July 12, 2026 – Green Party of the United States

Steering Committee Meeting – MINUTES

Sunday, July 12, 2026

8:00 pm EDT

I Setup and Background – 10 min 

Facilitator: Belinda Davis

Steering Committee Roll Call:

Arshia Papari (co-chair) – present
Cassandra Lems(co-chair) – present
Craig Cayetano (co-chair) – present
Charles Ostdiek(co-chair) – present
Kalia Fitzgerald (co-chair) – present
Tamar Yager (co-chair) – present
Wissam Charafeddine (co-chair) –
Holly Hart (secretary) – 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: Lizzie Wood GP(FL), Starlene Rankin (G{WA), Elizabeth Green (Lavender Caucus)

Gil Obler and Shannel Pittman have been invited to present a report for the Diversity Committee

Establish Quorum (8 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

MOVED TO START OF AGENDA – Diversity Committee, Gil Obler & Shannel Pittman

Moved to new meeting time to accommodate members. Their goal is to have 4 public panels by the end of the year highlighting Diversity Issues. They are trying to identify liaisons for each of the existing caucuses to report on activities and have representatives at Diversity Committee meetings

There is potentially a third co-chair, but the seat is currently vacant. They are looking into SMART goals for the committee to work on. Their main mission is to support the existing caucuses and facilitate forming caucuses. The Disability Caucus may be able to apply for accreditation in the next month or two.

Treasurer Report
Financial Reports (Charles)

BALANCES

Operations $36,273.98

Merch+ $20,873.36

Operations Reserves + $79,017.75

Restricted Funds $9,774.46

——

PayPal $ 332.96

III. New/Current Business

National Unity Statement on Disability Rights Sign on Resolution – National Lavender Greens, National Black Caucus – Request for promotion/distribution includes action items/kit; steps needed – follow up with Media. Shannel was asked to provide more information, as she was still on the call. SC APPROVED by Consensus to sign on. iIll distribute to NC and ask to have other state parties, individuals sign on.

Bylaws of Vote Green – Wissam was not present, so the SC will take this up online.

Standing Business/Old Business

1, BMRC – PIlot Project to Make NEED Act a Campaign Issue

The Coordinated Campaign Committee has shown some interest. MOre d=work TBA.

Statement on Lebanon – Any word back from the International Committee or GPAX?

No news

ANM New.Tamar reported 148 registered in person, about 100 more virtually. Craig asked about income compared to the last in-person ANMs in Salem and Salt Lake City. Tamar said at this time, it’s hard to tell. We are doing well with registration covering costs, and this is a new situation with “hybrid” involving more virtual access.

Craig noted a concern about caucuses not forwarding information or not wanting to forward information about the ANM to their members. He asked that we follow up to learn more.

Reports

[NOTE to SC: Liaisons should contact committees per the “calendar.” The calendar is included as a second sheet in the Liaisons spreadsheet, linked below

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

Liaisons August 2025

Guest Committee(s) – Diversity Committee: Gil Obler & Shannel Pittman – SEE ABOVE

Staff (Tamar) - Focused on ANM.

Secretary (Holly)

Renewed Delegates 101. These have gotten positive feedback, but now with a request for more topics. Delegates 101 Part II,requested from feedback would include an overview of the platform and working committees. requested from feedback; Committees 101. Basecamp tutorials; voting page work update (terminology, timeframe), REQUEST for set-up/idea to help facilitate Basecamp discussion of voting page proposals. WIll request that ALL DISCUSSION on Basecamp involving voting page proposals be posted in the Message Board set up for Proposals. Craig askled that the pinned message be updated to reflect this policy. Holly wiill update wtihin the next 48 hours.

Craig: Media, Merch, PCSC, Outreach

Craig reported for Media; social media going well Tamar reported that it appears that some ANM registrations are coming via response to social media posts.

Cassandra: ANMCom, FundCom,  Credentials , DRC

The ANM Committee has been successfully dealing with challenges, logistics are being worked out.

Wissam: IC, Green Pages, GPAX , BRPP

Arshia: CCC, Platform

CCC is updating their bylaws to reflect that they are working with candidates at all levels.

Craig asked about the Media Plan; a concern about the X account, to ensure it’s strictly used for Green Party candidates and purposes; alsop urged the CCC to make use of other tools (website, Facebook C&C Share Team Page).

Tamar: Diversity

Charles: FinCom, Animal Rights

Reported on Finances, see above under Treasury Report; no report for Animal Rights Committee

Kalia: CCC, BMRC, AC, BAC, EcoAction

BMRC and BAC are holding meetings Communicating with the CCC.

VII. Voting Queue – (Holly) 15-20 min

There has been a suggestion that the 9 “Housekeeping” Votes be presented a couple or few at a time; or be held until after the ANM.

The SC decided to make no changes to the timelines. As scheduled, the proposals currently in the queue will not go into the voting phase until after the ANM.

See the message regarding the Proposal to Re-Affiliate with FPVA/FGPA and Global Greens, re: process and history.

The SC agreed that any complaints or disagreements with the proposal are the internal business of the International Committee. Any problems with the proposal may be brought up during discussion.

TBA: The proposal to add clarification addressing proposal backgrounds will be coming up online this week. Please read it. A couple have already stated they support the update, and this could be ready to go right after the ANM.

Received for the Voting Queue

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

2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote, ⅔ threshold; Floor manager: Charles

Discussion

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

Young Ecosocialist Caucus

Discussion through 7/12/2026

Voting period: 7/13-7/19/2026

Threshold: ⅔

Floor Manager: Wissam Charafeddine

SEE Letter on Findings from Lizzie Wood, Member, International Committee

SEE Letter from Annie Goeke, co-founder, Building Bridges, Coming Home

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

International Committee

Discussion through 7/12/2026

Voting period: 7/13-7/19/2026

Threshold: Majority

Floor Manager: Kalia Fitzgerald

#1304 – Election of 2026 Elections Tabulation Committee – ETC

Discussion through 712//2026

Voting period: 7/13-7/19/2026

Ranked Choice vote

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

#1305 – 2026 Election – GPUS Treasurer

Discussion through 7/17/2026

Voting period: 7/28 – 7/25/2026

Ranked Choice Vote

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

#1306 – 2026 Election – Steering Committee Co-chairs

Discussion through 7/17/2026

Voting period: 7/28 – 7/25/2026

Ranked Choice Vote

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

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

Wisconsin Green Party

DIscussion through 7/26/2026