Below is a list of officer positions members can run for. All chapter elected positions except Treasurer Trustee are elected for one year. No position can serve more than two consecutive terms, except At-Large Council Members, who can only serve a single term. Anyone who is a member in good standing and has attended 33% of our general meetings in the last year can run. Candidates must be nominated by another member to run (no one may nominate themselves).
Co-Chairs
The two Co-Chairs are the executive officers of the chapter. They are responsible for planning and running Local Council meetings, General Meetings, and Chapter Conventions. They are also responsible for coordination and communication with other DSA chapters and the national DSA organization. Per our bylaws, “At least one Co-Chair must not identify as white, cisgender, and male; both Co-Chairs must also identify as working-class.”
Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for recording the minutes of all General Membership and Local Council meetings, as well as publishing and organizing minutes, resolutions, reports, and other official records of the DSA New Orleans chapter. The records of the chapter need to be there for future members (including future Secretaries) to access. Past Secretaries have also played an important role in writing new bylaws and other chapter documents. The Secretary assumes the responsibility of Co-Chair if both Co-Chairs and the Membership Chair are unable to fill their roles.
Membership Chair
The Membership Chair focuses on the well-being and organization of our chapter membership. The Membership Chair maintains the chapter’s records of contact information and membership status for comrades so we know who can vote and participate in member-only functions. The Membership Chair also assumes the responsibilities of Co-Chair if one of the elected Co-Chairs is unable to fulfill their responsibilities, and is the official tie-breaker if the two Co-Chairs cannot come to an agreement. The Membership Chair is required to audit the financial records of the chapter each year.
Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for overseeing and reporting the administration of funds, budget, and financial organization of the chapter, including fundraising activities for the Local. The Treasurer provides a report to the Local Council on the financial status of the organization at each Local Council meeting and General Meeting. The Treasurer also maintains transparent and open financial reports available to the entire membership upon request by an officer of the Local Council.
Treasurer Trustee
There are two Treasurer Trustee positions that are in place to assist the chapter Treasurer and keep them accountable. Treasurer Trustees can fill in for Treasurer duties when they are unavailable, and are there to make sure all chapter finances are not overseen by a single member. There are two Treasurer Trustee positions that serve staggered terms, so the chapter will be electing one Trustee this year. This helps maintain our chapter knowledge and consistent practices.
At-Large Council Members
The two At-Large LC positions are flexible leadership roles which can include the creation and facilitation of Chapter projects, assisting with ongoing work, or serving as a mobilizer or coordinator for projects that involve multiple groups within the organization. Per New Orleans DSA bylaws, at least one At-Large Council Member must not identify as white, cisgender, and male.
Local Council Representatives
Each Committee, Administrative Group, and Campaign Group in New Orleans DSA is represented at Local Council meetings by a Steward or representative. Committee Stewards and Administrative Group representatives are elected by the General Membership, and report back on those meetings to their chapter body.
Harassment and Grievance Officers
The New Orleans DSA has two HGOs whose roles are to handle complaints on member conduct. Visitors, collaborators, and DSA members should feel safe and supported in meetings and other DSA events, and the HGOs are DSA members that can be contacted to resolve issues of prejudice, harassment, safety, and impropriety in our chapter. HGOs are elected by the Local Council.