Statement from Stu K IN FAVOR of Resolution 2021-08-R04
I’m submitting this short statement in support of the resolution to authorize a merchandise (or ‘merch’) store for our DSA chapter. I urge all Metro DC DSA members to vote YES on resolution #2021-08-R04 so that our chapter can add another tool–a merch store–to our messaging and fundraising toolbox. I would also like to thank Lauren K for her diligent work in putting together this resolution.
My rationale for supporting this resolution is below:
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There is demand among chapter members for Metro DC DSA-specific merchandise distributed and/or sold by the chapter. Previous merchandising efforts in our chapter (e.g., Rusty the red panda t-shirts, Stomp Out Slumlords t-shirts, Defund MPD facemasks, etc) have been successful, with steady sales of the chapter-related merchandise to chapter members and non-members alike. The price tag to start a merch store may be somewhat steep, but based on previous merch sales in the chapter, we can be sure that there is demand to meet whatever supply the resolution authorizes for purchase.
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Establishing a structure for developing and distributing chapter merchandise will improve our fundraising efforts. With a merch store in place, the chapter will have a system dedicated to the generation of non-dues revenue for the first time ever. If we hope to increase our non-dues fundraising totals, fundraising channels like a merch store will be key. Lauren K, the sponsor of this resolution, has also consulted with other DSA chapters and allied organizations about best practices for setting up merch stores.
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Chapter merchandise will help promote the chapter and our democratic socialist values. When chapter members all show up to a protest, canvass, or organizing meeting while wearing old chapter-produced t-shirts or pins, non-members take notice. Producing and distributing more (and newer) Metro DC DSA merchandise will lead to even more instances of no-yet-DSA members becoming more familiar with the chapter through improved chapter visibility.
For these reasons as outlined, I resoundingly support the authorization of a chapter merch store. As I said above, I urge all Metro DC DSA chapter members to vote YES on resolution #2021-08-R04.
I am submitting my statement against the resolution to authorize a merch stor for the Metro DC DSA Chapter. I am working professional graphic designer, so I know the importance of branding, marketing, and communications strategy. But I have often seen how these efforts fail when we don’t do the hard work of base-building, recruitment, and political education. I am concerned that we are indulging the habits of the petty bourgeoisie. Virtue signaling in place actually telling people why we joined the DSA, what democratic socialism means for them, and why they should join. I am not comfortable going to actions about canceling rent, paying back rent, pushing back on aggressive policing policies in the Metro and approaching it like we are in a cheer group or the Girl Scouts. I went to Howard, and I didn’t join the sorority circle for a reason. We can – and often do – show that we can raise money through dues, so the argument for revenue seems flimsy.
Few people know about what The Democratic Socialists of America are, letalone what democratic socialism is. There are people who are interested, but do not know how to join or what is expected of them. That cannot be done through stickers and t-shirts. It is done through booklets/pamphlets and political education materials. It is done with conversations with people who have questions. No one was ever made a socialist because they saw someone with a sticker on their water bottle.
Statement from Lauren K IN FAVOR of Resolution 2021-08-R04
I’m submitting this short statement in support of the resolution to authorize a merchandise (or ‘merch’) store for our DSA chapter. I urge all Metro DC DSA members to vote YES on resolution #2021-08-R04 so that our chapter can add another tool–a merch store–to our messaging and fundraising toolbox. I would also like to thank Lauren K for her diligent work in putting together this resolution.
My rationale for supporting this resolution is below:
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There is demand among chapter members for Metro DC DSA-specific merchandise distributed and/or sold by the chapter. Previous merchandising efforts in our chapter (e.g., Rusty the red panda t-shirts, Stomp Out Slumlords t-shirts, Defund MPD facemasks, etc) have been successful, with steady sales of the chapter-related merchandise to chapter members and non-members alike. The price tag to start a merch store may be somewhat steep, but based on previous merch sales in the chapter, we can be sure that there is demand to meet whatever supply the resolution authorizes for purchase.
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Establishing a structure for developing and distributing chapter merchandise will improve our fundraising efforts. With a merch store in place, the chapter will have a system dedicated to the generation of non-dues revenue for the first time ever. If we hope to increase our non-dues fundraising totals, fundraising channels like a merch store will be key. Lauren K, the sponsor of this resolution, has also consulted with other DSA chapters and allied organizations about best practices for setting up merch stores.
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Chapter merchandise will help promote the chapter and our democratic socialist values. When chapter members all show up to a protest, canvass, or organizing meeting while wearing old chapter-produced t-shirts or pins, non-members take notice. Producing and distributing more (and newer) Metro DC DSA merchandise will lead to even more instances of no-yet-DSA members becoming more familiar with the chapter through improved chapter visibility.
For these reasons as outlined, I resoundingly support the authorization of a chapter merch store. As I said above, I urge all Metro DC DSA chapter members to vote YES on resolution #2021-08-R04.
Statement from Brian W IN FAVOR of Resolution 2021-08-R04
I strongly support this resolution and think it would help us to develop an easier way for members to design, produce, and sell merchandise for the chapter. These will help spread visible reminders of our organization throughout all of the work that we do. The price ticket, while requiring a budget override (a practice we should typically avoid), is modest compared to our cash reserves and can likely be made back with sales in a short period of time. This allows for us to easily set up these merch fundraisers in the future.
The resolution requires less than 1/10th of our cash on hand and would permanently create the infrastructure for merch that we need. We could even offer this service to our regional partners, from Baltimore to Richmond, to assist them with merch issues as well.