December 15, 2024

MINUTES – Green Party US – Steering Committee Meeting  – Minutes

Sunday, December 15, 2024

8:00 pm ET

 

  1. Setup and Background \

Facilitator: Tamr Yager

Steering Committee Roll Call:

  1. Craig Cayetano (co-chair) – present

  2. Cassandra Lems(co-chair) – present

  3. Darryl! Moch (co-chair) – reported absence

  4. Alfred Molison (co-chair) –

  5. Joseph Naham (co-chair) – reported absence

  6. Charles Ostdiek(co-chair) – present

  7. Justin Paglino (co-chair) – present

  8. Holly Hart (secretary) – present

  9. Bob Stuller (treasurer) – present

 

Guests: Jill Stein, 2024 Green Presidential Candidate; Jason Call, Stein/Ware Campaign Manager; Gloria Mattera, campaign volunteer and advisor

 

              Observers: Scerick Lokngcope, TN; Rick Lass, NM/Stein campaign ballot access coordinator; Alan Hunter, NY, Scott Laugenour, WA/CCC Co-chair; Sandy Przybylak, NY; Howie Hawkins, NY; Starlene Rankin, WA

 

  1.  Treasurer’s Report (Bob)

Signal

General $26,431.23

Merchant $4,744.37

Savings $88,710.14

PayPal $2,140.94 (minus $4000, in transit to credit union)

 

  1. New Business

  1. FYI – Message from Operation Simplify, an organization working to end gerrymandering; inquiry about meeting early in the new year.

 

  1. Stein Campaign: Jill Stein, Jason Call, Gloria Mattera present information on current activity, ideas and advice  for Green party building.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xJGJ8S05sbbf6Rn764

Jill presented an outline they had prepared.  She said it is important to seize the momentum now, as the Green Party is now THE main opposition  third party in the country.  Their idea is that the party itself, rather than another type of organization, would be the repository of funds and staff..

The current political/military situation is the most dangerous it’s ever been.  We are the party most informed and organized around this.

  1. Possible idea is to host an educational summit followed by an Action – lengthen and invigorate both struggles (Gaza, Nuclear de-escalation) to a new level of engagement, and create “action with traction.”  Rally, BDS, weapons embargo, joint Day of Action. Jill has reached out to GPAX and other organizations, including Medea Benjamin with Code Pink about integrating actions. Possible  project: end War in Gaza, signing on to nuclear treaties, disinvesting.

  1. Podcast: hosted by Jill Stein to utilize visibility, emphasizing more segments with candidates, etc.

  1.  Are there ways the party can optimize the 2024 presidential candidate as the de facto spokesperson? Is there any kind of programmatic dimension to that – reporting, consulting with various committees, etc.

Jason added note of the importance of reaching out to labor, especially newer unions with newer, younger members who appear more likely to support these goals.

======

Craig presented his “wish list” – January webinar “intro to the Green party” to help attract new members and activity.  New Jersey media contact is helping with organizing the program. Notes we have voted to endorse the January 20th action in DC.  Wants to re-launch Outreach Committee and is the SC committee liaison.  Advises adding versions of our website in Spanish and Arabic. Add a 5th Pillar –  Labor

Further discussion about fundraising and optimal models for fundraising.  Jill feels that now is a very good time for fundraising.  Jason mentioned the campaign fundraiser and would recommend the SC take their lead and recommendation.  Believe she would work well on a commission basis, someone not “mercenary,  would not abuse the position.  One option might be an interim, short-term hire for a month.  Now is a perfect storm for fundraising.

Question of whether the SC wants to go forward with this, and if so, next steps. There is no budget, yet, but the Fundraising Committee could have Jill on board for some preliminary fundraising now.  Jill Proposed that one or two individuals be brought on as commission fundraisers now while due diligence is being done: month-long part-time social media hire and fundraiser on commission.

Bob reported that the budgeted income was higher than projected last month.   PNC also netted a profit of just under $4000.  We have been above 90 day staff and operations costs; suggests we  could dip into some of those operations reserves expecting to replace that amount in the operations reserve.

 

IV.  Standing Business FYI’s

Follow-up on Action Items — SC “Intro” Webinar moved back to January 2025.  Craig is working with GPNJ member who is involved with Black Liberation Media about      collaboration.  Will provide more information this coming week.

 

V. Reports — TABLED – Co-chairs, please review liaison spreadsheet and edit, as needed!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c2gpFv7aivHl29B5Dx-6hixVsA5QUY9I1c6wpz0f2Ko/edit?gid=1854246226#gid=1854246226

Guest Committee(s) – TBA – 5 min

 

  1. Staff (Justin)

  2. Secretary (Holly) –

  3. Craig: Media, Merch, PCSC, GCCC, Outreach

  4. Cassandra: ANMCom, ETC, FundCom,

  5. Joseph: IC, CCC, BMRC, Green Pages

  6. Alfred: AC

  7. Darryl!: DRC, BRPP, Platcom

  8. Charles: GPAX, FinCom, Animal Rights

  9. Justin: BAC, EcoAction ; Staff Supervisor

 

  1. Voting Queue – FYI, No New Proposals, No Updates

  1.  Received for the Queue

  1. In the Queue —

Discussion

#1235 – 2024 Coordinated Campaign Committee Election – Men &  Nonbinary Individuals

Ranked Choice Vote; 2 Seats

Discussion through December 8, 2024

Voting period: December 9 – 15, 2024

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

 

#1236 – 2024 Coordinated Campaign Committee Election – Women

Ranked Choice Vote; 3 Seats

Discussion through December 8, 2024

Voting period: December 9 – 15, 2024

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

 

#1237 – 2025 Election – GPUS Treasurer (Video Presentation and recordings Monday, December 8, 8 pm ET); Zoom Info TBA)

Ranked Choice Vote; 1 Seat

Discussion through December 15, 2024

Voting period: December 16 – 22, 2024

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

 

#1238 – GPUS Endorsement and Participation -Workers Strike Back Organizing

Conference-Seattle 2-222025

Discussion through December 15, 2024

Voting period: December 16 – 22, 2024

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

 

Voting

     C. Completed  — 5 min

 

  1. Old Business —

  1. Budget review continues online

 

  1. Executive Session – Steering Committee entered executive Session shortly after 9 pm ET to discuss various recommendations for fundraising and digital media interim hires.  Ended shortly after 10 pm ET.  SC Consensed on two Proposals: a 60 day interim hire for a fundraiser to work on commission basis  (Charles Ostdiek, Bob Stuller standing aside); a 30 day interim hire for a digital media producer, $25/hr for 20 hours a week (Holly standing aside).  Holly will send request to Fundraising Committee for short job descipri0tns to post to the National Committee “votes” list and gp;org “jobs” page and other sites.

 

TOTAL TIME — 2  hours, 30 min