Club/Organization: Intent to be Active

Club/Organization Name: Bethel Democratic Socialists

Department (if applicable): N/A
Budget #: N/A

Advisor Information:
Name: Samuel Zalanga
Department: Sociology
Phone Ext.: 6023
PO #: 24
Office: TNHS I203
Email: szalanga@bethel.edu

Advisor Information:
Name: Christian Winn
Department: Theology
Phone Ext.: 6210
PO #: 80
Office: AC 302
Email: ctcollin@bethel.edu

Advisor Information:
Name: Tim Essenburg
Department: Economics
Phone Ext.: 6296
PO #: 11
Office: AC 222
Email: esstim@bethel.edu

Student Leadership:
President
Name: Kyle Helle
Phone: 320-630-1406
PO #: 1174
Email: helkyl@bethel.edu

Vice President
Name: Bjorn Nilsson
Phone: 978-406-1580
PO #: 1704
Email: bjorn-nilsson@bethel.edu

Secretary:
Name: Jesse Fjeld
Phone: 763-568-5859
PO #: 883
Email: jesse-fleld@bethel.edu

Treasurer:
Name: Aaron Fitch
Phone: 612-810-8843
PO #: 843
Email: aaron-fitch@bethel.edu

Regular Meeting Time and Location:

- Meetings will be held bi-weekly on Tuesday and/or Thursday evenings

at 8pm. Locations will vary between available classrooms or member
housing.

Organizational Purpose: (How does this group benefit Bethel?)

4-5 sentences

The primary purpose of this organization is to bring fellow Bethel students together in
order to help each other become more aware of our social environment, and become more
involved with society by sharing ideas while applying Christian principles. This
organization will greatly benefit Bethel by creating a community organization where
students can grow both intellectually and spiritually by being exposed to issues and
challenges within and outside the Christian community. We believe that societies should
be structured based upon moral values that are committed to the wellbeing of all, without
rendering profits and material gain as the ultimate goal for human existence, resulting in
the subordination of faith and the whole of material acquisition. We envision a world
where resources are commonly owned and decisions are made democratically in order
benefit all people. It is not our wish to impose a specific ideology on others or on how to
solve problems; instead we want to offer a broader, alternative way of perceiving the
world from a basic platform that is class-conscious, anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-war, pro-
worker, and that expands the meaning of democracy beyond the confines of formal
political processes inspired by the vision of democratic socialism.

Goals and Objectives for This Year:

4-5 goals

1. To bring students together in order to explore the

intersection of religious, political, and social
 beliefs in answering the fundamental questions
identified above.
2. To help students become informed about their
local and global social environments in a manner
that complements and goes beyond what is
learned academic courses.
3. To help inspire students to become more socially
engaged in social and public affairs in the society
both locally and globally on the basis of the
deeper insights they have acquired.
4. To help students see the intricate connection
between social class, religion, theology and
subjective worldviews such as racism, sexism,
and classism. No religion or theology is produced
in social vacuum.
5. To help create a community on the basis of the
above, that encourages people to appreciate the
humanity of each other based on the dignity of
all human beings rooted in their creation in the
image of God.

Proposed Activities:

1. Involvement in community activities that will

illustrate the fact that selfishness and the narrow
pursuit of self interest while a reality because of
our fallen nature and sin, cannot constitute a
solid foundation for a people that desire to live
out the New Testament vision of Christianity.
2. Organizing campus events that are consistent
with the mission of Bethel University in order to
raise awareness and commitment among
 students with the hope that this will inspire
students to get involved in society locally and
globally, i.e., produce global citizens.
3. Group discussion of historical and contemporary
social issues, which may involve screening
relevant video documentaries, which will increase
awareness, dialog, and interaction among
students from different social backgrounds.
4. Organizing respectful and open minded debates
on social and political issues with a view to
articulating not only the views of the rich and
powerful but also the views of socially
marginalized and excluded people who are often
not heard.
5. The promotion of cooperation with outside
communities and organizations that share goals
and objectives that have the same sympathy with
this organization.
Student Membership

1. Kyle Helle

2. Aaron Fitch

3. Bjorn Niilson

4. Luke Slesuwski

5. Kyle Johansen

6. Jesse Fjeld

7. John Kidder

8. Lars Anderson

9.  Justin Ross

10. Paul Rheingens

11. Daniel Struck

12. James Broom

13. Mikelle Dahlin

14. Tony Dunham

15. Anna Backes

16. Ruthanne Heyward
17. Caleb Rotach
18. Stephen Lindquist
19. Ben Walker
20. Maddie Johnson
21. Theresa Pekerak
22. Ahmed Odushola
23. Alesha Durkot