Resolution to Establish Deputy Chair Positions

Passed by membership: June 25, 2026

Whereas:

  • The scope of work of a committee is often limited by the ability or capacity of the Chair to manage it

  • The absence of committee Chairs at Excomm meetings, GBMs, and other meetings for any reason often results in a lapse of communication from the committee to those bodies

  • Chairs often face burnout by the end of their term due to singlehandedly carrying the burden of running a committee

  • There’s no formal succession planning nor leadership development within committees, which often leads to a rush to persuade members to run for Chair positions towards the end of the Excomm term.

Be it resolved:

  • The Deputy Chair position will be created at the discretion of each committee’s Chair by declaration at any committee meeting, removing the position shall require a majority vote by the committee

  • Nomination, election and recall will occur as follows:

    • The Deputy Chair can be nominated by any RI DSA Member in Good Standing at a committee meeting or by informing the committee Chair 

    • The Deputy Chair nominee must be elected by a majority vote by eligible voters at that committee’s meeting.

    • The Deputy Chair can be recalled from their positions by a majority vote by Committee Members at that committee’s meeting or at the discretion of that committee’s Chair

    • The tenure of the deputy chair shall coincide no longer than the tenure of the active committee chair.

  • The Deputy Chairs responsibilities are as follows:

    • Coordinate closely and aid the Chair in leading the committee and performing work in accordance with the committee’s workplan

    • Take on at least 20% and no more than 50% of the duties of the Chair as described by the chapter’s bylaws

    • Lead at least 1 major committee project or initiative per term

    • Fill in, when available, for the relevant committee’s Chair at Executive Committee meetings and General Body Meetings, when the Chair is unable to attend

      • Deputy Chairs will not hold voting rights for Executive Committee voting items.

      • Deputy Chairs may be dismissed from Executive Committee meetings during sensitive discussions (i.e. grievance report review) at the discretion of the Co-Chairs.

  • Deputy Chairs will be provided access to the DSA zoom account, the relevant committee’s ridsa.org email account, and any keys or access info required to use meeting spaces