January 11, 2026

Steering Committee Meeting – MINUTES

Sunday, January 11, 2026

8:00 pm EDT

‘

 

I  Setup and Background – 10 min


Facilitator: Allan Hunter

Steering Committee Roll Call: 

 

  1.   Arshia Papari (co-chair) – present
  2.   Cassandra Lems(co-chair) – present
  3.   Craig Cayetano (co-chair) – present
  4.   Charles Ostdiek(co-chair) – present
  5.   Justin Paglino (co-chair) – reported absence
  6.   Tamar Yager (co-chair) – present
  7.   Wissam Charafeddine (co-chair) – present
  8.   Holly Hart (secretary) – present
  9.   Bob Stuller (transition treasurer) –

  10. Mark Elbourno (incoming treasurer) – 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: Sandy Pryzybylak (NY); Gloria Matter (NY, Media, Fundraising)

 

 

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)  

Request to add, if needed: 5 min

  • Charles: request for a joint meeting of steering committee, fundraising, finance, next Sunday, regular SC meeting time, 8 pm ET. Added to New Business

 

  • Athena request for response from SC/FinCom to Memo re: YES account and funds tracking. Not addressed in this call. 

 

  • Response to Rick Lass re: committee operations, complaints, misinformation. Charles commented in his liaison report.

 

  • Craig – request for update/info on Arab/Muslim Caucus. Added to New Business
  • Wissam: Treasurer s owner of Basecamp. Taken up under Treasurer’s Report

 

  • Wissam: Memo to send to SC. 
  • Arshia: Happenings in Iran, national statement.Added to New Business

Now plan to note new items at the top of the draft, so people know what’s included

  1. Treasurer Report (Mark) 

Income report (Tamar)

 

BALANCES

Business Membership Savings – $88,774

Business Basic Checking – $48,999

Business Basic Checking – $16,866

 

Income Report (Tamar)

 

Mark and Charles still do not have access. Darryl! Moch contacted Charles and told him that their account advisor would be calling Charles and Mark and set up a personal password. Mark is willing to go to DC. Charles plans to call the bank tomorrow.

 

Wissam asked to consider changing the bank; this has gone on too long. Tamar reported this had been discussed in FinCom. They will tell the bank that if we can’t get complete virtual access, we will look for another bank.


 Wissam raised the question of adding Mark

Treasurer as Basecamp owner. Holly asked for an amendment: to follow up with David Doonan to confirm the email address and for an updated private password and add that address to Basecamp ownership

 APPROVED

 

 Budget

Charles reported that FinCom is waiting on SMART goals for most committees. 

 

Charles continues working on the budget. There is a great disparity between what is being asked for and what is available. He asked for a joint meeting with FinCom, SC, MerchCom and ANMCom to discuss the party’s fundraising plan and to decide funding priorities.

AGREED, 8 pm ET Sunday, January 18.

 

Tamar may not be available, so send her any questions or requests for information you want her to provide.

 

III. New/Current Business   

  1.   Online Decisions, FYI (Holly)

 Approved purchase of webinar feature for one Zoom account for one month for $89, for use by GPAX.

 

  1. New Candidates (Mark) –

Mark announced 2 new candidates who will announce their candidacies this month. He believes it’s possible to flip seats. Greg Stoker was with the Flotilla, and is an influencer on Instagram.  He will be running in  Texas, District 31. He will announce next week. Announcing 1/21 will be Tony Aguilar, whistleblower for ??. He is running in North Carolina for District 13.  Mark will be the interim campaign manager.

 

 

  1. Digital Media Coordinator hire

MOVED to Executive Session

 

 

  1. FYI: Elections Database – Mike Feinstein requests to be added to the next call agenda for an update and presentation. In the meantime, he will be writing/has written to the SC about if, when and how to export individual data history to state parties; what responsibilities do we ask of those who request data? How is it to be used? Should there be some kind of agreement? There should be a mutual agreement between him and the SC to add this detail to the database manager job description.

 

  1. Tony Ndege has asked the SC to determine if the SMART goals submitted on behalf of BAC meet the policy’s requirements. Rick Lass has requested that the SC address committee issues.  (Holly)

Cassandra noted that the SC was not to approve SMART goals. Holly noted that the question was whether the SC agreed the BAC had gone through the proper process in creating their SMART goals.

 

  1. Update on Arab/Muslim Caucus. Wissam provided a update: they are working on elections and recruiting candidates. The Caucus Basecamp was migrated from the YES Basecamp to the Green Party’s. Craig brought up concerns raised on the “HQ” where people were concerned about toxicity, possibly leaving. Craig asked if this could be separate, as its own communications channel. Wissam  responded that all members are on the HQ, and that people should not be shielded. Rely on Forum Managers.

*[NOTE: Forum Managers oversee the National Committee lists/communications only.]

 

 

  1. Standing Business/Old Business 
  2. Subscriptions to various online tools.  – TABLED until more information is available. 

From last call’s notes:

DoGooder account has expired. The cost was nearly $1000 annually. There may be a reasonable substitute for about $350 a year. Would this be something Media and other committees (EcoAction, GPAX?) would use?

 

Suggestion that the webinar feature be purchased for a year (Craig)

The Finance Committee was to follow up with staff for recommendations. Due to staff workload followed by holidays in December, that will be taken up in January.

 

 

  1. The ANMC would like SC members to please contribute to building this list of possible speakers for the SC. Spreadsheet of Potential Speakers

 

  1. .SMART Goals 

Cassandra noted that the SC is to come up with goals. Take up online.

 

     

  1.   Reports  

 

 Liaisons should start contacting committees per the “calendar” suggested by Justin

Co-chairs have reviewed and selected committees they want to serve as liaisons. The following list of Co-chairs and committees can also be updated, as needed. 

Holly set up a calendar and can add to Liaison assignment spreadsheet. Plan to start this in January.

 

Liaisons August 2025  

 

  1.   Guest Committee(s) – None
  2.     Staff (Justin, Tamar)
 – 

 

  1.   Secretary (Holly) –
  
  2. Call for Candidates for the CCC and GCCC Elections will go out this coming week, but still seeking current member list for CCC.
  3. Follow up with voting page software designer; updates to add and/or restore reporting of some items, re-instate usable RCV program anyone can use, advice.
  4. Rules updates to go to web manager to update on website.
  5. Migration update: Assistance with information to members and committee co-chairs with Googlegroups, some assistance with Basecamp
  6. Migration update: Hope to be able to retrieve member names and emails to determine and match lists with those on Basecamp; secretary is tasked with keeping member record.
  7. Migration update: hope to have a Basecamp Tech Support training for staff (and SC and anyone else interested).

 

Craig raised concerns about the Basecamp “HQ” and the toxic cesspool environment that is driving some people away; Mark stated that should be only for delegates. Holly explained it included  everyone who wanted to be on. SC had planned to install office admins as admins, move to office admins only in the next couple of weeks.

 

Craig stated that it be required that caucus members put their bios and party designation.  Craig had wanted to see committees fully onboarded, and then states. He proposed to get rid of “Community HQ.”  Tamar seconded: only people on “HQ” should be part of a committee, caucus, or a delegate.  If a caucus, note their bio and designation.  Tamar suggested it could be taken down and started over, and shut down now.  Craig wanted to retain the Hub.

All subscribed to NC email lists were to be approved by their respective state parties or caucuses. 

Holly and whoever wants to help will get a list of all subscribers; those not part ot the National Committee will be notified and asked to provide an approval from their state party or caucus.

 

  1.   Craig: Media, Merch, PCSC, Outreach – New Merchandise, order a hat!

 

  1. Cassandra: ANMCom, FundCom, Credentials , DRC – contacting those who were on the DRC for updated appointments.  ANMi  gearing up for site visit with Tamar and others. Rose Roby is willing to speak with SC  about Fundraising. Is thereinterest in having her on the next call??

 

  1.   Wissam: IC, Green Pages, GPAX
, BRPP – 

 

  1. Arshia: CCC, Platform – 

Holly reported that the Platform Co-chair has gone through for housekeeping and copy editing update suggestions. Other members were also involved in reviewing, and will look for things to be updated (dates,statistics data). Expect a couple new submissions from EcoAction

 

  1.   Tamar: Diversity, Staff Supervisor – SC is welcome to observe a staff call, but let Tamar know if there is a question or item. 

 

  1.   Charles: FinCom, Animal Rights, GCCC,  BMRC, BAC, EcoAction 
–  BMRC getting adjusted to Basecamp. BAC Co-chair elections are coming up. Charles stated this might resolve some disputes and provide additional clarity of focus on more effectively accomplishing committee work.   On the next FinCom agenda, a fiscal policy amendment to provide for explicit exemption for independently structured committees that not all articles of GPUS fiscal policy apply. for example, the articles on the treasurer, and on financial management can not apply according to federal law, however, a donors’ bill of rights should apply.

 Currently, only one voting member remains on the GCCC, all other members resigned at the end of December or earlier. Nancy Gaige is non-voting treasurer, Rick Lass is a non-voting fundraiser. Holly will send out a call for nominations. There is also a question of revising their bylaws.

 

 

VII. Voting Queue –  (Holly) 

 

 Received for the Queue – (Holly) 10 – 15  min

  1.         Proposal to Condemn the Ongoing Genocide in Sudan; Urge U.S. Designation of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as a Terrorist Organization; Call for Targeted Sanctions on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Material Support.  Had been TABLED until JANUARY 

         Charles will be floor manager. 2 weeks

          discussion, 1 week vote, 50%+1

 

Discussion

 None

 

Voting

None

 

Completed

  1.         #1276 -Establish Basecamp for GPUS Committees and Staff, With Opt-In Option for Caucuses and State Parties   Approved, 12/16/202

 

VIII. Executive Session –9:11 pm – 11:03 20-30 min.

 Digital Media Coordinator hire. SC decided to hire the applicant recommended by the hiring team for a 3-month term hire at $25/hr for 6 hours/week.  Re-assess in April.

 

 

TOTAL TIME – 3 hours