Exploring and Reactivating our historic Rainbow Coalition and Merger My, Jamie's, Lois's and the other two sponsors' goal is to present a needed discussion that is centered on party growth & strength that has nothing to do with differences of ideology and focus more on our long established coalition with the Rainbow Coalition and the Mel King Institute; which we hope will steer the GRP to developing/renewing a more active role in this historical politically/socially important coalition work, that could very well lead to strengthening and growing the party as well as our working relationship with natural allies. Perhaps this discussion will also open a path to the party that could encourage GRP leadership and all our members to engage in learning better developed skills to respectfully handle ideological differences without sacrificing the strength of our 10 Key Values and 4 Pillars. Submission Date: 3-11-21 at 4:55pm Submitted To: Spring Session 2021 StateCom webpage and Facilitators, Eileen Wheeler Sheehan & Danny Factor Proposal Title: Exploring and Reactivating our Historic Rainbow Coalition and Merger Proposal Sponsor/Shepherd: Elizabeth Humphrey, Lois Gagnon, Jamie Guerin, Sean Connell and Juan Sanchez Floor Manager: Jamie Guerin Summary: In Alignment with, and to forward our 2021 party goals, we would like to explore our historical merger with the Rainbow Coalition and seek out ways to reactivate our relationship by working more closely with the Mel King Institute Background: In 2002, the two parties combined into one, becoming The Green-Rainbow Party, the official Mass. affiliate of the Green Party of the U.S (MA designation "J"). The Party values its dual traditions and joint identity. While some identify the rainbow primarily with the LGBTQ movement, that is a positive connotation in light of the GRP’s commitment to LGBTQ rights as part of all human rights. Moreover, the rainbow remains a universal symbol of hope, promise, and diversity. Text of Proposal: It has been noticed that the Mel King Institute is offering webinars on diverse subjects, including training sessions/classes in respectfully engaging oppressed and marginalized groups, forming tenant unions, use of technology to engage in vibrant community engagement and communications, and professionalism, etc.. which might be of great help and contribution to our party structure, policy, operations & public optics. We would like to motivate a conversation on this subject for Spring Statecom 2021.  If we add any discussion to our Spring 2021 StateCom agenda it should be focused on following through with our 2021 Goals.  We believe this discussion has the potential to grow the party and develop an internal atmosphere and the public optics to exponentially increase our ability to attract diverse membership and candidates to run locally, regionally and statewide, who are our natural allies as well as increase requests to sponsor grassroots political/social movements, projects, peaceful protests and organizations that would only enhance and evolve our political platform while keeping alignment to our 10 Key Values and 4 Pillars. Some starting points to this discussion, but not limited to, are: We are under the impression we are "merged" with the Rainbow Coalition which leads us to wonder: Why are we not more actively participating in &/or supporting the Mel King Institute's work and the Rainbow coalition and if we are, why is it not apparent to any newly joined members? How much of the Rainbow Coalition & the Mel King Institute offer to our communities are we not utilizing ourselves to become a stronger & better political partner & ally for the coalition & our responsibilities as affiliated state within the GPUS Federation of states Why are we not seeking candidates from these aligned professionals & volunteers and natural allies? Why are we not following their lead in the community work they do, and developing coalitions and professional/political relationships with the Mel King Institute's volunteers and professional staff? How can we encourage without demanding our members in leadership to participate in the training being offered by the Mel King Institute that will broaden our political stratagem and social justice awareness Implementation:  Discussion & Brainstorm sessions within & without Statecom Spring Session Financial Implications: Some financial costs could be necessary in order to participate in the webinars offered by the Mel King Institute but are not yet applicable to this proposal of discussion – more investigation is needed.