Passed Resolutions Log

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This is an ongoing log of resolutions passed at SWMI DSA’s Monthly Meetings. This allows members to keep track of what has been passed and how our chapter operates. This document will be updated after each monthly meeting. Notes accompanying passed resolutions give additional context. Still relevant resolutions passed before Dec 29, 2024 will be added over time.

Naming Convention:
YY.MM.# (year passed / month passed / assigned number)  – Descriptive Title

24.07.01 – Executive Committee Terms & 2025 General Meeting Date

2024 – 2025 SWMI DSA Exec Committee:

Co-Chair: Ryan S

Co-Chair: Jeremy H (interim Jan – April), K B (interim May – August)

Secretary: Euan S

Treasurer: Dawn E

Social Media: Sean D

Next SWMI DSA General Meeting: July 2025

24.12.01 – Executive Committee Harm Reduction Training Resolution

Passed at Dec 29, 2024 Monthly Meeting.

Be it resolved that “Executive Committee members are required to schedule and attend the Harm Reduction training with Nancy King and make it accessible so all DSA members can attend if they so choose to.”

Completed

24.12.02 – Monthly Meeting Recording Resolution

Passed at Dec 29, 2024 Monthly Meeting.

Be it resolved that “SWMI DSA monthly meetings are to be recorded and published for accountability and accessibility”

Note: This resolution is vague to allow a process to be set up that meets members needs. Resolution should be read out at the start of each Monthly Meeting to inform members that the meeting is recorded and gain general consent.

Rescinded by SWMI DSA: Passed Resolutions Log

24.12.03 – Participation in Jan 18, 2025 Kalamazoo People’s March

Passed at Dec 29, 2024 Monthly Meeting.

Be it resolved that “SWMI DSA is to encourage members and comrades to attend and organize at the Kalamazoo People’s March”

Completed

24.12.04 – 2025 Monthly Meeting Schedule

Passed at Dec 29, 2024 Monthly Meeting.

Be it resolved that the secretary set the “2025 Monthly Meeting Schedule as Jan 26, Feb 23, March 23, April 27, May 25, June 29, July 27 (General Meeting), Aug 24, Sep 28, Oct 26, Nov 23, Dec 28.”

(Fourth Sunday of the month at Edison Neighborhood Association)

Completed

24.12.05 – Bylaws Accessibility Resolution

Passed at Dec 29, 2024 Monthly Meeting.

Be it resolved that “chapter bylaws be accessible on our website so members can have a clear and better understanding of the values of the chapter and their rights as members.”

LINK: SWMI DSA Bylaws

24.12.06 – Member Handbook Resolution

Passed at Dec 29, 2024 Monthly Meeting.

Be it resolved that the “chapter creates a SWMI DSA membership handbook in the first quarter of 2025.”

24.12.07 – Holding Space at Monthly Meetings Resolution

Passed at Dec 29, 2024 Monthly Meeting.

Be it resolved that “monthly meetings begin with a maximum 15 minute space for talking about intersectionality, listening to Black and Indigenous people and people of color, and checking in with each other.”

25.1.01 : 2025 Priorities

Passed at Jan 26, 2025 Monthly Meeting

Be it resolved that SWMI DSA’s 2025 priorities are the following:

  • The chapter shall commit to five ‘days of action’. That is five days of focused action in which the entire chapter organizes around a unified goal in support of our campaigns.
  • The chapter shall organize a public facing event on May Day to continue our organizing towards May Day 2028
  • The chapter shall organize at least one ‘political education’ event for the general public, growing class consciousness in our community to those who may not be familiar with our politics
  • Grow the chapter to 200 members in good standing
  • Continue to build lasting community connections

25.1.02 : Member Outreach Group

Passed at Jan 26, 2025 Monthly Meeting

Be it resolved that the chapter form a ‘Member Outreach Group’ to assist with membership onboarding and development. The group’s immediate priority will be to create and implement a chapter onboarding process that gets new and interested members into our movement. This group will also oversee the development of the member handbook (24.12.06 – Member Handbook Resolution). The group will convene at least once a month for the remainder of 2025.

25.1.03 : Vote to Confirm Interim Co-Chair

Passed at Jan 26, 2025 Monthly Meeting

Jeremy H was confirmed as interim SWMI DSA co-chair by majority vote.

25.2.01 : Vote to Elect Harassment and Grievance Officer

Passed at Feb 23, 2025 Monthly Meeting

Matt A was elected as HGO with a term ending at the next General Meeting

25.2.02 : Vote to Organize Protest on March 8

Passed at Feb 23, 2025 Monthly Meeting

Be it resolved that the Chapter organize a protest at the Foundry for the City Commission Planning Retreat.

Completed

25.03.01: Motion to Sponsor Capitol Day 2025: Communities Over Corporations

Passed at March 23, 2025 Monthly Meeting

WHEREAS, SWMI DSA is committed to advocating for single-payer universal healthcare; and

WHEREAS, an upcoming advocacy day in Lansing on April 23 provides an opportunity for DSA members to support this effort by meeting with legislators, learning about proposed legislation, and sharing personal stories;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that SWMI DSA shall officially sponsor this advocacy effort and be listed as a sponsor of the event; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that SWMI DSA shall send a chapter-wide email to all members, including a Google form, to recruit volunteers for participation in the April 23 advocacy day.

Note: An additional motion to contribute $50 for Capitol Day was passed in the meeting.

Completed

25.03.02: Resolution on Agenda Procedures

Passed at March 23, 2025 Monthly Meeting

WHEREAS, SWMI DSA has a growing, engaged, and active membership that wants to participate in chapter business, and our organization is built on democracy, where every member’s voice is important and deserves to be heard; and

WHEREAS, SWMI DSA’s Monthly Meetings are a place for good faith discussion, action, and solidarity, and an informed, empowered membership is essential for chapter democracy and the success of our work; and

WHEREAS, SWMI DSA recognizes that some members cannot attend Monthly Meetings or may feel unable to participate during the meeting, yet still deserve to have a say in chapter business;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee shall accept written resolutions, actions, and requested agenda items from members in good standing, working groups, and the Executive Committee up to 48 hours before the next Monthly Meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that resolutions shall be presented in written form in the New Business section of the Monthly Meeting agenda in the order received by the Executive Committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee and members shall work in good faith to manage late requests with an understanding of respecting chapter democracy; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately.

Consolidated into Standing Rules

25.04.01: Resolution to Adopt a Highway

Passed at April 27, 2025 Regular Meeting

Whereas, the Southwestern Michigan Chapter of the DSA, henceforth referred to as the SWMIDSA, recognizes the importance of community projects; and

Whereas, community projects can lead to positive reflections on the SWMIDSA to further drive membership recruitment.

Therefore, be it resolved that the Southwestern Michigan Chapter of the DSA, Outreach Working Group, adopts the following measures:

1. Set a Primary and Secondary Point-of-Contact for the application.

2. Apply for MDOT Adopt-A-Highway for the section of Michigan Highway on East Michigan Ave, aka M-96, from 30th St to 35th St approximately 2.42 miles.

3. Instruct Outreach group to set at least 3 dates over the calendar year to perform Highway Cleanup.

25.04.01: Motion to Hold Co-Chair Elections

Passed at April 27, 2025 Regular Meeting

A motion to hold co-chair election at the next monthly meeting (May 25) in-lieu of an executive committee appointment.

25.05.01: Delegate Election Results

Elected at May Regular Meeting

Euan S., Deirdre R. and Josh H. elected as delegates.
Sunnie elected as an alternate.

Deirdre R elected as delegation chair

25.05.02: Co-Chair Election Results

K B elected as co-chair

25.05.03: AfroSocialists Event Budget

The AfroSocialists working group is requested 60 dollars for refreshments for the first Afrosocialist Kzoo meeting. The date is TBD.

Completed

25.06.01: Motion to Set General Meeting Date

The chapter agreed to set our annual General Meeting for August 24.

25.08.01: Executive Committee Election Procedures

The resolutions committee introduced this resolution. At the meeting, it was amended to extend candidate speeches from two minutes to four.

Whereas, it is necessary to establish clear and democratic procedures for the conduct of officer elections;

Resolved, That the following special rules of order shall govern the conduct of officer elections of the Southwest Michigan DSA:

Nominations
Nominations shall be taken from the floor. Following the close of nominations, the Chair shall issue a final call for nominations before proceeding to speeches.

Candidate Speeches
Each nominee shall be entitled to two (2)  four (4) minutes to make a motivating speech. The order of speeches shall be determined by lot.

Question and Answer
After speeches for each office, there shall be an open question-and-answer period of five (5) minutes. The Chair shall moderate and select questions from the floor.

Order of Elections
Elections shall be held in the following order:

  • Co-Chairs
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Harassment & Grievance Officers (HGOs)

Voting Method

  1. When an election is contested with more than two candidates, voting shall be conducted by Single Transferable Vote (STV)*.
  2. When an election is contested with only two candidates, voting shall be conducted by secret ballot.
  3. When an election is uncontested, election shall be conducted by card vote.

Remote Voting
Members participating remotely may submit their votes via the Zoom chat during the meeting. Alternative remote voting arrangements can be made on a case by case basis. 

*STV is a preferential voting system, meaning it allows voters to rank candidates by preference. Votes are counted in rounds, transferring surplus votes from elected candidates or redistributing votes from eliminated candidates until all positions are filled. This ensures that diverse groups within chapters can be represented. This results will be calculated via this STV Counter. https://okx.sh/stv/ 

25.08.02: Executive Committee Election Results

The chapter elected its new Executive Committee in accordance with the bylaws and rules laid out in 25.08.01: Executive Committee Election Procedures.

The 2025-2026 Executive Committee is:

Co-Chairs: Euan S. & K B.

Treasurer: Abbey T.

Secretary: Ben D.

Social Media Co-Ordinator: Claire D.

HGOs: Sunnie R. & E A.

This executive committee will serve a term from August 2025 – August 2026.

25.09.01: Resolution to Rescind Resolution 24.12.02

WHEREAS, the Executive Committee recommends the rescission of Resolution 24.12.02 – Monthly Meeting Recording Resolution; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of this action is to foster a more open and uninhibited discussion environment for all members;

WHEREAS, recordings of deliberative discussion can put members at risk, especially from Trump’s fascist regime;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Resolution 24.12.02 – Monthly Meeting Recording Resolution is hereby overturned and rescinded, effective immediately.

25.09.02: Proposal for Ad Hoc Policy Document Review Committee

Be it resolved, that SWMI DSA will be forming an ad hoc rules and bylaws committee for the purpose of reviewing existing rules and proposing alterations as necessary.

Be it further resolved, that the secretary of the chapter will serve as steering of the ad hoc committee. This committee will refer edits and proposals for edits to relevant groups and for consideration by general membership.

25.09.03: Resolution to Support 2025/2026 Ballot Proposals

WHEREAS, SWMI DSA recognizes the urgent need for a more equitable and democratic state and believes that ballot initiatives are a vital tool for empowering the working class; and

WHEREAS, a statewide DSA campaign, “Michigan for the Many,” will unify our efforts to pass critical progressive reforms; and

WHEREAS, the proposed “Invest in MIKids” initiative would provide crucial funding for public education by taxing the wealthiest Michiganders, which aligns with our commitment to fully funded public services; and

WHEREAS, the “Rank MI Vote” initiative would strengthen our democracy by ensuring that elected officials are chosen by a majority of voters, thereby encouraging coalition-building and positive campaigning; and

WHEREAS, the “Michiganders for Money Out of Politics” initiative would combat corporate influence by banning political contributions from regulated monopolies and large government contractors; and

WHEREAS, the local “We the People Initiatives” provide a crucial avenue for communities to enact meaningful change on issues directly affecting them, including the petition for Just Cause Eviction and the petition for Tenants Right to Organize; and

WHEREAS, the effective coordination of these campaigns requires a dedicated and organized effort;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that SWMI DSA officially endorses and supports the campaigns for the “Invest in MIKids,” “Rank MI Vote,” and “Michiganders for Money Out of Politics” ballot proposals as part of a wider statewide DSA campaign known as “Michigan for the Many.”

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that SWMI DSA officially endorses and supports the local “We the People Initiatives” petitioning for Just Cause Eviction and Tenants Right to Organize.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chapter will allocate resources, including but not limited to volunteer time, communications support, and logistical planning, to ensure the success of this campaign.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a campaign-specific working group shall be immediately created and tasked with the oversight, coordination, and execution of these ballot proposal campaigns within the chapter.

25.09:04: Resolution to make “Get the Flock Out of Kzoo” a Chapter Priority Campaign 

WHEREAS, the “Get the Flock Out of Kzoo” campaign has garnered interest among chapter members and the broader community; and

WHEREAS, this campaign addresses issues of broad public appeal, creating a unique opportunity for coalition-building with other community groups, labor unions, immigrant groups and other organizations; and

WHEREAS, success in this campaign would make a tangible and material difference in the lives of Kalamazoo residents by removing surveillance infrastructure and holding powerful entities accountable; and

WHEREAS, the campaign provides a valuable opportunity for political education, allowing members to develop skills in organizing, direct action, and public advocacy, thereby strengthening our chapter for future work; and

WHEREAS, this campaign aligns with our chapter’s core principles of fighting for the working class and marginalized communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that SWMI DSA officially endorses and supports the “Get the Flock Out of Kzoo” for the remainder 2025.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chapter will allocate resources, including but not limited to volunteer time, communications support, and logistical planning, to ensure the success of this campaign.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the campaign shall be overseen by a dedicated working group that will provide regular updates to the chapter on its progress.

25.11.01: Resolution to Authorize Limited Monthly Expenditures by the Executive Committee

WHEREAS, the Chapter occasionally encounters unexpected or time-sensitive expenses necessary for its regular operations, such as food for meetings, printing, supplies, or other reactive needs; and

WHEREAS, requiring full membership approval for minor or urgent expenditures may delay essential work and hinder the Chapter’s ability to respond effectively;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee is authorized to approve and spend up to $200 per month on unexpected, reactive, or operational expenditures without prior membership approval;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Treasurer shall report any such expenditures in detail during the Treasurer’s Report at each regular monthly membership meeting;

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that any expenditure exceeding this $200 monthly limit shall continue to require approval from the general membership.

25.12.01 – Resolution on the Adoption of SWMI DSA Standing Rules

WHEREAS, the Southwest Michigan Democratic Socialists of America (SWMI DSA) requires a clear and consistent set of rules to govern the conduct of chapter meetings and events, that fosters an anti-racist environment and considers the diversity of its members and their culture.

WHEREAS, these rules should ensure the efficient and democratic operation of the chapter while promoting accountability and accessibility, and equitable participation for all members;

WHEREAS, a review of the existing rules and newly proposed resolutions has been conducted, and it is now necessary to formally adopt a consolidated set of Standing Rules for the chapter; 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Southwest Michigan Democratic Socialists of America officially adopts the following Standing Rules to govern chapter business, effective, equitably immediately:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the chapter will have a digital and printed copy of the standing rules available to members at meetings.

Full Rules Found at: Resolution on the Adoption of SWMI DSA Standing Rules

25.12.02 – 2026 Chapter Meeting Schedule & Format

WHEREAS, the Southwest Michigan Democratic Socialists of America (SWMI DSA) experienced substantial growth in 2025, increasing its membership by over 200%; 

WHEREAS, maintaining high-level member retention and engagement requires a balance between necessary chapter administration and collective learning and skill-building; and

WHEREAS, the current meeting structure does not adequately allocate time for dedicated political education, workshops, and deep political discussion necessary to develop our growing membership;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Southwest Michigan DSA shall adopt an alternating monthly meeting schedule beginning in January 2026. All monthly meetings shall take place on the fourth Sunday of each month at a time and location to be determined by the Executive Committee and properly notified to the membership.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the purpose and scope of each meeting type is defined as follows:

  • Regular Meeting: These meetings are primarily focused on Chapter governance, administration, and for formal decision making. They are designed for fulfilling the legal and organizational obligations of the chapter, including voting on resolutions, receiving reports from the Executive Committee, reviewing financial records, and addressing old and new business requiring formal membership assent.
  • Discussion Meeting: These meetings are primarily focused on political education, training, and collective praxis. Their dedicated purpose is to foster collective learning through activities such as workshops, historical lessons, and political debates, preparing members for electoral and organizing challenges.
  • Chapter Convention: This meeting is the Annual General Meeting, dedicated to fulfilling the chapter’s annual organizational requirements, including the voting for the new Executive Committee and the voting for Bylaw changes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee (EC) shall be responsible for creating the agenda for all monthly meetings, in accordance with chapter bylaws and rules.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Executive Committee shall retain the authority to adjust the agenda of a Discussion Meeting to include administrative or business items, provided that such adjustments comply with chapter bylaws and standing rules, that the shift in focus is clearly communicated to the membership beforehand, and that this adjustment is treated as an exception and not the norm.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the schedule of chapter meetings for the year 2026 shall be formally adopted as follows:

SWMI DSA 2026 Meeting Dates

  • Sunday, January 25, 2026 
  • Sunday, February 22, 2026 
  • Sunday, March 22, 2026
  • Sunday, April 26, 2026 
  • Sunday, May 24, 2026
  • Sunday, June 28, 2026 
  • Sunday, July 26, 2026 
  • Sunday, August 23, 2026 
  • Sunday, September 27, 2026 
  • Sunday, October 25, 2026
  • Sunday, November 22, 2026 
  • Sunday, December 27, 2026 

25.12.03 – 2026 Chapter Budget

WHEREAS, the organization requires flexibility to allocate funds as needs arise throughout the year;

WHEREAS, prudent financial planning for the upcoming year is essential to ensure the continuity of programs and activities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following budget be approved for 2026:

  • Monthly Meeting expenses – $600 (12 meetings at $50 each)
  • Friday Evening Mutual Aid expenses – $1,200 (12 months at $100 each)
  • Chapter propaganda (handouts, stickers, posters, etc.) – $500
  • Merchandise (posters, stickers, t‑shirts, etc.) – $500

TOTAL: $2,800

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that these funds may be drawn upon as needed to support the listed activities, and that any unspent balance shall be carried forward to the next year.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Treasurer shall prepare and submit a financial report to membership on a monthly basis.