Correction: thankfully, we do not bank with TD Ameritrade, but with Greylock Federal Credit Union.

On Sat, Mar 21, 2020 at 12:42 PM Berkshires DSA <[email protected]> wrote:
Dear Berkshires DSA Members,

In case you missed our Monthly Meeting Call on Thursday evening:

14 members met on Zoom, a tool which National DSA uses and we will continue to use for all events going forward during COVID-19 crisis.


Dan Raftery, outgoing Chapter Co-chair presided. 


Participants went around and introduced themselves -- some members-- some curious aboiut joining.


Amillie brought up Mutual Aid Network, as an example of the kind of organizing our chapter can get behind in response to Covid-19 for our community. Click here to be part of Mutual Aid conversation.  (on Facebook)


Incoming Co-Chair Sid Rothstein suggested the idea of reading books online for children at home to support parents who are staying at home. Books suggestions included: The Giving Tree, This Land Is Your Land, Watership Down.

If Kasey, Sid, who have interest, and anyone else would like to join- let's set up a meeting on how we execute. To do this as a Chapter and plug the chapter while doing this altruistic act is ideal.


The Nominations Committee (Amillie an Sandra Blomberg) listed the nominated and asked if there were any more nominations (which there were not, therefore no challenges) before the following were voted the new Executive Committee by acclamation.


Sid Rothsetin - Co-Chair

Christian Kennedy - Co-Chair 

Amillie Coster- Communications Coordinator (incumbent)

Jessica Cappelli - Treasurer Secretary


CONGRATS NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE! 🌹

Participants then shared their thoughts on Bernie's campaign as it stands. Consensus was that most were upset but hopeful that the movement will continue as we continue to rise, especially through the DSA movement, focusing on local elections, ecosocialism, worker's rights, etc.


John Prusinski highlighted the importance of staying committed to helping our endorsed candidate for Congress, Alex Morse. The campaign is organizing online canvassing/phonebanking. TOMORROW, Sunday the 22nd, he’s holding a strategy call for Volunteer Leaders. To quote John, "...as a chapter we should be following through on our principles and doing whatever we can to help the campaign, so I hope as many of you as possible will be able to attend."


Here’s the link to sign up: https://mblz.io/vCIOot

"Particularly in light of the situation with Bernie’s campaign, it’s becoming ever more crucial that we support left candidates at the local level. If we really intend to be part of building a mass movement that can change society, this is where it starts."

Amillie is Berkshire County's YDSA Liason and is coordinating with National DSA to the resources she needs to support students in forming YDSAs at our local educational institutions. Williams and SImon's Rock have students wanting to organize, however, COVID-19 and their relocation and isolation is obviously making this challenging.

As our Socializing with Socialists and Berkshires DSA Film Society events cannot continue at this time, we came up with ideas on how we can still socialize online.

Many are interested in organizing reading/theory groups online. Anyone who wants to take the lead on this is welcome, and Amillie can help get the world out on our social media channels/email.
Sid suggested a Mutual Aid phonebanking tree so that we could reach out to our own members to ask if they are ok and find out if they need anything so we can support them in solidarity.

Kasey Rogers suggested organizing a roundtable podcast. Several members are interested in helping her.


Brian (outgoing Treasurer/Secretary) will be moving the TD Ameritrade bank account to Jessica.


Since Thursday, our ACCREW Caucus announced the two series that they will be co-hosting with the Falsework School:


Saturday Studio Sessions: "We are a moving site of alternative and egalitarian community education in art, culture, and politics. We host pop-up community days of study at various locations such as the Town Hall (Richmond, MA), Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge, MA), Berlin Transmediale (Berlin, Germany), University of Granada (Granada, Spain), Time Space Limited (Hudson, NY), and more--now, virtually, in the times of corona."


Timescapes on Tuesdays: Online conviviality with something to listen and something to watch.

Details at https://falseworkschool.weebly.com/tuesday-timescapes


Solidarity and Sunshine,


Amillie Coster

Communications Coordinator

Berkshires DSA




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