Resolution: For Deliberate and Active External Collaborations

Passed by membership: June 25, 2026

Whereas:

  • We have a lot of active relationships with other organizations, who ask us to collaborate on their campaigns (such as JVP Divestment Ballot initiative), or ask us to turn out members to their events (anti-war network, PSL, Red Congress)

  • There is no current structure on how we engage in these relationships

  • Generally, our membership is very supportive of these collaborations, and sometimes we bring these asks to general body meetings to “approve”, but this practice did not actually commit anything by the chapter.

  • If participating in these events, we would like to fully support them in a way where we can achieve something as an organization, and materially support the cause with volunteer effort, fundraising, or other

  • External Campaigns are defined as campaigns primarily run by another organization where RI DSA would be deemed “collaborators” or “participating orgs” by said organization

Be it resolved:

  • Each engagement with an organization will have minimum one, but ideally two (depending on scale of engagement) appointed “Liaisons” (also referred to as Delegates)

    • Liaisons can be nominated and approved by majority vote at an ExComm meeting, which will then be followed up on by a majority vote at a General Body Meeting. These can and should be added to a consent agenda whenever possible.

      • Liaisons should accept or decline nominations prior to approval, with ExComm providing enough information for Liaison to understand the scope of the work.

    • Liaisons will be the primary point of contact for the organization or campaign, and will serve as representatives of chapter membership; with guidance from ExComm or Committees on what can be offered/given

    • Liaisons can and should request time on the Executive Committee agenda for reports and requests by asking a chapter co-chair, and the executive committee can also request Liaisons come for reports when relevant. 

    • Liaisons for active external campaigns that fit within the work plan of an active chapter committee or working body, the liaisons should actively participate in those meetings and update the body and take on actions to bring to the campaigns.

    • Liaisons can step out of the role at any time and for any reason by sending a written notice to ExComm.

    • Liaisons are assigned and approved as an indefinite term, but ExComm can by majority vote recall and re-assign liaisons as needed.

  • ExComm will make a “Liaison” training document, which a member of ExComm will meet with new liaisons in one-on-one meetings to go over to answer questions and set expectations - prior to officially beginning the role (if possible).

  • Assigning a liaison to a relationship with another organization does not commit the chapter any action with them (as opposed to assigning a liaison to an external campaign, which does commit, as below)

  • When committing to external campaigns, resolutions should be passed outlining the goals and deliverables of the engagement, and the length of time of the engagement.

    • e.g. If the campaign has a goal of 1500 doors knocked, etc, then we should have a corresponding goal for the chapter to knock on X amount of doors.

    • Internal goals should be set, like we would like to turn out X amount of volunteers/shifts/hours to the campaign.

    • Each engagement should also have some chapter benefits and goals, such as recruiting. These do not need to be specific, but the reason for participating in the campaign should be clear and align with chapter platform and philosophy.

  • Committees and working groups should plan their own organizing efforts around external campaigns (e.g. we should turn out folks to volunteer for an event, and we should do our own tracking of how many DSA members are showing up, and how much output is provided by them), and in some cases create Ad-Hoc Committees to support them (and in the cases that no natural committee exists for the work - ExComm shall create an Ad-Hoc group)

  • Extra liaisons may be assigned to new external campaigns created by a relationship, if necessary (or the current Liaison to an organization does not want to be a liaison to the new campaign specifically), and can be assigned in the resolution committing to said external campaign, subject to the same rules herein. 

    • This is expected as active campaigns are a much bigger undertaking than simply participating in a relationship. To be clear, it is not expected that liaisons lead the effort to collaborate with external campaigns, as that work is expected to still be performed by committees if applicable, but they CAN lead that work if and where it makes sense.

  • This resolution does not apply to endorsed electoral campaigns, but can be used as guidance if applicable, where there is no superseding policy/practice.