Harassment, Bullying and Conflict Management in DSA

 

Overview of DSA’s Grievance Program

DSA’s Harassment Policy is found in Resolution 33, passed at the 2017 Annual Convention, which was amended at the 2021 Annual Convention. Between the biannual conventions, the National Political Committee (NPC) makes decisions about grievance matters to clarify Resolution 33.

Other policies democratically adopted by the DSA membership nationally or within specific chapters work together with Resolution 33 as additional avenues to address conflict and violations of DSA’s policies.

 

Want to learn more about DSA’s Grievance Program? Here are more harassment, bullying and conflict resolution resources we have for DSA members and leaders.

First, tell us who you are so that you may access the appropriate information:

I am a DSA member with questions about DSA’s harassment policy and the grievance process. Start here if you’re not sure or want a general overview of policies and procedures.

I am a DSA member who is a party to a grievance, or who has been suspended or expelled from my chapter and would like to appeal.

I am an HGO or chapter leader who has had HGO training by the National HGO.

I am an HGO who has not yet been trained by the National HGO.

I am a chapter leader involved in getting our chapter’s grievance policy up and running.

 

Looking for specific resources?

Trainings:

NHGOs conduct monthly trainings for HGOs and chapter leaders. Here are older versions of our trainings, but we encourage you to sign up for one of our newly updated and participatory trainings:

 

Annual Reports:

Resolution 33 requires chapters to submit data annually about grievances processed. This information is included in Annual Reports submitted to DSA’s membership following the end of the reporting period. The annual reporting period runs from July 1 to June 30 each year. The fourth Annual Report covers July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022, and is the most recent report to have been released at this time.

 

National Harassment and Grievance Officers (NHGOs):

Paula Brantner is the National Harassment Grievance Officer. She carries out the grievance program by:

  • working with Harassment Grievance Officers (HGOs) and chapter leaders to ensure compliance with Resolution 33 and to provide support for conflict management in their chapters;
  • managing appeals to the NPC, working with appealing parties and making a recommendation to the NPC for resolving the appeal;
  • providing training and leadership development within chapters based on professional best practices;
  • conducting mediation and restorative justice practices in appropriate cases

(She works as an outside consultant for DSA, so cannot always respond immediately, but she will respond or refer you to the appropriate person within DSA.)

Ana Avendaño assists Paula on investigations, trauma-informed process, mediation, restorative justice, codes of conduct, and training, and her services will be referred to chapters on an as-needed basis. (Ana’s services will be arranged through Paula, so please initiate requests for her work through Paula.)

If you are an HGO or chapter leader looking for support and assistance, please contact Paula via email at [email protected]. The NHGOs do not communicate with individual parties about the facts of their grievance before it is decided locally, so may refer your inquiry back to your chapter’s HGOs or leadership.