I Setup and Background – 10 min
Facilitator: Cassancra Lems
Steering Committee Roll Call:
- Arshia Papari (co-chair) –
- Cassandra Lems(co-chair) – present
- Craig Cayetano (co-chair) – present
- Charles Ostdiek(co-chair) – present
- Justin Paglino (co-chair) – present
- Tamar Yager (co-chair) – present
- Wissam Charafeddine (co-chair) – present
- Holly Hart (secretary) – present
- Bob Stuller (transition treasurer) –
- Mark Elbourno (incoming treasurer) – present
Observers: Starlene Rankin (WA)
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.
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) – 5-10 min, if needed
Request for Addition to Agenda:
Approved, added to Agenda under New Items, up to 10 min
Tamar felt this was premature. Wissam stated the report, finding and draft proposal was approved and sponsored, given 2 weeks to refine and let the staff look at it for feedback. Craig thought we were still in the trying-out stage. Holly stated if the language has changed or if the SC was to refine language, this should better go forward online so all SC could review. Charles states he was fine with adding this to the agenda.
APPROVED, add to New Business, up to 10 min.
- Treasurer Report (Mark)
Mark ran payroll on a Friday, but realized he should ruin it two days before the due date. He had been unable to log in on time. Tamar suggested she be a back-up to ensure timely access and payment.
Tamar presented the Income Report, the same on as the last call. Total budget is $209,000, have reached 69% of that. The reason we have funds are because of the ANm and a couple of large donations. Have not yet separate out the cost. Reserves tab shows we have about $60,000 less than what we show here.
Craig stated we should have a big livestream fundraising event before the end of the year. Tamar replied that Rose Roby is working on this, but the general income from these events run around $4,000 or less. Mark would like to hold event and bring influencers that could bring a lot of viewers, with even small donations could boost income. Also consider in-person events or house parties. Tamar stated that we need $20-25,000.
III. New/Current Business
- Consider SC sponsorship to NC of Green Party Coalition Engagement Protocol
Green Party Coalition Engagement Protocol – https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1pQIYgwt3pDG22vINwhflKGKksXQNYwcn
Charles also stated he had a finding regarding a rules & procedures inconsistency. Wissam withdrew the proposal to follow up with Charles and then re-submit.
MerchCom has been working on ideas for the past year. Put out two surveys to party members, proceeding on feedback and advisors. Tote bags, bumper sticker designs and new banner, t-shirts and more Request for $2792.90 total request, takes advantage of bulk discount – release funds for this expenditure.
APPROVED by CONSENSUS
- 2025-11-07 Establish Basecamp for GPUS Committees and Staff, With Opt-In Option for Caucuses, and State Parties Later that night…this item was taken up after the voting page section was reviewed. The notes are added here for clarity
Tamar stated that she is not opposed to going to Basecamp, but does not feel this has to move forward this quickly. Wissam stated that the proposal is to accept Basecamp as the tool or platform for communication and organization for the Green Party and provide it cost-free for state parties and caucuses. It’s not immediate, there will be an implementation timeline. He feels the timeline is per the bylaws which is slow enough for people to think about it. Holly stated that the staff was busy with list migration, this would impose unneeded work during an upcoming holiday season. Justin confirmed this, noting that most are unaware of how many lists and how much work is involved. Holly noted also that the task force had not been on the same page, not deeply investigative. Recommended time for more people to check it out. Cassandra asked about sponsors – so far, we have heard from none. Craig stated this should have a 2/3 threshold, and the SC needs to hear from those who have used the program. Make this a budget item for 2026 and aim for January. Charles stated he agreed with going with a three-week discussion period and 2/3 approval threshold.
Craig asked to see in the proposal that the implementation would start January 5, 2026. This means that staff work, fine-tuning, organization would begin then, and NC would transition going forward.
APPROVED – 3 weeks discussion, 1 week voting; 2/3 approval threshold; timeline implementation as Craig stated, implementation would begin January 5th Cost would be $3200/yr; $50/mo.
Adding this language for clarification: Implementation: Info Sessions and Trainings have been scheduled by Taskforce volunteers. Transition will start on January 5, 2026. GP members who want to be added to the GP space for testing and experimenting, will be added before then.
APPROVED – 48/48 vote to start Monday, 11/10, for the updated version of the proposal: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xM8jFBv0jAPb2Qt5Y0ygLegec38sW3jFGuGYHXp15KY/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.m6eiqd5jjlws
- Standing Business/Old Business – 10 min
- Invitation – United National Antiwar Coalitioni s on December 13 in Chicago–[they] invite the Green Party to co-sponsor event and provide a speaker to one of the teach-in panels. SC approved by consensus to co-sponsor the event. Craig reported that two members of the Latinx Caucus are on it, working on having a representative involved. Conference call provided an update, sent to SC. They have a program developed, but maybe working on fine-tuning. Next planning meeting is ????? December 11th.???? Anyone interested can call in and make suggestions.
- Report on Lifeline for Palestine – (Mark)
Big event on Tuesday, 11/11, in Washington, will include Jill Stein, Matthew Hoh and other Green veterans. In-person/virtual event
Media will be putting something out/.
- Forum Managers – time for new election/:renewal. (Holly)
https://gpus.org/rules-procedures/#09
Alan Hunter, Green Party of New York, has been approved by his state party to serve as Forum Manager. All three current forum managers have said they would be willing to continue. Current Forum Managers are Shannel Pittman, Richard Giovanoni, Samuel Chance. See Appendix A
Sample Approval of Forum Manager
[If 5 aren’t available, odd number is desirable][Should always have at least one woman and diversity; a single candidate representing gender or diversity is not automatically appointed]
The NC will vote on approving each candidate separately.
APPROVED – Charles proposed the SC move forward with these nominations now. Holly will follow up and send out proposals for each candidate.
- Lifeline for Palestine (Mark)
Call for strike on November 28th. Mark will send petition and info to secretary and media.
- V. Reports
Should liaisons 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 and Justin are following up; Holly set up a calendar or add to Liaison assignment spreadsheet.
Holly and Justin are following up; Holly to set up a calendar or add to Liaison assignment spreadsheet. May have been done by the time of the call.
- Guest Committee(s) : None
2.. Staff (Justin, Tamar)
Tamar reported that Athena and David are working on Googlegroups migration; staff meeting this Thursday. Mark and Holly will consult on updating/reconfirming security policy. Charles asked if supervisors could follow up on union contract, to help with budget process for next year. Will need to ask for budget priorities from committees. Mark brought up issue of base salary: we should lead and make sure all have a base pay of $25/hr. Craig explained that the interim staff pay had been worked out in a previous SC.
- Secretary (Holly) – Delegates 101 was requested and will put out a call to set up one or more. NC list audits – working to finish quickly. Will be putting out a call for nominations for Coordinated Campaign Committee elections.
- Craig: Media, Merch, PCSC, Outreach – Media will meet this week. EcoAction has a webinar tomorrow. Outreach will get completely rebooted.
- Cassandra: ANMCom, FundCom, Credentials , DRC –
- Wissam: IC, Green Pages, GPAX , BRPP – BRPP roster is finalized; call for elections for two co-chairs. IC met, prioritizing re-engagement and re-entering Federation of the Americas and reengaging in Global Greens; re-active subcommittees. Green Pages should begin meet at least once every three months, waiting for response, will speak with Mike Feinstein, advisor, in December
- Arshia: CCC, Platform
- Tamar: Diversity, Staff Supervisor – no reports
- Charles: FinCom, Animal Rights, GCCC BMRC, BAC - GCCC putting out eBlasts regarding candidate programs; ARL working on a platform submission for regenerative agriculture. BAC vote on committee rules failed in m now updating. Brought up that there is no specific consensus process recommended or spelled out for all working committees. Finance – it’s Budget season, has received requests from mot committees that would be submitting a budge, will reach out to two committee not yet heard from. Committees wil need to come up with goals for the coming year, including budget priorities, staff.
Starlene Rankin asked to speak. GCCC is working on a common platform that could be adopted by all Congressional candidates around the country. Asked Butch ware to consult; he agreed.
- Justin: Staff Supervisor , ETC-
Liaison (still) needed for EcoAction
VII. Voting Queue – (Holly)
Received for the Queue –
- See above, New Business: Coalition Engagement Protocol – I have made a new copy for the Proposals subfolder on the Google Drive that includes the Google Doc and /pdf (/pdf’s are not really usable, but since it was on hand….)
Majority threshold
2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote
Floor Manager: Justin
- In the Queue –– see above, plan is for the three proposals approved on the last call to go out this coming week.
Discussion
- #1270 National Committee Voting History Info Update\
Discussion through 11/18/2025
Voting period: 11/19/2025 – 12/02/2025
Threshold: 50+1
Floor Manager: Wissam Charafeddine
Voting
- #1267 Annual SMART Foals with Review
2/3 threshold
Voting period through 11/09/2025
Floor Manager: Wissam
- #1269 Designation of the Israeli Defense Forces IDF as a Terrorist Organization
Majority Threshold
Voting through 11/09/2025
Floor Manager: Charles Ostdiek
NOTE! – SC considered new language for part of the background. Online vote to approve updated background to SC sponsored proposal declaring IDF a terrorist organization. Online vote started on Oct 28. RESULTS
Yes, to reflect the general agreement and confirm the language
: Arshia, Craig, Wissam, Cassandra, Charles,: Holly. There were no No votes or Abstentions. Charles, floor manager, sent notice to the National Committee.
Completed
#1268 Annual National Meeting Committee Revised Policies and Procedures
VIII. Administrivia
Administrivia – resignation, stipend, executive session difference between steering committee email list and steering@gp.org,which is a forwarding address
TOTAL TIME – 2 hr. 15 min.
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Appendix A
Rules and Procedures of the Green Party of the United States
ARTICLE IX: GPUS NATIONAL COMMITTEE LISTSERVE PROTOCOLS AND POLICIES
https://gpus.org/rules-procedures/#09
Eligibility The Steering Committee shall nominate five (5) individuals, subject to National Committee approval, to serve coincident two-year terms as Forum Managers. They must not all be of the same gender and have gender balance of females, non-binary, and males.
Forum Managers may be sitting NC delegates, alternates or others as recommended by their State or Caucus.
All nominees must be either recommended or approved by their state or caucus. It is recommended that Forum Managers have dispute resolution training.