Approved by the General Membership and effective as of July 11, 2023, unless otherwise noted

ARTICLE I. Name.

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

ARTICLE II. Purpose.

The Denver Local 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 a freedom of speech that does not recoil from dissent, to a freedom to organize independent trade unions, women’s groups, political parties, and other formations -- recognizing these as essential bulwarks against the dangers of an intrusive state. It is committed to a freedom of religion that acknowledges the rights of those for whom spiritual concerns are central.

We are socialists because we are developing a concrete strategy for achieving that vision. In the present, we are building a visible socialist presence within the broad democratic left. In the long run, we hope to build a majority movement capable of making democratic socialism a reality in the United States. Our strategy acknowledges the class structure of the U.S. society. This class structure means that there is a basic conflict of interest between those sectors with enormous economic power and the vast majority of the population.

ARTICLE III. Membership.

Section 1. Membership.

Members of the Denver Local will be those individuals whose dues to national DSA are paid in full, who reside and/or work in the Denver metro area. It will be the responsibility of members to approve policies and guidelines for the operation of the Local, 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. Discipline of Members

(a) If a 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, or if they are found to be under the discipline of any self-defined democratic centralist organization, the Local may vote to discipline the offending Member or vote to terminate the Member’s affiliation with the Local, with National DSA, or with both, according to the following process:

(i) A Member shall deliver formal charges against the offending Member to the Steering Committee of the Local for investigation;

(ii) Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Steering Committee shall set a date for a meeting of the Local for deliberations on the charges. The Steering Committee shall notify the Membership and the offending Member of the meeting and deliver a copy of the charges and the findings of the Steering Committee’s investigation at least 15 days before the date of the meeting;

(iii) Upon conclusion of deliberations on the charges at the meeting, the Local may decide by a two-thirds vote of members in attendance to discipline the offending Member or terminate that Member’s affiliation with the Local, with National DSA, or with both;

(iv) The termination of a Member’s affiliation with the Local, with National DSA, or with both through this process may be appealed to the DSA National Political Committee.

(b) If a Member is found to be engaging in prohibited behavior as defined by section (1)(a) of the National DSA Harassment Policy (Nat. Conv. Resolution 33, 2017), the offending Member may be disciplined or have their affiliation with the Local, with National DSA, or with both terminated according to the process outlined in Article XI.

Section 3. Dues.

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

ARTICLE IV. Local Meetings.

Section 1. General Meeting.

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

Section 2. Regular Meetings.

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

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

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 80% of the average number of attendees at the last three general membership meetings and not fewer than twenty members is required for General, Regular, or Emergency Meetings to transact business.

Section 5. Accessibility.

The Steering Committee will take reasonable steps to ensure that members with specific accessibility requirements have their needs met, utilizing guidance from the National DSA Disability Working Group, and should strive to make all meetings and events accessible.

ARTICLE V. Local Officers: Powers and Duties.

Section 1. Officers, Terms and Duties.

The officers of the Local will be the Secretary and Treasurer. Election of officers of the Local shall occur at the General Meeting. The term of office will be one (1) year and shall be from July 1 to the following June 30 or until a successor is elected.

(a) The Secretary will be responsible for the taking of minutes of all Regular, General and Steering Committee Meetings. If needed, the Secretary may appoint a proxy to record minutes. The Secretary shall also maintain custody of all meeting minutes, resolutions, reports, membership lists and other official records of the Local. The Secretary shall be responsible for the transfer of all official records of the Local in good condition to their successor. The Secretary shall also ensure effective communication with the National DSA.

(b) The Treasurer will be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Local. All funds collected by the Local will be turned over to the Treasurer, who shall deposit them in a bank account under the name of the Local. In cooperation with the Secretary, the Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are paid up-to-date. The Treasurer will prepare the annual Local budget, and deliver the Local financial report to the General Meeting of the Local, as well as periodic progress reports as requested by the Steering Committee of the Local. The Treasurer shall be responsible for authorizing all expenditures in accordance with the wishes of the membership provided approval has been granted by the appropriate body as defined in Article VII, Section 8(a).

Section 2. Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in any Local office, the Local Steering Committee will appoint a temporary replacement until the next Regular Meeting when the Local shall elect a permanent replacement for the remainder of the original term.

Section 3. Recall of Officers

The Local may at any time remove an officer of the Local and elect a permanent replacement to serve out the remainder of the original term. Removal from office Recall of an officer of the Local requires a two-thirds majority vote by members in good standing present at a Regular Meeting of the Local.

ARTICLE VI. Steering Committee.

Section 1. Officers, Terms and Duties

The Steering Committee of the Local shall at minimum be composed of two (2) Co-Chairs and the officers of the Local as defined in Article V, Section 1. The Steering Committee may also include: four members elected at-large by the membership, using single transferable vote. No individual shall hold more than one office on the Steering Committee. At least two members of the Steering Committee shall not be men and at least one member shall be a person of color. If the diversity requirements are not met by the election of the Steering Committee members, the candidates who would fulfill the requirement but did not receive enough votes to be elected shall be added as additional elected 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. Election of officers of the Steering Committee shall occur at the June General Meeting. The term of office will be one (1) year and shall be from July 1 to the following June 30 or until a successor is elected.

(a) The Co-Chairs shall be the chief spokespeople of the chapter. The Co-Chairs will preside over Regular, Steering Committee, and Organizing Council meetings, including annual vision-setting meetings. The Steering Committee Co-Chairs are ultimately responsible for the direction and management of the Local’s policies and priorities as set by membership, subject to appeal by the Steering Committee. At least one Co-Chair must not identify as cis-gender, male, or non-hispanic white.

(b) At-large members of the steering committee shall be tasked with fulfilling the committee’s duties in collaboration with the officers and co-chairs of the local, including operating social media, coordinating chapter campaigns, promoting active membership through list work, membership outreach and chapter-wide event planning, fundraising for the local and coordinating general meetings and socials for the membership.

(c) At the enactment of this amendment by the local, the incumbent Communication Chair, Fundraising Chair, Membership Chair and Coordination Chair will immediately become at-large members of the steering committee

Section 2. Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in any Steering Committee office, the Local Steering Committee will appoint a temporary replacement until the next Regular Meeting at which the Local is able to elect a permanent replacement for the remainder of the original term. Such a meeting must be at least one (1) month after such a vacancy was posted. In the case where the steering committee is unable to find anyone to serve temporarily or permanently in a given vacancy, the seat shall remain vacant until the steering committee is able to find a temporary replacement or a member of the local nominates themselves to permanently fill the role. When such happens, the previously described election process shall take effect.

Section 3. Additional Duties

(a) The Steering Committee administers the affairs of the Local and oversees the implementation of the decisions of the General and Regular Meetings; it may also propose policy to the General and Regular Meetings. It shall have the power to receive reports of any Committee or Branch, and advise thereon, to call emergency meetings of the Local, and to act on any matter that requires immediate and urgent action. The Steering Committee is the regular executive body of the Local, and thus subordinate to its Legislative bodies, the General and Regular Meetings.

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

(c) The Steering Committee will be empowered to act as the official public spokespersons for the Local and will initiate such actions and policies as the Local’s general welfare may demand. The Steering Committee will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the Local’s branches and committees. The Steering Committee will report to Local Regular Meetings on the business of the Steering Committee Meetings.

(d) The Steering Committee may assign additional temporary duties to an officer of the Steering Committee, including officers of the Local, so long as such assignments do not conflict with these Bylaws or the designation of responsibilities outlined in these Bylaws.

Section 4. Meetings.

The meetings of the Steering Committee will be held at least monthly, the dates of which will be determined by a prior Steering Committee Meeting or by consultation amongst any three (3) 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 5. Quorum.

A quorum of the Steering Committee shall be three members or 50% of the members, whichever is greater. A quorum shall be required for the transaction of Steering Committee business.

Section 6. Recall of Officers

The Local may at any time remove an officer of the Steering Committee and elect a permanent replacement to serve out the remainder of the original term. Recall of an officer of the Steering Committee requires a two-thirds majority vote by members in good standing present at a Regular Meeting of the Local.

ARTICLE III. Committees.

Section 1. Definition.

(a) Committees of the Local are formally established bodies of dues paying members and will be organized for the realization of the Local’s strategies and tactics relevant to its long-term external and internal priorities.

(b) Committees may focus on any special topic which is deemed central to the Local’s mission and goals by the at-large membership of the Local.

Section 2. Committee Chairs.

(a) Each committee shall be organized and directed by a committee chairperson, appointed by the membership of each committee. The Committee Chair must be a dues-paying member in good standing of the Local.

(b) The Local may at any time remove a Chair of Committee and elect a permanent replacement to serve out the remainder of the original term. Removal from office requires a two-thirds majority vote by members of the Committee or by a two-thirds vote of members in good standing that are present at a Regular Meeting of the Local.

Section 3. Membership.

Membership and voting rights in a committee shall be defined by the members of the Committee. The Committee will review and update the guidelines at least yearly. The guidelines established by the Committee will be maintained by the Secretary.

Section 4. Duties.

Each committee shall provide regular reports of progress, on activities general and specific, to the general membership and the Steering Committee during regular business meetings of the Local, or upon request by the Steering Committee.

Section 5. Formation of Committees.

(a) Each committee shall originate from a well-established working group, as such groups are defined under Article IX.

(i) The originating working group will be considered “well-established”, and may propose the formation of a committee, only after holding meetings for three consecutive months, where at least one meeting has been held in each of the constituent calendar months of the period, and where each meeting during the period has been attended by at least five members in good standing of the Local.

(ii) Aside from under the conditions defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a working group may also be considered “well-established” and eligible for proposing a committee by the unanimous consent of the Steering Committee after presenting evidence of exigent need for the committee.

(b) A committee will be formed upon passage of a constituting resolution as presented to the at-large membership by a sponsoring member of the Local.

(i) Passage of the constituting resolution shall be by a two-thirds vote in the affirmative for the resolution from the at-large membership present at any regular business meeting of the Local.

(ii) The sponsor of the constituting resolution shall be any member of the committee’s originating working group.

Section 6. Dissolution of Committees.

(a) A committee which has ceased to function as defined in its constituting resolution may be dissolved either:

(i) upon passage, by a majority vote in any business meeting of the Local, of a resolution, originating from the Steering Committee of the Local, dissolving the defunct committee; or,

(ii) by the unanimous decision of all members of the Steering Committee during the proceedings of any business meeting of the Local.

Section 7. Active Committees.

(a) An up-to-date list of active committees will be maintained on the Local’s website.

Section 8. Expenditures

(a) Committees and well-established working groups (as defined under Article VII, Section 5, subsection a) , may seek authorization to expend the organization’s funds if necessary to accomplish their objectives. All requests for authorization must be presented to the Treasurer and Steering Committee and must be approved by the membership excepting requests totaling $300 or less, which may be approved by a simple majority of the Steering Committee. A committee or working group shall maintain records of all authorized expenditures made using the organization’s funds and shall provide these records to the Treasurer.

ARTICLE VIII. Organizing Council.

Section 1. Composition.

The Organizing Council shall be an advisory body consisting of the Chairs of each Denver DSA committee, or liaisons appointed by said committees, and the Steering Committee.

Section 2. Duties.

(a) The Organizing Council shall meet quarterly to report on the organizing work of each committee, the fulfillment of chapter priorities, the coordination of chapter campaigns, and for the committees to contribute to the decisions of the Steering Committee. Whereas the Steering Committee is chiefly concerned with the maintenance of the chapter, the Organizing Council is concerned with the active organizing labor of the chapter.

(b) In the first quarterly meeting after the yearly General Meeting the Organizing Council shall appoint three people to the Nominations Committee. In the same meeting the Organizing Council shall establish guidelines on voting methodology for the year.

ARTICLE IX. Working Groups.

Section 1. Definition.

(a) Working groups of the Local are ad hoc bodies of dues paying members, formed for the realization of some short-term objective of the Local, or for the expression and development of the general membership’s interests prior to the formation of a full committee of the Local.

Section 2. Formation, Organization and Dissolution.

(a) Working groups may be established in any manner seen as appropriate by interested members of the Local (e.g., creation of a physical or digital forum for discussion), so far as the existence of the Working Group is made known to the general membership of the Local by a reasonable effort at publicity.

(b) A working group may be organized in any structure deemed necessary for the fulfillment of the group’s purpose.

(c) Working groups are ad hoc bodies and may be dissolved at any time without special notice being given or procedure being followed.

Section 3. Duties.

(a) Each working group may report on its activities during general business meetings of the Local or by communication with members of the Steering Committee on an informal basis.

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

Section 1. National Convention.

(a) Local delegates and alternates to the National Convention will be elected by members in good standing of the Local. Elections of National Convention delegates shall occur in the February before each National Convention unless actions by the National organization prompt the Local to do otherwise.

(b) The Local may at any time remove a delegate and elect a permanent replacement to serve out the remainder of the original term. Removal from office requires a two-thirds majority vote by members in good standing present at a Regular Meeting of the Local or by a two-thirds majority vote of the Steering Committee.

Section 2. Regional Bodies

Local delegates and alternates to Regional Bodies will be elected by members in good standing of the Local. Elections for the delegation shall be held on the schedule announced by the Regional Body.

Section 3. State Bodies

Local delegates and alternates to State Bodies will be elected by members in good standing of the Local. Elections for the delegation shall be held on the schedule announced by the State Body.

ARTICLE XI. Harassment Grievance Process and Officers

Section 1. Harassment and Grievance Process

The Local shall, at a minimum, adhere to all processes and guidance in Resolution 33 of the 2017 DSA National Convention (DSA Harassment Policy). Any updates to the DSA Harassment Policy shall supersede these bylaws. The duly elected harassment and grievance officers (HGO) may strengthen the DSA Harassment Policy processes and guidance as appropriate.

Section 2. Composition and Terms of Harassment Grievance Officers (HGOs)

(a) Composition - There will be a minimum of two (2) HGO positions in the Local. HGOs shall be members of the local in good standing. HGOs shall not be members of the Steering Committee or hold any other office, elected or appointed, in the Local. At least one HGO must not identify as cis-gender and male.

(b) Election - The Steering Committee shall solicit applicants for HGO, and the Steering Committee shall thoroughly vet the applicants by investigation into their background and qualifications, and by soliciting feedback from the membership, including anonymously. Applicants shall be nominated as an HGO by a unanimous vote of the Steering Committee. Nominees shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the membership at a regular Local meeting.

(c) Term of Office - The terms of each HGO will be one year starting from the date of their respective elections.

(d) Removal from Office - The Steering Committee may remove a grievance officer by majority vote.

(e) Vacancies - If the number of HGOs drops to below the minimum of two (2), the SC is tasked with finding replacements as soon as possible. Any replacements shall be approved as normal.

Section Section 3. Duties of Harassment Grievance Officers (HGOs)

(a) Harassment Grievance Officers will adhere to all procedures and duties as outlined in the Policy.

(b) All HGOs, whether appointed or elected, shall be trained in responding to sexual violence, at the Local’s expense. Such training will preferably be recommended and/or provided by DSA’s National HGO but can be selected by the HGOs and Steering Committee. If an HGO does not complete required training within 60 days of taking office, an automatic recall shall be triggered.

(c) All HGOs should also receive mediation training, at the Local’s expense, with such training to be identified and selected by the HGOs and Steering Committee.

(d) HGOs shall adhere to major policy and guidance released by the National HGO, which shall take precedence in the event of a conflict with these bylaws.

ARTICLE XII. Prohibited Activity.

(a) Denver Local shall not engage in activities prohibited by the IRS guidelines established for 501 (c) 4 organizations or similar rules established by the state of Colorado.

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

(c) In accordance with Resolution 33 (the Policy), 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. Harassing or abusive behavior, such as unwelcome attention, inappropriate or offensive remarks, slurs, or jokes, physical or verbal intimidation, stalking, inappropriate physical contact or proximity, online harassment and other verbal and physical conduct constitute harassment when:

(i) Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a member’s continued affiliation with DSA;

(ii) Submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for organizational decisions affecting such individual; or

(iii) Such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating a hostile environment interfering with an individual’s capacity to organize within DSA.

(d) Harassment based on categories not encompassed by those listed Section C will be evaluated at the discretion of the HGO and Steering Committee representatives.

ARTICLE XIII. Nominations.

Section 1. Nominations Committee.

A three-person Nominations Committee shall be established by the Organizing Council at the first quarterly meeting after the yearly General Meeting. It shall solicit and receive nominations for the positions to be elected. The term of service will be one year, and shall run from the time of appointment until June 30, or until their successors are elected.

Section 2. Nominations Process.

Nominations for Local officers and delegates to the National Convention shall be opened 10 days before and closed at the General or Regular Meeting in which the elections are occuring. The call for nominations shall be announced to members in good standing of the Local in advance of the General Meeting. The Organizing Council shall establish guidelines on voting methodology for the year in the first quarterly meeting after the yearly General Meeting.

Section 3. Uncontested Positions.

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

ARTICLE XIV. Amendments.

Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five members of the Local, and submitted to the Steering Committee 45 days in advance of a General or Regular Meeting. The Steering Committee is required to provide the Local membership with 30 days’ written notice of the proposed amendments and is required to organize a session to discuss proposed amendments to occur not less than one week before the vote. The amendment must be approved by a two-thirds vote at a (Regular of General) Local meeting.

ARTICLE XV. Rules of the Local.

Section 1. Rules.

The Rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this Local 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. Action Out of Order.

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