2022 Programs
National Speakers Training
The DSA National Speakers’ Training Series is a course intended for active DSA organizers who would like to develop speaking skills. Socialists must be able to explain and promote socialist politics among a broad audience of their working class peers. Because most workers are not trained in public speaking, DSA’s National Political Education Committee is offering this training in an effort to create a new layer of members who can write political presentations and speak publicly. This will help members learn to argue in clear and compelling ways, to help lead political education within their chapters or working groups, and to speak to an audience in any capacity. Apply before January 15th, and you will be notified by January 24th of acceptance. Reach out to [email protected] with any questions
Past/2021 Programs
Launch a Strategic Campaign Training Series
Strategic campaigns focused on building socialism and improving the conditions of the multi-racial working class are the core of how DSA and YDSA build power! However, identifying a transformative demand and target(s) is part ART and part SCIENCE. If your chapter is planning to launch a strategic campaign in 2022, you are invited to apply for this new training series, which will include trainings on how to choose a campaign, how to use a “power map” to inform your strategy, and how to build a campaign timeline and budget. This series will include direct and indirect support from DSA/YDSA mentors and trainers so you chapter can democratically decide on a strategic campaign and a plan to execute. This series has concluded and not accepting new applications but be on the watch in 2022 for the next edition
Kickstarting Your Chapter Training Series
DSA groups who have struggled in some way during the previous year are invited to apply for this new training series, which includes five sessions over a 10 week period, featuring assignments in between and ongoing organizer and peer support. You will take an active, “hands on” approach to using organizing skills to come out of the training series with much more capacity and strength than you started with. This series has concluded and not accepting new applications but be on the watch in 2022 for the next edition.
Request a Training
Through the DSA Training Resource Library, our groups (DSA/YDSA chapters, national committees, etc) have access to standardized educational and skill-building resources. Below are trainings we currently do with DSA and YDSA groups. If you’re interested in scheduling a training for your group, please fill out this form. After you submit, we will look at the request and figure out the best way and timeframe to hold the training.
Building a Mass Working Class Organization
Description: Why build a mass organization and what will it take? This training includes historical context, discussions, and breakouts to explore the idea of building a mass organization, and why DSA is committed to becoming a mass working class organization.
What you will take from it: a base level understanding of Y/DSA as a political project, the fundamentals of our uniting politics, and more clarity around what we’re trying to build together.
Audience: Any DSA members
Introduction to DSA as a National Organization
Description: A high level overview of national DSA committees, structure, operations and tools, including an overview of core organizing trainings
What you will take from it: a better understanding of the structure of DSA and how to navigate DSA as a national body
Audience: Important for new chapter officers, of interest to members who would like to know more about the national organization
Building Capacity & Developing Leaders
Description: A training on power as it relates to the work of a socialist organization, the importance of utilizing mobilizing models, understanding the role of leaders in our work, and the nuts and bolts work of charting, listwork, and making an organizing ask.
What you will take from it: a concise understanding of the difference between mobilizing and organizing and how that affects your work, a concrete model and examples of how to do list work and better ability to identify leaders
Audience: Chapter leaders & elected officers, national body members
Strategic Campaigns
Description: Walk through the process of how to best choose and execute campaigns that will build long-term power for Y/DSA & the working class.
What you will take from it: Questions to ask when planning a campaign and tools to assess your campaign plan for maximum impact.
Audience: Chapter leaders & elected officers, national body members, members who are interested in the strategic work of the organization
Structured Organizing Conversations
Description: Looking to engage your members more deeply in DSA? A training on how to ask individuals to get more involved in our work and take on roles of responsibility.
What you will take from it: The purpose and six steps of an organizing conversation and the ability to see it modeled and practice it yourself
Audience: Chapter officers, especially those dealing directly with member recruitment and outreach, anyone working on a strategic campaign or other project
How to Hold Meetings
Description: Meetings are a tactic we use to strengthen effective campaigns and to increase our members’ ownership over the work. This training will help members structure meetings to support our on-the-ground organizing, facilitate political and strategic discussion, and engage attendees during and after the meeting.
What you will take from it: Principles of what makes for good meetings & concrete and anti-oppressive best practices
Audience: All active DSA members but especially elected officers & people in charge of working groups, committees, etc.
Effective Coalition Work
Description: A training on why DSA should build and join multiracial, working-class coalitions, the basics of what a coalition is and is not, and how DSA can participate and lead coalitions
What you will take from it: Understand why DSA works in coalitions, share best practices and pitfalls for building effective local coalitions, and provide first steps for joining existing coalitions
Audience: Chapter activists working on issue and/or electoral campaigns
New Member On-Boarding
Description: A training on best practices for welcoming new members and creating a path to involvement.
What you will take from it: Best practices for outreach and communications to new members, case study from Huron Valley DSA, role play to practice your skills
Audience: Chapter officers looking to create or fine tune your process for onboarding new members
Power Mapping 101
Description: How do you move your decision-maker to concede to your demand? Map where their power and relationships. In this training, you’ll learn how to use research and relationships to build a power map and move your target.
What you will take from it: A solid understanding of what power mapping is and the template / framework by which you can move forward to power map your specific target.
Audience: Anyone looking to go more deeply into a potential or current strategic campaign
Grassroots Fundraising
Description: Learn how your chapter can build power by becoming strong grassroots fundraisers and raise more for your local chapter.
What you will take from it: An understanding of why grassroots fundraising is the most sustainable way to fund our work for the long haul, plus grassroots fundraising tactics and best practices.
Audience: Chapter leaders interested in building out grassroots fundraising efforts in your chapter; DSA members interested in incorporating fundraising work into ongoing organizing efforts
Roberts Rules 101
Description: Learn how to use Roberts Rules of Order to foster discussion and make decisions within your chapter.
What you will take from it: A thorough overview of using Roberts Rules as a participant and tips on how to use Roberts Rules as a facilitator.
Audience: Chapter leaders and members who want to refresh their Roberts Rules basics for democratic decision-making.
There are a number of other trainings that are available (including upcoming national trainings on dsausa.org/calendar) so feel free to reach out to your organizer to identify them and take advantage of the opportunity to practice your skills!