GPUS-SC Conference Call
24 September 2006
8:00 p.m. EDT
Participants:
Jody Grage, Jim Coplen, Holly Hart, Echo Steiner, Katey Culver, Budd Dickinson, Steve Kramer, Rebecca Rotzler (cell phone gave out sometime mid-way into the call), Brent McMillan, Liz Arnone, Emily Citkowsk
Facilitator: Katey
Timekeeper: Jody
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.]
I. STAFF REPORTS
A. Political Director — BRENT
There are currently 380 Green candidates running, probably more to come at the municipal level. We are adding about a candidate a day, same pace as at this time in 2004.
State committees seeking FEC status: Currently, there are 12 state (party) committees recognized by the FEC. This impacts the ability of state committees to be involved in federal level campaigns. State committees should be aware of the law. To make expenditures of more than $5000 to a campaign, committee must seek FEC status. Many new delegates may be unaware of this. Brent has gotten questions from people who want to follow up. Brent will send note to Dave Jette (WAGP), Aaron Dixon’s treasurer, to write a white paper on advantages of state committees seeking FEC status.
On Friday, Brent sent the third generation of an ongoing discussion around the importance of ballot access to the NC, linking specific races to the impact on ballot access, explaining why certain races are important.
Interested in people like Cynthia McKinney thinking of jumping the fence, to do so sooner rather than later. National staff (Brent, Emily and Media Coordinator Scott McLarty) met with Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney’s staff last week for about 3 hours. Courting the party, at this point. A rough schedule is for a press conference in Atlanta on 9/30 regarding the issue of elections integrity. McKinney will announce what she plans to work on next. GP staff are hoping for a formal announcement she is leaving the Democrats, and would like her to announce she is joining the Green Party. She met with Greens in NY on Friday. She may not make that announcement until after the election.
Brent has forwarded to the SC list the bio of a new candidate for CCC, Bethany Hays from Indiana.
B. FUNDRAISING – Brent
Brent will be getting out a prospect mailing tonight. We are struggling this month, but Brent continues to do a lot of work on phone canvassing. Carlotta is continuing to do impressive work (18 pledges tonight).
C. OPERATIONS DIRECTOR – Emily
Trademark update: The SC had decide to trademark the Earthflower logo and the term “Green Party of the United States.” GPUS has an attorney who is working on this. The Earthflower trademark has gone through with no problem. The term “GPUS” is more complicated, and has been rejected twice. The examiner says the name is too descriptive; also that the application asks for a state of application, and the term would be registered in the District of Columbia, which is not a state. Our lawyer doesn’t know if the examiner has a grudge against the Green Party, is new, or just very literal minded. He has pointed out that “Republican National Committee” is also descriptive, but is trademarked. Both RNC and DNC are registered in Washington, D.C. He thinks that we will be successful, however; the next step is to register under “secondary meaning”: if we can prove we’ve been using the term for 5 years or more, the patent office will often allow the trademark.
AGREED to apply for registration under “second meaning.” Emily will sign for it.
II. TREASURER’S REPORT – Jody
a. Report for September: state sharing for third quarter is approaching $10,000; $9500 in accounts payable, $9075 balance, with 2/3 of state sharing left to pay for this quarter. Earmarked funds amount to a total of nearly $24,000 including a total of $16,000 in state sharing and $7400 in Ballot Access.
Liz noted that GPUS is in her will, so if she dies, we will be “free and clear.” SC agreed we would prefer her to remain alive.
b. Request from BAC for funds to help pay debts incurred for legal expenses attaining the ballot in ILL and PA, and petitioning expenses incurred in NY. It was felt that this is more appropriate for the CCC and FinCom, and will be referred to these committees. Some SC members wanted more information as to how the requested funds were to be spent.
AGREED, that this will be taken up on tomorrow’s FinCom call, and FinCom will make a decision.
AGREED – that the Treasurer will follow up with GPTX about returning funds they have left over from their 2006 ballot access drive.
c. Budd noted still dire financial situation and has sent to the SC suggestions for funding cuts; possibly a 10% cut in compensation for 3 mos.
4) VOTING QUEUE – Holly
ADOPTED
#245 – FinCom: GPUS Fiscal Policy and the Donor BIll of Rights
Adopted, 9/18/06
VOTING PERIOD
#243 – CCC: Resolution to change the election of CCC members
Voting through 9/24/06 (appears likely to pass)
Grage// 2/3
#244 – GPCA, GPTX: Formation of an Investigative Committee Regarding the Affiliated GPU; amended 9/19/06
Voting 9/25/06 – 10/1/06
Culver// 1/2
*****
Several delegates have raised concerning the threshold: Audrey Clement, GPVA; Mato Ska, GPNM; Hugh Esco, GPGA; Bill Holloway, GPTX. Arguing for simple majority is Gary Novisielski, GPNJ. Questions centered on whether this proposal is creating new policy or suspending current policy by involving an investigative committee outside the AC.
*****
AGREED that concerns do not warrant changing threshold, based on the fact there is nothing in the rules addressing threshold for forming a new committee.
DISCUSSION
#246 – SC: SC P&P’s
Discussion through 10/1/06
Voting period: 10/2/06 – 10/8/06
Grage// 1/2
****
A delegate raised a question about the “Pledge to Resign.” Jody will send out explanation of the rationale for the pledge.
#247 – GRP-MA: Local Referenda Resolution for Divestment and Right of Return; amended 9/17/06
Discussion through 10/1/06
Voting period: 10/2/06 – 10/8/06
Grage// 1/2
RECEIVED
received, 9/24/06, from AC: Bylaws Clarification: Affiliation Complaints Against GP-US
AGREED – the SC take this up on next call.
NEXT CALL: October 8, 2006; 8:00 p.m. EDT
9/24/06
Holly Hart
Secretary, GPUS
Minimally edited and HTML formatted by Charlie Green