March 22, 2026

 Steering Committee Meeting  DRAFT MINUTES

Sunday, March 22, 2026

8:00 pm EDT

 

I  Setup and Background – 10 min

Facilitator: Allan Hunter 

SteeringCommittee 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
  6. Wissam Charafeddine (co-chair) – present
  7. Holly Hart (secretary) – present
  8. Mark Elbourno (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.

 

 

Cassiday Moriarity (YES); Aly Schmidt (TX); Paul Ragan (MI); Gloria Mattera (NY, Media Fundraising); Kalia Fitzgerland (North Carolina)

 

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 itemsrequire  ⅔ approval) – 5 min, if needed.

 

 

 

  1. Treasurer Report (Mark)

Mark reported $41,153.38 combined checking

$88,773.31 – savings

Has inconsistent access to Paypal, but it’s not an issue – $5820.61

 

Income report (Tamar) Tamar is working on getting access back to

NationBuilder. She can get the FEC report and get a breakdown from there.

 

III. New/Current Business  

  1. US Boats to Gaza: GPUS has signed on and is invited to

have someone on their Monday calls usboatstogaza.org/our-partners.

Holly will refer this to  GPAX.

 

  1. Update on “Inactive” State Parties (Holly)             See

Requests from YES, and Notes from Secretary. One state is missing from the “History”list and has been added, but not relevant here. Request to task the Accreditation Committee to  create or endorse proposals to designate Montana, West Virginia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri “Inactive,” which means they do not have representatives on the National Committee and will not be counted toward quorum for passage of voting page Proposals. 

 

Three of these state parties have activity, some significant, but not involved

 At the national level. The process is to contact each and see what they wish to do.

 

[NLTE: As of early March 23, 2026, a Kansas delegate cast a vote, removing that state party from the “inactive” list, Nevertheless, we will reach out to them to remind them of their delegates’ duties.]

 

  1. Update on Voting Page updates (Holly)

Progress report and planned updates.

 

Craig asked about the possibility of moving the voting page proposals to the Calendar in Basecamp. Holly will follow up with the Support group, as they have not agreed on this option, see what they think.

 

  1. Report back regarding CCC and GCCC elections that failed due to lack of

quorum  (Holly, et. al.) 

      4.a. Charles proposed a 48/489 online process to

determine what should be done;  Wissam seconded. The process began on Friday, 3/20.

 

Craig reminded the SC that they had agreed that Arshia, CCC liaison, would contact the CCC for input on what they would prefer. We have not heard back. AT this time, it appears the elections will not reach quorum again.

 

Charles’ online vote was to cancel all three elections.

Charles proposed that the CCC elections be cancelled, and that the SC follow up next week with appointing members,

 

Craig proposed that, since both current CCC candidates have already served a term and are willing to serve a second term, that the SC appoint them to the CCC.  Cassandra seconded. 

 

Charles and Tamar wanted to cancel the election. 

Holly and Arshia believed the votes should not be cancel,ed but let play out.

Cassandra asked that the SC vote in the two candidates.

 

Craig proposed that the elections play out, and approve the candidates now.

APPROVED –  6 Yes-2 NO

 Charles – no

Tamar – no

Craig – yes

Cassandra- yes

Arshia – yes

Wissam – yes

Mark – yes

Holly – yes

 

4.b. Charles proposed the GCCC elections be canceled until we know how the YES proposal to dissolve the committee turns out. Wissam seconded.

Craig stated he believed the elections should continue with a re-vote/special election, if needed. Arshia opposed cancelling the vote.   APPROVED – 4 Yes, 3 No, 1 Abstain

Charles – yes

Tamar – yes

Craig – no

Cassandra- yes

Arshia – no

Wissam – yes

Mark – abstain

Holly – no

         

  1. Special Election to fill open Steering Committee Co-chair

position (Holly)

Justin Paglino has advised moving ahead with a special election to replace him. Call

for nominations, two weeks; Discussion two weeks; Ranked choice election, one week. Holly will follow up, starting with a call for nominations this week.

 

  1. It’s time for the SC to assess the Fundraiser’s term.  May need to move to

executive session. Tamar has worked on the task, but warned it would be difficult to meet the timeline. She began speaking with staff about work plans last fall in September Arshia stated that Tamar’ promise to have this done professionally was not done, and proposed that she be replaced as staff supervisor with himself and Wissam. Tamar stated that Arshia had never responded to emails she sent asking for his help with the project.   Staff had decided they preferred to have her as the one supervisor; consult Wisam on technical matters; Holly for procedural matters. 

 

Wissam proposed that Arshia be appointed as secondary staff supervisor. Cassandra objected, noting that Arshia has openly made known he wishes to get rid of the staff.  FAILED: 2 Yes, 5 No, 1 Abstain

Charles – no

Tamar – no

Craig – no

Cassandra- no

Arshia – yes

Wissam – yes

Mark – abstain

Holly – no

 

 Arshia motioned  to appoint Wissam as secondary supervisor.  Cassandra noted that the staff has indicated they did not want a second supervisor, and had access to Wissam for technical issues and Holly for procedural and some technical issues.  FAILED, 2 Yes, 5 No, 1 Abstain

 Charles – no

Tamar – no

Craig – no

Cassandra- no

Arshia – yes

Wissam – yes

Mark – abstain

Holly – no

  1. Follow up on Media hire – Digital Media Coordinator (?) 

 

 

  1. Standing Business/Old Business   (Charles et al) 
  2. Request for SMART Goals from SC Co-chairs,

Secretary and Treasurer. Wissam had stated that the SC’s goals should be those

of the working committees. He has now submitted suggestions for SC review, with

a Proposal to Adopt a 2026 Steering Committee SMART Goals Work Plan . Holly has spelled out the items already planned which can serve this purpose for the Secretary goals.  SC AGREED to take this up online.

 

 V..    Reports  – 20 min

 

 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.

 

Liaisons August 2025  

 

  1. Guest Committee(s) : None. Aim for next call.

 

  1. Staff (Tamar)see above

 

  1. Secretary (Holly) –Renewed Delegates 101, will put out a notice; Committees 101. Will send sign-up for SC for Basecamp tutorials.

Updates for voting page URL, voting page work is progressing; auto-forwards to 

           Googlegroups and will soon be added to Basecamp.

Work involving transfers and accounts on Google Workplace has affected some access to folders and documents, but most can be managed with workarounds

Rules updates have been collected to send to the web manager; also, rules clean-ups     

          confirming security, observers.

 List of inactive states to forward to AC and contact (see above).

 

  1. Craig: Media, Merch, PCSC, Outreach

New Merch

Media – webinars, social media reach is increasing and doing well; there are two 

          YouTube accounts (one an archive). Cassandra advised that we like and share social media posts, and click on eBlasts, as it raises our profile.

 

  1.   Cassandra: ANMCom, FundCom, Credentials , DRC

ANMCom is finalizing the ANM program, workshops.  Craig asked if Aby Martin could 

       attend the ANM; it has been under discussion. Tamar said the committee is 

       Discussing that and Sabby Sabs’ film.

 Fundraising – Casandra and Alan will prepare a mailing to go to Stein campaign 

       donors. 

 

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

,  BMRC, – 

GPAX is working, created an Iran statement, webinars.

Not a lot of activity with IC, will try to be in touch with them

BMRC is doing a podcast

Green Pages has a couple active members, working on proper tagging of previous articles so they can be properly accessed.

BRPP is not active, has only 3 members.

 

 

  1. Arshia: CCC, Platform

No updates.

Question about CCC social media (X) promoting a Democratic

    Party candidate. Craig noted that their mandate is to promote

    Party candidates.

Holly reported that the Platform Committee coninus working through a

     proofreading edit, going well.

 

  1.   Tamar: Diversity, Staff Supervisor – 

 Diversity will help disburse  ANM solidarity fund for help with travel and food, working 

           on an application.

 

  1. Charles: FinCom, Animal Rights, GCCC

New debit cards have been arranged; getting logins two-factor authorizations, optimizing payment systems for software.

 

Discussion about Green candidate who switched to Democratic Party who had received GCCC funds. He has said he will return the funds.

 

Mark sponsored Cassiday to speak; Wissam seconded.

Charles – yes

Tamar – abstain

Craig – yes

Cassandra- no

Arshia – yes

Wissam – yes

Mark – yes

Holly – abstain

 

Cassiday stated that the GCCC money should be returned with no problem, t would take time. She stated the money should go to other candidates.

 

 

 

 

BAC, EcoAction

Craig asked Holly to contact them and ask EcoAction for a

written report.

 

VII. Voting Queue –  (Holly) 

 

 

 Received for the Voting

 

Budget Amendment fo Party

Sustainability

FINDINGS: Charles stated that the proposal itself is not workable.  There cannot be a transfer from a budget line to the general fund.  The proposal would need to say they are no longer funding that line – there is no money to be allocated or transferred. 

 

Craig noted this was voted on in the 2025 budget, noted the reduction of hours.

 

Charles will follow up. It is already no longer current, it’s last years budget.

 

 

Dues Research Group

Craig stated his concern about who on FinCom and FundCom would be charged with being on the committee. It’s only if they are willing and able. Tamar noted committees are small but it’s imperative that those committees be involved.  Shealso advised a staff member be included.

 

Threshold: 50+1

2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote

Floor manager:   Holly

 

 

Closure of the GCCC

         Green Party Congressional Campaign Committee—ID: C00886788

         Green Party Congressional Campaign Campaign Committee—ID: C0042866

Threshold: 2/3

2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote

Floor manager: Wissam

 

Discussion

None

 

Voting 

# 12842026 GPUS Budget

    Voting period through 3/22/2026

             50%+1

             Floor Manager: Charles Ostdiek

 

# 1285 – 2025 Coordinated

Campaign Committee Election II – Women

Voting period through 3/22/2026

 Ranked Choice Vote

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

 

# 1286 2025

Coordinated Campaign Committee Election II – Men and NonBinary Persons 

Voting period through 3/22/2026

 Ranked Choice Vote

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

 

# 1287 Election to Fill Vacancies on the Green

Congressional Campaign Committee II

Voting period through 3/22/2026

 Ranked Choice Vote

Floor Manager: Holly Hart

Completed

# 1278 Petition Drive

urging Congress to Impeach Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh

 Voting concluded 3/8/2026

 Failed to reach quorum

 

# 1279 Election to Fill

Vacancies on the Green Congressional Campaign Committee

  Voting concluded 3/8/2026

 Failed to reach quorum

 

# 1282 2025 Coordinated

Campaign

Voting concluded 3/8/2026

 Failed to reach quorum

 

# 1283 – 2025 Coordinated

Campaign Committee Election – Women

Voting concluded 3/8/2026

 Failed to reach quorum

 

VIII.   Executive Session – 11:15 – 11:50  pm ET

 

Discussion of how to proceed with assessment of Fundraising Contractor work and position.  The SC will work online toward a final decision at the next meeting on April 12th.  

Mark send a document written by Cassiday Moriarity, as the call was starting.  Tamar noted that this comprised 17 pages with many inaccuracies in it. She stated that the SC should ask Fundraising for their general opinion.  Craig stated that some of the investment is designed to increase engagement, thereby funds; increases in small donations. New people, not scraping for the same donor pool

 

Arshia noted the motion to have a staff review by the end of the budget approval vote. Cassandra objected to discussing this in executive session. Arshia stated that the motion called for performance and position reviews – personnel and necessity of position. He would like to start the staff reviews, with or without a union representative, with anyone on the SC who wants to be in that meeting. Processes should be put in place to do a position review. This does not necessarily need to have the staff involved. Tamar noted that she is working from scratch and creating documents; this is not the usual type of business workplace.

 

Arshia proposed he take the lead in collecting data and analysis for position review. Tamar would take the lead on staff reviews.  In three weeks, there will be a staff meeting, union representative if they wish, with any SC members who want to meet. Craig stated that we should focus on the Fundraiser, set for the next call for a decision.

 

 

 

 

TOTAL TIME –  4 hr, 30 min

 

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How to waste everyones time 101: SC are experts at it. Only everyone on the NC is against this position -.-