the following are directives or policies within the handbook that are not otherwise stated in the national or savannah bylaws.

Please review and submit amendments as necessary to the above listed email address.

1. The binding nature of policies within the handbook. (Foreword)
2. Amending the handbook can be made by simple majority. (Foreword)
3. The requirement to review annually with the Savannah DSA Convention (Foreword)
4. The ability for the Steering Committee (SC) to make editorial changes to the handbook. (Foreword)
5. Only Members in Good Standing (MIGS) may present motions and deliberate. (1.2.2)
6. The process by which projects and campaigns are initiated. (2.3)
7. Long-Term collaborations/partnerships require membership approval. (2.3)
8. Electoral endorsements require membership approval. (2.3)
9. Process of emergency decisions by SC. (3.1.2)
10. The rights of MIGS. (3.1.3)
11. No officer may act unilaterally. (3.2.1)
12. Routine powers of SC (3.2.2)
13. Inter-org relationships (3.2.4)
14. Reporting & Transparency reqs (3.2.5)
15. Definitions of Committee and WG (3.3.1)
16. Accountability and Establishment of Comm/WGs (3.3.2)
17. Comm’t/WGs meeting frequency (3.3.3)
18. Comm’t/WGs responsibilities (3.3.4)
19. Establishment/Dissolition of ad hoc groups (3.3.6)
20. Record keeping requirements (3.3.7)
21. Accountability and Review of Comm’t/WGs (3.3.8)
22. Steering must include all properly submitted and legal motions in the published agenda and ensure members know how to submit motions.(3.4.2)
23. Code of Conduct (3.5.1)
24. Requirement of Discord moderators (3.5.2)
25. Only the Steering Committee or members authorized by the Membership Body may issue official statements or press releases on behalf of the chapter. (3.5.3)
26. No member may endorse or condemn a candidate, official, organization, or military conflict “as Savannah DSA” without a membership vote. (3.5.3)
27. Confidentiality and Data handling rules (3.5.4)
28. Misconduct – enforcement & accountability (3.5.5 & 3.5.6)
29. FINANCIAL POLICY – (3.6)
30. Committee/WG Charter requirement and term limits (appendix B)

Resolution submitted by: Savannah DSA Steering Committee
Resolution authored by: George Robles, Secretary

Submitted to: Savannah Democratic Socialists of America General Membership Body

Date: 11/24/2025

Whereas, Savannah DSA is a democratic, member-led organization in which the General Membership is the highest decision-making body; and

Whereas, the chapter’s work is strengthened by a clear, accessible handbook that orients members to our structure, decision-making processes, and expectations for comradely conduct; and

Whereas, the document titled “Savannah DSA Members Handbook” compiles and clarifies chapter practices, rules, policies, and guidance in a manner consistent with the Savannah DSA Bylaws and National DSA governing documents; and

Whereas, it is in the interest of transparency and accountability for Savannah DSA to recognize this handbook as an official governing publication;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Savannah DSA General Membership:

Calls on the Steering Committee to create an ad hoc committee to review the handbook at least annually in conjunction conjunction with the chapter bylaws at the chapter Convention. This committee will bring any recommended updates or corrections to the General Membership for debate and vote.

Adopts the attached Savannah DSA Members Handbook as an official governing publication of the chapter, subordinate to the DSA Constitution and Bylaws and the Savannah DSA Bylaws.

Recognizes that the sections of the handbook labeled “Rules and Policies” are standing rules and operational policies of Savannah DSA, binding on officers, committees, working groups, and members unless and until amended by the General Membership.

Affirms that in any conflict of authority, the order of precedence is:
  a. National DSA Constitution and Bylaws;
  b. Savannah DSA Bylaws;
  c. Savannah DSA Members Handbook;
  d. Any other standing rules or policies.

Directs the Steering Committee to maintain and publish the current version of the handbook, including non-substantive edits for formatting, grammar, updated contact information, and links, and to make the handbook easily accessible to members, including on the chapter website and in new member materials.

Establishes that substantive amendments to the handbook must be proposed as resolutions with proper notice and adopted by a majority vote of the General Membership at a General or Special Meeting, and that no amendment may conflict with National DSA governing documents or the Savannah DSA Bylaws.

Establishes that members of the Steering Committee may make administrative-only edits to the document such as contact information, working groups, etc.

Directs existing committees and working groups to bring their charters into compliance with Section 3 of the handbook and the Committee and Working Group Charter Template in Appendix B within thirty (30) days of this resolution’s adoption, or as soon thereafter as practical, and to submit revised charters for approval consistent with chapter rules.