Steering Committee Meeting – MINUTES
Sunday, July 13, 2025
8:00 pm EDT
1. Setup and Background – 10 min
Facilitator: Tamar Yager
Steering Committee Roll Call:
1. Craig Cayetano (co-chair) – present
2. Cassandra Lems(co-chair) – present
3. Darryl! Moch (co-chair) – reported absence, unable to attend
4. Alfred Molison (co-chair) –
5. Joseph Naham (co-chair) – present
6. Charles Ostdiek(co-chair) – present
7. Justin Paglino (co-chair) – present
8. Holly Hart (secretary) – present
9. Bob Stuller (interim treasurer) – present
Tamar Yager may provide information on the Income Report (Item II)
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: Rick Lass (NM), Craig Seeman (NY; will report for Animal Rights Committee; Starlene Rankin (WA); Shannel Pittman (CA, YES; will report on Diversity Committee); Tamar Yager (VA; may report on finances, income report); Samantha Hull (CO); Wissam Charafeddine (MI); Gloria Mattera (NY)
Establish Quorum (9 current members, quorum is 5)
ANNOUNCEMENTS, if any – an FYI, 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)
II. Treasurer’s Report
Bank accounts
Bob spent much of last week amending the June 20th report. Spoke with the FEC a couple times and left messages. Now has previous treasurer’s data file, and hopes to soon have a complete report for June 20th. Filed Form 1 to ensure he can sign filings legitimately. Helped Fundraiser make needed approved purchases, most needful things are getting done.
Charles reported that he discovered that GPUS is listed as a nonqualified political party. We need to amend that filing status with the FEC. both GPUS and GCCC have been in existence for more than 6 months and raised more money than a nonqualified party
Funds are reasonably good. Several checks, including a donation for $10,000 recently came in.
Income is at 80% of targeted projections for this year. Administrative/operations get paid out at 100%, so committee budgets request are still underfunded. Charles anticipates a budget amendment shortly after the ANM.
Signal
General $57,404.09
Merchant $11,904.90
Savings $88,755.59
Paypal $3,418.67
Total: $161483.25
III. New/Current Business 15-20 min
1. Online Decisions – FYI
Rapid Response for Fundraising for Text/Messaging account
2025-6-25 – Time Sensitive Request from FundCom
APPROVED, Consensus
2. Elections Tabulation Committee (Holly) – Call for volunteers has gone out, need 3 to 5, ideally an odd number (thanks to Cassandra, for encouraging folks to volunteer)
Just FYI, Known “Issues” include possibility of generating double ballots (has never resulted in change of an election outcome); disappearing data on voting page, although all continues to be stored – somewhere – in the background and webmail
Propose following up with developer (Susan Johnson), find out the cost for updating/bug fixes.
3. Email forwarding issue with gp.org addresses and Pair. (Justin) There is an ongoing concern that there is an issue with emails sent to gp.org address that is set to automatically forward to another email address may not always forward. Pair does not have the option of providing an authentication stamp. There have been discussions in staff meetings. David Doonan believes there is a workable solution and continues to investigate further.
4. State Party and Caucus Discord in development. (Justin) Athena has been developing a Discord server for state party and caucus offers bandleaders, to help state parties and caucuses share communications, share ideas on best practices, challenges, etc. – state party business and collaboration. Justin will host a roundtable at the ANM and include information on the Discord.
IV. Standing Business/Old Business
1. GCCC – updates? (Darryl!, Charles)
Dispute Resolution Process
Fiscal Policy/Donor Bill of Rights
Legal options for GPUS oversight; word from the FEC?
From last meeting (July 22, 2025) : Darryl! summarized the SC’s decision regarding a GCCC member the committee had removed. Removal would need ro be done by a recall vote by the NC. Committee members may determine what roles members take on. Currently, active committee members are part of the Dispute Resolution process, and the committee should be able to function during the process.
Charles is working with the committee to ensure they are adhering to their bylaws. The GCCC is working on a fiscal policy and donor bill of rights. GCCC is autonomous and independent of GPUS, so they can take advantage of FEC filings and benefits to raise more funds for candidates. They are accountable to the FEC with respect to managing their finances. They are accountable to GPUS as their sponsoring organization (the FEC description of the relationship between the two entities) in being a Green Party Political Action Committee (GPUS’ Party Congressional PAC).
Charles reported that he has done some research on FEC. It’s been claimed that the GCCC have engaged in unethical practices because of the commission-based fundraising scheme. So far, he believes his statement is correct – GCCC is an independent organization legally. FEC filing status is that they are financially a legally independent, autonomous organization. GPUS has oversight only as a sponsoring organization. The greater financial oversight GPUS has, the greater likelihood that the FEC would not allow them to raise the amount of funds they are currently allowed, higher donation limits. GPUS has limited oversight over leadership, membership, bylaws, but not oversight over their finances. Charles will continue to follow-up directly with the FEC and with others on the NC who had a hand in forming the GPUS PACs. The GCCC reports that they have been diligent in maintaining ethical practices that are in accord with our donors bill of rights, even though legally they don’t have to do so; and they are adopting a donors bill of rights that reflects/mimics the GPUS donors bill of rights.
Charles stated that a political PAC is different than a charitable nonprofit, people expect them to pay staff.
Craig stated that he hopes the committee reinstates the member in question. Craig asked to sponsor Samantha to speak, Charles seconded, Cassandra, Holly and Joseph preferred to move ahead. Holly suggested 60 seconds per person, agreed.
Samantha: has not been added to drive or Basecamp. All were to participate in the ERC process, but she was not to attend meetings. Meeting didn’t happen, rest of the committee did not want to participate
Starlene: Samantha is welcome to come to their meetings. Rick Lass gets a larger commission because he does a lot of work not directly involved in making calls. Trying to provide a fair wage. Charles claimed two delegates said they would stop donating, but they have never donated. The Committee is not using Basecamp any more, because they don’t want things mis-used publicly. They have a new treasurer that will step into place shortly..
Rick Lass: It is not 50% commission each time, but based on how much comes in; made 37% last month, for instance. Also had heard there was at least one DRC meeting, and Samantha did show up. People are accepting lies as truth.
2. Mostly FYI: Request from Progressive International to express support for The Hague Group (Tweet, Statement, Video). (Holly) They will provide talking points and suggested language. A new member of the Media Committee has drafted a statement, based on theirs. Is there an update? To Substack?
3. Request for online interview on Middle East. Need SC member, Media or Expert (author of most of the platform content may be available; inquired SC, have not yet heard back)
UPDATE: Joseph and Alfred are interested in responding. Holly will also reach out to Justine McCabe, author and facilitator of most platform policies regarding the subject.
4. Delegate concern with action by Forum Manager (not part of FM action). Discussion, Suggested follow-up?
Cassandra stated that it was totally inappropriate of Forum Manager Samuel Chance to post this information to YES, and he should be directed to refrain from such things. We should hold d FM’s to a higher standard. Holly and Joseph agreed. Charles agreed about FM position, not the content of the information.
Charles said he believes it doesn’t matter who reports what about who resigns from a list. Charles and Justin felt sharing information about someone unsubscribing was not a problem, but calling someone unethical is a problem. Cassandra explained that the Forum Manager used inside information to share to a small group; also should not be calling people unethical, possibly based on non-factual information.
Joseph has spoken with Samuel Chance on various issues. He will talk to Samuel about this and report back on the next call.
5. Request from Fundraising/Media Committees – Digital Media coordinator job description – DRAFT – Cassandra asked that all make sure to look at the job description. Craig stated that we need at least a three month position, not just one month; recommended hiring someone ’til the end of the year. Justin asked that we clarify any content approval process. Would like samples from applicants’ social media accounts to review as part of the interview process.
Gloria Mattera (Media Committee co-chair) was asked to speak. She stated a couple things were to be adjusted. Changes will be made and sent to the SC tomorrow (Monday, July 15th). SC will send to gp.org, NC list and publish on public jobs list.
6. Discussion follow-up: Open Media Request for Party Chairs’ responses. Cassandra was interested in responding. There is no set timeline, but sooner rather than later is probably better.
V. Reports
Co-chairs, please review liaison spreadsheet and edit, as needed
1. Guest Committee(s) : Invited: Diversity, Animal Rights, EcoAction
Shannel Pittman reported for Diversity: Helping caucuses trying to get accredited – get necessary membership information, specifically with Disability Caucus. Webinars. Looking for specific days and issues for webinars for upcoming months – webinar-style conversations, and talk-backs reading to platform and party will help people understand the diversity that exists within the party and what we’re trying to do for the party and or the world.
Craig Seeman reported for the Animal Rights Committee: says the call is almost as fun as watching Squid Game. Most discussion has been around Regenerative Agriculture and how to reach people on that topic, instead of trying to get proposals passed. Mary Rooker tis working on an EcoAction webinar on the subject. In the past, they have done a lot of livestreams. Facebook is going to remove the livestreams, so he has been downloading what they have. What excites people about the GP’s candidates. Posting about how to find candidates. Craig was asked to speak by the Humane Party on Running for Office. NYC National Lawyers’ guild chair, also chair of Animal Rights Committee is also considering running for office. Working and developing connections to politicians and 5019c04 (who do endorse candidates), has been reaching out in NYC; started a petition to create that city council create an Animal Issues Committee. Will report on progress. How do we lobby someone on the left who has no animal rights positions at all? DSA started a national animal liberation working group, also an organization called Pro Animal Future (endorsed Marnie Glickman and a NYC Green) – we may find common ground with working with DSA an dPAF and mutual support for candidates. Will speak with Jibari Brisport (ran as Green and Socialist in NYC) next week on campaigns.
2. Staff (Justin) – there is now a Green party Substack we encourage Media to promote. Health of the NationBuilder list has improved. Working on Platform single document .pdf, clickable and searchable, to replace the html that is on gp.org now. Must be accessible for visual and audio impaired. Work with Georgia Davenport on calculating pay involving commission, determined bonus is better.
3. Secretary (Holly) - Started/Ongoing General “Housekeeping” Information/Requests: Delegates 101, got positive feedback and will offer more; Committee Co-chairs Basics. Following with Committee one-on-ones, to the degree possible. Policy/ies on security and access.
4. Craig: Media, Merch, PCSC, Outreach
Media getting traction for posts, asking state parties to collaborate with national account, trying to share with candidates, need more media committee help.
5. Cassandra: ANMCom, ETC, FundCom, Credentials – nothing critical to report
6. Joseph: IC, CCC, Green Pages, GPAX – IC met after 9 months, will have an election for a new co-chairs; current co-chair Michael Stewart sent out a quorum call. –
7. Alfred: AC – –
8. Darryl!: DRC, BRPP, Platcom – -
9. Charles:FinCom, Animal Rights, GCCC BMRC – BMRC/Howard Switzer will have a seminar at the ANM // Regarding GCCC, he is taking the negative criticisms seriously and researching their claims // Anticipates a budget amendment in a couple months -
10. Justin: BAC, EcoAction ; Staff Supervisor –
VI. Voting Queue – (Holly)
1. Received for the Queue -
Annual National Meeting Committee 2025-7-13 Format/location for 2026 Annual National Meeting
Floor Manager: Joseph
Discussion: July 21 – August 3
Voting: August 4 – 10
2. In the Queue —
Discussion
#1254 – 2025 Election – Steering Committee Co-chairs
Ranked choice vote
Discussion through July 25, 2025
Voting from July 26-August 2, 2025
Floor Manager: Holly Hart
#1259 – 2025 Election – GPUS Secretary
Ranked choice vote
Discussion through July 25, 2025
Voting from July 26-August 2, 2025
Floor Manager: Charles Ostdiek
NOTE: In order to both meet the timeline and give candidates time to respond, candidates were asked to have bios submitted by the end of the day on July 15th. At that time, proposals will be updated to include bios and any other needed edits. Diacritical marks will be added, but may not show up in the public-facing page.
Voting
Completed
VII. Executive Session 10:41 PM – 11:
1. Fundraiser post-ANM/ possible hire/compensation
SC agreed to extend an offer to a potential hire. Justin will contact that person.
Item regarding staff development, no action.
TOTAL TIME – 2 hrs, 15 min.
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NEXT CALL: July 27, 2025