Hello John!
As we enter the darkest part of the year in the Berkshires, our chapter continues to find sparks of hope and revolution amidst the blustery cold. We’ve recently connected with many inspiring folks through one-to-one meetings, involvement with local coalitions, and western Massachusetts organizing events.
We as Steering Committee have also been working hard on creating more streamlined admin operations and building a chapter culture that reflects what we see in our members and communities: joy, resilience, and radical acceptance.
We want to be building the world we deserve, which means using technology that is aligned with our values and respects our personal information. We are making an effort to move much of our online activities away from Google to CryptPad, Proton Mail, and Action Network whenever possible. We would also like to begin using another platform for virtual meetings as Zoom increases their use of AI. This is to not only try and add some minimal levels of digital protection to our online communications, but to also stop consenting to the many other harmful effects of AI. We have opted out of AI in Gmail, Zoom, and Instagram, and we will stay vigilant to make additional changes as needed.
As you know, our annual convention is coming up (details below), when we will hold elections and determine our chapter priorities. Join us! You have the power to shape our chapter and make the Berkshires a more socialist (fair and just!) community. We also encourage you to consider running for a position on the Steering Committee to make this possible!
Take action to strengthen the chapter: RSVP to the convention and fill out the pillars survey.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
In solidarity & with rugged hope,
Heidi, Maro, Victor, Kevin, & Brad
Steering Committee
Annual Convention
Our chapter’s annual convention is on Sunday, December 14, 2:30-5pm, on Zoom and at Wander (Pittsfield). At this meeting, we will hold elections for our Steering Committee, vote on two resolutions, and discuss our chapter’s priorities for 2026.
Members, keep an eye out for an email with election instructions from the Nominations Committee, as well as a separate email from us with the agenda and resolution packet for two resolutions 1) to approve a shared values agreement for our chapter and 2) to formally endorse the 2026 rent control ballot measure.
In preparation for the meeting, also complete the 2026 Chapter Pillars survey to help shape our priorities for the coming year.
RSVP for the convention here.
We will also be holding a food drive for the Berkshire Food Project at the convention, so please bring canned goods! Here are a few items they regularly need: 64 oz Juice; Ground Coffee; Olive Oil; Lemon Juice; Vegetable, Chicken, or Beef Stock; Diced Tomatoes; Canned Black Beans; Canned Kidney Beans; and Canned Chickpeas.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Roots, Dreams & Mustard Seeds Event: Wednesday, December 3, 6-7:30pm, 117-133 Fenn St., Pittsfield
Roots, Dreams & Mustard Seeds is organizing a number of teach-ins that we encourage you all to check out! Let us know in the chapter Signal chat if you’re going. Are you a member but not in the chat yet? Request to be added here.
From Roots, Dreams & Mustard Seeds: Upcoming teach-ins hope to inspire and educate members about the solidarity economy and the larger working class movement. We hope that a deeper understanding of movement building work and its connection to our mission and values, as well as its relation to the state and national movement, supports our staff and volunteers. All community members are welcome!
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Wednesday, December 3, 6-7:30pm: The History of Working Class Power and How it Forms Our Mission, followed by a community discussion
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Wednesday, December 10, 6-7:30pm: The Power of Community-Owned Real Estate Anchored in Low-Income Neighborhoods
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Date TBD: Meet our Growing Ecosystem of Cooperatives + Teach In: What is a Cooperative?
Food Not Bombs Info Session: Sunday, December 7, 6-7pm on Zoom
Berkshires DSA will be hosting a virtual information session with the newly formed Berkshires Food Not Bombs chapter. Please join us and invite a friend to hear about how Food Not Bombs makes the Berkshires more livable, and how we can help their work. Here’s the Zoom link: https://dsausa.zoom.us/j/86894315383
REFLECTIONS ON COALITION EVENTS
Northern Berkshire Community Coalition (nbcc) Summit
Heidi and Maro attended the nbcc’s recent community summit, which focused on how local orgs are supporting our community with food, energy, and other resources. Read the meeting notes to learn more and connect with a local org that needs your support!
Fight Back School
On November 16, Heidi and Brad participated in the Western Mass Fight Back School, which brought together community groups and labor unions to discuss how our communities are being impacted by the Trump administration, with the goal of figuring out how to collectively fight back. Their conversations focused on anti-imperialism, immigration, and labor, and the ways in which we can begin to work collectively to fight back against authoritarianism. This is just the start of this group’s efforts to continue to work collaboratively to support our communities, so stay tuned for updates about future meetings and events.
11/8 General Meeting Recap
If you’d like to read the minutes of our last meeting, you can access them here. Highlights include the appointment of our nominations committee and a great discussion about being empowered to be the change that you want to see in the chapter!
Discord Dispatch
Bringing you a selection of recent posts from our Discord server. Join us there for more!
