Bylaws of the Asheville Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America

Approved June 15, 2017 Amended February 18, 2018 Amended March 15, 2018 Approved by the NPC April 2, 2018 Amended May 30, 2019 Amended June 17, 2020 Amended April 28, 2021 Amended August 24, 2022 Amended January 30, 2024 Amended June 22, 2024 Amended February 19, 2025 Amended June 28, 2025

Article I. Name and Territory.

Section 1. Name.

The name of the chapter will be the Asheville Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America, hereinafter referred to as “Asheville DSA” or “the chapter”. Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is a not-for-profit corporation. Asheville DSA is also a not-for-profit corporation.

Section 2. Territory.

The chapter shall conduct activities in the region within the territory defined by the charter granted by Democratic Socialists of America to Asheville DSA. This region consists of Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell and Transylvania counties.

Article II. Purpose.

Asheville DSA seeks to facilitate the transition to a truly democratic and socialist society, one in which the means and resources of production are democratically and socially controlled. The chapter is organized primarily to promote social welfare.

DSA rejects an economic order based solely on private profit, alienated labor, gross inequalities of wealth and power, discrimination based on race, ability, gender or sexual orientation, and brutality and violence in defense of the status quo.

DSA envisions a humane social order based on popular control of resources, production, and economic planning; economic and environmental sustainability; equitable distribution; gender, racial, and ethnic equality; and non-oppressive relationships.

Our conception of socialism is a profoundly democratic one. It is rooted in the belief that human beings should be free to develop to their fullest potential, that public policies should be determined not by wealth but by popular participation, and that individual liberties should be carefully safeguarded. It is committed to a freedom of speech that does not recoil from dissent, to a freedom to organize independent trade unions, women’s groups, political parties, and other formations—recognizing these as essential bulwarks against the dangers of an intrusive state. It is committed to a freedom of religion that acknowledges the rights of those for whom spiritual concerns are central.

We are socialists because we are developing a concrete strategy for achieving that vision. In the present, we are creating a visible socialist presence within the broad democratic Left while building a majority movement capable of making democratic socialism a reality in the United States. Our strategy acknowledges the class structure of the U.S. society. This class structure means that there is a basic conflict of interest between those sectors with enormous economic power and the vast majority of the population.

The chapter shall hold a chapter convention each calendar year to accept reports, consider questions of chapter business, and elect chapter officers.and the chapter Steering Committee shall give an annual report to the chapter.

Article III. Membership.

Section 1. Definition.

Membership of the chapter shall be defined as being a member in good standing of DSA and residing in the territory described by the charter granted by DSA. Individuals may not be members of the chapter without being members of DSA.

Section 2. Authority.

Members shall be responsible for proposing and deliberating questions of chapter business at chapter meetings, volunteering for chapter activities and duties, electing chapter officers, electing delegates to the DSA National Convention and other national, regional and state organizations, and making recommendations on issues to the DSA National Political Committee.

Section 3. Resignation.

A member may resign from the chapter to become an at-large member of DSA by written notice to the chapter Secretary and DSA. A member may resign from DSA by notifying DSA.

Section 4. Removal of Members.

If a member is found to be in substantial disagreement with the principles or policies of DSA, or if they are found to be consistently engaging in undemocratic, disruptive behavior, the chapter may vote to expel them from the chapter. In order for such a finding to be made, another DSA member shall formally submit written charges against the member in question to the chapter Steering Committee, which will set the date of a chapter meeting for deliberations on the charges. The member in question must receive a copy of the written charges and notice of the meeting no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting. Expulsion of a member requires a two-thirds (⅔) vote of the chapter meeting. An expelled member must appeal first to the DSA National Political Committee. Decisions on expulsion by either the chapter or DSA may be appealed to the DSA National Convention.

Section 5. Voluntary Donations.

As mandated by the DSA Constitution and Bylaws, the chapter may establish a chapter pledge system of voluntary donations for its members. The payment of a chapter donation shall not be a requirement for voting or for holding chapter office.

Section 6. Data Security.

The chapter Steering Committee shall create and maintain policy and procedures to secure all member data, including but not limited to contact and billing information.

Article IV. Chapter Meetings.

Section 1. Definition.

Chapter conventions, general meetings, and special meetings shall represent the general will of the membership and shall have the highest authority of decision-making power over all matters within the chapter.

Section 2. Chapter Convention.

The chapter shall hold a chapter convention each calendar year to accept reports, consider questions of chapter business, and elect chapter officers, and the chapter Steering Committee shall give an annual report to the chapter.

The chapter Steering Committee shall electronically or physically send written notice of the convention to all members no less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the convention. The Steering Committee shall publish the agenda to the membership no less than ten (10) days prior to the convention.

If the chapter convention elects to consider special standing rules, the question of their adoption will be the first order of business and upon adoption will apply to that convention only.

Section 3. General Meetings.

The chapter shall hold a minimum of four (4) general meetings each calendar year to address any chapter business within the guidelines set by the chapter convention.

The Steering Committee shall publish the time and place to the membership no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting. The Steering Committee shall set and publish the agenda to the membership no less than five (5) days prior to the meeting.

Section 4. Special Meetings.

The Steering Committee may call a special meeting of the chapter on five (5) days’ notice when an urgent and important matter requires deliberation.

Section 5. Rules.

The chapter may elect to adopt standing rules, which shall not be inconsistent with these bylaws, to administer the process and procedures of chapter meetings.

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all chapter meetings to which they apply. If Robert’s Rules are inconsistent with these bylaws or standing rules, then these bylaws or standing rules will apply.

Any action taken by a chapter meeting in contravention of these bylaws is null and void.

Section 6. Quorum.

A quorum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the average member attendance of the last four (4) meetings, rounded to the nearest whole number, shall be required for a chapter convention, general, or special meeting to transact business. Quorum shall never be less than five percent (5%) of the chapter’s membership.

Article V. Chapter Officers.

Section 1. Officers and Terms.

The officers of the chapter shall be two (2) Co-Chairs, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Membership Coordinator. Each officer must be a member of the chapter and be current in their dues at the time of election and throughout the duration of their term. The term of office shall be one year or until their successors are elected.  The officers shall not all be cisgender men. No member shall hold more than one office at any given time.

Section 2. Elections.

Elections for officers shall be held by secret ballot, immediately following the chapter convention. The Steering Committee shall open nominations and call for nominations from the membership, no less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the election. Uncontested elections may be decided by acclamation without objection, otherwise elections sh be determined by Scottish Single Transferable Vote (STV). Elections shall be governed by any rules and procedures under Article IV Section 5.

Section 3. Co-Chairs.

The Co-Chairs shall be the Chief Executive Officers of the chapter. They shall preside over chapter and Steering Committee meetings or shall appoint a substitute to assume the powers and duties of the presiding officer as specified in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised.

The Co-Chairs shall be the official public spokespersons for the chapter and shall initiate such actions and policies as the chapter’s general welfare may demand. The Co-Chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the chapter’s branches, committees, and other formations. The Co-Chairs shall report to chapter meetings on the business of the Steering Committee.

Section 4. Secretary.

The Secretary shall be responsible for answering all correspondence and queries of the chapter. They shall ensure effective communication with DSA.

The Secretary shall be responsible for the taking of minutes of all chapter and Steering Committee meetings and shall have custody of these minutes, and the resolutions, reports, and other official records of the chapter. Minutes will include attendance by count of Asheville DSA members & non-members, and attendance by name of chapter officers.

The Secretary shall transfer official records, such as meeting minutes, in good condition to their successor. The Secretary shall be responsible for storing and ensuring members’ access to the latest versions of these bylaws, meeting minutes, agendas, resolutions, standing rules, and all other materials in the interest of the membership.

Section 5. Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds and financial records of the chapter. All funds collected by the chapter shall be turned over to the Treasurer, who will hold these funds in a secure place until it is possible to deposit the funds in a credit union or bank account under the name of the chapter. The Treasurer shall prepare budgets and financial reports for consideration at chapter meetings and as requested by the Steering Committee, and ensure the chapter’s regulatory compliance.

The Treasurer shall create and document policies and procedures for carrying out their duties and for maintaining healthy chapter finances. The Treasurer shall transfer to their successor the documented policies and procedures, financial records and reports, and access to financial accounts securely.

Section 6. Membership Coordinator.

The Membership Coordinator shall be responsible for the overall health and growth of the chapter membership by coordinating the outreach, recruitment, and engagement activities of the chapter. The Membership Coordinator shall oversee initiatives concerning membership growth, retention, engagement, participation, and leadership development. The Membership Coordinator shall maintain a list of chapter membership. The Membership Coordinator shall be responsible for checking for quorum at all chapter meetings.

Section 7. Additional Duties and Actions Out of Order.

The Steering Committee may assign additional temporary duties to a member of the chapter, so long as such assignments do not conflict with the designation of responsibilities outlined in these bylaws.

Any action taken by an officer in contravention of these bylaws is null and void.

Section 8. Resignation.

Any officer of the chapter may electronically or physically submit their resignation to either the Steering Committee or chapter meeting. 

Upon the resignation, the Steering Committee shall set the date of a chapter meeting to hold an election for the vacant position. The Steering Committee may appoint an interim officer by a simple majority vote to fill the position until this election.

Section 9. Suspension.

Any officer of the chapter may be temporarily suspended for thirty (30) days.

a). Suspension by Vote of the Membership

Members may motion to suspend an officer at a chapter meeting and shall state with particularity the acts of malfeasance, nonfeasance, gross negligence, or undemocratic or uncomradely behavior comprising the grounds for suspension and must be seconded. The chapter meeting may adopt such a motion by a two-thirds (⅔) vote.

b). Suspension by Vote of the Steering Committee

The Steering Committee may suspend an officer by a two-thirds (⅔) vote at a Steering Committee meeting. This action shall be reported at the next chapter meeting, at which time members may overturn the decision by a simple majority vote.

Section 10. Recall.

Any officer of the chapter may be recalled, or removed, for malfeasance or failure to fulfill their duties or obligations as an officer.

In order to recall an officer, a member in good standing must formally refer a request to the Steering Committee to remove said officer, which will set a date of a chapter meeting for deliberations on the accused officer’s removal. The officer in question must receive written documentation of the specific reasons for the removal request and notice of the meeting a minimum of fourteen (14) days before the meeting takes place. The accused officer will be given a chance to speak in their own defense at this meeting. The chapter meeting may recall the officer by a two-thirds (⅔) vote.

Upon recall, the Steering Committee shall schedule an election to fill the vacancy at the next chapter meeting. The Steering Committee may appoint an interim officer, via a simple majority vote of the Steering Committee, to fill the position until this election.

Article VI. Steering Committee.

Section 1. Composition.

The Steering Committee shall be composed of the five (5) officers of the Chapter.

Section 2. Duties.

The Steering Committee shall administer the affairs of the chapter and oversee the implementation of the decisions of chapter meetings; it may also propose policy to Chapter Meetings. It shall have the power to receive reports of any branch, committee, or working group, and advise thereon, to call special meetings of the chapter, and to act on any matter that requires immediate and urgent action. The Steering Committee is the regular executive body of the chapter, and thus subordinate to its legislative bodies, the chapter convention and general meetings.

The Steering Committee shall be responsible for establishing program activities for the chapter, Section 3. Meetings.

Steering Committee meetings shall be held at the call of one (1) of the Co-Chairs at such regular intervals as may be determined by a prior Steering Committee meeting or by consultation with any three (3) members of the Steering Committee. All members of the Steering Committee must be given three (3) days oral, written, or electronic notice of Steering Committee meetings unless all members of the Steering Committee accept shorter notice. The Steering Committee shall give notice of its meeting schedule to chapter members. Meeting minutes shall be recorded and accessible to the membership.

Steering Committee meetings shall either be conducted digitally, or “hybrid”, and shall be open to all members to observe, and shall contain a question and answer period and a comment period if capacity permits.

Any sensitive matters require the Steering Committee to go into executive session. The Steering Committee may go into executive session by simple majority vote.

Section 4. Quorum.

A quorum of a simple majority, including at least three (3) of the five (5) officers, one of whom must be a Co-Chair, is required for the transaction of Steering Committee business.

Section 5. Rules.

The Steering Committee may elect to adopt standing rules to administer the process and procedures of Steering Committee Meetings that are not inconsistent with these bylaws.

Any action taken by the Steering Committee in contravention of these bylaws is null and void.

Section 6. Voting.

The Steering Committee may make decisions on business by vote of a simple majority at a Steering Committee meeting or through other means unanimously approved by all Steering Committee members at a Steering Committee meeting. Any vote that occurs between Steering Committee meetings shall be reported at the next meeting.

Section 7. Board of Directors.

For the purposes of meeting the requirements of local and state incorporation laws, the chapter shall have a “Board of Directors” consisting of members of the Steering Committee assigned for the purpose as logical and required by law.

Article VII. Branches.

Section 1. Definition.

A branch is a subgroup of the chapter, defined by geography, consisting of at least five (5) members, and chartered by the chapter for the purpose of expanding the chapter’s reach.

Section 2. Creation.

A charter application must be made by a written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members in good standing of the chapter who would be members of the branch, and submitted according to the same procedure as defined in Article XIV of these bylaws.

A charter application must define the purpose of the branch, the nature of its leadership, the scope and nature of its membership, and how the branch makes decisions. The branch shall not geographically overlap with another branch. The chapter meeting may approve a charter application under this article by a simple majority vote.

A charter application may include an amendment to these bylaws for the purpose of branch representation on the Steering Committee. The chapter meeting may approve this proposed amendment by a two-thirds (⅔) vote.

Section 3. Dissolution.

A motion to dissolve a branch must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members of the chapter, and submitted according to the same procedure as defined in Article XIV of these bylaws. The chapter meeting may dissolve a branch under this article by a simple majority vote.

A motion to dissolve a branch may include an amendment to these bylaws for the purpose of removing branch representation on the Steering Committee. The chapter meeting may approve this proposed amendment by a two-thirds (⅔) vote.

Article VIII. Young Democratic Socialists of America Chapters.

Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) chapters within the territory of the chapter may affiliate as a branch according to the same procedure as defined in Article VII of these bylaws.

ARTICLE IX.  Committees.

Section 1. Definition.

A committee is a group of chapter members tasked with specific functions and authority related to the administration of the Chapter. Committees help to carry out the responsibilities assigned to the Steering Committee.

Section 2. Creation.

The Steering Committee may establish a committee by a simple majority vote at a Steering Committee meeting. The written motion to establish a committee must define the purpose of the committee, the nature of its leadership, the nature of its membership, how the committee makes decisions, a deadline for either its dissolution or renewal, and any chapter resources it may need.  The committee may be subject to additional rules of the chapter.

Committees shall have one (1) to two (2) co-chairs, at least one of whom shall be the Steering Committee member with the most relevant duties to the committee.

Section 3. Dissolution.

Any committee created under this article may be dissolved at any time by a simple majority vote of a chapter meeting or Steering Committee meeting.

ARTICLE X.  Working Groups.

Section 1. Definition.

A working group is a group of chapter members organizing around a campaign or issue. Working groups shall support the work of the chapter and its campaigns, and may be the means by which coordination among chapter work and campaigns occur, as well as being the means by which Asheville DSA participates in coalitions whose work the chapter supports but does not direct.

Section 2. Creation.

 A working group may be established by a chapter meeting by a simple majority vote. The written motion to establish a working group must define the purpose of the working group, the nature of its leadership, the nature of its membership, how the working group makes decisions, a deadline for either its dissolution or renewal, and any chapter resources it may need.  The working group may be subject to additional rules of the chapter.

Section 3. Dissolution.

Any working group created under this article may be dissolved by a Chapter Meeting at any time by a simple majority vote.

ARTICLE XI.  Delegates to National, Regional and State Organizations

Members of the chapter shall elect chapter delegates and alternates to the DSA National Convention, as well as to any regional or state organizations.

Following Article V, Section 5 of DSA’s Constitution, delegates to the DSA National Convention must be elected by secret ballot. Delegates for regional and state organizations shall be elected by secret ballot. Elections for the DSA National Convention delegation will be held on the schedule announced by DSA. Elections to regional or state organizations will be held on the schedule announced by those organizations

Uncontested elections may be decided by acclamation without objection, otherwise elections shall be determined by Scottish Single Transferable Vote (STV). Elections shall be governed by any rules and procedures under Article IV Section 5.

Section 1.  Eligibility to Vote on Delegates.

Members of the Chapter shall elect chapter delegates and alternates to the DSA National Convention, as well as to any regional or state organizations.

Section 2.  Schedule of Elections to National, Regional, or State Organizations.

Elections for the DSA National Convention delegation will be held on the schedule announced by DSA. Elections to regional or state organizations will be held on the schedule announced by those organizations.

Section 3.  Method of Voting.

Following Article V, Section 5 of DSA’s Constitution, delegates to the DSA National Convention must be elected by secret ballot. And, “No election for delegates to the National Convention shall be held more than four months, or less than forty-five days, prior to the opening of the National Convention. No election for delegates shall be conducted before the apportionment of delegates.”

Elections shall be determined by Scottish Single Transferable Vote (STV). Alternate delegates may be elected, by, following the election of the delegates, by recounting the ballots with the elected delegates removed, and using Scottish Single Transferable Vote.

ARTICLE XII. Grievance Procedure.

The chapter will follow the DSA’s Harassment Policy. 

ARTICLE XIII. Prohibited Activity.

Asheville DSA will not engage in activity prohibited by the IRS guidelines established for 501(c)(4) organizations or similar rules established by the state of North Carolina. Nor will the Chapter engage in any activity prohibited by resolutions adopted by the DSA National Convention or the DSA National Political Committee

ARTICLE XIV. Amendments.

Proposed amendments to these bylaws must be made by written resolution and submitted to the Steering Committee at least fourteen (14) days in advance of a chapter meeting as defined in Article IV.  The Steering Committee is required to provide the chapter membership with at least seven (7) days notice of the proposed amendments.  The chapter meeting may adopt amendments to these bylaws proposed under this article by two-thirds (⅔) vote.  

No amendment to these bylaws may be in conflict with the DSA Constitution and Bylaws. The chapter will provide the amended bylaws to the DSA National Office.

ARTICLE XV. Chapter Dissolution.

A proposal to dissolve the chapter must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members of the chapter, and submitted to the Steering Committee at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of a chapter meeting as defined in Article IV. The Steering Committee is required to provide the chapter membership with at least ten (10) days physical or electronic notice of this resolution. The chapter meeting may adopt a resolution to dissolve the chapter under this article by a two-thirds (⅔) vote.

Upon dissolution of the chapter, any residual assets shall become property of DSA.