ARTICLE VIII. Committees, Working Groups, and Caucuses

  1. Definition
    1. The number, duties, and functions of Committees, Working Groups, and Caucuses, if any, (hereinafter “Local Formation”) shall be as determined by the members in accordance with these bylaws.
    2. Committees may be established for the purpose of organizing around and/or performing specific functions for the Local.
    3. Working Groups may be established for the purpose of organizing action around political themes or projects that fall under the purview of the DSA and/or St. Louis DSA’s political platform.
    4. Caucuses may be established as independent formations of members within the Local established on the basis of shared interests, identities, affinities, and/or political goals.
  2. Formation
    1. Each Local Formation shall be formed by vote of the Local, upon petition of at minimum 5 dues-paying members in good standing.
    2. Each Local Formation shall have a purpose, as outlined in its Charter, which shall include:
      1. Proposed name of Local Formation
      2. Mission statement and objectives
      3. List of membership requirements, including if the Local Formation will have open or closed membership.
      4. Procedure for selecting Chair(s) of the Local Formation.
    3. Each Local Formation shall have, at minimum, one Chair, to serve a term of no longer than one year, but subject to re-election.
    4. Each Local Formation shall keep minutes and attendance of its meetings and submit these to the Executive Committee, who shall make them available to the entire Local.
  3. Duties
    1. Chairs of Local Formations shall keep the Executive Committee and the Regular Meetings of the Local informed on the activities of the Local Formation.
    2. Local Formations may recommend actions, statements, or other organizing activities for consideration by the Local, based on a majority vote of the membership, as defined under the Charter (not counting abstentions).
    3. Local Formations may endorse actions, statements, or other organizing activities on their own behalf, based on a majority vote of the membership of the Local Formation, as defined under the Charter (not counting abstentions).
  4. Dissolution
    1. Any Committee or Working Group may be dissolved by a majority of its members (if applicable), by being inactive for more than one year, or at a Regular, Special, or General Meeting of the Local by a vote of two-thirds of the members present.
    2. Any Caucus may be dissolved by a majority of its members or by being inactive for more than one year.