GPUS SC Conference Call
Sunday, October 17, 2010
8:00 p.m. EDT
Co-chairs:
Jason Nabewaniec, Craig Thorsen, Theresa El-Amin, Mike Feinstein, David Strand, Julie Jacobson, Farheen Hakeem
Secretary: Holly Hart
Treasurer: Jeff Turner
Staff: Brent McMillan, Brian Bittner
Facilitator: Theresa
Agenda review
REQUEST, Holly – to add Mission Statement proposal from GPVA to tonight’s voting queue items.
Voting to include this on the agenda tonight: Holly, Theresa, Jason
Opposed: Mike, Craig, Julie
Non-committee/Abstain: Jeff, David
FAILED: 3 Yes, 3 No, 2 Abstentions; GPVA proposal will not be added to tonight’s call agenda
I. STAFF REPORTS
a. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Brent
Brent sent a weekly work report to the SC.
Brent reported on the confidentiality agreement with Craig Kent [to find what information we are able to retrieve]. Jeff has raised concerns about the language, so Brent will contact Kent and let him know we will edit the language for clarity.
Bent reported on the conference call with Erich Pica with Friends of the earth. Mike, Craig, Jeff and Holly called in. Brent is reaching out to both labor and environmental groups. He is working towards a meeting with United Electrical workers.
The next re-solicitation letter has been sent off to the printer. This should be a substantial source of income for the next two months.
b. OFFICE MANAGER – Brian
Brian sent a report to the SC this afternoon. He usually waits until Sundays to submit his reports, so he can include the most updated report for online contributions.
c. REPORT on Leadership Conference for Guaranteed Healthcare, in Philadelphia – Brent, Theresa
Katie Robbins asked Brent to serve on a panel with Margaret Flowers and Russel Mokhiber. Theresa would also like to attend this event. She spoke with Margaret Flowers recently, and would like to attend as a representative of the Green Party. She asked for SC approval, and asked Brent to let the group know she would be attending. All were in agreement and Brent said he would contact the event planner.
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II. TREASURER’S REPORT – Jeff
We have taken in a little over $4000 this month.
It came to light that we may not have complete agreement with getting re-solicitation mailing out now. Jeff stated we need to raise some money now; we have $3000 pledged, $2000 has appeared so far. Brent stated the amount we need to cover postage is about $2800. We need to keep on top of those who have expressed willingness to help us out with a loan, and will let Jeff know when checks arrive. Those who have pledged are very reliable.
Jeff stated we really need about $4000 to cover Red Sun bill and payroll.
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III. GREEN PAGES – results of SC online vote
a. PROPOSAL, Mike: That the SC agree to call the appointment process closed and ask Brian to release the four votes, after which the appointments will be calculated using the party’s ranked choice voting procedure.
Background: The SC has twice sought to reach quorum on the SC’s Green Papers sub-committee appointments and thus far only four SC members have voted. Brian Bittner has the four votes, but has not revealed their content to the SC.
APPROVED, consensus
Brian will post the results, Mike will run the program, Holly will publish the results and notify those selected.
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IV. VOTING QUEUE, and misc. secretary items – Holly
a. Brief review of current voting queue items, if needed
b. International Committee, state sponsors forthcoming: P&P’s
Link leading to the revision in what they submitted. Mike objected to sending this to the voting queue, because the full text isn’t included in this message. Holly stated that the language had been sent in full to the SC some time ago, although not here.
VOTE on whether to NOT send the proposal to the voting queue
Holly – No, SC had the text awhile ago and should have read it
Jason – No
David – Yes, don’t have text
Theresa – Yes, don’t have text
Mike – Yes
Craig – Yes
Farheen – No
Jeff – Yes
Julie – Yes
IC PROPOSAL will not go to the voting queue now; 5 Yes (i.e., not to send the proposal); 3 No.
Farheen asked about the possibility of addressing this with an online vote. Craig believes it is too complicated, would be at least a 30-minute item on our next call.
Forum Manager update – Holly hopes FM’s can have a brief call in about a week to assess how things are going.
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V. BUDGET – continuing discussion on budget, staffing
a. Jeff sent a new draft budget for 2011-2016 to the SC. and reviewed this on the call. The latest draft emphasizes need for support for ballot access, outreach and resolving debt. Jeff stated this involves something we haven’t done before: we will need a fundraiser and workable database, and we are all to be leaders in fundraising. Times are turning politically, if we can do something different, we have an opportunity to succeed.
General support for Jeff’s draft budget. Jeff also suggested we an “austerity budget” to show the alternative if we don’t join in the fundraising plan.
b. Discussion on Fundraiser Job Description – Mike
See job description forwarded by Mike. Jeff, Holly and others noted that the job description should be separate from a contract. Theresa also wanted to have standardized and improved contract language for all positions. Mike said that our past job descriptions have included the contract language. Jeff stated that we need a job description and specification (qualifications), separate from a contract. Discussion on whether to also include a phone solicitation contractor. Work will continue.
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VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Green Pages, Mike: Mike has asked Green Pages co-chair, David McCorquodale, for an estimate for a one-time printing (as was done in 2009) to be available at the national meeting.
Theresa said that she wants to drop being SC liaison to the Fundraising Committee, would prefer to focus time as an active member of Ballot Access. David said he is interested, but will not be able to take this on until after the general election and the DAC’s work is over. He could commit to this around January.
PCSC, Mike: since their last call, the committee has now set up an email list for discussion of 2012. About a half dozen have signed up. PCSC starts voting tonight to confirm their proposed outreach strategy.
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It was agreed to have an extra call next Sunday. This call will be reserved for budget, staff-related items only. Theresa asked to include the two voting queue items that were not sent forward or addresses this time. Mike disagreed, stating we should spend time on financial issues. Craig noted he felt the IC proposal would take a 30-minute discussion and he had an 8- page review of problems involved with that proposal.
NEXT CALL: Sunday, October 24, 2010; 8:00 p.m. ET
10/17/10
Holly Hart
Secretary, GPUS
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