Mesa County Democratic Socialists of America

Chapter Officers

Adopted 2025-10-26

Article I. Standard of Authority.

The Chapter Officers document shall be considered a Tier I document with respect to the Processes for Amendment and Enforcement of Authorized Documents.

Article II. Steering Committee

Section 1. Constituency

The Constituency of the Steering Committee shall be the general membership of the Chapter, represented by the Chapter Meeting.

Section 2. Positions

The following positions shall comprise the Steering Committee: two (2) Co-Chairs, two (2) Co-Secretaries General, one (1) Treasurer, and one (1) Membership Coordinator.

Section 3. Roles

Section 3.1 Chairs

The 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 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 Chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the Chapter’s Branches, Committees, and other formations. The Chairs shall report to Chapter Meetings on the business of the Steering Committee.

Section 3.2 Secretaries General

The Secretaries General shall be responsible for answering all correspondence and queries of the Chapter and for maintaining an up-to-date membership list of the Chapter. They shall ensure effective communication with National DSA. They shall temporarily assume the responsibilities of the Chairs, if no Chair is able to do so.

The Secretaries General 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 of members of the Steering Committee.

The Secretaries General shall transfer official records, such as meeting minutes and membership lists, in good condition to their successors, and newly elected Secretaries General. The Secretaries General are responsible for storing and ensuring members’ access to the latest versions of the MC-DSA Policies and Procedures, meeting minutes, agendas, resolutions, standing rules, and all other materials in the interest of the membership.

Section 3.3 Treasurers

The Treasurers shall be responsible for the funds and financial records of the Chapter. All funds collected by the Chapter shall be turned over to the Treasurers, 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 Treasurers 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. In cooperation with the Membership Coordinators, the Treasurers shall be responsible for ensuring that membership dues are current. Treasurers shall publish the Chapter’s budget to the general membership at least on an annual basis.

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

Section 3.4 Membership Coordinators

The Membership Coordinators 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 Coordinators shall oversee initiatives concerning membership growth, retention, engagement, participation, and leadership development.

The Membership Coordinators shall organize their activities to be inclusive, culturally competent, and non-oppressive to marginalized groups. Special attention shall be devoted to the recruitment of members from marginalized groups.

Article III. Committee Officers

Section 1. Constituency

The constituency of a committee officer shall be the membership of that committee.

Section 2. Positions

The number of positions for a committee officer role is variable. Committees must have at least one (1) chair. Roles and positions for a given committee shall be maintained in that committee’s charter.

Section 3. Roles

Section 3.1 Chair

The Chairs of a given committee shall preside over the meetings of that committee 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. They shall be responsible for ensuring that committee meetings take minutes and that these minutes are accessible to the membership of that committee.

The Chairs shall be the primary point of contact for the committee and shall initiate such actions and policies as the committee’s general welfare may demand. The Chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the committee’s activities. The Chairs shall report to Chapter Meetings on the business of the committee.

Article IV. Branch Officers

Section 1. Constituency

The constituency of a branch officer shall be the membership of that branch.

Section 2. Positions

The number of positions for a branch officer role is variable. Branches must have at least one (1) chair. Roles and positions for a given branch shall be maintained in that branch’s charter.

Section 3. Roles

Section 3.1 Chair

The Chairs of a given branch shall preside over the meetings of that branch 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. They shall be responsible for ensuring that branch meetings take minutes and that these minutes are accessible to the membership of that branch.

The Chairs shall be the primary point of contact for the branch and shall initiate such actions and policies as the branch’s general welfare may demand. The Chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the branch’s activities. The Chairs shall report to Chapter Meetings on the business of the branch.

Article V. Working Group Officers

Section 1. Constituency

The constituency of a formal working group officer shall be the membership of that working group.

Section 2. Positions

The number of positions for a formal working group officer role is variable. Formal working groups must have at least one (1) chair. Roles and positions for a given formal working group shall be maintained in that working group’s charter.

Section 3. Roles

Section 3.1 Chair

The Chairs of a given formally recognized working group shall preside over the meetings of that working group 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. They shall be responsible for ensuring that working group meetings take minutes and that these minutes are accessible to the membership of that working group.

The Chairs shall be the primary point of contact for the working group and shall initiate such actions and policies as the working group’s general welfare may demand. The Chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day operations and political work of the working group’s activities. The Chairs shall report to Chapter Meetings on the business of the working group.

Article VI. Harassment and Grievance Officers

Section 1. Constituency

The constituency of the Harassment and Grievance Officers shall be the general membership of the Chapter.

Section 2. Positions

There shall be a minimum of one (1) HGO, and two (2) HGOs if the chapter has at least one hundred (100) members. There is no maximum to the number of HGOs that may be elected or appointed.

Section 3. Roles

Section 3.1 Harassment and Grievance Officers

HGOs shall adhere to major policy and guidance released by the national HGO. Additionally, they shall assist the Steering Committee in vetting future HGOs, as outlined in the Election Regulations document. They will assist members in making complaints, investigate complaints, report the results of investigations to the appropriate body, and educate members on MC-DSA’s Harassment and Grievance policy. They shall determine which HGO(s) will be responsible for each complaint that comes to their attention.

HGOs will establish and monitor an email address to function as a confidential reporting “hotline” that is only accessible by the HGOs. They shall maintain forms both for reporting and responding to complaints and grievance appeals. They will maintain these, alongside the email address for the the National Grievance Coordinator and NGP co-chairs at the beginning of the Disciplinary Provisions document.

HGOs will provide the names and email addresses for the HGOs to the National Grievance Coordinator and the Committee of Grievance Officers on