Kristen B Questionnaire
Please describe your past and current involvement in DSA. This may include your involvement in the metro D.C. chapter, another chapter, and/or work at the national level.
I joined DSA in 2015 but couldn’t engage until 2019 and worked with our chapter’s Bernie campaign. My key contribution was building a supporter list to activate, many who joined DSA. I then worked with Brendan and Ryan to develop Adcom. I re-energized the Socialist Feminist Caucus, Member Mobilization, was the first Events Steward and led the Action Network team. I was a voting delegate at the last DSA convention. I’m a Steward for the Socialist Feminist Section and currently supporting our reading group. I’m the YDSA Liaison and support the local YDSA chapters. I’ve engaged the NOVA branch since I moved to Arlington from DC a year ago. I’m involved with the Member Mobilizer commission and I manage the chapter’s email inbox.
Why do you believe that you are a good fit for this position?
I’d bring a unique perspective. I’m often neutral in terms of goals and strategy. I mainly want to support the chapter and campaigns. On Steering, I hope to coax us toward consensus and democratic will of our chapter. I’ve had varied experience in our chapter. I’ve learned a lot about how we operate and our challenges. I can appreciate the work done across our region: I lived in DC from 2009-2020, been in NOVA for a year, and stayed at my dad’s place in Prince George’s Co. in the 2000’s. I’ve worked directly with virtually all current Steering members and those running. I’d like to think that I’ve built a good rapport with virtually everyone I’ve worked with–including during tense conversations about conflicting opinions.
What do you hope to accomplish for the chapter if elected to this position?
I hope my Steering portfolio reflects my three priorities. One: Make our organization more diverse and inclusive for BIPOCs, women, and all gender minorities, but also folks who are LGBTQA+, vets, various ages, immigrants, communists, etc. Our movement is incomplete until we reflect–at least–the demographics of the U.S. Two: Encourage civil discourse. I feel strongly that we need to improve our inner-chapter dialogue. I’m convinced that “toxic conflict” is inherently destructive to our movement. Three: Enhance the basic operations of our chapter. I’d be happy to take the “leftovers” of the Steering portfolios. Someone must do the boring work crucial to our chapter’s operations and I’d find that work very satisfying.