the suspension shall be determined at the Local Chapter Disciplinary Meeting, but shall not exceed three months. Suspended members shall be considered to be members in bad standing for the duration of their suspension. Suspended members are prohibited from attending all Local Chapter meetings, voting, or participating in any Local Chapter business or activities in any way for the duration of their suspension. If a suspended member is also an Officer, Committee Chair, or Working Group Chair, they shall be considered removed from their office and shall not regain the office upon the completion of their suspension. 

6. Expulsion of a member shall require a two-thirds vote of the Local Chapter Disciplinary Meeting. Those so expelled are no longer considered members of the Local Chapter, and are stripped of all rights and privileges of membership. Those expelled may not attend Local Chapter meetings or participate in any Local Chapter business or activities in any way.

7. A Convention may, by two-thirds vote, and with the written approval of at least one Comrade-at-Large, rescind the suspension or expulsion of a Local Chapter member, but may not restore them to any office which they held before their suspension or expulsion.

8. A suspended or expelled DSA member in good standing may appeal to the National Political Committee of DSA.

Section 6: Harassment Policy

1. The Local Chapter shall adhere to national DSA’s Harassment Policy. The Local Chapter shall elect at least two Officers to act at the Local Chapter Harassment Grievance Officers (HGO) as defined by national DSA, the duties and responsibilities of these Officers are detailed in Article V, Section 6.

Section 7: Privacy Policy

1. All Officers, Committee Chairs, Working Group Chairs, or any Local Chapter member entrusted with access to member information shall secure and protect any and all member information entrusted to them. 

2. The Steering Committee shall at least once per year issue a report detailing the measures being taken to protect member information to the Local Chapter membership.

Section 1: Conventions

1. The Convention is the highest legislative body of the Local Chapter. The Local Chapter shall hold two Conventions annually. These conventions shall be held within the first fourteen days of January and July of each year. Conventions may only be held after the first fourteen days of the aforementioned months in the event that circumstances beyond the control of the Local Chapter prevent the Convention from being held within the required time. The Convention may set policy for the Local Chapter. 

2. The Steering Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that all Local Chapter members are notified of any Convention. All members of the Local Chapter shall be sent notice of, and an agenda for, each Convention at least two weeks in advance. 

3. At the January Convention, members shall approve an annual budget, elect the Comrades-at-Large, and decide whether to renew Committees and Working Groups.

4. At the July Convention, members shall elect the Voting Officers of the Steering Committee, as well as any At-Large Steering Committee Members, and the Parliamentarian.

5. At both Conventions, members shall elect the Chairs of Committees and Working Groups, and vote on amendments to Local Chapter Bylaws.

Section 2: General Meetings

1. The Local Chapter shall hold General Meetings at least six times per year, the time and place of which shall be set in a schedule published and distributed by the Steering Committee. At least two General Meetings per year should be held outside of the city limits of Columbia, Missouri. The agenda of the General Meeting shall be set by the Steering Committee, subject to approval by the General Meeting. 

2. At the General Meeting updates shall be provided by the Committees and Working Groups to the Local Chapter membership. 

3. Local Chapter policy and work priorities shall be set at the General Meeting. In general, the General Meeting is the operating legislative body of the Local Chapter.

4. Elections for delegates to regional and national bodies may also be held at the General Meeting. 

Section 3: Emergency Meetings

1. The Steering Committee may call an Emergency Meeting by a majority vote of its members. The Steering Committee shall give at least five days’ notice for any Emergency Meeting. All requirements for quorum, accessibility, and procedure detailed in these Bylaws shall apply to an Emergency Meeting.

2. The Steering Committee shall issue a report to the Local Chapter membership detailing the rationale for calling an Emergency Meeting ahead of time. Business transacting at an Emergency Meeting may only relate to the matters detailed in the report.

Section 4: Disciplinary Meetings

1. Disciplinary Meetings are called according to the procedures described in Article III, Section 5. The purpose of a Disciplinary Meeting is to deliberate upon charges made against a Local Chapter member, and to determine what, if any, actions should be taken against the member in question. 

2. Disciplinary Meetings shall be empowered to suspend or expel any accused members under the terms outlined in Article III, Section 5.

3. The votes and determination of the Disciplinary Meeting shall be recorded, and reported on by the Information Secretary, or whichever member was tasked with taking the minutes of the meeting, at the next scheduled General Meeting or Convention.

4. The accused and the accuser shall be guaranteed equal time to communicate, they may also appoint a person to communicate on their behalf. However, a Disciplinary Meeting may deliberate and vote on charges in absentia should the accused or the accuser be for whatever reason unwilling or unable to attend the meeting.

5. At least one Comrade-at-Large must be in attendance at any Disciplinary Meeting. The Comrade(s)-at-Large in attendance shall be guaranteed time to communicate, during which they shall deliver recommendations to the Disciplinary Meeting regarding what, if any, actions should be taken against the accused.

6. A Disciplinary Meeting may deliberate and vote on charges submitted against multiple Local Chapter members.

7. Upon the calling of a Disciplinary Meeting, the Steering Committee shall meet within seventy-two hours to set the date and location of the meeting. At least two weeks’ notice must be given to the Local Chapter membership.

8. All requirements for quorum, accessibility, and procedure detailed in these Bylaws shall apply to Disciplinary Meetings. A Disciplinary Meeting shall be authorized to meet by telephone conference or through other electronic communications media so long as all the members can simultaneously communicate with each other and participate fully during the meeting, and provided notice is given as early as possible, no less than twenty-four hours. A Disciplinary Meeting may conduct votes on matters via electronic means. 

9. Business transacting at a Disciplinary meeting may only, and without exception, relate to disciplinary measures to be taken against formally charged members of the Local Chapter.

10. Should the Steering Committee be, for whatever reason, either unable or unwilling to fulfill its duties as described in this section and in Article III, Section 5, a quorum of Local Chapter members as defined in Article IV, Section 6 may set the time and place for a Disciplinary Meeting in their stead. Local Chapter members may not act in the Steering Committee’s stead until at least seventy-two hours have passed since written charges were submitted to the Steering Committee. A quorum of Local Chapter members acting in the Steering Committee’s stead must fulfill all requirements for notifying the Local Chapter membership, as well as the accused.

11. Should the Co-Chairs be, for whatever reason, either unable or unwilling to fulfill their duties as described in Article V, Section 2, the members of a Disciplinary Meeting may by majority vote appoint a replacement to preside over the meeting.

12. A Local Chapter member may not preside over, take the minutes for, or otherwise officiate or facilitate any Disciplinary Meeting in which charges against them are to be deliberated, or in which they have submitted charges against another Local Chapter member. The members of a Disciplinary Meeting may, by majority vote, remove and replace the presiding Officer of the meeting.

Section 5: Accessibility

1. Measures shall be taken, to a reasonable extent given the resources of the Local Chapter, to ensure that all meetings are accessible to all members of the Local Chapter. This includes, but is not limited to, providing transportation, translation, and virtual options for all meetings. All Local Chapter meetings shall be held in an ADA compliant space. The responsibility for ensuring that these requirements are met shall rest with the Steering Committee, however the Steering Committee may vote to delegate this responsibility to a Committee.

Section 6: Quorum 

1. Quorum for Conventions, General Meetings, Disciplinary Meetings, and Emergency Meetings shall be at least fifty percent of the average attendance of the previous three Local Chapter General Meetings, or Convention in cases where fewer than three General Meetings have been held since the previous Convention, but no less than six members.

Section 1: Definition

1. The Officers of the Local Chapter shall consist of two Co-Chairs, one Information Secretary, one Communications Director, one Treasurer, two Comrades-at-Large, and the Parliamentarian.

2. Voting Officers shall consist of two Co-Chairs, one Information Secretary, one Communications Director, and a Treasurer.

3. The Officers on the Steering Committee shall assign these roles amongst themselves, and may vote to change that assignment as necessary.

4. The Steering Committee shall meet and vote to confirm these roles within one week of their election.

5. The non-voting Officers shall consist of the two Comrades-at-Large, as defined in Article V, Section 6, and the Parliamentarian.

6. No Local Chapter member shall hold the position of more than one Officer at any given time, with the exception of the Parliamentarian.

Section 2: Chairs

1. There shall be two Co-Chairs. The Co-Chairs shall preside over Local Chapter and Steering Committee meetings or shall appoint a substitute to assume the powers and duties of the presiding Officer of a Local Chapter meeting as specified in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (referred to in these Bylaws as “presiding Officer”).

2. The Co-Chairs shall bear responsibility for facilitating all Local Chapter meetings, except for those meetings which fall under the purview of the Chair of a Committee or Working Group, and ensuring that they adhere to all requirements and regulations outlined in these Bylaws. The Steering Committee may vote to delegate this responsibility to other members of the Local Chapter.

3. The Co-Chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the Committees and Working Groups, except when such duties would conflict with the duties of another Local Chapter Officer.

4. The Co-Chairs shall report to Local Chapter General Meetings on the business of the Steering Committee Meetings, at which time a copy of the minutes of those meetings shall be available for inspection.

5. The Co-Chairs are the primary representatives of the Local Chapter for any meetings, discussions, or other activities with other organizations, and are the point people for any communications with the national DSA.

6. In the event that one of the Co-Chairs is unable to perform their duties for a single event or a longer period of time, the other Co-Chair shall serve as replacement.

Section 3: Information Secretary

1. The Information Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the minutes of all Local Chapter and Steering Committee Meetings meetings are taken, and shall have custody of these minutes, and the resolutions, reports and other official records of the Local Chapter, including an up-to-date membership list of the Local Chapter. They shall transfer official records in good condition to their successor. Official records shall include meeting minutes and other records created in the course of Local Chapter business.

2. The Information Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the Local Chapter adheres to information security (infosec) best practices, as well as ensuring that all Local Chapter electronic accounts are properly secured. 

3. The Information Secretary shall coordinate with any Committee whose primary function relates to record keeping or information security.

Section 4: Communications Director

1. The Communications Director is the media spokesperson of the Local Chapter, and is the point person for all relevant inquiries.

2. The Communications Director shall be responsible for:

   1. Coordinating public-facing statements from the Local Chapter, including but not limited to the Local Chapter website, social media, email correspondence, media interviews, and other Local Chapter communications outlets.

   2. Coordinating regular internal email newsletters and announcements.

   3. Coordinating any Committee whose function primarily relates to any internal or external communication of the Local Chapter.

Section 5: Treasurer

1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Local Chapter. All funds collected by the Local Chapter shall be turned over to the Treasurer, who shall deposit them in a bank account under the name of the Local Chapter. In cooperation with the Information Secretary, the Treasurer shall be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are paid up-to-date.

2. The Treasurer shall prepare the annual budget as detailed in Article X, to be approved at the Local Chapter January Convention, as well as issue reports detailing the financial status of the Local Chapter at every General Meeting.

3. The Treasurer shall coordinate with any Committee whose primary function relates to the Local Chapter’s budget or finances.

Section 6: Comrades-at-Large

1. There shall be two Comrades-at-Large. The Comrades-at-Large shall not be of the same self-identified gender. If neither Comrade-at-Large fulfills the diversity requirement, a Special Election may be held to add a third Comrade-at-Large.

2. The primary role of the Comrades-at-Large shall be to facilitate mediation between members of the Local Chapter that have conflict. Both individuals shall act as and have the responsibilities of the Local Chapter’s Harassment Grievance Officers as defined by national harassment policy.

3. The Comrades-at-Large shall coordinate with any Committee whose primary function relates to conflict resolution between Local Chapter members.

4. Comrades-at-Large may not be members of the Steering Committee.

Section 7: Parliamentarian

1. The Parliamentarian shall be tasked with interpreting the Bylaws and the rules of order.

2. In the event that there is any dispute regarding the Bylaws or the rules of order that govern the Local Chapter, any two members of the Local Chapter may request that the Parliamentarian issue advisory statements interpreting the Bylaws or the rules of order. The presiding Officer of a Local Chapter meeting may also request that the Parliamentarian issue a statement interpreting the Bylaws or the rules of order. 

3. The Parliamentarian may issue these statements in any manner of their choosing, but must create a written copy of any statements at the request of any two members of the Local Chapter.

4. The advisory statements of the Parliamentarian shall not be considered binding on any Local Chapter meeting or body, and shall not create precedent for any future interpretations.

5. The Parliamentarian shall keep an up to date document detailing all parliamentary decisions made by the Local Chapter. This document shall be available to view for all members in good standing of the Local Chapter.

Section 8: Additional Duties

1. The Steering Committee may assign additional temporary duties to a Local Chapter Officer, so long as such assignments do not conflict with the designation of responsibilities outlined in these Bylaws.

Section 1: Definition

1. The Local Chapter shall have a Steering Committee, an administrative body composed of Local Chapter Officers.

2. The Steering Committee shall be composed of the Voting Officers as described in Article V, Section 1, as well as any At-Large Steering Committee Members.

Section 2: Diversity

1. The Steering Committee shall include members of marginalized identity groups.

2. In the event that no elected Officers of the Steering Committee meet these requirements, the Local Chapter shall elect an At-Large Steering Committee Member who meets these requirements as soon as possible.

Section 3: Duties

1. The Steering Committee administers the affairs of the Local Chapter and oversees the implementation of the decisions of the Convention and General Meetings. It may also propose policy to the Convention and General Meetings. It shall have the power to receive reports of any Committee or Working Group and advise thereon, to call Emergency Meetings of the Local Chapter, and to act on any matter that requires immediate and urgent action. 

2. The Steering Committee is the regular executive body of the Local Chapter, and thus subordinate to its legislative bodies, the Conventions and General Meetings.

3. The Steering Committee is responsible for establishing program activities for the Local Chapter, for proposing guidelines and policies that shall subsequently be voted on by members, and for acting on the organization’s behalf between Local Chapter meetings.

4. The Steering Committee shall have the power to endorse, publish, and/or co-sign actions, statements, or other activities with external groups where those activities have secured majority support of the Steering Committee and support of the Committee or Working Group tasked with evaluation of the relevant subject or action as indicated by a majority vote of the Committee or Working Group. The Steering Committee by majority vote shall have the power to determine which Committee(s) or Working Group(s) are relevant to the endorsement, co-sign actions, statements, or other activities.

Section 4: At-Large Steering Committee Members

1. At-Large Steering Committee Members are Officers of the Local Chapter, and are subject to any and all regulations and procedures thereof. They shall attend Steering Committee meetings, count towards the quorum for the Steering Committee, and vote on Steering Committee business.

2. One At-Large Steering Committee Member shall be elected to the Steering Committee for every two-hundred and fifty members of the Local Chapter, up to a maximum of ten. For example, there shall be one At-Large Steering Committee Member elected at two-hundred and fifty members, a second At-Large Steering Committee Member elected at five-hundred members, etc.

3. At-Large Steering Committee Members may also be elected to fulfill any diversity requirements or provisions described in these Bylaws, regardless of the number of Local Chapter members.

4. The Steering Committee may vote to delegate the responsibilities of the Voting Officers to the At-Large Steering Committee Members.

Section 5: Meetings

1. The Steering Committee shall meet at least once every month, unless circumstances beyond the control of the Steering Committee prevent or delay a meeting within a given month.

2. The meetings of the Steering Committee shall 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 quorum 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 twenty-four hour notice may be given under special emergency circumstances.

3. The Steering Committee shall be authorized to meet by telephone conference or through other electronic communications media so long as all the members can simultaneously communicate with each other and participate fully during the meeting, and provided notice is given as early as possible, no less than twenty-four hours. The Steering Committee may conduct votes on matters via electronic means. Unless otherwise resolved by the Local Chapter membership, all communication required in these bylaws, including meeting notices, may be sent electronically.

4. All minutes of the Steering Committee’s meetings shall be made available to all members in good standing, including records of votes taken.

Section 6: Quorum

1. Quorum for the transaction of all Steering Committee business is a majority of the Steering Committee members.

Section 7: Appeals

1. Any action taken by the Steering Committee may be amended, reversed, repealed or otherwise voided by a two-thirds vote of a Convention or General Meeting. Any action so amended, reversed, repealed, or otherwise voided may not be raised or voted on by the Steering Committee before the next July Convention.

Section 8: Living Document

1. The Steering Committee shall create and maintain a Living Document, to be passed to their successors, detailing general advice and best practices in order to ensure continuity of knowledge and organization. The Living Document shall be updated at least once per year. Local Chapter members may request to view copies of the Living Document, however the Steering Committee may reject these requests at their discretion. The Steering Committee shall keep a record of who viewed the Living Document and when.

Section 1: Definition

1. The Local Chapter shall comprise multiple forms of subsidiary deliberative bodies, referred to collectively in this document as Local Chapter Committees, Working Groups, and Squads.

2. Committees are the main internal organizing bodies of the Local Chapter, and may be created based on any skill, policy, or issue relevant to the overall functioning of the Local Chapter. Committees work in conjunction with the Steering Committee to ensure that the needs of the Local Chapter for its effective operation are met.

3. Working Groups are the main external organizing bodies of the Local Chapter, and may be created based on any political, social, or cultural issue relevant to the Purpose of the Local Chapter as defined in Article II.

4. Squads are informal bodies of the Local Chapter. The purpose of a Squad is the discussion of any project, issue, or function relevant to the Local Chapter. 

Section 2: Committees and Working Groups

5. For a Committee or Working Group to be created, at least three Local Chapter members must submit a written application to the Steering Committee, which shall include a mission statement and name a Chair. The Steering Committee shall vote to approve or reject any application.

6. All Committees and Working Groups must have a mission statement, approved by the members of the Committee or Working Group, detailing their purpose and function within the Local Chapter. 

7. Committees and Working Groups shall be guaranteed those resources which are defined by resolution as being necessary to their purpose and function, including a portion of the budget

8. Unless otherwise specified by a Committee or Working Group’s mission statement, all Local Chapter members shall have the right to join any Committee or Working Group. In order to join or leave a Committee or Working Group, a Local Chapter member must submit a written notice of intent to the presiding Chair. Chairs shall keep an up to date record of all Committee or Working Group members.

9. Committees and Working Groups may recommend policy to be voted on at a Convention or General Meeting, and may, with the approval of the Steering Committee, act on behalf of the Local Chapter, so long as those recommendations or actions fall within the purview of their mission statement.

10. Committees and Working Groups shall issue written reports at every General Meeting and Convention. A copy of all Committee and Working Group records, including the minutes of any meetings, must be submitted to the Information Secretary in good order and in a timely fashion.

11. Committees and Working Groups must operate in a democratic manner, and may not set policies or programs without a majority vote of their members, or the majority of a Committee or Working Group meeting. The members of a Committee or Working Group may, by majority vote, empower the Chair to act on behalf of the Committee or Working Group. Votes may be taken electronically, and either during or outside of a meeting. 

12. Committees and Working Groups shall be presided over by a Chair. Each Committee and Working Group shall have one Chair, but a Convention or General Meeting may by resolution increase this number to up to two Chairs. The Chair is the main representative of the Committee or Working Group, elected by the Local Chapter members. The duties of a Committee or Working Group Chair include: presiding over and facilitating all Committee or Working Group meetings, keeping all Committee or Working Group records, issuing reports to the Steering Committee, and communicating on behalf of the Committee or Working Group. A Committee or Working Group may vote to delegate these duties to any Committee or Working Group member.

13. The members of a Committee or Working Group must meet at least once every two months, the time and place set according to a schedule set by the Chair, and made available to the Committee or Working Group members. The quorum for a Committee or Working Group meeting is a majority of its members.

14. Committees and Working Groups must be renewed at every January Convention, renewal requires a majority vote of the Convention. Committees and Working Groups may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee or a majority vote of the Committee or Working Group membership. Should a Committee or Working Group be not renewed or dissolved for any reason, a Committee or Working Group of similar purpose and function may not be created for at least six months.

Section 3: Squads

1. Any two members of the Local Chapter may form a Squad by issuing a written notice of intent to the Steering Committee. 

2. All members of the Local Chapter have a right to join any Squad.

3. Squads may not take any action related to Local Chapter policy without the approval of the Steering Committee.

4. Squads must keep overall discussion germane to the function and Purpose of the Local Chapter, and may be dissolved at the discretion of the Local Chapter membership should they fail to do so.

5. A Squad may by resolution be granted Local Chapter resources, but those resources may not include funds from the budget.

Section 4: Convention Clause

1. A Convention may create a Committee or Working Group by majority vote, provided that the Convention names at least three members of the Committee or Working Group, designates a Chair, and approves a mission statement for the Committee or Working Group.

Section 1: Terms and Qualifications

1. All Officers, Committee Chairs, and Working Group Chairs shall be elected by the Local Chapter membership.

2. Only Local Chapter members in good standing may hold any elected position within the Local Chapter.

3. The terms for Voting Officers, At-Large Steering Committee Members, and the Parliamentarian shall begin immediately upon their election, and end upon the election of their replacement at the next scheduled July Convention, or, if no replacement was elected, upon the adjournment of said Convention. 

4. The terms for the Comrades-at-Large shall begin immediately upon their election, and end upon the election of their replacement at the next scheduled January Convention, or, if no replacement was elected, upon the adjournment of said Convention.

5. The term for a Committee Chair or a Working Group Chair shall begin immediately upon their election, and end upon the election of their replacement at the next scheduled Convention, or, if no replacement was elected, upon the adjournment of said Convention.

Section 2: Nominations

1. Nominations shall be fielded by the presiding Officer at two General Meetings prior to the Convention. Nominations may also be given in writing to any Steering Committee member, or the Chair of any Committee empowered by the Steering Committee to field nominations. Nominations shall close four weeks prior to the Convention. The Information Secretary shall compile and distribute the full list of nominations at least two weeks prior to the Convention.

2. If any nominations remain open, they may be filled at the Convention.

Section 3: Procedure

1. All Local Chapter elections shall be conducted according to the Hare system.

2. In an election where both Officers and Committee or Working Group Chairs are to be elected, the Officers shall be elected first, with the Officers of the Steering Committee being elected before non-voting Officers.

3. All candidates shall be guaranteed equal time to communicate before voting begins.

4. At the start of an election a Local Chapter member shall be appointed by the membership of a Convention, or General Meeting in the case of Special Elections, to oversee the collection and tabulation of votes. 

5. Voting shall be by secret ballot. Candidates shall not be present while votes are counted. 

6. A record of the number of votes cast must be included in the minutes of any meeting in which an election occurred.

Section 4: Vacancies

1. In the event of a vacancy, whether by resignation or any other reason, in any office, the Steering Committee may appoint a replacement until the next General Meeting, at which the general body may vote to approve or reject their appointment. If the seat remains vacant, the general body may move to hold a Special Election at the following General Meeting to fill the seat for the remainder of the term.

2. A Special Election shall follow the same procedure as normal elections, but only the positions indicated shall be up for reelection, and nominations shall be accepted up until one week before the Special Election.

3. In the event that all positions on the Steering Committee are vacant, a quorum of Local Chapter members as defined in Article IV, Section 6 may call an Emergency Meeting for the purpose of electing members to the Steering Committee. This quorum of members shall be responsible for ensuring that all requirements for an Emergency Meeting as detailed in Article IV, Section 3 are fulfilled.

4. A Convention may fill any and all outstanding vacancies.

Section 5: Recall

1. Any member of the Local Chapter may circulate a petition of the membership for the recall of an Officer or the Chair of a Committee or Working Group. Once the petition has been signed by at least twenty-five percent of the number of voters in the previous election, the petition may be introduced at a General Meeting, which shall initiate a recall vote to be held at the following General Meeting. 

2. The Officer or Committee or Working Group Chair shall be recalled from their position upon a successful two-thirds majority vote of the General Meeting membership. A Special Election shall be held at the subsequent meeting to select a replacement Officer or Committee or Working Group Chair.

Section 6: Diversity

1. If the Steering Committee diversity requirements as defined in Article V, Section 2 are not met by the election of the Officers at a Convention or a Special Election, the candidates who would fulfill the requirement, but did not receive enough votes to be elected, shall be added as At-Large Steering Committee Members, based on the next most number of votes received, until the diversity requirement is satisfied or there are no more qualifying candidates.

2. If the Comrades-at-Large diversity requirements as defined in Article VI, Section 6 are not met by the election of the Comrade(s)-at-Large at a Convention or a Special Election, a candidate with the highest number of votes who would fulfill the requirement, but did not receive enough votes to be elected, shall be added as a third Comrade-at-Large.

Section 1: National Convention

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

Section 2: Election Process

1. The schedule for elections for delegates to the National Convention shall be set by the Steering Committee, in accordance with the schedule set by national DSA, and subject to approval by the general membership. The Steering Committee may delegate responsibility for drafting said election schedule to a Committee by majority vote. Nominations for delegate(s) must open at least one month, and close at least one week, before the start of voting. At the Local Chapter Convention or General Meeting following the closing of nominations, nominees shall be elected using the procedure outlined in Article VIII, Section 3.

1. The Treasurer shall submit an annual budget at least one month prior to the January Convention to the Steering Committee. The budget shall be made available to the Local Chapter membership at least two weeks prior to the January Convention.

2. The Chairs of all Committees and Working Groups must file a report of fundraising and costs for their Committees or Working Groups to the Treasurer before the budget is submitted.

3. At the January Convention, the budget shall be approved by a majority vote, and may be amended at that Convention. The budget shall be allocated as percentages of the Local Chapter’s general fund.

4. A Convention or a General Meeting may by resolution amend the budget.

5. At least ten-percent of the budget shall be allocated to a Reserve Fund.

Section 1: Regulatory and National DSA

1. The 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 Missouri.

2. The Local Chapter shall not engage in any activity prohibited by resolutions adopted by DSA’s National Convention or DSA’s National Political Committee.

Section 2: Official Language

1. To the greatest extent possible, gendered terminology shall not be used in any official communication from the Local Chapter in situations where the gender identity/expression of arbitrary (i.e., non-specific) individual(s) or group(s) involved is not relevant. This section shall not apply to any situation in which all potential individuals or groups involved have indicated a preference for specific gendered terminology, in which case that terminology shall be used.

Section 1: Rules

1. The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, shall govern this Local 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 Newly Revised upon the request of a member.

Section 2: Bylaws as the Ultimate Authority on Procedure

1. To the greatest extent possible, the Bylaws of the Local Chapter are to be considered the ultimate authority on any issue of procedure that arises within the Local Chapter.

Section 3: Action Out of Order

1. Any action taken by any member of the Local Chapter in contravention of these Bylaws is null and void.

1. Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be made by written resolution and submitted to the Steering Committee at least one month in advance of a Convention. 

2. The Steering Committee is required to provide the Local Chapter membership with at least two weeks’ written notice of the proposed amendments. 

3. Ratification of any Bylaws amendment requires a two-thirds vote of a Convention.

Section 1: Officers

1. The five Local Chapter members duly elected to the Steering Committee under the previous version of these Bylaws shall be considered Voting Officers of the Steering Committee, and are subject to all regulations and procedures thereof. Their terms shall expire upon the election of their replacements at the July 2025 Local Chapter Convention, or, if no replacement is elected, upon the adjournment of said Convention.

Section 2: Chapter Organization

1. The Labor and Electoral Working Groups created under the previous version(s) of these Bylaws shall be considered active Working Groups, subject to renewal at a Local Chapter Convention. The “Recruitment and Retention Working Group” created under the previous version(s) of these Bylaws shall be considered an active Committee named the Recruitment and Retention Committee, subject to renewal.

Section 3: Policy

1. Any action taken, or policy or resolution adopted by the Local Chapter under the previous version(s) of these Bylaws shall be considered valid.

Section 4: Meeting

1. The meeting at which these Bylaws are adopted shall be considered a Local Chapter Convention.

Section 5: Definition

1. For the purposes of this Article, “previous version(s)” refers to the Local Chapter Bylaws as written before January 12th, 2025.

Upon dissolution of the Local Chapter, any residual assets shall become property of the national organization of Democratic Socialists of America.