NEW YORK CITY DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA INC

Organizes a wide range of social and recreational events including game nights, coffee gatherings, softball games, a stand-up comedy show (Paid Protest), a socialist soccer league, self-defense club, and seasonal clubs and shows to strengthen community among members and raise funds for left-wing causes.

Endorses and supports socialist candidates running for public office, including U.S. Congress, NY State Assembly, NY State Senate, and mayoral campaigns, through grassroots volunteer mobilization, canvassing, and campaign events. Conducts electoral work to elect representatives who advance policy goals in housing, health, economic justice, decarceration, and racial and gender equity.

Raises $20,000 per month in local dues to fund office space and pays for rent, utilities, and supplies. Uses digital tools like Zoom for meetings and produces annual reports summarizing accomplishments and future goals.

Hosts protests, rallies, canvassing operations, town halls, and community events open to members and non-members to build popular support for socialist policies and movements. Conducts large-scale volunteer mobilization as part of its political and electoral work.

Enforces a zero-tolerance policy for harassment through defined grievance procedures and constitutional safeguards. Requires collective decision-making by moderators or leaders to remove individuals from organizational spaces and provides pathways for removed members to return via accountability processes managed by the grievance committee.

Conducts annual elections for city chapter leadership (co-chairs, treasurer, secretary) and campaign/membership/communications coordinators, as well as branch representative elections. Elected the first Citywide Leadership Committee in 2017 and hosts biennial conventions and annual conferences to set political direction, assess organization performance, and conduct strategic planning.

Organizes monthly geographically based branch meetings across New York City’s five boroughs to facilitate local activism and member engagement. Builds a democratic socialist organization through sustained member and activist coordination.

Advances progressive policy goals through public advocacy and community organizing, including successfully stopping a fossil fuel plant in Astoria and passing the Build Public Renewables Act in New York. Promotes a political agenda centered on democratic socialism, economic planning, racial equality, feminism, and non-oppressive social relationships.

Offers seasonal educational courses on socialist history and theory through the Academy for Socialist Education and hosts political education events at annual conferences. Produces literature and materials for political campaigns to advance public understanding of democratic socialism.