The 2025 Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) Organizing Conference will be held from Friday, February 28th to Sunday, March 2nd in Chicago, Illinois. The theme of the 2025 Conference is Ready to Strike!
Join us for our annual event where young socialists from around the country come together for political education, organizing training, keynote speakers, panels, and more. Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) is the campus-focused youth and student section of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).
Registration
*Registration is now closed.
The discounted, early-bird registration rate of $100 will be available starting Wednesday, December 18th, 2024 and will end on Sunday, January 26th, 2025. After that date, the registration rate goes up to $125.
In the unfortunate event that something comes up and you can no longer attend, we can refund the registration fee. Registration will close on Sunday, February 9th, 2025 at 11:59pm PT.
https://dsausa.us/YDSAcon25
Lodging
YDSA will have a discounted hotel room block and attendees can split rooms up to four ways to save on costs. The hotel booking link is sent to attendees after they complete their registration forms.
Programming
We will share updates on the schedule as we confirm workshops and speakers. Check this page for updates and look for emails from our DSA staff after you register.
COVID-19 Safety
We take the threat of COVID-19 transmission very seriously and will use the following precautions to minimize spread at the conference:
- ALL attendees, speakers, volunteers and staff are required to provide proof of full COVID vaccination with at least one booster, with no exceptions.
- ALL attendees, speakers, volunteers and staff will be required to submit a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of the beginning of the conference.
- Masks will be required at the conference all times, except during meals.
Contact
You can get in touch with us by emailing YDSACon@staging.y.dsausa.org. We welcome your questions and feedback!
2025 YDSA Organizing Conference Schedule
Friday February 28th, 4:00-9:00PM |
|
|
4:00-7:00 PM |
Registration |
|
6:00-7:00 PM |
Regional Breakouts |
|
7:00 PM |
Social |
|
9:00 PM |
End of Day 1 |
Saturday, March 1st, 9:00am-7:00PM |
|
|
9:00 AM |
Registration & Breakfast |
|
10:00 AM |
Opening & Announcements |
|
10:30 AM |
Opening Speaker – Ann Finkel: CTU |
|
11:00 AM |
Workshop Block One |
|
Demands that Meet the Moment |
|
|
For an Intersectional YDSA |
|
|
From Conversations to Cards: Student Worker Organizing |
|
|
Red State Labor Organizing |
|
|
Student Government |
|
|
How to Build New Leaders |
|
|
12:30 PM |
Break |
|
12:45 PM |
Workshop Block Two |
|
Plan to Win: Creating a Campaign Timeline |
|
|
CHIC Presents: Conversations for a More Diverse YDSA |
|
|
Social Media |
|
|
Building your BDS coalition |
|
|
Essential Mass Organizing Skills |
|
|
Recruitment Through Campaigns |
|
|
2:15 PM |
Lunch |
|
3:00 PM |
Plenary One – National Political Discussion |
|
4:30 PM |
Closing Announcements |
|
5:00 PM |
Self-Organized breakouts |
|
5:30 PM |
Identity Breakouts (these run twice for folks to join a second one) |
|
Disabled Socialists |
|
|
Feminist Socialists |
|
|
Socialists of Color |
|
|
Queer Socialists |
|
|
6:15 PM |
Identity Breakouts |
|
Disabled Socialists |
|
|
Feminist Socialists |
|
|
Socialists of Color |
|
|
Queer Socialists |
|
|
7:00 PM |
End of Day Two |
Sunday, March 2nd, 9:00am-5:00PM |
|
|
9:00 AM |
Registration & Breakfast |
|
10:00 AM |
Opening & Announcements |
|
10:15 AM |
Plenary Two – 2028 General Strike |
|
11:15 AM |
Workshop Block Three |
|
How to Do Effective Political Education |
|
|
Earned Media Coverage |
|
|
Rebuilding the Militant Labor Movement: Rank-and-File Strategy |
|
|
Student Unions |
|
|
Discussing the YDSA Program |
|
|
Conversation w/ International Parties |
|
|
12:45 AM |
Break |
|
1:00 PM |
Workshop Block Four |
|
Tech Tools to fight Repression |
|
|
How to do Political Writing |
|
|
Municipal Electoral Campaigns |
|
|
Building towards a Student Strike |
|
|
YLOC Presents – How to win a demand in your workplace |
|
|
2:30 PM |
Lunch |
|
3:30 PM |
Plenary Three – Next Steps for Our Movement |
|
4:00 PM |
Closing |