2026 Savannah DSA Convention

Convention Standing Rules

April 5, 2026 | The Sentient Bean | 13 E Park Ave., Savannah, GA 31401
These standing rules apply to this convention only. Adopted pursuant to Article IV, Section 2 of the Savannah DSA Bylaws. The question of their adoption is the first order of business upon call to order. Adoption requires a majority vote.
Rule 1: Debate
(a) Each member in good standing may speak up to two (2) times on the same motion or resolution during debate.
(b) Each speech shall be limited to two (2) minutes. The chair or a designated timekeeper shall track time and notify the speaker when their time has expired.
(c) The chair shall recognize speakers alternating for and against the motion when possible, applying progressive stack in accordance with the Members Handbook, Section 2.4.
(d) A member who has not yet spoken on an item shall be recognized before any member who has already spoken once.
Rule 2: Motions and Resolutions
(a) The author of a motion or resolution shall be granted up to three (3) minutes to introduce and motivate the item before debate opens. This time is separate from the speaker's debate allotment under Rule 1.
(b) The author of a motion or resolution may withdraw it at any time before the body has voted on it, without requiring a vote of the body.
Rule 3: Electronic Voting via OpaVote
(a) Steering Committee elections with three or more candidates for a single seat shall be conducted through OpaVote using ranked-choice voting. Elections with one or two candidates shall be conducted through OpaVote using For/Against/Abstain voting, unless the race is uncontested and elected by acclamation without objection at convention. All resolution votes shall be conducted through OpaVote using For/Against/Abstain voting.
(b) The procedure for each resolution shall be: the sponsor introduces the item, the author motivates, a discussion period follows, a second is obtained, formal debate occurs, and the item is tabled until the OpaVote ballot is released.
(c) The OpaVote ballot shall be released following the adjournment of convention. The voting window shall close Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern.
(d) Only dues-paying members in good standing are eligible to vote. Any individual who becomes a dues-paying member in good standing before the voting window closes may be added to the OpaVote ballot and may cast their vote.
(e) OpaVote results shall be reported to the membership by the Secretary within three (3) days of the voting window closing.
Rule 4: Consent Agenda
(a) Items placed on the consent agenda shall be voted on as a single block by show of voting cards at convention, not through OpaVote.
(b) Any member in good standing may request that an item be removed from the consent agenda for individual discussion. Removed items shall be debated and voted on separately through OpaVote.
Rule 5: Quorum
(a) Quorum for this convention is fourteen (14) members in good standing, consistent with Bylaws Article IV, Section 6 (10% of 135 members).
(b) If quorum is lost during the convention, no further business may be transacted until quorum is restored. The body may only adjourn, recess, or take measures to obtain quorum.
Rule 6: Participation
(a) Participation in the deliberative process -- including making motions, speaking in debate, and voting -- is reserved for dues-paying members in good standing.
(b) Guests and non-members are welcome to observe but may not speak during debate or vote.
Rule 7: Floor Amendments
(a) Members may propose amendments to resolutions during debate. Amendments require a second and are debatable.
(b) If an amendment is adopted by majority vote of members present by show of voting cards, the amended version of the resolution shall be the version that appears on the OpaVote ballot.
(c) If an amendment fails, the original resolution proceeds to OpaVote unchanged.
Rule 8: Germaneness and Calling the Question
(a) All debate shall be germane to the motion on the floor. The chair reserves the right to rule a speaker out of order if their remarks are not germane to the pending motion.
(b) All proposed amendments will be germane to the motion being amended. The chair reserves the right to rule an amendement out of order if the amendment is not germane to the resolution.
(c) A motion to end debate ("call the question") may only be made by a member who has not yet spoken on the pending motion. It requires a second and a two-thirds vote.
Rule 9: Nominee Speeches and Multiple Candidacies
(a) Each nominee for a Steering Committee position shall be granted up to two (2) minutes to address the body. Nominees running for multiple positions may give one speech covering all positions.
(b) Elections shall be conducted in the following order: Co-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Coordinator.
(c) If a candidate is running for more than one position, they must declare their order of priority before speeches begin. If a candidate wins a higher-priority position, they shall be removed from the ballot for all remaining positions.
Authority: Savannah DSA Bylaws, Article IV, Section 2 -- "If the Savannah DSA 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." These rules are not inconsistent with the Savannah DSA Bylaws per Article IV, Section 5.