Our Green Party Platform
June 2010
2:45pm Welcome
2:55pm The history of our platform
3:05pm What we are doing today
3:15pm How we are going to work today
3:25pm Organize into small groups
3:30pm Small group work begins
5:25pm Closing
The Words that Come Before All Else:
Iroquois Thanksgiving Address
Ohenton Karihwatehkwen
ONKWEHSHON: A (The People) Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.
IETHINISTENHA ONHWENTSIA (Mother Earth) We are all thankful to Mother Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time.
OHNEKASHON: A (The Water) We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength and beauty. Water is life.
History of our platform
SPAKA documents (1989)
1996 draft platform
2000 platform
2004 platform
2008 proposed amendments
2010 proposed amendments Resources
Global Greens Charter
Platforms of other national Green Parties
What we are doing today
Start reading. We expect to voting on allamendments by August 29, 2010.
Rate the amendments with our 5 point rating system.
Suggest ideas to make our platform reflectthe policy upon which most Greensreasonably agree.
Share your suggestions with amendmentauthors so they can improve the proposals before they are placed into the voting queue.
How we’re going to work today
The way we are going to work is with Open Space.
We have broken the platform into 7 areas for our work today.
We are going to work in small groups to read amendments and share comments.
There are just a few concepts and things to learn.
Law of Personal Mobility
You take responsibility for what you care about — standing up for that and using your own two feet or wheels to move to whatever place you can best contribute and/or learn.
Butterflies
Butterflies flit around, and possibly joins other Butterflies for informal discussion.
Worker Bees
Bees work in many groups and help cross pollinate ideas.
Whoever comes is the right people
Whoever is attracted to the same discussion are the people who can contribute most to that discussion because they really care.
Whatever happens is the only thing that could’ve
We are all limited by our own pasts and expectations. This principle acknowledges we’ll all do our best, in the present time and place, and not worry about what could’ve or should’ve happened.
When it starts is the right time
The creative spirit has its own time, and our task is to make our best contribution and enter the flow of creativity when it starts.
When it’s over, it’s over
Creativity has its own rhythm. So do groups. Just a reminder to pay attention to the flow of creativity — not the clock. When you think it is over, ask: Is it over? And if it is, go on to the next thing you have passion for.
Now what?
We have broken the platform into 7 areas for our work today. You can see them on the wall.
We have some facilitators, many of them dedicated Platform Committee volunteers, but need more.
We believe in gender balance and invite women to sign up to facilitate.
Stand up and volunteer to facilitate for a small group.
Now it’s your turn
Step forward assemble with a group you are interested in.
5 groups will meet in this plenary room or can choose to meet outside. 1 group will meet in 261A. 1 group will meet in 261B.
If you want to move your group’s location, please make a correction on your group’s agenda sign in the plenary hall.
Take personal responsibility for yourself and your schedule with the law of personal mobility.
At any time, you may move to whatever place you can best contribute or learn.
You can attend one group, float between all seven or work on something else. It’s up to you.
Schedule
5:25pm Return to Plenary Room 5:25 pm – 5:30 pm Closing
Thank you.
We gather our minds as one and give thanks to the people who volunteer their time to grow the Green Party.