Political Education Working Group Charter

Table of Contents

Article I: Name

The name of this group shall be the Political Education Working Group, hereafter PEWG.

Article II: Objectives

The purpose of the PEWG shall be to provide socialist political education to members of Madison Area DSA (hereafter MADSA) and the public. It shall do this by:

  1. Organizing both chapter and public facing political education events.
  2. Providing political education resources and presentations as part of other chapter events.
  3. Provide skills training resources and events to chapter members.

Article III: Membership and Voting

  1. PEWG meetings shall be open to all DSA members in good standing. Any membership-related issues are to be brought to the MADSA Executive Committee. As a body of MADSA, PEWG is subject to the Harassment-Grievance process.
  2. All MADSA members are able to vote at PEWG meetings. When appropriate, PEWG will bring resolutions regarding group strategy and politics to the full MADSA membership for a vote at a General Membership Meeting, which will ensure broader buy-in and democratic mandate. PEWG can bring strategic resolutions to the executive committee for a vote if a more timely decision is needed.

Article IV: Leadership

  1. PEWG shall elect two (2) co-chairs. The co-chairs shall be responsible for coordinating the work of the group, including planning regular meetings, communicating with the MADSA Executive Committee, and ensuring that meeting records are kept.
  2. Each co-chair shall serve a 1 year term.
  3. Elections shall be held at the same General Membership Meeting or Convention at which this charter is approved. If the winning candidates are both cis-males, then the lowest-voted candidate shall be eliminated, repeating as necessary until at least one non-cis-male is elected, unless there are no such candidates.
  4. If there is a co-chair vacancy before the end of the term, an election will be held to fill that vacancy for the remainder of the term at the next General Membership meeting after the vacancy is announced.
  5. Recall of co-chairs shall be conducted through the Executive Committee of MADSA.
  6. Because the co-chair election happens at the same time as charter adoption, there is no need to appoint an acting chair.

Article V: Finances

  1. No specific budget is requested at this time. PEWG will request funds for room rental, printing, or other purposes as we deem appropriate.
  2. PEWG finances are to be handled through MADSA’s Treasurer and should not be independently managed. Any funds raised by PEWG shall be submitted to MADSA’s Treasurer. MADSA’s Treasurer must disperse allocated funds as directed by PEWG.

Article VII: Terms of Charter

  1. To last for 12 months after the adoption of this charter, or until the next MADSA Convention Meeting, whichever is shorter.
  2. PEWG will be governed by the bylaws of DSA Madison, which describe the operation of Working Groups.