Southern California Organizing Retreat

Participants from several southern California DSA chapters attended the December training. (photo by Amy Zachmeyer)

You can have one too!

During the second weekend of December over thirty members from chapters all across Southern California came together for a Regional Organizing Retreat. The retreat weekend included two social events plus two full days of training and discussion groups. 

Trainings included everything from defining DSA to the how and why of setting chapter priorities and goals, campaign planning, and recruitment conversations. There were also priority campaign discussions from the National Labor Commission, Green New Deal Committee, and the National Electoral Committee. 

Staff Organizers Amy Zachmeyer and Patrick Shepherd were joined by leaders from several chapters in facilitation of the sessions, and Paul Zappia from California DSA worked with DSA’s Electoral Organizer Milo Pomarico to build out a California-specific training on ballot initiatives, including a discussion session on issues we will see on the ballot in 2024. 

San Luis Obispo member Scott T. said of the event, “I drove about three hours in order to go to the retreat with Amy & Patrick, It was well worth it. My chapter might be on the smaller side, but the experience gave me renewed vigor regarding organizing and the ideas and tools for my chapter to be more effective in our efforts.” 

Chapters wanting to schedule training sessions can go to www.dsausa.org/training to submit a request.