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.

People Present: Dan K, Roni B(facilitator), Joshua G(stacker), Danny F, (David G), David R, Brian C(notes), Priscila E, Elie Y, Charlene D, Hal B,

Topics Discussed:

- ‘Ban Legalized Euthanasia and Doctor-Assisted Suicide’ Proposal

- Eliminate Military Proposal

Decisions Made:

Re: Ban:

Consensus fails – roll call vote:

Roni No

Hal No

Brian No

Charlene No

Priscila Abstain

Danny F No

Joshua G No

Dan K No

Elie Y No

David R Yes

1-8-1

Call for the Total Elimination of the US Military:

Straw vote requested, done by roll call:

Roni B No

Hal B No

Brian C Abstain

Charlene No

Priscila No

Danny F Yes

Joshua Yes

Dan K Abstain

David R Yes

Elie Y Abstain

3-4-3 Straw vote result

Tabled -

Proposal: Both Vegan and No Military proposals tabled as old business.

Consensus fails:

Vote:

Roni B No

Hal B Yes

Brian C No

Charlene Yes

Priscilla Yes

Danny F Yes

Josh G Yes

Dan K Yes

David R Yes

Elie Y No

7-3-0

Both 'Eliminate Military' and 'Go Vegan' Proposals tabled as old business for Fall Statecom .

Round robin meeting evaluation…

Hal: was surprised and excited that so many of us can fall on different sides of issues with constructive intent.

David R: StateCom members in favor of killing people.

Charlene: you know that’s not true.

Location: Tent City Apartments, Boston

• Attendance: John Andrews, Matt Andrews, Hal Brown, Brian Cady, Charlene DiCalogero, Dannyl Factor, Joshua Gerloff, Brian Harris, Dan Kontoff, Mike Pascucci, David Rolde, Jed Stamas; Mike Vaglica, and Elie Yarden.
  • With 14 voting members in attendance, quorum is reached!
• Guests: David Gerry, Tech Committee Chair; Eileen Sheehan, Treasure of the South Coast Chapter; Linda Thompson, Former Connecticut Green Party and National Outreach Committee; Carol Sotiropoulos, Central Mass Green-Rainbow Chapter Secretary and Priscilla Espinosa, Central Mass GR member.
  • Facilitators:Hal Brown and Jed Stamas.
  • Timekeeper: Charlene DiCalogero
  • Minutes: Joshua Gerloff in the A.M. and Brian Cady in the P.M.
  • Vibes watcher : Elie Yarden
  • Stacker: Hal Brown

Credentialing:

• Alternate members Jed Stamas, Mike Vaglica and Mike Pascucci are seated.
• Elie: concerned about representative meeting. Too many Boston area people.
  • Danny: delegate someone to research the issue.
  • David Rolde: will do research.

Modify/Approve Agenda:

• Danny: Committee reports should include GPUS Committee reports.
• Agenda: approved with no concerns.

Previous Minutes Approval:

• Statecom Minutes 2019-01-26 are approved with no concerns.
• Statecom Minutes 2019-03-07 are approved with no concerns.
• Danny: Regarding online editing of the minutes via google docs, we can’t be sure no one has edited recently. How do we know that it wasn’t edited this morning?
  • Standing rules amended so that online editing of Statecom Minutes closes one week prior to Statecom Meeting.
  • Josh will update the Standing Rules of Statecom to reflect this change.

Next Meetings:

• Next Statecom Teleconference is May 30, 2019 7pm.
• Next quarter's Statecom Meeting:
  • Facilitators: Elie Yarden and Linda Thompson.
  • Where? Not sure. Ask South Coast. Ask Central Mass.
  • When:  Saturday, July 13th or Sunday, July 14th.

Appointments to State Committee:

• Linda Thompson and Priscilla Espinosa are appointed as Statecom Alternates.
• Eileen Sheehan wants more information before committing.
• Statecom terms expire spring 2020, after results of Presidential Primary and State Committee elections.

Annual National Meeting Working Group report:

• FYI: There are two committees:
  • ANM Committee of the GPUS. GRP Members Hal Brown and Darlene Elias serve on this committee.
  • GRP ANM Working Group. GRP Members John Andrews, Hal Brown, Darlene Elias and Joshua Gerloff serve.
• Hal: We have fundraiser venue: VFA Gerry 5 in Marblehead,MA. Fundraiser will benefit the GPUS.
• There are 68 submissions for workshops with only 35 slots to fill. We will know who made the cut in 2-4 weeks.
• A local theatre group could perform the play “Cry Innocent”, however the cost of $600-800 is out of our budget. Might ask people to kick in.
• GBC Cochair Jamie McLaughlin wishes to perform music at the ANM.
  • Josh forwarded the request.
• Communications, media, live stream and record all the workshops.
• Linda: Darlene says we need money to get people of color to anm. Fund is lower than last year. Please donate.
• There is a GPUS Scholarship Fund and a GRP Participation Fund.
  • GPUS National Committee has few scholarships to be allocated among 40 states. There is little chance of a Massachusetts resident getting National Funds.
  • GRP participants should also apply to the GRP Participation Fund, which is administered by Adcom.
  • What is the process for submitting a Participation Fund request? What does Participation Fund cover? Can cover registration, travel, babysitting.
    • Table for Adcom, which will address by drafting an application form and setting a deadline.
• What should GRP be doing? 
  • Goal of 40 GRP attendees. Send out an email blast. Put it on the GRP website. Get chapters talking about it.

Urgent Matters:

• Linda: Motion: GRP endorse the report back from Venezuela speaking tour in Massachusetts in May  by Bahman Azad, who led the U.S. Peace Council delegation to Venezuela, and other speakers. This tour is being organized and sponsored by the Coalition Against U.S. Foreign Military Bases, the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) and others We want as many groups as possible to support this.
  • David Rolde: GBC is member of No Foreign Bases Coalition. GBC members joined the rallies in DC and the Boston-Venezuela Solidarity rally. Will forward contacts. Lee Schlenker from Boston Venezuela Solidarity Committee will speak.
  • Jed: There was a demonstration in Northampton. Lois Gagnon spoke. Ongoing meetings in Western Mass. Individuals and Chapters can sign the pledge. Jed signed and signed as chapter the “No on NATO” Pledge of Resistance. There are a number of pledges around this issue.
• John: Motion to Amend the Proposal: We support the actions to oppose US action in Venezuela and leave to Adcom to take up details.
  • David Rolde: Concern about the amendment.
  • Danny: John is keeping it broad. We have unifying principles, that we oppose military actions against Venezuela.
  • John:”But who are on the speaking tour?”
  • David Gerry: Ajamu did this on his own with the Green Peace Action Committee.
  • John: We are voting to support a group we don’t know about. Let’s keep it broad so Adcom is not locked in to a group that Statecom locked on.
  • Linda: This coalition will unify all of the anti-war groups. Early signers on: UNAC, Karen Cokely. Abama Asa who organized the bases coalition.
  • Danny: The proposal with amendment supports actions. We are the only political party to support these actions.
  • David Rolde: The reports back from Venezuela are good.
  • Charlene: This is an educational program. We probably don’t need a blanket statement. Support the original proposal to support the event.
• John: The amendment takes a stand against US actions on Venezuela. So a GRP speaker can say we have a position against actions against Venezuela, aggression against Venezuela. 
  • Matt: Adcom voted to endorse the pledge of resistance re Alliance for Global Resistance.

• • David: John, will you change your amendment so we do endorse this tour, but in addition we take a position on Venezuela so Adcom can endorse other future Venezuela initiatives?
    • John: Yes we endorse the tour
• Concerned members stand aside.
• The motion as amended passes with no concerns.

Chapter Reports

• Central Mass Green-Rainbow Chapter (CMGR): Charlene: Since Winter 2019 Statecom, CMGR has met twice with an average attendance of 8 people. Currently working on the CMGR Biennial Awards, the chapter identifies people or groups who do good work in Massachusetts. Constructing a short course about the GRP because new members need more grounding in structure and history of the party. Youngest members conducting interviews and surveys. Success in Shrewsbury on town legislation banning single-use plastic and styrofoam. Four members are elected officials. Five members serve on state level committees. One person holds an appointed position. One member, Matthew Moncreaff is running unopposed for Select Board in Princeton.
• Assabet River Valley Chapter (ARVC) Danny: The chapter is focused on electing candidates. One member ran for State Rep, and one member ran for State Senator. One member, Tar Larner,  ran unopposed for reelection and won with 99% of the vote, 1100 votes He is the first elected Green anywhere in the US in 2019. Another member ran for office in Acton in a 3-way race for 2 seats. They lost by only 31 votes. There was a tragedy in the chapter: the sibling of member died in prison as an addict and received no drug treatment in prison. The chapter is active protesting outside the prison to end prisons as we know them, drug treatment for all in prison and the right to vote in prison.
• Pioneer Valley Chapter: Jed: The chapter will meet in Greenfield. Nothing definite about candidates for office. Dealing with local issues: the closure of hospitals in rural areas re: union issues and social justice. Members participated in a Say No to NATO rally. Frank Jeffers is improving the Green New Deal by looking at the Iceland GND. Still working on the State Bank issue. Networking with other groups. Joyce was reelected to Whately Town Selectboard while on sabbatical. A Green, Vince O'Connor, not a chapter member, was elected to Amherst Town Council.
• South Coast Chapter : Eileen Sheehan: The area of SCC focusis Bristol County. Usually 4 people attend meetings.SCC meets twice a month. Two chapter officers, Sean Connell and Justin Roca, are currently on sabbatical. Working with Voter Choice MA (VCMA) to get state and local laws passed. Working for Health Care for All. Also working to ban plastic straws and bags.
  • Danny: Does SSC endorse Democrats?
  • This is time for reports, not discussion.
• North Shore Chapter: Joshua: Since Winter Statecom, the NSC has met twice with an average attendance of 3. Two of our members, Hal and I, serve in several GRP Committees and both in a GPUS Committee each. We help Dan Kontoff feed the homeless in Boston. Josh also works with another group called Better Mass Transit.
• Greater Boston Chapter: Mike Pascucci: The chapter has 10 core members. At a February meeting, they discussed internal processes, decision making and chapter goals. Members attend anti-war and anti-imperialism rallies. Chapter also works for peace in Korea and Venezuela. Members attended a NO to NATO mobilization in Washington DC.
• Young Greens Umass Boston: Charlene: Cochairs Jordan and Julianne are graduating this year so the chapter is working to recruit new members. They hosted a VCMA event. Jordan is also active with Extinction Rebellion.

Working Committee Reports

• Communications (Com Com): Hal Brown, Chair: The committee will be busy with the ANM media effort. Will invite Salem Access Television to cover the ANM. Committee created a page on the GRP website to explain why you joined the GRP. Added a Calendar of Events to the GRP homepage. Discussing an effort to teach chapters to use Nation Builder.
  • Brian Cady: One chapter member should have access to NB  and be able to send out notifications fortheir chapter to people just within their region.
• Membership, Diversity and Volunteer Recruitment (MDVR): We are contacting GRP voters in cities/towns with strong GRP registration with the intention of activating them and forming new chapters.
  • Matt: Active J (GRP) voter totals are going below 3000. The “defunct” political designations G (GPUSA) and F (Rainbow Coalition) have climbed. People are picking it because of the name. 
• Fundraising and Finance (Fun Fin): Brian Cady: We meet third Friday evenings of the month, and have met three times in 2019. Average attendance is 3.666. Minutes have been sent to GRP Secretary Joshua Gerloff.
• Candidate Development and Legal (CDLC): No report from Maureen Doyle.
  • Charlene: Tar Larner is the first GPUS victory in USA.! So far in 2019, there were 2 GRP candidates in elections: Tar Larner won his election, and the other didn’t. There is another candidate in Princeton, MA who has announced. And there are a few more inquiries for candidacy. We don't print names until people announce their candidacy. We have all 6 completed surveys from all 6 GRP 2018 candidates.
  • John: Will do a report with survey analysis. Sometimes there are private comments and irrelevant information, so we digest and put out what is significant.
• Annual Convention Planning: Matt:
  • The Theme of the 2019 GRP Annual Convention is “Green New Deal for Peace, Justice and Democracy.” 
  • Workshop proposals: There are two rounds of workshops: Round 1: Jill, Ajamu and Howie; Round 2: With people in the party. 
  • We are behind on publicity: we need to put the GRP Convention on the GRP homepage. Get rid of / make pics smaller on the homepage slider.
  • Can we put a link to register for Convention on the homepage?
  • Howie Hawkins will speak at Convention.
    • Danny: Can Statecom recommend to Convention that email invitations be made to other presidential candidates as well?
      • Jed: Seems biased to Howie by only inviting him.
        • Danny: He has formed exploratory committee. Might answer after convention.
        • Charlene: Howie speaking to specific item. Convention has a tight schedule and will not welcome us tinkering with their agenda.
          • Danny: The  invitation should be made. If they accept, we can deal with it then. We should send invitations. Howie is popular, but other candidates should be invited.
      • John: This issue is coming up nationally. We say “This isn’t a campaign appearance. We are inviting you for other reasons.” There was a Presidential forum in Pennsylvania and 3 people were asked to speak as candidates, but they did not include more recent candidates. Who to invite? Do they only have an exploratory committee or no campaign? Are they in the race yet? This isn’t easy. Can I send a video or Skype to the forum? It gets messy. We can reserve time for all candidates at our Convention, which we have no time for, or we are better off saying Howie is not there as a candidate. Otherwise, I can give names for 6 people, who have a stated interest in running. Asking Convention to insert these on the agenda is too much.
    • Brian Cady: too close to Convention.
    • David Rolde: exploring running for president.
    • Charlene: Invite to attend: does this schedule them in per se? It will probably be a courtesy.
    • Danny: Statecom request Convention send invites to all 6 individuals who have expressed interest in running.
    • Priscila Espinosa (on Convention Planning Committee): We need to know ASAP because of logistics.
    • David Gerry: ANM will have a Presidential forum.
    • With blocking concerns, Statecom moves to a vote. Seven in favor, Six against.
  • Decision: Statecom urges Convention committee to invite all other Green presidential candidates.
  • David R: What is the deadline for proposals to State Convention?
    • Matt: deadline has passed.
• Legislative Committee. Mike P: So far, Legcom has met twice with 6-7 attendees. Discussed the Green New Deal for Massachusetts, State Bank and Working Family Mobility Act. Typically meets the first Monday of the month.

GPUS Committees

• Animal Rights Committee (ARC): Josh: Vegan and Vegetarian labels are not hurting Democratic candidates or campaigns. They are acknowledging ecological consequences of animal agriculture and the health consequences of the consumption of animal products on human health. The Green Party is not current on this issue.
  • Priscila: Regenerative Agriculture is broad. Not removing the topsoil prevents runoff, saves water. AOC is plugged into regenerative agriculture, is part of grassroots movement, she was talking about it.
  • Danny: I am Vegan and animal rights activist. Communities are creating the “right to farm “ status, creating agricultural commissions to produce local food, codify the domestication of animals, people who domesticate animals. We would support local organic farming, but once we start talking about animal captivity, no. 
• National Committee: David Gerry: National Committee of the GPUS has an open window for GPUS Platform change submissions. April 1-Sept 31. Will be taken up by the National Committee this year, voted on at 2020 Convention. Ten year old elected to National Committee. Debate re: age minimum. Complaint from a European Green party member (not the EU Greens) to GPUS re presidential campaign. BRPP Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures Committee seeks to change Presidential Nominating Rules so that all delegates to the Presidential Nominating Convention are Green. One delegation had a Democrat.
• Presidential Campaign Support Committee (PCSC): John: Proposed revision to official recognition of party. Created listserv for all Presidential Candidates so we can pass information to them. Seven individuals have declared and are not joke candidates: Allan Auguston, Howie Hawkins, Dario Hunter, who else?. There will be a Presidential Forum at the 2019 GPUS ANM on Friday night. PCSC has proposed two workshops: “The Spoiler Effect” and 2020 strategy. Names of anyone else who wants to run for the nomination, please let us know. PCSC concerned about finding a strong candidate. The Democratic Party will viciously attack third parties with help from the corporate media and other groups, so our presidential candidates need to be prepared. The candidate may not be a good fundraiser for ballot access like Jill was. Jill put a lot of money into ballot access. New candidates may not give to that effort. We will encourage the candidate to do what they can.
  • Danny: has committee reached out to Jesse Ventura?
  • John: We sent an email with a  copy of the letter of interest, which he has not returned. There is no way of knowing if he is serious without it. After his Mexico trip, he might consider.
• Platform Committee: Elie: Tim Willard is the new Cochair. Currently reconciling proposals that conflict with other portions of the platform. The change in schedule allows them more time to complete revision of the 2018 platform. Platform is submitting proposals that will deal with invasiveness by outsiders (proposals from “outside” that are irrelevant).

2019 First Quarter Financial Report; 2019 Budget Presentation and Approval:

Brian: budget proposal is written as a single “pot” of money.

David Gerry: state and fed accounts.

Matt: we should send dues form, make copies. Gretchen was interested in making membership card.

Charlene: what does participation fund come out of,  state or federal funds? Can participation come out of federal? The budget is really 2 pots, and federal is harder to spend. Candidate fund is clear about state or federal, everything else is less clear.

Elie: recommendation: include addition income from additional fundraiser. Question: federal fund: is there a way of mailing a check and specifying to federal fund and therefore doesn’t take away limit? BC: I don’t know.

Matt: income. Dues = $4000. Largest budgeted income on the sheet. Chapters must table at events. Get people to pay dues at chapters. Do donations/dues include Convention registrations?

Elie: wants GRP Membership cards.

Danny: Fiduciary requirement on someone re: dues form, no. Tone down “Loyalty oath” (“must adhere”, must support 10 key values and platform). Let’s be more friendly.

Matt: this language is in the bylaws A lot of people are registered but don’t consider themselves members.

Charlene: agree, letter of law. Can still register J and be a party member without paying dues.

Matt: registered to vote and being a member in good standing, not connected to the GRP. Membership status. Spirit. 4000 members areregistered J, but few active.

Jed: your money goes to help us. Should be more inspiring.

Elie: motion to adopt the budget. Danny second.

Matt: will we meet these fundraising goals? We need to make commitment to raising money.

Charlene: What are our limits beyond candidate expenditure on fed fund?

Elie: critical year, we may raise money. Must aim high. Where's these revolutionaries?

John: Federal restriction may not be such an issue; there is some flexibility. If you want to spend a lot of money on fed cand, can't go into state fund for fed cand. Discretion of the  treasurer: they may put unrestricted donations in state or fed. Courtesy to donors, which fund would you like to put it in?

Amendment: change dues revenue from $4000 to $2000.

Concern about budget? no. 

Brian Cady: have group form business plan for achieving our goals.

Appointments to GPUS Committee

• Maggie Zhou to International Committee for the purposes of developing policy and making Green Party connections around the world.
  • Danny: I oppose her reappointment to the committee. Concerns, has done things that she said she wouldn’t do. Initially heard good things from GBC members, that she is a warrior for peace, that she believes in the 10 Key Values, but she sends emails of allegedly conspiratorial nature. She assured Statecom that once on the International Committee, she will make clear that she is only throwing stuff out for thought, but it is not clear. The substance of her emails is offensive: she sent out an email with a hateful video from a Christian advocate who spouted hateful things, some guy from Nahant. Danny asked Maggie about whether she would deny or question her theories that some of these school shootings did not occur. Maggie also scrutinized the moon landings which we know actually happened.
  • Mike Vaglica: Diversity in opinion. She puts forth effort. On International Committee and GPUS.
  • David Rolde: She says things that are important. Re email danny says: David Rolde ”no one in GRP supports trump's.” she supports debunking for info purposes. We shouldn’t not  appoint her based on her informing.
  • Charlene: She never reports back to us re: International Committee.
  • Brian Harris: Any conspiratorial claim is a distraction from real issues. There is a real elite class. Conspiracy distracts from reality.
  • Mike P: I find many of the conspiracy theory posts to be disgusting (such as claiming Sandy Hook was a hoax with crisis actors), but she has also posted some things I find to be at least interesting. But she doesn’t report back from International Committee. Can't support her continuing.
  • Dan Kontoff: you have to represent us well. She is a spokesperson. Must rep.
  • John: I pressed her at her last appointment: “We aren’t appointing you to get these emails.” She said she wouldn’t, but she does. She sent an email in September 2018 that the USA had set up a lab in Russia to manufacture biological weapons to send to Al Qaeda. This doesn’t belong in the GPUS. She needs to have judgement to participate in our committees. Another email about the Boston marathon bombing, that it was carried out by the CIA and that the injured were state players. These are not an expression of the facts and this shouldn’t be inflicted on GRP or GPUS. It doesn’t reflect well.
  • Matt: do we have somebody we should appoint?
  • Danny: plenty of committees that don’t have delegates, we don’t need to have one.
  • John: conspiracy theories promote aggression.
    • David Rolde: direct response: The biological weapons lab is in Georgia not Russia.  Georgia is not a part of Russia. Georgia is a separate country. And the U.S. really does have a weapons lab in Georgia and is producing weapons being used by Al Qaeda in Syria and with which to threaten Russia.  That email was one of the best things Maggie has sent. If Maggie’s appointment is so contentious, I think we should table this discussion to a phone meeting when Maggie can call in.
    • John: Georgia is in a territorial dispute with Russia. The video she shared was leaked by a Georgian official. If the Chief sanitary inspector can prove that this lab exists, that’s fine a fact whatever.
  • There are blocking concerns about appointing Maggie to International Committee.
  • Statecom moves to a vote: In favor 3. Opposed 8. Abstain 2. Maggie is not reappointed.
  • Josh will inform Maggie, International Committee and GPUS Secretary.

GRP Name Change discussion

Carol S and Priscila Espinosa:

GRP members honor name in the merger. 2 parties’ values match and union was ideal.

Carol presents her GRP Name change proposal.

No one should have to guess what we are about. We are proposing a name change to clarify misperceptions. It’s more meaningful to be in conformity. Some people prefer grassroots.

Mel King is cool with keeping the Rainbow in the logo.

Elie: Admit to prejudice. Mentors in this party. Yo Obler. Gary HIcks. Merelice, from Rainbow Coalition and also Mel King. Mystic River Greens, when this merger was proposed, outrage, thought it would make them gay. Merging because we couldn’t attract black people, people of colornot concerned with ecological issues. Last gbc meeting, why are you here, because of the rainbow. Don’t want to lose people.  This party suffers from amnesia.

Danny: Very well thought out proposal. Well presented. Administrative: if goes to Convention and passes, without enough discussion with Secretary of Commonwealth. this could disenfranchise everyone registered J.

Danny: motion that Statecom recommend the matter be tabled until 2020 Convention.

Matt: Green-Rainbow is confusing name. Name is a tool for marketing.

Carol:: offer amendment to Danny's motion: would be more effective to get this to chapters. Straw vote proposal, vote about what we think about it, get the temperature of the GRP, and move the proposal forward.

Danny: last time change made, mistakes were made.

David Rolde: I can see both sides. How did Mel King react? Afraid that rainbow people would leave, or take a racist step. There are people still registered rainbow coalition (F). There used to be a Rainbow Caucus that met within the GRP.

Danny: Motion to shift timetable. 2 votes: straw vote at Convention, work, Secretary of Commonwealth work and final vote at 2020 Convention. Ian Jackson sent some legal concerns.

John: understand symbolism, the rainbow didn’t mean what it means today. The name is hurting our volunteers and candidates. We’ve lost the rainbow to lgbt movement. Want to help candidates and members. Need a simple name. Candidates say “printed literature mistakes” the press messes up all the time. We have no ability to educate everyone.

Dan Kontoff: It’s not about the name, it’s about how we approach people and how we recruit  them. Need to reach out with communication skills. Go to events. Not just superficial.

Jed: as a candidate, saw it was confusing to voters. Get in habit of saying Green-Rainbow, and get down the history of the name and merger. Must appeal to more diverse voters. People respond to independent party. Commonwealth party.

Mike V: concern with name change: the explanation impacts the spiel. People have short attention span. You lose people by explaining too long.

Brian Harris: I know what the Rainbow Coalition party is because I’m a history teacher. It was against a neoliberal trend in the dem party. Millenials have no idea about it. Shouldn’t lock ourselves into a historical moment.

Charlene: our history: AFAIK we are the only merged/joined party. Also, “we are state affiliate of GPUS” is a short, easy explanation. LGBTQ people of color would have a problem with the name change.

Priscila: interviewing elders. Why is this the party for you? This is the party of inclusion. Honor the legacy and the rainbow.opportunity to connect with the next generation. Mass dist survey will help with future marketing of GRP.

Elie: origin of the rainbow of mlk, spoke of a vision that most closely resembles vision of the green parties, Mel King took this from MLK, Jr.

Danny: Motion: a timetable, strawpoll  in 2019, vetting, and vote in 2020.

Matt: clarification. We overuse straw polls. We should give Convention option to form a committee to explore this possibility. Straw poll is non-binding, more for temperature, and opinion.

John: Carol can take friendly amendments. The Convention vote should be to create a plan. Need to develop a position, and plan, and vote on it in 2020. Vote on forming a plan.

Danny: wording in the charge too bold “yes we do this” then we’ve left behind the idea whether we want to do this in the first place. Convention should express the opinion that we want to do this. Some people may not make it to convention.

Danny: withdraw motion. Will leave to proposers to modify.

Carol: whatever the wording is. Legislative approach for January implementation.?

Priscila: we are a small party. In favor of name change. Not in favor of confusing anyone in the party re: presidential election. How do we get people to re-register??

Recruiting candidates for 2020 (CDLC) - 10 min

Charlene: want more people running for state rep. Running local cands is good. We need more state rep cands. How about 6 in 2020 for a critical mass?

JOSH: Someone to oppose US Senator Ed Markey to achieve 3%.

Dan Kontoff: Need charisma, to inspire people. 

Committee Membership Regulation discussion

• Danny: working com membership. Our working committees are open to all GRP members to sit in on unless in executive session. And all GRP members may join a working committee. Can we put this into our standing rules? A recent instance, someone wanted to be on a working committee: applied to be on the committee, they were not included on the listserv and blocked from serving on committee. We have listserv guidelines. But we have nothing on the book for preemptively blocking members from serving on listserv or committee. I’m talking about membership in GRP Working Committees and the procedure for excluding if one violates standards.
• Matt: Distinguish between types of committees Convention is highest decision making body of the party. Do we want anyone to volunteer? Important power being delgated, decisions being made: may want to  vet people.Convention Com is run by 2 people.
• Danny: MDVR less power?!
• David Rolde: In the past, Convention asked Statecom for times dates place. They have too much power. We haven’t delegated that much power to the committees.
• Charlene: vetting process for CDLC MDVR and Convention.
• David Gerry: When there is a listserv submission request, I check out email address, verify the subscription. If I don’t know who these people are, then they aren’t subscribed. You can’t just subscribe [without being a recognizable member].
• John: On GPUS National Committees, Cochairs must know who the membership is and have an official list. Sometime they call for email votes. Who are these people?! Also beware of committee stuffing, i.e., a candidate wants all the money and a week before their kickoff, people show up to committee meetings with ulterior motives.
• Danny: applicant sends email to cochairs of the committee, who decide that a person should not be on the committee, and they don’t tell the committee. So applicant can’t say anything because they are excluded from listserv and can’t say anything. Cochairs took unauthorized actions. Want to put into standing rules to codify, to say that people who want to be on committees must be given due process. Motion to incorporate into standing rules.
• Charlene: Convention has a cycle there must be a best time to apply.
• Danny: the matter/applicant must be brought to the committee. For a GRP member to serve on a working committee, contact the com, shared to entire com, and com must a decision in a reasonable amount of time, and here directly from the applicant giving APPLICANT DUE PROCESS TO BE HEARD.
• John: bylaws read about working committee: any member of GRP may serve on a committee. When someone volunteers to serve they are on it.
• Danny: withdraw? Motion? In this case or in another case, would have to let you join. Adcom made an error in not instructing Convention to allow David Rolde to serve. 
• Danny: Motion: Statecom instruct Adcom to enforce the bylaws and request the David Rolde be allowed to serve on the com.
  • David Rolde don’t want to serve now, but later. 
  • Danny: where there is a situation is not let on a working committee, Adcom will instruct the cochairs to enforce the bylaws. 10.3 instructing cochairs of the com to allow applicant on the com.
  • Bc: not sure what to do about it. Does this make us a better functioning party if cochairs resign?
  • Vote 10 for. 1 against. Abstain 0
  • Decision: Statecom instructs Adcom to enforce Bylaw 10.3.

Indexing Policies and Resolutions Working Group

• Matt will send email

Round Robin Feedback

• Josh: time reports. Location selection online. Facilitator selection randomized.
• John: time.
• Danny: Great job facil. I like how we triage things.
• Matt: painful. Good decisions. How to improve our process.
• BH: bogged down with procedural issues.
• Mike P: good decisions. Wow on facil. Agenda jammed. It’s okay for facilitators to make decisions to end agenda items  so they end on time.
• Charlene: struggle. Time keeper is hard. Setting up an agenda is an art not a science. Offline decision making.
• Brian Cady: reports should be done in writing early and submitted for questions. We could be more trained on how to work well as a committee.
• David Rolde: Georgia is not invading Russia,
• MV: I was there. Get tired after 6 hours.
• David Gerry: hate being member of statecom because gets off topic. Get off track.
• Dan Kontoff: Time keeper stronger. Talk to the issue. Why are we here? Here to grow. Must have an open mind.
• Elie: good. Accomplish real things. Gives me hope: her group is looking at what are we? self reflection.
• Hal: Strong opinions, but we want to cooperate, and accomplish meaningful work.
• JS: learned a lot. Facilitator is hard job. Negatives, shelve proposals, wasted paper
• 3:35pm Adjourn and cleanup.

Decision: Statecom urges all/most Green presidential candidates be invited to speak at ANM by vote: 7 yes, 6 no, 0 abstain.

Whiteman Room of The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, 8 Church Street, Greenfield, MA 01301

• Event Page - Date, time, place, map, RSVP
• 2019 Summer Statecom Proposal Page

Decisions Made:

Jasper, Jed and Garret accept nominations for Statecom.

Motion: Give Convention Committee, in collaboration with CDLC/Presidential Election Working Group, leeway to choose a date for 2020 GRP Convention at the back-up location Worcester First Unitarian Church. Approved.

Francis Jeffers, GRP Appointee to GPUS EcoAction Committee, has been notified of his waning appointment. He will  seek reappointment.

Motion: Statecom endorse the creation of GRP Retreat Working Group to look into this matter and report back to Adcom on progress.

Next Statecom Teleconference is August 29, 2019.

Fall 2019 Statecom meeting will be October 5 at the Worcester Friends Meeting House.

Fall 2019 Statecom Co-Facilitators will be Joshua Gerloff and Dan Kontoff.

Process To Join Working Committees. Charlene is tabled for next time.

Proposal: Violence to Animals Must End Now by Joshua Gerloff is tabled for next time.

Proposals: GRP Will Oppose Euthanasia and Doctor-Assisted Suicide and GRP Will Call for the Total Elimination of the US Military are posponed til teleconference.

Chapter Reports are tabled. Please send chapter reports to [email protected].

Attendance: Roni Beal, Hal Brown, Brian Cady, Charlene DiCalogero, Danny Factor, Joshua Gerloff, Dan Kontoff, David Rolde, and Elie Yarden. With 9 voting members in attendance, quorum is reached! Q: 9/7

Recognition of alternates: Jed Stamas and Priscillla Espinosa are seated. Q: 11/7

Appointments:

• Jasper, Jed and Garret accept nominations for Statecom.

• Jasper and Garret are now Statecom Alternates and are seated.

• Jed accepts nomination for full Statecom Member. Jed is seated as full member.

Charlene: Statecom Alternate not required to attend Statecom meetings, but if you attend, we seat you and you may vote and have consensus power. Right now, there are no Statecom members from Pioneer Valley. We should be gender balanced and there should be diversity. Members are required to attend meetings. There are 4 seasonal meetings and 4 telecons.”

Assign Roles:

• Minutes: Joshua Gerloff
• Stacker: Hal Brown
• Vibes watcher: Charlene DiCalogero
• Timekeeper: Maha Gray
• Parliamentarian: Danny

Approval of Agenda: Approved as amended by consensus.

Approval of minutes of previous meetings: Approved by consensus.

Greetings by Co-Chairs of the party

• Charlene: This is a collective action issue. A political issue. This is why I’m a GRP. There are various groups. We have a critical role to play in recruiting and running candidates. Cannot allow all of this, the drivers of climate change. Major shift in how we do everything. How to put GRP front and center. We are the only party who can deal with this.
• Maha Gray: Thank you for being patient with me. New to this. Maha joins the table.

Current Campaigns for Office

• Charlene: No official announced candidacies. There are certain lines you don’t cross when running a campaign (there are rules). Campaign Development and Legal Committee (CDLC) makes sure you don’t have to shut down your campaign. Mistakes can be made so consult with us (CDLC).
• David: Running for President.
• Garrett: Running for District 1 State legislature. I’ve attended State Meetings, have contacted the FEC. He campaigns in Spanish. Have not raised money.
  • David: running in different district than where you live.
    1. Garret: Don’t have to live in the same district. You have to be 21 
       1. Jasper: Is it ethical to run in a district you don’t live in? Garrett thinks so.
       2. Danny: Is Garret in touch with CDLC? Charlene: yes.
          1. Garret: Brief communication to the State.
• Danny: Applied to be on Assabet town governing body: the Planning and Development Committee, which is not interested in affordable housing and greenspace. First person to apply had a contrary position. The committee met outside of open meeting law. They had to apologize and had to redo Danny’s appointment. Filed Suit with Attorney Steve Ballard (member of GRP). 
• Dan Kontoff: Want to run for Mayor of Boston against Marty Walsh.

Reports from working committees:

• • AdCom: Participation Fund Task Group: Proposal supported by Adcom. Needed communication with ANM. Given some support to 7 GRP Members to attend ANM. Support from National on registration costs.
  • Communication & Media: Hal: Trying to figure out how Nation Builder works. Email blast. 
  • Legislative: David: Meeting monthly on the phone. Discussing bills before the state legislature. In May, endorse a bill for non-resident people to get a drivers license, endorse bill to change Columbus Day to Indiginous Peoples Day. How do we go about getting on the Adcom agenda and endorsed? June meeting endorsed more bills that will notify GRP. Endorsed more indigenous. How to proceed?
  • Convention Planning: Roni: Joyce Palmer-Fortune resigned. Roni prepared to resign, would continue to support new people. Minutes criticizing Joyce and Roni. Convention is a lot of work. We do not have a venue for 2020. Need to book First Unitarian Church in Worcester as a backup. Need a fallback place. Today would be a good day to plan the day and book Worcester. Don’t scramble at the last minute.

    • Motion: Give Convention Committee, in collaboration with CDLC/Presidential Election Working Group, leeway to choose a date for 2020 GRP Convention at the back-up location Worcester First Unitarian Church. Approved.

      1. Charlene: second.
      2. Jasper: Why take decision from Statecom?
         1. Elie: this is a presidential year, things are required of a convention, rules to satisfy, necessary to follow certain rules. We don’t have the  info in our hands.
         2. John: involved with delegate selection. The connection to convention is loose. Our presidential campaign involves decisions by Adcom and statecom and will happen before march 3. These are not important restraints.
            1. Elie: What are the state rules that need to be followed , special rules?
               1. John: There are rules imposed on GRP, require statecom to make some decisions, and Adcom, GRP must send in an official letter to the state, etc.
      3. David: Local chapters might want to host in their area. And Convention Committee excludes people.
         1. Danny: David asked to be on convention and was excluded, and how do excluded members involve themselves in decision of where and when convention?
            1. John: Statecom can delegate final decision re all conduct of convention. Statecom is required to approve the fact that we are having a convention. Convention Committee should bring rules before Statecom.

• 11 yes. 1 opposed. 3 abstain. The motion is approved by a majority vote.

• • 1. 1. David: thinks it’s too early to book. The date should be decided by statecom.

Secretary Report: Josh:

• Francis Jeffers, GRP Appointee to GPUS EcoAction Committee, has been notified of his waning appointment. He will  seek reappointment.

Reports from local chapters

• Matt: Meeting in Linda T’s house in Framingham. 5 people. Interested in forming a chapter. Dinner party. Immigrant rights stuff, etc. Framingham / MetroWest Chapter.
  • Move chapter reports to the end.

Presentation and discussion of plans for GRP retreat. Late summer or early fall.

• Only preliminary discussion. Retreat about GRP Members coming together and discussing priorities. Idea stage.
• Charlene: Need at least one other person who wants to be involved in the planning. Will need more people to help with logistics..
• Elie: 1980, explaining the crisis we are in now. The ecological vision is missing from our party. People are afraid of thinking.
• Dan Kontoff: Retreat would be more about building our community. No commitment to the rules. Will help us to grow.
• Danny: Not calling it a convention, this body has no power to change our bylaws. We can call it a summit convention, it would have power. Otherwise it can only make recommendations. We must decide, plenty of reason to get together and meet each other. There is a lot of talent in this room. A program that id’s substantive issues. Danny: has concern, unless we approve by Adcom or convention, we are only laying down ideas.
  • Maha: culminate in decisions that will apply to that year, next year and 5 years. The retreat is not a decision making body.
  • Priscilla: Is retreat have to do with suggestions? A retreat for team building, and strategically plan and identify ourselves. Who are we as Greens?
    1. Maha: Direct response: Same concerns, same time, same discussion, strategic thinking, We feel adrift and need to latch onto something.
  • Matt: Making recommendations is underselling what happens at retreat. Need a space to create proposals. Sent an email: “Must have a process. 20 questions with what should we be working on?” A structured retreat that asks the right questions.
  • John: Maha and Matt make good points. A meeting with no results?!?! Our proposals pop out of nowhere and we must confront them vs. what proposals are important to us? Must poll our members. Online poll and get opinions to guide us.
• David: Retreat is an informal gathering, getting to know each other, do we take stacks etc like Statecom, can the retreat be widely accessible?
• Garret: “Bee Democracy” about Bees for how they decide things. They do it by enthusiasm.
• Priscilla: As a new member, I have a pro background in human resources. Mentorship line. An onboarding process, where the elders of the party are developing the new members. Anticapitalist can learn something from business, keeping strategy alive, enthusiasm, with strategy, we look at the beginning of the strategy but not the middle and end strategy. We are a small group with people and human resource problems. SMART goals. Being inclusive.
• Maha: What can we do today that starts the planning of the retreat?

• Motion: Statecom endorses the creation of GRP Retreat Working Group to look into this matter and report back to Adcom on progress.

  • Jed: Second.
  • Charlene: Friendly amendment: can go to Adcom.
  • Danny: Adcom as caretaker/tracker of it. Adcom will track it.
  • John: Friendly amendment: Call it a working group. Every wg should have some entity they report to ?? Reports to Adcom. No concerns, approved by consensus.

Treasurer's report: Brian Cady 

• Matt: accounting balance is under bank balance, did you not deposit a check? A missing deposit that BC didn’t report. Someone may not have cashed a check written by us.
• Want to move to double entry accrual basis. Inherited Single entry.
• We have already made a decision to spend $1398 on ANM Part Fund.

Ranking of Proposals, Discussion of concerns

• Charlene: Ranking proposals. 4 proposals. When there ismore than one proposal, facilitators ask Statecom members to comment, voice concerns, and rank.

Urgent matters:

• Charlene: Trump is a criminal. This is so egregious. Credible evidence that he is a thief, a rapist. We’re told there are 2 things you can do. Impeachment, or wait for the next election. It is not just this man alone. This is a women’s issue--men get away with sexual assault because of sexism.Third option, because country is being stolen: The GRP and GPUS should demandTrump resign. This body consense or vote as necessary on telling the national party that we should demand that Trump resign.
  • Jed: Research into sexual harassment etc re Trump, warrants more investigation. Media not covering these allegations. 
  • Frank Jeffers: Extreme emergency, the military would be in protective custody, and Pence would be president. Climate change is poised as  national emergency. Army corp of engineers. Major disasters.
  • David: Trump is not the problem. Focusing on trump as the problem, bad for grp or gpus. Republicans are always vilified as the worst person ever. Nixon worst person in  history.
  • Dan K: Two conversations. Asking Trump to resign. We lost respect all around the world. Get the ANM to make a statement and we would gain strength.
  • Maha: Asking Trump to resign because of his crime or policy. Focus on the crime, then we have scope talking about the resignation. Focus on crime of policy?
  • Jasper: 1. Huge problem: Gay and Trans people are also victims of sexual harasment and assault. 2 what can the gpus/grp do? He’s not going to resign just because we say so.
  • John: This is not a strong statement that will help the Green Party. Seem like we are not clued in to what's going on. Democrats have weaponized the impeachment process. Agree with David, not the personality, it’s the system. Dems will say we have to get rid of Trump no matter what. Strategic mistake. Making Trump the stand-in for evil. Must work on nuances.
  • Priscila: What can we do at National Level about Trump destroying. Put vulnerable people in a bad place. International violations and codes re agreements. International laws? Is this dilemma international? The Hague: he should be tried there. Crimes against humanity.
  • Roni: Let’s take a break….
  • Charlene: Appreciate the conversation. Especially Priscila’s ideas. Withdraw the motion. Everyone please think about this. This is about his crimes.
• David: This is not appropriate for Urgent Matters. Inappropriate. Charlene: Not finished, and this is urgent.
  • Danny: is this an urgent matter? We need a much larger discussion. We are as against Trump as anyone else. We don’t fall for the idea that we should pass motions that would exonerate Obama for deportation. This needs more thought and is not an urgent matter.
  • Dan: Bring a draft statement to ANM. Statement as a party about this.
  • David: Urgent matters: criteria: legal matters, statecom as it sees fit. Motion that this isn’t proper. Danny: second. John: Would support that this is not proper. Inappropriate. Would have opinions if a proposal.
  • Jasper: Opportunity to run Dario Hunter against Trump. First time a candidate that will inspire the masses. He’s been elected before. I’ve been voting Green for a while. If we want to inspire people, Dario has charisma and more.
  • David: Should state what the urgent matters are. Decide what the motion is.
  • Charlene is first motion on the table. Disagree that there has been no new news. There are new accusations of rape against Trump. And continue news that men are in organizations where women are not being heard. This is urgent for women. Waiting for the fall? Missing the headline: Rape is a serious crime. 
  • Danny: I disagree with the call for resignation vs impeachment, which is the democratic process we have. The crime is that the Democratic party is not calling for impeachment. We must make procedural decision and call for impeachment.
  • David: Motion to table this item, not proper item for urgent matters. 5 yes for table. 6 for not tabling. 3 abstain. Move forward with Charlene’s urgent matter.

Set date and location of Fall 2019 meeting

• Next Statecom Teleconference is August 29, 2019.

• Fall 2019 Statecom meeting will be October 5 at the Worcester Friends Meeting House.

• Fall 2019 Statecom Co-Facilitators will be Joshua Gerloff and Dan Kontoff.

• Maha might get his Temple Cafeteria Sundays up to 4 PM. Cost not sure.

• John will send out facilitators manual.
• Charlene: Some things in there that are out of date?
• John: Process for ranking proposals.
• Recruit more women, non-binary.
• More mentoring

CDLC Presentation on plans for Presidential election year. Actions required of state committee

• John: Someone appointed as co-chair of this group. No telecon yet. Joyce can be contacted about where we stand.
• Legal requirements to get someone on the ballot. Stuff we must do.
• Delegate selection plan.
• Presidential nominating conv
• Selections of names for primary ballot.
• Encourage participation by members.
• Recruit delegates.
• Assign delegates to the candidates.
• 11 votes from massachusetts.
• These people are electors for the GRP.
• Fill out a form, with a certifying form by that person's town clerk that they are GRP registered.
• Accreditation Committee vets our delegates.
• Deadline for submitting delegate selection plan is October 1, 2019. Next important thing on the schedule.
• Charlene: Joyce felt like if she had the people  on her committee, she could have had info for this meeting. Yasmine has volunteered.
• John: John and Joyce have experience. Our current feeling, is we don't have to change too much, just change the date, little modification from 4 years ago.
• Elie: When is reapportionment due? Geographical apportionment..
  • John does not apply to this
  • Charlene: We lost party status. Does it still apply since we gained and lost party status. 
  • John: Spend money on printing these ballots. Assign delegates to candidates based on this. Assign geographical delegates in proportion to vote. 
• Danny: When submit list to Secretary of the Commonwealth? John: Early January
  • Danny: Clear who the candidates were. This election is not so clear. Requirement of raising so much money. Are we revisiting these requirements?? GRP should err on the side of inclusiveness.
  • Charlene: I encourage people to run for Statecom on the ballot. Can be elected on the Presidential Primary Ballot, Regional Convention [ roni elected at a regional in 2016], or elected and appointed at Statecom.

Process To Join Working Committees. This proposal is tabled for next time.

• http://www.green-rainbow.org/charleneisgreen/process_to_join_working_committees_when_working_committees_may_accept_decline_or_remove_members
• Most committees will accept members, but felt like codifying the process. There may be a reason to decline a member. Need to give working committee a process. Respectful disagreements, vs disruptive members.
  • Questions?
    1. David: working com has the right to accept or decline. Must there be a reason for declining? Consensus process.
    2. David: Are all com meetings open to the public? So declined can still watch/listen?
    3. Dan: Work things out in a peaceful way.
    4. Danny: Opposed to this proposal, but a lot of it is well intended. What I like: listserv guidelines, which already outline unacceptable behavior, no insulting language, a list of 10 things: we should look at that and extent these guidelines to include the in-person part of working committee meetings, statecom, etc. We need rules of conduct re personal insults and harassment. We would have this and listserv guidelines. 2. This may require a bylaw change. 3. Concerned about a new rule that we may exclude someone who may not have served before.
    5. Elie: Concern: GRP Inclusiveness. Ecologically sound politics. Access to private information. Software: that is secure and allows a committee to access private info and only accessible to people who are responsible. Allows us to do research. We don't want to share this info with anyone.
    6. John: If person is rejected can appeal to Adcom and be appointed to the committee. Forced into committee, encounters hostility. There must be provision, can appeal to Adcom. The Working Groupmay not have had a good reason. Process for removing a member after they have been a member, add: “An appeal can be made to Adcom to appoint/reinstate to a committee.” Under 5, it says it must submit a reason to Adcom. Right of appeal. Adcom can appeal in a timely manner.
       1. Friendly amendment under 5.
       2. Friendly amendment that an appeal can be made.
       3. Adcom may invite a person to discuss whether they thought this was fair?
       4. Maha: Agree with John there must be a way for redress. Adcom has a lot to do. Spending a lot of time on process. Lose time in meeting. Judiciary committee to handle redress.
       5. Charlene: this proposal is focussed on membership, does not handle who can be on the phone call and on the listserv. Committees have a time aspect, a committee can’t take on new members when they are busy, explaining things, etc. Some of the things that have nothing to do with the person applying for the membership. Can’t get anything done. Trying to address issues that don’t come up every time.
       6. Elie:  Committee has criteria for membership, a level of security of responsible people. Can we do the research under confidentiality? A commitment to not sharing important info.
          1. John: We say that this is private and don’t share, etc.
       7. David: Opposed to proposal. No good intent. This is about cliques in coms.
       8. Matt: The committee should post its vacancies/no vacancies because they can just decide they are full on the spot if someone they dont like and block them.
       9. Straw poll: With mods: whether the member shall be accepted in point 3 . Add appeal to Adcom if excluded and Adcom make a decision to ask the committee to accept the member. 7 in favor. 5 opposed.

Proposal: Violence to Animals Must End Now by Joshua Gerloff is tabled for next time.

• http://www.green-rainbow.org/joshuagerloff/violence_to_animals_must_end_now
• I was appointed to animal rights com of GPUS. This is about our platform, our values; non-violence, but we use animals; about animals, all violence must stop.  We believe we need to eat them, but it is not necessary. That we do is wrong. Reasons: wrong to eat or use; all use of a human would be wrong; animal does not make it ok.  All of the reasons are legit. Nutrition -- we don’t require any nutritional component from animals. Eating animals is bad for us. Children of 10 have fat in arteries. Can cause heart attacks.  Harming children. Seafood tainted with microplastic, like velcro. Microplastic is a chemical cocktail. 2: plastic bag bans; half of plastic pollution in ocean is fishing gear. We have environmentalists.  Evidence against animal ag contributing to Global warming is large. Rainforest--for grazing; methane emission from cows, methane worse than CO2. Scientists put together animal ag generate 51% of greenhouse gases.  Greens and liberal democrats -- say they agree with science; we should not stick head in the sand; we believe in science. Look at numbers. Convergence of emergencies -- top 15 causes of death are preventable with a plant based diet,like heart attacks.  UN climate change report--deadline of 12 years to prevent 1.8 C increase; otherwise, species doomed; we use concern for planet as a talking point. Are we only going to accomplish if we win an election? This statement -- we oppose violence to animals. We need to address this.  Paris accord not going to do anything.
  • Maha -- I am Hindu; Hinduism and non-violence; ok with vegetarianism, but not veganism.  Hindus eat butter. We recognize veganism is better, but vegetarians/Hindus may not be into that.  Don’t push too far into veganism. Violence against animals is bad...I grew up on a farm, we treated the animals well.  Industrial farming is horrendous, but the traditional way of Hindu farming is different. A lot not like that, even in India.  We should reword it. We can say veganism is the best way to go, but vegetarian is still improvement. Ahimsa butter, means cows well taken care of.
  • JASPER -- bad health, bad policy, morally off the rails.  I eat cows, cows are plant based. Human beings designed to eat meat.  Lots of bad ways to eat animals. We should take a position against cruelty.  Americans consume too much meat. There are ways of farming that are better for the environment; there are animal products produced without coercion.  Some farms the cows milk themselves. To say no animal products is the only way to avoid violence against animals-- not true. Pitting constituencies against each other.  Only vegans should be in the Green party. Vegan couple talked to me for hours.
    1. Danny--don’t stereotype.
  • Priscilla -- I am plant based; but veganism has become a belief system.  Veganism has risen. There is a large number of people who don’t believe in evolution...my concern is putting animals equal to/over people, whose human rights are not considered.  Pets have become social cause...some people support animals but ambiguous about people...even at a local level, like access to jobs. I think veganism is also not sustainable, because plastic clothes--fast fashion.  Vegan clothes do not last long. Focus on nutrition, environment. Putting veganism as a moral choice is not new. Old traditions, Jainism, etc.
  • Garret--GCC has spent years trying to teach the younger generation to become food self sufficient.  I am a retired farmer. My son, now an educated farmer. I was shocked when he started adding animals to the farm.  The people from Europe destroyed indigenous ag; meat was involved, but not heavy meat. Fields in trouble---used to not know--you put out sheep to eat scrubs, then cows, then chickens, etc. This should be rewritten, not as veganism, but as ag policy. 
  • Dan Factor -- I support this proposal.  We draw a line when inhumane behavior is protected by religion.  Feminism, women’s rights; religion does not trump human rights. We are not for genital mutilation just because religion supports it.  Stereotypes against vegans are wrong, like vegans yell, don’t support black lives matter. If we vote no,we should change our key value from non-violence to non-violence against humans.
  • Matt -- beyond the scope of the proposal.  There are vegans that don’t support the Green party.  I would be more comfortable if it said promote vegan-based policies.  Right now, meat based policies, creating poor health. We should be promoting vegan-based policies. I don’t see anybody else going into this. Worth supporting, but messaging is important.
  • Dave Rolde -- I have four concerns; I agree with Jasper and Priscila; I like non-violence; some counterfactual claims;  animal ag is not the #1 force behind climate change, other causes of pollution/climate change (GMOs, etc); animal ag could be done sustainably; counterfactual claim that meat is unhealthy; propaganda by sugar industry; sugar a bigger problem. 3rd--this is a class issue; wealth interested in vegan, poor eat meat. Disabled people may be discouraged from bringing service animals.
  • Dan K--there are some things I learned;  some people are more educated. Poor people don’t have education to eat healthy; could be cheaper to eat meat. Red meat causes health problems; I have cut back my red meat. Alternatives to milk: soy and rice milk.
  • Elie--I have been studying this proposal for a month.  Over time, it has changed. Current version: attack on the political agenda of the party.  Can’t say animals look for meaning in their lives. Implies humans are not animals. Are we opposed to other animals hunting? Vibes--personal statement.
  • Charlene--I appreciate Maha’s statement as a way to go; as someone not from Protestant background, I’m sensitive to you’re bad, we’re good.  Maha made a good suggestion, veganism is something we want to promote, support; hard to say what percentage of global warmingis animal ag vs. other contributors Food is deeply cultural; 90s in Pittsburgh--African heritage people asked me to a meeting--wanted to know if they could buy chicken. I told them it’s their community. I think we need to be a lot less judgmental.
  • John--I think we have to message it; there is an absolutist/moralistic thing to it. We need to avoid; it would be bad for our party’s progress.  Politically it doesn’t win friends. However, if it is said we need to reduce our meat consumption, I would sign up for that. Some of our candidates won’t support. I realize some people do see it as moralistic...some people say, if you’re not a socialist, you’re not a green...but this is absolutist, way of rejecting people.
  • Priscila--I support this in intention, but I have a problem with the language.  To force the philosophy...hurtful to 70% of the population. To say this the only way to have a Green lifestyle...broaches on a lot of people’s belief systems...to say my belief system is better than your belief system.
  • Josh--I don’t know if I can speak to everyone, but...over a trillion animals we kill annually want to live; they value their lives. Humans--are certain amount care about animals, some don’t. I listed the reasons; like all animals if you were to kick them, they would avoid pain.  Asks for straw poll.
    1. Josh--table and rework.  Difference between tabling and vote. Should there be a vote.
       1. Danny F - formal motion to table, which means it would come back next time. Concerns with tabling.
       2. Vote on tabling--automatically comes back without resubmission.  Vote to table passed. 11 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain.

Proposals: GRP Will Oppose Euthanasia and Doctor-Assisted Suicide and GRP Will Call for the Total Elimination of the US Military are posponed til teleconference.

• http://www.green-rainbow.org/6774/grp_will_oppose_legalized_euthanasia_and_doctor-assisted_suicide
• http://www.green-rainbow.org/6774/grp_will_call_for_the_total_elimination_of_the_u_s_military
  • Proposal: Military submitted in 2018. Grandfathered? 

Report of work group on Salem ANM

• John: July 25, 2019: Register for this thing. Very important. GP ANM. 36 or so workshops. Lee Camp of Redacted Tonight will be at the fundraiser. Salem.gp.org and you will see agenda, workshops, location, reg. Please reg in advance. Reduced rate for registration and you can still apply for waiver. As low as $25. Friday evening pres forum. Free lunch on Saturday.
• Hal Brown: ANM probably won’t come back anytime soon.
• Elie: Salem has more registered GRP than any other town on the North Shore.
• John: meet fellow greens.
• David: There is criticism about Howie Hawkins getting unfair attention about ANM. David wanted to do workshop on suicide from disability rights perspective.
• Josh re transportation. Looking for drivers.

Chapter Reports are tabled. Please send chapter reports to [email protected].

Round-robin feedback on meeting

• Elie: More efficient Statecom meetings. Think politically not personally.
• Roni: Thank you for your help.
• Hal: very intense.
• JOSH: Lively conversation. No proposals passed.
• Jed: Divisive start. Confusion about what the vibes watcher works. The role of vibes watches for resolving conflict.
• David: Unpleasant.
• MA: How to control the vibes. Outsourcing a single person to jump in a referee after problem. A choice to respect the rules. Set the tone. Strong conversation, debate is healthy but reserved for political, not personal.
• John: Thank you for copies and flyers. Proposals/presentation should have names to indicate who. Print language re expectations of behavior. Better process for getting proposals ready for Statecom: must go through committees beforehand. GRP should think about how proposals: Is there another way to get more 
• Dan: MASSHOLE!!!  Facilitate things in the real world, There is more than facilitating. Always here to learn. Make mistakes.
• Danny: Thank you Roni! Thank you Elie! And Secretary! Thank you people for food etc. A lot of statements about vibes. Good meeting. 1. Let’s continue to remember we are statecom reps, we rep a region. Talk to people about our proposals, etc. Let’s stay in touch with our electeds.
• Priscila: vibes got out of hand. The second half was better. Commend people for being conscientious and mindful. You can about values. Some kind of pledge to behavior expectations at meetings. Reminder: a reiteration. People learn in different ways, visual cues. Have to hit these ruts and misunderstandings to learn.
• Charlene: A lot of good work. Let’s focus just on the political things.
• BC: Discussion  far reaching. Heated at times. How to avoid that. Thank you all for participating.
• Garrett: Appreciate being here. Wonderful. Variance in philosophy, felt included.
• Jasper: There is a learning curve. Not a bad thing to on the fly appoint people to committees. 1. This graphic about consensus is good. 2. Experienced members need to explain things, this will encourage more participants.

Adjourn 4:27 PM

May 30, 2019 Spring Statecom Call Minutes

Attendance: John Andrews, Matt Andrews, Roni Beal, Hal Brown, Danny Factor, Joshua Gerloff, Dan Kontoff, David Rolde, Jed Stamas and Elie Yarden.

Quorum is 8 voting members. With 10 voting members in attendance, quorum is reached!

Roles: Facilitator: Hal, Time: Matt, Minutes: Josh

Approve agenda:

• Agenda is approved by consensus with modification.

Linda Thompson seeks appointment to GPUS Outreach and Diversity Committees

• With no concerns, Linda Thompson is appointed to Outreach and Diversity Committees.

“Clarified Process for Appointing People to GPUS Committees” Proposal: Josh

• Proposal is amended that the application is understood to be welcoming ie filled out while in dialogue with GRP members.

• Matt Andrews: Shouldn’t be relying on a piece of paper to be welcoming. We need to be having conversations and helping them through the applications.

• An amendment to strike that people appear in person or by speaker phone; fails.

• John: We need to appoint on a belief  that applicants will do a good job. We have an obligation to know the person and their abilities. We need to help the GPUS committees by appointing capable people.

• Roll call vote: GPUS Appointment Procedure passes unanimously with 10 votes in favor.

Statecom regional representation

• Elie and D. Rolde
• David won't be present so move to July 14??

Party name change ad hoc committee needs members

• Roni joins.

• Danny: Been talking to Attorney Michelle Tassinari at SOC Elections Division. Happy to be a liaison with her and get back to the committee.

Convention report:

• Roni submitted report to Statecom business list.

Announcement: Elie: Summer Statecom Greenfield July 14, 2019, Sunday.

Round Robin:

• Danny: Thank you to Sec for quorum, role call votes and notetaking. And Hal for facilitating this telecon: has a steady and non-confrontational demeanor.

• Hal: The agenda had confusion. Thanks to everyone for working with me.

• John: Appreciate we stumbled through, but got it done. How to handle things. Josh reworked the proposal. Made clear.

• Elie: Thanks Josh for clarity. Formatting is important.

• Josh: Thanks for participating. This was a good call.

• Bc: Thanks Hal for facil and Josh for notes, role call, etc.

Adjourn

Attendance: John Andrews, Matt Andrews, Roni Beal, Brian Cady, Charlene DiCalogero, Danny Factor, Joshua Gerloff, Mike Pascucci, David Rolde and Elie Yarden.

• Quorum is 8: With 10 voting members on the call, quorum is reached!
• Guest: David Gerry.
• Facilitator: Matt.
• Notes: Josh.
• Time: Elie.
• Approve the agenda: the agenda is approved.

Clarified Process for Appointing People to GPUS Committees

http://www.green-rainbow.org/joshuagerloff/a_clarified_process_for_appointing_people_to_gpus_committees

Charlene takes notes for this part of the meeting.

Josh Gerloff as sponsor of the proposal gave a brief overview of what the proposal is, and why he made it.

Facilitator opened the stack for questions only before proceeding to amendments and discussion (NOTE: proposal was tabled after questions and a few suggestions made.).

Qs to proposal sponsor

Danny: Have you looked at suggestions made this evening via email from John and David?

Electing GPUS National Comm Delegates is separate from this process and happens at State Convention.

Josh: no, I didn’t see them.

David Rolde: What is guidance from GPUS about recommending people for GPUS Committees?

John: GPUS says State Committee needs to recommend people to working committees, but doesn’t specify how.

David Gerry: GPUS says each state committee has to have a written democratic process for recommending people. We can decide what that process is.

Josh: There were rules I wasn’t aware of when I took the job of Secretary.

John: What does 48 hrs in advance mean? Why not send email?

CD: Do you mean “no sooner” or “no later” than 48 hours before the StateCom meeting? Are these Working Committees?

DG: All GPUS Committees other than the National Committee are Working Committees.

CD: Would you like to withdraw this proposal and work on it some more before re-submitting?

JG: Yes, I’d like to put in a little more work.

EY: Suggestions: Not all subcomms of National Comm have same rules for app’t. For those with no other specification, I suggest:

1. Post on website: names of all people serving and date of term
2. Secretary informs delegate of expiration 3 mos before end of that term. At next statecom, we will act on it.

BC: suggest the topic be tabled, and allow Josh, John and others work on revising.

CD: called for roll call vote on tabling this proposal.

MA: Robert’s Rules of Order does not allow discussion of tabling. We don’t use those rules, but we also don’t have an alternate procedure.

CD: We could go down a rabbit hole of discussing whether to table. Let’s go ahead and consense/vote.

JA yes

MA yes

RB yes

BC yes

CD yes

DF no

JG yes

MP yes

DR no

EY yes

Proposal is tabled.

Moved to discuss Budget at 8:15pm

Discussion of budget: principles, info gathering, proposed revisions

Brian Cady spoke about some changes he made to the proposed budget introduced at Winter 2019 Statecom, which he also submitted via email.

• There was some discussion on the proposed budget.
• Budget will be vetted by chapters and committees, that the numbers make sense to their activities.
• Budget will be finalized at Spring 2019 Statecom.

Meeting Feedback

• Elie: Less floundering!

Adjourn 8:52 PM

Minutes Fall 2017 GRP StateComm meeting, 25 Jones Ferry Rd., Holyoke, MA, Oct 15^th.

(Approved by Statecom July 14, 2018)

People Present:

Statecom Members: clockwise, from inside: Danny F., Dan K., Charlene D., Matt A., Joshua G., David R., Jen H., John A., Roni B, Brian C, Daphne S, Joyce PF – Outside: Darlene Elias, Guests: Maha Gray, Tom Gryzbowski, Rick Purcell, Angel Ayala, Frank Jeffers,

Topics discussed:

Agenda, modified to include: Request to co-sponsor UU MassAction voting Event.

Decisions made:

Joshua Gerloff appointed to Statecom, by consensus.

Agenda accepted as modified, by consensus.

Past minute’s acceptance deferred to Winter 2018 Statecom.

Manny P, Dan K, Matt A, Brian C volunteer for Winter 2018 Statecom Planning committee. Dates

mentioned: Jan 6^th/7th, 20th, 21^st; to be finalized by winter statecom planning comm by Nov. 30^th.

Charlene D, & Brian C, will co-facilitate Winter 2018 Statecom meeting.

Statecom Teleconf Nov 30^th, 7:30pm set by consensus, John A to facilitate.

Proposal, Accepted by consensus, with modification: Ask Adcom to prioritize filling, adverize & recruit

for vacant positions, esp. CommDir and FundRaising Dir.,

“Between now and the January, 2018 State Com meeting, it should be a chief responsibility of Adcom to take actions to recruit GRP members to populate our working committees and fill any vacant director and officer positions.”

Frank Jeffers: Appointed by vote, to Eco-Action Comm of GPUS: vote results: 11 in favor, 2 opposed, none abstaining.

David Gerry: Appointed, by consensus, to both Bylaws, Rules, Policies and Procedures Comm, and to Diversity Comm. of GPUS.

Elie Yarden, appointed by consensus to GPUS Platform Committee

Proposal from floor: treasurers report to include list of gov’t reports filed, overdue, pending. (Straw poll: 12 in favor...Minutes gap here, please help...)

Decided by consensus: Candidate's Fund Procedures proposal to be considered at Nov. 30th Statecom telecon.

discussion re: 2018 State Convention -

Decided: Joshua G, Matt A and Dan K join Joyce PF and Roni B on Convention Committee to prep for late spring Annual Convention in Boston or Lynn.

Strategic Plan Comm to consist of: Danny F, Charlene D, Matt A.

Endorsed by consensus: ‘ How to Restore the Republic’ Friday Oct 27^th, 2017, Hudson, MA

Motion under New Business:

MOTION UNDER "NEW BUSINESS"
Note: This motion is written in the format of a formal proposal but will be addressed as "New Business".

TITLE: Revisions to Standing Rules

MOTION SPONSOR: John Andrews, TBD

VETTING COMMITTEES: AdCom

SUMMARY: Certain revisions and additions are made to the Standing Rules in order to improve the functioning of State Committee.

BACKGROUND:

This proposal contains four parts, each of which makes a separate change to the Standing Rules of State Committee. Separate "Background" sections are included for each proposal. The sponsors intend to remove any part that does not seem to have adequate support.

TEXT OF PROPOSAL:

1. MINUTES
The following text shall be added to section IV of the Standing Rules of State Committee:

The Secretary is expected to provide the first draft of the minutes ("notes") for a StateCom meeting no later than two weeks after the meeting. The draft shall be posted online and its availability shall be announced on the StateCom business list.

Background of Part 1: Decisions are often made by StateCom that require timely action. GRP members involved with implementing the decision need to have a clear record of what was decided and who is responsible. Not all such people are in attendance at the StateCom meeting and not everyone leaves with their own clear notes on any particular agenda item. When minutes are late, it delays start of work on the action items. It also creates difficulty for the co-facilitators in assembling the agenda for the next meeting (since they have to determine which agenda items were continued or tabled for the next meeting). There have been times recently that minutes of one meeting were released only a week before the subsequent StateCom meeting. This leaves little time to take action on decisions.

2. BETTER PROCESS FOR ORDERING PROPOSALS

The Standing Rules of State Committee shall be modified as follows:

a) The current text in section IV that establishes an "expedited round" shall be deleted in its entirety.

b) The following text shall be inserted:

Approximately three days prior to the meeting, StateCom members will be invited provide their rating of the submitted proposals on the following 1-5 numeric scale:

How important is it to take up this proposal at this meeting?
5 = Critical. Not acceptable to delay.
4 = Important. Clear need to consider at this meeting if possible.
3 = Desirable. Should consider if time is available.
2 = Not important. Little concern if delayed.
1 = Undesirable. Proposal should not be brought to the floor at this time.

The facilitators, in consultation with AdCom, and after inspection of the results of StateCom ranking shall define the order in which submitted proposals will be considered, using descending order of their average pre-meeting ranking unless a clear reason can be given to depart from this ranking. This order shall be announced before the meeting if possible but no later than the time the agenda is up for approval. Approval of the agenda will constitute approval of the announced order of consideration. However the co-facilitators can alter the approved order if events during the meeting make a change necessary.

The section on the website that asks visitors to rate proposals as "good, bad, important, easy, impractical" shall be removed since these inputs are usually ignored, they aren't modified as the proposal evolves, and they create confusion about whether usable feedback has actually been given.

Background for Part 2: The "expedited round" concept has failed repeatedly to achieve its purpose. The premise on which it is based is that when members declare "no concerns" prior to the meeting, the proposal can be passed quickly without discussion. In practice, as soon as an expedited proposal is put on the floor, discussion ensues and concerns emerge. At times, an expedited proposal has generated a long discussion and then has had to be moved to the regular round for resolution. The expedited round process prioritizes less important proposals that no one really cares about - which is counterproductive. We need a new process that makes sure that truly high priority proposals are taken up first when there is still time to give them proper consideration.

This proposal gives StateCom members themselves the primary role in prioritization. However the co-facilitators can alter the ordering if there is a clear reason to depart from the pre-meeting survey order. At the meeting, the StateCom members present can vote to alter the order if they wish, but hopefully the co-facilitators will devise an ordering that meets with approval.

3. CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA FORMULATION

The Standing Rules of State Committee shall be modified as follows:

a) In section IV. Agenda, the following text shall be added at the beginning of the section:

The co-facilitators for a StateCom meeting are responsible for assembling and maintaining a detailed meeting agenda that allocates time according to Party priorities and reflects previous decisions of StateCom. The co-facilitators shall consult with AdCom regarding whether specific items shall be included on the agenda, and shall attempt to implement any specific recommendations provided by AdCom. On the day of the meeting, StateCom itself can vote to modify the proposed agenda before approving it. The co-facilitators may adjust the order and time allocation of agenda items if this is necessary to accommodate developing events (such as running behind schedule, absence of a presenter, technical problems with audio-visual equipment, etc.).

BACKGROUND FOR PART 3: At times, there have been disagreements over whether the meeting agenda was determined by the co-facilitators or by AdCom or by requests from StateCom members. At times the co-facilitators have been pressured by someone to include time to discuss their favorite topic and the co-facilitators have not known what priority to give to the demand for time. Often one or both of the co-facilitators are new to the party and have trouble assessing requests. It seems clear that StateCom should be the final authority when it comes to approving the StateCom agenda. But prior to the meeting, the deciding guidance should come from AdCom, since AdCom consists of officers elected by the state convention and AdCom is responsible for judgment calls in-between StateCom meetings. The co-facilitators are responsible for the details of the schedule such as the order of items and the amount of time allocated to each item, but at the meeting they will normally seek concurrence from StateCom members when making such decisions.

4. MAINTAINANCE OF ESSENTIAL LISTS

TEXT OF PART 4:

Section "III Credentialing" of the Standing Rules of State Committee shall be modified by renaming the section as "III Credentialing and Membership" and inserting text as follows:

a) The GRP Secretary is asked to maintain a roster of State Committee members that indicates their name, delegate or alternate status, region represented, attendance history, and contact information. This roster shall be updated after each quarterly State Committee meeting and shall be made available to any member of State Committee through an online posting.

b) The GRP Secretary is asked to maintain a list of each recognized GRP local chapter, club, town committee, or ward/precinct committee. This list shall contain the entity name, officer contact information, mailing address, geographic region of activity, and list of any PAC operated by the entity. The list maintained by the Secretary shall be deemed by StateCom to be the official record of currently active chapters or committees. This roster shall be updated periodically and shall be made available to any member of State Committee through an online posting.

BACKGROUND FOR PART 4: Having current organizational lists of these types is important to the proper functioning of the party. Furthermore, when the GRP has party status there is a legal requirements for having an official StateCom membership list. Currently, when the need arises for such rosters we have found that they either do not exist or are outdated. The same local goes by more than one name, which is confusing to all except a handful of insiders. This addition to the Standing Rules simply makes the expectations of the Party clear and asks the Secretary to be the keeper of the two designated lists.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None.

IMPLEMENTATION: The shepherd will produce a revised copy of the Standing Rules that contains all approved revisions.

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Section 1 adopted by consensus.

Section 2 adopted by consensus.

Section 3 adopted by vote: 12 in favor, 2 opposed, none abstain.

Section 4 adopted by consensus.

Announced: Green Campaign School Nov. 18^th, 2-17, 10:30am – 2:30pm, Make Shift Boston, 549 Columbus Ave, Boston. Volunteers sought.

Endorsed by consensus: Charlene DiCalogero for Worcester & Middlesex District MA Senator in special election Dec. 5^th, 2017.

Announced: Nov 3^rd. Charlene DiCalogero Campaign Kickoff event.