Who Are We
The Snohomish County DSA is a chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. We were previously known as the Everett DSA. We serve the majority of Snohomish County and seek to establish a democratic socialist presence throughout the area.
The Snohomish County Democratic Socialists of America seeks to facilitate the transition to a truly democratic and socialist society, one in which the means of production are democratically and socially controlled.
From the striking shingle weaver Wobblies to the Socialist Party of Washington headquarters in Everett, Snohomish County has a deep history of leftist activism and we aim to carry that forward. Today, many local governments in the county exist in large part to serve the interests of capital — your local business owners, wealthy professionals, and police. We see this with the tendency to prescribe more police as the solution to the opioid crisis, or the naive ignorance of elected officials of a housing crisis rapidly pricing SnoCo residents out of their homes.
The Democratic Socialists of America rejects an economic order based on private profit, alienated labor, gross inequalities of wealth and power, discrimination based on race and gender, and brutality and violence in defense of the status quo.
To that end, we aim to transition Snohomish County into a place that champions those values, by taking strides in decommodifying housing to give everybody shelter, ensuring that those who need it are able to access free quality healthcare, and that workers have a greater control over the means of the production. Bearing witness to the housing crisis in adjacent King County and Seattle, we know we must act quickly if we wish to avoid the same fate.
DSA envisions a humane social order based on popular control of resources and production, economic planning, equitable distribution, gender and racial equality, and non-oppressive relationships.
Our conception of socialism is a profoundly democratic one. It is rooted in the belief that human beings should be free to develop to their fullest potential, that public policies should be determined not by wealth but by popular participation, and that individual liberties should be carefully safeguarded. It is committed to a freedom of speech that does not recoil from dissent, to a freedom to organize independent trade unions, women’s groups, political parties, and other formations — recognizing these as essential bulwarks against the dangers of an intrusive state. It is committed to a freedom of religion that acknowledges the rights of those for whom spiritual concerns are central.
We are socialists because we are developing a concrete strategy for achieving that vision. In the present, we are building a visible socialist presence within the broad democratic left. In the long run, we hope to build a majority movement capable of making democratic socialism a reality in the United States. Our strategy acknowledges the class structure of the U.S. society. This class structure means that there is a basic conflict of interest between those sectors with enormous economic power and the vast majority of the population.
Committees
As per the bylaws, committees are internal structures to the organization whose members may join or leave at-will. They support the ongoing work of the Chapter by developing the objectives and structure of the Chapter. Snohomish County DSA has established the following Committees:
Electoral Committee
The Electoral Committee is responsible for organizing and managing the chapter’s electoral work, including endorsement processes, organizing tools, planning long-term campaigns, and promoting electoral initiatives to support the electoral process. Their role is essential in creating sustainable organizing initiatives that unite chapter efforts with electoral efforts to ensure the health of organizational work, the coexistence of electoral efforts, and the effective use of resources. This committee also reduces administrative burdens, ensuring the resources are used effectively, and supports the growth of the chapter, promotion of socialist ideals, and the connection between electoral work and organizing capacity.
Political Education Committee
The Political Education Committee (Poli-Ed) is dedicated to cultivating political awareness among individual members and the broader chapter, emphasizing the importance of understanding current and historical topics in our political context. We believe that fostering class consciousness is essential for the success of the socialist project. Our work ensures that members have opportunities and learnings. We aim for both informative and engaging content, offering valuable experiences as part of our commitment.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee is tasked with creating and communicating a safe, open, and non-judgmental environment for new and existing members to grow, participate, and enjoy. Their responsibilities include welcoming new members, facilitating onboarding processes, and providing support for existing members to feel comfortable in joining. The Snohomish County DSA is committed to fostering such an environment, ensuring all voices are heard, and promoting inclusivity and mutual respect.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is the executive body of Snohomish County DSA, subordinate to the General Body of the chapter. Elected yearly at our chapter convention, we are responsible for implementing decisions made by the general body in general meetings and chapter conventions, and acting on behalf of the chapter's general body between meetings. The steering committee consists of two Co-chairs, a secretary, a treasurer, and an at-large officer. The Co-chairs' duties include acting as the chief executive officers, presiding over general meetings, and acting as the chapter's official spokespersons. The secretary, whose duties are responding to correspondence and queries, assumes the responsibilities of the co-chairs if they are unavailable and records the meeting minutes of all chapter meetings. The Treasurer is responsible for all funds and financial records of the chapter. The at-large officer supports the other steering committee members and picks up whatever responsibilities are deemed necessary by the steering committee. Our other duties include organizing general meetings, calling for emergency meetings if necessary, and resolving any conflicts in the chapter through mediation if the conflict is not passed on to our harassment and grievance officers.
Tech and Communications Committee
The Tech and Communications Committee (Tech and Comms, T&C) is responsible for managing the chapter’s internal technology infrastructure and external communication efforts. They ensure that the website and social media accounts are maintained and updated effectively. By working closely with other committees, they focus on ensuring resource access is available and address both systemic and operational challenges. Their work fosters an open and informed environment.
Working Groups
As per the bylaws, working groups are outward-facing structures whose members may join or leave at-will. They focus on specific, external-facing activities within the community. Snohomish County DSA has established the following working groups:
Healthcare and Disability Justice
(Coming Soon!)
Labor and Strike Support Working Group
The Labor and Strike Support Working Group (LSSWG) is established to support workers throughout Snohomish County, especially those struggling against exploitation. In 2020 and 2021, such strikes and labor movements were significant events. The group now ensures that support is available for fellow workers in similar situations, offering support in any form possible. This is part of our commitment to solidarity in labor contexts.
International Solidarity Working Group
The International Solidarity Working Group (ISWG) aims to be a vehicle for our community to promote international working class solidarity and oppose US imperialism. We are working towards this effort by supporting the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaign targeted at corporations profiting from the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people. Other objectives include political education; responding locally to US acts of aggression towards other countries, peoples, and territories; and responding to threats to migrants living in Snohomish County.
Bylaws
A copy of our approved bylaws can be found in this PDF.
Privacy Policy
Data that you provide to SnoCo DSA including your name, email, address, phone number, or other information such as interests on one of our event tabling sign-in sheets, sign-in chits at a meeting, or per your request via email or messaging as well as data sent the chapter from National DSA are stored in a secure database accessible only to elected members of our Chapter Steering Committe unless you’ve provided explicit permission via request to leaders of approved SnoCo Committees or Work Groups. Please refer to National DSA Privacy for more information.
We value privacy as a core organizing tenant and will never sell or trade your contact information, nor share it with other organizations, Chapters, or individuals without your written permission. We do not track cookies from our website or store any contact information from social media likes or comments. The information you share with us will be used to contact you with opportunities for action, Chapter news, and, if you are a member, official Chapter activities. We will always ask permission to show your face in a photograph. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please reach out to us at info@snocodsa.org.