GPUS-SC Conference Call
October 8, 2006
8:00 p.m. EDT
Participants:
Holly Hart, Rebecca Rotzler, Budd Dickinson, Jody Grage, Katey Culver, Brent McMillan, Steve Kramer; Jim Coplen on the latter part of the call
Facilitator: Budd
Timekeeper: Katey
Doug Malkan (accountant, CO) and Jeff Turner (FinCom, HI) called in for the discussion on Finances.
Observer: Jason Nabewaniec (NY)
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
Candidate numbers have been static, which is expected this late in tee campaign season. There may be some out there we don’t know about. Brent has forwarded a list of important races to watch out for in terms of ballot access. Brent is working on getting volunteers who sign up on the web page into a schedule, to send to each state to encourage parties to make use of.
B. FUNDRAISING – Brent
Most recent prospect mailing went out Wednesday to people who’ve volunteered to help at the nat’l level. Next mail project is a re-solicitiation, hoping to go to the printer on Friday. This will include a merchandise insert in preparation for the holidays, and is utilizing Green women officeholders.
Phone solicitations – Morgen D’Arc has offered to go on sabbatical between now and year’s end. The Fundcom has accepted this proposal, and will re-visit the situation at year’s end. Currently, she is not on the payroll. Income is picking back up, Brent is hopeful this will continue into the Fall (a typical fundraising pattern).
Brent is working on a proposal for hiring more fundraising assistants; compensation and position will be based on a base stipend plus commission. He will send this to the SC to go over online.
Brent commented on the need for some damage control in a couple states where Greens have bad-mouthed the GPUS. Brent feels this is mainly a mater of political immaturity and unrealistic expections, and may be easily resolved by talking to some of the delegates from these states.
II. CCC: Request to place Bethany Hayes, IN on the committee APPROVED, Bethany Hayes for the CCC.
III.) VOTING QUEUE – Holly
10/8/06
ADOPTED
#243 – CCC: Resolution to change the election of Coordinated Campaign Committee members; adopted 9/25/06
#245 – FInCom: GPUS Fiscal Policy and the Donor Bill of Rights; adopted 9/18/06
FAILED
#244 – GPCA, GPTX: Formation Of An Independent Investigative Committee Regarding the Affiliated GPU, Amended; failed 10/2/06
DISCUSSION
None
VOTING
#246 – SC: Steering Committee P&Ps
Voting through 10/8/06
Grage// 1/2
Passing
****
There has been some SC discussion on taking up suggestions from NC delegates. The proposal will pass, and the SC may take up some of the suggestions in the near future.
#247 – GRP-MA: Local Referenda Resolution for Divestment and Right of Return
Voting through 10/8/06
Passing
*******
Question on whether a proposal passes if number of Abstentions is greater than Yes votes. It does. Budd suggested the NC may want to visit this issue, if it is possible for a proposal to pass without a majority support.
RECEIVED for VOTING QUEUE
Received, 9/12/06; FunCom: Establishment of the Outreach Committee and approval of the Committee P&Ps
2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote
Grage// 1/2
Received, 9/24/06; AC: Bylaws Clarification: Affiliation Complaints Against GPUS
2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote
Dickinson// 2/3
Notified by BRPP, 10/5/06; Need to certify Tabulation Committee Report on the 2006 SC elections, cf. proposal #222 – Resolution to Amend the Rules and Procedures on Steering Committee Elections Policy
****
The SC will take this up online. Holly will send out Proposal #222 and ask for input by Wednesday.
4) PORTFOLIO REPORTS
Katey – INTERNAL – has made contact with the AC and Emily. She will not have much time before election day. Will get to work on November 8th.
Rebecca – OUTREACH/MEDIA – everything is pretty much fine; Merchandise has an order for green hoodies to have available online in time for the holiday season.
Jody proposed that each portfolio manager report at least once a month (every two calls) on each committee. This can be brief, if there is not much news, or the SC can be informed of instances where a committee is not active, is short of officers, etc.
AGREED
7) TREASURER’S REPORT/FINANCES – Jody; SC; staff; Doug Malkan, accountant; Jeff Turner, FinCom
*****
DISCUSSION
Jody noted that the most recent cash flow report included everything she knows that we have to pay in October. September earnings were 16K expenses were 25K expenses; we have have 10K left. Expenses to pay out for October are 21K (23K w/ ballot access funds, which were already earmarked and have gone out). September is typically a worse fundraising month. Jody believes we will earn more than 16K in October, including the 21K of accounts payable; that’s without paying earmarked funds. The hope is that we will get more in by end of January to pay deferred state sharing. GPUS needs to raise $400K next year; $1 mil in 2008. Jody explained that, for the first time, the accounts payable lists all the known bills for the coming months. While this is daunting, it shows what we need to bring in. Listing only part of the account payable as has been done before would have left us feeling better, but the situation wold still be the same.
Budd considers the GPUS still in dire financial straits. Suggested saving discussion of sending a message to states asking if they would consider foregoing state sharing ’til after elections.
Katey noted that TN is willing to return state sharing funds from 2cnd quarter and forego 3rd and 4rth quarter funds. She suggested asking other states to forego state sharing.
Jeff Turner explained, however, that we do not have a contract between GPUS and the state parties to share funds; we have an implied contract with donors that we will pass on their donations at their request to their state parties; this is not up to GPUS or states; technically, we must give state sharing funds to state parties. If state parties then want to give funds to GPUS, they are free to do it.
Doug Malkan – for the first time, our liabilities exceed our assets. Optimistic, but agreed we are in dire financial traits. Releasing ballot access and state sharing funds is almost impossible.
Jeff – also agreed with Budd. Even if we fill projections, we will be even, but not stable. His opinion is that we have a tight budgets and can’t cut anywhere; we need to invest in fundraising, and hopes discussion at the national level will move to that. The question is not of spending, but of fundraising, and we should spend on fundraising. This is not something volunteers usually do well, so he would entertain a focus on growing income and paid fundraisers. Also recommended cultivating small donors and keeping that in mind in compensation plans.
Brent – specific things need to be done, and we need to be aware of what these things are. We need to change Greens’ attitudes toward funding, and need to get more people involved in fundraising. Agreed the problem is not one where cuts are needed, we need to raise funds.
Steve asked if we could ask for aid from foreign GP. Brent – Easy Answer: No, it’s illegal.
Some discussion of office outside of DC, possibly in donated building or property with “green” building.” Jeff stated it’s not “either/or” but “and” – if the office is elsewhere, GPUS does need some presences in DC.
Question of eliminating media assistant. Holly and Katey suggest. Job is one either done by committee co-chairs or members. Jody will ask Rebecca (portfolio holder) to check with Media Coordinator Scott McLarty and get back to us.
Rebecca asked to see Brent’s proposal with parameters for fundraising positions this week, and have this ready for a vote so we can go ahead and start hiring people. She has ideas of people she wants to contact.
PROPOSAL, Budd – to cut staff (Brent and Emily) salary 10%. Staff have already given input and agreed to this. Budd will send a draft of a notice to the SC; after 48 hours, to the NC.
AGREED
NEXT CALL: Sunday, October 22, 8:00 p.m. EDT
10/6/08
Holly Hart
Secretary, GPUS
Minimally edited and HTML formatted by Charlie Green