At our September 23 General Meeting, it was clear that members were interested in continuing the rich discussion and potentially organizing around the Senate and Governor races campaigns. This time is dedicated to continuing that discussion with fellow members on how our chapter should interact with the statewide electoral campaigns.

This event is also a lightning rod for members who are interested in participating in future work and discussions around this topic but can not attend this specific meeting.

Agenda

The membership co-chairs will moderate this discussion around the following agenda. If you have suggestions for discussion, please send them to steering+membership@mainedsa.org

Purpose

1. What do we, the largest socialist organization in the state, hope to gain from interacting with large statewide campaigns?
2. What could we lose by interacting with large statewide campaigns?
3. (come prepared) Whats your concise proposal or vision for the chapter?

Capacity

The chapter will only endorse candidates that it plans on actively campaigning for, and devote significant chapter time and resources towards. In other words, the chapter will not make paper endorsements. (Maine DSA policies p. 50)

1. Legally (campaign finance-wise), what can we do as a 501c4? A short compliance briefing using this presentation will get everyone on the same page.
2. What are we capable of? Think of the geographic location of our membership, or strengths, our weaknesses.
3. Connect capacity with purpose: What are we willing to risk?

Next steps

Maine DSA is a vehicle for change, but we need drivers and passengers for a good ride. If we want to interact at all, we need members to step up. After our discussion, here are a few possible next steps that interested members can bottom line:

• Set up another discussion time
• Work on the questionnaire that will be provided to candidates seeking our endorsement (see page 52 of the Maine DSA rules for context, and a draft created by members for Senate).
• (for those not interested in endorsing candidates) Form a non-electoral action plan for the chapter.
• (for those interested in endorsing) Form a campaign committee by working together on a charter (see our bylaws on how, and this template).

Campaign Committees are responsible for carrying out campaigns to support endorsed candidates. As such the chapter can only endorse candidates where there is an active campaign committee to support that candidate. (Maine DSA policies p. 50)

Whatever the next step(s) are, members should work together collaboratively.