Resolution to Establish a 2026 Savannah DSA Convention
Planning Subcommittee
Resolution written by: George A. Robles, Secretary
Submitted to: Savannah Democratic Socialists of America (Savannah DSA) General
Membership
Date: 11-19-2025
Whereas, Savannah DSA will hold its 2026 Chapter Convention on April 5, 2026, which
requires advance planning to ensure a democratic, accessible, and orderly process; and
Whereas, the General Membership is the highest decision-making body of Savannah
DSA and may delegate specific planning and implementation powers to subordinate
bodies;
Therefore, be it resolved that:

Reporting and Sunset
5.1 The Subcommittee shall report regularly to the Steering Committee and provide a
written report to the General Membership at the January, February, and March General
Membership Meetings prior to the 2026 Convention.
5.2 The Subcommittee shall complete a thorough report and/or minutes of the
Convention to the Steering Committee no later than (NLT) seven (7) days after the
conclusion of the 2026 Convention.
5.3 The Subcommittee shall automatically dissolve seven (7) days after the conclusion of
the 2026 Convention.

Establishment and Authority
1.1 The General Membership hereby establishes an ad hoc 2026 Convention Planning
Subcommittee (“the Subcommittee”) to plan and coordinate the 2026 Savannah DSA
Convention, reporting to the Steering Committee and ultimately to the General
Membership.

Formation and Composition
2.1 The Subcommittee shall be formed in December 2025, but no later than January 15,

2.2 The Steering Committee shall solicit volunteers from members in good standing
(MIGS) and appoint an initial membership, and shall designate a Convener responsible
for calling meetings and ensuring notes are kept.
2.3 The Convener shall keep a list of active members of the Subcommittee and is
responsible for ensuring members are MIGS.
2.4 Membership in the Subcommittee shall remain open to any MIGS who wishes to
participate.

Powers and Responsibilities for Convention Planning 3.1 Within the scope of planning the 2026 Convention, the Subcommittee is authorized
to:
3.1.1 Receive agenda items from members and chapter bodies, including but not limited
to resolutions; officer, committee, and working group reports; and budget/funding
requests.
3.1.2 Draft the proposed Convention agenda and standing rules for April 5, 2026,
including a proposed consent agenda.
3.1.3 Conduct a preliminary review of agenda items for compliance with the chapter
bylaws and rules, and designate as out of order those items that clearly conflict with
existing bylaws, providing timely notice and a brief written explanation to submitters.
3.1.4 Create task-specific Teams to work on specific aspects of Convention planning
(such as budget, bylaws and handbook review, logistics, and donations), provided that
all Task Teams report back to and are directed by the Subcommittee.
3.1.5 Identify and refer appropriate items to the incoming Steering Committee for
adjudication where interpretation or follow-up is needed, including resolutions and
other proposals that are in order but cannot reasonably be taken up at the 2026
Convention (for example, due to time constraints or because they are primarily ongoing
administrative or implementation matters). Such items shall be deferred to the newly
elected 2026–2027 Steering Committee for consideration after the Convention, with a
brief written explanation of the Subcommittee’s recommendation.
3.1.6 Recognize that all such determinations are subject to the General Membership’s
ultimate authority at the Convention to amend the agenda, adopt or reject the consent
agenda, and overrule out-of-order rulings consistent with the bylaws and rules of order.
3.1.7 Ensure that the proposed Convention agenda is submitted to and approved by the
General Membership no later than (NLT) March 5, 2026.

Budget Authority
4.1 For the purposes of funding the 2026 Convention, the General Membership
authorizes the Steering Committee to approve a Convention budget up to two hundred
dollars ($200), upon recommendation from the 2026 Convention Planning
Subcommittee. 4.2 If the proposed Convention budget exceeds two hundred dollars ($200) in total
(including items such as venue, food, materials, speakers, and accessibility costs), the
Steering Committee shall submit that budget to the General Membership for approval.
4.3 Such a vote shall be conducted via OpaVote (or its successor), with a voting window
of no less than seventy-two (72) hours, and the budget shall be adopted if approved by
a simple majority of valid ballots cast, consistent with the chapter’s bylaws and rules.