2008 GPUS GNC Plenary – Sunday

GPUS GNC Plenary, Sunday
July 13, 2008

“Promptly” at 9:20 a.m.
George Martin – Call to Action – “credo”

George Martin, Drew Johnson, Nikhilinanda, co-facilitators

Housekeeping announcements – Tamar Yager, information about a box of items and silent auction.

Announcement of Results of SC Elections – ETC
David McCorqoudale – list candidates
SC Co-chairs: Sanda Everret, Jill Bussier, Craig Thorsen
Treasurer: Jody Grage

Presentation of plaques/awards to outgoing SC co-chairs. Jason presented a placque to Echo Steiner; Phil presented to Jim Coplen.

George – Call for sustaining members. Ted Glick pledged the first $1000.

Meeting with Nominee and Campaign
Greg Gerritt (PCSC?), facilitated; Cynthia McKinney.
Will go anywhere (mentions Iowa during an ice storm). Wish list – skills bank, finance team, events team, squat squad (rapid response team) for malicious bloggers, IT team. (video conferencing, enhancing internal infrastructure); professional media team. Doesn’t mind going into the Lion’s Den, but at least want to have a word and a shield. Pollster. Field Director for community events and contact; purchase contact lists (email, phone). Voter Registration Team. Website help (content, tech). Organizing media contact (calling C–SPAN, etc).

Lucy Grader-Bradley: head of FEC compliance team (works with treasurer, audits).
Hugh Esco – website
John Judge – media
Davide – aid, schedule (Adrian)

(Gypsy, George, Doug – ?; coordinate with ILL, WI, MN; MO, ME)
Invitation from MN to RNC demos
CO invitation to DRC convention protests
MA – work with Rainbow Coalition
Michael Canney – proposal for getting into the debates. (Video with film of CmcK “in the debate” and release it the next day) [real time online response]

Check from Friday night candidate forum fundraiser; fundraising call – “Power to the People” Campaign. Check for $X; amount $X

Phil Huckelberry – Ballot Access. Called on states that can help (have ballot lines, or are completely not possible) to help out in neighboring states.

BREAK

Report from the International Committee on Global Greens Conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Bruce Gagnon (militarism in space, climate change) spoke there, and presented a report to the GNC plenary.spoke, gave a brief overview of his talk, Some tension among various Greens in that some policies vary. IC Co-chair, Julia Willebrand spoke about “community” and the Global Greens Coordination, to which she is US representative. Quarterly Congress. The phone conference every couple of months. Spoke about the Global Greens Congress, mentioned GPUS does not contribute much financially. IC members John Resenbrink, Jack Ailey, Mike Feinstein & Marnie Glickman also spoke about the Global Greens and the conference, international Green efforts for policy to address climate change. 21 Commitments for the 21st Century document. Feinstein & Glickman voted against the document, felt it was weak. Mike Feinstein is compiling a history of the development of the U.S. Green Party, continues to compile history of Greens world-wide.

ECO-ACTION – no one to report

POLITICAL DIRECTOR, Brent McMillan – election strategy. Excite about opportunities. Those here need to communicate this to those who aren’t present, get a sense of the excitement we saw here yesterday.

In our moving forward, history of criticism of the establishment party, need to start talking about what GP will do, move out of reactionary mode; policy, electoral college, direct right of recall, etc. Why don’t the D’s & R’s trust the American people? ILL and ARK have done amazing things this year. DC has become the “second” party in the district, may be the case with ARK soon, too. Advocated support for ballot access, mentioned targeted states, CT needs help. A little for RI would go a lot way. VA has a much stronger ballot drive this year, will need outside help. He spoke about several candidates with the potential to win or have a very effective impact, including some at higher-level offices.

REPORTS from Caucuses
Lavender Caucus, David Strand reported on policy wins and races for GLBTIQ issues
National Women’s Caucus, Nan Garrett
Latino Caucus, CeCi Wheeler reported that the caucus is forming, will begin accreditation process, signals
growth for GP
Black Caucus, Alfred Molison (outgoing Co-chair)reported that the caucus worked out an action plan and
people to carry out points; have discussed The Obama Factor.” Look for the future – what do they expect,
what kind of “change.” BC meeting had a large turnout this year, room was crowded!
Disability Caucus, Drew Johnson reported that the caucus now has enough members and working to become
accredited.

National Women’s Caucus, Nan Garrett – proud of a woman nominee and proud of “native daughter” Kat Swift;
reported work on last year. Mentioned this being the first convention where identity caucuses got delegates to the PNC.

Youth Caucus, Kevin O’Connor and Adrian Bennet reported that Campus Greens is almost completely
dissolved, extremely decentralized, no communication, website taken down. For the past year or so, a
few younger Greens have worked on creating a network of young people, and a voice for the GPUS. Integral that we continue to train young people for future leaders of the party and the U.S. 35 and
younger, Hope to soon have a website.

MEDIA COMMITTEE, Scott McLarty, media coordinator
COmmittee Report in delegates’ packet and online. Gave a brief overview of what the Media Committee has been doing during the past year. Send out press releases, contacts and building up lists of reporters. Average 2 press releases a week.
This convention has ha d avery good response form the media, far better than 2004, comparable in many ways to 2000; we were more organized now. Building up our technical capacity. Media A/V where Greens within the MC who are interested and with skills in video, viral marketing, online , radio, etc, can work together.
We need [Greens] to keep writing LTE’s, columns, op-eds to newspapers, magazines. 3, 4 5 even 10 LTE’s, guest columns, etc, per week. Not just the large newspapers, but smaller, local papers, reaching thousands of people. radio call-in, community discussion lists. What we say to the outside world is more important (or at east as improtant) aas what we say to each other. Drew mentioned bloggers.

George closed, noted the sparseness of the room. Our committee work, caucuses are important. Thanked facilitators, AnmCom, ILGP, SC.

“It’s been a great weekend.” Cheers for the Green Party.

Hilary Aisentsein, AnmCom co-chair, thanked group, coordinators (Ruth & Lynne), start looking toward next year.

MEETING ADJOURNED at 12:15 p.m.

7/13/008
Holly Hart
Secretary, GPUSGPUS GNC Plenary, Sunday
July 13, 2008

“Promptly” at 9:20 a.m.
George Martin – Call to Action – “credo”

George Martin, Drew Johnson, Nikhilinanda, co-facilitators

Housekeeping announcements – Tamar Yager, information about a box of items and silent auction.

Announcement of Results of SC Elections – ETC
David McCorqoudale – list candidates
SC Co-chairs: Sanda Everret, Jill Bussier, Craig Thorsen
Treasurer: Jody Grage

Presentation of plaques/awards to outgoing SC co-chairs. Jason presented a placque to Echo Steiner; Phil presented to Jim Coplen.

George – Call for sustaining members. Ted Glick pledged the first $1000.

Meeting with Nominee and Campaign
Greg Gerritt (PCSC?), facilitated; Cynthia McKinney.
Will go anywhere (mentions Iowa during an ice storm). Wish list – skills bank, finance team, events team, squat squad (rapid response team) for malicious bloggers, IT team. (video conferencing, enhancing internal infrastructure); professional media team. Doesn’t mind going into the Lion’s Den, but at least want to have a word and a shield. Pollster. Field Director for community events and contact; purchase contact lists (email, phone). Voter Registration Team. Website help (content, tech). Organizing media contact (calling C–SPAN, etc).

Lucy Grader-Bradley: head of FEC compliance team (works with treasurer, audits).
Hugh Esco – website
John Judge – media
Davide – aid, schedule (Adrian)

(Gypsy, George, Doug – ?; coordinate with ILL, WI, MN; MO, ME)
Invitation from MN to RNC demos
CO invitation to DRC convention protests
MA – work with Rainbow Coalition
Michael Canney – proposal for getting into the debates. (Video with film of CmcK “in the debate” and release it the next day) [real time online response]

Check from Friday night candidate forum fundraiser; fundraising call – “Power to the People” Campaign. Check for $X; amount $X

Phil Huckelberry – Ballot Access. Called on states that can help (have ballot lines, or are completely not possible) to help out in neighboring states.

BREAK

Report from the International Committee on Global Greens Conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Bruce Gagnon (militarism in space, climate change) spoke there, and presented a report to the GNC plenary.spoke, gave a brief overview of his talk, Some tension among various Greens in that some policies vary. IC Co-chair, Julia Willebrand spoke about “community” and the Global Greens Coordination, to which she is US representative. Quarterly Congress. The phone conference every couple of months. Spoke about the Global Greens Congress, mentioned GPUS does not contribute much financially. IC members John Resenbrink, Jack Ailey, Mike Feinstein & Marnie Glickman also spoke about the Global Greens and the conference, international Green efforts for policy to address climate change. 21 Commitments for the 21st Century document. Feinstein & Glickman voted against the document, felt it was weak. Mike Feinstein is compiling a history of the development of the U.S. Green Party, continues to compile history of Greens world-wide.

ECO-ACTION – no one to report

POLITICAL DIRECTOR, Brent McMillan – election strategy. Excite about opportunities. Those here need to communicate this to those who aren’t present, get a sense of the excitement we saw here yesterday.

In our moving forward, history of criticism of the establishment party, need to start talking about what GP will do, move out of reactionary mode; policy, electoral college, direct right of recall, etc. Why don’t the D’s & R’s trust the American people? ILL and ARK have done amazing things this year. DC has become the “second” party in the district, may be the case with ARK soon, too. Advocated support for ballot access, mentioned targeted states, CT needs help. A little for RI would go a lot way. VA has a much stronger ballot drive this year, will need outside help. He spoke about several candidates with the potential to win or have a very effective impact, including some at higher-level offices.

REPORTS from Caucuses
Lavender Caucus, David Strand reported on policy wins and races for GLBTIQ issues
National Women’s Caucus, Nan Garrett
Latino Caucus, CeCi Wheeler reported that the caucus is forming, will begin accreditation process, signals
growth for GP
Black Caucus, Alfred Molison (outgoing Co-chair)reported that the caucus worked out an action plan and
people to carry out points; have discussed The Obama Factor.” Look for the future – what do they expect,
what kind of “change.” BC meeting had a large turnout this year, room was crowded!
Disability Caucus, Drew Johnson reported that the caucus now has enough members and working to become
accredited.

National Women’s Caucus, Nan Garrett – proud of a woman nominee and proud of “native daughter” Kat Swift;
reported work on last year. Mentioned this being the first convention where identity caucuses got delegates to the PNC.

Youth Caucus, Kevin O’Connor and Adrian Bennet reported that Campus Greens is almost completely
dissolved, extremely decentralized, no communication, website taken down. For the past year or so, a
few younger Greens have worked on creating a network of young people, and a voice for the GPUS. Integral that we continue to train young people for future leaders of the party and the U.S. 35 and
younger, Hope to soon have a website.

MEDIA COMMITTEE, Scott McLarty, media coordinator
COmmittee Report in delegates’ packet and online. Gave a brief overview of what the Media Committee has been doing during the past year. Send out press releases, contacts and building up lists of reporters. Average 2 press releases a week.
This convention has ha d avery good response form the media, far better than 2004, comparable in many ways to 2000; we were more organized now. Building up our technical capacity. Media A/V where Greens within the MC who are interested and with skills in video, viral marketing, online , radio, etc, can work together.
We need [Greens] to keep writing LTE’s, columns, op-eds to newspapers, magazines. 3, 4 5 even 10 LTE’s, guest columns, etc, per week. Not just the large newspapers, but smaller, local papers, reaching thousands of people. radio call-in, community discussion lists. What we say to the outside world is more important (or at east as improtant) aas what we say to each other. Drew mentioned bloggers.

George closed, noted the sparseness of the room. Our committee work, caucuses are important. Thanked facilitators, AnmCom, ILGP, SC.

“It’s been a great weekend.” Cheers for the Green Party.

Hilary Aisentsein, AnmCom co-chair, thanked group, coordinators (Ruth & Lynne), start looking toward next year.

MEETING ADJOURNED at 12:15 p.m.

7/13/008
Holly Hart
Secretary, GPUS