SALEM DSA BYLAWS

These Bylaws were approved by a majority of the Local Chapter membership on June 15, 2019.

These Bylaws were Amended by a majority of the Local Chapter membership on March 8, 2026.

Article I. Name.

The name of the Chapter shall be the Salem OR Local Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). DSA is a not-for-profit corporation.

Article II. Purpose.

A. The Salem OR Local Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America is organized exclusively to promote social welfare. It seeks to facilitate the transition to a truly democratic and socialist society, one in which the means/resources of production are democratically and socially controlled.

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

C. DSA envisions a humane social order based on popular control of resources, production, and economic planning, equitable distribution, gender and racial equity, and non-oppressive relationships.

D. 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 or from religion that acknowledges the rights of those for whom spiritual concerns are central.

E. We are socialists because we are developing a concrete strategy for achieving that vision. In the present, we are building a visible socialist presence within the broad democratic Left. In the long run, we hope to build 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. 

Article III. Membership.

Section 1. Membership. 

Members of the Salem OR Local Chapter of DSA will be those individuals who are in good standing with National DSA, who reside, study, and/or work in the geographical area represented by the zip codes set forth in Schedule I hereto (such area is referred to herein as “greater Salem”) according to DSA’s records. Individuals who are already members or become members of another Local Chapter of National DSA may not also be members of this Local Chapter. It will be the responsibility of members to approve policies and guidelines for the operation of the Local Chapter, to elect the Local Chapter's Steering Committee, to elect delegates to the national convention, to vote on matters related to local and national policy, to make recommendations on issues, policies, activities, and ongoing efforts pursuant to local or national political goals, and to contribute toward the Local Chapter's goals as described in Article II. 

Section 2. Member Discipline

A. If a full member is found to be in substantial disagreement with the principles or policies of national DSA, found to be consistently engaging in undemocratic, disruptive or abusive behavior, or is found to have violated a Local or National code of conduct, the Local may subject them to discipline by following the grievance and/or disciplinary action processes as provided in Sections 3 and 4 of Article III.

B. The following acts, either by deliberate intent or by lack of reasonable judgment, may be considered as either additions to or special cases of the language in Subsection A of this Article: bad-faith entryism as an individual or in affiliation with any organization, disruption of Local Chapter operations, dismantling of the democratic structures of the Local Chapter, or endangering the physical safety or information security (privacy) of a DSA member. Salem DSA regards expulsion as an extreme measure that ought to be rare. Except in cases involving personal abuse, personal safety concerns, or clear evidence of systematic bad faith, a vote to expel a member should be preceded by other efforts to resolve disputes and secure change in problematic behavior.

C. Good-faith disagreement between members shall not be grounds for discipline of any member or otherwise interpreted to constitute harassment, provided such ideological disagreement does not constitute substantial disagreement with the principles and policies of national DSA. Such disagreement alone shall not be considered substantive evidence of undemocratic or disruptive behavior.

Section 3. Grievances

A. In order for a finding under Section 2A of this Article to be made, another DSA member must file a grievance against the member in question to the Local Harassment and Grievance Officers (HGOs), who shall investigate the matter and seek a reconciliatory solution. If no informal solution can be found, the HGOs may make a recommendation for disciplinary action to the Local Steering Committee. 

B. A member accused of misconduct in a formal grievance process must receive a copy of the grievance before any further action shall be taken. The member must also be given reasonable time to respond to the grievance in writing.

Section 4. Disciplinary Actions

A. Upon receipt of a recommendation for disciplinary action, the Steering Committee shall notify the accused of all charges and set a time, date, and place for trial meeting. All trial meetings will be conducted in executive session. No trial meeting will occur fewer than fourteen (14) days after the notice of charges and trial is given to the accused.

B. The Steering Committee will act as a trial committee in all disciplinary actions and conduct the trial meeting according to the procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised (RONR) § 63. The accused shall have the right to representation by another member of the Local or by counsel, and shall have the right to speak and present evidence in their defense.

C. After a trial, the Steering Committee will issue a verdict of guilt or innocence on each count, noting the vote count on each charge. If a guilty verdict issues on any charge, the Steering Committee will prepare a report in writing and include, to the extent possible without disclosing confidential information which should be kept within the Steering Committee, a summary of the basis for the committee’s finding(s). 

D. Upon issuance of the trial report, the Steering Committee may, by a majority vote, discipline a member with sanctions up to and including a one-year suspension from membership in the Local or may also choose to refer and recommend harsher sanctions, including but not limited to expulsion, to a Special Meeting of the Local.

E. Expulsions relating to National DSA policies against harassment may be decided by a two-thirds vote of the Steering Committee instead of a Special Meeting of the chapter.  Expulsion of a member or affiliate member for any other reason requires a two-thirds (⅔) vote of a Local meeting.

F. An expelled full member may appeal to the National Political Committee of DSA.

Section 5. Voluntary Donations.

As mandated by the national Constitution and Bylaws, the Local Chapter may establish a Local Chapter pledge system of voluntary donations for its members. Members may not face retaliatory action for the nonpayment of donations or preferential treatment for paying local donations.

Article IV. Local Chapter Meetings. 

Section 1. Local Convention. 

The Local will hold a Local Convention on a date between May and July of each year. All members of the Local will receive at least one month's written (or electronic mail) notice of the meeting, and an agenda will be provided at least three (3) days prior to the Local Convention. The Convention will elect Local officers (except Harassment and Grievance Officers) and chairs of Standing Committees, receive reports from committees, and select priorities for the year. The Convention is the highest legislative body of the Local. The Local Convention shall be considered the “Annual Meeting” where local or state law may require such.

Section 2. General Meetings.

The Local will hold General Meetings at least six (6) times annually, the time and place of which shall be set in a schedule published and distributed by the Local Steering Committee. The General Meetings will set local policy and work priorities, and will include political education sessions. The Local Steering Committee will set the agenda for General Meetings. The Chapter Co-Chairs may add items to the General Meeting agenda without notice, provided they are not voting items and that any new items are after all items on the circulated agenda. The General Meeting is the operating legislative body of the Local.

Section 3. Special Meetings. 

The Local Chapter Steering Committee may call a Special Meeting of the Local Chapter on at least seven (7) days' notice when an urgent and important matter requires deliberation. The Local Steering Committee may call an electronic Emergency Meeting on 24 hours notice, and must email the chapter as soon as it is called. An electronic Emergency Meeting must utilize technology that allows members to discuss issues and vote on actions.

Section 4. Quorum. 

Any gathering by the membership of the Chapter scheduled in accordance with the notice provisions of these Bylaws is a Meeting. Unless these Bylaws require otherwise, a quorum of 10% of the Members in Good Standing or 80% of the average member attendance of the last three meetings, whichever is less, is required for any vote to pass. Should the attendance at two, consecutive, duly-scheduled meetings fail to establish a quorum, the Steering Committee shall be permitted to modify this formulation, subject to a majority vote of the members present at the next duly-scheduled meeting.

Section 5. Electronic Meetings.

General Meetings and the Local Convention should be held in-person when possible. The Steering Committee may, by a two-thirds (⅔) vote, opt to conduct these meetings electronically for the safety of the Local membership. An electronic meeting must utilize technology that allows members to discuss issues and vote on actions.

Section 6. Priorities.

The Local Convention will set Priorities by considering resolutions that designate a task or campaign as a Priority of the Local. Priorities will take precedence over other Local work, and Priority Resolutions will designate the appropriate structure to carry out their objectives. The Local may establish Priorities by a majority vote of the Local Convention or 2/3 vote of other General Meetings. The Local may amend or terminate Priorities by a 2/3 vote of a General Meeting. Priorities will expire at each Local Convention unless re-established there by a majority vote.

Section 7. Hybrid Meetings. 

Salem DSA will conduct General Meetings as Hybrid Meetings. The Steering Committee, by majority vote, may opt to strike the Hybrid option for any General Meeting. Hybrid Meetings are defined as meetings that can both be attended in-person and online.

A. Virtual attendance to Hybrid Meetings shall be confined to Salem DSA Members in Good Standing. 

B. The chair of the meeting shall designate an in-person volunteer to be the Hybrid Meeting Facilitator to help coordinate the virtual attendees’ actions during the Hybrid Meeting, including procedural matters. 

C. Virtual attendees at Hybrid Meetings may not hold proxies.

Section 8. Proxies. 

Members may delegate their vote to a proxy if they are not able to attend a meeting.

A. Requests for a proxy must be made at least thirty (30) minutes in advance of the meeting start time. Requests must be made via email to the chapter’s email address by the member delegating their vote to a proxy; the request must name the member who is the proxy. 

B. Members may not hold more than two proxies per meeting.

Section 9. Asynchronous Voting. 

A. Asynchronous voting is defined as online voting conducted over an extended period of time outside of a Meeting. Salem DSA regards virtual participation as a passive exercise that ought to be rare. To protect in-person, deliberative democracy, the Local will permit asynchronous votes only when required by National DSA. 

B. The Steering Committee shall announce all asynchronous votes to the membership by electronic mail. There shall be a seven (7)-day voting period during which any eligible member may vote. The Steering Committee may propose a shorter time-frame for voting by two-thirds (⅔) majority vote. All voting thresholds (quorum and required majority) for a passing vote shall be the same as if the vote were held at an in-person meeting. Votes to abstain will count toward the quorum. 

C. All voting thresholds (quorum and required majority) for a passing vote shall be the same as if the vote were held at an in-person meeting. Votes to abstain will count toward the quorum.

Section 10. Endorsements, Campaigns, and Coalitions.

A. The General Meetings or Local Convention are the only bodies authorized to make electoral endorsements, approve ballot campaigns, or join coalitions on behalf of the Local, actions requiring a two-thirds (2/3) majority affirmative vote. Ballot campaign resolutions should include a timeline for the completion of a campaign and designate a campaign manager or co-managers. Campaigns will report to each General Meeting and the Steering Committee will appoint a representative to facilitate reporting on major decisions between General Meetings. Campaigns will expire at each Local Convention unless re-established there by a majority vote.

B. Members of Salem DSA are prohibited from campaigning as representatives of DSA or Salem DSA for candidates or ballot measures that Salem DSA has not officially endorsed, and from acting within any coalitions as representatives of Salem DSA that Salem DSA has not officially joined.

Section 11. Motions.

Members should raise motions in the form of written resolutions ahead of Meetings. When seeking to establish or change chapter policy, political orientation, or finances, members must submit a written resolution to the Steering Committee. Resolutions must be submitted to the Steering Committee at least two (2) weeks before a Chapter Meeting in order to be added to that Meeting’s agenda. Resolutions submitted after that date will be considered at a future Meeting. The membership at a Meeting may revise the agenda. Any resolutions in contravention to these Bylaws are out of order and thereby null and void.

Article V. Local Chapter Officers: Powers and Duties

Section 1. Officers and Terms. 

The officers of the Local Chapter will be the Co-Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, and YDSA Coordinator. The term of office will be one year, and shall run from July 1 to June 30 or until their successors are elected. Officers may be elected for up to 3 consecutive terms. After an election, an officer leaving their role shall mentor the incoming officer elect in order to ensure a smooth transition and continuity in execution of the duties of the office.

Section 2. Vacancies. 

In the event of a vacancy in any Local Chapter office, a special election for the remainder of the vacant member's term shall be triggered within sixty (60) days after the opening of the vacancy. Special elections may coincide with a General Meeting. In the event of a vacancy in any Local Chapter office, the Local Chapter Steering Committee will appoint a replacement until a special election can be held. 

Section 3. Co-Chairs. 

A. The Co-Chairs will preside over Local Chapter and Steering Committee meetings or will appoint a substitute to assume the powers and duties of the presiding officer as specified in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. The Co-Chairs will be the official public spokespersons for the Local Chapter and will facilitate such actions and policies as the Local Chapter's general welfare may demand. 

B. The Co-Chairs will also be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the Local Chapter's Branches and Committees. The Co-Chairs will maintain relationships and facilitate cooperation between the Local and outside organizations with intersecting missions and will, either individually or in tandem, approve all external communication from the local that is not either a direct restatement of national DSA communication or a previously passed local resolution or that which is otherwise delineated by the Bylaws as under the purview of the Secretary or Treasurer before external publication. This will include all social media posts, reactions and comments on social media from the chapter accounts, press releases, published external editorials on behalf of the chapter and direct communication to the chapter’s external mailing lists.

C. The Co-Chairs will report to Local Chapter General Meetings on the business of the Steering Committee Meetings, at which time a copy of the minutes of those meetings will be available for inspection. 

Section 4. Secretary. 

A. The Secretary will be responsible for maintaining and, to a reasonable extent, protecting the privacy of an up-to-date membership list of the Local Chapter; distributing copies of minutes and agendas to each Steering Committee member in a format agreed upon by the Steering Committee; and assuring that corporate records are maintained for legal status. They will ensure effective communication with National DSA. They will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Co-Chair if neither Co-Chair is able to do so.

B. The Secretary will be responsible also for the taking of minutes of all Local Chapter and Steering Committee Meetings, the collection and maintenance of Committee charters, notes, and meeting minutes, and making copies available to members promptly. They shall have custody of these documents, and of the resolutions, reports and other official records of the Local Chapter, and shall transfer official records in good condition to their successor. Official records shall include the documents necessary for continued functioning of the Local Chapter, such as member lists, and all documentation necessary to provide, to the general membership, transparent accountability of Local Chapter actions and decisions to the greatest reasonable extent.

Section 5. Treasurer. 

The Treasurer will be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Local Chapter. All funds collected by the Local Chapter will be turned over to the Treasurer, who shall deposit them in a bank account under the name of the Local Chapter. In cooperation with the Secretary, the Treasurer will be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are paid up-to-date. The Treasurer will prepare the annual Local Chapter budget and deliver the Local Chapter financial report to the General Meeting of the Local Chapter, as well as periodic progress reports as requested by the Steering Committee of the Local Chapter; and will provide basic information to National DSA related to the operations and finances of the Local Chapter. They will temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Co-Chair if neither Co-Chair or the Secretary is able to do so.

Section 6. Communications Coordinator. 

The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for Coordinating public-facing statements from the Local, including but not limited to the Salem DSA website, social media, and other Local communications outlets; Coordinating regular internal email newsletters and announcements; Coordinating the Communications Committee to ensure that both external and internal communications accurately represent work done in the Local.

Section 7. Membership Coordinator

The Membership Coordinator will be responsible for matters dealing with the recruitment, development, and mobilization of the Local’s membership. This includes coordinating recruitment efforts; regular outreach to new and inactive members; and organizing other member engagement efforts, such as social events. In coordination with the Steering Committee, the Membership Coordinator will schedule and oversee recruitment activities, including regular New Member Orientations.

Section 8. YDSA Coordinator. 

The YDSA Coordinator shall be responsible for maintaining a network of representatives from Local Youth Sections, as well as extending that network to include nearby regional DSA and Youth Sections. They shall be responsible for ensuring that Local Youth Sections have abundant avenues to work in solidarity with the Local’s work, as well as to request resources and support from the Local for campaigns and initiatives led by Local Youth Sections. 

Section 9. Additional Duties.

The Local Chapter Steering Committee may assign additional temporary duties to an officer of the Local Chapter, so long as such assignments do not conflict with the designation of responsibilities outlined in these Bylaws. 

Section 10. Diversity. 

We strive to meet the following goals: that at least fifty percent (50%) of the Local Chapter officers be individuals who do not identify as cisgender men, and that at least fifty percent (50%) of the Local Chapter Officers be individuals who identify as People of Color.

Article VI. Steering Committee. 

Section 1. Composition. 

The Local Chapter Steering Committee will be composed of the officers of the Local Chapter.

Section 2. Duties. 

A. The Steering Committee shall administer the affairs of the Local Chapter and coordinate the implementation of the decisions of any Meetings, and shall prepare an agenda proposal for each Meeting. It shall have the power to receive reports of any Committee or Branch and advise thereon, to call Special Meetings of the Local Chapter, and to act on any matter that requires immediate and urgent action. The Steering Committee is the regular executive body of the Local, and thus subordinate to its Legislative bodies, the General Meetings. 

B. The Local Chapter Steering Committee will be responsible for establishing program activities for the Local Chapter, for proposing guidelines and policies that will subsequently be voted on by the Local Chapter's members, and for acting on the organization's behalf between Local Chapter meetings. The Steering Committee shall set the agenda for General Meetings, and the Chapter Co-Chairs may add items to the General Meeting agenda without notice, provided they are not voting items and that any new items are after all items on the circulated agenda. 

Section 3. Meetings. 

The meetings of the Steering Committee will be held at such intervals as may be determined by a prior Steering Committee Meeting or by consultation between a majority of the members of the Steering Committee. All members of the Steering Committee must ordinarily be given four (4) days oral, written, or electronic notice of regular Steering Committee Meetings; a 24-hour notice may be given under special emergency circumstances. Notice requirements may be waived only by unanimous approval. Steering Committee Meetings may be held electronically by any means acceptable to all the members of the Steering Committee. Any member of the Local Chapter in good standing may observe meetings of the Steering Committee and the Steering Committee shall allow for a question and answer period and a comment period. However, the Steering Committee may hold executive sessions if sixty percent (60%) of its members vote to do so in order to discuss member discipline or security matters. 

Section 4. Quorum. 

A quorum of a simple majority of elected officers is required for the transaction of Steering Committee business.

Article VII. Branches. 

Section 1. Definition. 

A. A branch is a subgroup of the Local defined by geography and consisting of at least five full members in good standing with national DSA. Members wanting to form a Branch must petition the Steering Committee through submission of branch Bylaws and a statement of purpose. The Steering Committee will bring the question of establishing a branch to a vote of the full Local membership at a General Meeting. 

B. Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) chapters within the geographic area of the Local Chapter may affiliate as a Branch of the Local Chapter, in which case the local YDSA chapter may send a representative to the Local Chapter Steering Committee. 

Section 2. Youth Sections. 

Nationally recognized chapters of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) within the boundaries of Salem DSA will be considered Local Youth Sections. Youth Sections must have at least five full members in good standing with national DSA.

Article VIII. Committees

A committee is a subgroup of the Local that organizes around a stated, distinct, material task. The Steering Committee may appoint a representative to each committee who will serve as a secondary contact point and provide regular reports about the committee at Steering Committee meetings. Members of the Steering Committee may chair committees. The chapter will have two forms of committees in addition to the Steering Committee: Standing Committees and Temporary Committees.

A. Standing Committees will exist on a permanent basis and organize around a distinct set of tasks that are permanently important to the Local. The Steering Committee may provide a Standing Committee with requisite membership contact data as needed, which will be managed in accordance with necessary privacy and security precautions. Committees may adopt charters to clarify their purpose and responsibilities. Standing Committee chairs are to be elected by the Local Convention. The Standing Committees in Salem DSA shall be established below:

a. The Communications Committee shall be responsible for maintaining the Local’s website and social media presence, managing internal communications platforms, assisting the Steering Committee in crafting official statements of the Local, and submitting external communications, on all platforms, for the approval of at least one chapter co-chair prior to publication.

b. The Membership Engagement Committee shall be responsible for contacting new or inactive members and delivering information about the chapter, preparing informational literature for members, and mobilizing members for organizing activities. 

c. The Political Education Committee shall be responsible for conducting skills training and facilitating political education for members and the public. 

d. The Labor Committee shall build the labor movement in Salem by providing critical support to existing unions, assisting workers when they organize, and develop a rank-and-file strategy to build democratic, militant unions from within.

e. The Electoral Committee shall assess requests for electoral endorsement, build technical and organizational infrastructure to support our candidates, and develop strategies to prepare for, contest, and win class struggle elections.

B. Temporary Committees will exist for a designated amount of time not to exceed one year and organize around a distinct task that requires immediate attention but is not currently a priority of the Local. Members wishing to establish a Temporary Committee must petition the Steering Committee with a statement of purpose and the signatures of at least five full members in good standing with National DSA. The Local will vote on whether to authorize the Temporary Committee at the subsequent General Meeting. Temporary Committees will elect a chair within the first month of their establishment.

Article IX. Caucuses. 

A caucus is a subgroup of the Local defined by political tendency, identity, or work site and consisting of at least five (5) full Members in Good standing with National DSA. Caucuses will not hold any formal role in the governance of the Local but may use chapter spaces to meet and organize for their goals within DSA. To be recognized as a caucus within the Local, the requisite number of members must sign a statement of purpose and submit it to the Steering Committee, who will keep a registry of all currently active caucuses in the Local.

Article X. Election of Delegates and Nominees to National, Regional, and State Bodies. 

Local Chapter delegates and alternates to the National Convention, as well as to any Regional or State organizations, will be elected by Members in Good Standing of the Local Chapter of DSA. Elections for the National Convention delegation shall be held on the schedule announced by the national organization. Elections to Regional or State organizations will be held on the schedule announced by those organizations. 

Article XI. Elections, Nominations and Recalls. 

Section 1. Nominations Committee. 

A three (3)-person Nominations Committee shall be established at least one (1) month prior to every election by vote of a General Meeting. It shall solicit and receive nominations for the positions to be elected.

Section 2. Nominations Process. 

Nominations for Local Chapter officers and delegates to the National Convention shall be opened at least ten (10) days before an election. The call for nominations shall be announced to all Local Chapter members in good standing as soon as nominations are open. A member must receive at least two (2) nominations in order to run for office. 

Section 3. Elections Process. 

Elections shall be held in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised. If only one member is nominated for an office, that member may be elected by acclamation. 

Section 4. Recall. 

A. As Officers of the Local exist to serve the Local, any elected officer, including Local Subgroup Officers, may be recalled by the Local. A recall vote may be triggered by a petition signed by a number of members equal to or greater than two-thirds (2/3) of the total number of votes cast during the previous election, or by fifty percent of Local membership, whichever number is lower. Once triggered, a Nominations Committee shall be established in accordance with Section 1 to hold a forum on the recall, followed by a Local-wide election, where a majority of two-thirds (2/3) of voters shall be required to recall the officer.

Article XII. Amendments. 

A. Proposed amendments to these Bylaws must be made by written resolution, endorsed by five (5) members of the Local Chapter, and submitted to the Steering Committee at least one (1) month in advance of a Meeting. The Steering Committee will make these proposed amendments available for members to review at least two (2) weeks in advance of the Local Convention, General or Special Meeting and provide time on the Local Convention, General or Special Meeting agenda to discuss and vote on them. If any proposed amendment receives a two-thirds (2/3) majority of votes, the Steering Committee will update the Bylaws accordingly.

B. With unanimous approval the Steering Committee may make non-substantive edits to the Bylaws to address issues relating to formatting, readability, terminology, spelling, grammar, etc.  The Steering Committee will notify general membership within 30 days in the case of a non-substantive edit to the bylaws. If any member objects to these edits, membership may vote to overturn these edits at the subsequent general meeting following the Steering Committee notification with a simple majority vote.

Article XIII. Rules of the Local Chapter. 

Section 1. Rules. 

The Rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern this Local Chapter in cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws. Consensus decision-making is desirable where feasible, but meetings must submit to Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, upon the request of a member. 

Section 2. Action Out of Order. 

Any action taken by an officer or member of the Local Chapter in contravention of these Bylaws is null and void. Any action taken by a Local Convention, General, Special, or Committee Meeting of the Local in contravention of these Bylaws is also null and void. 

Section 3. Harassment Policy. 

The Local Chapter will follow the Harassment Policy of National DSA. 

A. The Local shall have a Grievance Committee which will take complaints from members, conduct fact finding, seek to resolve disputes when possible, and make recommendations to the Steering Committee and relevant General Meetings, Special Meetings, or Local Conventions, under a code of conduct that meets the requirements of National DSA’s Harassment Policy which promotes healthy organizational functioning. The scope of the Grievance Committee's activities is restricted to internal DSA matters. 

B. The Local Grievance Committee shall consist of two Harassment and Grievance Officers (HGOs) appointed by the Steering Committee for a one-year term. The HGOs shall be confirmed by the general membership at the Local Convention. If a seat is vacated mid-term, the Steering Committee shall appoint or elect a new HGO to fill the remainder of the term within sixty (60) days.

Section 4. Code of Conduct.

The Local Chapter will follow the Code of Conduct of National DSA. The Local may adopt a local code of conduct. The local code of conduct should encompass national DSA policies on harassment and any other behaviors prohibited by national DSA policy or a vote of the Local.

Section 5. Standing Rules.

A Standing Rule establishes an operating or administrative procedure for the Local. The Steering Committee shall document and publish all Standing Rules adopted at Meetings to the membership. A Standing Rule may not interpret or supersede the Bylaws. Amendments to the Standing Rules must be made by written resolution. The Standing Rules may be amended by majority vote at a General Meeting, Special Meeting, Local Convention, or Steering Committee Meeting.

Article XIV. Dissolution. 

In the event of the dissolution of this Local Chapter, all remaining funds and assets are to be released to National DSA. If both this Local Chapter and National DSA are being dissolved, then all remaining funds and assets are to be released to such other organizations that are organized exclusively for the promotion of social welfare and that will operate to further the common good and general welfare of the community included in this Local Chapter's stated boundaries. 

Article XV. Prohibited Activity 

Salem OR DSA shall not engage in activity prohibited by the IRS guidelines established for 501 (c) (4) organizations or similar rules or laws established by the State of Oregon. Nor shall the Local Chapter engage in any activity prohibited by resolutions adopted by DSA's National Convention or DSA's National Political Committee.