Priorities Process: Difference between revisions

From Boston DSA Wiki
(proofreading and adding minor details)
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'''The priorities process has been designed to help our chapter's members democratically and intentional reflect on our work as socialist.'''
'''The priorities process has been designed to help our chapter's members democratically and intentionally reflect on our work as socialists.'''


Please iterate on the design below and add observations and suggestions!
Please iterate on the design below and add observations and suggestions!
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Note about priorities vote winners:
Note about priorities vote winners:
* If a priority wins, then BDSA collectively agrees to lend more chapter resources towards that priority for the following year. For example, the Steering Committee will prioritizes the priories in General Meeting and membership mobilization.
* If a priority wins, then BDSA collectively agrees to lend more chapter resources towards that priority for the following year. For example, the Steering Committee will prioritize the priories in General Meetings and membership mobilization.
* If the priority process was good, then members will be easily rallied to volunteer and organize toward the priorities they helped set.
* If the priority process was good, then members will be easily rallied to volunteer and organize toward the priorities they helped set.
* Setting priorities does not exclude other work or campaigns. Losing priorities and existing campaigns can still be worked on by members and given chapter resources.  
* Setting priorities does not exclude other work or campaigns. Losing priorities and existing campaigns can still be worked on by members and given chapter resources.  
* After winning the vote, the priority belongs to the whole chapter. Based on experimentation and practice, the execution of the priority might not follow the original written proposal.
* After winning the vote, the priority belongs to the whole chapter. Based on experimentation and practice, the execution of the priority might not follow the original written proposal.


== Voted on Priorities ==
== Selected Priorities ==


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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== Timeline Overview ==
== Timeline Overview ==


Please organize in advance of each deadline/period of time. Advice for organizing or running events can be found below!
These milestones will require planning and organization in advance; this is just to show when each step should take place to stay on track. Advice for organizing or running events can be found below!


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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| '''September General Meeting'''
| '''September General Meeting'''
|
|
* Introduction/Motivation for "Chapter Priorities."
* Introduce and motivate the idea of having Chapter Priorities.  
* Breakout group brainstorm and "dotocracy"  
* Have breakout groups brainstorm priority ideas and use "dotocracy" to show preliminary interest.
|-
|-
| ''Weeks between September GM-Ocotober GM''
| ''Weeks between September GM-October GM''
|
|
* Each working group and committee meeting should have the priorities process on agenda for discussion.
* Working groups and committees should include time in their meeting for discussion of possible priorities.
* Neighborhood group meetings for the discussion of priorities should be scheduled.
* Schedule neighborhood group meetings to discuss possible priorities.
|-
|-
| '''October General Meeting'''
| '''October General Meeting'''
|
|
* Deadline for the "first draft" of priority
* Deadline to propose a first draft of a priority.
|-
|-
| ''Weeks between October GM-one week after November GM''
| ''Weeks between October GM-one week after November GM''
|
|
* Encourage/help members get feedback on their priority
* Share feedback on proposals.
|-
|-
| '''November General Meeting'''
| '''November General Meeting'''
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| ''Two weeks after November General Meeting''
| ''Two weeks after November General Meeting''
|
|
* Final draft of priorities is due
* Deadline to submit final draft of priority.
|-
|-
| '''December General Meeting'''
| '''December General Meeting'''
|
|
* Rank choice vote on priorities.
* Ranked choice vote on priorities.
|}
|}


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Activities at this GM:
Activities at this GM:
* Presentation motivation chapter priorities and outlining the process
* Presentation and motivation of chapter priorities and outlining the process
* Breakout group brainstorm and dotocracy
* Breakout group brainstorm and dotocracy


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'''Preparation:'''
'''Preparation:'''
* Find breakout group facilitators
* Find breakout group facilitators
* Provide motivating questions for the group
* Provide the facilitators questions to ask the group
** Agitate: What isn't working in the Boston DSA? What isn't working under capitalism? What are people (your friends/family) most mad about right now, and the DSA has a socialist solution for? What are first steps towards that solution?
** Agitate: What isn't working in the Boston DSA? What isn't working under capitalism? What are people (your friends/family) most mad about right now, and the DSA has a socialist solution for? What are first steps towards that solution?
* Provide large papers and pens for each group, and 8 highlighter dot stickers for each member.
* Provide large papers and pens for each group, and 8 highlighter dot stickers for each member.


'''At General Meeting:'''
'''At General Meeting:'''
* Explain the purpose of this activity: to brainstorm, not to have a binding vote.
* Break into small group facilitated discussion
* Break into small group facilitated discussion
* Have each group record concrete ideas they had for chapter priorities on large paper
* Have each group record concrete ideas they had for chapter priorities on large paper
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* With the results of dotocracy:  
* With the results of dotocracy:  
** SC members or volunteers will email summary of dotocracy to general membership
** SC members or volunteers will email summary of dotocracy to general membership
** SC members will try to encourage interested members (or SC members themselves) to develop popular priories from dotocracy.  
** SC members will try to encourage interested members (or SC members themselves) to develop popular priories from dotocracy. Other ideas are still welcome.
*** Tracking this information in a spreadsheet will help SC members to follow up on and help with priorities proposals. Assign a SC member to each priority.
*** Tracking this information in a spreadsheet will help SC members to follow up on and help with priorities proposals. Assign a SC member to each priority.


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* Each working group and committee meeting should have the priorities process on agenda for discussion.
* Each working group and committee meeting should have the priorities process on agenda for discussion.
** Each working group and committee has a liaison to the Steering Committee. The liaisons should contact working groups with enough time for the working groups to add the topic to their meetings between the September and October GM.
** Each working group and committee has a liaison to the Steering Committee. The liaisons should contact working groups with enough time for the working groups to add the topic to their meetings between the September and October GM.
* Schedule informal neighborhood group meetups for the discussion of priorities should be scheduled.
* Schedule informal neighborhood group meetups for the discussion of priorities.
* Steering committee members should reach out to people to encourage them to write a priority.
* Steering committee members should reach out to people to encourage them to write a priority.


== October GM: Priority Draft Submission ==
== October GM: Priority Draft Submission ==


Deadline for the "first draft" of priority. Over the last month, SC members should follow up with working groups, committees and interested individuals to remind them to submit :)
Deadline for the first draft of priority. SC members should follow up with working groups, committees and interested individuals to remind them to submit :)


AFTER submissions, immediately draft a response to the submitter about the next steps for the priority, including the socialist science fair.
After the deadline, immediately draft a response to all submitters about the next steps for the priorities process, including the socialist science fair.


=== Suggested Questions for Internal Priority Submission ===
=== Suggested Questions for Internal Priority Proposal ===
* What is your internal priority proposal? What are the intermediate goals and the long-term vision for this external priority? How do you plan to achieve the intermediate goals?
* What is your internal priority proposal? What are the intermediate goals and the long-term vision for this external priority? How do you plan to achieve the intermediate goals?
* How does this internal priority make Boston DSA a more effective socialist organization?
* How does this internal priority make Boston DSA a more effective socialist organization?
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== November GM: Priorities Science Fair ==
== November GM: Priorities Science Fair ==


Image of the priorities science fair: Trifolds at tables with descriptions and images representing the priority! Representatives of each priory standing around the table to answer questions and ask questions to members.
Image of the priorities science fair: Trifolds at tables with descriptions and images representing the priority! Representatives of each priority standing around the table to answer questions and ask questions to members.


Supplies and set up advice:
Supplies and set up advice:
* Trifolds: SC members should volunteer to bring trifolds and supplies for priority submitter who do not have enough time to put on together. Keep track of which priorities need a trifold. These priority submitters should attend the GM an hour early to help set up.
* Trifolds: SC members should volunteer to bring trifolds and supplies for priority submitters who do not have enough time to put one together. Keep track of which priorities need a trifold. These priority submitters should attend the GM an hour early to help set up.
* Make sure there is an easy way to record feedback. Encourage submitter to use this time to get feedback and suggestions. This could be feedback submission boxes with index cards, or post-it notes and panel of the trifold preserved for post-it note feedback.
* Make sure there is an easy way to record feedback. Encourage submitters to use this time to get feedback and suggestions. This could be feedback submission boxes with index cards, or post-it notes and panel of the trifold saved for post-it note feedback.
* Submitters should record emails of interested members. They should have a plan to keep them engages -- email them requesting suggestions or feedback? Start an email list for people interested in doing that kind of priority work regardless of whether the priority wins?
* Submitters should record email addresses of interested members. They should have a plan to keep them engaged. For instance, they might email them requesting suggestions or feedback, or start an email list for people interested in doing that kind of priority work regardless of whether the priority wins.
* Attending members could be given a packet or booklet to take notes on the priorities
* Attending members could be given a packet or booklet to take notes on the priorities.
** Perhaps a priorities "passport", and stickers for each priority?
** Perhaps a priorities "passport", and stickers for each priority?


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Meeting recordings:
Meeting recordings:
* This is not a standard meeting to record. Find someone to bottom line this section. The bottom liner could go from table to table and catch a brief pitch of each members for the viewers-at-home.
* This is not a standard meeting to record. Find someone to bottom line this section. The bottom liner could go from table to table and catch a brief pitch of each members for the viewers-at-home or proposers could visit a booth to give their pitch to the webcam.


After the meeting:
After the meeting:
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== Two weeks after November GM: Final Draft Due ==
== Two weeks after November GM: Final Draft Due ==


Add a section for "Feedback on process" to the final draft submission.
Add a section for "Feedback on process" to the final draft submission so we can continue to refine this process while people's thoughts on it are fresh.


== December GM Vote ==
== December GM Vote ==


Rank choice vote on priorities. Make sure members know how rank choice voting workings.
Ranked choice vote on priorities. Make sure members understand how the vote will work, such as whether they need to rank all choices.

Revision as of 01:39, 2 February 2019

The priorities process has been designed to help our chapter's members democratically and intentionally reflect on our work as socialists.

Please iterate on the design below and add observations and suggestions!

Priorities[edit | edit source]

Note about priorities vote winners:

  • If a priority wins, then BDSA collectively agrees to lend more chapter resources towards that priority for the following year. For example, the Steering Committee will prioritize the priories in General Meetings and membership mobilization.
  • If the priority process was good, then members will be easily rallied to volunteer and organize toward the priorities they helped set.
  • Setting priorities does not exclude other work or campaigns. Losing priorities and existing campaigns can still be worked on by members and given chapter resources.
  • After winning the vote, the priority belongs to the whole chapter. Based on experimentation and practice, the execution of the priority might not follow the original written proposal.

Selected Priorities[edit | edit source]

Year External Priority/Campaign Internal Organizing Priority
2019
  • #TakeBackTheGrid
  • Medicare for All
  • Membership Organizing System
  • Inter-generational Organizing and Childwatch

Priorities Process[edit | edit source]

Timeline Overview[edit | edit source]

These milestones will require planning and organization in advance; this is just to show when each step should take place to stay on track. Advice for organizing or running events can be found below!

Deadlines/Time Range Things To Do
September General Meeting
  • Introduce and motivate the idea of having Chapter Priorities.
  • Have breakout groups brainstorm priority ideas and use "dotocracy" to show preliminary interest.
Weeks between September GM-October GM
  • Working groups and committees should include time in their meeting for discussion of possible priorities.
  • Schedule neighborhood group meetings to discuss possible priorities.
October General Meeting
  • Deadline to propose a first draft of a priority.
Weeks between October GM-one week after November GM
  • Share feedback on proposals.
November General Meeting
  • Priorities Science Fair
Two weeks after November General Meeting
  • Deadline to submit final draft of priority.
December General Meeting
  • Ranked choice vote on priorities.

September GM: Introduction[edit | edit source]

Activities at this GM:

  • Presentation and motivation of chapter priorities and outlining the process
  • Breakout group brainstorm and dotocracy

Breakout group and dotocracy[edit | edit source]

Preparation:

  • Find breakout group facilitators
  • Provide the facilitators questions to ask the group
    • Agitate: What isn't working in the Boston DSA? What isn't working under capitalism? What are people (your friends/family) most mad about right now, and the DSA has a socialist solution for? What are first steps towards that solution?
  • Provide large papers and pens for each group, and 8 highlighter dot stickers for each member.

At General Meeting:

  • Explain the purpose of this activity: to brainstorm, not to have a binding vote.
  • Break into small group facilitated discussion
  • Have each group record concrete ideas they had for chapter priorities on large paper
  • Tape papers to the wall
  • Have members walk around room and look at suggestions. They can put a dot by next to their favorite suggestions.

Results of Dotocracy

  • SC members or volunteers will compile notes from dotocracy and find themes.
  • With the results of dotocracy:
    • SC members or volunteers will email summary of dotocracy to general membership
    • SC members will try to encourage interested members (or SC members themselves) to develop popular priories from dotocracy. Other ideas are still welcome.
      • Tracking this information in a spreadsheet will help SC members to follow up on and help with priorities proposals. Assign a SC member to each priority.

September-October GMs: Group discussions/brainstorms/outreach[edit | edit source]

Seek smaller scale brainstorming opportunities! Priorities submissions should not mimic individualistic applications to jobs or colleges. They are collaborative and creative group efforts. Brainstorming works better in groups, and people are socially motivated and frequently need support or encouragement to submit an idea.

Small group discussions:

  • Each working group and committee meeting should have the priorities process on agenda for discussion.
    • Each working group and committee has a liaison to the Steering Committee. The liaisons should contact working groups with enough time for the working groups to add the topic to their meetings between the September and October GM.
  • Schedule informal neighborhood group meetups for the discussion of priorities.
  • Steering committee members should reach out to people to encourage them to write a priority.

October GM: Priority Draft Submission[edit | edit source]

Deadline for the first draft of priority. SC members should follow up with working groups, committees and interested individuals to remind them to submit :)

After the deadline, immediately draft a response to all submitters about the next steps for the priorities process, including the socialist science fair.

Suggested Questions for Internal Priority Proposal[edit | edit source]

  • What is your internal priority proposal? What are the intermediate goals and the long-term vision for this external priority? How do you plan to achieve the intermediate goals?
  • How does this internal priority make Boston DSA a more effective socialist organization?
  • What resources would this internal priority require? For example, volunteers, supplies, funding, meeting space, time (5 hours per month for 100 people? 20 hrs/month for 10 people?), etc.
  • How will this internal priority mobilize or engage a large number of DSA members? How will this help our members to develop as socialist organizers?
  • What’s your 30 second “elevator speech” summary of the priority and why this internal priority should be one of Boston DSA’s two internal priorities? 100 words or less!

Suggested Questions for External Priority Submission[edit | edit source]

  • What is your external priority proposal? What are the intermediate goals and the long-term vision for this external priority? How do you plan to achieve the intermediate goals?
  • How does this external priority build working class power and chart the pathway toward democratic socialism?
  • What resources would this external priority require? For example, volunteers, supplies, funding, meeting space, time (5 hours per month for 100 people? 20 hrs/month for 10 people?), etc.
  • How will this external priority mobilize and engage members of Boston DSA? How will this build our relationships with communities oppressed by capitalism and other forces?
  • What’s your 30 second “elevator speech” summary of this priority and why this external priority should be one of Boston DSA’s two external priorities? 100 words or less!

October GM-Week before December GM: Feedback[edit | edit source]

  • Encourage and help members get feedback on their priority.
  • The priorities science fair in particular is a good time to get feedback from members.

November GM: Priorities Science Fair[edit | edit source]

Image of the priorities science fair: Trifolds at tables with descriptions and images representing the priority! Representatives of each priority standing around the table to answer questions and ask questions to members.

Supplies and set up advice:

  • Trifolds: SC members should volunteer to bring trifolds and supplies for priority submitters who do not have enough time to put one together. Keep track of which priorities need a trifold. These priority submitters should attend the GM an hour early to help set up.
  • Make sure there is an easy way to record feedback. Encourage submitters to use this time to get feedback and suggestions. This could be feedback submission boxes with index cards, or post-it notes and panel of the trifold saved for post-it note feedback.
  • Submitters should record email addresses of interested members. They should have a plan to keep them engaged. For instance, they might email them requesting suggestions or feedback, or start an email list for people interested in doing that kind of priority work regardless of whether the priority wins.
  • Attending members could be given a packet or booklet to take notes on the priorities.
    • Perhaps a priorities "passport", and stickers for each priority?

Room set up:

  • Use rectangular tables, not round tables. Make sure it is easy to walk around.
  • Have an "internal priority" and "external priority" section

Meeting recordings:

  • This is not a standard meeting to record. Find someone to bottom line this section. The bottom liner could go from table to table and catch a brief pitch of each members for the viewers-at-home or proposers could visit a booth to give their pitch to the webcam.

After the meeting:

  • In the GM summary email, provide a link for "Feedback on Priorities!" which members can fill out. SC members will give the answers to submitters.

Two weeks after November GM: Final Draft Due[edit | edit source]

Add a section for "Feedback on process" to the final draft submission so we can continue to refine this process while people's thoughts on it are fresh.

December GM Vote[edit | edit source]

Ranked choice vote on priorities. Make sure members understand how the vote will work, such as whether they need to rank all choices.