Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend visiting this page on the national DSA website to learn more about the organization: About DSA.
The best way to contact us is to email us at DSAofColumbia@gmail.com.
If you are a local member in good standing, the best way to stay up to date with internal communications is to join our Discord chat server. Check out the member handbook for more information.
You can join DSA by paying dues on the national website here: Join DSA! If you elect to pay dues on a monthly basis, a percentage of your dues will be remitted to your local chapter by the national organization.
Once you pay dues to national DSA, you will automatically become a member of your local chapter if there is one close to you, and you can change your address with national DSA at any time if you move to a new area.
Columbia DSA’s chapter territory officially covers Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Orangeburg, Clarendon, Lee and Sumter counties.
Welcome! We’re glad you asked! DSA is a democratically led member-volunteer organization. While we do have a small national staff, most of DSA’s work is done at a local chapter level by members like you.
Upon joining, you should receive an email from Columbia DSA welcoming you to the local chapter with important information, like a copy of the bylaws, the member handbook and an invite to a monthly on-boarding orientation call.
Your first step to getting involved in Columbia DSA should be to attend an on-boarding call. If you cannot make that time, please contact the Membership Committee Chair at stev3pwn@gmail.com to set up a time that works for you.
The next thing you should do is join our Discord chat server, which is where most of our internal communications take place. The member handbook has information on how to join.
Whether you have attended the on-boarding call or not, all of our members are welcome to attend any chapter meetings, committees and working group meetings, social events, and any other chapter events. Look out for chapter emails for regular meeting times and agenda.
Columbia DSA is a democratically organized member organization. All members in good standing are eligible to run and/or vote for elected director and officer roles. Regular elections are held at our Annual Meeting, and each position has a one-year term. Special elections may be held in the event of a vacancy. Full-chapter referenda may also be called periodically.
Columbia DSA is unique in that we elect both a Steering Committee and Executive Committee, to administer the affairs of the chapter between meetings. The Steering Committee oversees the Executive Committee.
The elected directors of the Steering Committee are:
- Chair
- Compliance Director
- Finance Director
The Executive Committee administers the affairs of the Local Chapter and oversees the implementation of the decisions of the members.
The elected officers of the Executive Committee are:
- President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
In addition to the elected officer roles, committees and working groups may choose to designate chairpersons, and officers shall also designate a chapter Grievance Officer from among qualified members in good standing.
Columbia DSA’s committees and working groups are made to organize around specific issues. Committees manage the internal functions of the chapter, and Working Groups manage the external functions.
If members wish to contact any chapter leaders, they can find their email on the home page.
Columbia DSA’s committees and working groups are made to organize around specific issues. Committees manage the internal functions of the chapter, and Working Groups manage the external functions. Working Groups and Committees are focused on a particular issue or ongoing project and also function as the main avenue that creates working campaigns to set a priority for the chapter, though any individual member may also present a campaign priority.
Most of our work gets done through our committees and working groups, and we encourage all members to get involved in at least one. We have dedicated discussion channels for each on our Discord chat server.
In addition, any member in good standing may propose the creation of new committees and working groups, and Discord is the best place to initiate those conversations.
Our permanent committees currently include the following:
- Membership
- Social Media
- Political Education
Our permanent working groups currently include the following:
- Eco-Socialism
- Electoral
- Medicare for All
- Labor
- Mutual Aid
Yes! You can learn more about the national DSA working groups here: National Working Groups. Getting involved in national working groups is a great way to contribute directly to DSA’s efforts on federal issues, while also helping to keep our local chapter’s efforts well-coordinated with those of other chapters across the country. Please let us know on Discord if you are thinking about joining a national working group!
Contact membership@dsausa.org to change the email address associated with your membership.
You can fill out a form on this page if you need to update your mailing address: Change Your Address.
Make sure you submit the address change form using the email address associated with your membership. When you receive the email confirming the change, it won’t actually include your updated information. You can email membership@dsausa.org if you want confirmation of the change, and you can also request a new confirmation email with your updated information.
Columbia DSA is committed to creating a space that is welcoming and inclusive to members of all genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and other identity groups. We do not tolerate harassment, abuse, or harm in any form. If you experience any form of harassment from a member, please email our chapter’s Grievance Officer at hgo@dsaofcolumbia.org
Columbia DSA adheres to DSA’s national harassment policy and grievance process: DSA Harassment and Grievance Policy.
Member Resources
The Columbia, SC Local Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization registered with the South Carolina Secretary of State.