July 14, 2024

MInutes – Green Party US Steering Committee Meeting

Date: Sunday, July 14, 2024

Time: 8:00 pm ET

AGENDA

Setup and Background
Facilitator: Belinda Davis
Steering Committee Roll Call:
Craig Cayetano (co-chair) – present; joined during Treasurer’s

report

Margaret Elisabeth (co-chair) – present
Darryl! Moch (co-chair) – reported in transit, unable to join meeting
Alfred Molison (co-chair) – present
Joseph Naham (co-chair) – present
Tony Ndege (co-chair) –
Tamar Yager (co-chair) – present
Holly Hart (secretary) – present
Bob Stuller (treasurer) – present

Observers: Starlene Rankin (WA), GCCC; Scott Laugenour (WA), CCC Co-chair; Cassandra Lems (NY); CredCom; Gloria Mattera (MY), Co-chair, Fundraising, Media

Observers (remain muted and refrain from using the chat feature):

Establish Quorum (9 current members, quorum is 5)

Treasurer’s Report (Bob)

merchant checking 4574.32

general checking 13,753.56

saving 115,697.78

paypal 4008.64

$103,000 is what is available. No invoices from PNC and PNC Media Director have been submitted yet.

III. New Business

Staff Report

NationBuilder Update (Tamar)

Tamar reviewed updated NationBuilder protocols sent to SC. Staff have been working hard on PNC business, including off hours, and doing a great job. Suggested SC send them a note of thanks.

CCC Funding Requests – $1500. Request for $600 for Douglas Marsh, MI, running for U S Senate

. Request for $900 for Andre Stackhouse, WA, running for governor. See ADDENDA A, B

CCC – new funding request (must be approved for agenda by SC) for $1,000 for Asheemo Nefertiti “Koda” Daily, HI, State Representative, District 48

$5200 left in budgeted funds for CCC; $500 in CCC reserve Margaret proposed approval for Marsh and Stackhouse funding.

APPROVED by consensus, $600 for Marsh, $900 for Stackhouse; Tamar standing aside.

APPROVED by consensus $1000 for Daily; Tamar standing aside.

CCC Fundraising and eBlast Items Link to CCC Budget / Reserves Current Fundraising Status

Communication from Scott Laugenour, Co-chair, CCC:

CCC Fundraising / Reserves Update. Recent CCC fundraising has resulted in $499.50 in reserves for the CCC, which should be withdrawn to fulfill part of the three grant disbursements requested above. At the May 12 SC Meeting, I distributed some fundraising notes to get feedback from SC Co-Chairs. I was asked to return at a later date to get this feedback, so I requested to have this discussion at the July 14 SC Meeting.
Christina Khalil award fulfillment. CCC grant recipients are entitled to insert a campaign message into a CCC Fundraising eblast. On May 2 Christina Khalil (Senate NJ) was awarded a $1000 grant, which has been disbursed. However the eblast insert that was scheduled to go out with a CCC Fundraising eblast on June 28 has been delayed due to the freeze that is now in place on all GPUS Committees’ Fundraising eblasts. I would like to have a status update so that I can communicate back to the candidate when we expect that GPUS Committee Fundraising eblasts can resume.

c.. Jason Call award fulfillment. Similarly to the case of Christina Khalil, Jason Call’s CCC grant entitled him to a series of five campaign message inserts, the last two of which are delayed due to the GPUS Committee Fundraising eblast freeze. In Jason’s case there is a time urgency. His Washington 2nd Congressional District primary Election Day is Aug 6, with mail-in ballots being dropped in his district on July 19. His district is virtually 100% mail-in ballot. I would like to have a status update so that I can communicate back to the candidate when we expect that GPUS Committee Fundraising eblasts can resume.

CCC Co-chair Scott Laugenour, expressed concern about the NationBuilder eBlast freeze, hopes eBlasts can go out soon. Margaret stated that some are time-sensitive and need to go. Holly noted that it is critical that staff is able to work out issues, but had asked for some exceptions, one or two eBlasts for the two candidates in question. Recommended that CCC communicate more with Fundraising, they are not always on the same page. Craig stated that we are paying for NationBuilder, they should help clear up issues. He also noted we had asked for candidate follow-up with GPUS, to use for social media. Joseph also stated support for getting out eBlasts -merged perhaps – before specific election date. Gloria Mattera, Fundraising Co-chair, noted the issue is a problem that staff is working out. Tamar, thinking along what she has heard from staff, suggested a combined Jason/Christina eBlast to go out now; Craig liked this idea. Tamar will check with staff for advice and see if a combined candidate eBlast is feasible. Scott L and Margaret prefer to go with an eBlast for Jason Call now, as he is facing a primary deadline in early August. Plan is to look into the possibility of a combined eBlast, with advice from staff.

d.. Request for Steering Committee Co-Chair Liaison. At the May 12 SC meeting Scott requested that a Co-Chair Liaison be appointed for the CCC. He would like to ask again what the status is in assigning a Co-Chair Liaison to the CCC.

Joseph volunteered to be liaison. APPROVED by Consensus.

Potential for a list exchange contract with the PNC nominee

Tamar reported that presidential candidates provide their donor list to GPUS. GPUS had difficulty with the Hawkins campaign (Margaret noted that the SC had to threaten to sue the campaign, received the list in 85 parts, eventually came from the accountant);had no issues with 2012 and 2016 lists.

GPUS will also be sending out publicity for the campaign after the PNC. Based on the experience of the 2020 campaign, Margaret recommended having a contract in place, even if it’s certain there will be a list exchange. Tamar said there is a contract that can be used as an example/template. Margaret will look for it.

Freedom Fest: Question of Fair Inclusion (Joseph)

Joseph contacted the Freedom Fest organizers regarding the fact that RFK Jr was given speaking time ahead of the debate; ;as well, he did not participate in the debate. Joseph had planned to attend, but ended up not being able to go. Exchanged texts with Zack Carter, Free & Equal debate manager. Freedom Fest is essentially a pay-to-[play operation. New organizer said they would give Greens a table and digital placement on stage. Mike Feinstein and some others (Hansens?) in Nevada were able to be there. Craig stated the SC should try to make sure someone is able to get to these events to represent the Green Party.

G . Green-Rainbow Party “vs” Green Party (Holly)

The Secretary has written a letter to the MASS SoS and for use wherever needed, clarifying that the Green-Rainbow Party is the official affiliate of GPUS; also asking the SoS and township clerks assist in clarifying this to new registrants. In MASS, parties are designated by a letter, which remains even if the party doesn’t. When the Green Party merged with the Rainbow Party, by law, both letter designations – G and N(?) – remained, with the Green-Rainbow Party receiving the letter “J.” This has resulted in some confusion. Recently, some MASS Young Greens decided to use the “G” line for the Jasmine Sherman campaign. There has been concern about potential mis-use of the national or state party logo. About the same time, an individual has created a PAC (although it’s not listed with the MASS SoS) to revive the “G” Party, and some of the Green-Rainbow folks are hoping to create a party with the “G” line specifically Green – with a Green Platform,10 Key Values/4 Pillars, bylaws, etc – to prevent some clearly un-Green or unfriendly organization from co-opting it. This may end up being confusing, as well, and it is urged that the MASS SoS and township clerks make an effort to make clear the party distinction to voters planning to register with what they assume if THE Green Party (affiliate of the GPUS).

Standing Business 10 min
Online Decisions
2 48/48 decisions to Endorse request from American Muslims for Palestine and The People’s Forum: Call for national mobilization, demonstration protesting Israeli Prime Minister’s visit to Congress July 24. Secretary will submit endorsement forms with both organizations.

Reports
Secretary (Holly)

Progress report on updates: Continuing work with Google Folder system, list clean-up progress

Correspondence
Letter from PANH – Haiti – Alert to international media and NGO’s, call for government to pursue gangs, crime

Reports from Committee (co-chairs/committee representative)

Liaison Reports 10 min

Craig: Media; Merchandise, Presidential Campaign Support Committee

Alfred: Green Peace Action Committee

Alfred has been unable to attend meetings and follow work; would like to step down. Call for new volunteer.

Joseph: EcoAction, Green Pages, International

EcoAction held a webinar on Carbon Capture

Tamar: Apportionment Tabulation, Credentials, Election Tabulation, Staff Supervisor, Apportionment Review Committee

CredCom is doing great work, but many states are not getting information in.

Margaret: Banking and Monetary Reform, Fundraising

BMRC concerned that many in the NC don’t’ understand well our platform. Fundraising – just a few re doing the bulk of the work; we can help by writing text, getting bare bones draft they can work with.

Darryl!: Platform, DRC

Margaret noted there are a number of platform planks currently in the voting queue. PNC delegates may challenge these positions, if they file with the PNC if they wat time to speak on these issues. That date is coming up August 9th.

Tony: Ballot Access, Outreach

Voting Queue (Holly)
RECEIVED for the QUEUE
Proposal to Extend SC Co-chair Term Limits See Addendum C

Findings: Timeline request is shorter than required. Sponsor has agreed to amend to the required minimum discussion timeframe of two weeks.

2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote, 2/3 approval threshold. Margaret will be floor manager

Tamar asked for the to be expedited to go out Monday. APPROVED, Holly standing aside.

IN the QUEUE

Discussion

#1211 – II Social Justice, A Civil Rights and Equal Rights, 1 Women’s Rights

#1212 – A Civil Rights and Equal Rights, 1 Women’s Rights, Sexual Equality and

#1213 – II Social Justice, A Civil Rights and Equal Rights, 1 Women’s Rights,

#1214 – II Social Justice, A Civil Rights and Equal Rights, 1 Women’s Rights,

#1215 – II Social Justice, A Civil Rights and Equal Rights, 1 Women’s Rights,

#1216 – II Social Justice Section G Labor – Telecommuting

#1217 – IV Economic Justice and Sustainability, Paragraph N Monetary Reform

#1218 – V Economic Justice and Sustainability- addition of O Parity Economy

#1219 – II Social Justice, A Civil Rights and Equal Rights, 1 Women’s Rights

Discussion 6/24 through 7/14; Voting period 7/15 through 7/21. Floor Manager: Holly Hart. Approval Threshold: ⅔

#1222 – Confirm Cassandra Lems as Credentialing Co-facilitator for 2024 PNC

#1223 – Confirm Orlando Johnson as Credentialing Co-facilitator for 2024 PNC

#1224 – Confirm Joseph Naham as Election Administrator for 2024 PNC

Discussion through 7/21. Voting period 7/22-7/28/24. Floor Manager: Tamar

Yager. Approval Threshold 50%+1

Voting – None\

COMPLETED

2024 Platform Proposals

#1207– Proposal for Margaret Elisabeth for Honorary 2024 PNC Co-chair

#1206 – Proposal for Craig Cayetano for Honorary 2024 PNC Co-chair

#1208 – 2024 ANM/PNC Convention Rules Change

#1209 – 2024 ANM/PNC Date Change Housekeeping July

#1210 – 2024 ANM/PNC Date Change Housekeeping

VII. Old Business FTI

Endorsing the Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws march on the DNC National Convention on August 18th. (Margaret) You can find information about the group here: https://www.bodiesmarch.org/ Endorsement form submitted by secretary. More information TBA to Media, NC, SC, area Greens

.B. GPUS Endorsement of PPEHRC – Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign upcoming March. Secretary signed the endorsement form.

VIII. Executive Session – 10 min

Contract hire for Tech assistant for 2024 PNC

SC agreed to approve whomever Lynne hires. Tamar will produce the contract. $3200 for work from July 17 to August 21.

Breaking New Business

Accreditation Committee has submitted proposal to accredit the new Unified Green party of Georgia. Margaret proposed expediting to the voting page to go out tomorrow, given that this will bring the GPUS another ballot line, per the state pf Georgia’s recently updated ballot access laws. 2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote, 2/3 approval threshold. Margaret will be floor manager. APPROVED by Consensus.

TOTAL TOME: 2 hours 15 minutes

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ADDENDUM A

On June 28, 2024 the Coordinated Campaign Committee awarded $600 to Douglas P Marsh, who is running for US Senate from Michigan.

At the moment there are, by my calculations, $454.50 in CCC Reserves, so a budget disbursement of $145.50 is needed to fulfill the grant. I ask that this budget disbursement be considered at your July 14, 2024 meeting. If, by the time of the July 14 meeting CCC’s reserves have grown to an extent that the grant could be fulfilled without a budget disbursement I’ll withdraw this agenda request.

I look forward to receiving acknowledgment of this agenda request.

Scott Laugenour, Co-Chair

GPUS Coordinated Campaign Committee

ccc@gp.org

ADDENDUM B

To: GPUS Steering Committee

CC: GPUS Secretary

CC: GPUS Coordinated Campaign Committee

On July 8 the CCC approved a $900 award to Andre Stackhouse, candidate for Washington State Governor.

I request the the question of approving the disbursement of this award be placed on the agenda for your July 14 meeting.

Thank you.

Scott Laugenour, Co-Chair

GPUS Coordinated Campaign Committee

ccc@gp.org

—

Scott Laugenour

Co-Chair, CCC

Washington State

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ADDENDUM C