How the Socialist Party USA is Structured
The National Convention is the highest decision-making body in the Socialist Party USA, superseded only by a national referendum. The convention, which meets every two years, consists of gender-balanced delegations from chartered state and local parties, as well as at-large delegations from unchartered areas. All member in good standing for at least 6 months prior to the National Convention are eligible to serve as delegates.
-
The National Convention elects Party leadership and votes on changes to the Statement of Principles, Platform and Constitution
National Convention
National Committee
The National Committee is elected by the Socialist Party's biennial National Convention to carry out the Party's affairs between conventions. It is the governing body of the Socialist Party USA.
The National Committee meets at least once every four months, as well as via mail ballot when necessary.
National Chairs: Pat Noble and Stephanie Cholensky
National Vice-Chairs: Claudia Miller and Nicholas Partyka
National Committee Members (in order of election)
Chelsea Rustad
Greg Pason
Andrea Merida-Cuellar
Emily Galvin
Joshua Bradley
Stephanie Gussin
Matt Erard
Ren Walstrom
Brian Bittner
Veronica Tash
Alternates (in order of election)
Dick Lahey
John Palmucci Jr
Kirk Winans
Appointed Officers
The National Committee elects the Party's staff officers: National Secretary, National Treasurer, Editor, Archivist, Campaign Clearinghouse Coordinator, New Member Coordinator, and any other offices it deems necessary. The following officers were appointed by the National Committee.
National Secretary: Greg Pason
National Treasurer: Pat Noble
Editor: Nicholas Partyka
Interim Archivist: Chelsea Rustad
National Executive Committee
The National Executive Committee (NEC) is a subcommittee of the National Committee that is directed to make day-to-day decisions between meetings of the National Committee. The NEC is composed of the constitutionally mandated members; National Secretary, National Treasurer, Editor, Co-Chairs, and Vice Chairs, as well as any additional members chosen by the National Committee. The NAC meets on call of the National Secretary or by a majority of NEC members. All actions and decisions made by the NEC are subject to a mail ballot of the entire National Committee upon the request of five National Committee members.
State and Local Organizations
State and Local organizations are chartered groupings of Socialist Party USA members residing in those respective areas.
State Organizations
State organizations consist of one or more locals, and elect a state committee, and officials as determined by state conventions.
State organizations have authority to charter Local organizations in their jurisdiction, and hold their authority subject to the National Committee which grants their charters.
Local Organizations
Local organizations consist of at least five members in good standing and a Local Executive Committee (LEC) Local organizations hold their authority subject to the State Committee or the National Executive Committee, whichever grants their charter.
Regional Coordinators & Local Organizers
Regional Coordinators maintain regular contact with all at-large members within their jurisdiction with the goal of establishing locals, local organizers, local committees and state committees within their jurisdiction. The Regional Organizers will assist at-large members in pursing the establishment of new locals and will assist existing locals and at-large members to establish state charters
Local Organizers help build the Party and organize members in unorganized regions of the country.
All Local Organizers are listed on the Party directory here
Working Groups and Commissions
The Party's work is not only done on the state and local level, it is also done within various social movements. For this work, the Party's National Committee established Commissions and Working Groups. All members in good standing are encouraged to get involved in Working Group and Commission work. A full list of Working Groups and Commissions is listed here
-
Working Groups and Commissions must maintain membership rolls, elect officers and submit minutes of meetings or mail votes to the National Office. Commissions who do not respond will be de-chartered.
-
The convener of each Working Group is elected by the National Committee. Commissions elected their own Chairs.
-
Working Groups and Commission members must be members in good standing of the Socialist Party USA and be an active participant in the Commission for at least 15 days before she/he can be considered a voting member.
-
Any statements proposed or drafted by a Socialist Party USA Working Group or Commission must be formally submitted to the National Office so they may be reviewed by the NC or NEC for possible approval. Statements cannot be published as official statements of the Socialist Party USA outside of this process. All statements submitted to the National Office will be forwarded to the NC or NEC within thirty (30) days.