DSA NEW ORLEANS DISCORD GUIDE
What is Discord?
Discord is a group messaging app which helps keep us connected between meetings.
How do I get added to Discord?
All members of the chapter can join using this link invitation. You will have to provide the email address you've used when joining DSA, and a moderator will verify your membership. Other Louisiana members may join with proof of membership sent to hello@dsaneworleans.org
Important security note
Discord is essentially a public space. Do not post anything in Discord, even if it’s in a private channel or a DM, that you would not post publicly. All communication with sensitive information should be conducted over Signal or face to face. The company behind Discord still has a backup of any messages you delete.
Do I need to be on Discord to be in the chapter?
No! Meeting times and locations can be found here. And all major decisions (bylaw amendments, political resolutions, large expenditures) will be voted on at meetings.
That being said, a LOT happens on Discord. People discuss political questions, post valuable readings, share jokes/post spicy memes, and sometimes make smaller, more logistical decisions (i.e. minor decisions that don’t need to be voted on by the larger body of the chapter). While participating in the Discord channels is not at all mandatory to participating in the chapter, being involved in the group chat can help in getting to know other chapter members and definitely will help keep you up-to-date on the conversations being had and events being planned.
Channels
- The #announcements channel has all of our events in it. Every morning, a list of any DSA New Orleans events being held that day will post there, and every Sunday, a list of any events being held that week will post there. Also, if event location or times are updated, it will post there. If you want to sync the calendar to your own calendar, use this link!
- #help-me-comrade is a channel for people to ask for help of any kind. You can also post offerings there. For example, if someone needs a ride to a meeting, they can post in that channel. Or if you want to offer a ride to anyone who needs one, you can post there.
- All Committees, Admin Groups and Working Groups have dedicated channels. All channels that do not correspond to a committee have descriptions
DSA Guidelines for Respectful Discussion
Assume good faith in your fellow comrades
Assume good faith in each other. Please try to speak from experience, speak for yourself, and actively listen to each other. Encourage yourself and others to maintain a positive attitude, honor the work of others, avoid defensiveness, be open to legitimate critique and challenge oppressive behaviors in ways that help people grow.
Know whether you need to “step up” or “step back”
Help create a safe and inclusive space for everybody. Please respect others by recognizing how often, much, and loud you’re speaking and whether or not you’re dominating conversation. Step back to leave space for others to voice their opinions and feelings. On the other hand, if you don’t often speak up, we encourage you to do so now!
Please ask yourself “Why am I Talking?”
We have a limited amount of time for discussion and to accomplish the tasks before us. When in discussion, consider whether or not what you want to say has already been said, whether what you want to say is on topic or if there’s a better time and place to say it, and other methods for showing how you feel about the conversation (nodding your head, etc.)
Please recognize and respect others feelings, background, and cultural differences
Many people have different levels of experience, knowledge, and feelings in social justice and radical activism and all participants should respect and embrace this diversity. While we all don’t have to agree on everything, we should respect our diversity of opinions. Recognize that everyone has a piece of the truth, everybody can learn, and everybody has the ability to teach and share something.
We have “one mic” so do not interrupt or speak while others are talking
Many of us will have different opinions on matters. However, speaking while others are talking or adding comments when they cannot respond appropriately does not build community. If you have a disagreement, wait for your turn to address it. This is basic politeness.
Respect the facilitator when they use Progressive Stack
Progressive Stack is a form of leading discussions which involves a facilitator keeping a list of names of people who wish to speak. However, the facilitator does not simply write a list of names in the order that people raise their hand. Rather, if someone who has not spoken raises their hand, they go to the top of the list. If someone who is of an oppressed group raises their hand, they go to the top of the list unless they have already contributed significantly to the discussion.
Have a sense of humor
Who said movement building can’t be fun? This is a great opportunity for people to get to know one another, building lasting friendships and relationships, to laugh, love, and build a movement.
And, as always, please inform organizers of inappropriate behavior immediately by emailing our chapter’s Harassment & Grievance officers at hgo@dsaneworleans.org.
Discord Policy
- Access/Infosec
- New Orleans DSA Discord will be open to those that request access, with a verified “member” role for full access to the server for chapter members in good standing as verified by Admins.
- Channels:
- The following channels will be accessible to non-members: #announcements, #welcome-and-resources, and #open-access-chat. All other channels will be locked to only those given the “member” role.
- Default members-only channels include #intros, #discussion, #social-socialists, #read-watch-listen, #help-me-comrade, and #local-council.
- Recognized chapter bodies or projects (Committees, Caucuses, Working Groups, and Admin Groups) will each have a channel.
- Other channels can be established at the discretion of admins based on interests, identities, projects, or other uses. These may include (but are not required or limited to): #tech-talk, #caregivers-association, #animal-comrades, #shitposting, and #bot
- Every channel will have a description which lists its purpose.
- Moderation and Violations Enforcement Policy
- All Local Council members will be Admins on the server as members of a Discord administrative group. Members in good standing may also be granted more limited admin powers upon approval by a majority of Local Council members and satisfaction of an onboarding process once that process is established.
- Admins will monitor and respond to reported usage in the chapter Discord for violations of either the chapter Rules for Respectful Discussion or the chapter Code of Conduct. Violations, as adjudicated by the admins, will result in the following:
- Written warning from an admin
- Continued or repeated violations will lead to an automatic one week (7 day) suspension; this suspension will be agreed to by at least 3 admins.
- Repeated or egregious violations after reinstatement may result in a permanent ban, which shall require a recommendation by the Discord Admins to Local Council. After one month (30 days), a banned member may apply for reinstatement to the Local Council. A ban may be lifted by a majority vote of the Local Council.
- Admins will not delete posts, unless those posts contain pornography, threats, hate speech, or spam; or present a security or legal risk to members or the organization as a whole. Admins will be charged to use their collective discretion.
- Admins may create or delete channels whenever the need arises. Members may contact Admins to request a channel be created or deleted; and