Approved minutes of the Tuesday, August 27, 2013 SCC meeting at 7PM at the Portland Senior Center. Quorum met.

GPCT attendees by chapters: Fairfield: Cora Santaquida, David Bedell and Hector Lopez; Greater Hartford: S. Michael DeRosa, GPCT co-chairperson, Christopher Reilly, GPCT treasurer and Barbara Barry, GPCT secretary; New London: Ronna Stuller. Other GPCT attendees: Co-chairpersons: Allan Brison of Hamden and Linda Thompson of Norwich; Tim McKee of Bethany and John Lancz of Norwich. Facilitator: Tim McKee.

 

1. Reviewed and: a) approved 6.25.13 SCC and approved 7.30.13 meeting minutes with a correction and b) accepted the EC minutes of: 7.22.13 and 8.20.13 meetings.

2. Treasurer's report from Christopher Reilly: bank balance: $66.00.

3. Agenda items from Linda, co-chairperson: a) Mailing List Information to LT: BAB has forwarded the Greater Hartford list and the list developed by RS for the 4-27-13 GPCT annual meeting; DB has forwarded the Fairfield list; RS to forward the newest New London list; AB to send the New Haven list; b) G. Scott Deshefy is continuing to write Op-Ed pieces for the Norwich Bulletin; c) Norwich chapter development: last meeting: 8-1-13 with 5 local residents. Discussed chapter development and actions the members will take. Next monthly Norwich Chapter meeting on a Thursday night and d) Consensus: GPCT Retreat for Sunday, September 29, 2013. Site likely to be: Killam's Point Conference Center, Killam's Point Rd.Branford, CT 06405. Cost: $320 and a $200 deposit for clean-up. If this church facility deems that the GPCT did appropriate clean-up and removed garbage then the $200 will be fully refunded. Also discussed but not finalized: admission donations of either $10 or $15; workshop speakers regarding: campaign school, climate change; may wish to have large and small group workshops; also have recreational activities. Members to form the 9-29-13 agenda: AB, LT and SMD.

 

4. Reports from our three (3) representatives to the GPUS: Linda Thompson: one of the GPUS steering committee members resigned; two are running for office. Voting for these positions: 9-15-13. GPUS has $500 debt. GPUS wants to do a fundraiser because of this debt and because it has been advised that revising the GPUS website graphic designs may cost $5,000 to $20,000. Discussed there are member to the GPUS or to the individual state Green Parties. Reason: some states do not allow membership in a state political party to automatically mean one is a member of the national political party. Discussion of this situation, continues. TMcK: reviewed Addendum I to this agenda (see below). It is about the GPUS request for feedback from the state Green Parties regarding the initial draft of the GPUS Strategic Planning Working Group (SPWG) covering 5 basic areas of operation: membership & diversity, candidates & campaigns, issue advocacy & policy, media & communication, and internal structure. Only GP members may respond back to the SPWG by using the secure username and password provided by in the addendum or by TMcK or GPCT secretary. S. Michael DeRosa: no additions.

 

5. Secretary’s report from Barbara Barry: consensus: the GPCT does not wish to purchase the GPUS newspaper because it can be acquired on-line.

6. Deleted: no proposals or resolutions from chapters or a group of five CTGP Members or from the EC.

7. Updates about actions taken by the CT legislature, our governor or the federal government and our actions.

SMD: Congresspersons: Himes and Esty voted to cut off funding for the N.S.A. RS: Governor Mallory is essentially taking over the Board of Education in New London, Windham and Bridgeport.

8. The Sunday, September 8, 2013 Jill Stein Event for the GPCT at the Portland Senior Center at 3PM. GPCT candidates are urged to attend to interact with Jill and attendees and state how GP values are local, national and international. Suggested minimal donation: $10; attendees may pledge money to the GPCT; merchandise may be sold for GPCT fundraising. Things to do: more media releases; preparing the site for the event. TMcK: suggests focusing primary actions during a one hour period of time. Reason: community TV stations tend to have one-hour programming. He is trying to find someone to film this event. Event is good way to connect local with national and international Green Parties as Jill Stein has traveled the US and oversees in efforts to develop Green Parties and show our common concerns, values and solutions. LT: wants to invite an individual and two other organizations to come and speak at this Jill Stein Event. Concerns: the SCC typically vets an organization or individual in efforts to clarify if the GPCT believes it would be a good match and if they share GPCT values, goals and solutions. No consensus or vote was called or taken.

 

9. Green Party of CT candidates for the November 5th, 2013 elections from Fairfield county, Columbia, CT and New London chapter are:

a) Minutes from the 8/17/13 Nominating Meeting of the Fairfield County Green Party. Location: UConn-Stamford. In attendance: voting members David Bedell, Richard Duffee, Hector Lopez, Rolf Maurer, Cora Santaguida. Observer: Paul Bassler. The following candidates for public office were nominated and approved by unanimous consensus: - Cora Santaguida for Stamford Board of Representatives, Districts 2, 3, and 9; - Rolf Maurer for Stamford Board of Representatives, Districts 7, 12, and 13; - Clausel Berrouet for Stamford Board of Representatives, District 10; - Ted Hanser for Stamford Board of Representatives, District 20; - Fausto Molina for Stamford Constable; - Richard Duffee for Stamford Board of Education; - Daphne Dixon for Fairfield Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate; - Dan Delventhal for Fairfield Constable; - David Bedell for New Canaan Constable; - Hector Lopez for New Canaan Constable; - Leif Smith for Redding Constable. Note: Cora and Rolf were nominated as placeholders, with the understanding they may find replacement candidates to run in some of their districts. David Bedell, Secretary Fairfield County chapter, CT Green Party.

b) Laurie Rogers of Columbia, CT for Board of Selectman (i.e. three person city council). LR spoke to attendees about her Columbia community activities, reasons for running as a GP candidate and her support for the 2012 GPUS presidential candidate: Jill Stein. Per CT campaign regulations, a nominating convention needs to review and endorse LR. So the nominating convention for LR will be at 2PM Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at the Columbia Meeting Place (The Meeting Place across from Columbia Town Hall) 314 RT 87 West, Columbia, CT. Consensus of attendees: endorse LR. c) Potential candidates from New London Chapter will be determined at their 8-29-13 nominating meeting (i.e. two days from now). Pursuant to CT General Statutes Sec. 9-452a, as Secretary of the New London Green Party, I hereby provide statutory notice of a Green Party nominating meeting, to be held: Date: Thursday, August 29, 2013, Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Captain’s Pizza, 8 Bank Street, New London. Purpose: Nominate Green Party candidate(s) for any municipal office in the City of New London. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor. Anyone who meets the requirements of membership as defined by the rules of the New London Green Party and is present at the meeting is eligible to vote. The nominee(s) must receive support from a simple majority of those who actually vote. "None of the above" will be included as a ballot choice in the candidate selection process. Respectfully submitted, Ronna Stuller, Secretary New London Green Party, 19 Evergreen Avenue, New London, CT 06320 860-447-9823 RS also advised that Mirna Martinez has already been endorsed by the New London Republicans for the New London Board of Education. Mirna is also seeking the endorsement of the New London GP. RS: advised NL chapter has been in contact with two attorneys who advised both political parties can endorse the same candidate. SMD will contact the attorneys at the CT State Elections Enforcement Committee (SEEC) to clarify current cross-endorsement regulations which was passed this spring by the CT legislature and governor. Reason: the CT SEEC attorneys will be interpreting this new legislative language and advising how the CT SEEC and Secretary of the State should implement them.

10. DB: no further response from the CT SEEC regarding the GPCT complaint about uncounted write-in votes for our presidential candidate in the November 2013 election.

 

11. Status of the GPCT Bylaws Committee from members: Rolf Maurer, Cora Santaquida, Christopher Reilly, Linda Thompson, Barbara Barry, S. Michael DeRosa and Jeffry Larson. BAB: have had difficulty agreeing to a location for our initial face to face meeting. Will likely move to having telephonic meetings.

 

12. Reports from CTGP members to the (GPUS) National Committees.

Accreditation (AC): reviews any state chapter which petitions to join the GPUS; reviews criteria for state delegates to GPUS annual meetings and conventions.

Annual National Meeting (ANMC): working on the July 25-28, 2013 GPUS Annual Meeting: Tim McKee and John Went.

Ballot Assess (BA): discussion of efforts, difficulties, strategies and successes of the state Green Parties gaining ballot access: S. Michael DeRosa: the BA wants SMD to go to VT and ME to help develop their Green Parties. Edward Schwing was absent and did not provide a report.

Black Caucus:

Bylaws, Rules, Polices Procedure (BRPP): for the GPUS officers and national committees: Amy Vas Nunes.

Coordination Campaign (CCC): distribution of GPUS money to Green Party public office candidates.

Dispute Resolution (DRC): mediation of any disputes within the GPUS organization:

Diversity (DC): strategies and actions to urge/maximize diversity within the GPUS: Linda Thompson: is still meeting, but with little actual development of goals or plans. LT suggests: joining the NAACP, observing the 66th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr’s Washington, D.C. speech which focused on equality and jobs;

Eco Action (EA): develop strategies for the GPUS regarding ecological matters.

Finance (FinCom): review and determine how to spend the money of the GPUS organization

Fundraising (FC): raises money for the GPUS operations.

Green Party of the US internet news: acquire and write articles for the GPUS website.

International Committee (IC): develops/promotes GPUS positions regarding world issues. Hector Lopez, Justine McCabe and S. Michael DeRosa. 

Latino Caucus: Hector Lopez.

Merchandizing Committee (MERCH): determines and acquires items for the GPUS. Rolf Maurer and Hector Lopez.

Media Committee (MC): writes GPUS press releases.

Outreach (OC): interacts with other groups who may have similar interests of the GPUS: Linda Thompson.

Peace (GPAX): discusses/develops strategies of how the GPUS may promote peace throughout the world: Hector Lopez and S. Michael DeRosa.

Platform (PC): promotes positions on issues for the GPUS which are consistent with Green Party Ten Key Values: Justine McCabe and Amy Vas Nunes.

Presidential Campaign Support Committee (PCSC): develop strategies to support any GPUS presidential candidates. Timothy McKee.

Women’s Caucus: Martha Kelly and Linda Thompson.

 

13. Political actions to be taken in the near future; events GPCT wishes to participate in: a) response to the GPUS regarding their initial draft of Strategic Planning. See Addendum I. b) New England Regional Bioneer’s (environmental) Conference in New Bedford, MA from October 25 through 27, 2013.

 

14. Chapter reports: verbal to the attendees and the written approved minutes to the CTGP secretary/EC members. Greater Norwich: 8-1-13 meeting of 7 residents and AB and RS; discussed: chapter building, GPUS July 2013 annual meeting, no chapter candidates, get mailing lists. Next monthly meeting on a Thursday night.

New London: RS: 8-4-13 meeting: new business: NL Nominating Convention to be Thursday, August 29, 2013. Site and time to be determined. Greater Hartford: SMD: no candidates, no new business.

 

15. Selection of next September SCC meeting is 9.24.13 at 7PM at Portland Senior Center. 

 

16. No other suggestions.

 

ADDENDUM I: From: Karen Young <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Date: Mon, Jul 15, 2013 at 5:20 PM
Subject: [usgp-dx] Strategic Plan Narrative. To: GP - GPUS Discussion List <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


The Strategic Planning Working Group (SPWG) is pleased to announce that a first draft of a strategic plan for GPUS is now available! This is the culmination of six months of incredibly hard work from a small group of committed volunteers. It was informed by our surveys of rank & file Greens (729 respondents) and state GP leaders (85 respondents), as well as
interviews with 8 international GP leaders, and a SWOT analysis conducted by SPWG. The plan covers 5 basic areas of operation -- membership & diversity, candidates & campaigns, issue advocacy & policy, media & communications, and internal structure. There are three documents available. We are sending three separate emails, in the hopes of connecting your thoughts, comments, etc. to the appropriate document. Please respond to THIS EMAIL if you have thoughts on the strategic plan narrative. Please do not share these documents with anyone outside the party. This is a draft.
 For username and password, see this email or contact Tim McKee or Barbara Barry, GPCT secretary. We welcome comments, suggestions, feedback, constructive criticism, etc. 
At the Annual National Meeting, we will make a brief presentation, have Q&A, and conduct breakout sessions to discuss ideas and implementation of the plan. If you are coming to Iowa City, please read these documents BEFORE the meeting if at all possible. If you're flying, bring it along as reading material. After the ANM, for those who were not there, we will be conducting conference calls to further discuss and refine the plan. At some point after that, to be determined, we will present a formal proposal of support for the plan to the National Committee. After that, the real work begins to make it happen!
- From Karen Young and Starlene Rankin, Co-Chairs, Strategic Planning Working Group
_______________________________________________
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GREEN PARTY TEN KEY VALUES:

community-based economics and economic justice, decentralization, ecological wisdom, feminism and gender equality, future focus and sustainability, grassroots democracy, non-violence, personal and global responsibility, respect for diversity, social justice and equal opportunity.

 

 

Submitted by Barbara Barry, secretary of the Green Party of Connecticut

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