Steering Committee Meeting – MINUTES
Sunday October 26, 2025
8:00 pm EDT
I Setup and Background
Facilitator: Gloria Mattera
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) – present
6. Tamar Yager (co-chair) – present
7. Wissam Charafeddine (co-chair) – present
8. Holly Hart (secretary) – present
9. Bob Stuller (transition treasurer) - reported absence
10. 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.
Starlene Rankin (WA); Douglas Marsh (MI); Esmée Silverman (YES); Haryaksha Babaknauer (C); Aly Schimdt (TX); Maureen Doyle (MA)
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)
II. Treasurer Report 10 – 15 min (Bob, Mark)
Mark does not yet have access to all financial information, so does not have updated numbers.
Tamar just finished an income report, sent to the SC and presented highlights. Finances are not doing well. Income has been down the last few months. There were three large donations ($14,000 total) in June, so income has come down from that. Reserves now are at $59, 400+ . That is what should be in our savings account, but does not have expenses deducted since 2024.
Income report through September, 2025
III. New/Current Business
1. Urgent issue regarding communications migration (Holly) – 15 min
Holly had proposed a 48/48 process to consider groups.io, based on previous review, tech sessions and staff. Tamar asked to consider Googlegroups. Charts and info were sent to the SC again. Wissam, Tamar, Arshia and Mark wanted to wait to review the different platforms and wait until the next call to make a decision. SC voted to approve a two-week decision timeline and make a decision regarding Googlegroups and groups.io on the next call.
Information regarding groups.io and Googlegroups has been sent to the SC. On the table is the question between Googlegroups and Groups.io. List of various applications for comparisons is now available.
2. Wissam told the task force that they were being asked to come up with a proposal now; that was not the case, and it was made clear that the above decision should not impede their work. Their Proposal (Report and Findings) has been re-created in the Proposal Folder and linked here – Green Party Digital Task Force Report Communication, Keep Voting System (voting page), Lists to List program.
Esmée Silverman gave a presentation on Basecamp.
Discussion on selecting an email program now between Googlegroups or groups.io, due to need to move the Mailman lists right away. Idea is that would be followed or over;apped by a demonstration version of Basecamp. Charles noted and all agreed that moving from an email list program to another is an administrative decision, but moving to a new application would need to go to the NC.
Decisions
1. Tamar proposed moving to Googlegroups now. Holly asked to amend that to groups.io.
Move to Googlegroups
Yes – Arshia, Casandra, Craig, Tamar, Wissam, Mark
No – Justin, Holly
APPROVED. move forward setting up Googlegroups with Google Workplace.
2. That the SC accept the report and findings of the task force. Question of sponsoring the proposal. Cassandra asked to TABLE discussion on approval until this has been reported to Staff. Tamar and Holly agreed.
Craig MOTIONED to pull the proposal and re-tailor, geared to concerns of National Committee, decentralization, communication and transfer concerns. Wissam and Esmée stated that it was the report and findings they proposed, not a final proposal.
AMENDMENT: Craig proposed that the SC accept the report and recommendations of the task force, but the proposal to the NC should be sponsored by one or more state parties/caucuses.
Yes – Cassandra, Craig, Tamar, Holly
No – Arshia, Wissam, Mark, Justin, Charles
AMENDMENT FAILED.
PROPOSAL, Arshia: SC approve the recommendations of the taskforce and sponsor but not send out the proposal to NC, yet. Justin and Tamar will consult the staff, and after edits are made, it will be brought forth to the SC in 2 weeks to be voted on and sent out to the NC for discussion and then formal vote.
Yes – Arshia, Charles, Justin, Wissam, Mark
No – Cassandra, Craig, Holly,
Abstain – Tamar
APPROVED
IV. Standing Business/Old Business
1. Invitation – United National Antiwar Coalition s on December 13 in Chicago–[they] invited 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. Holly has notified the organizer and Latinx Caucus, as well as those notified earlier. Wissam has offered to speak, and the Latinx Caucus has recommended a member in the Chicago area as a speaker. 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 are wanting to hear more from us. Holly attended their Zoom call and can forward their update, if the SC hasn’t already received it. Nathalie Reyes, member of the Latinx Caucus who lives in Chicago is now involved in the planning.
2. Just FYI, Renew trademark for Earthflower (Cassandra or Holly)
Hope to hear back from staff – no rush
3. Forum Managers – time for new election:renewal. (Holly) 5 min
https://gpus.org/rules-procedures/#09
SC is asked to follow up online this week with suggestions, recommendations, if any. Approval votes should be sent to teh NC soon.
Allan 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. Are there thoughts, considerations? Are there more to recommend? Next step is to finalize nominations and move forward with NC approvals.
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]
!! SC members should think of possible candidates.
The NC will vote on approving each candidate separately.
4. UPDATES? Lifeline for Palestine and two projects involving Labor fighting genocide in Gaza. Chris Small has started a petition to target the AFI/CIO leadership “Disarm Genocide.” A general strike in Italy brought out a million people, and shut down the ports. Goal is to shut down shipping in the Mediterranean. American labor is not in the same mindset.
Media will be putting something out.
Two calls to action:
First, Labor Movement recognizes genocide and complicity of labor
Second, national day of action, to be presented October 24 in Washington, DC, take direct action in refusing to ship weapons
Jill had hoped to also ask for a protection force.
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 and added it to the Liaison assignment spreadsheet.
1. Guest Committee(s) : None
2.. Staff (Justin) no news
3. Secretary (Holly) - finalizing list audits. There has been a request for another Delegates 101, will follow up
4. Craig: Media, Merch, PCSC, Outreach
Merch designs sent to NC to review, hopefully new Merch for holidays
5. Cassandra: ANMCom, FundCom, Credentials , DRC – nothing new this week
5. Wissam: IC, Green Pages, GPAX , BRPP –
BRPP has completed the time for nominations, will elect cochairs; trying for nomination for second co-chair, but not moving. Asked Green Pages to meet at least once every 3 months.
7. Arshia: CCC, Platform – trying to reach out to both committees.
8. Tamar: Diversity, Staff Supervisor
No news
9. Charles: FinCom, Animal Rights, GCCC BMRC,
BAC
No report from BMRC, ARC, GCCC is holding a candidate spotlight soon. BAC issue involving change of their committee rules. It’s Finance Season: Charles sent a message to all committee and caucus chairs with a summary of needed documents and general timeline. Behind schedule, but getting figures, documents and information together. Discussed staffing needs on last call, funding is not good.
10. Justin: Staff Supervisor , ETC-
Liaison needed for EcoAction
VII. Voting Queue – (Holly)
Received for the Queue -
A. ???? Is this still being considered? Coalition Engagement Protocol – need final copy for Google drive or take up on the next call – does the Steering Committee win to sponsor this? TABLED to next meeting for SC to have a chance to read and review.
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1EIVNXVfH1MYQbZhQDyw1d9lWsdnWgu1l
B. 2025 Steering Committee Election Tabulation Committee Report
Majority threshold
2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote
Floor Manager: Justin
C. . National Committee Rules Update – Procedure for Changing Delegates, v.2 Retitled National Committee Voting History Info Update – GPTX
2/3 Threshold
2 weeks discussion, 1 week vote
Floor Manager: Wissam
Aly Schmidt, GPTX explained the changes made in response to Findings.
Discussion
A. #1267 Annual Strategic Plan with SMART Goals, v.2
2/3 threshold
3 weeks discussion through 11/02/2025
Voting period; 11/03 – 11/09/2025
Floor Manager: Wissam
B. #1268 Annual National Meeting Committee Revised
Policies and Procedures
Majority threshold
2 weeks discussion, through 10/26/2025
Voting period: 10/27 – 11/02-2025
Floor Manager: Tamar
C.#1269 Designation of the Israeli Defense Forces IDF as a Terrorist Organization
Majority Threshold
Discussion through 11/02/2025
Voting period: 11/03 – 11/0/2025
Floor Manager: Charles Ostdiek
NOTE! – SC is considering some new language for part of the background. Final decision: was made online and now updated in the background.
Voting
Completed
#1266 Approve Cassiday Moriarity for membership in the GPUS Finance Committee
Voting period: October 7 – 12, 2025
Threshold: 50%+1
Floor Manager: Wissam Charafeddine
PASSED
TOTAL TIME – 2 hrs 30 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.