Accepted EC minutes of the Thursday, February 26, 2015   telephonic EC meeting at 6:30PM.     Attendees: Co-chairpersons: Linda Thompson and S. Michael DeRosa; treasurer: Christopher Reilly and secretary: Barbara Barry.   Absent:  Rolf Maurer.

EC discussed/updated GPCT information and included it in the proposed SCC agenda for 3.16.15:

  • Update status of GPCT legislative agenda  proposals to CT Legislature and other bills of possible interest to the GPCT e.g. HB  6023: AN ACT CONCERNING DISTRIBUTING GENERATION. Public hearing was 2-24-15; sponsored by Rep. James Albis (East Haven): support fair compensation through net metering for consumers who generate their own electric power
  • Updates about activities of interest to the GPCT; Algonquin Pipeline;
  • Determined March 23, 2015 as the backup snow date for the March 16, 2015 SCC meeting should be scheduled in case of snow storms. Same time, same place.
  • Develop proposed agenda for the March 16, 2015 SCC meeting.
  • Finalize deadline for submission of candidates for the positions of: GPCT EC: (3) co-chairpersons, a treasurer and secretary; and 3 GPCT representatives to the GPUS.

 

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March 16, 2015 (Monday) agenda for the 6:30PM  SCC meeting at the Portland Waverly Center (i.e. the former Portland Senior Center), 7 Waverly Ave, Portland, CT 06480.  Time allocated for this agenda: THREE hours.

1.  (5-10 minutes):  Review/approve the SCC minutes of the: a) January 12, 2015 and February 16, 2015 SCC meetings and  b)  accept EC minutes of the: September 12, 2014, January 7, 2015, February 2, 2015, and February 26, 2015 meetings and the March 3, 2015 emergency EC meeting.

2.  (5 minutes): Treasurer's report from Christopher Reilly                                                                       

3.  (5 minutes): Secretary’s report from B. Barry                                                                                

4.  (5 minutes): Reports from our 3 representatives to the GPUS:  S. Michael DeRosa, Baird Welch-Collins, Tim McKee.

5.  (15-20 minutes) a)  proposal from Linda Thompson, GPCT co-chairperson (ADDENDUM I): National Black Independent Political Party (NBIPP) platform which outlines ways for this Afro-American political party to diversify..  And b) proposal from EC/SCC seeking Freedom of information request to the CT SEEC (State Elections Enforcement Commission) requesting what CT money was used to distribute to the CT (Democrat and Republican) candidates financial campaigns since enacted in 2005. And to provide the amounts of money to each candidate’s campaign fund.

6.   (10-15minutes):Report about the expansion of the Algonquin Pipeline from:  a) our GPCT liaison (Tim McKee) to our alliance with NJ, NY, RI, MA, PA, OH, WV, ME and the GPUS.The energy company plans to expand the pipeline to a ME seaport so fracked oil and gas may be exported.Here's a link to the Spectra Energy description of the project:  http://www.spectraenergy.com/Operations/New-Projects-and-Our-Process/New-Projects-in-US/Algonquin-Incremental-Market-AIM-Project/  

7. (5 minutes):Report about any GPCT complaints to the CT SEEC (State Elections Enforcement)  regarding 11-4-14 election ballot access events.                         

8.  (25 minutes):  a) Report about the GPCT  approved 2015 legislative agenda from the GPCT Legislative Committee members:  Emily Garfinkel of Farmington,   Baird Welch-Collins, Waterford,   Josh Steele Kelly, Waterford,  Paul Gobell, New Britain,  Ed Heflin, Greenwich, Rolf Maurer, Stamford,  Barbara Barry, Wethersfield and S. Michael DeRosa, Wethersfield.       b) accept the minutes of the telephonic meeting Legislative Committee meeting of 6:30PM Tuesday, January 13, 2015;         c) any volunteers and/or liaisons with organizations with similar views who may wish to help promote the GPCT agenda  and  d) below are the following are the GPCT  2015 legislative issues which have been proposed to multiple CT legislators for sponsorship and review.

  • CT public banking:  reports from Ed Heflin  and S. Michael DeRosa regarding the 2-19-15 CT Banking Committee public hearing about HB 5973. Deputy Majority Leader, Rep. Susan Johnson, D. from Willimantic also spoke.      
    • Urban/suburban/rural farming:  report from Barbara Barry and S. Michael DeRosa regarding their 2-11-15 meeting with Rep. James Albis, D of East Haven and co-chairperson of the Environment Committee regarding HB 5471: for an act to establish  a food system advisory council.  GPCT proposal was sponsored by Rep. Lopes, New Britain. By Paul Gobell and Barbara Barry.
    •  Demilitarization of the police and increasing the professional criteria of standards for police actions/behaviors:  byRolf Maurer and Barbara Barry.
    •  Universal healthcare: by Barbara Barry.  
    • Promotions of MUDs (municipal utility districts) to as many of the state’s 169 towns. Currently there are 6 MUDs and only Wallingford owns and maintains its own power lines…and it has not lost power when UI and CL&P lost power. By Barbara Barry and S. Michael DeRosa.
    • Common Core Curriculum reform:  by Baird Welch-Collins, Emily Garfinkel and Joshua Steele Kelly.
    • Renewable energy:  by Ed Heflin and S. Michael DeRosa. 
    • Ballot access: 
    • Decriminalization of cannabis and use of hemp economy: by Rolf Maurer, Baird Welch-Collins and Cindy Day.  
    • Promote  the conversion of military property/businesses to renewable energy sources:  by S. Michael DeRosa and Rolf Maurer.

9.  (15-20 minutes): the April 25, 2015  GPCT 2015 Annual Meeting at Portland Waverly Center:                                                     a) time: 11am to 5pm;          b) agenda:  Internal GPCT candidates speak and take questions from 11am to noon; potluck lunch from noon to 12:30pm; Linda Thompson speaks from 12:30 to 1pm about her trip to Cuba with Code Pink;  1PM deadline for all ballots to be presented for counting;  1PM to 1:30PM: Tim McKee to update GPCT about the Algonquin GP alliance;  1:30PM to 2:15PM: GPCT Legislative Committee to talk about our GPCT legislative agenda and take questions;  2:15PM to 3PM: Session A workshops about legislative agenda issues;  3PM to 3:45PM: Session B workshops about legislative agenda issues;  3:45PM to 4PM: attendees to suggest/vote on future GPCT focus for the next year;   4PM: internal elections results.                                                                                c) elect  the five (5) EC offices and our three (3) representatives to the GPUS;   d) deadline for submission of candidates for these positions: at the close of the March 16, 2015 SCC meeting about 8:30PM via email, writing or orally to GPCT secretary.  NO CANDIDATE NAMES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 8:30PM on MARCH 16, 2015.      e) send out notices of meeting will also include requests for funds. Possible uses for funds: to petition for our 2016 GPUS presidential candidate and to reaffirm that we are a political party which does not cross-endorse or accept corporate money;   money to sponsor or co-sponsor events; 800 GPCT phone number.  Volunteers to develop the ballot from the 2-16-15 SCC meeting are: Ronna Stuller, Christopher Reilly, Barbara Barry and likely Doug Lary;               f) candidate statements and biographies to be on GPCT website, not the notice to GPCT members;     g) selection of our representatives to the GPUS National Committees will be determined at the next SCC as determined by the EC elected at the April 25, 2015 GPCT Annual Meeting;     h) potluck food and beverages;    and i) items for fundraising.  

  

10.  (15 minutes): GPCT Fundraising Committee reports:   a)  Saturday, March 28, 2015  GPCT  fundraiser at the Portland Waverly Center from noon to 5PM: with “leftist folk music” by Baird Welch-Collins.  Attendees are urged to bring potluck food and beverages; and items for sale.Urge GPCT  Facebook users to send out e-invites. Ask people and organizations with similar values to come to the fundraiser;  b) goal setting about future small GPCT regional fundraising events.

11.  (5 minutes):  GPCT Budget Committee: Linda Thompson and Christopher Reilly.  a) Goal setting: need money to petition for the GPUS 2016 presidential candidate.  Advertise events in the print and digital media. GPCT volunteers are still welcome to participate.

12. ( 5 minutes): GPCT sponsored events:   a) “True Colors” LGBT annual conference on Friday and  Saturday, March 20-21, 2015 at the UCONN Storrs campus.  http://www.ourtruecolors.org/Programs/Conference/brochure or www.ourtruecolors.org b) any other events?   

13.  (5-10 minutes): Past and future events of possible interest to the GPCT: a)  Saturday, February 28, 2015 speaking event by U.S.  Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, RI  at 1:30PM at Yale School of Forestry, 195 Prospect Street, New Haven. CT 06511  (203) 432-5100.    New Directions in Environmental Law 2015: Harnessing Momentum i.e. ways we can channel energy to make the 21st century environmental solutions a reality. He is a long-time opponent of the Keystone Pipeline but supports fracking.

14. (5 minutes): GPCT Facebook: people are asking to join the GPCT on this site.  Per CT regulations and GPCT Bylaws: cannot do so on social media sites.

15. (10 minutes):Report from Linda Thompson of the GPCT Outreach Committee:  goal setting i.e. selection of GPCT member liaisons with other CT organizations with similar values e.g. Able Child,  HempCT, CT Sierra Club,  True Colors, Environmental Justice Network, organizations supporting urban/suburban/rural farm to table farming. 

 

16.  (10 minutes): Reports from our (3) GPCT representatives to each (GPUS) Committee.  

Accreditation (AC): reviews 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 2014 GPUS Annual Meeting: Tim McKee.                            

Ballot Access (BA): discussion of efforts/difficulties/strategies/successes of the state Green Parties gaining ballot access: S. Michael DeRosa and Don Alexander.                                                                              Black  Caucus.                                                                                                                

Bylaws, Rules, Polices Procedure (BRPP): for the GPUS officers and national committees: Joshua Steele Kelly.

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

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

Diversity (DC):  strategies/actions to urge/maximize diversity within the GPUS. Don Alexander.         

Eco Action (EA): develop strategies for the GPUS regarding ecological matters. Jeff Russell.     Finance (FinCom): determine how to spend the GPUS money.                            

Fundraising (FC): raises money for the GPUS.                                                                                       

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

International Committee (IC): develops/promotes GPUS positions re: world  issues. Amy Vas Nunes, S. Michael DeRosa and Justine McCabe.

Latino Caucus:  Hector Lopez.                                                                                                             

Merchandizing Committee (MERCH): determines/acquires items for the GPUS.  Rolf Maurer.  

Media Committee (MC): writes GPUS press releases.                                                                     

Outreach (OC): interacts with other groups who may have similar interests of the GPUS.  Don Alexander and Linda  Thompson.                                                                                                                                                                                                        Peace (GPAX): discusses/develops strategies of how the GPUS may promote peace throughout  the world. Don Alexander, Joshua Steele Kelly and S. Michael DeRosa.                                                    

Platform (PC): promotes positions on issues for the GPUS which are consistent with Green Party Ten Key Values. Amy Vas Nunes, Don Alexander and S. Michael DeRosa.                                       

Presidential Campaign Support Committee (PCSC):  develop strategies to support any GPUS presidential candidates. Tim McKee.                                                                                                                                                                                                       Women’s Caucus. 

  

17. (15 minutes): a) GPCT chapter developmentb) GPCT chapter reports:  GreaterFairfield; Greater Hartford; Greater New Haven;  Greater Norwich;  New London and Waterford, CT.  and c) written approved minutes to the CTGP secretary.

18.  The next SCC meeting  is  to be determined by the EC members elected at the April 25, 2015 GPCT Annual Meeting.  

  

19.  Other suggestions.     

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

Submitted by Barbara Barry, GPCT secretary for the GPCT EC: Linda Thompson, S. Michael DeRosa, Rolf Maurer and Christopher Reilly.

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