About Emerald Coast DSA

ByLaws

We're currently writing our official ByLaws!

Chapter jurisdiction

Our chapter covers Navarre, Okaloosa and Walton counties. Outside of this range? Start a Chapter!

Who We Are

Emerald Coast DSA is part of the Democratic Socialists of America. Emerald coast DSA has members in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton country. Members that believe in working class solidarity  of the community from all walks of life who are tired of a government that doesn’t heed the demands of the people! 

We are tired of an economy that only serves the wealthy elite and leaves the working class in destitution.

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What We Do

Emerald Coast DSA does meal shares for mutual aid, potlucks and community socials events, garden, electoral work, and more!

Theory of Change

The capitalist class is the problem because they enforce an undemocratic economic system which relies on exploitation. The working class is the historical agent of change because capitalism can’t function without workers. The way workers make change is by building a mass movement of the majority, strategically stopping production and/or shutting down sectors of the economy and society, and remaking our economic, social, and political systems.

So what’s stopping us? Many working class people don’t see themselves as part of the working class or can't imagine that they could deserve more. We’ve been conditioned into individualism. Our material conditions make us feel powerless. We don’t know how to organize. The capitalist class uses their power to keep us apart. All of these things and more.

So how do we win? We need high and growing working class participation. We must unify against capitalism's divisions. We ultimately must build a demonstrable & sustainable movement of the majority. And we do this by organizing, which grows our capacity and helps us do hard things.

About DSA

DSA is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 250 chapters and successful wins like elected DSA members and endorsed candidates, Green New Deal infrastructure wins like public renewables, historic expansions of housing rights and many more victories in the last few years. DSA grew particularly around the campaigns of Bernie Sanders and has developed and matured as the organization it is today. It is a descendant of the Socialist Party of Eugene Debbs, with members leaving over their opposition to the party's support of the Vietnam war. DSA was founded in 1982 by Michael Harrington and has evolved over time. A National Convention is held every two years to democratically steer the course of the body and to elect a National Political Committee (NPC) to preside between conventions.

You can read more about the structure and administration of DSA here.

Read our political program here.

What are dues for?

Dues help DSA maintain and grow independence under the control of our members rather than corporations or NGO bureaucracy. Some organizations are run for the profit of their owners or operate using grants from government or the noblesse oblige of corporate funding that could be easily taken away. We ask our members to pay 1% of their annual income to support our democratic socialist organizing among the 99% locally and nationwide. There are a variety of dues options available on the national join page.

National FAQ page addressing more questions (including regarding dues).

Dues Waiver

While dues are a fundamental part of how we fund collective project, they should never be a roadblock to a working class person participating and being a full member of DSA. Fill out our Interest Form if you need a dues waiver!