BYLAWS OF THE GREATER BALTIMORE SECTION OF THE LIBERTARIAN SOCIALIST CAUCUS
Article I. Name.
The name of this body shall be the Greater Baltimore Section of the Libertarian Socialist Caucus, (hereinafter referred to as “the B-LSC”), a caucus of the Democratic Socialists of America (hereinafter referred to as “the DSA”).
Article II. Purpose.
The Greater Baltimore Section of the Libertarian Socialist Caucus is an organization of members of the greater Baltimore region of the Democratic Socialists of America who believe that libertarian socialist values are the fullest embodiment of this democratic socialist vision.
We seek to organize within the greater Baltimore region because not only is it our home, but because it has been systemically harmed in unique ways by the links between racial capitalism and the state. We appreciate the DSA’s status as a multi-tendency mass socialist organization, and wish to create a space within the DSA to discuss and organize for the development of socialism beyond the state.
We take libertarian socialism to encompass those parts of the socialist movement (including syndicalists, council communists, anarchists, cooperativists, and municipalists, among many others) which have historically seen the surest path to socialism as residing in the creation of independent institutions in civil society that give the working class, LGBT+, people of color, immigrants, women, and disabled people direct power over their lives.
We believe in the socialist principles of common ownership and that worker control over workplaces can only be advanced through the creation and support of worker-owned firms, industrial trade unions, workers’ and neighborhood councils, popular assemblies, credit unions and alternative banking systems, community land trusts, self-defense groups, and other directly democratic non-state institutions. The power of socialist parties and socialist governments should be subordinate to these more decentralized grassroots formations.
The Libertarian Socialist Caucus operates on three shared principles we see as inseparable from libertarian socialism:
FREEDOM refers to the positive capacity of all individuals and communities for self-determination. We believe that the freedom enjoyed by individuals is an inalienable social good and can only be strengthened through solidarity and democracy.
SOLIDARITY refers to the understanding that all oppressed peoples—both the economically exploited and the culturally, socially, and politically marginalized—share a common struggle towards a free and equal society. We aim to organize our movements accordingly, providing mutual aid and support to one another and deferring to the initiative of those most affected by decisions, on the principle that an injury to one is an injury to all.
DEMOCRACY refers to collective decision-making that is free from hierarchy, domination, and coercion. Democracy is a social relation between free individuals that should not be reduced solely to institutions or elections. We believe that democracy is always a “work in progress” to be altered or improved by communities according to their needs.
In accordance with these three fundamental values, the Libertarian Socialist Caucus is highly skeptical of centralized forms of governance and decision-making processes that undermine freedom, solidarity, and democracy. Instead, we wish to promote the ability of individuals and communities to set their own priorities, both inside and outside the DSA. Governing authority is illegitimate in itself and can only be justified if it is delegated by and subordinated to a democratic assembly. It is our belief that all political institutions must be held to the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and direct-democratic recall. We believe this vision can only be realized through the abolition of classes, common ownership of the means of production, and its democratic management to meet the needs of all.
Our particular vision of a libertarian socialist society—and the specific path we intend to take to get there—will emerge out of the discussions and activities of the LSC itself. We believe radical democracy is an ongoing participatory process of deliberation, renegotiation, and collective self-determination. It is for the people themselves to decide what the world they wish to live in is to be. Our inability to describe the precise contours of the liberated society is rooted in the simple fact that democracy is inherently a work in progress, continually created and recreated by its participants.
In short, wherever domination exists—of bosses over workers, of men over women and gender nonconformists, of states over subjects, of whites over people of color, of human society over the rest of the web of life, of abled people over the disabled—we seek to replace it with equality, cooperation, love, and mutual respect. Ours is a vision of total liberation, not just in some far-flung revolutionary future, but here and now.
Article III. Membership.
Section 1. Qualification
B-LSC membership shall be open to any members of the DSA in good standing who are sympathetic to the ideals of libertarian socialism and agree with the purpose of the B-LSC, as outlined in Article II. B-LSC membership is also open to individuals who are active participants in B-LSC activities, but who are not DSA members. Non-DSA members must either attend at least two General Assemblies, political education events, or working group meetings and make the request to become a member by contacting B-LSC on an official communication channel, or they may be nominated for membership by a B-LSC Working Group, which must be approved at a General Assembly as a substantive motion as outlined in Article VI, Section 3.
Section 2. Dues
There shall be no dues required of members of the B-LSC.
Section 3. Exclusions
Those who work to uphold or defend the carceral and militarist state, or wield state or capitalist power to enforce systems of oppression shall not be permitted membership in the LSC or B-LSC.
Ambiguous cases can be brought before the B-LSC for a decision as outlined in Article III, Section 4.
Section 4. Removal of Members and Observers
An individual may be removed from membership of the B-LSC, or barred from observing if they are not a member, if they could have been excluded from membership pursuant to Section 3 or if their actions otherwise prove to be inconsistent with the ideals of libertarian socialism, or if they are found to be working against the interests of the B-LSC. Removal of membership from the B-LSC shall not necessarily coincide with removal from the DSA or national LSC.
A number of members of the B-LSC no fewer than 4 (four) may submit a vote for member removal by presenting a list of charges against the accused to the B-LSC. The vote will proceed pursuant to the methods as outlined in Article VI. Once removed, a former member may not re-join without a vote to rescind the previous decision.
Article IV. Leadership and Officers.
To best reflect the values the LSC was founded on—democracy, freedom, and solidarity—no formal officers or hierarchical system of leadership shall be established. To carry out the responsibilities typically delegated to such positions, any member of the LSC may take on a task-oriented role to complete specific goals. Such roles may arise spontaneously, are temporary in nature, and are taken on with the mutual consent and for the mutual benefit of the LSC. Members of the LSC may also organize working groups and initiatives, as outlined in Article V, to facilitate work delegation to complete specific goals. Working groups and initiatives shall also be non-hierarchical, and include temporary, task-based roles that any member of the LSC may perform but no member shall hold a specific role for longer than 12 months. If any B-LSC holds an office within the wider DSA, they may not be addressed by that title or adopt it in their style of address within B-LSC.
Article V. Structure.
Section 1. B-LSC
The Libertarian Socialist Caucus shall be composed of members of the DSA that have successfully completed the LSC membership requirements as defined in Article III that are not currently expelled from the LSC. The LSC has a horizontal structure, and all members of the B-LSC may take part in all working groups and initiatives, perform a number of roles, and have varying levels of engagement. No one member of the LSC is more or less important than another, and no role, engagement, or other status shall imply that any member holds a position of authority over others in the LSC, as outlined in
Article IV.
Section 2. Working Groups
a. A working group is a long-term structure that administers a specific activity of the B-LSC. Working groups shall be regularly active, transparent, and accountable to the members of the LSC.
b. Working groups shall have facilitators, who act as point person(s) for delegating tasks and coordinating between the B-LSC and other working groups. Facilitators shall be democratically selected at the formation of a working group, and shall have term limits of no longer than one year, unless no replacement steps forward and the current facilitator is willing to continue for a consecutive term.
c. Working group facilitators are responsible for:
i. Organizing official channels of communication for all members of the working group, as outlined in Article X;
ii. Organizing regular meetings between members of the working group;
iii. Ensuring minutes are recorded for all meetings, any major decisions made are summarized, and any other updates are made available to all members of the LSC on a regular basis.
d. Working groups may be formed by any members of the LSC pursuant to the methods as outlined in Article III.
e. If a decision is reached by a working group that affects the B-LSC, or requires action outside of the members of the working group, the working group facilitator(s) are responsible for presenting the decision before the B-LSC pursuant to the methods as outlined in Article VI.
Section 3. Initiatives
a. Initiatives are spontaneous, temporary groups that any member(s) of the LSC may form to organize prompt action around a specific goal. This may include but is not limited to making a statement, organizing an event or action, or providing mutual aid. No formal processes are required to organize an initiative, except as outlined in subsection b. However, member(s) facilitating the initiative are strongly encouraged to publicly announce the initiative’s intent via the official LSC communication channels as outlined in Article X, and to ensure the initiative is in line with the values of the LSC.
b. If an initiative requires action by or represents (e.g. a public statement) the B-LSC, member(s) facilitating the initiative must make a case for the initiative, and publicly announce the initiative’s intent via the official LSC communication channels as outlined in Article X. After which, the initiative shall be presented before the B-LSC pursuant to the methods as outlined in Article VI.
Article VI. Decision Making.
Section 1. General Assembly Planning Working Group
a. The B-LSC shall convene a Planning Working Group (PWG) to encourage maximal participation of members in workings and decision making of the LSC.
b. Any member of the LSC may participate in the PWG.
c. The PWG shall be responsible for:
i. Coordinating meetings as outlined in Section 5, which includes:
1. Determining frequency; no more frequent than monthly, but no less than quarterly.
2. Commence planning of a General Assembly at least two weeks prior to the set date and time.
3. Arranging logistics of the meeting space.
4. Generating a draft agenda for each meeting and soliciting contributions from members to be added to the agenda.
5. Announcing the final agenda proposal to members of the LSC via the official channels of communication at least 48 hours prior to commencement of scheduled meetings.
6. Calculating and announcing quorum information for each General Assembly and online voting period.
7. Ensuring minutes are recorded for all meetings, any major decisions made are summarized, and that this information is made available to all members of the LSC no later than one week following the meeting. The notetaker will also ensure that translations into other languages be available if requested.
ii. Maintaining membership and attendance counts for the purposes of communication and quorum calculation. Recording attendance counts for calculating quorum and posting the quorum threshold for each General Assembly.
iii. Coordinating decisions being put to an online votes via the official channels of communication as outlined in Article X, and announcing the results of votes to all members of B-LSC.
Section 2. Quorum
a. Attendance shall be recorded at each General Assembly, and the Active Member Number shall be determined by the mean attendance as at the previous two General Assemblies. Observers shall not be included in the calculation of quorum. The Active Member Number for online voting shall be set by the number determined at the previous General Assembly.
b. The quorum shall be 2/3 (two-thirds) of the Active Members Number. No decision shall be made by the B-LSC without a quorum in attendance. For online decisions, no decision shall be considered valid without a quorum responding. Abstentions shall be considered responses.
c. Proposals brought forth for decision by the B-LSC may include a requirement for a higher quorum number, but no proposal shall include any language that lowers the quorum requirement below 2⁄3 (two-thirds) of the Active Members Number.
Section 3. Thresholds
a. Approval of a motion submitted to an online or in-person vote shall require a 3/4 (three-fourths) vote in assent, except where otherwise stated in these bylaws.
b. The following thresholds shall apply to all meetings, regardless of platform; working groups and initiatives shall also apply these thresholds to their respective meetings:
i. Procedural motions (e.g. motion to end discussion, motion to table) shall require a 2⁄3 (two-thirds) vote in assent.
ii. Substantive motions (e.g. motion to take action, motion to endorse), after a vote to end discussion, shall require a 3/4 (three-fourths) vote in assent.
iii. Approval of a motion in meeting without discussion shall require a 9/10 (nine-tenths) vote in assent.
Section 4. Voting Processes
a. Voting shall occur at General Assemblies of the B-LSC except in the case of an online vote.
b. If a decision needs to occur between General Assemblies, any B-LSC member may motion for an online vote in the official B-LSC communications channel. If one other LSC members second, then the vote shall be coordinated by the PWG and the vote will occur on the designated voting channel.
c. Voting outside of meetings (“asynchronous voting”) shall occur on an official platform for electronic voting as outlined in Article X. The stages of the voting process are as follows:
i. A proposal to hold a vote must be made and seconded in an official B-LSC communication channel.
ii. A three day discussion period will begin if the proposal is seconded. During this period, the proposal can be debated.
iii. Members of the B-LSC may amend the proposal at the discretion of the initial member who proposed it. If a proposal is amended, the final vote shall be on the amended version of the language as it stands once the discussion period is concluded.
iv. During the discussion period, alternative proposals on the same topic may be added for consideration by a seconded motion in an official B-LSC communication channel. If a member objects to the alternative proposal as off-topic, the GAP WG shall adjudicate the matter. Alternative proposals may be withdrawn by their sponsors, and may also be amended as described in (iii).
v. Upon the conclusion of the discussion period, a three day voting period will begin via a poll created in the official B-LSC communication channel for voting as outlined in Article XI. The poll will be emitted to all members of the B-LSC for vote. If any alternative proposals were made, the vote shall be a ranked choice vote including each alternative along with “no action.” Members may change their vote prior to the conclusion of the voting period. The poll shall be timed to close at the end of the voting period.
vi. A vote of 3/4 (three-fourths) of respondents in assent is required in order to pass the proposal, as outlined in B VI, Section 3.
vii. A motion to extend either the discussion or voting period must be seconded and a procedural vote of 2/3 (two-thirds) of respondents in assent is required to pass, upon which voting stages outlined herein items i. through iv. shall be initiated, with the exception of discussion and voting period times, which must be announced prior to beginning the voting stages.
viii. In a case of requirement of an expedited decision due to emergency vote or urgent occasions, the discussion period and the voting period can each be reduced. This requires a motion to reduce which must be seconded and without objection. If an objection is raised, a procedural 2/3 (two-thirds) vote shall be required to reduce either discussion or voting period, in an expedited voting period of 24 hours. Neither the discussion period nor the voting period shall be reduced to less than 24 hours.
Section 5. General Assemblies and Meetings
a. At least once per quarter, but no more than monthly, the B-LSC shall convene General Assemblies to discuss the business of the B-LSC and to hear reports from working groups and initiatives.
b. All members of the B-LSC may participate in General Assemblies, have the right to speak, and the right to vote. Observers have the right to speak, but not to vote.
c. The rules of order shall be decided by the B-LSC, and may vary between meetings or meeting type, and can be changed without amendment to the bylaws. If none are specified, meetings shall follow rules of parliamentary procedure.
d. Two meeting co-facilitators shall be selected for each meeting by a simple majority of the assembly members, and effort shall be made to ensure a rotation of a diversity (race, LGBT+, gender, etc.) of members. The co-facilitators shall be recruited from the B-LSC membership. No member of the B-LSC shall facilitate more than two quarterly meetings in a row, or more than two quarterly meetings a year.
e. The co-facilitators shall delegate between themselves one facilitator to act as chair during the meeting, and one facilitator to recognize speakers by way of progressive stack, when the medium of communication allows it.
Article VII. Amendments.
Section 1. Amendment Process
a. Any member of the B-LSC may propose an amendment to the bylaws. The proposal must be seconded by another member.
b. The proposed amendment must be submitted in writing and circulated to the caucus, at which point it is open for discussion via B-LSC official communication channels.
c. The vote shall be conducted via the asynchronous voting procedure, as outlined in Article VI, Section 4 to ensure maximum participation of members.
d. Amendments are approved with 3/4 (three-quarters) in assent.
Section 2. Re-Ratification
Beginning in 2020, every two years on January 1, the current bylaws shall be brought before the LSC for ratification via the asynchronous voting procedure, as outlined in Article VI, Section 4. Ratification requires 3/4 (three-fourths) of respondents to vote in assent. If the bylaws fail to be re-ratified, amendments will be considered and voted on until a final set of bylaws is approved.
Article VIII. Finances.
Section 1. Donations
Care shall be taken by the B-LSC to ensure that any funds given to the B-LSC are accounted for, retained, and distributed accurately. Funds shall be considered “given to the B-LSC” if:
i. They are donations made to the order of the Greater Baltimore Section of the Libertarian Socialist Caucus, the B-LSC, the GBDSA LSC, or any other variation of this name.
ii. They are donated at a place where B-LSC goods or services are provided.
iii. A donor specifies verbally or in writing that these funds are to be delivered to the B-LSC.
Members of the B-LSC receiving given funds for the B-LSC shall be responsible for ensuring that given funds are available to the B-LSC.
Section 2. Fund Guardianship
A process for financial accounting of funds belonging to the LSC shall be determined. Should an individual be chosen by the B-LSC to undertake said accounting, or act in any other way as an agent of the LSC for legal purposes, said individual shall not be considered an “officer” of the LSC as none shall be established, as outlined in Article IV. Said chosen agent(s) shall be delegated to reimburse, purchase, and otherwise allocate LSC funds in a process which shall be defined by the B-LSC.
In the event of the dissolution of the B-LSC, all remaining funds and assets are to be released to such other organizations that are organized exclusively for the promotion of social welfare and that will operate to further the common good and general welfare of the community, as selected by the members of B-LSC in Article VI, Section 4 process. This release will happen within 60 (sixty) days of dissolution.
Section 3. Accountability
At every general assembly, the amount of funds will be announced, along with the ways that money was spent. Line items may be used, and can be called whatever they need to be.
Article IX. Harassment Grievance Procedures.
Section 1. Scope
This Harassment Grievance Procedure applies to all B-LSC and DSA venues in which members of the B-LSC and/or DSA communicate, both in person and online. This includes but is not limited to B-LSC General Assemblies, B-LSC communication platforms, any B-LSC specific communication platforms set up for working groups, sections, or initiatives, as well as all B-LSC in person meetings.
Section 2. Prohibited Behavior
a. Members of B-LSC shall not engage in any harassment or discrimination relating, but not limited to, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, physical appearance, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, class, age, or profession. Behavior including, but not limited to, harassing or abusive behavior, unwelcome attention, inappropriate or offensive remarks, slurs, jokes, physical or verbal intimidation, stalking, inappropriate physical contact or proximity, or other verbal or physical conduct constitute harassment or discrimination when:
i. Such conduct is prohibited either explicitly or implicitly by a term or condition of a member’s continued affiliation with the DSA and B-LSC;
ii. Submission or rejection of such conduct by a member is used as the basis for organizational decisions affecting said member;
iii. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating a hostile environment interfering with a members capacity to organize within B-LSC.
Harassment or discrimination of any other type not specified will be evaluated during the complaint process.
Section 3. Reporting Harassment
Members of the B-LSC may file complaints to a Harassment Grievance Point Leads of the B-LSC pursuant to the standard complaint process of the B-LSC, outlined herein, should said member feel harassed in any way by another member. There shall be no time limits on the ability of the complainant to file a complaint after the alleged harassment has occurred.
Section 4. Harassment Grievance Point Leads
a. Harassment Grievance Point Leads (hereinafter referred to as HGPL) handle harassment complaints and serve as an intermediary between the complainant and accused. Written complaints may be filed to an HGPL via a confidential email as outlined in subsection d.ii, or in other official communication channels.
b. The B-LSC shall select three members of the section to act as HGPLs for a term of one year, unless no replacement steps forward and the current is willing to continue for a consecutive term, at least two HGPLs shall be non-cisgender men. No more than one cisgender man may serve as an HGPL at any given time.
c. If B-LSC is unable to confirm at least three HGPLs at any given time, one B-LSC member may be identified as a liaison to national LSC Harassment Grievance Representatives. The liaison will be responsible for facilitating the filing of the complaint with national LSC, and ensuring that decisions made by the national LSC Harassment Grievance Representatives are carried out in the B-LSC Section.
d. Harassment Grievance Point Leads are responsible for:
i. Developing a process for in-taking, investigating, and making decisions that is made accessible to all B-LSC members.
ii. Responding to all complaints promptly, and following the agreed upon process for handling complaints.
iii. Creating, maintaining, managing access solely for the HGPL(s), and ensuring the privacy of a confidential email address to act as a “hotline” through which members of B-LSC may confidentially file harassment complaints.
iv. Notifying accused of complaints, request written response, and archive any written responses.
vi. Conduct necessary investigations of complaints.
viii. Collectively and unanimously elect to carry out disciplinary action, when it is deemed necessary.
e. Any member of the LSC, including other acting HGPLs, may request a vote to remove a Harassment Grievance Point Lead who fails to uphold these responsibilities. The member shall submit a written statement specifying the manner in which the HGPL in question failed to uphold their responsibilities in order to initiate a vote for removal, which shall follow procedures as outlined in Article VI, Section 4.
f. HGPLs may make a recommendation to the complainant that they file a grievance with B-DSA, national LSC, or national DSA if appropriate, but HGPLs will not share information with other grievance officers without the express permission of the complainant.
Section 5. Remedies and Penalties
a. All complaints will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the HGPL(s). The ultimate disposition of each complaint will be made by a unanimous decision of HGPLs of the B-LSC.
b. The HGPLs of B-LSC shall define a complaint report as credible if it is determined “conclusive,” in that allegations and factual evidence of occurrence outweigh any evidence to the contrary.
c. If a complaint report is conclusive and defined as credible, the HGPLs are authorized to carry out the following actions for remedies and penalties:
i. A formal discussion between the accused and the HGPLs to develop a plan to change the harassing behavior(s);
ii. Suspension from meetings or organizational events of B-LSC;
iii. Removal from working group(s) of B-LSC;
iv. Removal from B-LSC.
d. The appropriate actions will be determined by, among other things:
i. The request of the complainant;
ii. The severity of the offense;
iii. The response of the accused;
iv. The accused’s relevant behavioral histories.
e. Either party may appeal the actions determined by the HGPLs. Appeal may be filed via appellate form created by the HGPLs. Appeals must be filed within 30 (thirty) days of receiving written notice of the HGPLs’ decision, and will be forwarded to the B-DSA Harassment Grievance Officers. The limited grounds for appeal are:
i. Either party believes the behavior was not interpreted using the standards for harassment set out in Section 1, subsection a.;
ii. Either party believes procedural errors, misconduct, or conflicts of interest affected the fairness of the outcome;
iii. Either party believes the remedy or penalty determined by the HGRs was grossly disproportionate to the violation committed.
e. Retaliation is prohibited against any individual who files a complaint of harassment or discrimination pursuant to the procedure outlined in Article IX. Retaliation is also prohibited against any individuals who assist with a complaint or who participate in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a complaint. Retaliatory behaviors include, but are not limited to, threats, intimidation, reprisal, or adverse actions related to organizing. If any party to the complaint believes there has been retaliation, they may inform the HGPL to determine whether the retaliation shall factor into the original complaint, or to require treatment as a separate complaint to be handled via the procedures as outlined in Article IX.
Article X. Communications.
Section 1. Official Channels
a. The B-LSC shall select, using the methods as outlined in Article VI, official channels of general communication. An official backup channel of general communication may be selected. All official communiques shall be sent by official channels of communication, except as indicated in this section.
b. The B-LSC shall select, using the methods as outlined in Article VI, an official platform for electronic voting. An official backup means of voting may be selected. All official votes shall be held on the official platform, except as indicated in this section.
c. The B-LSC shall select, using the methods as outlined in Article VI, an official platform for teleconferencing meetings. An official backup platform of teleconferencing may be selected. All official teleconference meetings shall be held on the official platform, except as indicated in this section.
d. Should any primary channel or platform malfunction or be unavailable for use, the official backup platform may be used. Should any member of the B-LSC encounter difficulty voting, an alternative ballot shall be provided for them by any method available.
Section 2. Public Statements
a. All statements made on behalf of the LSC shall be approved by the methods as outlined in Article VI before publication. Statements made prior to the time in which the bylaws shall take effect shall be subject to ratification, as outlined in Article VI.
b. Statements made by Initiatives, or Working Groups shall be published on B-LSC public-facing channels (e.g. an LSC website) after a vote pursuant to the methods as outlined in Article VII.
c. Statements of dissent from official LSC statements shall be published on B-LSC public-facing channels (e.g. an LSC website) upon petition by 1/5 (one-fifth) of the Active Members Number. The B-LSC shall prominently disclaim such statements as the opinions of the signatories, and that such statements cannot be construed as official statements of the B-LSC.
Section 3. Event Endorsements and Co-Sponsorship
a. All events that are seeking B-LSC endorsement or co-sponsorship shall be approved by the methods outlined in Article VI before distribution via B-LSC communication channels.