Resolution for More Flexible Branches (NO LONGER IMPACTFUL)
Whereas the current bylaws mandate each branch expend capacity on branch officer positions,
Whereas the majority of branches no longer want to have mandated officer positions and want to more effectively use their capacity towards external campaigns instead of redundant internal administration,
Whereas allowing branches more autonomy in determining their internal structure will give them more flexibility in organizing in their local context,
Be it therefore resolved that the underlined language be added to Article IV Section 3 and the struckthrough language removed,
Article IV. Section 3. Formation, Dissolution, and Separation of Branches.
A Branch may be chartered by majority vote of the Steering Committee upon petition of at least 50 members residing within a defined territory, belonging to a particular institution, or sharing a common interest. These members will draft a Charter outlining how the Branch will be internally governed for approval by the Chapter Steering Committee. Substantively similar Branches may be merged by the Steering Committee rather than granted separate representation. A Branch may be dissolved by the Steering Committee if it has not met for at least three months, if the Steering Committee determines the Branch is defunct, for failure to conduct its internal affairs according to the Branch’s or NCTDSA bylaws, or if it has been promoting policies contrary to those of NCTDSA or national Democratic Socialists of America.
Be it further resolved that the below Article IV Section 4 is added to the NCTDSA bylaws,
Article IV. Section 4. Branch Representative
A Branch must elect one Branch Representative to the Chapter Steering Committee. Branch Representatives are required to represent their Branches at Chapter Steering Committee meetings. Branch Representative elections will coincide with chapter officer elections, and members in good standing considered to belong to a given branch (see Article IV Section 2) may vote in the Branch Representative election for their branch.
Be it further resolved that branches that already exist, namely Raleigh DSA, Durham DSA, and Chapelboro DSA, will have the below as their charters that can then be amended by branch membership and that these charters will go into effect upon the passing of this resolution,
Branch Charter
Article I. Branch Definition
A branch is a subgroup of NCTDSA consisting of members who live in a particular area of the Triangle.
Article II. Branch Membership
NCTDSA Chapter members are considered to be members of the closest branch to where they live. NCTDSA Chapter members automatically become members of their nearest branch upon becoming a member of NCTDSA. Members may only be part of one branch at a time.
Article III. Branch Representative
A branch must elect one Branch Representative to the Chapter Steering Committee. Branch Representatives are required to represent their Branches at Chapter Steering Committee meetings. Branch Representative elections will coincide with chapter officer elections, and members in good standing considered to belong to this branch may vote in the Branch Representative election.
The Branch Representative will be authorized to chair any meetings held by the branch and has discretion to delegate this authority to other branch members.
Article IV. Branch Meetings
A branch may hold meetings to conduct branch business. A quorum of 5 percent of branch membership (but not fewer than six (6) persons) is required for branch meetings to conduct business.
The Rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 11th Edition, will govern this branch in cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Chapter Bylaws. Consensus decision-making is desirable where feasible, but meetings must submit to Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 11th Edition upon the request of a member.
Article V. Branch Charter Amendments
The branch may amend this charter by a two-thirds majority vote at a branch meeting.
Be it further resolved that Article V is deleted from the NCTDSA bylaws,
Be it further resolved that Article VII Section 5 is deleted from the NCTDSA bylaws,
sBe it further resolved that the Articles and Sections of the NCTDSA bylaws are renumbered to reflect the above changes.