Approved minutes of the February 16, 2015 (Monday) SCC meeting at 6:30pm at the Portland Waverly Center, 7 Waverly Ave, Portland, CT 06480. 

GPCT attendees by chapter: Fairfield: David Bedell;  GPCT co-chairperson, Rolf Maurer; Greater Hartford: co-chairperson: S. Michael DeRosa, treasurer, Christopher Reilly, secretary, Barbara Barry, Emily Garfinkel; New London: Ronna Stuller; Waterford: Baird Welch-Collins.  Other GPCT members: Bill Glickman, Glastonbury; Vittorio Lancia, Middletown; Ross Levin of Middletown.  Non-GPCT attendees: Michael Kenton, Wethersfield; Jack Wiren, Santa Clara, CA.  Facilitator: Barbara Barry. Quorum met.

The following agenda was determined by consensus of the attendees.

1.  Deferred due to time:  Review and approve the minutes of the: a) January 12, 2015  SCC meeting  and  b)  accept EC minutes of:  September 12, 2014,  January 7, 2015 and February 2, 2015  meetings.                                                                                                                                                         2.  Treasurer's report from Christopher Reilly: balance of $891.47.                                                                                                     3.  Deferred due to time: Secretary’s report from Barbara Barry                                                                                  4.  Reports from our three (3) representatives to the GPUS:  S. Michael DeRosa and Baird Welch-Collins: GPUS annual meeting will be in St. Louis.  Date: to be determined. Presidential Campaign Support Committee(PCSC) is active: Jill Stein announced 2-6-15 on CSPAN that she is seeking to be the GPUS 2016 presidential candidate. They may be other GPUS candidates for that office.  Tim McKee was absent.                                                                                                                                               5.  A)  EC proposalseek Freedom of Information request about where the CT money has come from to give to each CT candidate who met state regulations since the 2005 Campaign Finance Law.  Consensus: approval for this proposal. B) Linda Thompson, GPCT co-chairperson was absent.  Consensus: this proposal was deferred until  LT may address this at the future SCC meeting.

6.  Report about the expansion of the Algonquin Pipeline from:  a) absent: 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/   and   b) report from Vic Lancia, Ross Levin  and Michael Kenton from the group: Capitalism vs. the Environment regarding their efforts/goals about the Algonquin Pipeline. Had some arrests at a peaceful protest in Stamford, CT; attend public hearings; oppose the coal plant in Bridgeport, CT; a public hearing is scheduled in Voluntown, CT for some time in April 2015.  

7. David Bedell reports his is waiting for feedback from some voters about any potential GPCT complaints to the CT SEEC (State Elections Enforcement)  regarding 11-4-14 election events.                         

8.  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) Addendum II: accept the minutes of the telephonic meeting Legislative Committee meetings of:  December 8, 2014, December 16, 2014, December 23, 2014, January 5, 2015 and  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 agenda issues which have been proposed to multiple CT legislators for sponsorship and review.

  • CT public banking:  Ed Heflin  drafted a bill.  A CT Legislative Banking Committee hearing at  10:30AM on Thursday, February 19, 2015  in Room R2B (2nd floor of the LOB).   Demilitarization of the police and increasing the professional criteria of standards for police actions/behaviors:  by Rolf Maurer and Barbara Barry.
    • Urban/suburban/rural farming:  Paul Gobell 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:  S. Michael DeRosa.  
  • Decriminalization of cannabis and use of hemp economy: by Rolf Maurer, Baird Welch-Collins and Cindy Day.  
  • CT Legislative Committee to promote the conversion of military property/businesses to renewable energy sources:  by S. Michael DeRosa and Rolf Maurer.

9.  Consensus:  approved all the following  Agenda for the April 25, 2015  GPCT 2015 Annual Meeting at Portland Waverly Cente:  a) time: 11am to 5pm;  b) elect the five (5) EC offices and our three (3) representatives to the GPUS;   c) deadline for submission of candidates for these positions: at the close of the March 16, 2015  SCC meeting;  d) speakers to all attendees: request Tim McKee about the Algonquin Pipeline expansion and perhaps another speaker;   e) 45 minute workshops about our CT legislative agenda items led by experts. May need to consider two sessions;  f) sending out notices of meeting will also include requests for funds. Possible uses for funds: to petition for our 2016 GPUS presidential candidate; sponsor and/or co-sponsor events; and to reaffirm that we are a political party which does not cross-endorse or accept corporate money. g) Volunteers to do the ballot mailing: Ronna Stuller, Christopher Reilly, Barbara Barry and likely Doug Lary. h) candidate statements and biographies to be on GPCT website, not the notice to GPCT members;  i) selection of our representatives to the GPUS National Committees will be determined at the SCC determined by the EC officers elected at the April 25, 2015 GPCT Annual Meeting;  j) potluck food and beverages;  and k) items for fundraising.    

10.  Consensus: approval about the   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 oute-invites.  Ask people and organizationswith similar values to come to the fundraiser.  SMD will continue efforts to acquire a GP speaker. b)  March 21, 2015 fundraiser from 7PM to 10PM, at 84-86 Gold Street, New London, CT.  fundraiser is for the NL chapter.                       

11.  GPCT Budget Committee: member: Linda Thompson was absent. S. Michael DeRosa stated he would request the Ballot Access GPUS National Committee provide some funds to help CT acquire enough valid petition signatures to have the 2016 GPUS presidential candidate on the CT ballot.SMD is BA member. Christopher Reilly(GPCT Budget Committee member) supports this plan and further advised that goal setting needs to be addressed by the GPCT Budget Committee.                        

12. Consensus: approval for GPCT to co-sponsor:  “True Colors” LGBT annual conference on Friday and  Saturday, March 20-21, 2015 at the UCONN Storrs campus.  www.ourtruecolors.org or  http://www.ourtruecolors.org/Programs/Conference/brochure.   Emily Garfinkel stated she is trying to get valid information about the actual cost, if any,  to table at this event.

13.  Consensus:  reach out to: NAACP, HempCT, True Colors, Able Child, Environmental Justice Network.  Linda Thompson of the GPCT Outreach Committee was absent so there was no report from her.  

14.  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: absent.                                                                                                                                                                Ballot Access (BA): discussion of efforts/difficulties/strategies/successes of the state Green Parties gaining ballot access: S. Michael DeRosa:  no known GP in VT or NH or RI?  Don Alexander was absent.                                                                                                                                                                 Black  Caucus.                                                                                                                                                          Bylaws, Rules, Polices Procedure (BRPP): for the GPUS officers and national committees: Joshua Steele Kelly: absent.                                                                                                                                                 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.                                   Jeff Russell Finance (FinCom): determine how to spend the GPUS money.                             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 re: world  issues. S. Michael DeRosa :  no meetings.  Amy Vas Nunes and Justine McCabe were absent.                                                  Latino Caucus:  Hector Lopez: absent.                                                                                                              Merchandizing Committee (MERCH): determines/acquires items for the GPUS.  Rolf Maurer: his is developing new designs for the GPUS annual meeting.                                                                      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 were absent.                                                                                                                       Peace (GPAX): discusses/develops strategies of how the GPUS may promote peace throughout  the world. S. Michael DeRosa: not active. Don Alexander and Joshua Steele Kelly were absent.                                                     Platform (PC): promotes positions on issues for the GPUS which are consistent with Green Party Ten Key Values. S. Michael DeRosa.   Amy Vas Nunes and Don Alexander:absent.                                       Presidential Campaign Support Committee (PCSC):  develop strategies to support any GPUS presidential candidates. Tim McKee was absent.                                                                                                           Women’s Caucus.     

15. a) GPCT chapter reports:  GreaterFairfield; Greater Hartford; Greater Norwich;  New London and Waterford, CT.  and b) written approved minutes from New London to the CTGP secretary.

16.  The next SCC meeting  is Monday, March 16, 2015 at 6:30PM at Portland Waverly Center and EC may wish to consider a snow date for this SCC meeting.                         

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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