Decisions Made:

1. Joshua Gerloff is appointed GRP Secretary.
2. Brian Cady is appointed GRP Treasurer.
3. The next State Committee meeting is called for April 29, 2020.

Decisions Made:

1. The regular Spring 2020 StateCom meeting is postponed at least 1 month.
2. The GRP State Convention is postponed to Sept 26, 2020.
3. Josh will send Doodle polls to determine meeting times for 2 upcoming State Committee teleconferences.

Decisions Made:

1. The GRP demands a moratorium on 5G implementation in MA until a full, extensive and independent assessment of the technology is completed and public hearings are conducted and that 5G is proven safe for people and the environment.

These minutes may not be available until approved by Statecom.

Special Statecom Minutes November 23, 2019

Facilitators: Dan K and Roni Beal. Notes: Mike V. Stacker: Karen B. Vibes: Brian C.

Attendance: Dan, Roni, Mike, Joshua Gerloff, Karen Boutet, Danny Factor, Elie Yarden, John Andrews, David Rolde, Linda Thompson, Karen Boutet, Brian Cady, Jed Stamas.

Quorum Call is 12

Danny's Motion to seat all alternates

-Passes by consensus

Agenda Awaiting Approval:

Brian's Motion: 45 minutes on each item, with a 15 minute possible extension on each item

approved by consensus

1)Addressing the Complaint Letter by the 5 of the 7 (now 9) presidential candidates (printed for meeting)

Title: Joint Call to Action Statement

David Rolde was given 7 minutes to speak as one of the 7 "inactive" candidates

John Andrews was given 7 minutes to speak in opposition to the GRP 5 candidates

As of 11/23/2019, there are 9 candidates, 5 of which that wrote this letter, and only 2, Dario Hunter and Howie Hawkins, have achieved “official recognition” by GPUS as presidential primary candidates, which entails “demonstrat[ing] a level of grassroots support within the Green Party and a level of legal and financial organization by satisfying these criteria, including gaining signatures of support from at least 100 Green Party members. (quoted from PCSC webpage https://gpus.org/committees/presidential-campaign-support-2-2/ ).

Motion by John (emailed 23:49 11.22.2019) :  The GRP State Committee hereby commends the GRP Convention Committee for the work it did in 2019 to provide the Party with a productive and well-run state convention.  We further find that they did not act in a biased or prejudiced manner with the intention of promoting or disadvantaging any potential presidential candidate. (the revision excluded the last sentence)

Straw Poll of a Motion by Danny : Statecom GRP agrees with the 5 candidates complaints, to the extent that the PCSC is setting to many limits by keeping too many of the presidential candidates off the ballots.

Vote on John's Motion First:

many concerns addressed

7 in favor

5 opposed

Motion Passes

Straw Poll by Danny:

6 in favor

6 in opposition

Contentious- Will return to this poll later

PEP printed to reference

The Delegate Selection Plan for 2020 is consistent with the PEP, and the motion by John Andrews is on the floor to approve this revised PEP, as created by Adcom and the PCWG. John is the Co-Chair of the PCWG and, in order for the GRP to not use the default plans from 2015, this document is urged to be voted on today. Included in the document are the deadlines meant for PCWG to correspond to.

Several concerns about fundraising in a presidential candidate's campaign

The PEP had an addition to article 2.1 part c, to address if the candidate participated in debates in different states and if they have used self-funding for their campaign.

Need to resume this discussion on the PEP for 12/14

Straw Poll taken to reconvene for 12/14, we would have quorum

Candidate should agree with the main stances on the GRP

Danny: Straw Poll on accepting the PEP as John printed it, agreeing with all points on section 2.1 (a,b,c...) with typo revisions, being decided by Adcom

6 in favor

6 opposed

Josh Proposed to telecon 12/5 along with Adcom, not voted on.

Motion by Danny : To submit a written request an extension after 12/13 to submit the names The co-chairs or the secretary of the party shall request an extension on the candidate list for 12/17 by 5pm. No officers in the party will submit the names of the candidates prior to the 12/14 Statecom meeting. Meeting logistics TBD.

passed by consensus

Motion to Adjourn

2) Deliberate and Approve the Presidential Election Plan (PEP) [as constructed by the PCWG]

Danny Motion: This item ^ shall be interpreted as the possibility that Statecom will be empowered to make the final decision as to which candidates will be on the ballot.

Motion Withdrawn

GRP Statecom Minutes November 7, 2019

Statecom People Present: John Andrews, Matt A, Roni B, Brian C, Garrett C, Linda L, Danny F, Dan K, David R, Mike V, Joshua G, Elie Y, Jed, Charlene.

Non-statecom People Present: Maha Vishnu Gray, co-chair, GRP, Sedinam Curry, CA; David Gerry, GRP member and GPUS Secretary; Chad Wilson, TN; Arthur Conquest, past State Com member).

Topics Discussed:

Draft agenda 11/7/2019 7pm

Attendance/quorum 5 min

Determine roles: notes, time, vibes. 5 min

Approve agenda 10 min

Treasurer's budget report 10 min

Urgent matters: Investigate GPUS conduct re: presidential campaign. & content GRP March 2020 Primary Ballot, - 20 min.

Old business: Maha for Senate Signature Gathering Plan. 20 min

Chapter reports 2 min each: Pioneer Valley, South Coast, Central Mass, Boston, North Shore. 10 min

Committee reports 2 min each: Membership, Convention, Legislative, Fundraising, CDLC, Renaming, Retreat. GPUS Coms? 15 min

Round Robin 1 minute

Adjourn approx 830 pm

Decisions Made:

Danny F. Agenda addition: ‘& content GRP March 2020 Primary Ballot,’ - PASSES

JohnA, no

MattA yes

Roni B no

Brian C no

Garrett C yes

Danny F yes

Joshua yes

Dan K yes

David R yes

Jed yes

Linda no

Mike v yes

Elie Y yes

- 9 yes 4 no 0 abstain. Danny F addition PASSES

Approved modified agenda by consensus.

Danny F.’s Motion

1. Respects the right of whistleblowers to come forward.

One of the more fascinating aspects of State Committee meetings — perhaps something better done in chapter meetings, but less political —- is the opportunity to learn and observe political behavior, Make no mistake by believing that language is unimportant. It can be used to reveal as well as conceal, but in ‘traditional’ politics is used to persuade others to take sides by the ‘speech act’ of voting. One of the important sources of the ‘new politics’ that developed in the course of World War II was the formalization of ‘content analysis’. The role of linguistics was politically fertile , and especially so in the politics of its developers who were actively involved in perpetrating a moetiv rhetoric in democratic decision-making, It is with this in mind that I find the use of the term whistleblower —used to refer to Lois Gibbs (Love Canal), the ‘voice’ that revealed Nixon’s role in the Watergate burglary, Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden—-applied to anyone filing a complaint about individual treatment, or about group treatment by a body that not only fails to conceal its actions or the motive of such actions but pulcizes them is an abuse of language that interferes with democratic decision making. In fact, there is no resemblance between the revelations of David Rolde and those of Cjelsea Manning, or those of Ms Curry, both of whom I have had as much experience as they allow us, which brings me to the matter of ad hoc.

1. GRP Concerns taken seriously.
2. GRP form ad hoc committee.
3. Special statecom in-person. in time.
4. report back from ad hoc 

While an ad hoc differs clearly from ad hominem. Ecological Wisdom or, for that matter any wisdom ,may suffice The most serviceable antonym for Wisdom is Stupidity. When I characterize an action as stupid, Iam indicatin not that it merely ‘unwise,’ (Earlier usage had Folly aas the antonym for Wisdom — in the Erasmus :”Shpi of Fools” but I am trying to conform to current good usage for the sake of communicative clarity. Similarly if I charge Danny Factor with obfuscation in his use of whistle blower, U am speaking openly of someone who I know to be a protector of the injured, a kind person who likes to see no one suffer, amd ready to sacrifice his own comfort to help another. However meritorious this should never be confused with compassion, The possibilities of precedent — ad hoc, or other — are a poor guide to sound ecological observation of human social behavior is to inform our democratic decision making. This is especially true — as Charlene pointed out — when we sit in State Committee (or in National Committee) as representing the wishes of others including complainants as a socium rather than as individualists and, thus some time would be socialists. EY\\

 je Statecom may take action,

1. discussion, formulate criteria… for candidate primary.
2. chose candidates on primary ballot 2020.

Danny’s F’s 4 part proposal: vote: FAILS

John A. no

Matt A no

Roni B. -

Brian C. no

(Charlene D. joins – all review 4 point motion.)

Garrett C yes

Charlene no

Danny yes

Josh yes

Dan K Abstain

David R yes

Jed yes

Linda no

Mike v yes

Elie Y no

6-yes 6-no 1-Abstain - FAILS

The following motion passed by a vote of 8 yes out of 8 voting members on the call at the November 7, 2019 State Com Teleconference:

Statecom will convene a special in-person meeting prior to the deadline to submit our list of GRP presidential primary candidates to the Elections Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. The purpose of the meeting is to a) Discuss the email sent by 5 Green Party presidential candidates and b) Approve a 2020 GRP Presidential Election Plan which will include criteria for inclusion of GRP presidential primary candidates on the March, 2020 ballot.

Note: there was an additional consensus that 1) part (a) does not preclude State Com from passing a motion to take action as a result of the discussion (e.g. vote to contact the GPUS in regard to the letter) 2) The State Com meeting shall be facilitated by the facilitators from the last State Com meeting (Josh & Dan K.) and that the facilitators shall send a doodle poll to state com members to determine the date of the special meeting. The party secretary shall remain in contact with the Elections Division in regard to the determination of the deadline to submit our list of candidates.

Vote on Have next meeting special statecom meeting addressing complaint - (date TBD) - PASSES

John A.- yes

Brian - yes

Danny - yes

Josh - yes

Dan K - yes

David R - yes

Mike V. - yes

Elie Y - yes

- 8 yes – PASSES

GRP Statecom Minutes October 5, 2019

Worcester Friends Meeting House, Pleasant St, Worcester

People present: Joshua G(facil), Dan K(facil), Matt A, John A, Hal B, David R, Elie Y, Charlene D, Frank J, Priscila E, Roni B, Brian C, Mike V, Garrett C

Topics discussed:

Convocation – Dan K, Joshua G,

Agenda – discussion.

Cochairs greeting: Climate crisis & _______ ten key values in tension decentralization versus future focus , … retreat could develop state, national [focus?]

Worcester city council passed climate emergency declaration – GRP victory

‘think and act both globally and locally’

Mini-retreat update Jan 18 (snow date Jan 25th) for active leaders 30-70 + childcare [OCPF?]

location set – facilitators – Aorta/Cynthia Espinosa/ Linda Thompson [Cathy Hoffman]: food committee to prepare brown bag or hot lunch. Budget draft (Facil $1,200 + venue 20 + food $400 = ~$2000). Q1. Outside facilities? Q2 un-directed time together for developing understanding.

1. Outside facil? Comment about Charlene….. ‘Democrat...’

PE: Aorta facil. Priscila knows respects. 

1. Need breaks – so we can get to know each other.
2. Object  to comments about leaders.
3. Have Corp. experience, 

JA: Businesses experience can be valuable – External facil. Have been good. But must not bring their own agenda. Training for what end? Type of training depends on priorities. Earlier meeting on priorities. 

Break now - meet 5 minutes more, after break.

DK: Retreat to build party different focus than other times.

EY: good idea – suggests approving starting, then fundraise for that purpose. 

MA: training for what purpose, get guidance from external then facil internal?

EP: Priorities for retreat. Seeks issues summit notes.

JG: internal 

CD: Worc. Friends Venue insufficient for 70 – Camelot seats 100 – kitchen - suggest Camelot Jan 18th, keep Jan 25th as snowdate.

DR: $1,200 & why 

PE: 

MA: $2,000 seems steep. 1/3rd of 2019 proceeds toward this request. Say $800 could be OK.

PE: [Are we ready to fundraise as a team?] 

MV: Ask each chapter, as CD suggested, what are their goals. Yet 1/3rd is a lot. 

Propose that earmark $2,000, with caveat, needs syllabus; come back for final approval when syllabus.  

PE: Holiday – hard to 

EY: $2,000 little - attitudes toward to party.

DK: fundraising letter to all in party for donation

8 yes – 2 no, 3 abstentions 

David Gerry,    (re-)appointment

Frank Jeffers:

1. created database on ______, away from supposition. Sent emails with urls.

Database Available on request from Frank Jeffers.

1. Who is in eco-action? Trying to keep track.

CD: reports from Nat . Committee members would be nice. Proposes regular email reports from Nat. Comm.

EY: 1st as delegate/alternate in Platform Comm [Nat’l.] States are not well represented

every state affiliate and nat’l. caucus can appoint 3 members to [subcommittees]. Quarterly report.

MV: [5 min] running for MA Senate. Hindu / Green Party compatibility, Hindu central message compassion. Run for Senate not a one year campaign, toward green state. Ten Years deadline.

We have to be making political decisions [as governing party]. 

Q1. Senators job - foreign policy, domestic. 

MV: Willing to learn - principle peace. 

DR: concern about campaign not being seen as associated with right-wing Hinduism.

MV: extremists everywhere, not more prevalent in Hinduism - 

HB: not worried 

JA: Ballot access – needs major effort 10,000 verified, can campaign get 17,000 raw signatures. 

MV: Campaign can’t alone get 17,000, needs party. About galvanizing ten year campaign.

GC: ?two-sides of nuclear power? 

MV: Consumption is the problem - population growing. Energy ½% is renewable, rest non-renewable. 

MA: Endorse OK Sticker candidate. 

DK: signature gathering excuse to build party.

JA: 17,000 raw signatures for 10,000+ certified. Party cuts off before September Primary. 9,000 (more time better weather) gathered for previous slate party-wide effort , expects we can get just 9,000 for Maha. Fe

CD: confused Maha: presentation vs application – finance support asked for? Feb – April signature gathering – difficult.

JA: In-kind donation - 

EY: Maha has skills asks that be endorsed so can give.

DR: Write-in final election? Sign gathering 17,000 needs more since D, R L can’t sign.

CD: No

JA: in local election must get write in = to signatures needed attachment: and that we ask him with a detailed plan for ballot access.

HB: Previously GRP = designation, easier.

–

PE: Ask Maha in future? How much of Hindu community will support?

CD: Two proposals – problem. Maha’s and JA: - huge ask = ____ Asks for plan in next month. 

EY: When begin [Feb] Maha V, could be a good candidate.

DR: Favors Endorsement - 

MA: Endorse not enough without Maha’s strategy. Need 2020 party strategy. 

CD: heard differently ‘I can’t get on ballot myself’. Time allows much. Maha Draft Plan needed

PE: Language self-deprecating too much. Cultural approach to explain.

7 yes – 7 abstentions

Maha Endorsed

Break til 1:15pm

Facilitators and date.

Nomination versus endorsement discussion. Both allow support financial editorial. Endorsement. More fits. 

Deliberation on Maha Vishnu, running in primary for Senate. Sticker candidate?

March regional conventions 10 days after primary.

Danny as facilitator? No W/ Barbara Clancy?

Mike V.

First proposal is Veganism – Violence to animals must end now. 

JG: poll # of vegans 3+?% 1% = 60,000 Mass vegans expected.

[Animal welfare as confusion: “cage-free eggs”, “pasture-raised beef”, etc are flying off the shelves. These measures have increased harm to animals. Regenerative Agriculture as half measure, is being used to justify animal consumption by the eco-confused.] 

JA: Includes much morality – problem for political parties doing coalition work,  97% non-vegan alienate supporters . Let’s not be confrontational - wording changes to not offend. 

JG: [How offensive]?

HB: let’s not offend, but aligns with our values.

DK: JA and JG work together?

DR: two concerns counterfactual 1. animal ag. is main cause of climate crisis - wrong

1. unhealthy to eat animals  - questionable. 3. we shouldn’t call for individual rights for animals.

MV: as non-vegan, proposal seems more educational.

Worked with small farmers – fisher – native - 

EY: veganism mentioned of national program once. 

CD: message promote not require. supports

PE: concerns implementation unrealistic. Against key values diversity, justice. 

MA: [for]…. 

PE: transition to vegan policy difficult. Concede social justice. 

DK: concerns will not step aside

JA: concerns

Consensus fails on veganism falls to vote: vote 5 -yes, 7 -no, 2 abstain.

Straw poll on team working  with JG ( JA, PE), 10 yes 1 no 0 abstain 

-

DR: anti-military proposal. Nat’l Deadline changed to sept. 30.

MA: In Platform?  Q…… 

FJ: Unrealistic – need for forces  - Islamic extremism, like other extremism.

JA: Zero budget too much. Too hard to argue in public. 

DK: 2019  - now don’t need to police the world. Zero too extreme.

HB: too extreme. Military many purposes,

MV: WWII wiped out entire family. 

GC: Presidential material

JG: Self-defense.

PE: Feasibility – transition plan needed. 

DR: Imperialism – problem is any support.

CD: Studied non-violence peace. Gene Sharp. Nat’l Non-violent national defense.

EY: groups do better making proposals. 

MA: 

CD: If included nonviolent national defense promotion.

EY: concern that nonviolent national defense could include missile shield

DR: concern that nonviolent national defense amendment isn’t thought out enough and doesn’t have support

Vote on CD’s amendment: “... small fraction of former military funds will be used to create a nonviolent national defense. “ 

[2/3rds needed. ]

5 yes – 4 no – 4 abstensions 

proposal For total elimination of US military.

6 yes – 3 no - 4 abstain. Passes by vote

Movie at e5 Oct 20? on RCV.  W/ Sat Rep Brownsberger.

Ari Jaheel. Spoke on RCV at No. Shore.

MA: Should be major focus. Making agenda instead of trailing along.

MV: Opposed Voter Choice Mass, RCV.

Boston events: Boston Veggie Fest Oct 20th. Honkfest.

Regional convention 2020 needs planning.

Round Robin comment on meeting…. Adjourn.

Decisions made:

Agenda approved by consensus.

Summer July 2019 – minutes – approved minus a certain section by consensus.

Summer August 2019 Telecon – minutes – David R concerned about __check email__ and round robins record - steps aside – approved by consensus with concerns expressed.

Treasury report approved by consensus.

$2,000 for retreat approved by vote. 8 yes, 2 no, 3 abstain.

David Gerry re-appointed by consensus to ___ Committee.

Frank Jeffers re-appointed by consensus to Eco-Action committee.

Elie Yarden re-appointed by consensus to Platform committee 

7 yes – 0 no – 7 abstentions - Maha Vishnu voted endorsed

Next StateCom teleconference: Thursday Nov 7, 2019, 7pm

By consensus before next statecom telecon ask Maha to give detailed plan on how to get votes.

Next statecom in-person date Jan 4 or 5, 2020 [snow-day11 or 12]  with Barbara C? (Mike V.) & Matt A. at Acton/Framingham, MA. Ask Framingham people about venue.

JG, JA, PE will work on vegan proposal together.

Vote on CD’s amendment: “... small fraction of former military funds will be used to create a nonviolent national defense. “ 

[2/3rds needed. ]

5 yes – 4 no – 4 abstensions 

proposal For total elimination of US military.

6 yes – 3 no - 4 abstain. Passes by vote

GRP Statecom Special Teleconference Minutes September 24, 2019

People present: Joshua Gerloff, Roni Beal, Matt Andrews, Brian Cady, Hal Brown, John Andrews, Mike Vaglica (Alternate), Charlene DiCalogero, David Rolde, Elie Yarden

Quorum is 7, reached.

Facilitator: Charlene

Minutes: Brian

Agenda: Delegate Selection Procedure (DSP)

JohnA: explanation of DSP. Oct. 1st deadline. Invites Questions.

David R. reports trouble getting into call.

Danny F’s concern relayed by Josh G. The bar should be low re candidates getting on the ballot. Danny is opposed to arbitrary exclutions ie financial/donation minimums, etc. The candidates have done enough: they have broadcast their message, attended ANM Presidential Forum and the Black Caucus Forum, etc. That should be enough. Would vote ‘No’ if the decision made tonight excludes candidates from the ballot.

John A: Presidential Election Plan (PEP) determines Pres. Candidates, not DSP

David R: When do we make the decision of which  pres. candidates get onto the ballot?

JohnA: PEP will be determined ~Jan 2020.

MattA: Who sends the DSP to all candidates? Page 5, section 1.4 ‘… the number of seats in 2016 is expected to be 11.

John A: should be “2020 number of seats should be 9”

JohnA: Question about why candidates aren’t allowed to choose all the delegates: the plan was originally written in 2012 as a compromise, so that candidates select some but not all delegates.

CharleneD: emailed comments, typos, Sect. 8 credentialling – birthdates needed?

JohnA: patching up wording possible. Accreditation committee sets rules, including birthdates. Incomplete documentation from some states, history of delegates selection snafus.

CharleneD: urges support for the DSP. Who gets emails sent to candidates [at] Greenrainbow.org?

DavidR: presidential candidates select up to 4 possible delegates.

JohnA:

1. Pres. Candidates send in names of (4?) preferred delegates.

2.… after primary, Pres. Candidates can select their 4 delegates from the qualified list.

PCWG will correspond with candidates… who must respond to MA and 40 other states.

ElieY: primary ballot write-in versus ‘no preference’: will there be a “no preference” option?

John A: I’ll look into it.

HalB: After, please spellcheck.

CD: grammatically has issues, saw no spelling errors

CD asks for roll call for consensus on DSP:

JoshG calls roll

JA Y

MA: y

RB: y

HalB Y

BC: y

CD: Y

JG: Y

DR: Y

MV: Y

EY: Y

unanimous 10 for yes

Decisions Made:

DSP motion Passes by consensus.

Adjourned.