• PREAMBLE: The Green-Rainbow party needs youth and working class involvement to guide party relevance. But many can not afford to put time into party involvement without at least some pay. Meanwhile our membership drops year-by-year - we’ve followed the nearly-all-volunteer course to this situation; let’s try something different. Let’s use any spring fundraising success toward paid internships for students and career-changers and others to learn while building the Green-Rainbow party.
• SPONSORS: Brian Cady, Eileen W. Sheehan
• VETTING COMMITTEES: Commcomm, FinFundComm.
• FLOOR MANAGER: Brian Cady 617-943-2853 [email protected]
• SHEPHERD: Brian Cady
• SUMMARY: Hire and pay, as interns, students and people changing careers to each take on a paid, part-time, temporary, supervised, party role.
• BACKGROUND: The Green-Rainbow party needs youth and working class involvement to guide party relevance. But many can not afford party involvement without at least some pay.
• TEXT OF PROPOSAL: Contract (draft below) with stipended interns. Each internship would address a different specific task, and each position would be advertised separately. Each intern, who must have phone and laptop, would be guided by one GRP leader with supervisory experience, skill in internship tasks and responsibility for internship goals. Total expenditure to be limited by Spring 2023 fundraising results, hence the number of interns would be adjusted to suit. Co-chairs will prioritize internship positions – Highest priority will be funded first and so on, until available funds run out. Budget: $150 for internship listing charges, plus $2,600 per intern: $2,600 stipend ($20/hr, 10 hours/week, 13 weeks) on a contract basis (so the intern takes responsibility for taxes).

Position	Tasks	Goals	Guide	Remote?	End date	Stipend
Grassroots Organizer	Canvass, Outreach	New Chapter/Campaign	Zachary Kontra	no	Dec 31st	$2,600
Social Media Outreach	Tweet, etc.	New Members	TBD	yes	Dec 31st	$2,600
Letters To the Editor co-ordinator	Encourage GRP LTE writers	LTEs in local papers	Eileen W. Sheehan	yes	Dec 31st	$2,600
Pollster	Poll GRPers & Unenrolled	Understand voters, integrate into Nation Builder.	TBD/Brian Cady?	yes	Dec 31st	$2,600
Article Writer	Write for Green Voices	Monthly articles	Eileen W. Sheehan	yes	Dec 31st	$2,600
Marketer	Re-engage inactive & create communications personalized by recipient interest & location	Increase GRPer retention	Eileen W. Sheehan	yes	Dec 31st	$2,600

The contract will include the wording: CONTRACTOR acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement creates a relationship of confidence and trust, and that they shall owe the PARTY the duty of maintaining good faith with, dealing fairly with, and avoiding conflicts of interests in matters regarding the PARTY. CONTRACTOR shall not disclose to any person confidential information obtained through this employment, except as the PARTY authorizes them to do so in the execution of their duties. This obligation is further detailed in a separate Nondisclosure Agreement, and shall survive the termination of this Agreement. CONTRACTOR expressly acknowledges and agrees that a breach of this Agreement may be compensable by punitive money damages and that the PARTY may seek injunctive relief.

Draft Contract:

Revised 2023-03-22

Green-Rainbow Party CONTRACT WITH _________

 

This Agreement is made and entered into on ______, 2023 between _______, currently residing at ________________, hereinafter referred to as "CONTRACTOR" and the Green-Rainbow Party (GRP), hereinafter referred to as "PARTY". The GRP is currently organized as a political action committee within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and as a state committee of the Green Party of the United States under federal election law. The Administrative Committee of the Green-Rainbow Party (AdCom) is the representative of the GRP for all matters pertinent to this Agreement. AdCom may delegate its decision-making authority under this Agreement to a designated officer of the Green-Rainbow Party.

 

AGREEMENTS

 

In consideration of the mutual agreements set forth below, the parties agree as follows:

 

CONTRACTOR is to undertake tasks assigned by the PARTY. These tasks may include bookkeeping, preparation of financial reports, preparation of campaign finance reports, database maintenance, and assistance with organizing and executing the activities of the GRP. CONTRACTOR acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement creates a relationship of confidence and trust, and that they shall owe the PARTY the duty of maintaining good faith with, dealing fairly with, and avoiding conflicts of interests in matters regarding the PARTY. CONTRACTOR shall not disclose to any person confidential information obtained through this employment, except as the PARTY authorizes them to do so in the execution of their duties. This obligation is further detailed in a separate Nondisclosure Agreement, and shall survive the termination of this Agreement for five additional years. CONTRACTOR expressly acknowledges and agrees that a breach of this Agreement may be compensable by punitive money damages and that the PARTY may seek injunctive relief.

 

CONTRACTOR will be compensated according to provisions below.

 

RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES

 

A. CONTRACTOR Not an Agent, Employee or Servant. The parties expressly agree that the relationship intended between CONTRACTOR and PARTY shall be that of an independent contractor only and that this Agreement is not intended to create the relationship of principal and agent, employer and employee, or master and servant. CONTRACTOR is now and will continue to be an independent contractor. CONTRACTOR may perform work at a location of the CONTRACTOR’s choosing, and may determine the hours to be worked in completion of assigned responsibilities. CONTRACTOR shall be responsible for providing computing equipment or telecommunication resources required to complete assigned tasks, although certain expenses may be reimbursable as provided for below.

 

B. Taxes. CONTRACTOR shall not be treated as an employee with respect to the services performed hereunder for federal or state tax purposes. No federal, state, or local income tax or payroll tax of any kind shall be withheld or paid by PARTY on behalf of CONTRACTOR or employees of CONTRACTOR. CONTRACTOR understands that CONTRACTOR is responsible to pay CONTRACTOR's income taxes in accordance with the law. If CONTRACTOR is not a corporation, CONTRACTOR further understands that CONTRACTOR may be liable for self-employment (social security) tax, to be paid by CONTRACTOR according to law.

 

C. Worker's Compensation. No worker's compensation insurance shall be obtained by PARTY for CONTRACTOR or employees of CONTRACTOR. CONTRACTOR shall comply with applicable worker's compensation laws regarding CONTRACTOR and employees of CONTRACTOR.

 

D. Subcontractors. CONTRACTOR may, at its discretion, engage subcontractors to perform service under this Agreement, however CONTRACTOR remains responsible for quality of work and for observing confidentiality conditions of Agreement. Prior to any subcontractor being given access to data owned by PARTY, subcontractor must receive a security briefing from the PARTY.

 

E. CONTRACTOR shall at all times use his or her best efforts in performance of this Contract. In performing his or her duties, CONTRACTOR shall comply with all applicable local, state, and Federal laws, including requirements of the Office of Campaign and Political Finance and the Federal Elections Commission.

 

F. Breach of Contract. Any material breach of this contract by one party gives the other party the right to sue for damages, and to be awarded reasonable attorney fees and costs and disbursements incurred in said suit at trial or on appeal.

 

G. This contract is not assignable.

 

H. This contract contains the complete agreement of the parties concerning the employment by or CONTRACTOR for the purposes set forth above and supersedes all other agreements, both oral and written between the parties.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA SECURITY

 

No information or data provided to CONTRACTOR, or any information obtained in confidence as a result of the work, regarding the business, operations or plans of the Green-Rainbow Party, shall be sold, released, or divulged to any party by CONTRACTOR unless explicitly authorized in writing by PARTY. CONTRACTOR is responsible for taking security measures necessary to achieve this condition.

 

CONTRACTOR will provide to the PARTY back-up copies of all financial files created or revised by CONTRACTOR no less frequently than once per month, using a transfer mechanism specified by the PARTY. In the event of failure or malfunction of digital storage media used to store data of the Green-Rainbow Party, CONTRACTOR will preserve and protect said media and will permit data recovery to be attempted by PARTY.

 

COMPENSATION

 

CONTRACTOR shall receive stipend of $2,600 Should any claims be disallowed by the GRP Treasurer, CONTRACTOR may appeal the Treasurer's decision to the Administrative Committee.

 

Reimbursement for incidental expenses necessary for completing the work may be approved by the PARTY upon submission of properly documented receipts. Such reimbursements are wholly subject to the discretion of the PARTY. CONTRACTOR should obtain authorization from the PARTY prior to incurring any reimbursable expense greater than $50.

 

TERMINATION

 

This contract may be terminated at any time by either the PARTY or the CONTRACTOR upon delivery of written notice to the other party's business address. However, confidentiality requirements shall remain in effect for a period of five years from any termination date. Upon termination of this Contract, the CONTRACTOR will promptly 1) return all financial and member records and documents in their possession, 2) provide PARTY access to any partially completed work documents or files in their possession, and 3) return any equipment owned by the PARTY.

 

AMENDMENT OF CONTRACT

 

The parties may amend this contract only by way of a writing signed by both parties.

 

SIGNATURES FOR PARTY:

 

Date: ____________________By:_________________________________

_______________, Co-chair, Green-Rainbow Party, PARTY

 

Date: ____________________By:_________________________________

_______________, Co-chair, Green-Rainbow Party, PARTY

 

SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTOR:

 

Date:____________________By:__________________________________

__________________________, CONTRACTOR

 

###

Nondisclosure Agreement for Green-Rainbow Party

 

Revision of 2023-03-22

 

 

FOREWORD: Data such as mailing lists and donor information constitute a valuable property of the Green-Rainbow Party. In many cases, individuals have given us personal information with our assurance that we will protect their privacy and use that information only for party purposes. Hence, when access to this data is granted to party staff and volunteers, we ask them to sign a Nondisclosure Agreement to that makes clear our commitments to proper handling of information.

 

Non-Disclosure Agreement

Green-Rainbow Party

This Nondisclosure Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into between the Green-Rainbow Party with its principal offices in South Deerfield MA ("PARTY") and _______________, whose place of business is _______________ ("CONTRACTOR") for the purpose of preventing the unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information as defined below. The parties agree to enter into a confidential relationship with respect to the disclosure of certain proprietary and confidential information ("Confidential Information").

1. Definition of Confidential Information. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" shall include all information, digital data, or material that has been produced or acquired by the PARTY and may be considered to be the property of the PARTY. In particular, personal information such as the names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, donation histories that have been assembled by the PARTY are classified as "Confidential Information". Likewise PARTY plans and internal notes and memoranda that are labeled "Confidential' are considered to be "Confidential Information".

2. Exclusions from Confidential Information. CONTRACTOR's obligations under this Agreement do not extend to information that is: (a) publicly known at the time of disclosure or subsequently becomes publicly known through no fault of the CONTRACTOR; (b) discovered or created by the CONTRACTOR before disclosure by PARTY; (c) learned by the CONTRACTOR through legitimate means other than from the PARTY or PARTY's representatives; or (d) is disclosed by CONTRACTOR with PARTY's prior written approval.

3. Obligations of CONTRACTOR. CONTRACTOR shall hold and maintain the Confidential Information in strictest confidence, ensuring that it is used only for purposes authorized by the PARTY. CONTRACTOR shall carefully safeguard access to Confidential Information to those persons authorized by the PARTY to have access. CONTRACTOR shall not, without prior written approval of PARTY, use Confidential Information to benefit any person or organization other than the PARTY. Upon severing of direct relationships with the PARTY, or upon written request from the PARTY, CONTRACTOR shall immediately return to the PARTY any and all records, notes, and other written, printed, or tangible materials in its possession pertaining to Confidential Information, and shall erase or destroy such information in CONTRACTOR's possession.

4. Time Periods. The nondisclosure provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement plus an additional five years, and CONTRACTOR's duty to hold Confidential Information in confidence shall remain in effect until the PARTY sends CONTRACTOR written notice releasing CONTRACTOR from this Agreement, whichever occurs first.

5. Relationships. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute either party a partner, joint venturer or employee of the other party for any purpose.

6. Severability. If a court finds any provision of this Agreement invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as best to effect the intent of the parties.

7. Integration. This Agreement expresses the complete understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior proposals, agreements, representations, and understandings. This Agreement may not be amended except in a writing signed by both parties.

8. Waiver. The failure to exercise any right provided in this Agreement shall not be a waiver of prior or subsequent rights.

This Agreement and each party's obligations shall be binding on the representatives, assigns, and successors of such party. Each party has signed this Agreement through its authorized representative.

 CONTRACTOR

Signature:

Printed name:

Title:

Dated:

PARTY

Green-Rainbow Party Co-Chairs

Authorized Signature:

Printed name:

Title:

Dated:

Authorized Signature:

Printed name:

Title:

Dated:

END OF NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT

 

 • FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Cost: $150 job ad fees, plus cost per intern: $2,600. These funds would come from David Schwab’s fundraising work, and would be in addition to the expenditures toward the budget already provisionally approved. We would hire as many interns as we can afford, given fundraising results.

(Date Submitted: 7-29-21 at 9:18pm & 2nd attempt at website on 7-30-21 To: StateCom Business & Discuss lists due to tech issues w/website)

Title: Strengthening our Understanding of Feminism within the Ten Key Values 

Sponsor:Jamie Guerin; Lisa Anne Richards

Co-sponsors:Elizabeth Humphrey; Carole Oyler; Mike Heichman; Juan Sanchez; Danny Factor; Richard Vaillette; Jordan Hodges (AKA – J. Stewart); Roni Beal; Lois Gagnon; Richard Purcell; Manny Pintado; Dan Kontoff; Tom Grzybowski

Vetting Committees: AdCom; StateCom; Policy & ProcedureCom

Floor Manager: Sean Connell

Shepherd: Carole Oyler

 

Summary: 

The first wave of feminism in the US (after the suffrage movement) created a framework to address the patriarchy that mostly accounted for affluent white women shaking traditional gender roles.

The second and third waves of feminism focused on intersectionality; it brought people of color and global feminist movements into the fold while also understanding gender as more of a spectrum. Creating these connections between gender and race strengthened the legitimacy of both movements. 

The fourth wave of feminism, that is being spearheaded by young people, is not only intersectional but also cross generational. This new wave of feminism is intertwined and identifies with the struggle that our trans siblings are facing; the same heteronormative patriarchy that the first few waves addressed. Bringing trans women and trans men into traditionally “male” and “female” spaces strengthens the feminist movements of our past and the 4th wave feminist movement as it has evolved with society's understanding of Human Rights and Feminism. 

In no way does our affirmation of the more inclusive and broad reaching 4th wave of the feminist movement, diminish cis women's hard won rights in our historical feminist movements. 

 

Background: 

The Green Rainbow Party has been in a tough place with trans rights recently.  There exists a minority of members who still defer to the less evolved historical waves of the feminist movement &/or right wing talking points when speaking about trans rights issues in sports, bathroom access, and transitioning.  Example- Instead of calling trans women ‘women’, they are referred to as “men with female gender identity” 

Young people are absolutely leading the way on this issue. The GRP stands to lose youth, LGBTQIA+ and other diverse, marginalized &/or oppressed identity memberships without addressing this core value and affirming in absolute terms that trans rights are human rights and our evolved understanding of the feminist movement.

 

Text of Proposal:

The GRP affirms that TRANS RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS 

The GRP understands Human Rights extend to ALL human beings; ESPECIALLY to marginalized and oppressed identity groups.

The GRP affirms our Human Rights position is not up for debate or discussion, unless it is to discuss future evolved feminists waves to include newly recognized marginalized or oppressed identity groups, with the discussion for the purposes of advancing the GRP's understanding & affirmation of a future evolved feminist movement that is inclusive of newly recognized marginalized or oppressed identity groups.

We understand that the feminist movement of the 1960s and 70s is not the same or as broad reaching and inclusive as the coalition-based 4th wave feminism we see today.

The GRP recognizes that gender identity is, and should be, a protected class along with sex; that trans men are men and that trans women are women.

 

Implementation:

The GRP will use text within this document to create a trans affirmative platform item and add the language affirming 4th wave feminism as an amendment or addendum to our 10 Key Values  which will ensure the GRP maintains a safe space for young and upcoming trans and LGBTQIA+ youth and adults.  Without implementing this proposal, youth and more diverse new membership outreach will continue to be hampered as well as diminish current youth, diverse and LGBTQIA+ membership. 

 

Financial Implications:  None

(Date Submitted: 7-29-21 at 9:18pm & 2nd attempt at website on 7-30-21 To: StateCom Business & Discuss lists due to tech issues w/website)

Title: Creating Avenues for Civility and Effectiveness through Healthy Boundaries  

Sponsor: Lois Gagnon; Elizabeth Humphrey

Co-sponsors: Carole Oyler; Jamie Guerin; Danny Factor; Richard Vaillette; Jordan Hodges (AKA - J. Stewart); Lisa Anne Richards; Roni Beal;; Richard Purcell; Manny Pintado; Dan Kontoff; Tom Grzybowski; Mike Heichman

Vetting Committees: AdCom; StateCom; Policy & ProcedureCom

Floor Manager: Sean Connell

Shepherd: Elizabeth Humphrey

 

Summary: 

Recent events within the GRP have shown that there is a need for effective protocols and policies to guide our membership and leadership around the various ways we exchange political/social views and ideas with each other internally as well as the use of GRP external communication infrastructure.

Email chains have gone back and forth with many of them being needlessly uncivil, mean spirited, hurtful or curt. Party infrastructure is being used in ways that are counter to, or undermine party values, public statements or platform; which is harmful to the effectiveness and professional integrity of the GRP.

The GRP is facing a critical time.  Like never before, there is limitless room for our growth as the corporate two-party system disenfranchises more and more people and voters.   As we welcome new membership into our party, we must be well prepared and strengthen the party to support Green candidates.   In doing this work, the GRP stands to become an exemplary model for Green Parties and grassroots democracy, and all third parties across the nation.

The Sponsors hope this proposal will establish protocols for party leadership to become better trained and knowledgeable in the most compassionate and best practices to effectively guide the party, as well as start the democratic process of evolving the party to be better prepared in welcoming new membership and support loyal Green candidates in 21st century politics - and actually WIN more elections.

 

Background: 

Recent events have necessitated the need for civility and effectiveness that can only be achieved through communications and actions with healthy boundaries that maintain, not only a respectful, peaceable and democratic process of communication but also clear and precise rules around the use of party infrastructure.

The GRP has already acknowledged the need for policy to address potential discussion in bad faith or in frustration that can unintentionally harm other members with the creation of the Vibes Policy; however, the vibes policy/protocol has recently been proven to be too vague and nondescript in its application when people and members ‘cross the line’ from civil to uncivil discourse.

It has already been decided by StateCom that our party cannot function or be effective by casually accepting or adopting whatever platform or values that would conflict with the 10 key values or the GPUS Accreditation Requirements (which was demonstrated by the issue with the Georgia Green Party). Ideological differences elicit conflicting emotional responses because more often than not, politics IS personal. Concepts of freedom, human rights, sovereignty, etc., are all emotionally charged because those concepts are about people’s personal lived experiences within a society that is very oppressive in a myriad of subtle and unsubtle ways. 

We need to codify this decision in new and/or amended policy and protocol which will foster a more socially evolved and broader understanding within the context of, and advocating for, anti-oppression and what constitutes the subtleties of violence hate-speech.  There exists a huge difference between censorship and consequences of actions and language. Censorship means being barred from the broad picture debates, not party debates that are within the healthy boundaries of democratically reached values and political/social goals. This also needs to be delineated and affirmed within the bylaws in order to deconstruct the propaganda created around censorship &/or “cancel culture” that  has proliferated through our society as of late.

These codifications will not only strengthen and evolve our understanding of the need to maintain and value the uniqueness of our 10 key values, but will also provide safer, more welcoming spaces for oppressed and diverse identity groups/individuals; who otherwise, are ignored or exploited by the two corporate party U.S. governmental system.

Conflict resolution and anti-oppression  training through the means of restorative justice will enable party leadership with the professional skills and knowledge to address internal conflicts perpetuated by any and all forms of violence, hate speech or misuse of GRP infrastructure whether intentional or unintentional.   For example: In professional practices of conflict resolution, a conflict regarding trans rights would not be implemented with heterosexual cis white men or cis white women leading the conversation about trans rights.

 

Text of Proposal:

The leadership within the GRP is sorely in need of new professional training on practices that will limit the vitriol that has been commonplace in too many meetings and email chains. To this end, those in leadership positions will commit to being trained annually on conflict resolution as done in professional practices through the process of restorative justice and anti-oppression.

There can be no functionality or effectiveness if there is no shared vision and goals. There can be no civility if oppressed groups are taking back seats to people who don’t share the oppressed identity and lived experience. The GRP needs to be clear and concise when it comes to our messaging and branding internally and externally. We cannot fall to rancor every time someone with Conservative right wing, Liberal or Neo-liberal talking points that will distract us from our core values and goals. For those who continuously do this with disregard to established democratically reached shared core values and goals, there must be consequences and those consequences have to be understood in order to sustain these shared values and goals that differentiate the GPUS and it's federation of states from any other existing political party in the United States and the world.  

This proposal will create democratically implemented mechanisms that limit hate speech and violence  WITHIN our own party as well as foster and strengthen shared values and goals to better prepare the party in welcoming new membership and support Green candidates that will run strong campaigns.

 

Implementation:

Implementation of this proposal will be two-fold.

The first phase of implementation will consist of re-activating the Policy & Procedure Committee. There needs to be healthy boundaries in the way we communicate and the way we dedicate our time to various issues & outreach. With regular review of our policies and procedures to ensure we maintain an evolving understanding of Inclusive, Safe Spaces for Diversity and Just Policies, Values and Political Goals.

The second, will be to democratically establish a policy to implement and documentation of training on conflict resolution that focuses on the process of restorative justice and anti-oppression for leadership positions within the state level of the GRP;  State Convention elected positions, AdCom and StateCom.  Those elected in special elections or nominated throughout the year between state conventions will pledge to attend the next possible training  in order to fulfill the requirements to remain in that position.

This training will be organized and scheduled by AdCom, with the approval of StateCom, and be provided once per year within no longer than one full quarter of StateCom Meeting sessions from the start of each new year; GRP State Convention marking the start of a new year.

Documentation of training participants and pledges will be recorded and clearly stated within the minutes of the first post training StateCom meeting and shared with AdCom for their use and back up record purposes.  This Documentation will be maintained and updated by the GRP Secretary and shared with AdCom and will be reported to StateCom on a quarterly basis; coinciding with the StateCom business meetings throughout the year.  

 

Financial Implications:

Limited. Will depend on training costs for restorative justice and anti-oppression workshops for leadership. 

TITLE: CDLC OR A DIVERSE COMMITTEE OF GRP MEMBERS WILL RECRUIT AND SUPPORT A DIVERSE SLATE OF STATEWIDE ELECTIONS FOR THE 2022 STATEWIDE ELECTIONS

SPONSORS:Danny Factor and David Spanagel

VETTING: CDLC and Local Chapters

FLOOR MANAGER:Danny Factor

SHEPHERD:David Spanagel

SUMMARY:CDLC OR A DIVERSE COMMITTEE OF GRP MEMBERS WILL RECRUIT AND SUPPORT A DIVERSE SLATE OF STATEWIDE ELECTIONS FOR THE 2022 STATEWIDE ELECTIONS

GOALS: The best way for us to stop fighting with each other is to work together in behalf of a compelling program. We will call on the Commonwealth to support our bold GRP Alternative/Imperative. This campaign will rebuild our state party, increase our membership and strengthen our local chapters. This campaign will inspire and support other GRP members to run for local office. At least one of our candidates will receive 3% of the vote and we will therefore regain party status.

IMPLEMENTATION—CDLC and/or a Diverse Committee will … Research the legal requirements of running a statewide slate of candidates. Recruit a diverse slate of candidates With the candidates, come up with a campaign plan which will be submitted to StateCom for their approval. The GRP will organize a Nominating Convention and invite all GRP members to attend. This meeting will nominate our candidates and recruit campaign supporters. Support the efforts of the slate to run a coordinated campaign (Note: Getting our candidates on the ballot will be a major effort.) Deliver a report to StateCom after the election is over.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: THE STATE PARTY AND OUR SLATE OF CANDIDATES WILL NEED TO RAISE A LOT OF $

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.

For Jill Stein and All's Amended Proposal, please see: https://www.green-rainbow.org/2021_spring_unity_proposal_amendment

Proposal sponsor/shepherd: Matt Andrews

Floor manager: Maureen Doyle

Co-sponsors: Elie Yarden, David Keil, Maureen Doyle

Contact info for floor manager: [email protected]

Summary: StateCom opposes expulsions or dis-accreditations over perceived platform differences.

Background: A complaint against the Georgia Green Party is under consideration in the Accreditation Committee.

Text of Proposal:

The Green-Rainbow Party affirms support for the human rights of transgender people. Transgender people are oppressed, and we need to defend them.

The Green-Rainbow Party opposes the petition for punitive action against the Georgia Green Party being considered by the GPUS Accreditation Committee, which is not based on explicit rules, but rather on interpretations of the GPUS platform.  The GPUS platform is an inappropriate standard for membership or the accreditation of state parties.

As alternatives to censuring, suspending, or expelling state parties or individual members on issues of sex and gender we advocate: education, democratic discussion, and debates. These must be free of insults, slurs, threats, and profane language. In the absence of specific evidence, an assumption of good faith among fellow Greens must be maintained. The right of Green-Rainbow Party members to participate in our democratic process, including the right to make proposals and request a vote, shall not be infringed by bureaucratic maneuvers or peer pressure campaigns.

Democratic discussion will be facilitated if participants' race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, self-identification, dis-ability, and good faith disagreements of opinion are respected.

Implementation: The text of this proposal as adopted will be sent by a member of our National Committee delegation to the “NatlComAffairs” list.

Financial Implications: none.

 

Sponsors: Matthew Andrews, Lois Gagnon

Vetting Committees: State Committee

Floor Manager: Matthew Andrews

Shepherd: Matthew Andrews

Summary: The purpose of this proposal is to begin a process of reviewing and updating our bylaws.

Background: Our bylaws are a great document that represent a tremendous amount of work, but they need to be reviewed and updated. The bylaws were written before most of us were members of the Green-Rainbow Party. We are in a completely new political climate. Much of the bylaws were written based on theories about how the party would grow and operate that never materialized. In some places the bylaws are overly complex, while in others they are vague. The bylaws should be a living document that reflect the current membership and the wisdom of recent experiences.

Text of Proposal: Amend bylaws 15.1 which defines how we amend bylaws at state conventions by replacing “a vote of 2/3” to “a majority vote”. Amend bylaws 15.2 which defines how state committee may amend bylaws from “by a 75% vote” to “by a 2/3 super-majority.” State Committee shall create a Bylaws Review Committee and appoint a convener or co-conveners. Full members of State Committee are encouraged to volunteer. Chapters may appoint two gender balanced representatives. The Administrative Committee may appoint up to 3 more members at any time to represent the broadest possible diversity. The Convener shall keep track of committee members and host meetings to discuss the bylaws and develop amendment proposals to be referred back to State Committee. The Bylaws Review Committee may voluntarily disband if a majority feels the work is done, or by a later vote of the State Committee.

Implementation: A few people must volunteer to be in email correspondence and occasionally meet by phone or internet conference. These volunteers must be willing and able to propose, read, and edit amendment proposals. A report with some recommendations should be presented in time for the next State Committee meeting.

Financial Implications: None

References and Attachments: None

REVISED DRAFT 2/1/21

PROPOSED GREEN-RAINBOW PARTY ACTIVISM FOCI IN 2021

SPONSORS: Eileen Wheeler Sheehan, sponsor; David Keil, co-sponsor

VETTING COMMITTEES: AdCom; all chapters and working committees.

FLOOR MANAGER: Eileen Wheeler Sheehan

SHEPHERD: David Keil

SUMMARY:

The purpose of this proposal is to provide a context for the organizing and communicating of Green-Rainbow 2021 policy priorities including the focus of our effort and the importance of working with (but not working for) like-minded organizations.

BACKGROUND:

The new American president drew millions of disenchanted voters to the Democratic side of the ballot in 2020. His history and campaign oratory promise a return to “normal.” This proposal will directly attack the inadequacy of his “normal” for the majority of voters. Especially in Massachusetts, where a Biden win justifies the conservative style of most Democrats on Beacon Hill, voters need a progressive alternative. The GRP can offer that alternative if we remain focused on the causes of voter disenchantment. It is not enough to be “progressive”. Many groups and candidates claim that mantle. The GRP needs to focus on how Joe Biden’s promises are a toxic stew for poor and working people. We believe that this proposal offers diverse party members the chance to stand up for their own priorities under a common party vision.

TEXT:

The goals of the Green-Rainbow Party, together with fellow Greens nationwide, are ambitious and yet essential to the existence of people, planet, and peace. We will accomplish our goals by electing officials at all levels of government and by supporting those officials through coalitions of like-minded activists. Officials without movement support cannot implement radical change, nor can movements without elected representatives. A longer GRP "Party Agenda" (2015) appears at http://www.green-rainbow.org/platform. 

Our 2021 actions will focus on social justice, planet justice, and peace. They will support the working class, the racially oppressed, and the poor via specific demands that lead to healing and progress. Importantly these demands include:

• Enhanced ‘Medicare for All’ (universal single-payer coverage for physical health, mental health and dental) recognizing that healthcare is a human right.
• Total Forgiveness of rent, mortgage and utility payments for those unable to make payments, and cancellation of all student debt.
• An eco-socialist Green New Deal bold enough to halt climate change, end the climate emergency, and create a green sustainable and just economy.
• Demanding racial justice and justice for immigrants, calling for community control of the police, citizenship/right to vote for undocumented immigrants, ending the incarceration epidemic, the school to prison pipeline and ending prisons as we know them, recognizing that Black and Brown Lives Matter.

Our goals will also include

• Bold reform of the electoral system through instituting public financing of campaigns, lowered signature thresholds for ballot access, inclusion of all candidates in debates, Ranked Choice Voting and hand counted paper ballots.
• Labor and family protection in the time of the COVID pandemic including the right to be paid a living wage to stay at home if the workplace is unsafe due to COVID.
• Calling for a ban on all new fossil fuel infrastructure in Massachusetts, bans on the production, sale and use of polystyrene and unnecessary uses of plastics and toxins, in order to protect our land, our waters and all living things.
• Defeating the war machine by making the connection between the bloated military budget (which the Green Party calls to be cut by at least 50%) and lack of funding for domestic needs. We will demonstrate the moral implications of war by exposing the massive loss of life from illegal interventions as well as the enormous carbon footprint by the Military Industrial Complex. We will protest the massive influence of the weapons manufacturers in Massachusetts’ economy.

At this time in history, our party will stand as the real alternative to the destructive duopoly. We will let the reigning powers know that the status quo must go.

Action priorities

The action priorities of the Green Rainbow Party are to apply our platform and values by use of our membership and resources; by running election campaigns wherever possible; and by participating in movements for peace and equality. Our message is based on a common understanding of the current situation. We seek to build chapters throughout Massachusetts. Our election work will include recruiting and training candidates.as well as supporting Green aligned legislation. 

Social movements in which we participate include the current massive movement for racial justice; efforts by labor for safety and relief in the Covid period; resistance to war; efforts for women's rights; and efforts against deportations. 

Reducing and eliminating abuses of women, immigrants, and Black people will require sustained actions in the streets, independent of the two parties. We will participate in such movements and use our election campaigns to advocate for them.  In doing so we will make alliances with groups like unions, community groups, and other organizations. We will build our party and its membership by recruiting activists. Green candidates can build mass movements and gain a positive hearing from their participants and supporters. 

Mass actions built by broad action coalitions can stop US aggressions in places like Venezuela, Iran, and Asia. The Green Rainbow Party can play an initiating role. We can play an initiating role in ESL classes for immigrants, challenging support of our congresspeople for Indonesian and Thai dictators.  We can challenge the national support for Israel.  We can initiate a call for condemnation of the US role in the Saudi attack on Yemen, the worst humanitarian crisis in the world according to the UN.

White-supremacist groups felt a boost with their invasion of the Capitol, incited by the former president and many members of Congress. We can expect more ultra-right-wing violence and must prepare for defense against it.  Our goal in this would be to build mass actions to limit the intimidation of targeted groups by these racist forces.

A climate movement and a housing movement that are independent of the duopoly will be part of our work. Our concerns include pipeline construction, state control of local school boards, and eviction of working-class tenants and homeowners for unpaid rents and mortgage payments.  We can support the Day of Mourning actions in Plymouth and work for statewide recognition of wrongs done and the need for reparations to indigenous nations. Part of our responsibility is to counter health misinformation that is contributing to the spread of the Covid virus.

Context of this proposal

Mass protest actions by women, immigrants, African Americans, and their allies were high points of the last four years. The "Black Lives Matter" protests challenged racist local police and Trump's federal marshals in the streets. The former President, with support from the majority of his party's Congress members, attempted to nullify the Presidential elections by illegal bullying tactics. A period of widespread Trumpism may continue in the form of bullying, voter suppression, and rejection of democratic election procedures. While the Democrats were the intended targets of Trump's coup effort, Democrats have also led the way in suppressing the voices and ballot status of third-party alternatives, a permanent coup against free elections. Neither side of the two-party duopoly has any solution for the problems of the society, including the problem of street violence and autocratic power grabs.

The Covid pandemic has shown the danger of a profit-based health system and a public-health system tied to the whims of politicians.

The Biden administration poses a significant danger of war in the Mideast, Latin America, and Asia. Threats loom against Iran and Venezuela. 

The climate crisis remains with us, worsening yearly.  Significant actions initiated by young people filled Boston City Hall Plaza, where indigenous leaders from Boston and New England were part of the speakers list. The climate strike movement must be revived.

Organizational goals

1. Increase active membership to 100 - 120.
   Active member is defined by the following together:
   a. registering to vote as Green
    b. membership in a chapter, or a willingness to maintain contact
    c. willingness to do work for building the party in accordance with needs
    d. willingness to participate in decision-making.
2. Repair, augment, or replace the NationBuilder software.
3. Develop an attractive, accessible website
4. Set fundraising goal upward of $10,000.
5. Improve effectiveness of working committees by testing new methods of work.

Political goals

1. Increase the number of GRP holders of local government office by 10.This is meant to refer to both elective and appointed seats. Since many offices of local government are ’non-partisan.’ Some who dislike Dems, might be pleased to run as Green, and especially so, as Green-Rainbow,
2. Develop and file a House Bill on Climate Change, possibly through a House member might be sought to submit.
3. Supporta bill that establishes health-care for all persons residing in Massachusetts as a legal right
4. Develop webinars on the subject of Green politics.

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IMPLEMENTATION: All committees and chapters need to have a consistent overall message to deliver.  This proposal envisions asking each working committee and each chapter for their primary targets, for developing relevant materials, and for hosting discussions on how to target the specific audiences. If we can develop some basic literature for the first quarter, we will need to assess and improve our messaging for subsequent periods. Brian’s feedback surveys can greatly assist in that.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: We do not have direction from working committees and from chapters as to marketing materials. Should materials be requested, we would expect the costs to be under $1000 for print materials and would expect to raise said costs through voluntary donations.

• CO-SPONSORS: Brian Cady & Elie Yarden

• VETTING COMMITTEES: To Be Techcom, ComCom & CDLC

• FLOOR MANAGER/SHEPHERD: Brian Cady

• SUMMARY: Create an in-house telephone, etc. polling organization of volunteer active members to serve our campaigns and party regularly and consistently.

• BACKGROUND: The lifeblood of politics is knowing our constituents’ wants, needs and understanding. Regular and consistent polling can provide us with both a better understanding of our immediate base as well as improved knowledge of those just beyond the party’s edge – the next to recruit as we grow. And it could be a great service for our candidates. We could, through polling, keep abreast of our constituents’ top issues in life, as well as learn the level of Green understanding of both our immediate base, our broader green supporters and the Massachusetts general population we intend to serve. In this way we can understand what to learn next, what to teach next, and how we should represent our base and constituency. Polling samples would be selected randomly from each database; members, 'U' voters, general public - as far as is possible, as limited by phone numbers available.

• TEXT OF PROPOSAL/IMPLEMENTATION:

• Grossman Solutions will be approached to help establish the polling group, and help train staff.

• TechCom will co-ordinate the group, supplying one co-ordinator to build the monthly question bank, set up the software, answer questions and guide poll operation.

• Each chapter will nominate a team of members to poll their own region’s constituents, in collaboration with the other chapters’ teams polling their own constituents. Teams would be invited to telephone poll together with the rest of the polling group once a month for overlapping six month intervals. In this way pollers will get to know their direct constituents and build local relationships.

• As co-ordinator, Brian Cady will build each month’s question bank in consultation with CDLC and ComCom, to serve both our candidates and party and will analyze results.

• Once a month at a regular time, group members will meet via Zoom while telephoning either GRP members, ‘U’ voters or people in general in their chapter’s region of the state. Pollers will poll about two hours per month.

• Each polled person will only be asked six questions so as not to annoy our respondents with unnecessarily long polls.

• As these questions may be randomly selected each call from our questions list, through an evening’s polling, we can learn answers across the many topics selected for that month’s poll and record them. By examining answer correlations statistically, we will learn how different issues or understandings accompany each other in our constituents’ minds.

• FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Callhub / Hubdial subscription payments of ~$300/yr. Also, professional consultation by Grossman Solutions during establishment is expected to cost $2,500. 

TITLE: Update of GRP Convention Rules SPONSORS: John Andrews and David Keil VETTING COMMITTEES: Convention Planning Committee FLOOR MANAGER: John Andrews SHEPHERD: John Andrews SUMMARY: This proposal updates the GRP Convention Rules as part of preparations for future conventions. BACKGROUND: On September 15, 2020 the GRP Convention Rules were revised to address certain issues associated with the first ever virtual convention. In addition, some “anti-takeover” provisions were added to protect against any attempted hijacking of the meeting by persons not associated with the Green-Rainbow Party. As a result of our experience at the convention, and a result of further discussions, a number of tweaks to the rules seem worthwhile. This revised set of rules contains those tweaks. We feel that it makes sense to approve this document now while the convention is fresh in our minds and we have time for discussion. This avoids hitting pre-convention deadlines in 2021 without having made any updates to the rules. It is understood that this is a preliminary update and that State Committee will consider either confirming these changes or making additional revisions as the 2021 convention date approaches. TEXT OF PROPOSAL 1) The revised GRP Convention Rules as posted here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c-2iS5KsLwQydqMomkavzYOKtV8k-I3o/view?usp=sharing and as amended by friendly amendments at this meeting shall replace any prior versions of the convention rules. (Note: Due to their length, the rules are not pasted into the proposal form on the GRP website. Anyone who cannot access the online text should write to the floor manager to receive an email copy. The online copy will reflect the latest friendly amendments and corrections so it is preferred to any email copy which is correct only as of the revision date specified in the file.) 2) We confirm that the revision of convention rules can be brought to State Committee as a matter of urgent business and does not require a submission via the proposals process. This proposal is written only to provide an orderly method of revising the rules in several steps. 3) State Committee agrees to place these Convention Rules on its agenda prior to the 2021 convention in order to see if any further revisions are desired. IMPLEMENTATION: If adopted, the text shall replace all prior versions of the GRP Convention Rules. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None