January 10, 2016

GPUS Steering Committee
Minutes

Sunday, January 10 – 8:00 p.m. ET

I. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Time entered: 8:06 p.m. Present: Audrey Clement, Sanda Everette, Jan Martell, Charles Ostdiek, Jeff Turner, Tamar Yager, Karen Young, Bahram Zandi. Karen announced her retirement from all GPUS duties January 31, and that Lea Pierce, staff fundraiser, would also be leaving. Tamar may need to pay freelance writers for help until new fundraiser is hired; election needed to fill Karen’s SC seat and committee liaison work redistributed. Tamar proposed to have Andrea supervise the Media Director in the interim – there was no consensus, went to roll call vote. Voting yes: Jan, Tamar, Karen, Bahram. No: Audrey, Sanda. Abstain: Charles, Jeff. Proposal passed; Andrea was not present, but had earlier agreed to take this on. Tamar announced the selection of an Office Associate to replace Brian Bittner: Cynthia Joseph. Personnel Working Group was very enthusiastic and recommended her highly. Hiring was approved by consensus. Time exited: 8:36 p.m.

II. CALL SETUP & BACKGROUND
a) Facilitator: Jody Grage
b) Call reference # 151
c) Roll Call: Audrey Clement, Sanda Everette, Jan Martell, Charles Ostdiek, Jeff Turner, Tamar Yager, Karen Young, Bahram Zandi. Observer: Starlene Rankin.
d) Agenda revisions: Andrea could not be on the call, and asked that Media Director discussion III.a. and Gary Johnson discussion V.b. be tabled. New business was proposed and tabled for further work and specific language by Charles – an amendment to SC agenda rules guaranteeing speaking time at the end of regular business for observing delegates.

III. OLD BUSINESS

b) Update on Apportionment – Tamar. Proposal to apportion PNC delegates based on current (2013) NC numbers was submitted to ATC and will be voted on tomorrow. This should come to SC for the queue in time for next SC meeting, and can be sent to NC with an expedited schedule.

IV. STANDING BUSINESS

a) Treasurer’s Report – Jeff. New reports coming out soon that will fix errors in recent figures and November report. About $9,000 in the bank at year’s end, $7,000 now. Everything is paid except transfer of about $6,000 to reserves. Tamar said that Brian Bittner will do the FEC filing every month for 6 months as new Office Associate gets up to speed. Jeff left the meeting after his report.

b) Fundraising Report – Karen. Sent report for Dec., also year-end – may still change a little. $19,543, very good month. 2015 through Dec. brought in (excluding ANM & merchandise) $150,867 – 77% of goal. NC sustainer appeal is complete, thanks to volunteers Audrey Clement, Michael Trudeau, Nekita Gandy we have 9 new sustainers, NC total is 49. Ongoing, 4 phone bankers calling lapsed sustainers, efforts to bring in new donors – asking state party leaders to share donor lists. Next direct mail to go out in March. Expect first quarter to be very tight.

VOTING QUEUE

In the queue: none

Received for the queue:
a) Creation of Animal Rights Committee – Jan. Audrey objected to lack of complete P&Ps for this new committee and wanted to send it back to CT for revision. Others interpreted rules to allow committee rules to be developed after committee is formed and populated. A roll call vote to support findings was taken. Voting yes: Audrey, Sanda. No: Jan, Tamar, Karen, Bahram. Abstain: Charles. Findings were defeated, proposal enters the queue, Jan will be Floor Manager.

V. NEW BUSINESS

a) Proposal to create a subcommittee of the SC to deal with re-registration of old logo and related issues – Audrey. There has been considerable discussion on NC in support of retaining rights to earthflower logo. 2 ways to do it – through lawyer for reduced fee of $750 or directly through the website for $400. NC delegate LuAnne Kozma has strongly recommended using legal help due to complexity of the issue; SC members are inclined to go the simple direct route. A subcommittee could look at both sides and come up with a recommendation. Roll call vote – Yes: Audrey, Sanda, Charles. No: none. Abstain: Jan, Tamar, Karen, Bahram. Proposal passed. Sanda, Audrey, Charles volunteered to be on the subcommittee, open to others.

b) Office Associate candidate chosen by Personnel Working Group – Tamar – addressed in Executive Session.

TOTAL TIME: 93 minutes, recorded: 58 minutes

Jan Martell
Secretary