September 22, 2013

GPUS Steering Comm Conference Call Minutes – Sept 22, 2013

I. CALL SETUP & BACKGROUND
a. Facilitator – Jody Grage
b. Roll Call – Jeff Turner, Budd Dickinson, Katey Culver, Starlene Rankin, Jesse Townley, Karen Young, Tamar Yager, Charles Ostdiek. Absent – Darryl! Moch
c. Agenda revisions- Proposals from EcoAction Committee re: Fukushima (VIII.b.); and from Accreditation Committee re: Indiana (VIII.c.)

II. TREASURER’S REPORT & FINANCE ITEMS – Jeff
a. Cash report to date- This is not a pretty sight. I have not been able to pay some of the current monthly expenses. The list totals over $18,000. I hope the mailing brings in as much; I have little confidence that it will be quite that high. Donation for printer has not yet been received; $865 raised in special ballot access appeal for AR has not been sent.

Starlene proposed that we send BAC check to Arkansas immediately with funds from reserve fund and that we’d replace the funds back into the reserve account as soon as possible. There was consensus.

Katey will be FinCom co-chair and liaison.

b. Fundraising – Karen
Discussion of Tamar as co-chair of FundCom; advantage that Tamar is staff supervisor. Planning to start phone banking 30 September – virtual phone bank with virtual chat room – perhaps weekly, along with individual phone calls.

c. Budget process – Jeff
Schedule will be sent again, budget ready to view 13 October, special budget meeting on 20 October,

III. VOTING QUEUE – Budd
In the queue: None
Received for the queue:See VIII.c below.

IV. Staff Supervision – Approval of Fundraising Manager Job Description – Tamar

Suggestion to adopt Fundraiser Job Description with provision that it will be reviewed for amendments by the end of the year was approved by consensus with Budd standing aside because his concerns have not been addressed.
(Katey is joining the Personnel Sub-Committee.

V. Merged Web and Database Control Proposal (See Addendum 1 below) – Karen

The SC has passed two overlapping policies governing web content, in the Article IV of the SC’s Internal Procedures (http://www.gp.org/committees/steering/Internal-Procedures.php) and as a stand alone Databases and Web Access Policies (http://www.gp.org/committees/steering/database-web-access-policy.php).There are some differences between the two. In the interest of a providing a single, non-contradictory set of policies, this proposal seeks to combine the two.

Discussion of backup, maintaining record of positions involved, duties of the secretary. Proposal to be studied and be on the agenda for the next call. Appointment of web content committee need not be delayed for the passage of this proposal.

VI. Listserv Rules Changes. Starlene (see Addendum 2 below)
Worked with Forum Managers.

1. Natlcomvotes List: Add section: G to limit responses to threads and number of daily postings. (Should read two responses per day per thread.)

2. Forum Managers and Enforcement: Amend sections E&F to adjust the time frame and reduce the number of advisories before moderation.

Suggestion to build culture of what we would like to have and have language about respect and parameters – and Katey volunteers to work on introduction language. Problem with domination of discussion and personalizing issues – which are addressed in the proposal. Shortening time and number may be helpful. Suggestion to drop limits on responses and change Forum Manager guidelines. Suggestion to separate into two proposals.

Bylaws change so proposal will be needed and 2/3rds of the vote to pass.

Consensus to continue work with Katey added to group and be on the agenda for the next call.

VII. Email Fundraising Appeals – Darryl! – tabled to the next call.

VIII. Discussion of a proposal to let Greens without a state party volunteer and join committees (from the SPWG) – Starlene

Volunteer Coordinator called for to vet them; would be set up by Outreach Committee and maybe become a staff position. Probationary period on committees. Qualifications to be on committee would need to be amended.

There was general support for this and a formal proposal will be presented at the next meeting.

VIIIb. EcoAction – Charles

Petition text received from Beyond Nuclear demanding action on Fukushima crisis. (See Addendum 3 below) Deadline 10/9. Requesting sign on – consensus.

VIIIc. Accreditation Committee – proposal to place Indiana on inactive list.

Two active delegates that have been voting very regularly support the proposal. Need to contact other states who are in this position. States are either accredited or unaffiliated on the voting page. Bylaws under Accreditation uses the term inactive which is not disaffiliation. A state can become active again at any time. Valid proposal; will be added to voting queue.

IX. Presidential Debrief – We need to finalize the Presidential Debrief project and determine who is tasked with issuing a final report. Karen

SC tasked with process including a final report. John Andrew’s notes plus comments which went to the Secretary. Only comment received was from John Andrews. Budd can compile these two documents and send it out. SC needs to have shorter process for next time, perhaps the liaison for PCSC. Discuss calendar on next call.

X. Committee Liaison Reports
Karen – SPWG discussing new draft of mission statement for proposal. Splitting up Strategic Plan Action Plan into topic proposals for approval. Hillary working on election side with CCC, Starlene media and communications.

Tamar – ANM – one letter of interest from St Paul/Minneapolis.

Jesse – Platform – schedule process in progress.

Katey – FinCom meeting weekly for budget process.

XI. Appointments to Web Content Subcommittee and IT Advisory Group.
Starlene reports James O’Neil wants to be on IT Group; Mike Feinstein applied for both.
Consensus on those appointments.

XII. Next meeting 10/15, 2nd Sunday (in 3 weeks).

— Budd Dickinson
Secretary
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Addendum 1 – Merged Web and Database Control Proposal

*Background:*The SC has passed two overlapping policies governing web content, in the Article IV of the SC’s Internal Procedures (_http://www.gp.org/committees/steering/Internal-Procedures.php_) and as a stand alone Databases and Web Access Policies (_http://www.gp.org/committees/steering/database-web-access-policy.php_). There are some differences between the two. In the interest of a providing a single, non-contradictory set of policies, this proposal seeks to combine the two.

The text below in yellow is what is new between both documents and is summarized below.

. In ‘Article VI’ there is laid out a general basis for establishing these SC policies, based in citation of existing policies passed by the NC.

. In 6-1.1 it is established clearly that content guidance is provided by the SC Web Content Sub-Committee. This is consistent with GPUS Rules & Procedures 2-2.6. The text in ‘Databases and Web Access Policies’ was inconsistent with this policy, by disregarding the Web Content Sub-Committee.

. In 6-1.2 and 6-3, it establishes that when no one on a committee has been established to admin their email list or update their web page, the SC Liaison shall serve this role until the committee establishes someone. This addresses situations when there is a void in a committee because of inactivity or other reasons.

. In 6-1.4 the revocation process is clarified to include the SC Liaison and not leave things entirely up to the Secretary as it involves a committee’s choice to update its web page.

. In 6-4.2, the de facto for the SC email list is made explicit.

Proposal: That the SC’s Internal Procedures be amended as follows and the Databases and Web Access Policies be deleted and merged into the Internal Procedures as below:

Article VI Web, Email and Data Bases

As GPUS Bylaws governing the Duties and Responsibilities of the Steering Committee include overseeing the primary day-to-day business and operations of the GPUS (4-2.1) and of paid personnel, including staff and contractors (4-2.2); and as GPUS Rules and Procedures governing the Duties and Responsibilities of the Secretary include assisting with the GPUS website as part of the Steering Committee web content sub-committee (2-2.6) and with communication with GPUS committee listserv administrators and web page managers (2-2.7); and as the Steering Committee has had a web content sub-committee in place since the 2009-2010 SC appointed one, this Article shall describe the manner in which the Steering Committee shall carry out its duties and responsibilities as it regards the operations of the GPUS web site, email lists and data bases.

Section 6-1 Website

6-1.1 On a day-to-day basis, the GPUS website shall be overseen & managed by the Webmaster, and with content guidance by the SC Web Content Sub-Committee.

6-1.2 Committees may designate one or more people with the authority to update their committee web pages. To be given posting access, such individuals must demonstrate the requisite skills to the Webmaster to perform this task. In cases where no one is designated by a committee, the Steering Committee Liaison shall have access until the committee makes is own designation.

6-1.3 Committees must use the general style sheet and template employed throughout the gp.org website, unless otherwise specified by the Webmaster. Committee web pages shall list the members and officers of each committee and contain the committee’s Mission Statement, Committee Rules and other relevant procedural documents. The Webmaster shall retain oversight over committee pages’ quality, condition and style.

6-1.4 Committee access under 6-1.2 may be revoked upon direction by the Secretary and Steering Committee Liaison, with review by the Steering Committee at is next meeting. The decision of the Secretary and Steering Committee Liaison may be overturned by a majority vote of the Steering Committee. If the Secretary and Steering Committee Liaison do not agree, either may bring a proposal to revoke to the Steering Committee, which may be approved by a majority vote.

Section 6-2 Database Access

Access to GPUS databases is granted, maintained and overseen by the principal administrator of each database, in agreement with the Secretary. The principal administrator may grant limited permissions, as needed. A log will be kept of each individual granted access to a database. The administrator may grant access to non public portions of the database for purposes of research and scholarship upon written request, by approval of the Steering Committee. Transfer to a new principal administrator will require orientation from the current administrator.

The Staff Supervisor shall ensure that more than one person is trained on and has access to any and all databases, at all times, to ensure there is always a backup person. Records of these backup assignments shall be maintained by the Steering Committee.

Section 6-3 Email Lists

Each committee shall have an email list and archive.The administrators of each list shall be the Co-chairs of the committee as well any other committee members they may designate, as well as the Steering Committee Liaison, if that person isn’t otherwise a committee member.New administrators shall be given orientation by outgoing administrators. In cases where no one is designated by a committee, the Steering Committee Liaison shall serve as administrator until the committee makes is own designation. The Webmaster shall maintain a list of the administrator(s) of each committee.

Section 6-4 Steering Committee

6-4.1 The Steering Committee may authorize Steering Committee members to update the Steering Committee page on the condition that any change they make is to be factually accurate, that it be announced to the Steering Committee email list before it is posted and that any substantial changes beyond housekeeping and information updating should be held for Steering Committee discussion on a conference call or email list.

6-4.2 The primary administrator of the Steering Committee email list shall be the Secretary. The Steering Committee may appoint others as co-administrators. New administrators shall be given orientation by outgoing administrators. Participants on the Steering Committee email list shall be current Steering Committee members, any GPUS Staff the Steering Committee chooses to include, and during the approximately one month period of transition between Treasurers as per GPUS Bylaws 6-2.6, both the outgoing and incoming Treasurers.

6-4.3 The Steering Committee shall establish email lists with archives for any sub-committees it creates.

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Addendum 2
Listserv Rules Changes

First change:

I Natlcomvotes List: Add section: G to limit responses to threads and number of daily postings

Add: G. In order to cut down on traffic (and likely improve the general tone) on the Votes list, a limit of 2 responses per day will be allowed. (Those who wish to continue a thread must move further discussion to the “Natlcomaffairs” list.) Flexibility is allowed for necessary posts, for instance from SC members (floor managers, treasurer, secretary, etc) and, if warranted, committee chairs, so that this limit need not constrict important communications that may be needed.

Second change:

IV. Forum Managers and Enforcement: Amend sections E&F to adjust the
time frame and reduce the number of advisories before moderation.

Replace Current E&F with:

E. After at least two informal advisories within a THREE month period, if at least two of three Forum Managers determine that the guidelines have been violated a SECOND time by the same infringing member, an official private warning will be sent to the member by the Forum Managers. Forum Managers will respond to complaints in a uniform fashion and maintain electronic records of all official warnings. Official warnings remain in effect for six months.

F. List members that receive a second official warning within THREE months will be placed on probation, including moderation of the messages that the member posts. The Forum Managers or Secretary will immediately notify the State or Caucus represented by any delegate placed on probation. The Forum Managers will review all proposed submissions from the probated member and will only forward those posts that do not violate list guidelines. Probation shall be for a term not to exceed 3 months. Completing the 3-month term of probation will clear the record of official warnings.

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Addendum 3

To: Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan

Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry

Shunichi Tanaka, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA)

TITLE:
Urgent international petition calling for immediate action on the uncontrolled radioactive discharges at Tepco’s Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant

. This is clearly not an appropriate time for Japan to restart nuclear plants or export nuclear technology.
. The ocean, the source of life, must not be contaminated further.

We hereby petition the Japanese national government and related entities to undertake the following commitments.

1. Clarify the Japanese government’s responsibility concerning the radioactive discharges into the ocean. Concentrate fully on dealing with this issue, and suspend all activity aimed at restarting nuclear plants in Japan and exporting nuclear power reactors to other countries. Japan’s new post-Fukushima regulatory standards do not take into account the possibility of uncontrolled radioactive releases into the ocean. Processing applications to restart nuclear plants in Japan under these conditions can result in additional uncontrolled releases and must be suspended.
2. Implement maximum efforts to prevent further contamination of the ocean. Install tanks for the storage of the contaminated water that are more robust and sustainable in order to prevent leakage. Deliberate discharge of the contents of the radioactive water in tanks into the ocean absolutely must not be permitted.
3. Bring together the combined wisdom of independent experts with no vested interests from within Japan and internationally (i.e. domestic and international independent expertise) and ensure its practical implementation.
4. Ensure transparency. Make all government meetings concerning this issue public, including the meetings of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Radioactive Contamination Discharges Countermeasures Committee. Immediately hold a public assessment of the proposed ice wall strategy.
5. Retract Prime Minister Abe’s following statements made at the International Olympic Commission (IOC): “The situation is under control.” “The effects of the [radioactive] discharges are completely blocked within the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant’s harbor.”

(here is the background information following the petition:)

The uncontrolled radioactive discharges into the marine environment as a result of Tepco’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident are alarming. It is essential to undertake urgent measures to stop the leaks of contaminated ground water and to deal with the high-level contamination leaking from the storage tanks.

This situation is so serious that one can almost say yet another serious accident has occurred.

Countermeasures to effectively contain the leakage of the water used to cool the molten fuel remaining in the reactors are yet to be put in place. There are serious doubts about the technical and economic efficacy of the proposed ice-wall strategy.

The ocean, the source of life, must not be contaminated further. This is a serious international issue. Those who fish for their livelihood are raising their voices in anger against this contamination of the ocean.

It is absolutely self-evident that Tepco is not capable of dealing with this situation. But the Japanese government is not engaging with the problems head on. Instead, the nuclear regulatory authorities are allocating their manpower to processing applications from electric utilities to restart their nuclear power plants. The Ministry of Economy and Trade continues to hold secretive closed-door meetings with industry, providing a market-place for general contractors to lobby for contracts. In addition, Prime Minister Abe flies around the world playing top salesman for the export of Japan’s nuclear power reactors.

To address this urgent situation, the government must now actively draw upon international expertise and make maximum efforts to prevent further uncontrolled radioactive discharges into the ocean.

Release of part of the radioactivity into the ocean after treatment of the contaminated water is being considered. This must be prevented at all cost. There must not be any deliberate discharge into the Pacific Ocean.

This is clearly not an appropriate time for Japan to restart nuclear plants or export nuclear technology.

At the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presentation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated, when addressing the radioactive discharge issue, that “The situation is under control.” “The effects of the [radioactive] discharges are completely blocked within the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant’s harbor.”On the contrary, the contaminated water continues daily to leak, the government’s measures to deal with the problem are woefully inadequate, and the extent of the effects of uncontrolled radioactive discharges are not known. Prime Minister Abe’s assertions are therefore groundless.

Contact: Green Action Suite 103, 22-75 Tanaka Sekiden-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8203 Japan E-mail: info@greenaction-japan.org <mailto:info@greenaction-japan.org>

Organizations calling for the petition: Green Action, Greenpeace Japan, FoE Japan, Mihama-no-Kai, Fukuro-no-Kai, Lawsuit Group to Shut Down the Ohi Nuclear Power Plant, The Nuclear Regulation Authority Citizen Watchdog, Peace Boat, No Nukes Asia Actions, No Nukes Asia Forum Japan

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(here is the link to the sign on sheet, just in case you would like to sign on personally:)

https://fs220.xbit.jp/n362/form2/


Budd Dickinson
Secretary