Participants:
Co-chairs: Jason Nabewaniec, Phil Huckelberry, Jill Bussiere, Craig Thorsen, Budd Dickinson
Secretary: Holly Hart
Treasurer: Jody Grage
Staff: Tamar Yager, Emily Citkowski, Brent McMillan
Cliff Thornton is on the road on not able to call in. Sanda is also away and may not be able to call in.
Facilitator: Jason
Timekeeper: Jill
Abbreviations used:
AC = Accreditation Committee
ANM, ANMC = Annual National Meeting Committee
BAWG = Ballot Access Working Group
BRPP = Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures Committee
BC = Black Caucus
CC = Coordinating Committee
CCC = Coordinated Campaign Committee
CG SC = Campus Greens Steering Committee
ComCom = Communications Committee
DC = Diversity Committee
DIA = Democracy in Action internet service
DRC = Dispute Resolution Committee
FC = Fundraising Committee
FEC = Federal Election Commission
GP = Green Party
IC = International Committee
LC = Lavender Caucus
NPWG = Nominating Process Working Group
NWC = National Women’s Caucus
PEC = Presidential Exploratory Committee
PCSC = Presidential Campaign Support Committee
SC = Steering Committee
SPWG = Strategic Plan Working Group
[Brackets denote editor’s suggested corrections. Some punctuation corrections done with no content change. -ed.]
AGENDA
I. Staff Reports
a. Brent – political director
Pitch for fundraiser Wed for local DC candidate (David Schwarzman) in his race for at-large city council. Still looking for electors for Kentucky write-in. Decline of 4 candidates this week – 293. Sent out a regional analysis this week; a large number of candidates are coming from the Great Lakes region.
We were contacted by Emily Levy on Friday, project coordinator for Velvet Revolution’s Standing for Voters election integrity project: they are asking for GPUS to become an organizational endorser; and, to contact our candidates with an invitation to endorse, as well. Brent asks that the SC agree to have GPUS endorse this pledge. AGREED, consensus
A Green was elected as trustee in Schuylerville, NY, resigned. Felt that rest weren’t progressive enough. Brent will give him a call.
b. Brent – fundraising, major donors
Jill successfully contacted a large donor in Wisconsin. Brent has analyzed several networks, wants to make sure prospects get called and willing to work with SC members to make sure they are contacted. Brent asks for any SC interested in helping with this project to let him know.
c. Emily – operations; online fundraising
Emily fell off the call and got back on. She will send a report to the SC list.
d. Tamar – fundraising, direct mail, phone banking
Tamar has sent two spreadsheets w/ fundraising reports, and working on a narrative to the budget. She is getting ready to work on a letter for November re-solicitation. Possible theme, Growing the Party in 2009; if any have ideas, let her know. Positive reports on Empower phone banking company: reports are clean and easy to read, there are three canvassers; Tamar just has to check numbers. They are getting about 1/3 of their promised payments within 30 days. Jody believes having the phone canvassing system and a new database program that is not so labor-intensive, we should see positive results.
Jason asked if there had been plans yet asking for candidate donor lists after the election. Brent explained that the CCC had done this, then sent out a prospect mailing; past year, Emily did this. Brent explained this is a one-time use of a donor list, not incorporated into our database.
After November 4, Brent will send spreadsheet to Tamar with donor contacts.
II. Treasury report – Jody
$2.8K in general fund; $3.8K accounts payable for October, plus $23K to Palmer Hilton in November. $23,7 earmarked funds: state sharing is $12.6; $.7K is state-driven. Third quarter breakdown not yet available. Jody sent out an appeal to states to forgive nationally-driven state sharing; Illinois has done this. Jody has sent out a loan appeal, and has gotten pledges for $7100 so far. Working on paying the most urgent bills. Jody encourages SC members to contact Brent to discuss contacting potential large donors.
Doug Malkan and Jody are re-working clarifying donation streams to note when income comes through a committee or caucus.
III. Voting queue update – Holly
SC election certification is passing.
IV. Face-to-Face Meeting
The idea is to have this early in the new year. Jody suggests there be a provision in the budget for this. Jill suggests that we have an appeal as a fall-back plan. Jody suggested asking SC members how much each would need. MLK weekend was suggested; Jason stated that this might be early to try to raise the funds for this.
V. Proposed 2009 budget
Jody explained that the SC is the committee that sends the budget to the NC. A couple years ago, some on the SC voted against the budget. She suggested that all SC members spend some time next week (minimum of 15 minutes) going over the budget, ask questions, compare past years, and make sure concerns are resolved before we send it out. Budget will be on the agenda for the next conference call.
FinCom is still working on this, so there may be some changes to the final version.
VI. Portfolios
Jill – contacted people on the legal net to get their descriptions, got a few responses.
IC – there was a letter sent in response to the recent article by Alan Dershowitz (accusing the GPUS of anti-Semitism). Emailed DRC for progress report. Holly and Phil asked about process of IC sending a letter w/ no vetting; in the past, they have asked the SC for an “ok.” Jill replied the letter was sent only by the co-chairs personally, not on behalf of the IC or GPUS.
Phil – no activity reported in electoral portfolio. Brent or Greg Gerritt post messages to the CCC. PCSC is inactive. BAC does not have much to do now. Phil is not on the House or Senate Committee lists, but is unaware of any activity there. Brent stated that there is likely to be a proposal to re-structure the CCC, which has been dormant for some time.
Craig – AC has no activity at this time. AnmCom has one state shown interest in hosting 2009 meeting, North Carolina. Their state meeting is October 25th, we should hear more.
BAC – VT lawsuit was continued to another hearing. BRPP vote on new fiscal policy finished; currently working on proposal for GPUS spokespersons.
VII. Executive Session 9:36 – 11:00 p.m. EDT
personnel
NEXT CALL: Sunday, November 2, 2008; 8:00 p.m. ET
To return to the Minutes Directory.
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