Our movement is in a time of incredible growth and progress. While the world endures the catastrophic failures of a capitalist system that prioritizes ruling class wealth over working class health, we welcome thousands of new organizers who refuse to give in to the barbarism. To address this moment, we aim to provide our members the resources they need to continue to strengthen their active work and campaigns.
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.
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!