About
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the United States with over 90,000 members nationally. DSA’s members are building progressive movements for social change while establishing a democratic socialist presence in American communities and politics.
Our Story
At the root of our socialism is a profound commitment to democracy, as means and end. DSA fights for reforms today that will weaken the power of corporations and increase the power of working people, so that we can enact system change and build a better, socialist world. For example, we support:
- Medicare for All
- Environmental justice and a Green New Deal
- Strong unions and worker protections
- Defunding police and reallocating funds into communities
- Canceling student debt
- Housing as a human right
- Immigrant rights and abolishing ICE and detention centers
- Anti-imperialism and international solidarity
- Prison abolition
- Decreasing the influence of money in politics
- Electing democratic socialists to all levels of government
To learn more about Democratic Socialism, check out the Q&A page from the national DSA website.
How do I join?
In order to become an official voting member of DSA San Luis Obispo, you must be a dues-paying member of the national Democratic Socialists of America. Dues are pay-what-you-can, but we recommend the $10 per month dues plan, as a portion of monthly dues go directly to the chapter to support our local organizing. All dues plans give you the same type of membership. You can pay your national dues here.
OK, I joined. Now what?
Once you join DSA, you will receive a welcome email from the national organization. Forward that to slocialism@gmail.com to get added to the chapter Slack Workspace. Slack is our official internal communication platform and is the main place for organizing conversations and planning in between meetings. Then, check our our current campaigns, register for a meeting, or come to a social event!
No campaigns for X?
Just because our chapter is not involved with something does not mean we are not interested in it. We only have so many people with so much time, and we have to make choices about what we can commit to. We always want to be doing more, but we want to do it well. We invite any member to take up areas of work we’re missing and help lead our chapter. As a democratic organization, a member is always empowered to bring up things that they think the chapter should consider, and to try to persuade and move people in a direction.
SLO DSA 