Member-leaders, or cadre, serve a critical role in the North Carolina Triangle DSA chapter, keeping chapter work organized and focused on meeting our collective goals
Member-leaders plan and execute campaigns as the intermediate layer between chapter leadership and general membership, serving as a critical link in developing newer and less-involved members seeking to deepen their involvement in the chapter
Since accountability and responsibility of member-leaders is paramount in maintaining democratic transparency, TDSA has implemented requirements for leadership skills and specialized knowledge so that the process to achieve member leadership is transparent
IMPORTANT: A new resolution was passed in January 2025 that clearly defines the expectations and requirements for Member Leadership
IMPORTANT: If you are a member-leader and you are looking to join the Google Group for member-leaders, please fill out this form
Any Member in Good Standing can become a member-leader
What do I need to know to be a member-leader?
Member-leaders must attend or demonstrate equivalent knowledge from the member-leader Curriculum, which includes the following topics/courses:
Socialism 101, Socialism 102, Marxism 101, Mobilizer training, Building Capacity and Developing Leaders*, Security practices, Robert’s Rules 101*, How to Hold Meetings*, Grievance process and policy, Comradely Disagreement*, OrgTools training*, List Work Workshops*, & Treasurer training (where * denotes trainings provided by national DSA)
What level of involvement must I have in TDSA, and for how long, before I can become a member-leader?
You must be a mobilized chapter member for at least six months, during which you must have engaged in demonstrable organizing activity in the chapter
OR Have equivalent organizing experience within DSA or other democratic, member-led organization
OR Have received a waiver of this requirement from Steering Committee
What if I’m politically affiliated with other organizations outside DSA?
You must disclose all political affiliations
How active must I be as a member-leader?
You must maintain activity in at least one Committee or Working Group in DSA, YDSA, or in a democratic member-led tenant or labor union
Apply for the member-leader role to the Steering Committee
If you are granted the member-leader role by Steering Committee, please make sure to fill out this form!
Will my role as member-leader remain in perpetuity?
Steering may revoke member-leader status for inactivity, poor behavior as a DSA representative, or if skills/knowledge do not align with the member-leader Curriculum
My member-leader status was revoked; how can I get it back?
Appeal for reinstatement to the Steering Committee or via motion at a General Meeting, ensuring that all above requirements have been met
I want to hold a Committee, Working Group, Section, or Association leadership or mobilizer role; do I have to be a member-leader?
Yes, or you must commit to meeting the requirements in a timely fashion
I’m already a member-leader, so how do these requirements affect me?
Upon completion of the member-leader Curriculum and other requirements by the Administrative Committee and/or the Political Education Committee, ALL member-leaders must meet these requirements by a date decided by a vote of the Steering Committee