[statecom-discuss] GRP strategy

[Melissa Harrell]

We have previously talked about doing this 'strategic planning retreat' 
separately and not as an agenda item at the state com meeting.  I, Ellie 
and Bill have so far volunteered to try and set this up for a day other 
than August 6th.

Mike Heichman wrote:
> Hi State Committee,
>
>
> I agree that it is important for the party to be involved in strategic 
> discussions with our team of candidates.
>
> The question is when will this process begin.
>
> Once again, I will be unable to attend the State Comm meeting this 
> Sunday. I hope that there will be a quorum and that decisions will be 
> made.
> Given all of the proposals that have to be addressed (again), I do not 
> see how there will be much time to discuss strategy. Additionally, it 
> is my understanding (I may be wrong.) that the only statewide 
> candidate who plans on attending is Grace.
>
> I suggest that the meeting discuss setting up a whole-day strategy 
> meeting. Additionally, a decision should be made--Is this a strategy 
> meeting between the candidates and the State Committee or are we 
> inviting as many members as we can. In addition to our usual e-mail 
> lists, there is (I hope.) a growing number of members and friends who 
> have been volunteering to support our candidates. I would prefer being 
> inclusive. However, my concern is that if we are successful in having 
> a very large meeting, it will take some excellent planning to include 
> such a large number in a strategic discussion.
>
> ------------------------------------------------
> We also need to discuss (and implement) a plan to have the necessary 
> campaign AND PARTY materials in as many languages (at least English 
> and Spanish) as we can. Now that it looks like we will be on the 
> ballot, any strategy that we choose to support our candidates and grow 
> our party. As far as I know, Grace and Wendy are the only campaigns 
> that have materials in multiple languages. Our slate piece of 
> literature is only in English. I am hopeful that we will soon have it 
> translated in Spanish.
>
> In addition to the materials and the need for a strategy, we have to 
> reactivate our committees. We have to prepare for the upcoming state 
> convention. I do not think that some of the committees have met for 
> many months. A lot of the work that will need to be done to support 
> our candidates, building our membership, preparing for the convention, 
> and making plans for the party post-November 7 have to happen within 
> the committee structure. I hope that the meeting this Sunday will make 
> room to help make this happen.
>
> Mike Heichman
> 617-265-8143
>
>
> Eli Beckerman wrote:
>
>> Dear Statecom,
>> I am continuing a conversation that began on the statecom list here:
>> http://www.green-rainbow.org/pipermail/statecom/2006-August/007037.html
>>
>> I tend to agree with John's point about the old-style
>> politics of individual candidates (and by extension,
>> personality politics). There are double-edged swords here,
>> because the Greens would probably be smaller without ever
>> having run Ralph Nader, yet we're also smaller because Nader
>> is now effectively gone.
>>
>> There are 3 different types of campaigns -- one where the party
>> serves the candidate, one where the candidate serves the party,
>> and one where there is a synergy of these benefits.
>>
>> I think it is very important for us to work out a strategy for
>> the Green-Rainbow Party, which is what I think John was getting at,
>> and which will obviously include strategizing AROUND the statewide
>> campaigns and our role. Individuals who choose to strategize WITHIN
>> the campaigns may well be engaged in party-building, but in a less
>> direct fashion. If the PARTY has no strategy for party-building, it
>> can't sit around and expect it to come from the campaigns.
>>
>> As an example of this, I think Jill's campaign in 2002 was a terrific
>> success as a campaign. I think that despite this, long-term party 
>> building
>> failed and instead we've seen a party decline (even with the RCP 
>> merger).
>>
>> And I think in addition to developing clear strategy, we need to 
>> figure out
>> how to evaluate our efforts and undertakings so that we do not hop 
>> from one
>> thing to the next without new COLLECTIVE wisdom. Campaigns by 
>> necessity will
>> have a tighter ship, and the party, by definition, will be more of a 
>> democratic
>> and collective effort. Each has their strengths and shortcomings so 
>> we need
>> to fuse these better!
>>
>> In hope,
>> Eli
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>>
>
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