GPUS Steering Committee Minutes
Sunday, May 22, 2016 – 8:00 p.m. ET
I. CALL SETUP & BACKGROUND
a) Facilitator: Frank Young
b) To hear recording: 712-451-0019, access code 926334, ref #3
c) Present: Audrey Clement, Jan Martell, Andrea Merida, Charles Ostdiek, Paul Pipkin, Jeff Turner (joined late), Tamar Yager, Bahram Zandi. Absent: Sanda Everette. Observer: Starlene Rankin
d) Agenda revisions: none
II. OLD BUSINESS
a) Report: Proposal vote reported in 5-8 minutes included text of proposal that stated “… it was established that … Lack of clarity on this issue has occasioned damage to the parties in at least CA & TX. …” This was not an established fact, but a situation reported by Paul. When he submitted text for the proposal, the word “established” was not used, but was added when the proposal format was formalized for posting to the list for a vote. Other Texas delegates objected to this usage. We regret our error.
III. STANDING BUSINESS
a) Treasurer’s Report – Jeff. Sent cash report showing $46K with half of that in reserve funds; after allocating new earmarks to reserves, it leaves about $13K in general funds.
b) Fundraising Report – Tamar. Last letter brought in $19-20K; next letter goes out this week or right after Memorial Day with an e-blast to follow. Audrey is making calls, using new lists acquired from states, so these are new donors. Starlene reported that sustainership was up to $8K/month, and thanked Audrey and Jennifer Sullivan for their help. Things are looking up and should continue through November.
c) PNC Update – Proposed meetings were approved by consensus: NC Meeting to be held Friday afternoon Aug. 5 from 1:30–5pm, and SC meeting including new members on Sunday afternoon Aug. 7 from 2–6pm. NC meeting agenda will be planned by subcommittee comprising Audrey and Paul, with Tamar taking charge of the anti-oppression workshop part.
VOTING QUEUE
In the queue:
a) 825 – Foreign Policy
b) 826 – Free Speech & Media Reform
c) 827 – Political Reform
d) 828 – Puerto Rican Independence
e) 829 – Forestry Additions
f) 830 – Forestry Introduction
g) 831 – Education and the Arts
h) 832 – Water
i) 833 – Political Reform
j) 834 – Iran
k) 835 – Ecological Economics
l) 836 – 10 Key Values
m) 837 – Approval of Rachell Tucker as Credentialing Facilitator
n) 838 – Approval of Darryl Moch as Credentialing Facilitator
o) 839 – Approval of Rich Zitola as Election Administrator
p) 840 – Approval of Andrea Merida Cuellar as Election Administrator
q) 841 – Approval of Dr. Margaret Flowers as Honorary Co-Chair
r) 842 – Approval of James Lane as Honorary Co-Chair
Received for the queue:
None
IV. NEW BUSINESS
a) Endorsed by consensus: a march organized by the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign (PPEHRC) in Philadelphia on July 25, the opening day of the Democratic National Convention – Scott is holding a press release pending our endorsement, need timely response since their permit was denied. Jan will let Media know directly after the meeting.
b) Opening of nominations for SC co-chair seats on Monday, May 23 – Secretary needs to announce to NC list, including whose seats are up, and who’s staying on. There should be an opportunity for candidate orientation, a call-in for questions. Jeff’s position is also up for election, and people can contact him with questions by email.
TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes
V. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Entered at 8:41 pm. Exited 9:27 pm. Present: Audrey Clement, Jan Martell, Andrea Merida, Charles Ostdiek, Paul Pipkin, Jeff Turner, Tamar Yager, Bahram Zandi. Absent: Sanda Everette.
a) Conflicts of interest in having an employee of GPUS also being employed by a presidential candidate’s campaign were discussed. A vote was called for proposing that a subcommittee of the SC review a proposed Memorandum of Understanding that will be drafted – Voting Yes: Audrey, Jan, Jeff. No: Andrea, Paul, Tamar, Bahram. Abstain: Charles. Proposal failed. Such a Memorandum will be drafted by members of the SC and approved by the SC without recourse to a subcommittee.
b) The status of one of the two lawsuits against the Commission for Presidential Debates of which GPUS is a plaintiff was discussed.
c) An estimate of personnel requirements in dealing with the post-Democratic National Convention situation was discussed.
Jan Martell
Secretary