With YDSA’s 2025 Convention just around the corner, new members may not know what’s in store for their first YDSA Convention; this piece will serve as a brief overview of all the things you need to know.

What is Convention? Why do we have it?

YDSA Convention is a multi-day meeting held over the summer, either in person or virtually. It gives voice to the general body members in shaping YDSA for the upcoming year. This event allows chapter delegates to debate and vote on the approaching year’s resolutions, amendments, constitutional changes, and national positions. 

Similar to DSA Convention procedures, YDSA Convention will be managed through the most up-to-date form of Robert’s Rules.

Convention versus Conference: What’s the Difference?

Convention and Conference in YDSA both occur annually; however, these events serve different roles. Convention focuses on the structure of YDSA as an organization, meaning its priority is to vote and debate as an organization. There is a limit on how many members of a chapter can attend and vote on matters. 

Conference, on the other hand, is meant to help equip YDSA members to thrive in their individual communities, meaning it tends to be workshop-heavy. Workshops are meant to be interactive for members and promote YDSA ideals and organizing techniques. Conference connects young comrades across the country and serves as an opportunity to exchange thoughts and strategies. Conference allows more members per chapter to attend. 

Who Can Attend?

For the YDSA Convention, there is a limit on the number of delegates that may attend per chapter. The size of a chapter’s delegation is based on its number of registered members within the chapter. The specific ratio will be determined by the NCC. Delegates must be elected by the chapter’s members. For a delegate to be eligible for Convention, they must be a dues-paying member. 

In the 2024 Convention, the ratio was one vote per ten constitutional members of the chapter. Chapters are allowed one alternate for every three apportioned delegates. Every chapter will have at least one delegate and one alternate unless a chapter is found to have fewer than three members. Each delegate and seated alternate is entitled to one vote, but if there is a chapter whose delegation fails to represent the apportioned amount, the chapter’s delegation will be able to cast no more than three votes per individual. 

How Does Voting Work? 

During Convention, decisions will be determined by a majority vote, unless a super-majority vote is needed, which is dictated within the constitution. Decisions include resolutions, amendments, constitutional changes, and the election for the National Coordinating Committee (NCC). A motion to suspend the rules at any time during Convention will need a two-thirds majority vote. 

Resolutions are action-driven pieces that dictate the path for the national organization. They include concrete action items. Some resolutions may be about the formation or rechartering of a new working group or committee, while others may involve adopting a certain organizing strategy or taking a stance on an issue. 

During Convention, delegates will vote on two National Priorities, which are resolutions meant for campaign-based initiatives that require immense resources and a large-scale effort to pursue. The NCC will give these initiatives priority when expanding YDSA. This primarily involves National YDSA prioritizing resources designated to advance that specific platform and encouraging individual chapters to promote the initiative. Priority Resolutions will need a two-thirds majority to pass. If more than two Priority Resolutions pass the two-thirds vote, there will be another voting process to determine which ones to pursue during Convention. 

Amendments for resolutions will need a simple majority to pass. An amendment refers to a change within an already developed resolution. 

Constitutional changes refer to modifications to YDSA’s constitution and bylaws. These proposed changes must be provided to general members a month before Convention. Changes to the constitution must have a three-fifths majority to pass. 

Delegates vote for resolutions, amendments, and constitutional amendments using Voting Cards, with the Chair of Convention determining the outcome of the votes. Delegates raise their voting card to cast their vote. Votes can be recounted if requested by at least one-third of delegates. Roll call votes can be made if two-thirds of delegates request it. 

Delegates also vote on the membership of the upcoming year’s NCC (National Coordinating Committee), which is the highest authoritative body within YDSA. The NCC is comprised of two co-chairs and seven at-large members. To be an eligible candidate, the individual must be a member of YDSA for at least a month before the election. Every nominee must secure a minimum of ten nominations, with two nominations from outside of the nominee’s chapter. 

According to YDSA’s constitution as of July 2024, at least 50% of the NCC must be self-identified women or gender non-binary people, including one of the co-chairs, and at least 45% of the NCC must be people of color. Every NCC member must serve on a national committee as either a committee member or a committee leader. 

Co-chairs of YDSA are responsible for pursuing the administration and policy of YDSA. The co-chairs also serve as YDSA’s representatives on the National Political Committee of DSA; each is able to cast a half-vote in NPC votes, creating one full vote. There are four specific roles for at-large members of the NCC, which will be divided among them: a treasurer, a membership secretary, a communications secretary, and a notetaker/timekeeper; the latter position rotates monthly. 

NCC co-chairs are elected through rank-choice voting, and at-large members are elected through single transferable vote. 

What’s the General Order of Operations?

When preparing for the upcoming Convention, YDSA typically follows a general timeline to allow members and chapters to adequately prepare. As per the constitution, the announcement for the start of the pre-convention period will be distributed to all YDSA members at least ninety days before the first session, with a pre-convention timeline being made available online through the official YDSA website. This timeline is typically posted in the spring. One of the immediate features in the timelines is a delegate apportionment, which is sent to all registered YDSA chapters through DSA National. The timeline posted will show when delegate lists for attending Convention need to be submitted. It also showcases crucial dates for when to submit a resolution, amendment, and constitutional change. There is also a due date for NCC nominations. 

Throughout the months leading up to Convention, there are a variety of informational calls hosted, designed to explain Convention procedures, such as creating resolutions and running for an NCC position. YDSA hosts NCC debates, which are generally divided into two total debates for co-chair candidates and at-large candidates. The NCC debates tend to be broadcast a week or two before the start of Convention. These debates have already occurred for the 2025 Convention, but highlight compilations are linked here: 

Be on the lookout for co-chair candidate interviews on YDSA’s social media, and have a great Convention season!