Meet The Steering Committee for April-September 2025
As we progress to full chapter status, we needed to elect officers to our Steering Committee. As voted upon, these officers will serve a six month term after which we will hold an official chapter convention and vote in officers for the next year.
CoChair Jay Belmonarch
I was first radicalized as a teenager, at the Occupy Wall Street protests in Sonoma County. Profoundly disappointed, I have since worked to learn how to organize something more useful: a resilient and sustainable organization capable of coordinating a united front to win working-class policies and local independence from capitalist systems.
My vision for the Sonoma County Democratic Socialists of America is of an organization that can direct the righteous passions of our community into building alternative support networks, winning material policy gains, and forming a mass political movement of the proletariat and precariat of Sonoma County.
In the face of nascent fascism, socialists have a duty to exercise solidarity with democratic reform and revolution; and it is my mission in this provisional term to create a robust organization that can host and collaborate with diverse pro-democracy efforts in an inclusive and comprehensive socialist movement.
CoChair Ruben Ramirez
My strong commitment to the People’s Front and the Mass Line allows me to work toward creating a strong, cohesive left, while also ensuring that organizing is responsive to the needs and struggles of the working class.
Coalition building, along with a disciplined and proactive approach, is another cornerstone in my way of organizing. I plan to reinforce our chapter’s struggle within socialism by implementing paramounts of mass involvement, direct action, and political education. I will be advocating for better collaboration between the leftist movements and grassroots-working policies that are aimed at uplifting the working class as the Co-Chair.
In this position, I will dedicate my efforts and experience, alongside a clear strategic focus, with the aim of making a significant contribution to the socialist movement at the local level alongside my peers in the chapter.
Secretary Julie Arnold
I have a vested interest in the development and continued functioning of our chapter, now more than ever. Ensuring we have smooth communication between National and local, as well as between local members, is of utmost importance. I’m a Big Tent sort of demsoc, desiring to form coalitions and ally-ship with as many progressive groups as we can to fight fascism and support our most threatened communities.
Though I haven’t served as Secretary before, I have experience facilitating and note-taking in meetings for a small non-for-profit group. I have also freelanced for over 5 years proofreading, copy-editing, and line editing professionally with a BA in English.
Treasurer Auggie Stiltz
Membership Coordinator Nicholas Cameron
As Membership Coordinator, I am dedicated to growing our chapter, forming a strong community for members, and integrating us into the fabric of Sonoma County. There is a joy in standing together to improve the lives of our neighbors, and I intend for that to be my guiding light.
Though I am a newcomer to political organizing, I have a design background and a long history of event organizing in my personal life. I intend to leverage these skills in my role, as well as empower others to build up our fantastic chapter!