Title: Initiatives Mini-Summit at Summer StateCom Meeting

Sponsors: Merelice, Isabel Espinal

Contact Info: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>

No committee vetting

Background:

In April of 2011, the GRP held an initiatives summit. Individuals and Local Chapters had submitted lists of possible initiatives for the party to focus on statewide. While all the submissions were considered important, it was agreed that the GRP needed to set priorities. Four initiatives were selected: Better Budget, Green and Just Economy, Peace, Single-Payer Health Care. These were subsequently adopted by the State Committee and a fifth was added: Immigrant Rights and Civil Liberties.

One purpose was to help candidates and local chapters reinforce a statewide consistent image of the GRP and what it stands for. A “Guidance Document” was supplied to coordinators and local chapters by the Administrative Committee.

Proposal:

The State Committee would like to have an initiatives mini-summit (minimum of one hour) at its Summer 2012 meeting. The purpose would be to review the initiatives, what steps have been taken, and how they can be resuscitated and incorporated into the Green-Rainbow Party’s Local Chapters, candidate campaigns, working committees, etc.

Budget Impact: For the mini-summit, no impact.

Implementation:
The Administrative Committee and meeting co-facilitators will prepare this portion of the State Committee meeting, asking for any further thoughts from those who participated in the original initiatives summit and subsequent activities.

TITLE: Establlshment of a Participation Fund

SPONSORS:  John Andrews (manager),  Isabel Espinal, Mike Heichman

CONTACT: John Andrews, [email protected], Tel. 781-862-6498

COMMITTEE VETTING: AdCom, Fundraising, Membership

SUMMARY:

State Committee endorses the creation of a special Participation Fund to defray the costs of participation for low-income members attending the Green Party national convention and possibly other future party events.

BACKGROUND:

In order to assist our lower income members in fully participating in and representing our party at the upcoming Green Party national convention in Baltimore, we need some mechanism for defraying the expenses of attendance for those delegates who find the travel expenses to be a hardship.  Four persons who have applied to be GRP delegates to the Green Party convention in July have requested such financial assistance.  The minimum cost of attending has been estimated at $800.

To address the above issues, the Administrative Committee has established a Participation Fund that can be used to defray expenses for low income members who would otherwise be discouraged from participating in party activities.   This Fund is created as a bookkeeping entry in the GRP budget software.

The initial use of this Fund would be to support our delegation to the 2012 convention, but the Fund could continue to be used for future party activities.

Although AdCom has already acted under its normal budgetary authority, this proposal asks State Committee to endorse the concept of such a fund, and ensure that it would be given consideration as a continuing provision. 

TEXT OF PROPOSAL:

StateCom endorses the creation of a Participation Fund to assist low income members for whom the costs of participation in Party activities could be a hardship.  This Fund should be managed as a bookkeeping entry within the GRP bookkeeping system.  AdCom is instructed to establish written guidelines for the use of this fund.  AdCom and the Fundraising Director are instructed to seek special donations for this fund and to place money in the Fund as appropriate after considering all budgeting priorities.  AdCom is asked to report to State Committee on the operation of this Fund and on how well this Fund is achieving its purpose.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:  AdCom will set the parameters that will determine the budget for the Fund.  Currently AdCom has set a target of $1600 to be available in July 2012, with much of this derived from special fundraising.

IMPLEMENTATION:  AdCom will announce the formation of the Participation Fund and will solicit matching funds.  The Treasurer will create a special entry in the GRP bookkeeping system.  CDLC will notify the delegates to the 2012 Green Party convention that some assistance will be available through the fund.

END

Proposal Name and Sponsors

• short title: GRP Bylaws
• proposal sponsors: Anthony Barrows, Claribel Santiago (co-chairs), Merelice (for subcommittee)
• floor manager: Merelice
• committees to which proposal has been sent for review and feedback: ad-com, state committee

Proposal Preamble

Background:

On instruction from state committee, a subcommittee was formed to

1. compile all known updates, modifications and additions (such as section 12 and Appendix A) to the bylaws made by state committee since the last publication of the bylaws as a whole
2. to distribute updated copies of the bylaws in their entirety for confirmation by StateCom
3. State commitee also voted to not consider any new changes to the bylaws until after this task was completed, and the updated copy of the full bylaws was confirmed. 

Proposal Summary:

Financial Impact:

Proposal Language

Click here to read and review the updated bylaws awaiting confirmation by State Committee on 4/15/2012 

Proposal Name/Sponsors

• short title: GRP T-Shirts
• Shirley Kressel, Mike Heichman
• floor manager: Shirley Kressel, [email protected]
• for consideration by Adcom, Fundraising Committee, ComCom, Membership & Diversity Comm, Local Chapters  & Treasurer

Proposal Preamble

Background:

We want to grow our party. We want our party to become more visible and respected for our work. We often go to events where organizations, who have members with T-Shirts, stand out in the crowd; even a small number indicate the presences of a larger organization. We need our own GRP T-Shirt.

Financial impact: 

Implementation

Proposal Language

The GRP will create our own t-shirts and encourage our members and supporters to purchase and wear them.

END OF PROPOSAL