GPUS-SC Conference Call
February 8, 2009
8:00 p.m. EST
Participants:
Co-chairs: Craig Thorsen, Jason Nabewaniec, Sanda Everrett, Phil Huckelberry, Jill Bussiere, Budd Dickinson
Secretary: Holly Hart
Treasurer: Jody Grage
Staff: Tamar Yager, Brent McMillan
Guest: Andy Finko, possible Legal Counsel
Cliff Thornton is not able to be on the call, due to a family health issue.
Facilitator: Phil
Abbreviations used:
AC = Accreditation Committee
ANM, ANMC = Annual National Meeting Committee
BAWG = Ballot Access Working Group
BRPP = Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures Committee
BC = Black Caucus
CC = Coordinating Committee
CCC = Coordinated Campaign Committee
CG SC = Campus Greens Steering Committee
ComCom = Communications Committee
DC = Diversity Committee
DIA = Democracy in Action internet service
DRC = Dispute Resolution Committee
FC = Fundraising Committee
FEC = Federal Election Commission
GP = Green Party
IC = International Committee
LC = Lavender Caucus
NPWG = Nominating Process Working Group
NWC = National Women’s Caucus
PEC = Presidential Exploratory Committee
PCSC = Presidential Campaign Support Committee
SC = Steering Committee
SPWG = Strategic Plan Working Group
[Brackets denote editor’s suggested corrections. Some punctuation corrections done with no content change. -ed.]
AGENDA
I. STAFF REPORTS
a. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Brent
Brent sent out a political director report. Leaving for Denver this week, American Citizens’ Summit. Revenues from some bookstore will be turned over, proceeds to GPUS. Archival reports stored in office. Looking into using office printer as fax; it is possible.
Brent & Scott McLarty spoke with Robert Habeck, from European Greens, article posted to GNC.
75 candidates identified for this year, so far; compared to this time last year; in 2005, comparable cycle, we had 23 candidates.
[TOO MUCH INTERFERENCE. CAN’T HEAR – hh]
b. FUNDRAISING MANAGER – Tamar
Tamar is working on updated letter to go out online. Empower is calling a combination of low donors and top donors from a prospect list of theirs. Our lower donors returns are a little better than breaking even, at this time. She will be consulting with Sanda on an appeal to the California Green Party list.
She has taken 5 webinars with DiA; feels they can deliver functions we want.
Question was raised by a delegate about fundraising, soliciting funds for candidates on the GNC list; should there be a policy? Tamar does not think it’s creating a problem right now, the same people are giving. Jody stated that the fundraising committee will look into this and look into a recommendation for a policy.
II. PERSONNEL
a. Job Descriptions (review and approve) for Executive Director; Operations Director; Office Assistant; more
Jody has sent out a message with descriptions attached; it has not gotten to the SC list, yet, her computer won’t send.
Brent has posted the Operations Director and Office Manager job descriptions for SC approval.
Operations Director job description: APPROVED, by consensus; Jason and Craig standing aside, (Craig would like to re-read the documents; Jason had planned to meet with staff beforehand, and hasn’t had a chance to do that, yet).
Office Manager job description: APPROVED, by consensus; Craig standing aside (same reason as above).
b. Posting employee contracts//mediation
We have used the same form for independent contract agreements in 2008 and 2009. Because her post won’t go through, Jody proposed that she send out to the SC the Executive Director Employee Agreement (small addition to dealing with current and future landlords; amendment to termination agreement w/ severance pay according to length of employment). She proposed that this become the Employment Agreement Form. Jody would like to get agreement on these, and then send out to the GNC the blank forms; the personnel manual (now includes small changes that have to do with what we are actually doing and able to do as a small organization); a message to GNC explaining what is being sent out and what will be forthcoming, as it’s finished up. SC would review these online this week, as Jody is able to send them out, ideally within 48 hours. Not all are in favor of sending out job descriptions per se, because they feel that micro-managing and criticism should be directed to the SC, not encouraging delegates to feel like they are direct supervisors of individual staff members. There is also the question of getting legal counsel to know what should or should not be sent.
AGREED to decide online, within 48 hour period, changes to personnel manual, documents and agreements.
Question of mediation. Phil stated it was not clear what was wanted, whether we are on the same page. Budd stated that the (two) questions were whether blank contracts, job descriptions and personnel manual would be sent to the GNC.
Sanda stated she feels the GNC should get a clear answer, even if it’s just that the SC doesn’t feel confident to make a decision without legal advice. JIll will write a note.
III. LEGAL COUNSEL – Phil/ Andy Fincko
The GPUS has been without an official legal counsel for about 5 years. Phil sent out notice to the list of attorneys we have. Most responses expressed interest but the individuals were too busy. He got back one response from an attorney in Illinois. Phil has forwarded his resume to the SC. Andy Fincko, who currently lives in Chicago, introduced himself.
He responded to the recent call for pro bono legal counsel. Andy would like more defined job description, what the time expectations are.
Andy mentioned he might help with issues relating to personnel, election and constitutional issues. If he does not have the requisite expertise, he would be asked to help locate counsel who did. Interest in putting together a list of experts in various areas.
AGREED by consensus to appoint Andy Fincko as legal counsel. Phil will be the liaison. Phil will draw up a list of short-term personnel-related questions, and run by the SC for any input. The list of other Green attorneys will also be sent to him.
IV. TREASURER’S REPORT – Jody
General account $637. Paid rent and $500 to Palmer Hilton. Accounts payable – $55,000. That includes money to Empower, balance with Palmer Hilton is $10.4K.
Includes state sharing $16.5, SC f-2-f and $6.5 in other earmarked funds.
VOTING QUEUE – Holly
BRPP – fiscal policy; various items relating to caucus finances have been worked out and now re being considered by the committee. Fundraising and Finance Committees have noted problematic language, but have had no further communications with BRPP.
Green Pages proposal – has reached quorum and will pass.
AnmCom – 2009 proposal
Question of whether AnmCom should include a budget in the proposal. AnmCom asks to have the proposal go up now, and if there are questions, they will supply a budget during the discussion period. To go out tomorrow; 2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote; 50% threshold. Jill will be floor manager.
EcoAction – Water Paper Noted the list of items for the GNC; felt some clarification was needed, or that these should be in resources section. We will send feedback to Eco-Action, and then proceed from there. Holly will send message by the SC list to review for feedback on what to ask Eco-Action.
Updated SC P&P’s/ethics policy – no update
VIII. Report on Forum Managers — Holly
Re-activated group is now reviewing numerous complaints. SC will move to fill opening vacancies now. According to the rules, they must both be men, or one man and one woman. SC are asked to recommend individuals for this position.
Secretary update – bylaws and rules documents have been updated, per various GNC proposals, and sent to webmaster. Updates; plans for committee/list updates, will start later this month or early March.
IX. PORTFOLIOS
Phil – has received 2 nominations each for GSCC and GHCC. Obviously, we need more.
Jill – IC is cleaning up their membership list; officer election coming up in March. working on piece to circulate internationally on Israeli/Palestinian issue.
Phil – Apportionment Standing Committee is supposed to re-convene by March 4 and put out a call to states for apportionment information.
Eco-Action – has posted committee reports; they have signed onto something, but need to note that committees are not authorised to do so without GNC or SC approval. Remind them.
X. FOLLOW-UP on STRATEGIC PLANNING F2F
Budd noted the list of tasks,and who was to do them. Personnel manual work has proceeded. Energy position paper is in the works.
NEXT CALL: Sunday, February 22; 8:00 EST