January 24, 2021

Green Party of the United States
Steering Committee
Minutes

Date:: Sunday January 24, 2021
Time:: 8:00 PM EST

Call Setup & Background
1. Facilitator:
  
  Michael Dennis
2. Roll call
  
  Co-chairs:
  
  Kristin Combs, Trahern Crews, Margaret Elisabeth, Gloria Mattera, Tony Ndege, Anita Rios, Tamar Yager
  
  Secretary:
  
  David Gerry
  
  Treasurer:
  
  Hillary Kane
  
  Observers:
  
  Andy Ellis (MD), Holly Hart (IA), Tommie James (NC), Michael O'Niel (NY), Starlene Rankin (LC)
3. Agenda revision suggestions
  1. Old Business: Elections Database
    Approved by consensus.
Standing Business
1. Treasurer's Report
  Monthly Treasurer Reports
  
  Donation Less than $100 and between $100 – $500 are on track. Major donors and sustainers were behind and picked up during December. Expenditures were stable in November with a rush from caucuses and committees in December. Treasurer has added caucus and committee reserves to the Treasurer's report.
2. Fundraising Report
  Income Report
  
  A end of year sustainer drive was successful. Question: what method of fundraising brings in the most? A: direct mail followed by e-blasts are the most successful methods for fundraising. Personal contact always works best but not practival for large organizations.
3. Approval of Expenditures
  2021 Budget
  1. Women's Caucus $400
    For the purchase of a license for a movie to be presented and used as a fundraiser.
    
    Approved On-line (1/18/21): Yes: Trahern, Margaret, Gloria, Tamar, Kristin, Anita
  2. Contract with Triangle Advisors $12,000
    A 6 month contract with Triangle Advisors to work with candidates. On their own the Daous will promote the Green Party through their personal social media.. They have also agreed to join the Green party in their State.
    
    Approved On-line (1/21/21): Yes: Hillary, Kristin, Gloria, Tamar, Anita, Margaret
    
    The contract has not been signed yet. The Treasurer has updated the contract to address SC concerns. State parties are asked to submit candidates from their state that would benefit from an online boost and send them to Hillary. The Daous have agreed to register as Greens in their state as a sign of solidarity with the party.
4. Staff Report
  1. List swap with Hawkins Campaign
    The GPUS and Hawkins campaign signed an agreement to swap list. This was to be completed before January 1, 2021. The Communications Manager has reached out several times starting in mid December to the campaign and Mr. Hawkins directly with no results. The campaign stated that there was a server problem and the lists would be delivered in batches. The GPUS has already missed an opportunity to utilize the list in the January direct mail. A statement from the Steering Committee wil be sent to the campaign.
  2. Media Response to H.R. 1
    Proposal: The Steering Committee go on record opposing the portions of H.R. 1 that effect third parties in a detrimental way. The statement is to be disseminated by the Media and Outreach committees to our media outlets.
    Up to $200 to be used on FaceBook advertising. Note: FaceBook isn’t accepting political ads at this time.
    Approved by consensus.
  3. Green Party of England and Wales re: COP26 Request
    Information was forwarded to the International and Eco-Action committees. There will be a meeting held Mon. Jan. 25, 2021 at 1300 UTC.i Michael O. and Margaret E. plan to attend.
  The Communications Manager has had a year end review and next will be the Web Manager.
5. Liaison reports
  - Accreditation Committee
    The AC has submitted a proposal for the confirmation of Rhode Island leaving the party (see below).
    Under discussion is a complaint from the Lavender Caucus regarding Georgia.
    The committee is also reviewing a proposal from the Latinx Caucus to update Article I of the GPUS Rules and Procedures.
  - Banking and Monetary Reform Committee
    Liaison has written to the co-chairs to set up a meeting.
  - Ballot Access Committee
    In 2020 the BAC awarded $36,650 to states.
    The committee raised approx. $10,400.
    The committee is holding co-chair elections.
    Next meeting is Mon. Feb. 1.
  - Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures Committee
    The committee is reviewing past proposals to bring the bylaws, rules, policies, procedures as well as committee rules up to date.i
    There are 45 proposals to be reviewed.
  - Coordinated Campaign Committee
    The committee is reviewing an update to their rules and procedures for the inclusion of non-binary members in elections.
    They will be holding an online event Tue. Jan. 26.
  - Diversity Committee
    Committee will be meeting this Wednesday Jan. 27.
  - Eco-Action Committee
    The committee will meet this upcoming Sat. Jan. 30 via Zoom and is expected to start meeting once a month.
  - Finance Committee
    The committee met 3 members present.
  - Fundraising Committee
    The committee is working on implementing the suggestions of the fundraising consultant’s final report. Members of the Steering Committee call large donors to thank them which is a good practice.
  - International Committee
    There has been an influx of new members recently. There will be a meeting this Wed. Jan. 27. The committee is starting to meet monthly via Zoom.
  - Merchandising Committee
    MerchCom is working on a new shirt design.
  - Outreach Committee
    The committee will meet Mon. Jan. 25. They have updated their member list. They are looking for new members to build the committee’s skill set (writers, graphic designers, …). They will be looking at H.R.1 both the new version and the previous version from 2019. Election process for co-chairs will start within a week.
  - Presidential Campaign Support Committee ()
    The committee is working on a report of the 2020 presidential campaign cycle which should be available in February.
  - Apportionment Review Committee
    The committee held a meeting on Thursday January 14. The committee went over the list of current proposed apportionment ideas.
Voting Queue
1. In the queue
  1. 1031 – Amendment Credentials Committee Mission Statement
    
    Presenter:
    
    Credentials Committee
    
    Floor Manager:
    
    Anita Rios
    
    Phase:
    
    Discussion
2. Received for the queue
  1. Proposal Confirming Disaffiliation of Green Party of Rhode Island
    Findings:
    6-5.1(d) Is not in conflict with GPUS Bylaws, Rules and Procedures, Fiscal Policy or Presidential Convention Rules;,br>
    While this proposal is not in direct conflict with the GPUS BRPP it is not covered by them either.
    6-5.1(e) Is clear in what it asks the National Committee to decide;
    The proposal is unclear what the consequences would be if the proposal fails.,br>
    Findings approved with Tony and Tamar abstain.
    
    The Steering Committee accepts the proposal from the Accreditation Committee as a report to be forwarded to the National Committee
    Approved with Tony and Tamar abstaining.
Old Business
1. Planning 2020 Presidential Campaign Debrief
  A planning meeting will be held Tue. Jan. 26.
2. Elections Database Access
  Approval of a statement to be sent to Mike Feinstein , the National Committee and states.
  Approved by consensus with Tony standing aside.
New Business
1. Report of Theme and Date for 2021 ANM
  Date: July 15 – 18
  Theme: A Green Party for Everyone
Executive Session
None

Green Party of the United States Steering Committee Minutes

Green Party of the United States
Steering Committee
Minutes