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5/4/13  - Approved

(APPROVAL OF THESE MINUTES WAS TABLED AT THE JULY 13 STATE COMMITTEE MEETING AND IS PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE OCTOBER 20 STAE COMMITTEE MEETING)

(These minutes were approved at the Fall 2013 Statecom.)

Minutes - GRP State Committee Meeting

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Tent City, 130 Dartmouth Street, Boston

Minutes were taken by John Andrews.  Send corrections to [email protected] or post comments below.

Members present:  John Andrews, Roni Beal, Brian Cady, Maureen Doyle, Danny Factor, David Gerry, Mike Heichman, Scott Laugenour, Merelice, Wes Nickerson, David Rolde, Gus Steeves, Dru Tarr, Ralph Walton, Greg Williams, Dick Vaillette, Ralph Walton, Tim Wright, Elie Yarden

Among other attendees were:  Nick Dahlberg, Jamie McLaughlin, Siggy Meilus, Francisco White

PRELIMINARY BUSINESS - PART 1

Facilitators called for order at 9:45 am.

Welcome message was provided by Greg Williams, Co-chair, Greater Boston Chapter.

Attendees were introduced.

Wes Nickerson led attendees in a song.

It was determined that 12 members were present which was short of quorum.  

ADDRESS BY FRANCISCO WHITE

Francisco White, candidate for Boston City Council, addressed the meeting.  Francisco stated that he decided to join the party after listening to videos of Jill Stein during last year's presidential campaign.   He wrote to the Party and received a warm welcome that encouraged him to get more involved.  He registered as GRP and decided to run for an at-large seat on the Boston City Council.  Francisco was endorsed by the Greater Boston Chapter.  He is seeking volunteers to help collect 1500 signatures to get on the ballot.  April 30 is the day of the senatorial primary and a big push for signatures will occur then.  Nick Dahlberg is the campaign's volunteer coordinator. Francisco is accepting donations of up to $250 per person.  People are encouraged to visit Francisco's campaign website (http://franciscolwhite.com/) , make a donation, and volunteer.

PRELIMINARY BUSINESS - PART 2

14 members were determined to be present which was determined to meet quorum requirements. (Note: Additional members arrived later.)

Roles and responsibilities were assigned as follows:   Facilitators:  Roni Beal and David Gerry; Notes taker- John Andrews;  Time keeper - Tim Wright; Stacker - Wes Nickerson; Parliamentarian:  Mike Heichman then Merelice;  Vibes watcher - Scott Laugenour.

Greg Williams was appointed as alternate StateCom representative from Suffolk County.

Agenda was revised to move break-out meetings to end.

Minutes of the January 19 Winter StateCom meeting were adopted by consensus.

By consensus it was decided that the next StateCom meeting will be on July 13 in the Worcester area.  Dru Tarr volunteered and was appointed to serve as male co-facilitator.  Later, Maureen Doyle volunteered and was appointed to serve as female co-facilitator, with Gus Steeves assisting. 

RANKING OF PROPOSALS

It was determined that a proposal submitted by Peter White did not have the required sponsorship and therefore could not be considered.  Because only two proposals remained, StateCom agreed by consensus to skip the ranking process and agree to consider both proposals in a single round, taking up the bylaws proposal first.  The vote on this measure was 13 aye, 1 nay,  0 abstain.

REPORT ON HIRING

John Andrews reported on the hiring process for the GRP Administrator.  A Search Committee was appointed by AdCom consisting of the two co-chairs, the Secretary, and the Treasurer.   A job description was written.  Six applications were received and reviewed.  Four applicants were interviewed by telephone.  The position was offered to Sigute "Siggy" Meilus who accepted.   Siggy was introduced to AdCom and said a few words.   As requested, John will send a copy of the employment contract to StateCom.

LIST OF CHAPTERS

The Secretary has been attempting to assemble a current list of all local chapters that have been certified and to determine whether they are active at the current time.   Mike Heichman noted that Membership has a list of chapters that they consider to be active or in process of forming, however this list was not complete, so it will be merged into the Secretary's list.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Brief reports were made as follows:

Communications Committee - Wes Nickerson: Press releases have been sent out.  Media database needs to be improved.

Membership Committee - Mike Heichman: Brian Cady is pursuing acquisition of updated state voter records. [See written report in Attachment 1]

Convention Committee - Richard Vaillette: Date for convention is November 9.  Committee will become more active in next few months.

Technical Committee - David Gerry: Nationbuilder databases being worked on.

Candidate Development and Legal Committee - Scott Laugenour: Scott presented the tally of GRP candidates as determined by CDLC.   There are 24 candidates being followed (some  unlikely candidates were pruned since last meeting).  There are 6 active members on CDLC.  A liaison is appointed for each person on the candidate list.   Two GRP candidates were elected to Amherst town meeting, Marcus Chiaretto and Patrick Sadion.  Level 2 status has been conferred on Francisco White and we have received an application for endorsement that will be brought to the next StateCom meeting.  Merelice is running uncontested for Brookline town meeting - election is April 30.

AdCom - John Andrews:  AdCom has focused on hiring,  credit card transition, press releases, preparing for StateCom meeting,  and responding to FEC inquiries.

Platform - Brian Cady and Danny Factor:   Platform is examining the Patrick budgets.  Looking at process for amending the platform.  Platform seeks inputs from the party regarding topics that Platform should be addressing.  Elie urged people to participate in discussions on platform issues.

LUNCH

Meeting went into recess for lunch from 12:00pm to 1:15pm.

CHAPTER REPORTS

Assabet River - Danny Factor:  Assabet River Chapter is in process of forming.  Discussing bans of bottled water in local towns.  Have monthly business meetings and separate "action meeting".

Greater Boston Chapter - Greg Williams:  Have separate business and action meetings.  Looked at Boston jobs policy, land use, and green politics.  Participation is growing.  GBC endorsed Francisco White for Boston City Council and Merelice for Brookline Town Meeting.  Also endorsed Seamus Whelan who is a Socialist Alternative candidate for City Council at large.   The chapter's main priority right now is to support Francisco White's campaign. [See written report in Attachment 2]

Nashua River Greens - Dick Vaillette:  Monthly meetings with 6-8 people.  Will be giving out awards to honor activists.  David Spanagel  is running unopposed for town moderator.

Quinebaug Valley Greens - Gus Steeves:  In process of organizing.  Supporting one candidate.  Trying to recruit members.  Supporting a buy local campaign and reforming farming (chicken) bylaws. 

Berkshires - Scott Laugenour and Tim Wright:  No meetings held recently.  People are still communicating.  Local media is covering GRP.  The Lennox town committee is operating in the area.  They sponsor a Green Drinks meeting monthly.  The town committee is supporting a "Repair Cafe" which is a "fix it free" event.

No one was present to report on any other chapters.

URGENT BUSINESS

The following people were confirmed by consensus as Administrative Committee members from their respective chapters:  Brian Cady from Greater Boston  Chaper and Owen Broadhurst from Pioneer Valley Chapter.

David Rolde asked if StateCom wanted to nominate Francisco White at this meeting.  David said that the policy of deferring endorsements until after ballot closes does not apply to municipal elections since candidates do not run under a party designation.   Scott agreed that the deferment policy can be ignored if State Committee wishes.  A discussion ensued on whether the agenda should be modified to consider an endorsement vote at this time.  John proposed that the question be addressed in two steps: First, determine if an endorsement should be considered at this meeting.  Then, if the answer was "yes", vote on the endorsement.

Motion:  To take up the endorsement of Francisco White at this meeting.  This was an agenda question requiring a majority vote.

Vote: 12 aye, 3 nays, 1 abstention

The motion was passed.

Motion: StateCom endorses Francisco White for Boston City Council .  An initial vote was 8 aye, 6 nay, 1 abstain.  Because of lack of clarity regarding the nature of the vote, a second vote was taken.

Vote: 10 aye 7 nay, 0 abstain.

Because a 2/3 majority is required for endorsement, the measure failed.

It was noted that a majority of StateCom supported the endorsement, and some members who voted "nay" said that they actually supported Francisco and would switch their vote to "aye" if Francisco gets on the ballot and the endorsement motion is reintroduced after the last day for submitting nomination signatures.

PROPOSAL: BYLAW CHANGES REGARDING CHAPTERS/CAUCUSES

John described the proposal to revise Section 7 of the bylaws.  This proposal was introduced at the last StateCom meeting and was withdrawn to allow more time for comments.  John said that a few additional comments had been received, and the proposal had been slightly modified.  John noted that the current bylaws are incomplete, contradictory, and make it very difficult to keep track of how many chapters the party has and which are active.  The bylaws allow a confusing mix of legal forms to declare themselves to be chapters, without any required coordination with the state party or other chapters.  There is no process for deliberation on chapter boundaries or resolution of questions or conflicts between different entities.   There is no way to deactivate chapters that are no longer active.

A number of suggestions and concerns were expressed by Merelice.    Merelice noted that the guide to establishing local chapters must be revised if the bylaws were changed (John agreed, noting that the guide could be much clearer with the new bylaws.).  Merelice suggested that caucuses be placed in a separate section in the bylaws.  (John agreed that this could be done but suggested simply striking mention of caucuses from current section 7. ) Merelice said we might want to create "umbrella chapters".  (John said that nothing in the revision prevented this, but currently there is no provision for the Party to consider and approve an umbrella chapter concept.) . 

David Rolde was concerned with the way in which the bylaws defines chapter members as GRP members within the local's boundaries.  He stated that members should just be determined by who comes to meetings.  [Note: Both current and proposed bylaws consider GRP members living within chapter boundaries to be members of the local chapter.]

Gus Steeves wanted to see more about how to properly define a "geopolitical region" for a local.  [Note: Neither  current or proposed bylaws has explicit guidance regarding how to draw chapter boundaries.]

Elie Yarden said that the idea of geopolitically defined locals is ecologically unsound.  He also cited an ideological objection to the idea of caucuses.

The facilitators called for consensus and determined that concerns existed.

An attempt to solicit amendments to address concerns failed, with a general discussion ensuing of ideas for changes, some of which were fundamental changes to the current chapter structure that went far beyond the revisions in the proposal under discussion.

Noting that the discussion was not converging,  Danny Factor proposed that StateCom table the discussion and appoint a working group to rework the proposal and bring a modified proposal to the next StateCom meeting.  The following persons were designated members of the working group: Danny Factor, , David Gerry, Merelice, Greg William, DruTarr, and Elie Yarden.  This motion was adopted by consensus.

PROPOSAL:  ENDORSEMENT/NOMINATION PROCESS

Given the lack of time and the fact that a discussion of the endorsement process had already occurred,  the facilitator's asked the floor manager for this proposal, Mike Heichman, if he would be willing to see this proposal be set aside so that the action item proposal item could be addressed.  Mike said he would accept this suggestion.

NEAR TERM ACTION PROPOSALS

The discussion of near-term action proposals was approved by the Winter StateCom meeting when it approved a proposal by Mike Heichman.   John Andrews worked with Mike to follow through on the proposal.  John explained that a form for submitting near-term action proposals was written and distributed.  A total of 12 proposals were submitted and compiled into a single file that was distributed to StateCom.  An assessment ballot was developed that allows StateCom members to express their opinions on the value of the proposals and their readiness for implementation. 

Each StateCom member was given an assessment ballot.  The author(s) of each proposal was then given 2 minutes to describe the proposal, followed by two minutes for comments or questions.   Then StateCom members completed their ballots and turned them in.  John will compile the ballots in the next week and send a report to StateCom.  It is expected that working committees will take note of proposals that are highly regarded by StateCom and consider whether they can pursue them within their charter and scope.  Some proposals may become the basis for formal proposals submitted for StateCom approval at the next meeting.   It is anticipated that at the next meeting there will be a discussion of the results of this exercise and whether it should be repeated in some form.

Due to lack of time the break-out meetings for working groups were not held.

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:00 pm.

= = = = =

ATTACHMENT 1

Membership, Diversity & Volunteer Recruitment Comm.

Draft Report to 4/21/13 StateCom Meeting

The Committee has a regular phone conference on the first Tuesday of the month from 7-9 PM. Please join us.

Every Meeting we...

1.Hear reports from local chapters (We request that every local chapter send us at least one member.)

2.Hear reports/requests from Adcom and Working Committees

3.Attempt to keep track of our membership materials (T-Shirts, buttons, and brochures) and make recommendations to Adcom for more materials.

I. 2/05 Meeting-8 present

A.             Working with GRP Secretary, Frank Jackson, we are compiling a list of all local chapters. Beginning list: (Note to StateCom: Let us know if there are any that we need to add.)

a.                               Greater Boston Chapter

b.                               Berkshires

c.                                Nashua River

d.                               Pioneer Valley

e.                               Assabet River Valley

f.                                Maureen Doyle and Gus Stevens are organizing in South Worcester County.

A.             Approved a letter to Adcom requesting $250 to support local organizing activities by local chapters.

II. 3/04 Meeting-5 present

A.             Adcom requests assistance in creating new regions for the election of future StateCom members from state senatorial districts. We will ask for feedback from local chapters. (Note: We will work with CDLC and come up with a proposal for the Fall StateCom meeting.)

B.             Discussed a proposal from Mike Heichman for the 4/21 StateCom meeting to work together with ComCom and Platform Comm on a “Comparison Leaflet” (comparing how the Democrats, Republicans, and GRP) stand on important statewide issues. Favorable comments for this proposal

III. 4/02 Meeting-11 present

A.             Authorized $40 to the PV Chapter for literature for outreach events

B.             4 guests made a presentation for the strategic discussion by StateCom on 4/21: for the party to create Flags for outreach events. Favorable comments for this proposal

C.            Sent Adcom a proposal to order more GRP materials

= = = = =

ATTACHMENT 2

GREATER BOSTON CHAPTER OF THE GRP

Report to StateCom

Mike Heichman, GBC Secretary

4/21/13

4.Action Meeting on 2/12-16 present-Topic: The Boston Jobs Policy and its Implementation-No followup on this issue

B.  Business Meeting on 2/26-10 present

g.  Initial discussion of the 2013 goals for our chapter (have not followed up on this discussion)

h.  Chapter endorsed Francisco White’s Campaign for Boston City Council At Large and requested support from the state party. (Note: Most of the core members of Francisco’s campaign committee are members of our chapter and others have made important contributions to his campaign.)

i.    Chapter endorsed Merelice’s Campaign for Re-Election to the Brookline Town Committee.

j.    Elected Brian Cady to represent our chapter at Adcom meetings

III. Action Meeting on 3/12-13 present

B.  Seamus Whelan, member of Socialist Alternative, made a brief presentation and asked for the endorsement of our chapter for his candidacy for Boston City Council At Large

C.Terra Friedrichs made a presentation, “How Land Use Law Relates to Social Injustice”.

D.Elie Yarden made a presentation on “Green Politics”.

IV. Business Meeting on 3/26

D.  GBC endorsed Seamus Whelan’s Campaign for Boston City Council At Large. The chapter made it clear that its initial priority was to focus on getting Francisco on the ballot. (Note: The relationship between the 2 candidates and the 2 organizations-GRP and Socialist Alternative-has not yet been defined.)

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