NPEC Bylaws

Article I. Name

The name of this body will be the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) National Political Education Commission (NPEC).

Article II. Purpose

Our mission is to organize and expand political education within DSA to develop our members as socialist organizers. NPEC seeks to create and concentrate political education resources to distribute across DSA and beyond, to advise DSA leadership on matters relating to political education, to build channels within DSA to connect political educators and share our resources, and to generate interest in and commitments for political education across the membership.

Article III. Membership

Section 1. Defining Membership

NPEC is open to:

• Individuals whose dues to DSA National are paid in full;
• Who maintain full membership privileges within DSA and are clear of conduct violations; and
• Meet at least one of the following criteria:
  • Have been a member of a chapter or branch political education committee or its equivalent within the last five years, or currently lead ad hoc political education sessions in their DSA local.
  • Were a member of DSA’s National Political Education Committee within the last five years.
  • Are a current, former, or retired political educator (employed or volunteer) in a union, another organization of the broad left, or independently.
  • Are a current, former, or retired educator at any level institution, or are a student in any field of study in which curriculum and pedagogy is a significant interest or task.
  • Are a writer, researcher, or public commentator of the left and are interested/involved in curriculum and pedagogy.

At least once per year, a poll will be sent electronically to all members of NPEC to ascertain their intent to be “active”. Members’ responses will be due seven (7) days from when the poll is sent. If the member answers in the affirmative, they will be recorded as an active member of NPEC. Should the member answer in the negative, or provide no response to the poll by the deadline, they will be considered inactive. Active members of NPEC will hold no privileges over inactive members. The number of respondents will be used only to calculate quorum, as outlined in Article VI §3.

Recruitment, applications, and acceptances occur on a rolling basis.

• The outgoing steering committee will propose a new member recruitment goal to the general NPEC membership to approve, and launch a recruitment drive starting at least 60 days prior to new steering elections.
• The recruitment drive will consist of pitching the membership form to DSA via internal communications including staff-supported contacts, organizing current NPEC members to recruit new members, and appropriate publicity.

Section 2. Roles and Responsibilities of the Membership

Members are responsible for:

• Advancing the mission and priorities of NPEC within their chapters and other relevant bodies within DSA
• Electing NPEC Steering Committee members (Article IV)
• Making decisions through membership-wide voting and the Amendments Process, and submitting proposals to the steering committee between meetings (Article IX)

NPEC members are not expected to initiate or participate in a particular level of work to maintain membership in the commission. However, once affirmatively committed to a project, it is incumbent upon members to follow through with it or, should circumstances arise where they no longer can fulfill their role, properly communicate the change and if needed, turn over their remaining responsibilities.

Section 3. Member Conduct

NPEC members are expected to conduct themselves with civility and respect towards all other members, in line with DSA’s Unified Grievance Policy, DSA’s Code of Conduct and any other relevant DSA policies governing communications, tool use or security.

• DSA Unified Grievance Policy
• DSA Code of Conduct for Members

If a member’s conduct is found to be in substantial disagreement with the principles or policies of NPEC, they will be dealt with in accordance with the process for reporting and resolving harassment and grievances as required by DSA.

Individuals who have been expelled from their local DSA chapter or other DSA organizing entity are subject to removal from the NPEC, or discipline commensurate with disciplinary actions enacted by that local chapter or DSA organizing body.

Article IV. Steering Committee (SC)

Section 1. SC Composition and Terms

The SC will consist of seven (7) members elected by NPEC and one (1) ex-officio non-voting NPC member, elected or appointed by the current NPC, as follows:

• two (2) cochairs,
• one (1) treasurer,
• one (1) secretary,
• three (3) at-large members,
• one (1) NPC member.

The SC’s term is for one year.

Section 2. SC Duties

The SC administers the affairs of NPEC and maintains and develops NPEC infrastructure according to its mission and priorities.

The official tasks are delegated as follows:

• The cochairs chair and agendize SC and NPEC meetings, and oversee and coordinate SC work.
• The treasurer liaises with DSA’s Budget and Finance Committee and fulfills all duties requested, tracks the budget and gives quarterly reports to NPEC and the BFC, receives and presents NPEC spending requests, and ensures the proper funding of NPEC projects while advising on the budget.
• The secretary maintains the records and org tools used by NPEC, takes minutes at general and steering body meetings, and organizes notes and decisions made in any other bodies of NPEC.

The SC oversees and supports all NPEC projects, according to the decisions of the general body, the SC, and the NPC.

The non-officer tasks of the SC are to be equitably distributed among its members, while remaining mindful of imbalances of labor distribution.

The SC will assign duties to its members as needed and determined by NPEC, and according to the guidelines set out in Art VII.

Section 3. SC Meetings

The SC makes decisions between general meetings. No decisions besides scheduling and work assignments will be made anywhere besides steering or general meetings.

• Quorum is half of the current SC, plus one (1). When at full capacity, the quorum is four (4).
• Meetings will be run according to Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, feminist process guidelines widely accepted in DSA, and provisions of these bylaws.
• DSA’s Meeting Code of Conduct is in force in all NPEC meetings (DSA Meeting Code of Conduct - Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)).
• The SC will meet at least twice monthly. Cochairs are responsible for scheduling SC meetings on a quarterly basis and distributing agendas to the membership seven (7) days ahead of time.
• During months when a GM (see Art. VI) is held, the steering meeting immediately before the GM will be dedicated to planning its agenda, and will be held no later than ten (10) days prior to the GM.
• Any member of the SC may motion in an SC meeting to hold an additional regular meeting before the next scheduled meeting, approved by majority vote.
• An emergency meeting may be called at any time by the agreement of cochairs.
• SC meetings will be open to observation by any NPEC member or NPC member.
• SC meeting agendas and minutes will be made accessible to all NPEC members and the NPC.
• NPEC members may petition the SC to agendize business with signatories of ten percent (10%) of NPEC members submitted at least three (3) days prior to a meeting.
• The NPC may refer any business to the SC for consideration at a meeting at any time.

Section 4. Resignation, Absence, and Vacancies

• Members of the SC may resign at any time through written notification to the rest of the SC.
• Members of the SC may take leaves of absence not to exceed one (1) month through written notification to the rest of the SC, renewable.
• In the event of an SC vacancy besides the NPC seat, NPEC will elect a replacement for the remainder of the term at the next GM or at a special meeting, with nominations to be conducted by the SC once the vacancy is confirmed.

Article V. Steering Committee Elections and Tenure

Section 1. Selection

With the exception of the inaugural NPEC steering election, the following process must take place each year:

• At least four (4) weeks before the end of their terms, the SC will form a nominations committee consisting of two (2) members of NPEC and the NPC member serving on the SC. No one who intends to run for the next SC may sit on the nominations committee.
• The nominations committee will be responsible for running the pre-election period, including providing notice, intaking nominations, running a candidate forum, and enforcing relevant deadlines.
• Any SC member with access to necessary resources may provide support to the nominations committee.
• NPEC members may nominate other NPEC members or nominate themselves, with at least three (3) NPEC members in support, including themselves.
• Candidates are free to communicate and make their cases to fellow NPEC members. Abuse of lists or personal information, or uncomradely electioneering, may be sanctioned by the nominations committee.
• A candidate forum for current NPEC members will be hosted by the nominations committee during the week prior to the start of elections.
• Elections will be conducted online by National DSA staff using OpaVote or a similar voting technology.
• All positions will be elected using Scottish Transferable Vote, separated by office.
• The voter roll will consist of NPEC members current as of 30 days prior to the start of the election.

Section 2. Transition of Steering Committee Roles

Once the new SC has been elected, the current and newly elected Steering Committee will meet within two (2) weeks of the election over a conference call to debrief. After this meeting, the newly elected SC members will officially be seated.

Before this transition meeting, the prior cochairs will hold an orientation for the newly elected SC members for the purpose of introductions and general organizational onboarding.

Section 3. Steering Committee Expulsions and Discipline

Grounds for expulsion from the SC include but are not limited to:

• actions in contravention of NPEC’s mission or the DSA code of conduct, or Art. IV of these bylaws
• failing to fulfill confirmed duties, responsibilities or tasks, or abuse of power, including failing to communicate to the rest of the SC on relevant matters
• missing two (2) consecutive SC meetings without notice

The SC may expel SC members at a meeting with quorum by majority vote.

NPEC may discipline or recall SC members at a GM or special meeting with quorum by majority vote.

Article VI. Membership Meetings

Section 1. General Meetings (GMs)

NPEC as a body will meet virtually at least four (4) times annually to vote on business. The SC will share the time and date of each meeting with the membership at least fourteen (14) days in advance and the agenda seven (7) days in advance.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings require a timely gathering of NPEC membership. SC members may raise the need with the SC and pass with majority approval at an SC meeting, or NPEC members totaling 10% of current membership may request a special meeting by petition to the SC.

If authorization for a special meeting is granted, the Steering Committee will alert NPEC membership at least seventy-two (72) hours in advance as well as provide an overview of what the meeting will address.

Section 3. Other Convenings

From time to time, the SC may schedule an NPEC meetup during which no business will be voted on, but serves a purpose to edify, inform or debate ideas. Quorum is not required.

No such meetup like this will be considered a supplement to any formal debate or meeting unless minuted, approved by the SC and entered into the record.

Section 4. Conduct

• Meetings will be run according to Roberts Rules of Order, Newly Revised, feminist process guidelines widely accepted in DSA and provisions of these bylaws.
• DSA’s Meeting Code of Conduct is in force in all NPEC meetings (DSA Meeting Code of Conduct - Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)).

Section 5. Quorum

Ten percent (10%) of current members measured in accordance with Article III, but not fewer than ten (10) people, shall constitute a quorum and is required for the transaction of business at a GM or Special meeting, or in any online vote.

Section 6. Proposals

Proposals for agenda items and voting business for GMs may be submitted to the SC at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting date by any member, stipulated as follows:

• A proposal to add a non-voting item to the agenda may be submitted by any individual member of NPEC, and will be accepted and agendized at the SC’s discretion. The submitter may be asked to bottomline the item as a condition of acceptance.
• Resolutions may be submitted to the SC with the co-author and at least 5% of members in good standing as signatories, and must be agendized if properly submitted.
• Amendments to agendized resolutions may be submitted, with 5% of NPEC members as signatories, up to forty-eight (48) hours prior to the GM.
• A form to submit agenda items and proposals will be made available to all NPEC members and widely publicized.

Section 7. Voting on Business

• Meetings will prefer live, synchronous voting.
• Only meeting attendees may vote on agendized proposals that have moved to an asynchronous online vote.
• All voting will be done in a secure format that ensures only NPEC members take part.

Article VII. Projects

Section 1. Definition and Enactment

NPEC will carry out its work via a “project” model of tasks and areas of work, distributed across the rank and file and the leadership.

• A short-term project is completed within one month. Example: coordinating, scheduling and holding an existing training
• A medium-term project is completed within one quarter. Example: researching, building and publishing a new socialist night school
• A long-term project is complete by any length of time longer than three months, or may be of indeterminate duration/recurrent. Example: working on the Class podcast

A project can be created by the SC out of a convention mandate, passed at a general meeting by majority vote, or, if necessary, passed by a majority of the SC.

Projects must have one (1) SC member assigned as a liaison, and no project may commence unless and until one has been assigned. The SC will assign its members as liaisons equitably and for long-term projects may rotate liaisons according to need and discretion.

A project proposal must include:

• A title, description, and why a project is needed to further NPEC’s goals.
• An estimate of the time needed to complete the project in hours. If it is a long-term project or of indeterminate length, an estimate of monthly hours is sufficient.
• An estimate of the number of people the project will require to complete it, and expected roles.
• Expected costs associated with the project, if known.
• The treasurer will be asked to provide a feasibility report based on the current state of the budget at the meeting where the project is debated. Agendizing the proposal serves as proper notice.
• Attestation by the proposer(s) that they will bottomline (help complete) the project.

Once a project has been approved, the SC will assign a liaison and publicize the project for volunteers according to the original proposal on the internal communications board.

Section 2. Organization and Duties

• A project group lasts as long as its project.
• Short- and medium-term project groups must develop a work plan, including an estimated end date according to the original proposal.
• Long-term project groups must develop a work plan and regular meeting schedule.
• The SC liaison’s role is to support the project and submit progress reports to the SC.
• Proposers are expected to initiate and help coordinate the group’s work, and may request support from the SC liaison as needed.
• NPEC’s secretary will maintain a dossier of all NPEC projects, accessible to NPEC’s membership, that includes the following information:
  • Project name, description, and origin (eg, link to proposal and date of passage)
  • If applicable, the final project deadline and for past projects, the date
  • The SC member assigned to the project as liaison.
  • All current personnel working on the project.
  • Notes, including all applicable document or webpage links
  • On completion, 1 - 5 rating and a brief written assessment, submitted by the SC liaison based on group feedback. For long-term projects, rating and assessments should be submitted quarterly.

Article VIII. Amendments

Section 1. Bylaws Amendments

Each calendar year, there will be an open period for amendments to the bylaws. Any member of NPEC may propose one or more amendments to the bylaws, submitted in written form and be endorsed by 10 members of NPEC. The SC shall allow for a period of discussion and amendments before voting occurs. Bylaws amendments require 2/3 vote of NPEC members at a quorate meeting to pass.

Article IX. Actions Out of Order

Any action taken by an officer or member of NPEC in contravention of these bylaws is null and void.