GPUS SC Conference Call
Sunday, September 19, 2010
8:00 p.m. EDT
Co-chairs: Craig Thorsen, Julie Jacobson, David Strand, Mike Feinstein, Jason
Nabewaniec
Secretary: Holly Hart
Treasurer: Jeff Turner
Staff: Brent McMillan, Brian Bittner
Theresa El-Amin is not able to be on tonight’s call. Farheen is also unable to attend the call, due to illness. Jason was also not feeling well and had to drop off the call.
Facilitator: Craig Thorsen
Agenda Review
Holly asked to add a request to consider IC P&P’s for the voting queue with an online vote this week. Mike objected, stating there is other work to be done by the SC, including online work; also, that this gives the SC less time (3 days, as opposed to 6) to review this proposal. Jason stated we have seen this several times, felt there was no reason to delay. Julie felt she would like more time. Jeff was also opposed to squeezing it in. Holly stated she would withdraw the request.
I. STAFF REPORTS
a. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Brent
Brent sent a report of the SC today. He added that he attended a meeting of the Congressional Black Caucus for a reparations workshop which also involved the Green Party Black Caucus, but that was re-scheduled for later that afternoon. He attended a discussion on mortgage crisis. There had been the highest number of foreclosures in one month the history of the U.S.Coming up this week is a meeting with representatives of a nurses’ union concerning work toward universal health care. On September 22, there will be a National Press Club meeting with Cynthia McKinney.
We currently have 333 candidates, more coming forward.
b. OFFICE MANAGER – Brian
Brian sent a report. He has been working with the FundCom to project some income numbers for next year to set up the basis for the budget.
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II. TREASURER’S REPORT – Jeff
a. Report
We have about $3000 in the bank, almost enough for next payroll in a couple of weeks. Jeff had a conversation with the person in charge of FEC claims, and we are out of options. We owe them $2856; if we don’t pay, it goes to US Treasury Collections with a significant collection charge. She set a plan whereby GPUS will pay $1000 this month, $1000 the next, $856 the next. We owe $1000 for polo shirts, an order which was inadvertently authorized. $700 for envelopes, expense of $71 re-imbursement for Brent, Red Sun Press (over $8000), wired for change ($500), re-imbursement for SC ANM expenses (approx. $3000) = about $17,500 total. Jeff transferred Black Caucus money from reserve account to pay for a Black Caucus event in DC.
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III. DISCUSSION Regarding Fundraising; Contracting with phone-banking firm
a. Mike: This item would provide the SC with the opportunity to revisit the information presented by Brent McMillan regarding Keys Direct Fundraising/Marketing company (that works with the Green Party of Canada), regarding organizing the GPUS data base, and would discuss the possibilities for the GPUS to retain Keys Direct to phone bank/fundraise on behalf of the GPUS. Scott Keys, Executive Director, is willing to be on the call if we are interested, to answer questions.
Mike reported that he had followed up to get more information. The person Scott Keys recommended to help with our database is a Green Party member in Canada who has worked with them and has a great deal of experience with CivicCRM. Prior to this year’s ANM, there were two agreements – non-disclosure and no-risk to have Scott Keys review the database to see if there would be a workable possibility to have Keys Direct handle fundraising for GPUS; however, we could not deliver the contents, as we cannot retrieve them. Brent stated he would re-send those agreements so the current SC can see them; and asked for permission for Key’s person to have access to our database, so we can retrieve the information so it can actually be used, and then consider working with a contractor like Keys Direct.
1 – Mike asked the SC to make a formal decision next week (call?) to authorize Brent to follow up with Keys Direct and authorize them to work with our database. Mike spoke with Jim Harris of the Canadian Greens, who highly endorsed Keys Direct.
2) – GPCA was considering working with Keys Direct, and the question was raised whether it may be illegal to use a foreign firm for fundraising for an FEC organization. A legal opinion is still forthcoming. Brent stated he could discuss this with the FEC person who deals with third parties.
b. Jeff had sent a spreadsheet to the SC, and reviewed the most recent design for staffing: full-time office manager; half-time political director; full-time fundraiser; make Scott McLarty (media coordinator) a part-time employee and offer health insurance. Approx. $22,000 increase in staffing cost over 2010, half of which is medical coverage for two more employees
Jeff asked for feedback.
Mike stated he is ok with this approach and to keep working on it; he is most interested in the description of the fundraiser position, especially if it turns out we are able to work with Keys Direct.
Craig stated a concern that he had heard some insist that a new office assistant must be female; he doesn’t think this should be marketed as a female position, it may illegal. Jeff noted that there is not an office assistant in this proposal.
Julie stated she generally supports this, it addresses a number of things we’ve talked about. She agreed with Craig’s concern about advertising only for women.
David asked if there is a description of what the political directors’ job description would be? Jeff replied that there was not yet, but the idea here was to delineate job descriptions so that a staff member could focus on their job and not end up being asked to do everything else; can imply from job titles what the position would expand into. It was discussed that the political director would have the function of being in charge (general oversight).
Mike asked that the SC grant conceptual approval to this approach, in two weeks, review job descriptions to complete the package. Jeff, Jason and Holly will work on finishing touches on job description for political director; Mike will send the current political director material from the job description on the SC wiki.
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IV. Decision: Proposal to NC – Advisory input sought on DC office
Mike requested 30 minutes for this item
Mike Feinstein was directed by the SC to prepare a draft advisory proposal to send to the NC, to seek input on a DC office. Originally it was to be for an on-line vote, but it took longer to produce a draft than expected. Mike posted a draft proposal to the SC this afternoon, and asked for an online review and decision this week, to go to the voting queue next Monday. This would be a non-binding advisory. Jeff recommended we make clear that this is to commit to an office in DC at least through the 2012 Presidential cycle.
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V. GREEN PAGES members proposal – Mike
Mike reported that this would be forthcoming as an online vote this week. He asked if the SC would authorize Brian to receive email votes, to prevent possible manipulation of one’s votes. Craig stated he was against secret elections, but understands people are concerned about “gaming.” Mike clarified that the results would be posted, once the vote was over,
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VI. VOTING QUEUE, and misc. secretary items – Holly
No voting queue items
Misc. – Reports
– Forum Managers: there are currently only two. We need at least one more, and ideally a fourth for alternate.
– Calendar (standard items, call for known proposals): a call will come out at the start of the fiscal year, which begins on January 1.
– Coordinated Campaign Committee elections: the call for nominations goes out directly after the November general election. Craig stated that he is part of a working group revising CCC rules, to address difficulties in getting the required number of women.
– Directory and Voting Page: Susan Dridi has worked on an update to the STV program and more for the GPUS voting page. She is eager to implement this. Holly asked her to provide an estimate of time and cost it would take for her to do the update. Susan also explained that the directory portion offers an option for standing committee designees to be able to update and maintain committee membership lists; and that this can be easily transferred to the committee home pages on gp.org. Holly said she will learn more about this and inform committees of this option.
– Website: David Doonan has contacted the Pair service and provided information on possibility of offering “retail” web space for state party websites. Info will be sent to the IT group for further review and discussion.
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VII. PORTFOLIOS
MIke – Green Pages is about ready to release its most recent issue online. An international section isn’t ready, but will be added when it’s available. One article will be an interview with Caroline Lucas, newly elected MP to the UK Parliament.
Craig – Accreditation Committee is aware that the 4 states inactivated last January will be reviewing. ANM is expecting 3 states to bid on next year’s sites; 3 interested in 2012. DAC is slowly working on situation, and looks like they will not have a new proposal before November at earliest, probably until december; there will likely be a survey to come out in the next few weeks.
Mike – African Greens are looking to host Glbal Greens’ meeting in 2012. He hasnot yet alerted the IC, but hopes this doesn’t directly conflict with the Green Presidential Convention.
David – wants to explore with Theresa and representative of Women’s Caucus in making official some of the tasks once assigned to the Diversity Committee.
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NEXT CALL: Sunday, October 3, 2010; 8:00 p.m. ET
Jeff recommended we have a call each Sunday night in October, not necessarily full agendas but restricted to specific items, noting the need to pursue the budget schedule.