August 23, 2026

 

Steering Committee Meeting – MINUTES

Sunday, August 23, 2026

8:00 pm EDT

I  Setup and Background

Facilitator: Allan Hunter

Steering Committee Roll Call:

  1. Ann Link (co-chair) – present
  2. Arshia Papari (co-chair) – present; left the call at 9:10pm
  3. Cassandra Lems (co-chair) – present
  4. Craig Cayetano (co-chair) – present
  5. Kalia Fitzgerald (co-chair) -present
  6. Tamar Yager (co-chair) – present
  7. Wissam Charafeddine (co-chair) –
  8. Holly Hart (secretary) – present
  9. Cassiday Moriarity (treasurer) – present; left the call at 9:05pm
  10. Charles Ostdiek )acting (interim treasurer,outgoing steering committee chair) – present

Observers are asked to remain muted and refrain from using the chat function.  If someone wishes to speak to an agenda item, please send a request to secretary@gp.org.

 

Observers: Starlene Rankin, WA: Elizabeth Green Lavender Caucus; Maureen Doyle, MA; Mark Elbourno, NC; Henry Pratt, YES

Establish Quorum (9 current members, quorum is 5)

ANNOUNCEMENTS, if any – please consider how much time will be needed for these items

 ITEMS marked FYI are included for informational purposes, unless discussion is requested.

Approve Agenda (changes require majority, new items require  ⅔ approval) – 5 min, if needed.

  1. Ann asked to review a sheet listing some points of Robert’s Rules of Order. People use terms but not everyone has the same meaning. Cassiday asked to add 10 minutes, not go over time, discuss various sets of parliamentarian options.

  1. Treasurer Report (Cassiday, Charles)

Cassiday now has access to most online banking & payment systems, especially the most critical. Outside the transition period, she recorded time she has invested into the role, approx. 45 hours this past month, mainly cleaning up and merging folders and reports. That work will not be necessary to repeat going forward, but the Treasurer role in bylaws does not accurately reflect the amount of work. She is currently working on the FEC filing. Software takes time to process. Charles noted there is a newer FEC update to its freefile. There are also non-FEC, but FEC-verified, versions. The “quote” from the fec site better explains the verification. While the FEC does not explicitly endorse specific software packages, they provide a list of programs compatible with their system for properly formatted file uploads.

Tamar reported that the fundraiser is not interested in renewing her contract.

Finance committee has appointed Charles as an Advisor until the time until he renews his membership.

Finance Committee has agreed to meet twice monthly, rather than weekly.

  1. Financial Reports

Charles will send the account balances after the call.

  1. Request from Darryl! Moch to provide information regarding bank account, cardholders, etc. Darryl! Was not on the call. Will set time for next call or online.

  1. Conflict of Interest Statements (COI’s) needed. Should there be a COI for a treasurer of two accounts?

Charles explained this is a financial conflict of interest policy, for someone as an individual or family members have a financial benefit involved in any of the financial business in terms of GPUS Fiscal Policy.

 

III. New/Current Business 

  1. FYI Online Decisions
  1. Craig, 48/48: Appoint Wissam asa second staff supervisor, along with Tamar;

Discussion: staff has requested a second supervisor due to workload, possibly rotating throughout the SC. Tamar voiced concern that Wissam had favored removing staff to go with an all-volunteer staff; Wissam replied that he had only advocated that when funds had been lower.

Yes: Kalia, Craig, Tamar, Ann, Wissam

No:  Holly, Cassandra

ADOPTED

Cassiday objected to including explanatory comments in the Vote report, and asked to have a link to the SC discussion online. Holly wIll remove the explanatory comments in the vote results

Discussion regarding adding link to online discussion. Ann noted that sometimes sensitive information may be involved.. Cassandra shared the opinion. Cassiday, Kalia,  Arshia advocated sharing the link to the discussion. Vote  requested to include Basecamp discussion, or whether minutes and recording are proficient). Craig asked if there had been any past precedent of sharing online/email discussion. No.  Craig and favored not sharing the link. Cassiday posted it on Basecamp.

  1. Cassiday, 48/48: Proposal to approve Henry Pratt for Finance Committee, expedited

Timeline

 

Yes: Arshia, Kalia, Tamar, Ann, Cassandra

APPROVED

 

  1. Overview of Voting Page – (Holly)

  1. Robert’s Rules/Consensus/Procedure -(Ann)

 Parliamentary Procedure: https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/public-meetings/procedures/parliamentary-procedure

Technically, we  supposedly use Consensus process, but many refer to Robert’s Rules.

Often use Point or Order or Point of Information. Point of Order requires a chair to determine whether a rule is being violated; Point of Information is not used to offer debate, but to provide information for a group to use.

  1. Standing Business/Old Business
  2. Update on voting page – results to include voters matched; auto-filled dates; terminology for “inactive” states
  3. Update on ETC (Holly) – now getting to work retrieving ballot keys to set up a spreadsheet for final report
  4. Craig: Discussion of Media Personnel – Contract. Craig reported that reserve funds raise for social media had bee approved to extend contract through december

  1. Reports  – 20-30 min  Committee Liaisons TBA

 NOTE to SC: Liaisons should start contacting committees per the calendar in the Liaison assignment spreadsheet (second tab).  Plan to start this now.  The following list of Co-chairs and committees can also be updated, as needed.   There is a Calendar in the Liaison assignment spreadsheet. Plan to start this now.

 

Sign up here! Liaisons August 2026

Ann suggested she take on Charles’’ assignments; wanted to work on helping get budget out on time. Arshia would like for someone  else to take on Platform Committee.

  1. Guest Committee(s) : NOne
  2. Staff (Tamar, Wissam)
-
  3. Secretary (Holly)-

Correspondence: Visitor from Sudan: Referrals to BMRC, NYC community beautification, thanks to messages about platform; interest in reviving Unified GP of GA; “GP is a front for big oil, 100% responsible for the deplorable state of country’s environmental policy;” “we should partner with Democratic Party,”similar to how European parties work.

 Clean-Ups/Updates; Del 101 with Part II – Platform and Committees

Instructions for voting page – have a slide deck, can make a video

Review state delegations, make sure they know where to sign up.

  1. Craig: Media, Merch, PCSC, Outreach

Outreach will meet this week.

Some discussion on PCSC, now is the time to find more members. 2024 documentation should be added to the gp.org website.

Merchandise – discussion about different ideas.

Media: shared data from  social media coordinator work and results, impressive social media response and results. – Need more party statements, short-term content;, webinars;  doing well on sharing state party statements; utilize LinkedIn. Suggestion on hoq to create content and how to present, compared with other parties and organizations. .  Craig notes that having someone like Biujan in this capacity is a help, and would like to have committees involved with ideas, as well.

GPUS Social Media Audit

  1. Cassandra: ANMCom, FundCom,
 Credentials , DRC, Elections Tabulation

ANM – is now on break while analyzing questionnaires and data, expenditures, etc

FundCom – had asked how much income the Jill Stein snail mail made. Athena reported the mailing has brought in at least $11,000; cost $1,025 to send out. Will follow up to confirm.

Credentials will be elected in the spring

DRC received a complaint/request for mediation

ETC – starting work analyzing latest SC and Treasurer elections

  1. Wissam: IC, Green Pages, GPAX,  BRPP –
  2. Arshia: CCC –
  3. Tamar: Diversity, –
  4. Kalia:  BAC,:  BMRC, AC, EcoAction, CCC (with Arshia)

CCC: discussion of social media policy; outreach to state parties for liaisons, candidate training videos

BMRC: webinar with Michael Dublin; monetary reform messaging guide for Green candidates

BAC: Summary review for all states, updated

EcoAction: produced Green/Ecological Agenda for candidates, Katrina Fundraiser

 

  1. Ann: FinCom, Animal Rights, Platform, FinCom

FinCom: finance@gp.org– ius the address to send SMART goals and budget requests, all committees and caucuses should be working on

Animal Rights; – starting regular meetings, discussing model animal rights legislation promoting vegan candidates, updating platform. Ann will pass along webinar possibility, based on digital media report

 

VII. Voting Queue –  (Holly)

 Received for the Voting Queue   None

 

Discussion

#1318  – Platform Process Clarification

Discussion through 9/06/2026

Voting period; 9/07-9/13/2026

 Ranked choice vote, 1 seat

Floor Manager: Holly

NOTE: Several objections and concerns were raised about the use of a ranked choice vote in this instance: whether it is an appropriate way to determine this choice;  issue of the current language being the actual default if no other choice is approved, but is also a choice against two other proposals;.Members of both BFRPP and Platform Committees are discussing a solution.

 

#1319  Approval of Henry Pratt for Finance Committee

Discussion thro31 – 96/2026

Voting period: 8/30/2026 – 9/6/2026

Voting  None

Completed

# 1317 – Platform Committee: Approve Platform updates regarding references to laws, treaties, proposed legislation

     FAILED, lack of quorum, 8/9/2026

 

#1302 – Update Article IX – Platform Agnostic Title and Definitions

            Adopted, 7/20;/2026

 #1303 – GPUS affiliation with the Federation of Green Parties of the Americas and the Global Greens

           Adopted, 7/20//2026

#1304 – Election of 2026 Elections Tabulation Committee – ETC

 Concluded 7/19/2026; Elected: Margaret Elisabeth

#1305 – 2026 Election – GPUS Treasurer

            Concluded 7/25/2026

            Elected: Cassiday Moriarity

#1306 – 2026 Election – Steering Committee Co-chairs

            Concluded 7/25/2026

           Elected: Cassandra Lems, Ann Link, Kalia Fitzgerald

#1307 – Establish a Green Party Committee dedicated to Government Transparency and Accountability GTA

       Wisconsin Green Party

        Failed, 8/02/2026

#1308 – By-Laws – Article 3 Amendment

       Adopted,  8/02/2026

#1309 – By-Laws – Article 4 Amendment

       National Black Caucus

           Adopted,  8/02/2026

#1310 – By-Laws – Article 5 Amendment

           Adopted,  8/02/2026

#1311 – By-Laws – Article 6 Amendment

           Adopted,  8/02/2026

#1312 – By-Laws – Article 7 Amendment

           Adopted,  8/02/2026

#1313 – By-Laws – Article 8 Amendment

          Adopted,  8/02/2026

#1314 – By-Laws – Article 9 Amendment

           Adopted,  8/02/2026k

#1315 – By-Laws – Article 1 Amendment

         Adopted,  8/02/2026

#1316 – By-Laws – Article 2 Amendment

       Adopted,  8/02/2026

VIII. Executive Session –

10:11 pm – 11:10 pm EDT

Question of staff pay and records

SC will undertake additional research, regarding salaries, overtime, policy.  Tamar will draft a letter in response to staff questions.

TOTAL TIME – 3 hr. 10 min.