Participants:
Co-chairs: Craig Thorsen, Sanda Everett, Budd Dickinson, Jill Bussiere, Jason Nabewaniec, Phil Huckelberry
Secretary: Holly Hart
Treasurer: Jody Grage
Staff: Tamar Yager, Emily Citkowski, Brent McMillan
Facilitator: Charlie Pillsbury (DRC)
Guest: Jeff Turner (FinCom)
Observer: Julia Aires (GP-FLA)
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. Political Director – Brent
Brent sent out a report today of week’s work. Currently, we’re at 47 candidates for 2009. Brent is continuing to work through a list of officeholders to find out if they are still in office, up for re-election, still GP members. Currently at 193 officeholders, number will probably decline; however, we have identified some races that we’ve won – 47 wins for this cycle. Recruiting more candidates for 2009.
b. Major Donors – Brent
Phone calls to California on Thursday, and will do more calls this week. One contact had helped petition to get GPCA ballot status but since left the party; he had heard nothing from either state or national. Brent talked him in to giving the GP another try; he is interested in helping out with campaigns. Working with former Jesse Johnson and Pat LaMarche on major donor calls, will contact David Cobb, as well.
c. Operations/Online Fundraising – Emily
Intern update: 3 interns lined up for the winter/spring; woman from Salem College will work in January, has quite a bit of experience (several who worked on the Obama campaign have been interested in working for the GP); a man from Fairfield College, CT, will be working end of January through April, a lot of non-profit and volunteer experience; high school senior from high school internship program we’ve been working with past 4 years (government students), also working end of January through spring.
Database: spoke with Dean Myerson about building reports and queries into the interface. Better to build something we can modify easily, to be more flexible and usable.
e. Fundraising – mail, phone – Tamar
Empower telefundraisers are doing a great job, now making over 50% of what we’ve spent. Currently calling some past donors, now also list of people who have purchased merchandise but not on our donor database.
Direct email appeal for alternative giving ideas went out December 5th; snail mail appeal to GNC. Phil wrote an excellent online appeal, Emily got that out Friday. Tamar will be going to Durham tomorrow for a site visit for potential ANM site.
Sanda asked for a list of sustainers; some have already been contacted by Empower. Emily will get the list.
II. VOTING PAGE – Holly
1) Frank Young for FinCom – passing, as long as it reaches quorum
2) Green Pages proposal to stop hard copy production for one year. Question of resources – what will be needed for online presence, what time for web manager? What will be put out — online newspaper + extra sheets, or just extras (bulletins). Sustainers and card holders get subscriptions; they can be asked if they will take an online version, but if it’s going to a non-timed basis, what does that mean for promised donors?
AGREED to go back to GPages for discussion and take up on next call.
3) BRPP Fiscal Policy proposal – currently in discussion, set to go into voting phase tomorrow. BRPP co-chairs have sent an internal request to wait a week to address concern raised by Morgen D’Arc and others regarding potential conflict with bylaws. Craig, consulting with BRPP co-chairs, agreed to a compromise – wait a day and, if there have been no objections in BRPP by 6 p.m. tomorrow (the deadline for unanimous consent), the proposal will go to the voting queue the following day (Tuesday). Phil objected, asking that the proposal simply be given a week extension, due to the late posting of request and requests from members of the GNC.
Several members of the GNC have asked for more time.
VOTE on whether to delay for 24 hours; 1 week delay; allow to go forward tomorrow, as is
Phil – 1 week
Budd – 1 week more of discussion
Craig – 24-hours delay
Sanda – 1 week
Jason – Abstain
Jill – 24-hour delay
Holly – Abstain
Jody – 1 week
RESULT – BRPP proposal will have an extra week discussion added.
4) 2009 Budget – will send to voting queue now, 3 weeks discussion, 1 week vote. Holly pointed out it that the budget spreadsheet must be on the website first, because there is no way to put that into the voting queue text; instead, a link to the budget (and accompanying documents) will be linked in the proposal. Phil asked that changes he’d recommended be used, and that that version to the budget be sent out.
AGREED to send budget with Phil’s suggestions, except for one that would increase BAC restricted funds, to voting queue, as soon as budget is on web with a link available. 3 weeks discussion, 1 week vote; Craig Thorsen will be floor manager.
III. Legal counsel update: Phil sent out a message to NC, trying to build up our list of attorneys. There are about 11 names. No identified potential legal counsel, so far; Phil is trying to make the legal resources list as large as possible, for now.
IV. TREASURER’S REPORT/FINANCE/2009 BUDGET PROPOSAL
Jody sent out a spreadsheet of current accounts and accounts payable.
Jody asked for the SC’s agreement on the list of what should be paid next.
Phil noted that the current situation has changed from what we were sent in the spreadsheet earlier. Jody said only one item was different, as the account may change on a day to day basis. She feels the SC should be kept in the loop on an ongoing basis.
Budget discussion:
Some frustration was expressed by Phil and Jason that suggested changes they sent to SC list drew no response. Jeff reviewed the work that had taken place in previous years, that FinCom drew up a budget, SC made requests for changes, feedback, and FinCom would re-write, as needed. FinCom goes over the budget line by line in detail; has not seen Phil’s proposed changes. Jody objected with how Phil’s budget dealt with restricted funds, finding a precedent. Sanda stated that we should distinguish between “earmarked” and “restricted” funds. Phil and Jason would like to send to the voting queue. Jeff would like to have FinCom review. Jody agreed to Phil’s changes except for one question regarding ballot access funds; Phil is willing to go forward leaving out the ballot access funds.
Phil stated that we need to be on the same page regarding how changes are processed. Jeff suggested that GNC feedback goes to FinCom, who would bring something to SC. Jason felt that Phil’s proposed changes were minor changes, involving more information.
AGREED to send 2009 budget proposal with Phil’s proposed changes to voting queue. Feedback and proposed changes will be sent to FinCom for review and input, as well.
V. Executive Session 10:50 – 11:35 p.m.
Clarify what was discussed in last week’s executive session
12/14/08
Holly Hart
Secretary, GPUS
NEXT CALLS, goal of 1 1/2 hours each:
Sunday, December 21, 2008; 8:00 p.m. EST
Sunday, December 28, 2008; 8:00 p.m. EST
Sunday, January 4, 2009; 8:00 p.m. EST
To return to the Minutes Directory.
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